"[W]e’re targeting newcomers that can help enshrine Canada as a world leader in a variety of emerging technologies," said Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser, in a statement. 

The program will start receiving applications on July 16. Approved applicants will receive a work permit for up to three years and could work almost anywhere in Canada. Applicants may also apply for study or work permit options for accompanying family members.  

"Because the H-1B system comes with so many bureaucratic strings attached, countless workers are finding it unsustainable to build a family and future in America," Sam Peak, a senior policy analyst at Americans for Prosperity, told Reason. "We’ve already lost more than 20,500 Indians to Canada’s Global Talent Stream program from 2017–2019." 

In an op-ed for Forbes, Andy J. Semotiuk urges the U.S. to take note of Canada’s efforts and consider some actions to remain competitive: "Retaining H1-B workers should be a priority for the U.S. because they contribute to economic growth, foster innovation, and maintain the nation’s position as a leader in technology and industry." 

Welcome to Thursday’s edition of The Forum Daily. I’m Clara Villatoro, the Forum’s strategic communications manager, and the great Forum Daily team also includes Karime Puga, Alexandra Villarreal and Katie Lutz. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected]. 

PLEA — Labor shortages are affecting different industries, 126 business leaders and employers called for President Biden to "expand a special category of immigration permits for individuals who can fill positions where labor shortages exist," reports Rafael Bernal of The Hill. Livestock industries, such as dairy, are especially calling for immigration reform, because none of the current work visa programs are suitable to their needs, Bernal notes. 

SERVICE RESUMED — The U.S. government has resumed appointments for asylum seekers in Laredo, Texas, after two weeks of suspending the service following reports that migrants faced extortion, report Daina Beth Solomon and Laura Gottesdiener of Reuters. Recently, 1,500 migrants gathered in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, after a rumor spread about the U.S. admitting migrants without appointments, which could have led to resume activities. "In essence, (it is) returning exactly to the very same dynamics that led to the pause in CBP One appointments in the first place," said Stephanie Leutert, director of the Mexico Security Initiative at the University of Texas. 

IN EUROPE — The International Organization for Migration estimates that nearly 2,000 people have died trying to make it to Europe by sea this year, Laurel Wamsley reports for NPR.  Migrants are traveling on fragile iron boats and overloaded fishing vessels, with smuggling networks profiting off their suffering. To put an end to such unnecessary death, Reva Dhingra, a post-doctoral fellow at the Brookings Institution, says: "open more legal pathways for people to be able to access, so they don't have to make the desperate choice of going to sea." 

WELCOME IN COLORADO — Nearly $6 million in grants through the Rose Community Foundation is making it possible for local organizations in Colorado to help Afghan refugees, reports Kelly Werthmann of CBS News Colorado. "They welcome refugees here, and that's why I came here and I'm in love with Colorado," said Fahim Naderi, an Afghan evacuee who hopes to bring his family soon to the United States. 

Thanks for reading, 

Clara