Arlen Specter: “I am not unaware of that, but it goes to the overall point of the experts who testify as to whether we would be taking…”

“I am not unaware of that, but it goes to the overall point of the experts who testify as to whether we would be taking away jobs American workers would want. The experts further testify that although there was some impact on the wages, there would not be a significant loss in wages. When the Senator from North Dakota talks about the costs of bringing in 10 million people, that simply is not what title IV does. The title he wishes to eliminate as to any immigrants coming into the country in the future is only open to those now in the country. Title IV provides that there be an annual cap of 325,000, with each guest worker employed for up to 3 years, renewable for an additional 3 years. Then the approach is that those individuals will return to their home country unless they can otherwise qualify to stay here. The guest workers will enjoy travel privileges in and out of the United States and portability between jobs. We allow workers to obtain green cards by self-petitioning, if they qualify, and allow students with advanced degrees in science and math to stay in the United States. Title IV exempts workers with advanced degrees in science and math from green card caps, and it increases the annual allotment of H-1B professional worker visas from 65,000 to 115,000, with a fluctuating cap. Title IV is important as part of a balanced program.…”