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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline DECEMBER 15, 2023 | The Indian Eye 24

ITServe Leadership

Welcomes H-1B Visa Renewal

Program Benefitting IT Professionals

OUR BUREAU
Washington, DC

he ITServe Alliance, with an
active membership of 2,200
T+ members who are small &
medium-sized prestigious IT service
companies, with similar interests
across the United States, has ex-
pressed its overwhelming support for
the new Pilot Domestic Visa Renewal
Program, limited to H1B Visas, which
is launched in December of this year,
mainly benefiting Information Tech-
nology professionals.
The pilot initiative by the US
administration aims to alleviate long
wait times for visa appointments, ini-
tially issuing 20,000 visas to foreign
nationals already in the US in the IT
sector with their significant skilled
workforce presence.
In the past few years, ITServe
leadership has continuously reiter-
ated the need for a Domestic Visa
Renewal Program with the US Con- Governing Board Chair said, “I want knowledge transfer and skills devel- the skills possessed by current pro-
gressmen and Department of State to express our sincere gratitude and opment by engaging in research and spective employees.
officials. ITServe has expressed grati- appreciation to the hundreds of IT- development activities, particularly ITServe leadership believes that
tude and appreciation to Department Serve members, who continue to in STEM fields, which contribute to immigration laws are becoming more
of Homeland Security for listening to advocate with their local Lawmakers scientific advancements and techno- inclusive, which is a positive develop-
its request and now bringing back this on behalf of ITServe, and make our logical progress. ment with a commitment to easing re-
program. voices heard on the corridors of pow- H-1B visa holders, possessing strictions on lawful immigrants. The
“The U.S. needs to maintain its er.” specialized skills and expertise in evolving landscape aims to create a
leadership in technology and inno- H-1Bs are temporary, nonimmi- fields like STEM, which are vital for more accessible and accommodating
vation,” Vinay Mahajan, ITServe Al- grant visas for foreign workers with American companies to stay com- environment for skilled professionals
liance President said. “The U.S. has at least a bachelor’s degree, and they petitive in the global market, are a seeking opportunities in the United
a large skills gap - availability of often go to technology workers. Cur- highly skilled foreign workers pool States.
workers vs the openings for talent in rently, the number of H-1B visas is that brings numerous benefits to the “ITServe Alliance will continue
the IT sector. We need the brightest limited to 65,000 each year, although United States. They fill in critical to support and advocate for immigra-
minds from all over the world to keep there are an additional 20,000 avail- skill gaps in the labor market, con- tion reforms that will help America
our wide lead in technology and in- able to workers who have a master’s tributing to economic growth and maintain its tech leadership in the
novation.This new initiative is a good degree or higher from a US universi- innovation, thus leading to increased world,” said Siva Moopanar, Direc-
step to achieve this goal. ” ty. Enhancing the current H1-B CAP productivity and competitiveness in tor of ITServe Alliance Policy Advo-
A major objective of ITServe has limits – from 65,000 to 130,000 per various industries, by creating new cacy Committee (PAC).
been to educate lawmakers and the year has been a major area where IT- job opportunities by starting busi- Founded in 2010, ITServe’s vi-
larger American community, using Serve has placed its efforts in recent nesses and driving entrepreneurship. sion has been to empower local com-
digital and traditional methods on years. High-Skilled Immigration Re- munities by creating, retaining, and
the benefits of favorable immigration ITServe is aware that H-1B visa form for Employment (HIRE) Act, fostering employment opportunities
programs to businesses and eliminate holders play a critical role in bolster- introduced by US Congressman Raja within the United States. Moreover,
misconceptions by meeting, collabo- ing the U.S. economy, fostering in- Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois covers ITServe is committed to corporate
rating, and lobbying with Congress- novation, and enriching the fabric of the above increase. The Bill would social responsibility (CSR) and ac-
men and Senators to work together American society through their skills, strengthen U.S. competitiveness by tively contributing to local commu-
and help write and amend laws that contributions, and diverse back- helping to close the skills gap – the nities nationwide, particularly in the
are helpful to ITServe community. grounds, and knowledge to Amer- space between the skills required for realm of STEM (Science, Technology,
Vinod Babu Uppu, ITServe ican workplaces. They facilitate jobs that employers need to fill, and Engineering, and Math) education.

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