Does the US need more H-1B visas? What do you think?
18 August 2005
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Are 65,000 H-1B visas enough per fiscal year? Does the US need to increase the quota?
Critics say the system is being abused by companies to bring in foreigners at lower wages even when there are qualified Americans available. Would additional visas simply mean more abuse of the system?
Tell us what you think.
LLOYD LEODIE D.SOLIS, Philippines (2005.08.24 06:01:44)
The United States, let us not forget shoud be the "land of the free and the home of the brave." It is though this line, that Mother Liberty has been inviting people from all over the globe, to come to her shores and invest their time, talent, energy and efforts "to make this country great again." The immigrants of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries have made America, indeed, the greatest nation on earth. Let us not forget that immigrants have made this nation great! Hence, I cannot imagine fully that this country and its government will curtail the flow of the best and the brightest heads and industrious hands in the world to come to its shores "in order to make that country all the more great again." You set your sights on the talents, skills, ingenuity, fervor, allegaince, and devotion, that these immigrants are bringing with them. Do not be too paranoid in security issues (although that indeed is very important too) to the extent that you are shoo-ing off potential and future leaders of America who will rule from coast to coast. Let the issuance of HIB visas be increased to at least half a million (500,000) annually. Thank you.
The United States, let us not forget shoud be the "land of the free and the home of the brave." It is though this line, that Mother Liberty has been inviting people from all over the globe, to come to her shores and invest their time, talent, energy and efforts "to make this country great again." The immigrants of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries have made America, indeed, the greatest nation on earth. Let us not forget that immigrants have made this nation great! Hence, I cannot imagine fully that this country and its government will curtail the flow of the best and the brightest heads and industrious hands in the world to come to its shores "in order to make that country all the more great again." You set your sights on the talents, skills, ingenuity, fervor, allegaince, and devotion, that these immigrants are bringing with them. Do not be too paranoid in security issues (although that indeed is very important too) to the extent that you are shoo-ing off potential and future leaders of America who will rule from coast to coast. Let the issuance of HIB visas be increased to at least half a million (500,000) annually. Thank you.
Ravi Shankar, India (2005.08.23 20:51:26)
The US should learn from the MIDDLE EAST on how the quality jobs are done using skilled and semi-skilled personnel from Asian countries. The US should consider to liberalise the H1B programme and make it simpler so that the employer can get the staff in short notice.
The US should learn from the MIDDLE EAST on how the quality jobs are done using skilled and semi-skilled personnel from Asian countries. The US should consider to liberalise the H1B programme and make it simpler so that the employer can get the staff in short notice.
Gianluca Dimartino, Italy (2005.08.22 19:57:35)
It is ridiculous to think that an American company must hire Americans if they are not skilled to do the job required. 65,000 H1B visas are definitely not enough. It should be at least 250,000, or, even better, there should not be any limit at all.
It is ridiculous to think that an American company must hire Americans if they are not skilled to do the job required. 65,000 H1B visas are definitely not enough. It should be at least 250,000, or, even better, there should not be any limit at all.
Kabayan, Phlippines (2005.08.21 01:01:24)
I believe the quota is necessary, but it should be increased as demand requires. To be fair, the quota should be on a per country basis. This is also to speed up the processing of every case.
I believe the quota is necessary, but it should be increased as demand requires. To be fair, the quota should be on a per country basis. This is also to speed up the processing of every case.
Rajeev Kumar, INDIA (2005.08.19 15:08:22)
There should not be any threshhold on H1B visas. You cannot plan long term by inviting a mere 65,000 highly skilled for such a vast country. Look at the European nations, once considered almost out of reach for immigrants due to their radical policies, are now thinking on the line of encourging highly skilled people to migrate. Britain is already in the race with its HSMP visa program, France and Germany are soon going to join this club and many more to follow suit. So the US should also think on the same line, otherwise Europe is going to be destination number one for highly skilled personnel.
There should not be any threshhold on H1B visas. You cannot plan long term by inviting a mere 65,000 highly skilled for such a vast country. Look at the European nations, once considered almost out of reach for immigrants due to their radical policies, are now thinking on the line of encourging highly skilled people to migrate. Britain is already in the race with its HSMP visa program, France and Germany are soon going to join this club and many more to follow suit. So the US should also think on the same line, otherwise Europe is going to be destination number one for highly skilled personnel.
