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The immigration bill is a hot topic in the US. Introduced by the “Gang of Eight” as the Senators are termed, the bill seeks to bring in radical changes in the way the country handles immigrants.
J. Smith, an IT analyst, said it would be the smaller IT companies that are going to be hit most while hiring.
TOUGH PENALTIES
“Big companies can temporarily move people in and out but it is small firms that would take the hit because of the stringent norms proposed on hiring talent from abroad,” he said.
The Bill seeks to impose tough penalties on employers hiring immigrants who do not have valid papers. It would mandate that employers electronically verify the legal status of the people they employ.
In this ongoing debate, there is no mid way – either one supports strongly or opposes it. From heads of companies to mid-level executives and from cab drivers to shopkeepers – everyone seems keen to participate in the debate.
According to Gaby Pacheco, an Immigrants Rights activists, there are about 11 million immigrants. Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, shown live here in TV channels, she argued that those who want to mingle with the US fabric should be allowed to do so.
The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, which runs into 840 pages, evoked sharp criticism from some conservatives who object to legalising the huge illegal population.
Expatriates may benefit
“As a nation founded, built and sustained by immigrants also has responsibility to harness that tradition,” the Bill says.
Pradeep, who works for a consulting firm here, feels that the Bill would help several thousand expatriate Indians waiting for greencard and citizenship. From H-1B to greencard and, then, to citizenship it used to take 5-8 years. “But it is taking far more time, leaving us in anticipation permanently,” he said.
Asked about his opinion on the new Bill and whether it will impact companies' plans to hire global talent, the new Chief Executive Officer of CA, Mike Gregoire, says: “A more open programme would be better for all.”
This underlines the IT industry's worry on the proposed stricter rules on mandatory advertisement of jobs in the local market.
> kurmanath.kanchi@thehindu.co.in
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