Comments on: Senate weighs H-1B visa changes

Controversial measure would exempt from the cap on visas foreign students graduating from U.S. schools with advanced degrees.

[waynehapp]

Indentured Servants

What business want's is a source of indentured servants that they can hold over a barrel.

As long as there are educated Americans unemployed there's no reason to import people period.

[Tex Murphy PI]

You certainly didn't think before you posted

With regards to H1B holders being "Indentured servants" - there is SOME truth to that. I know of some companies that specifically go out of their way to get H1B workers. Why? Not because of lower wages (as you like to beleive), but because it gives the company a person who will almost certainly stay with them for the duration of the naturalization process (5 years or so). It is very hard for an H1B worker to switch jobs - so the appeal for companies is that of stability.

To say that H1B workers are "Cheap" is stupid, at best. Here's why:
1) H1B wages MUST MATCH that of an American working in the company = prevailing wages.
2) On top of hte regular governmental taxes a company must pay for an employee (Social inSecurity, etc. etc.), Companies must also pay a special tax for H1Bs that goes to retraining American workers.
3) You need lawyers to handle H1B workers. And lawyers cost a lot of $$!
4) It takes months to hire an H1B because of the legal paperwork. This time is lost productivity.

When you add it all up, H1B workers are really far more expensive compared to American workers. So why hire an H1B?
1) There aren't enough QUALIFIED Americans to fill the positions. This is still the sad truth. There are less Americans obtaining scientific degrees now than before.
2) An unethical company will hire them knowing that they can work them really hard for the same wages they pay an American worker.

Large corporations like Intel, Cisco, Merk, etc. etc. rely on H1Bs because Americans just aren't interested in going into Electrical Engineering, Physics, Bio-Chemistry, etc. etc. A Psychology degree really isn't all that useful for high-tech jobs.

This bill targets an exception for MASTERS and DOCTORATE degrees. Something most people do NOT have (Americans or otherwise).

Unlike OFFSHORING (which is shipping any job overseas), H1Bs contribute directly into the US economy. They also help fill the growing technical void American students are unwilling to study for.

Don't beleive me? Go to any LARGE University, and tell me how many Americans are Teaching Assistants for the core science classes. While you're at it, look at the demographics of the class itself. You will find Americans the exception, rather than the rule.

America needs a steady stream of brilliant minds the fuel its economy. Lawyers do not produce anything. Scientists and engineers do. And until more Americans consider taking and graduating in these culturally stigmatized "Geeky" core science fields, companies will still need to go outside for them.

The problem isn't with H1Bs taking American jobs, it's Americans refusing to retool or retrain for them.

[isadorah]

L1 proposed change already in force!

Sen. Chambliss might want to read up some more on L1 visa legislation. It is already a requirement - and has been for at least 10 years, which is when I arrived to work in the US as an L1 visa holder - that the employee "must have been employed abroad for the foreign corporation, firm, or other legal entity (or an affiliate or subsidiary thereof) on a full-time basis for at least one continuous year out of the last three-year period to qualify". How strange to propose a "change" to the legislation when that "change" is already in force!

[Erkut]

Think Before You Post

Foreign students graduating from advanced degree programs in US are by definition not being employed by a foreign subsidiary of an American firm.

[MacarioV]

that's the usual!

Yea, well right. The executive assistant probably did not know any better. the summary the good senator read, was probably written in a hurry by some intern. Do you think they really read or write all those laws. some interest group writes the proposed laws. some intern prepares an executive summary, some lawyers get paid to ammend the the proposal, and they all vote based in what the interest group is paying them at the time.

Disgusting - With 20-30% Unemployment in IT

The Last thing we need is for Congress to pass another job-killing bill like this. Stop giving American jobs to foreigners. Foreigners don't vote. I do - And I talk to 20-50 other voters per week. Don't think you can sneak this kind of stuff through Congress without me noticing.

20-30% IT Unemployment in the USA - Link:

http://www.aea.org/documents/040903AgeDiscrimination.html

[Tex Murphy PI]

Please remember...

That congress really doesn't listen to their constituents anymore. They mostly listen the well-funded Political Action Comittees (PAC).

If your House Rep is a Republican, you're just wasting your breath. If your Rep is a Democrat, you might still have a slim (10%) chance of being heard - over the cash register, that is!

L1 and H1B Visa

For L1 visa to come to the US; the law should be changed that for guest workers to come to work as Managers or Executives; they have to actually work in such positions prior to coming to their US affiliates. American Managers and Executives are being sacrificed and disadvantaged to have to train their inferiors as their boss in their own countries.

As for H1-B visa, the fee should be raised to $25,000 for employers; given the high rate of employments for US engineers and scientists. Only when US workers are fully employed than the fee can be reduced to the current nominal $1,000. There has got to be balance and benefits to be the citizen of this country...Policy makers must take heed to serve their constituencies ... we are mad, and we are ready to throw out of office elected officials who do not serve the nation interests.

Unemployed now due to L1

I worked for a US division of a Japanese company. I just got laid off along with all the other mid-managers while all the Japanese on L1's kept their jobs. I know they had to "get creative" for the one they just brought to the country, because the one leaving told me he did so! Yes, Americans are losing their jobs due to L1. I am definitely opposed to increasing the numbers. They obviously have ways to get them here anyway!

I had a H1B in 1999 and I did not understand it

I worked in Chicago in 1999 for a Company Bought up by CA, Suddenly I was told to leave USA in 7 Days!!!
Tourists get three months.
H1B Policys should be consistant, tying me up to One Company and job causes mistakes.