April 27, 2005

Bill Gates Criticizes H-1B Cap
In a recent panel discussion at the Library of Congress, Bill Gates suggested to "get rid of the H-1B visa caps," finding the numerical limitation for technology workers "questionable," suggesting that "the theory behind the H-1B" (cap) is "too many smart people are coming" to temporarily work in this country. Gates said that America's competitiveness will suffer with increased technological capacity abroad, especially in the face of growing high-level research institutions in China and India. Stricter immigration laws as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks have already resulted in decreasing numbers of students applying at U.S. colleges and schools.

Without foreign minds, the U.S. won't be able to maintain her status as the technologically most advanced nation in the world, as history has shown. Before World War II, many European scientists fled the Nazi regime and came to the U.S. to help develop nuclear science and many other areas where highly skilled professionals were needed.

After all, the United States is a country of immigrants.