Hatch Bill Might Fix Broken Immigration System and Increase H1-B Visa

Getting an H1-B Visa over the years has become more difficult. But the newly proposed “Hatch Bill” aims to change all of that. The bill promises to correct years of terrible immigration law and provide the opportunity for skilled workers to enter the U.S. while giving back the U.S. citizens and future generations.

This of course, also lowers the number of undocumented immigrants that stay after their visas expire. Less detainment and immigration bonds, more legal immigration.

It may sound to good to be true, but it just may be true.

How the Hatch Will Affect H1-B Visas

Most people, on both sides of the political aisle, consider the Hatch Bill a step in the right direction. Some say that this bill would finally fix some of the broken parts of immigration.

The Hatch Bill Would:

• Increase the number of yearly awarded H1-B Visas from 85,000 to 195,000 allowing more skilled workers to come to the United States.
• Allows Spouses to legally work in the U.S. as well.
• Eliminate the “per country” caps of Green Cards which will reduce massive backlogs of qualified people entering the U.S.
• Increases visa fees which will in turn go towards STEM education in the U.S. eventually meaning that future generations will find qualified candidates in the U.S.
• Raises the minimum salary for H1-B dependent companies to $100,000 and also requires increases in salaries every 3 years to keep up with inflation.
• Simplifies the process for employers to petition for H1-B Visa for workers.
• Requires that companies who petition for H1-B Visas must first show they tried to find Americans for the same position.

Opposition to The Hatch Bill

No bill is ever without opposition.

Some are claiming that the Hatch Bill might hurt diversity in immigration. Because of the removal of country caps and increasing the number of H1-B Visas, some say that the U.S. will likely be flooded with Chinese and Indian immigrants because those countries have workers skilled in STEM jobs.

Ironically, immigrants are the ones opposed to the new changes under the Hatch Bill because it would be unfair to countries who are overlooked as possible candidates from other countries that cannot compete with Chinese and Indian skilled worker rates or individuals without STEM jobs.

For most foreigners, an H1-B Visa is a chance to come to the United States and work on things they would not have access to in their own countries.