Comments on: Solving the H-1B Visa Issue

By: Brad Feld

Brad Feld — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:21:11 +0000

I completely disagree. As someone involved in creating hundreds of startup companies over the past 15 years, there has always been more demand for software engineering talent in the US than there is software engineers. In addition, all of the work that we’ve done at the National Center for Women & Information Technology shows this trend getting worse over the next decade.

By: Oleg

Oleg — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:34:28 +0000

The lack of technical talent is a myth. There is an oversupply of computer programmers in the US. They myth was invented by the US corporations and executives trying to reduce labor costs and import cheap labor into the US. It has benefited countries like India and China, as wells as thickened wallets of the US executives.

By: Brad Feld

Brad Feld — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:43:05 +0000

Super post – thanks. I’m hoping there are enough of us focusing on this that we’ll get a groundswell of support. Having talked to a few congressmen and heard what is coming with immigration reform proposals, I’m more optimistic than I was a few weeks ago.

By: Manoj Joseph

Manoj Joseph — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:39:32 +0000

I agree with you. But I doubt if this is going to become reality in the next few years, unfortunately.

I have written a blog about the visa issue, if you are interested.
http://broomfieldbugle.blogspot.com/2009/04/unwel...

Disclaimer: I am on a non-immigrant visa wondering how coax my employer in to applying for a green card for me.

By: Immigration1

Immigration1 — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:42:43 +0000

Although there is shortage of science and IT workers yet it is not easy to get H1b visa for the applicants.I don't understand then why not they take it seriously and do something.

By: Naum

Naum — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:55:57 +0000

As an IT pro and long time programmer, it is hard for me to fathom how H1B can be justified when so many American tech workers have gotten the shaft. Over the course of my 20+ year career, I've seen wages slashed, consulting/contracting rates lowered, and lots of career changes as a career as a programmer/software developer is most precarious, especially as one gets older — then you may as well as have a big red X marked on you.

I have nothing against bringing in the best and the brightest, but what really is happening is that the bulk of these non-immigrant visas go to "body shops" importing entry level programmers that could easily be manned by young (or any career changing) Americans. Within a short drive of my Phoenix area home, I easily tally thousands of jobs that once were staffed by Americans, now filled by a combo of non-immigrant visa workers here on-site and offshore programmers in India or other Asian/global locales.

I write from firsthand experience, having, on multiple occasions, my position eliminated and I charged with training my offshore/NIV workers in U.S. to assume my responsibilities. Many of my colleagues and former work mates have been forced into early retirement, premature career changes, or are simply counting the days to retirement (though that is a tenuous affair in 2008-2009). I am in a minority that still works in the field I studied for in college (I have a degree in Computer Science) as I am witness to the many that due to pushed out or exploring careers with greater long term upside (though those that jumped into real estate are not looking so grand now).

Young Americans do not exist in a vacuum and they see what happens to aging software developers — for every Web 2.0 superstar raking it in, there's a hundred just getting by or cautious about long term prospects. Other professionals — lawyers, doctors, even many business oriented disciplines (i.e, Marketing, Accounting) are much more secure in their career lot. Even before the advent of offshore worker migration and imported non-immigrant visa workers, age discrimination was rampant in the industry. This is why enrollment in CS programs is in decline, as it will only appeal to the diehard — otherwise, it's tackling a weighty course path with payback that ends up over the long haul, less than a teacher.

By: JaipalJeph

JaipalJeph — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:55:56 +0000

Dear friends,

I just got a waiver approvel.Thankyou so much for your co-operation.
As you knowreason behing getting waiver was filing H-1 papers.
But i need proper assistance from your end.

I have couple of queries regarding my H-1 papers filing.

As you already know that i got a waiver. And now my company is ready to sponsor me for H-1.

As far as i know if i have to file papers for H-1 ,i can file it in April and it(H-1) will be activated in October.

