New visa rules for postdocs?

The linkurl:National Postdoctoral Association;http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/13511/ is only four years old, but is already weighing in on serious issues in science. Last week, I received a linkurl:white paper;http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/atf/cf/%7B89152E81-F2CB-430C-B151-49D071AEB33E%7D/IPC%20WHITE%20PAPER%20letterhead.pdf from the NPA suggesting the US make changes to linkurl:visa requirements;http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/53418/ for foreign-born postdocs. The group's suggestions: a) Eliminate the "intent to return" requirement currently attached to J-1 non-immigrant visas; b) Facilitate the ease of obtaining a new visa in the same category as the previous visa for international linkurl:postdoctoral researchers;http://www.the-scientist.com/2007/3/1/49/1/ if they travel to their home country; c) Raise the cap on H1-B visas for international postdoctoral researchers who have U.S. and/or foreign advanced degrees; d) Enhance enforcement of Department of Labor laws regarding prevailing wages as required by the H-1B non-immigrant classification; e) Allow spouses of international postdoctoral researchers to work in the U.S.; f) Establish a new non-immigrant classification specifically for non-immigrant international postdoctoral research scholars. According to the NPA, international...