Anna G. Eshoo, Congresswoman from California's 14th Congressional District completely ignores the questions about the problems with NOVA in this letter. She seems to be very proud that she is an H-1B supporter.

 

 
I am an unemployed software engineer and scientist. I recently attended a NOVA orientation workshop. The NOVA instructor said that the program is swamped and could not handle the huge load of applicants. Specifically, one would not even be eligible for consideration for a training program at a local college until July 1! This was due to the heavy overload of people already using the program. The example they used was that if you wanted to take a UNIX administrator class at Foothill College, you were not even eligible for consideration until July 1. They are so backlogged with applicants for the orientation meeting that they indicated we were lucky to have even obtained a slot. They said the system is overloaded due to the huge number of lay offs. Those attending the orientation said they needed to take classes at Foothill or wherever but NOVA appears to be under funded. You may want to attend a NOVA orientation meeting to learn how overloaded they are (408)730-7671. The attendees will give you an earful. 

What I do not understand is that if you go to the http://www.zazona.com/LCA-Data/ database, you will find that many companies have a huge number of H-1Bs taking valuable positions from those job seekers attending the NOVA program.

The H-1B law says it is to "temporarily import and employ ... specialized jobs not filled by U.S. workers". Thus, the law was intended for "temporary" rather than permanent labor (http://www.dol.gov/dol/eta/public/regs/fedreg/final/2000122001.htm). The law was clearly not intended to deny U.S. citizens jobs but this is precisely what it is doing during this difficult economic time. Apparently, the $1,000 each company pays the government for each H-1B is not going to the NOVA program. So not only do the H-1Bs take limited job positions but the government does not retrain those of us who have lost a job. Something is seriously wrong. I hope you move to eliminate the H-1B program so individuals like myself who voted for you can get back to work. Thank you for your help.

(Name Removed by Request)

 

April 30, 2002

Dear (to engineer that wrote letter):

Thank you for contacting me with regard to the H-1B visa program.

As you may know, I'm a supporter of the H-1B visa program. Legislation  which passed in 2000 increased the number of H1-B visas from 115,000 to 200,000 and the 200,000 mark will remain for the next three years. The bill doubled the amount of fees companies now pay for visas from $500 to $1,000. These monies are used to fund education and training programs that include: (1) financial assistance for math and science teachers, (2) funding for math and science programs, (3) National Science Foundation scholarships, and (4) money for regional job training programs.

H-1B workers must possess specialty skills needed by the U.S. employer who sponsors their visa petition. Moreover, H-1B workers are supposed to earn the same salary and benefits as their American counterparts. This program was established to solve the worker shortage the technology industry had in the late 1990s. The INS approved 163,200 visas, 31,800 less than the total allowed. This number does not reflect the number of foreign workers who actually came to the U.S.

Although we may not agree on this issue, I appreciate hearing from you and ask you to continue to inform me on issues you care about. I always need and welcome the benefit of your thoughts and ideas.

Sincerely,
Anna G. Eshoo 
Member of Congress
 

 

12/31/07