My internship with this company is finishing in feb 15 2009.I have visa till JULY 31st 2009. I cannot work on that visa after 15th feb because i have my contract with this company till feb 15 th.

So if i file my papers in april, is there any way i can stay till october to start my H-1 visa. May be i could continue with the same company having some kind of extention till october.

I mean i need to cover that 6-7 months which is in between feb-april and october.

Could you please suggest me proper way so that we can get extention till october.And at the same time we can file H-1 visa in april.

Warm Regards!!!
Jaipal Jeph

By: FN

FN — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:55:55 +0000

The key word is "rational."

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:55:55 +0000

I have seen your friends the Democrats making a big deal about how IT jobs are being exported overseas and that we need to do something about it – American IT workers are losing their jobs! This is the (wrongheaded) perspective that makes it pseudo-rational in their minds to block immigration. And while it's always fun to bash Bush, unless I'm mistaken the system we have in place has been there a LONG time (including during the first Internet bubble – the Clinton years – when you couldn't hire a software developer to save your life… and I recall dealing with it at the start of my career – mid-Reagan), so the error is truly bipartisan.

The deeper question is what your rational justification would be for limiting entrants the way you propose. Why not expand to accredited four-year colleges ANYWHERE in the world? Why not ANY four year degree? And why exactly is college a filter anyway? This filter helps YOU, but what about construction businesses in the West that have trouble finding workers? What about the restaurant industry, which also has trouble finding and keeping staff?

By: richard_st59861

richard_st59861 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:55:55 +0000

I believeThe Limit on these visas was 100K during the 90's and a lot of talk had been given to expand them and in fact Bush had talked expansion prior to 9/11. After 9/11 they were cut to 65K and this was supposed to be temporary but I agree with Brad that getting a technical graduate degree should get you in the line for permanent residency or at least I would like to see the cap raised to a more reasonable level or perhaps be set to auto increase over time.

By: dgcohen

dgcohen — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:55:55 +0000

I watched you talk about this live today, and when you proposed that a real "duh, yeah" hit me. I mean, come on, if you can graduate from a top school in this country in a field where we urgently need talent, don't we want you to stay here? I wonder how the number of students who would fit this proposal compares to the number of H1-B's given out anyway? that's the only possible concern, if it's orders of magnitude higher (although i say who cares, screw the limit).

By: don_jones3607

don_jones3607 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:55:55 +0000

I would have thought that the idea of letting more workers into the US was anathema to the Democratic platform, with Big Labor permanently allergic to anything that "takes American jobs."

By: Tom C.

Tom C. — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:55:55 +0000

I couldn't agree more. I recently did a little research on this and in summary, the process for immigrants (H-1B and otherwise) is difficult and confusing. The US has a clear labour shortage in IT and computer science as well as a number of other fields. To make matters worse, immigrants educated in the US are returning to their home countries to start the businesses they dreamed of opening in the States. Their home country benefits from the creation of new technology, products, jobs and wealth.

To contrast the US process, I recently moved to London for work. My work permit took 8 weeks to approve and it is good for 5 years. Given my skills and age, it would have also been possible to secure a more permanent working visa through their highly skilled migrant programme as they recognize a shortage of skilled labour in their economy.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:55:55 +0000

Giving jobs to immigrants doesn't solve the problem of American IT workers losing their jobs? Why are Americans losing IT jobs if there are a shortage of workers? I'm not an Obama supporter, but he's right than companies are wrong in sending jobs overseas. However, he's wrong to think that raising corporate taxes is going to help anything. Raising taxes on corporations is only going to make them want to send more jobs (and plants, etc) overseas so they can avoid Obama's tax hike. There has to be a better answer than more taxes and more visa, right?

By: Jerry

Jerry — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:55:55 +0000

Brad…you're so silly…being reasonable and rational and all. Yes. This country was built on immigrants but they were the RIGHT kind of immigrants not these folks who want to come into the country now.
Oh damn…I hope folks reading my comment will recognize my sarcasm.