NSBE Director Condemns Immigration Policy Abuse

on CNN's 'Lou Dobbs Tonight'

NSBE Executive Director Carl B. Mack appeared on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" in May to discuss the H-1B visa program, now in the news as part of the national debate on U.S. immigration policy. H-1B visas — which allow highly skilled foreign-born citizens to work in the U.S. for sponsoring employers here for as long as six years at a time — are the main vehicle for entry into the U.S. by foreign-born engineers.

Bills recently passed by the House and Senate raise the H-1B "cap": the number of these visas allowed to be issued each year. Some observers, such as CNN's Dobbs, have charged that the program is being abused by American high-tech employers who are ignoring domestic talent to bring in foreign-born workers at lower wages.

"The National Society of Black Engineers is pro-immigration," says Mack. "We are an international organization with members in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and other places around the globe. We believe strongly that our members should be allowed to come to this country, work here, contribute to the U.S. economy and develop their skills in American colleges and universities.

"Whether they decide to remain here or take their talents to their home countries, America ultimately benefits," he adds.

Mack says NSBE views globalization as an economic reality and that the organization is committed to preparing its members for it.

"However," he says, "NSBE remains vigilant against any attempts by U.S. employers to use immigration policy to beat down wages for engineers working in this country and to exploit foreign-born workers."

Mack questions the claims of many U.S. high-tech employers that they need more H-1B workers because of a shortage of native-born engineers. He cites the article titled "Who Needs Black Engineers?" in the Nov./Dec. 2005 edition of NSBE Magazine, which addresses this issue.

"If there is a shortage, then why is there still unemployment in the U.S. engineering work force?" asks Mack. "If there is a shortage, then why are wages not going up?"

"There is no consensus on the validity of data indicating a shortage of U.S.-born engineers," adds NSBE advisor Gary May, Ph.D., Steve W. Chaddick School chair of the School of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. "NSBE has no formal position on H-1B visas, however, we will continue to monitor industry trends through our membership and speak out against any abuse of this program."

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