October 30, 2001 

Dear Congresswoman Wilson: 

As you know a year ago the US Congress voted for the largest increase in H-1B Visas against the wishes of the general public. There were grossly misleading statements made by the pro-H-1B lobbying professionals who represented private employers, bodyshops, and universities. 

These employers were already firing thousands of qualified US workers and that discrutive activity has only increased. In fact unemployment throughout the USA is it at its highest in 10 years. 

Still, in the midst of these massive lay offs there is very little evidence that the H-1B Non Immigrant TEMPORARY workers are being seperated from their jobs prior to US workers. Worst yet is that INS declared in August 2001 that they are not aware of any H-1B visa holder ever having returned to their country of origin which is a condition of their being granted the guest worker visa of the H-1B. This is a national disgrace. 

As you are aware, our national labs have hired H-1B foreign workers which are jobs that US workers could have had. This has clearly placed the US populaton at risk since these temporary foreign workers are on sites in which the USA houses and conducts highly classified defense research in biological, chemical, and nuclear materials. 

These out-of-status H-1B Visa holders are now roaming unmonitored through the USA. Because they took jobs that US workers could have done --- they have working knowledge of our computer systems, our communication systems, financial industry, biological and chemical research projects. All the while the US Congress did nothing to assure that US workers were not being side-lined by this importation of cheap foreign labor. Now, the USA is under two of the predicted problems of such pro-cheap foreign labor --- 1) we now have terrorists roaming the USA (H-1Bs have no screening prior to entering the USA; INS admited that over 70% of work histories are false and over 30% of the educational claims are false); 2) we now have record unemployment throughout the USA yet the H-1Bs are by in large still employed. 

Now is the time for the US Congress to correct the major errors in decissions that it made repeatedly during the 1990s. I request that you support the proposed legislation of US Congressman Tancredo of Colorado`s proposed immigration moritium. 

Last year your staffer advised the concerned New Mexico voters that many New Mexicans are "over-educated" for programming jobs that pay a mere $40,000/year. US master and doctorate degreed professionals would enjoy having a stable job and one that pays the token $40,000/year for their professional skills, talents, and dedication. You have to keep in mind that if these jobs are given to foreign temporary workers that it means an American worker is not given a chance to be gainfully employed. 

I urge you to please offer your full support to The Honorable Congressman Tancredo. Please let me know if the New Mexico people can count on your support for gaining control over our US borders, our jobs, and our national security with your support of Congressman Tancredo. 

Cynthia Walsh 
Documented family victim of the H-1B visa program 

November 7, 2001

Thank you for giving me the chance to set the record straight about America's H-1B visa program which helps sustain our rapidly growing economy and also helps meet the health care needs of families living in rural New Mexico.

 I oppose any change in the H-1B visa program that would cheat American citizens out of employment opportunities. 

Enclosed is a newspaper article that explains the real motives of the organization that spent tens of thousands of dollars on the deceptive ads that you report seeing. It's important to keep in mind, when you see outside special interest groups pouring dollars into mass advertising, that special interest groups have a hidden agenda. They aren't required to be either truthful or fair. The result is that many people are frightened or confused by the ads, and many don't make the sensible effort you have to find out the facts.

The H-1B visa program, which has been in place for many years, allows foreign workers with very special skills to work for no more than six  years in the United States. Thanks to this program, rural communities are finally able to successfully recruit medical personnel, such as physicians and nurses who may not be American citizens but meet American licensing standards.

High-tech companies in New Mexico need more workers than graduate from our schools, so foreign workers fill a vacuum that otherwise would limit the growth potential of our economy. Foreign workers also have to earn the same wages as their American counterparts, and there have to be no available qualified Americans for the needed job. A strong, growing high-tech economy benefits you and everyone else in our community regardless of how you earn your living.

I will continue to advocate for a stronger math and science curriculum in our schools, increased training for math and science teachers, and encouraging our kids to prepare themselves for 21st Century careers in the high-tech industry.

 To meet this goal I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 4271, the National Science Education Act, H.R. 4272, the National Science Education Enhancement Act and H.R. 4273, the National Science Education Incentive Act. These three bills are a first step in a long process to ensure that teachers are provided the necessary training and skills to teach math, science and engineering so that our kids can compete and work in the high-tech, high-paying information age.

 I hope this answers your questions about my position on the H-1B visa program. If you have questions about this or any other issue, please get in touch with me again. You can reach me by e-mail at ask.heather@mail.house.gov or by calling my Albuquerque office at 346-6781.

Thank you for contacting me regarding increasing the number of H-1B visa's. I appreciate knowing your thoughts. 

Sincerely,

Heather Wilson