The purpose of the H1-B visa program is to bring in Cheap Slave Labor and replace US citizen workers.

The Corporate Criminals who claim that there is a shortage of US talent are liars.

Because H1-B workers are paid half of what US workers make, and because they c annot change jobs, it is much

more attractive to employers to hire them instead of free workers.

The H1-B visa program is the largest immigration fraud in American history.

Hello Guarang,

I'm sure you mean well, but how can you make such outlandish claims without any supporting references or documentation. You obviously don't review US Government labor statistics, nor do you read the publications of MIT professor Lester C. Thurow. Maybe these sources, don't serve your purpose. Although Dave's comment is rather strident, there may be more substance in what he says than in your unsubstantiated assertions.

As a naturalized citizen of the US, I appreciate what this country offers, and resent any entity, corporate or individual, attempting to circumvent the rights of Americans to pursue a better life. Remember, the US Constitution does not grant such rights to corporations or foreigners, only to individuals. By bringing in foreign workers under the guise of satisfying a purported manpower shortage, congress and corporations are doing what our foreign enemies have not been able to do us, subvert the ability of the average middle class American to "realistically" strive (i.e. - burger flipping doesn't qualify) for a better life for herself, himself, and family (in effect subjugating people to the corporate whim). Why would American children work hard to get a graduate degree, when American firms would rather hire a foreigner, at about the same pay scale as a holder of an college undergraduate degree. This practice might be excusable if the talent level being brought in from outside was exceptional, but it is far from that according to my friends who are hiring managers or in human resources (i.e - these are not the Tellers, Ulams and Blochs  of WWII, rather they comprise the everyday labor force which can be found stateside)

Americans must make their voices heard in Congress, and tell our representatives - NO MORE! We should not tolerate having our livelihood, and the welfare and future of our children sold out for few dollars.

Gaurang,

You claim that the application for 150,000 H-1B's in the first day must mean that there aren't enough US citizen workers for these jobs. Then you go on and tell Dave that he is "living on an isolated island unaware of what's going on." First of all, you probably come from a 3rd-world country that is overpopulated, poor, and plagued by poor government and no opportunity, which is exactly why its your people who want to come to my country instead of the other way around.  Furthermore, there would be no opportunity for you and your people to come here without the generosity of the American people in opening doors to you. We most certainly do NOT need you. So keep that in mind before you go running your mouth to us.

The fact that H-1B slots fill so quickly with applicants only "proves" 2 things: 1) There are a bunch of foreign workers slaivating at the mouth to get a job, and a shot at permanent residency, in the US; and 2) there are a bunch of greedy businesses anxious to acquire a cheap, disposable slave labor force.

Obviously, this issue brings forth a lot of emotions from both sides - supporters and detractors.  Would be good if the discussion is kept civil instead of trading personal insults.

It is true that H-1 visa is much abused by greedy employers.  The H1 visa program definitely needs to be reformed.  I'm an H-1 holder and even though I'm very good at what I do, I agree that my skills are hardly the ones you can't find in the US.  At the same time, it is also true that US has shortage of labor that has the right IT skills.  Yes, there is unemployment in IT sector but it may also have to to do with people not having the right skills. (For every jobless skilled IT programmer one can show, there is an inept/sub-standard-skilled person that is employed who prevents his/her company from being productive and profitable). 

You can not close the door on immigration. For example, it will be wrong to stop employment-based green card program.  If you do that, what is the way to retain an engineer or scientist that may help add to America's edge?  Political asylum? Citizenship through marriage? Lottery system? Ilegal immigration?

Another angle to it is that this is a globalized world.  Any US protectionist measure will be met with an equally unwise reaction from other countries.  US has 300million people while the developing world has about 4 billion.  US wants to get into these emerging markets but would like to keep the doors shut?  If US needs to retain its pole position, employment-based immigration is a must.

Reforms are definitely needed. Before that happens, there needs to be level-headed thinking with sentiments taking the back seat.  Decisions taken emotionally may serve you well in the short-term but they quite often bring more disastrous results in the longer term.

Ardit,

I would love to respond to you, but your grasp of the English language and grammar is so pathetic that it is almost impossible to follow your points. Please study our language for another 10 years, then maybe you can intelligently respond to this "mediocre" (usage) inquiry regarding what you intended to say.

By the way, I speak four languages proficiently, and manage a DBA group.

Louise

to those of you who want to make a difference, run for the president and make the change. stop bitching.