I recall during the height of tension between the US and France/Germany that some wag proposed we erect billboards in Europe advocating emigration of the "best and the brightest" from Europe (and proclaim the opportunities for success available to them here), and that we expand the number of green cards and the opportunity for citizenship for scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and others who could productively contribute to our sociey.

The Wall Street Journal today runs an article (subscription required) describing the Euro brain drain to the United States which is seriously worrying the EU Commission, among others. One hundred thousand European researchers currently work in the US, and for reasons of our superior universities, better research funding, cultural openness to innovation (genetically modified food products face huge obstacles in Europe), and comparative lack of governmental and bureaucratic restrictions, the flow of brainpower will continue to favor us. The animal rights activists in Europe are also chilling research there far more than in the United States.

Many of our most successful companies were founded by immigrants. The H1B Visa program should be expanded. The H1B Visa (Professional in a Specialty Occupation) allows a U.S. employer to fill a position requiring the minimum of a baccalaureate in the particular field with a qualified worker from abroad.

Posted by Ed   8 18 04