APA joined higher education colleagues on two sets of comments expressing concerns with interim final rules that would make changes to the H-1B visa program, impacting the ability to hire foreign specialty workers, including psychologists. These rules would significantly limit the capacity of higher education institutions to sponsor international psychological and behavioral researchers, staff, and faculty, as well as impede the hiring of international mental health care providers, including many of those who received their degree from U.S. colleges and universities.
The first set of comments, submitted to the Department of Homeland Security, oppose the revision of the definitions and standards for “specialty occupation” and “employer-employee relationship.” The second letter, submitted to the Department of Labor, voices concerns with changes to the required minimum wage to employ H-1B workers, which would create a disincentive to hire foreign workers.
For more information, contact Kenneth Polishchuk.