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Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen National Politics | Exhausted by political news? TV ratings and new poll say you’re not alone The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tanner McKee’s first career NFL touchdown pass was thrown to a Philadelphia Eagles fan named Patrick. OK, McKee actually threw the 20-yard TD to Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J Brown, who — in a momentary lapse of reason — chucked the souvenir football into the Lincoln Financial field stands. Uh-oh. “I felt so bad,” Brown said, “because I threw it so far.” McKee, a sixth-round pick out of Stanford in 2023, is a career third-string QB who had never played a regular-season snap until he was pressed into emergency duty Sunday against Dallas. Jalen Hurts did not start because of a concussion and Kenny Pickett — who ran and threw for a TD in the Eagles' 41-7 win — was knocked of the game with injured ribs. That opened the door for the 24-year-old McKee to play in a game in which the Eagles clinched the NFC East. He did his part — including the 20-yard strike in the third that made it 34-7. The celebration was temporarily muted when he realized his ball — a milestone keepsake for any player — was somewhere in the stands. Little did McKee know the ball was coming back to him. Eagles fans kicked off a bit of a relay with the ball once they realized its significance to McKee. The fan who caught the ball was promised a jersey from Brown. He sent the ball to one fan, who passed it to Eagles security chief “Big” Dom DiSandro to hand to another Eagles employee to Brown and finally to McKee. Souvenir secured. “I appreciate whoever gave the ball back,” McKee said. “(Brown) was like, ‘I’m sorry, bro. I got the ball back.’ So, yeah, it was good. He made a great play, and obviously a great catch.” It was Brown's throw that needed work. Brown stripped off and signed his game jersey and handed it to a fan named Patrick as a thank-you for returning the football — all while fans chanted “E-A-G-L-E-S!” around him. “We've got great fans here,” Brown said. McKee needed more room on the trophy shelf — he threw a second TD pass in the fourth quarter. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Dan Gelston, The Associated Press
In recent days, Trump has made several high-profile crypto-friendly appointments and established crypto councils and regulatory organizations set to influence the industry once he takes office. With the crypto getting ready for explosive growth, now is the perfect time to invest. Among the top opportunities, Dawgz AI emerges as a hidden gem. Its innovative idea of combining AI trading bots and meme-inspired community has generated a lot of buzz. Experts believe it has the potential for 60x returns during its presale. Now it’s time to see all of our top picks. Best Cryptos to Buy Now with the New Bitcoin Price If you’ve decided to invest in crypto, you’re probably wondering which ones are the best to buy right now. After all, when the Bitcoin price went above the 100k mark, it’s a good time to invest now. Here’s a list recommended by financial advisors: Dawgz AI ($DAGZ) Bitget Token (BGB) Toncoin (TON) Solana (SOL) XRP (XRP) Dawgz AI ($DAGZ) – The Best Crypto to Buy Now for Cutting-Edge AI Solutions When it comes to the best cryptos to buy now, Dawgz AI immediately sets itself apart. Many believe it has the potential to deliver 60x returns during its presale event. With a current price of just $0.00211, it has already raised more than $641K, pointing out the strong early interest and enthusiasm surrounding the project. What asset makes it so special though? Dawgz AI is making waves in the crypto world by using AI-driven trading bots to boost returns. It’s already been featured in major outlets like Crypto Potato, Coinpedia, and Business Insider. The mission of Dawgz AI is clear: provide real value to users with cutting-edge AI technology while keeping things fun and community-focused. Powered by the $DAGZ token, the platform combines profitable opportunities with entertaining community events. With solid tokenomics, a clear roadmap, and a rapidly growing user base, Dawgz AI is among the top picks for those looking to make the most of the next big trend in cryptocurrency. Bitget Token (BGB) – A Native Token Thriving Amid Stock Market Volatility Bitget Token (BGB) is ready to make a huge impact, especially with the ups and downs in the cryptocurrency market. Right now, it’s priced around $7 and has surged over 30% in just 24 hours. With a market cap above $10B, BGB is set to become a key asset on the Bitget centralized exchange. It offers benefits like lower trading fees