By Jack Thuon
Washington: Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) has reintroduced the High-Skilled Immigration Reform for Employment (HIRE) Act, a legislative proposal aimed at strengthening America’s long-term economic and technological standing by pairing expanded high-skilled immigration with increased federal investment in STEM education.
The legislation seeks to double the annual number of H-1B visas from 65,000 to 130,000, a move intended to help U.S. employers—particularly those in critical and emerging technology sectors—address persistent shortages of specialized talent. Alongside the visa expansion, the bill channels new funding into elementary and secondary school science, technology, engineering, and math programs to help build a stronger domestic pipeline of future workers.
“To build the jobs and industries of tomorrow, America must stay at the forefront of innovation by strengthening our own workforce while continuing to welcome top talent from around the globe,” Krishnamoorthi said in announcing the reintroduction. He emphasized that the measure supports both immediate and long-term needs by increasing the supply of skilled immigrants and expanding STEM learning opportunities for American students.
The proposal has drawn support from ITServe Alliance, the nation’s largest association of IT services organizations. Raghu Chittimalla, the group’s Governing Board Chair, called the bill “an important step toward modernizing our high-skilled immigration system,” praising Krishnamoorthi for recognizing the role that small and mid-sized IT firms play in U.S. innovation and job creation.
Anju Vallabhaneni, National President of ITServe Alliance, said the organization “fully supports the HIRE Act” for its combined focus on recruiting global talent and protecting American workers. He highlighted the bill’s emphasis on fairness, transparency, and workforce development as key benefits for both the organization’s members and the broader technology industry.
The bill now returns to Congress at a time when policymakers continue to debate how best to balance immigration reform, economic competitiveness, and the country’s growing STEM workforce needs.
(Edited by India Tribune)
