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An Anonymous Coward writes:

"The abuse of the system is real, and media reports are validating what we have argued against for years, including the fact that Americans are training their replacements."

(Grassley-Durbin Bill press statement, Nov 11)

There has been much ado about the H1-B and L1 visa programs for foreign workers, with some in favor, and some against. What is pretty clear though, is that abuses do happen.

Now Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) have introduced legislation to try and curb some of these abuses. Among other things, their bill proposes to prohibit companies with more than 50 employees of hiring H1-B employees if the company already employs more than 50 percent of H1-B and L1 visa holders, and to establish a wage floor for L1 workers.

Working conditions of similarly employed American workers may not be adversely affected by the hiring of the H-1B worker, including H-1B workers who have been placed by another employer at the American worker's worksite. In addition, it explicitly prohibits the replacement of American workers by H-1B or L-1 visa holders.

Full text of the bill here (pdf), supporting statement by IEEE USA here.

Given election times and all, what chance do you think this bill has to make it into legislation?

Original Submission