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Om misses the biggest problem with the way immigration reform is seen in the Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley talks about start-up visa and visa for American coll

by prayag 14y ago

Om misses the biggest problem with the way immigration reform is seen in the Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley talks about start-up visa and visa for American college graduates but doesn't touch on the lives of the immigrant kids who came here illegally when they were really young. These kids have the first right to immigration reforms before us entrepreneur engineers who went to school here in the US. I tried to make this point in an interview I gave to a San Jose newspaper but the journalist conveniently forgot to mention it since it didn't fit well with the story. I know that Mark, Ron, Merissa or Drew are not responsible for these kids and it doesn't affect their business while a start-up visa definitely does but I think the immigration reforms needs to be looked from both the perspectives. Of course, as an immigrant, start-up founder who went to Berkeley I am all for making it easier for me to stay in this country. But I am ok with playing second fiddle to kids who are as American as anyone but don't have an American passport just because they spent the first few years of their life in a foreign country. One thing is clear though. The immigration reform is an absolute need of the hour for America.

bradleyjg 14y ago
The DREAM Act has been introduced in every Congress for over a decade. It has gotten close a few times, but is stuck in the politics of 'amnesty'. Executive branch defered action has been in place for almost a year now, and while it's strictly inferior to a legislative solution it's far better than nothing. All of which is to say that there is a well developed political lobby on both sides of that issue. While I'm sure the DREAM Act supporters wouldn't mind getting big checks from SV millionaires and billionaires thier voices would add little to the debate. Similarly, the major private sector unions and national buisness association, after much back and forth forged a compromise on blue collar temporary work visas sensitive to the needs of both. It makes sense for the tech industry -- both the owners and workers -- to speak out on topics that are salient to them. That's where they are most knowledgable and where thier opinions will be most respected. There is no need to feel guilty or try and shame anyone for concentrating on the those issues.

by prayag 14y ago

bradleyjg 14y ago

The DREAM Act has been introduced in every Congress for over a decade. It has gotten close a few times, but is stuck in the politics of 'amnesty'. Executive branch defered action has been in place for almost a year now, and while it's strictly inferior to a legislative solution it's far better than nothing. All of which is to say that there is a well developed political lobby on both sides of that issue. While I'm sure the DREAM Act supporters wouldn't mind getting big checks from SV millionaires and billionaires thier voices would add little to the debate. Similarly, the major private sector unions and national buisness association, after much back and forth forged a compromise on blue collar temporary work visas sensitive to the needs of both. It makes sense for the tech industry -- both the owners and workers -- to speak out on topics that are salient to them. That's where they are most knowledgable and where thier opinions will be most respected. There is no need to feel guilty or try and shame anyone for concentrating on the those issues.