Jerry Brown: “I have already expressed my skepticism about the claims of a shortage. I would like to turn here to the protection for…”

“I have already expressed my skepticism about the claims of a shortage. I would like to turn here to the protection for U.S. workers. The Republican proposal is carefully crafted to apply only to companies that we call ``body shops.'' It would allow most American firms who use H-1Bs to avoid scrutiny by the Department of Labor. The Watt substitute requires all companies using H-1Bs to attest that they have sought an American employee, and that they have not laid off an American in order to take on the H-1B employee. In the Republican bill, the protection against layoffs only applies if the body shop knows or should have known that the ultimate employer was going to lay off the American worker. If I am an American worker, that does not fill me with confidence. The Department of Labor has been hampered in enforcing the H-1B program because only H-1B visa holders could initiate complaints.”