Dear Readers:

Last week we reported on progress on the Specter comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate. A few amendments have since been added to the bill that are worth noting. In this issue, we summarize these changes to the Specter bill.

We also report on recent criticism of the L-1 visa program and how USCIS is reacting. At one time, the L-1 visa was off the radar screen for anti-immigrant groups largely focused on H-1B visas. But in recent years, the L-1 has come under attack, particularly as it has become a more popular option for companies facing the H-1B cap. Accusations of fraud and poor adjudicating at USCIS have become more common and the visa is under greater scrutiny.

In this issue, we also have a guest article from an unexpected source – Roy Lawson from the Programmers Guild. The Programmers Guild has been one of the leading voices OPPOSING increases in H-1B visas. While I know most of our readers don’t share the views of the Programmers Guild, Roy ’s article provides insight into the views of H-1B opponents and also offers some interesting ideas that might provide common ground for eventual agreement on a new approach to admitting foreign professional workers.

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As always, we remind readers that we're lawyers who make our living representing immigration clients and employers seeking to comply with immigration laws. We would love to discuss becoming your law firm. Just go to http://www.visalaw.com/intake.html to request an appointment or call us at 800-748-3819 or 901-682-6455.

Regards,

Greg Siskind