For over two decades, I have been a highly skilled software developer and a proud Navy veteran. Yet, despite my qualifications and dedication, the opportunities for engaging work in my field have been scarce, leaving me underemployed for the past 22 years. This personal struggle is not isolated; it reflects a nationwide crisis impacting countless American workers.

Since the 1970s, the shifting policies endorsed by Congress and the Senate have paved the way for businesses to send many of our best-paying jobs overseas, decimating communities and families in the process. This trend only intensified in 1990 when a significant influx of nonimmigrant guest workers arrived in the U.S. to fill positions in industries where skilled American workers were available. Shockingly, these workers make up just 20% of the workforce yet have often been prioritized over qualified American professionals.

The implications for the STEM industry, particularly, have been profound. Research has shown that the implementation of a biased H-1B visa program has depressed wages and eliminated potential job opportunities for countless talented individuals within our borders. According to a National Bureau of Economic Research study, this program results in a minimum wage suppression of 5–10% for U.S. tech workers.

We must urgently push for reforms that prioritize our talented American workforce while ensuring businesses can thrive. This includes ending the abuse of H-1B visas, ensuring that these visas are only granted where there is a genuine shortage of skills that cannot be filled locally, and improving oversight to prevent companies from misusing the program to cut costs at the expense of American jobs.

By signing this petition, you're supporting a crucial mission to rebuild our economy by preserving and prioritizing American jobs. Let's call on our government to act decisively and reform the H-1B visa policies to protect and invest in our own workforce. These changes are not just about protecting current jobs but about securing a stable economic future for generations to come. Unite with us to advocate for fairness, opportunity, and stability in the American job market. Your signature matters.