Congressional Briefing Voices Bipartisan Support for Investigation into H-1B Program

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IEEE-USA (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)

Sep 30, 2015, 03:41 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two former Justice Department officials voiced support for an investigation into potential discrimination against U.S. citizens who have been replaced by workers on H-1B visas.

John Trasviña, special counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices at the Department of Justice during the Clinton Administration, said he thinks this is a "perfect scenario for an independent investigation" by the department.

"The time to act is now to make sure that the H-1B program is not abused and that American workers have a full shot at the job opportunities that they are entitled to," Trasviña said.

William Sanchez, who led the same Office of Special Counsel as Trasviña during the George W. Bush Administration, said the office "is in a good position to investigate."

Sanchez and Trasviña made their remarks Tuesday during an IEEE-USA-sponsored congressional briefing. They expressed support for an investigation because of the tens of thousands of U.S. citizens working in engineering, IT and accounting who have been fired and replaced by workers employed by outsourcing companies.

Some of the most egregious examples this year have occurred at Southern California Edison, Disney and Toys "R" Us. According to The New York Times, four former Disney employees "have filed discrimination complaints against the company."

Bruce Morrison, who as chairman of the House Immigration Subcommittee authored the Immigration Reform Act of 1990 that created the H-1B temporary visa program, explained that the Office of Special Counsel could -- and should -- launch an investigation into potential discrimination against U.S. citizens.

Elchin Asgarli, a Ph.D. candidate at Georgetown University from Azerbaijian, also spoke at the briefing. He expressed an interest in getting a green card to remain in the United States after he graduates. Russ Harrison, IEEE-USA government relations director, served as moderator.

IEEE-USA favors increasing employment-based green cards for high-skill workers and reforming the H-1B program so that it doesn't displace U.S. employees.

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SOURCE IEEE-USA (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)