On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security enhanced the ability of technology companies to hire foreign workers.  In a press release, DHC stated that businesses could now hire foreign students who attended American schools for 29 months without obtaining an H-1B visa, the visa used for hiring highly-skilled workers for positions that employers find difficult to fill.  Prior to the change in policy, foreigners enrolled as students in the U.S. could only obtain positions for up to 12 months at a time before needing a visa.

“This rule will enable businesses to attract and retain highly skilled foreign workers, giving U.S. 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 U.S. and aiding good corporate citizens.”

The new program only applies to tech students who have received a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.  Jobs requiring special skills within these areas have proven difficult to fill in the past, as demonstrated by the rapid growth of the H-1B visa program, which grants 65,000 visas for "specialty work'" annually.  

The new DHS policy appears to be a slap in the face of Congress, who - despite extensive lobbying from tech companies - opted not to increase the 65,000 annual H-1B visa cap out of fear the immigration legislation would be akin to political suicide.