I have seen the immense economic importance of work visas during my 29 years as an immigration lawyer . One of my first clients , then a subsidiary of a French public telecom giant , makes secondary ( rechargeable ) batteries from the standby power kind that hospitals rely on when there is a power failure on the grid to the cells that power subway trains , security systems , and satellites . This company brought cuttingedge European battery chemistries and technology to the U . S . fifty years ago and began manufacturing operations in Georgia , North Carolina , Florida , and other states . Establishing the company in the United States created thousands of jobs as they transferred various new production lines over the years and continue to build batteries here . And , it ensured we have ongoing access to products that are a reliable source of power , without being forced to depend on foreign suppliers . The only way it could work was by bringing in the foreign engineers - who already knew how to set up new production lines for the incoming technology – and by bringing in the executives and sales managers who had the expertise and knowledge to commercialize these products in the U . S . market .
Creating Jobs
That U . S . expansion of a foreign multinational company is but one example of a huge win for our country . Companies from all over the globe can bring their products and technology to the United States and create jobs and opportunities for American businesses and workers , thanks to these visas that permit their critical employees entry into the U . S . market . These companies should be allowed to bring new products and service offerings into the U . S . A . today and in the future , without obstacles being put in their path or U . S . work visas being targeted for elimination . Business immigration has a well laid out visa system in place that should yield a high probability of success for an eligible visa applicant in a reasonable time frame . When these expectations are not met , U . S . companies suffer economic harm .
Skilled Practices
Business immigration keeps American commerce reliably moving in other ways as well . It ’ s important to accept that some things made overseas are excellent and worthy of import . If you ’ ve ever been in a public bathroom in Germany and noticed that all the stall doors close perfectly , or driven a German car , you know about German engineering . Their industrial machines are similarly precision crafted . Take , for example , my client who sells and services the paperboard manufacturing systems developed by their parent company in Bavaria . When you get your next Amazon delivery , look at the container it arrived in , and take a second to appreciate the sophisticated technology that produced the humble box . Did you know that a corrugator manufacturing system consists
IN THE PROFESSION
of between 8-12 individual machines spanning the length of a football field , all connected by computers and working together to produce up to 3,000 linear feet of corrugated board per minute ? That ’ s a good thing because we use a lot of boxes in this country . Someone must install and keep these multi-million dollar , foreignmade machines running . It ’ s no simple task , and it takes a lot of skill , as well as years of training . Where does one find these skills ? Well , mostly overseas where there are strong apprenticeship programs in industrial maintenance as well as established degree programs in mechatronics , electro-mechanical engineering , and similar fields focused on industrial applications . Frankly , these skills are still in their infancy here . These foreign specialists working on L and E temporary visas train their U . S . counterparts to keep the corrugators running that make the boxes we use , so we can shop online to our heart ’ s content .
Short-Term Work
Another visa worthy of mentioning is for the temporary unskilled workers we rely on for short-term seasonal or peak labor needs in fields like agriculture , fishing , logging , hospitality , and landscaping . How many college kids can you find to work in the ski season in Colorado to teach the kids in ski school or fit skiers with their skis and boots ? There just is not enough local labor supply , I realized , as I spoke with the Chilean college student who helped fit my equipment . She and her classmates were working on the slopes for a few months on exchange visitor visas during their school ’ s summer break from December through February . And I am grateful for the landscapers on visas who keep our lawns mowed in summer , because many people , including myself , are not interested in doing that work in the broiling Georgia heat and 90 percent humidity .
Unique Visas
I will conclude by telling you about a unique visa I have written . Years ago , I saw a Cirque du Soleil performance and was awed by the elegant horses running through a dreamscape and by the amazing entertainers executing acrobatic feats of wonder . I wrote the extraordinary ability visa for the Brazilian acrobatic performer who appeared in a full split midair on the billboard promoting that show in multiple countries . He was a former gymnast and gymnastics coach who had starred in and led the training for the stilt jumpers performing in the show . He , like the dozen or Photo so other credit : Daniel gymnastics Cole / Invision coaches / AP I currently represent , is now filling the dire shortage of men ’ s and women ’ s developmental gymnastics coaches and is training U . S . gymnasts who are getting NCAA scholarships and competing for spots on the U . S . junior Olympic team . It is happening right here ! Did you know that Georgia boasts some of the top-ranked men ’ s development gymnastics programs in the U . S ., thanks to having talented coaching staff that motivates young athletes ?
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