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He cited as one example how a Canadian company attempts to expand into the U.S. — entities where Americans would primarily be employed — yet senior managers or administrators from Canada have been denied permits, such as an L-1A, necessary for them to locate across the border and launch the business.

You are restricting reasonable applicants for positions otherwise going unfulfilled

“You have a Congress looking to promote U.S. economy,” Porter said. “You have a Canadian company looking to expand there and needs a senior manager going in to set up things and you have these people being denied.

“It’s like putting the cart before the horse. It doesn’t make sense.”

Photo by Dan Janisse / Windsor Star

Porter as another example cited a desperate need for speech language therapists to work in Detroit Public Schools, yet a qualified Canadian resident who desired the job was unable to secure the proper work permit.

“They are in dire need to fill a job because there are none available (in Michigan),” he said. “You have a well-defined shortage and decided not to issue (the permit). You are restricting reasonable applicants for positions otherwise going unfulfilled.”

It gets to the point where some people seeing the costs of obtaining lawyers and going through proper channels for a permit may get so fed up it becomes “an incentive for illegal immigration,” Porter said.

For those seeking a work permit for a U.S. job, it’s a complicated process that can involve a variety of agencies, several steps to complete and can take several weeks up to nearly three months depending on the type of visa required.