Toeing Don’s line US takes up H-1B Bill with changes
Washington, Jan. 5: A Bill backing key changes in the H-1B programme that allows skilled workers from countries like India to fill high-tech jobs in the US has been reintroduced in the US Congress by two lawmakers who claim that that it will help crack down on the work visa abuse.
The ‘Protect and Grow American Jobs Act’ makes important changes to the eligibility requirements for H-1B is an exemptions was reintroduced on Wednesday by Republican Darrell Issa and Scott Peters both from California.
The Bill among other things increases the minimum salary of H-1B visa to $100,000 per annum and eliminates the Masters Degree exemption. The legislation, they argued, will help crack down on abuse and ensure that these jobs remain available for the best and brightest talent from around the world.
The Bill comes after a number of companies — Disney,Southern California Edison and others — have come under fire for abusing the H-1B visa programme to replace American workers with foreign workers.
Reshaping immigration is a central tenet of President-elect Donald Trump’s push for companies to invest and hire more in the US. — PTI
THE BILL checks abuse of H-1B visa programme by companies to replace American workers with foreign workers.
THE BILL also raises salary to a level more in line with the average American salary.
We are a stronger nation, with a stronger military because of our respect for religious and personal freedom — JOE CROWLEY, US Congressman
In a significant move to enable all religious minorities in America including the Sikhs to freely serve without exception, the US Army has issued new regulations on religious liberty to accommodate people who wear beards, turbans or hijabs.
The new set of rules, issued by Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning, allows religious accommodations to be approved at the brigade-level. Previously it was at the level of Secretary.
Once that approval occurs, the change will ensure that the religious accommodation is enduring and applies to most positions within the US Army.
The new regulations came about largely in response to litigation and advocacy from Sikh servicemen who wear beards and turbans for religious reasons, and who wanted to be able to keep them while actively serving.
The regulations provide that except in rare circumstances sincere followers of the Sikh faith may no longer be forced to abandon their religious turbans, unshorn hair, or beards to serve their country.
“This is a major progress, not just for the Sikh-American community but for our nation’s military. Sikh-Americans love this country and want a fair chance to serve in our country on equal footing. Today’s announcement will help do just that,” Congressman Joe Crowley said welcoming the directive issued by the US Army Secretary.