immigrants fairness act tech immigration members support

Tech Industry Considers Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act a Key VoteWASHINGTON – Today ITI, the global voice of the tech sector, announced itssupport for H.R. 1044, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019.In a letter sent to members of the U.S. House of Representatives, ITIemphasized the importance of high-skilled immigration reform to the techindustry and the legislation’s ability to help propel innovation, grow theU.S. economy, and create American jobs.ITI scores votes that are key priorities for the tech sector. The following istext of the letter sent to members of Congress announcing the techorganization’s intention to key vote the legislation:July 9, 2019 Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy:On behalf of the members of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI),I write to express our strong support for H.R. 1044, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019. Given the importance of high-skilledimmigration reform to the technology sector, we will consider scoring votes insupport of final passage in our 116th Congressional Voting Guide.The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act would eliminate arbitrary per-country caps on employment-based immigrant visas. Our current immigrationsystem dictates that nationals from a single country cannot annually comprisemore than seven percent of the total number of employment-based visas. We havelong advocated for changes to our immigration system that allow U.S. employersto attract and retain the world’s best and highly educated employees in orderto compete in a global marketplace. Removing the antiquated per-country limitson employment-based visas is an important step in maintaining ourcompetitiveness as a nation.ITI member companies are acutely aware that we live in an age where talentknows no borders. Preventing a skilled worker from providing his or her skillset in the United States because of an arbitrary limit placed on his or hercountry of origin is counterproductive and no longer makes sense in today’seconomy.The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act is much-needed legislation thatwill enable highly skilled workers who wish to work in the United States topropel innovation, engender growth in our economy, and help create Americanjobs. The bill also unites 311 Members of Congress on a single policy and isstrongly supported by ITI member companies.I thank you for your leadership on immigration reform and urge you and yourcolleagues to support the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act when itcomes to the House floor.Sincerely,Jason OxmanPresident and CEOcc: Members of the House of Representatives