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Emigration and immigration

Tiffany Introduces Bill to End Visa Loophole for Universities

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Reps. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Andrew Clyde (R-GA) have introduced the Colleges for the American People Act (CAP Act), which aims to remove the H-1B visa cap exemption for institutions of higher education. The bill would require all prospective university hires, including professors and administrative staff, to compete for an H-1B visa under the standard 65,000-visa cap. This move is in response to a report by Wisconsin Right Now, which revealed that the University of Wisconsin System is employing 495 foreign nationals on H-1B visas, with total salaries approaching $43 million annually.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CAP Act aims to eliminate the current exemption that allows institutions of higher education to bypass the H-1B visa cap, ensuring that all prospective university hires, including professors and administrative staff, compete for an H-1B visa under the standard 65,000-visa cap.
  • The bill would remove the H-1B visa cap exemption for institutions of higher education, which currently allows universities to hire unlimited foreign workers.
  • The legislation is in response to a report by Wisconsin Right Now, which revealed that the University of Wisconsin System is currently employing 495 foreign nationals on H-1B visas, with total salaries approaching $43 million annually.
  • The CAP Act would require nonimmigrants seeking employment at higher education institutions to go through the standard H-1B visa application process, just like applicants in other industries.
  • The bill does not retroactively affect current visa holders and would extend existing H-1B employees at universities until the normal six-year limit, after which the standard rules would apply.

Statistics:

  • 495 foreign nationals are currently employed by the University of Wisconsin System on H-1B visas.
  • Total salaries for these employees approach $43 million annually.
  • All prospective university hires, including professors and administrative staff, would be required to compete for an H-1B visa under the standard 65,000-visa cap.

Sources:

  • Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) - House of Representatives
  • Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) - House of Representatives
  • Wisconsin Right Now - Report on University of Wisconsin System employment of foreign nationals on H-1B visas
  • Fox News - Exclusive on the Colleges for the American People Act
  • House of Representatives - CAP Act Legislation Summary

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