From the time of the nation?s founding, immigration has not only been crucial to the US?s growth but also a periodic source of conflict. In the hierarchy of immigration issues, H-1B visas and outsourcing come in second only to illegal immigrants. To allay its citizens? fears, the number of H-1B visas issued to aspiring workers from India, for example, was cut to a third?from 1,95,000 to 65,000 in 2007?and has stayed at that number. With the dust of the ghosts of the financial crisis beginning to settle, the rampant paranoia about immigrants taking away jobs that rightfully belonged to Americans is subsiding?albeit temporarily?giving the US government a chance to rethink its position vis-?-vis foreign workers.

The Senate is in the midst of attempting to amend its ?high skilled immigration system? to draw the brightest minds from across the world to its soil. To ease their entry into the US, Democrat Senators are proposing immediate green cards for foreigners pursuing advanced degrees from American universities in the fields of mathematics, science, engineering and technology with job offers in a related field. This is being done with the aim to permanently retain talent in the country. Newspapers in the US have commented that since India is one of the largest exporters of talent in these fields of study, it is expected to benefit the most from this policy. But who really benefits?

The infinitely easier access to green cards will be a huge impetus for young professionals to pursue higher education in the US, an exercise that already costs India over $10 billion annually in forex reserves. Students, who would earlier have returned to India to build their careers, will now be presented with green cards. Yes, India?s forex reserves will increase in the way of remittances. But what India needs most is to move towards innovation. For this shift, we need our talented young minds to return to the country by encouraging original thought and nurturing creativity. Instead of worrying too much about the nature of the US visa regime, we need to focus on being able to nurture and harness talent locally.

feedit@expressindia.com