Immigration Update

11/04/2010: Result of November Election and Expected Change in Immigration Legislation Leadership in the House of Representatives
November 2, 2010 Midterm National Election will turn the House of Representatives into a Republican-majority and Republican-controlled chamber. Report indicates that this change will also affect the leaders in immigration legislation in the House. Currently the House Judiciary Committee is chaired by Rep. Conyers and its Immigration Subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Lofgren. But in the 112th Congress that opens in January 2011, the Judiciary Committee will be reportedly chaired by Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas and its Immigration Subcommittee is expected to be chaired by Rep. Steve King of Iowa. Report indicates that the new immigration leadership in the House will support highly skilled foreign worker program such as H-1B but will oppose low skilled foreign worker program including H-2B. This new leadership is contrasted with the Senate immigration leadership that takes a hostile position on high-tech foreign worker program such as H-1B while supporting low skilled visa program and comprehensive immigration reform legislation. These Senate leaders include Senator Chuck Schumer, the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa. Durbin-Grassley has formed a strong team in the Senate against the high-tech foreign worker programs such as H-1B and L-1 visa programs. Generally, the Senate will remain a pro-CIR Chamber, while the House will turn into a strong anti-CIR Chamber. Accordingly, it s anticipated that CIR will face increased hurdle and challenges ahead in the Congress. Unless the political environment changes the Congress into a "negotiate and compromise" legislature, immigration bills are likely to face a steep uphill battle in 2011.

source: The Oh Law Firm