News and Events

The Computer & Communications Industry Association is pleased there is some action in the vital case of highly skilled immigration.  We commend House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, for introducing the STEM Jobs Act, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., the ranking member of the House Immigration subcommittee, for introducing the Attracting the Best and Brightest Act (ABBA), and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, for introducing the Benefits to Research and American Innovation through Nationality Statutes (BRAINS) Act.  These bills increase access to green cards for foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields by creating a new green card category of up to 55,000 visas for them. 

The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:

“We are encouraged that there is bipartisan recognition of the need to take advantage of the skilled workers being trained in our own universities and utilize them for the benefit of our economy.”  

“While there are differences between the bills (such as whether to eliminate the diversity visa lottery program), CCIA has long believed that reform of the employment-based green card system to reduce the backlogs that currently leave valued professional workers (and their employers) in procedural uncertainty for years is critical.  And we applaud Rep. Smith, Rep. Lofgren and Sen. Schumer for their leadership in taking action.”

“The gridlock on skilled immigration has amounted to unilateral disarmament in the global competition for talent.  Continuing to limit our nation’s economy’s access to this foreign-born talent makes no sense.  We look forward to responsible leaders in both parties reaching agreement to move forward with a STEM visa bill that can be passed by both chambers of Congress this year.”