A federal lawsuit has been filed in New Jersey charging the Bush administration with illegally avoiding the current limits for the H1-B visa program. The Immigration Reform Law Institute, the Programmers Guild and others said the administration has improperly extended the time foreign nationals can work in the U.S. on student visas from one year to 29 months.

Two random selections were conducted, first on applications qualifying for the 20,000 “master’s or higher degree” exemption, and second on the remaining applications, for the 65,000 cap. There were approximately 163,000 applications received.

The opening day for American visas for highly skilled temporary foreign workers begins on April 1st.

The American government has announced tougher action against businesses that employ illegal immigrants. Under the plan, employers will have 90 days to prove the workers are legal US residents or fire them. Employers who fail to take action face fines of up to $12,500 per violation and possible criminal charges.

Immigration has lowered wages in the United States as low-skilled newcomers have depressed the earnings of low-paid Americans, increasing the gap relative to the highest-paid.