The US Senate closed for the holidays, after a last-minute attempt to push through S386, a bill that would award over 90% of all Green Cards to citizens from India over the next 10 years.
This was the 5th time the champions of this bill tried to pass this legislation – the most sweeping change in US immigration laws ever proposed – without any debate whatsoever. And this was the 5th time it failed to pass!
This marked yet another victory of a small band of US IT workers from all over the country, including yours truly, who have been fighting this legislation all along. We were part of a cellphone “SWAT” team, organized by US Techworkers, that placed calls with our Senators and voiced our opposition every time they tried to get S386 passed. We also had two people on the ground in DC, who visited the Senate offices and forged relationships with Senate staffers.
We in CT owe a huge debt of gratitude to the leaders of this effort (shown in the picture below). Without their efforts, this bill would have been easily approved.
From left: Steve Pushor (aka “Dudeski”), Roger Ross, Kevin Lynn.
These people are nothing less than legends and real-live heroes who are battling for our interests every day. It was my privilege to spend some time with them at a recent holiday party in Lancaster, PA, and I am so glad I did. I got to know these guys even better – and I am more convinced than ever that we have an actual chance at reversing the tide in our struggle.
For 2020, the group is planning to go on the offensive. They’ve worked with IT industry experts to craft legislation that will not only protect the interests of US citizens but will also continue to allow highly skilled workers from all over the world to work in our country. They are working with a large variety of Senators to get this bill introduced in the next session of Congress.
US Techworkers will also be leasing a residence in DC, to house an army of activists to lobby for this new bill. They’ve mapped out a comprehensive plan that to educate federal lawmakers (and their staffs) about the abuses of our current system – and the merits of their new plan.
All faithful readers of this blog should know that taking the fight to our opponents is not an inexpensive task. Getting boots on the ground in DC requires cash! Up until now, its been largely funded by a relatively small group of a few hundred or so. I encourage all of you to join me in donating your time or resources to this cause. Please reach out to me if you have time to help us! This is a great bunch of fun, friendly people that I know you’ll love to meet.
We all know what’s been happening out there. Americans are being forced out of the IT profession at a record rate! Now we’ve got a group that is actually having some success in fighting this. If you’ve ever been the victim of the Indian IT outsourcing firms in the past and wished for a hero that had the power and confidence to stand up to them, you have that in US Techworkers. There is no excuse not to support them.
2019 was a remarkable year for our movement! But I think 2020 should be even better. Hang on! This should be a great ride!