Senator Chuck Grassley released the following statement after Jay Palmer, an employee of Infosys, spoke out on CBS This Morning. Palmer is suing the company for using the B-1 visa as subterfuge to the H-1B visa which has more stringent requirements. Grassley is the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which has jurisdiction over federal immigration policy.
Grassley has asked for a thorough investigation by the Departments of State and Homeland Security of the B-1 visa program and the use of this visa program by employers to recruit foreign workers who are then not subject to the cap and the prevailing wage requirements of the H-1B program.
In responding to Grassley, the State Department acknowledged the need for greater fraud prevention in the visa approval process as well as changes to policies that incentivize employers to go around the H-1B program in the Foreign Affairs Manuel. The Department of Homeland Security told Grassley that they would work to “develop guidance clarifying the scope of activities permissible in the B-1 business visitor classification.”
To date, however, it appears nothing official has been done to remedy the situation. Infosys continues to bring in foreign workers. In fiscal 2011, Infosys petitioned for nearly 4,700 H-1B workers. Last year, they also petitioned to bring in 300 or more L visa workers.
Here is Grassley’s comment.
“People had come to me with concerns that the B-1 business visa was being abused by companies and putting American workers at risk. Jay Palmer was the first person to stand up with convincing evidence. It confirmed our fears. Mr. Palmer was being asked to do shady things, and instructed to ‘be creative’ and find a way around the H-1B visa program. Mr. Palmer has endured a lot of criticism from fellow employees and foreign workers who fear losing their job or being sent home. I very much appreciate him bringing this problem to the world’s attention.”