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Washington • Federal law currently restricts how many highly skilled foreign workers can be hired from select countries, but that could change under legislation by Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.
Chaffetz's Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, which advanced to the House floor Thursday, would drop the caps for country of origin that now limit how many workers can come from, say, India or England.
Chaffetz, who first ran for office on a platform of clamping down on illegal immigration, says his legislation fixes a problem with visas that hurts American businesses.
The bill, which passed by a voice vote in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, creates what he says is a fairer system that is "first come, first serve."
"By removing per-country limits, American companies will be able to access the best talent," Chaffetz said. "This legislation is pro-growth, pro-jobs, and pro-family."
Chaffetz's bill does not increase the number of visas available for highly skilled workers. The legislation is co-sponsored by Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas.