Chamber Urges Caution in Changes to Visa Category

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter to Chairman Henry Hyde, the United States Chamber of Commerce, along with the National Association of Manufacturers and the American Council on International Personnel, today urged members of the U.S. House International Relations Committee to be cautious as they consider potential changes to the L-1 visa category to address perceived instances of abuse.

"Limitations on this visa category could severely harm the ability of U.S. companies to operate and expand in both domestic and international markets," said Randel K. Johnson, Chamber vice president of labor, immigration and employee benefits. "Changes could inadvertently hurt this country's ability to attract foreign direct investment and the jobs that go with that investment.

The joint letter explained that Congress created the L visa category in 1970 to enable U.S. companies with international operations to temporarily transfer senior executives, managers and employees with particular specialized knowledge from the company's overseas operations to the United States. Foreign-based companies with direct investment in the United States can similarly use the visa to transfer employees.

Other countries offer reciprocal visas for U.S. companies to transfer American executives and managers abroad, according to the Chamber. Recent allegations aside, the L visa program, particularly the blanket L program, has been critical to the growth of the global market. It has often been held up as the one model of success in an often-broken immigration system.

"These visas have provided the grease for international trade and investment for more than thirty years," said Johnson. "We should not let misconceived fears about global competition for jobs and worldwide sourcing unfairly cloud a valuable visa program that supports U.S. and international businesses."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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04-13