Thread by @doug_rand

Such a good panel on legal #immigration from @1a @toddzwillich @AveryJCK, w/ @Puneetkaurc (immigrant stuck in the green card backlog), @EleanorPelta (attorney) & @ahauslohner (reporter).

Includes a helpful interview with @RepZoeLofgren about #S386. 1/

the1a.org/shows/2020-01-…

@1a @toddzwillich @AveryJCK @Puneetkaurc @EleanorPelta @ahauslohner @RepZoeLofgren @toddzwillich asks about the political economy of the #immigration system: Doesn't Big Tech get whatever it wants?

Answer from panelists: Nope!

Companies are always jonesing for more #H1B visas, but haven't gotten their way since 2000, I believe?
2/
migrationpolicy.org/article/h-1b-t…

@1a @toddzwillich @AveryJCK @Puneetkaurc @EleanorPelta @ahauslohner @RepZoeLofgren Quick political guide:

* Temporary work visas (#H1B etc): Loved by employers; loathed by workers lashed to said employers

* Permanent residency (#GreenCard): Liked by (most) employers; loved by workers empowered to switch jobs & bargain for wages; better for US-born workers

3/

@1a @toddzwillich @AveryJCK @Puneetkaurc @EleanorPelta @ahauslohner @RepZoeLofgren #S386 would clamp down on employers that use #H1B visas as their business model (not the same as "Big Tech"), & would ultimately put all #GreenCard applicants in the same queue. But since Congress won't add more green cards, interest groups get stuck in zero-sum competition. 4/

@1a @toddzwillich @AveryJCK @Puneetkaurc @EleanorPelta @ahauslohner @RepZoeLofgren As @EleanorPelta pleads in this @1a interview: Just let more people get green cards! She's right, of course.

Who supports more employment-based green cards?

* Every worker here from every country
* Employers
* Unions

Who doesn't? Oh, right...

5/5

vox.com/policy-and-pol…