No Way to Treat an Economic Engine
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George F. Will's June 26 column, "Building a Wall Against Talent," made persuasive arguments for congressional action to sharply increase the current tight caps on green cards and H-1B visas for engineers and scientists. But he omitted one important potential effect of loosening immigration restrictions on highly skilled workers -- reducing the federal budget deficit.
For one thing, fees would probably be imposed on individuals and their employers (the comprehensive immigration legislation called for fees ranging from $320 to $3,500). In addition, high-skilled workers pay more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. This is in contrast to less-skilled immigrants, from whom the fiscal effects are more uncertain.
Attracting and keeping more high-skilled foreign workers would also improve Social Security finances, although obviously not enough to eliminate the program's funding difficulties.
ARLENE HOLEN
Senior Fellow
Technology Policy Institute
Washington
