CCIA Welcomes Introduction of SKIL Act in House

File Under: 2006, CCIA

Jul 5, 2006

The Computer & Communications Industry Association welcomes the introduction of H.R. 5744, the Securing Knowledge, Innovation, and Leadership (SKIL) Act. The bill includes the skilled immigration reform provisions supported by CCIA, such as an increase in the H-1B visa cap to 115,000 and making the cap a flexible market-based one, as well as an exemption from the H-1B visa cap and from the employment-based green card cap for holders of advanced degrees from U.S. universities. CCIA commends the bill’s sponsor, Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ), for acting to ensure that U.S. technology companies continue to have access to the highly skilled foreign workers they need.

The reform provisions in the SKIL Act supported by CCIA are also included in comprehensive immigration reform legislation passed by the Senate in May. “While there is a robust ongoing debate between the House and the Senate concerning illegal immigration, we are heartened to see that there is bicameral recognition of the need to reform the system for legal and skilled foreign workers,” said Ed Black, CCIA’s President & CEO. “In order to maintain the U.S. edge in global competitiveness, we need to continue to attract and utilize technological talent from around the world.”

Contact: Will Rodger, 202-783-0070 ext. 105