Victor Prodigo, Philippines (2005.08.19 00:14:41)
I agree that US government should not limit the influx of highly skilled professionals to work in the US because studies have shown that foreign traineed or US trained immigrants have contributed to the economic development of the country. This is an opportunity for the US government to attract the best workers in the world. It is not the government that should cap the limit, but the host institutions.
I agree that US government should not limit the influx of highly skilled professionals to work in the US because studies have shown that foreign traineed or US trained immigrants have contributed to the economic development of the country. This is an opportunity for the US government to attract the best workers in the world. It is not the government that should cap the limit, but the host institutions.
Paul, UK (2005.08.18 16:51:28)
The argument of H1B as cheap labour does not really hold; supposedly foreigners are supposed to be paid the same prevailing wage as would a similarly skilled US citizen. Although a large proportion of H1Bs are used by the IT sector in the US, other business sectors such as Finance, Consulting and Corporate Headquarters require the skills and experience of overseas professionals who have the know-how of running international businesses (which is where a lot of US companies are seeking their growth from). The past 2 years have shown that the quota is definitely on the low side and at least should be doubled. US should seriously reconsider and hopefully realise their protectionist attitude will only serve to harm their economy in the long run. They should be spending more time focused on the masses of illegal unskilled workers entering the US rather than the law abiding educated and skilled workers.
The argument of H1B as cheap labour does not really hold; supposedly foreigners are supposed to be paid the same prevailing wage as would a similarly skilled US citizen. Although a large proportion of H1Bs are used by the IT sector in the US, other business sectors such as Finance, Consulting and Corporate Headquarters require the skills and experience of overseas professionals who have the know-how of running international businesses (which is where a lot of US companies are seeking their growth from). The past 2 years have shown that the quota is definitely on the low side and at least should be doubled. US should seriously reconsider and hopefully realise their protectionist attitude will only serve to harm their economy in the long run. They should be spending more time focused on the masses of illegal unskilled workers entering the US rather than the law abiding educated and skilled workers.
Rath, United Kingdom, NA (2005.08.18 13:13:23)
As an H1B visa holder myself, I can vouch for way this system has been misused, both by American Companies who want cheaper labor for the donkey work which they would have liked to outsource, and by overseas companies sending in sub-standard skilled labor to improve their bottom lines.
As an H1B visa holder myself, I can vouch for way this system has been misused, both by American Companies who want cheaper labor for the donkey work which they would have liked to outsource, and by overseas companies sending in sub-standard skilled labor to improve their bottom lines.
Gautam Gajare, India (2005.08.18 12:33:09)
Yes, I agree that 65,000 H1B are not sufficient. US needs more skilled labour at least in the IT field and the local labour cannot fulfil that. They should really have no limit on the number of H1B visas issued.
Yes, I agree that 65,000 H1B are not sufficient. US needs more skilled labour at least in the IT field and the local labour cannot fulfil that. They should really have no limit on the number of H1B visas issued.
Martin, America (In Germany) (2005.08.18 10:59:16)
As economic giant of the world, America needs more skilled workers as well as graduates (with Masters or Ph.D). Then only US can maintain the image forever.
As economic giant of the world, America needs more skilled workers as well as graduates (with Masters or Ph.D). Then only US can maintain the image forever.
Chauhan, Germany (2005.08.18 10:06:15)
There should be no limit on the number of H1B visas. In fact, the main objective of starting H1B visas was to help companies fill up positions from abroad, which otherwise cannot be filled from within country. In my view, in spite of the recession, the companies are looking for Hi-Tech people. To stop highly educated people from coming to the USA means stopping the progress of USA & setting back the economy. So, there should be NO LIMIT on H1B Visas !!!
There should be no limit on the number of H1B visas. In fact, the main objective of starting H1B visas was to help companies fill up positions from abroad, which otherwise cannot be filled from within country. In my view, in spite of the recession, the companies are looking for Hi-Tech people. To stop highly educated people from coming to the USA means stopping the progress of USA & setting back the economy. So, there should be NO LIMIT on H1B Visas !!!
vaishali, United Kingdom (2005.08.18 09:10:19)
65,000 H1B visas would not be enough for such a vast country where more IT experts are required.
65,000 H1B visas would not be enough for such a vast country where more IT experts are required.