In a message dated 4/9/08 11:46:59 P.M. Central Daylight Time, News@JobDestruction.info writes:

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER  No. 1853 -- 4/09/2008 >>>>>

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff signed off on the new
regulation to extend the OPT period, but he isn't the one who initiated it.
An obscure article sheds some light on who is to blame.

Senator Specter, along with an organization of Republicans, sent a letter
to Chertoff asking for this regulatory change. They call themselves the
Republican High Tech Task Force (HTTF), which is at:

http://republican.senate.gov/httf/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Home

At the time of this writing there doesn't seem to be an update about this
latest transgression against the United States.

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http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1313598/

Specter Applauds DHS for Extension of Non-Immigrant Student Optional
Practical Training Period

Saturday, April 05, 2008; Posted: 02:57 AM 7 Stocks You Need To Know For
Tomorrow -- Free Newsletter

Apr 05, 2008 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via
COMTEX) -- -- Contact: Chris Gindlesperger Specter Applauds DHS for
Extension of Non-Immigrant Student Optional Practical Training Period
WASHINGTON, DC (April 4, 2008)-Today, U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA),
Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, lauded the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for extending the period of Optional
Practical Training (OPT) for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students from
12-29 months. The ruling from DHS after an April 1, 2008 letter from
Specter and members of the Republican High Tech Task Force (HTTF), urging
extension of the program.

"In order to remain competitive, the American technology sector needs to be
properly equipped to attract and maintain exceptionally talented workers
from the U.S. and abroad, including foreign students being trained at U.S.
universities," Senator Specter said. "We need to be sure that we are
supplying the necessary tools for the technology industry to be able to do
that."

The deadline to file for H1-B visas is typically a month or two before most
students obtain their degrees from their respective universities.
Applicants must have a degree in order to apply for an H1-B visa. This
presents a timing issue for students searching for work in the U.S. after
graduation, and the U.S. firms that need workers. OPT currently provides
some respite from the problem by allowing those employers to benefit from
the skills of these students for 12 months. Extending the program to 29
months allows employers to seek a more durable immigration status for them.


According to the ruling released by DHS, a F-1 non-immigrant student must
currently be participating in a 12-month period of approved post-completion
OPT, have completed a degree included in the DHS science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics (STEM) Designated Degree Program List from a
college or university certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement's Student and Exchange Visitor Program, and properly maintain
F-1 status to be eligible for an OPT extension. The student must also be
working for, or accepted employment with, an employer directly related to
the student's major area of study and enrolled in U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services' E-Verify program.

"Having workers that are highly skilled in technology related fields will
strengthen American leadership in the industry and ultimately benefit the
U.S. economy," Specter continued. "The action taken by DHS is a good step
toward maintaining American competitiveness in the technology industry."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1323972/

US extends OPT period to 29 months for non-immigrant students

Tuesday, April 08, 2008; Posted: 12:21 AM 7 Stocks You Need To Know For
Tomorrow -- Free Newsletter

Washington, Apr 07, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- -- To
attract and retain highly skilled workers from other countries including
India, the US has extended the period of Optional Practical Training (OPT)
from 12 to 29 months for qualified non-immigrant students. The Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) has released an interim final rule giving the
extension that will be available to students under F-1 visa who have a
degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and are employed
by businesses enrolled in the E-Verify programme, the system for
determining employment eligibility of new hires.

"This rule will enable businesses to attract and retain highly skilled
foreign workers, giving US companies a competitive advantage in the world
economy," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

"By extending the training period by an additional 17 months to students
who are employed by businesses enrolled in E-Verify, we are further
ensuring a legal workforce in the US," he added.

Top tech companies have been extensively lobbying Capitol Hill to
substantially relax the numbers of the H1B visas, now pegged at 65,000.

After completion of course requirements, students are eligible for up to 12
months of training under the Optional Practical Training.

But what has prompted the move on the Optional Practical Training is that
the applications get filled up so fast that a graduating student is either
left in the lurch or forced to return home.

Many American lawmakers view this as a waste of not only human intellect
that could be put to use in an American setting but also a waste of
taxpayers' money. The DHS's rule will also implement certain practical
changes, including allowing students to apply for OPT within 60 days of
graduation.

The DHS has also clarified that to be eligible for the OPT extension, the
student on an F-1 Non-Immigrant visa must currently be participating in a
12-month approved post-completion OPT or have successfully completed a
degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

The applicant must also be working for a US employer in a job directly
related to the student's major area of study or accepted employment with an
employer enrolled in US Citizenship and Immigration Services' E-Verify
programme.


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