A Plea For A More Sensible Immigration Policy
Richard Herman is one of the most tireless advocates for a more sane and truly American immigration policies in this region (i.e., open and welcoming–you know, like it says on the Statue of Liberty?). I recently received the following note from him which I am going to take the libert of publishing here in its entirety:
Dear Technology Business Leaders:
This is a follow-up to a May, 2007 letter, in which I floated an idea for the development of new immigration legislation that would create
“High Skill Immigration Zones” in economically distressed urban centers (such as Rustbelt Cities Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Buffalo, etc.).
Much like the U.S. Investor Green Card Program (which offers foreign investors special incentives to invest in high-unemployment regions in the U.S.), the proposed “High Skill Immigration Zones” would offer special incentives (in this case, relief from H1B Visa Cap and other immigration hurdles) to technology companies and their high-tech talent interested in locating in the targeted geographic zone.
While we would like to see an amelioration of the H1B cap across the board for the entire country, a second-best option would be to pursue the High Skill Immigration Zone proposal as a way to allow U.S. companies to “in-source” needed talent to grow and innovate at home, and at the same time, give a much-needed boost to depopulating, declining urban centers with under-utilized infrastructure and difficulty in transitioning to a knowledge-based economy.
Many of you have responded to this letter expressing interest in this idea.
Now that Comprehensive Immigration Law Reform is off the Congressional table, I think now is a good time to re-visit the “High-Skill Immigration Zone” concept.
I invite you to weigh-in on whether building a national coalition around this issue is prudent, and whether you would be interested in participating in such a collaboration.
I thank you for your previous feedback, and I look forward to any additional thoughts you may have on the subject.
In the meantime, please note the following links to articles that speak to the emerging importance of finding innovative solutions to better integrating U.S. technology industries to the global market of high-skilled labor.
Regards
Richard
Richard T. Herman & Associates, LLC
Attorneys at Law
The Superior Building
815 Superior Ave., Suite 1910
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
216-696-6170
216-696-0104 fax
I encourage you to contact Richard directly if you want to help. He also has a letter he has sent to our representatives advocating this approach. You may want to ask him for a copy, and for permission to send your own version to your representatives as well. Here’s an excerpt from that letter:
Old industrial cities like
Immigration of technology and entrepreneurship talent can be leveraged to help turn-around and boost the economy of
These “High Skill Immigration Zones” might permit qualified local governments to seek
We already have some precedent in the Immigrant Investor Green Card Program — 50% lower investment required in distressed urban areas; local governments can also apply for incentive-laden license to attract immigrant investors (Regional Center Designation—-which the Administration seems more eager than predecessors in marketing/supporting the program).
You can contact Richard at www.asklawyer.net. Go ahead–ask!