Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Immigration Policy FUBAR

At ScienceBlogs, the latest "Ask A Science Blogger" question went to Mark at Good Math, Bad Math.
"Do you think there is a brain drain going on (i.e. foreign scientists not coming to work and study in the U.S. like they used to, because of new immigration rules and the general unpopularity of the U.S.) If so, what are its implications? Is there anything we can do about it?"
His answer?
For me, I'd have to say that there is absolutely no question that there is a dramatic change. The main cause isn't dislike of the US or of Americans; it's caused by the way that the current immigration and visa related policies of our government have a completely unpredictable and harshly negative impact on people who would otherwise be very favorably inclined towards us.
He goes on to list a series of anecdotes that go toward supporting his contention. You might find them interesting.

For my part, I will simply add that I know of at least one case where my employers are relocating, to Canada, an immigrant coworker from Brazil on account of the U.S. government's refusal to renew his work visa. Let that sink in for a moment... they're paying to move him to Vancouver, B.C. so he can stay on the payroll and keep doing the job he was hired away from a European company to do in California. Only, now— he'll be getting paid in Canadian dollars instead of U.S. dollars, and working in a satellite office 1000 miles away from the main R&D campus.

Meanwhile, the conservatroids are still pissed off because the National Guard troops in the Coachella valley aren't carrying loaded weapons while they build pointless patrol roads through the chapparel. Remind me again what is the real problem these assholes are actually trying to solve.

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