U.S. Government Rejecting Highly-Skilled Workers

(Arlington, VA) – According to new research by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), the United States government is rejecting visa applications for highly skilled H-1B workers at a far higher rate than in recent years – despite the strength of the U.S. economy and the inability of American employers to fill positions. In the first quarter of 2019, 32 percent of H-1B applications were denied; in 2015, just 6 percent were denied, according to NFAP. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number of unfilled positions in the United States has grown in recent years – and now stands at more than 7 million. The president has repeatedly emphasized the need to welcome more willing workers from abroad, given the fast-growing domestic economy. Nevertheless, it appears the government may be increasingly denying American businesses the talent they need to continue to grow and succeed.

Daniel Garza, President of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“Thanks to tax reduction and regulatory restraint, American workers and entrepreneurs have been unleashed to generate economic growth and opportunity. The U.S. economy is setting records, and more than seven millions jobs are currently open – with employers unable to find American workers to fill them. The president is absolutely right when he says that the United States should welcome more immigrants from abroad – to contribute to our country and its economy. Unfortunately, the government is rejecting more highly-skilled visa applicants than ever – and that threatens to undermine our healthy economy. That needs to change.

“Our immigration system should be welcoming and easy to navigate – ensuring that when America welcomes immigrants and their talents from abroad, they are able to contribute fully to our nation. Very few aspiring immigrants are even given the opportunity to be considered for an H1B visa – employers must attest to a real need, strict requirements must be met, and applicants must then survive a lottery program that this year only accommodated a third of all total applications received. A growing rate of denial is a worrying sign that our current system is increasingly restricting our already limited legal immigration avenues and that the economy is no longer taking advantage of the best and brightest from around the world – making an already difficult system harder to trust. We want these workers, who have been particularly selected by their employer for a specific talent, to apply that skill here – so that all in America can benefit from the application of their talents and contributions.”

For interviews with a representative from The LIBRE Initiative, please contact Brian Faughnan, 202-805-1581 or Wadi Gaitan, 202-853-4433

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