and staking rewards. One of its most important factors is its strong integration with the Bitget platform, which drives demand for the token. Many experts think the surge isn’t done yet, with some predictions claiming it could double its all-time high in the next year. With its ongoing momentum, BGB is definitely one of the best cryptos to buy now. If you are more into presale projects, then consider buying Dawgz AI . Toncoin (TON) – A Hidden Gem Favored by Crypto Traders Telegram’s rising popularity is bringing more attention to its native token, Toncoin (TON). As the messaging app continues to grow, Toncoin is attracting more interest from crypto traders. With a price of around $5.70 and a market cap of about $14.6B, Toncoin is gaining momentum as a hidden gem in the crypto world. Recent upgrades, including its integration with decentralized exchange and enhanced scalability, have further increased its value. Built on the TON blockchain, Toncoin provides faster transactions and lower fees, making it an appealing choice for investors. As Telegram’s user base expands, Toncoin’s potential for long-term growth is undeniable. Solana (SOL) – A Leading Contender Among Crypto Assets If you’re on the lookout for a crypto asset that has the potential for significant growth, Solana is definitely one of the best cryptos to buy now. Solana (SOL) is famous for its impressive speed, capable of processing up to 65,000 transactions per second (TPS), far outpacing many other cryptocurrencies. For context, the largest crypto asset, Bitcoin only handles about 7 TPS, while Ethereum processes around 30. Solana achieves this impressive throughput thanks to its innovative Proof-of-History (PoH) consensus mechanism, which makes transaction validation much more efficient. This incredible speed positions Solana as a strong contender for decentralized apps (dApps) and DeFi projects. Recent partnerships have strengthened its position, especially within the DeFi and NFT sectors. Currently priced around $189 with a market cap of $91B, Solana is on many bullish forecasts. Experts believe its price could rise to $300 or more by the end of 2024 thanks to its technological improvements and strategic partnerships. If you’re looking for a much cheaper and more diverse option with great potential, Dawgz AI might be the best choice for you. XRP (XRP) – A Reliable Crypto Asset for Long-Term Growth XRP (XRP) may not always steal the spotlight, but it’s steadily making an impact and could be the reliable asset you’ve been searching for. What sets it apart from many other cryptocurrencies? With fast, low-cost transactions, XRP has become a favorite for financial institutions handling cross-border payments. Currently priced at around $2.16 with a market cap of over $123B, XRP offers solid potential. Its focus on real-world applications has made it essential in modernizing traditional finance. Strategic partnerships with major banks and financial players, combined with continuous network upgrades, suggest that XRP can see steady growth in the years ahead. How Crypto Traders Identify the Best Cryptos to Buy Now Crypto investors use many methods to identify the best cryptos to buy now. They focus on doing their own research. They check out a coin’s technology, team, and real-world use to understand its potential. You can use sites like CoinMarketCap to keep up with the latest news and market trends of the best-performing cryptocurrencies. Traders also pay attention to things like tokenomics, partnerships, and the strength of a coin’s community. They often use technical analysis, looking at chart patterns and trading volume, to guide their decisions. By combining all of this, traders can make smarter moves in the crypto market even with high volatility. Conclusion: Secure Your Spot in the Crypto Market with Smart Investments Securing your place in the crypto stock market begins with making smart, informed choices. By taking the right approach, you can understand the long-term growth potential of all crypto all-stars. The projects we’ve discussed are all worth considering, and they’re among the top performers in the market right now. However, Dawgz AI seems kind of special due to its innovative AI-driven trading bots and a strong, engaged community. That could give you a unique way to participate in the crypto space. Not to mention this hidden gem promises up to 60x returns in presale. Whatever you decide, it’s important to do your own research first.
Economic sentiment remains in positive territory – surveyMikaela Shiffrin suffers abrasion on hip during crash on final run of World Cup giant slalomDENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'" Get local news delivered to your inbox!