Amendment to higher education law in US

WASHINGTON: In a move likely to help Indians seeking to work in the United States, a top US lawmaker has introduced an amendment to the country's Higher Education Reconciliation legislation that would strengthen employer access to skilled workers.

"A key part of the American economy is our ability to innovate. Yet, today, our country's technology companies are facing an impending crisis which requires critical interim relief," Senator John Cornyn said.

Senator Cornyn of Texas is the Ranking Republican on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship sub-committee of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Co Chair of the Senate India Caucus.

"USCIS's announcement this year that the cap for H-1B workers was met in just one day, coupled with the recent July announcement that employment-based visas were no longer available for those with advanced degrees, makes clear that industry needs interim relief today until we can return to comprehensive immigration reform," Senator Cornyn said.

"This amendment will go a long way to help out businesses that are the life-blood of the US economy and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting it," he added.

The Cornyn Amendment would allow the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security  to "recapture" unused employment-based visas.

This is not an increase in employment-based numbers but rather, a direction for the agencies to use all the visa numbers that are available today.