Detroit News Reporter seeks interviews

Date: Sunday, August 20, 2006 2:26 PM

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1543 -- 08/20/2006 >>>>>

A reporter named Sarah Ryley from the "Detroit News" is looking for people
who have been displaced from their jobs by H-1B visa holders. She also
would like to talk to H-1B visa holders who have been abused or exploited.

I explained to Ryley via a phone conversation that it's very rare to find
people who have proof positive that they were replaced by an H-1B, and it's
even more unlikely that they would be able to prove that they were not
allowed to interview for a job because an H-1B was hired instead. By the
end of our conversation she understood that many people she might talk to
might know what happened even if they can't prove it. I also explained to
Ryley why people might fear the risk of talking to a reporter and she
assured me that confidentiality will be preserved when asked for.

My impression is that Ryley doesn't seek absolute proof but of course as a
reporter she does want to talk to people with credible stories.

There are many of you on this mailing list that could help her to write a
good story. Please contact her ASAP because her deadline is nearing. Ryley
is working this story on Sunday so don't hesitate to call or email her.

She has a tight deadline so in order to reduce the volume of her calls,
please don't contact her at this time unless you have carefully read her
message and feel you have a story that is on topic for what she is looking
for. At this time she doesn't want stories about other visas, such as L-1,
offshoring, or other related job destruction issues.

Feel free to distribute Ryley's request to other newsletters, newsgroups,
forums, and activist organizations. We need to connect her to people so
that our point of view can be aired.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Date: Sunday, August 20, 2006 1:18 PM

I am a reporter from The Detroit News working on an article about the H-1B
program as part of a series on the immigration debate. I am looking to
speak to people who have been affected by this program in some way,
particularly those who KNOW they have been displaced by H-1B visa holders
or H-1B visa holders who feel they have been underpaid.

I understand that many people may suspect that theyve been displaced by
an H-1B holder, but for the purpose of this article I can only talk to
people who are sure and have some level of proof, perhaps someone in HR or
someone who was forced to train their replacement. It would be great if one
of the companies involved (either your company or the outsourcing firm) had
some ties to Michigan, such as a large auto maker or one of the many IT
"body shops" like Syntel, Infosys or Tata that are either based in Michigan
or have offices in Michigan. If you are employed by the company youre
speaking about, for example if you work in HR, you can remain anonymous.
Only I would need to know your name.

For H-1B workers who feel they are being underpaid or mistreated in some
way compared to how a U.S. citizen or green card-holder would be treated, I
will need to know specifics about how much you are being paid or how many
hours youre forced to work, but I do not need to use your real name. I
understand that you may be reluctant to come forward, but as long as your
name is protected it generally is only helpful to working conditions when
abuses are reported on. Many high profile investigations were spurred from
newspaper reports, some which have resulted in back wages being awarded.

Please contact me as soon as possible, as I am on a tight deadline for
completing this article.

Thank you,

Sarah Ryley
The Detroit News, business reporter
615 W. Lafayette Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
Office: 313-222-2536
Cell: 248-880-2028
sryley@detnews.com

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