Like so many fellow American Citizens and fellow Green Card holders throughout USA, we are watching job opportunities slip through our fingers. These job opportunities are being taken by the temporary residents such as H1-B visa holders and also their spouses on H4 visa. It is a scenario that resonates with many of our permanent residents who are finding it increasingly challenging to secure employment. It is indeed a pressing concern that requires immediate attention!

While the income of H1-B visa holders may be the primary source of income for their family, the key point to note is that the income of H4 Visa holders (who are dependent spouses of H1-B visa holders) is not necessarily the primary income. The income/earnings of H4 Visa holders is mostly secondary for the family, but is taking away the earning opportunity of many primary income earners who are permanent residents of the United States of America (such as lawful Citizens and Green Card holders). Thus, we are seeing an increase in unemployment being sought out by permanent residents of this nation! The H4 Visa holders (secondary earners) are taking over the job opportunities, where its earnings can potentially belong to the Citizens and Green Card holders, who may be the primary earners for their respective households.

While having a high-qualified global workforce (recruited properly) within America is a good thing, we face the following challenges:

1. We do not know if the recruitment of the temporary resident (H1B or H4) to an employment opportunity was conducted thoroughly and properly.
2. We do not know if the qualifications of the temporary resident (H1B or H4) are truly as good as they seem on paper.
3. The H4 visa holders are secondary earners, and are taking over jobs that can potentially belong to the primary earners within the group of permanent residents of this country!
4. Many jobs are already being outsourced outside of America (for the corporate benefit), thus further reducing the job opportunities for permanent residents!

Each year, tens of thousands of H4 Visa holders gain employment at the expense of our Citizens and Green Card holders. It has also been noted that a total of 125,999 EADs applications were approved for the year 2016 according to USCIS (source: American Immigration Council). According to the U.S Department of Labor Statistics, the number of approved H1B visas exceeded 188,000 in 2019 alone. This number is concerning as permanent residents are left competing for fewer vacancies. It is important to maintain a balance that not only supports the global workforce but protects the jobs of those who call this country home. These figures raise significant questions about the scale at which our opportunities might be compromised.

The negative impact of H1B and H4 visas are:

• Wage Depression: Corporations use these visas to hire foreign workers at lower wages rather than paying decent wage to an American permanent resident!
• Job Displacement: Employers may use H1B visas to replace existing American workers with cheaper foreign labor, leading to job losses for US citizens.
• Exploitation of Workers: Some argue that the H1B system can be exploited by companies that use it to bring in large numbers of foreign workers on temporary visas, potentially creating conditions where workers may be reluctant to advocate for better working conditions due to fear of losing their status.

Therefore, we urge lawmakers to enact certain legislation that support the following points:

1. Outsourcing of jobs outside of America is greatly reduced
2. The prioritization of job opportunities is given to permanent residents (citizens and then green card holders), over the temporary residents (H1, H4, etc.)
3. Don't give work authorization rights to H4 visa holders (secondary earners) who are dependent on H1-B visa holders; thus opening those opportunities for permanent residents who are the primary earners.

Other countries have looked into this matter also, where they let the primary earner on a temporary visa live/work within the host country, but require the spouse/dependent (and children) to stay-put mostly within their home country; while allowing temporary visitations to the country where their spouses work (certain # of months each year).  This measure will allow the jobs occupied by temporary residents to be more open and available for Citizens and Green Card holders of the United States. Every individual's right to employment in their own country should be given a top priority!

This isn't about denying rights, but rather, it is about prioritizing the needs of our Citizens and Green Card holders! It is about ensuring that the permanent residents of this country are given proper preference and priority when it comes to job opportunities over the temporary residents of this country. It is time for action! I call on the permanent residents (Citizens and Green Card Holders) to stand together and raise our voices!

Please sign our petition to urge our legislators to ensure prioritized job opportunities for Citizens and Green Card Holders of the United States, which should take precedence over H1B and H4 visa holders across this great country! No permanent resident (who is a primary earner) should be left jobless in their own country over temporary residents! Sign today, make a difference!!