The Problem Obama and McCain Won't Talk About

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Are America's immigration policies stifling our high-technology industries? George H. Will thinks so. In an op-ed column in the Washington Post, Will writes that by failing to discern between educated workers and low-skill laborers, our present immigration system today will hinder future economic progress.

"Two-thirds of doctoral candidates in science and engineering in U.S. universities are foreign-born," Will writes. "But only 140,000 employment-based green cards are available annually, and 1 million educated professionals are waiting -- often five or more years -- for cards. Congress could quickly add a zero to the number available, thereby boosting the U.S. economy..."

Will notes that countries in Europe (not to mention Canada) are benefiting from our stringent immigration policies by welcoming the visa-seeking Ph.Ds that the U.S. rejects. He further observes that the presidential candidates, who are normally so "loquacious", have been curiously mum on the issue of immigration.

He chides them: "Solutions to some problems are complex; removing barriers to educated immigrants is not."

What do you think?

Mike Hofman

Mike Hofman was previously editor of Inc.com and a deputy editor at Inc. magazine, which he joined in 1996. The site was nominated for a National Magazine Award for Digital Media in 2010, and was named the best business website by Folio Magazine. In 2006, Hofman was part of a team of writers nominated for a Webby Award for best business blog. He lives in New York City.