In 1621, the Pilgrims in Massachusetts celebrated the first Thanksgiving festival to give thanks for a successful harvest. As we gather around our Thanksgiving tables today, many of us immigrants or descendants of immigrants, we are reminded of the pressing need for President-elect Obama to address the flaws in our immigration policy. Rather than having a logical immigration system, we currently see sporadic immigration officer raids at workplaces suspected of hiring undocumented individuals, leading to deportations that can tear families apart. The most contentious aspect of the immigration issue is how to handle the approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants. Many individuals are not expected to go back to their home countries, even with the current challenging economic conditions. It is also not desirable for them to do so, as they contribute to the workforce in various high-skill areas like scientific and medical research, as well as in low-skill jobs that are necessary but often overlooked. In 2007, President Bush's immigration proposals were not approved by Congress, despite support from both Democratic and Republican leaders. The question now is whether President Obama will be able to achieve success where Bush did not. Obama's proposal is similar to the failed bill, including increased border protection, more visas for new immigrants, penalties for employers hiring undocumented workers, and eventual citizenship for undocumented workers after paying a fine. While it would be a significant improvement, if Congress does not pass immigration reform, narrower action could still improve American labor markets. This could involve authorizing the Department of Labor to independently determine the number of work permits and temporary visas issued each quarter. The Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) follows the law by granting 65,000 H-1b temporary visas for skilled workers. These individuals are chosen by the Labor Department from a pool of around 630,000 approved applications. Those holding H-1b visas must leave the US when their employment ends. However, the majority of applicants do not receive a visa. Many skilled foreign college graduates who have studied in the US, often with American taxpayer funding, are unable to secure jobs in America. Foreign workers must depart, bringing along their intellectual accomplishments and valuable expertise. They are an asset to the American economy, contributing through tax payments and by keeping various establishments like laboratories, hotels, high-tech exhibitions, and construction projects operational. If they are forced to leave, these contributions will cease. In 2009, the H-1b visa cap of 65,000 was reached quickly after applications opened on April 1, 2008. This number is only a small fraction of the total U.S. labor force of 154 million. Even if the cap was increased to 150,000, it would still only be a tiny percentage of the labor force. This means that most potential applicants do not even apply due to the low chance of success. While Congress may struggle to adjust laws based on economic conditions, the Labor Department is better equipped to evaluate changing labor markets and adjust visa quotas accordingly. It is suggested that Congress should allow the Labor Department to determine the number of visas to be issued on a quarterly basis. This would involve issuing fewer visas when unemployment rates increase, and more visas when they decrease. By giving the Labor Department control over visas, it could be managed without negatively impacting U.S. workers or community resources. Allowing this adjustment in legal immigration each quarter could benefit America, potentially helping President-elect Obama move past the contentious immigration issues of the Bush administration and set a positive tone for the upcoming year. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, who previously served as chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor and is now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, believes that having something to be grateful for next Thanksgiving would be significant. These opinions are her own, and she can be contacted at dfr@hudson.org.