Reactions to the “Grim” Visa Number Predictions

We wrote last week about the “grim” predictions by Charles Oppenheim (who is with the Department of State) about the future of the visa numbers for green card employment-based preference categories.  We have received many comments and reactions from readers and clients and we share many of the concerns raised following Mr. Oppenheim’s comments.

We read a recent piece written by AILA President Bernard Wolfsdorf commenting on the visa number predictions.  We thought that it may be an interesting read and follow-up on the conversation started in the immigration community regarding the visa numbers scheme.

“Does it make sense to educate international students at our top universities and medical centers and then, when at the point where they are ready to contribute to our economy, say it’s time to go home? It has been 20 years since President Bush Senior increased the quota for employment immigrant visas. While scientific advances have occurred at lightning speed in these past two decades, employment visa quotas have been hopelessly encased in amber.”

Bernard P. Wolfsdorf, Immigrant Visa Numbers Hopelessly Encased In Amber, June 12, 2009.