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September 23, 2003
Be American... Hire American!
In tech news, the US is cutting back the number of H-1B visas offered by more than two thirds. Now normally the US's immigration policies wouldn't be of note to me, but I happen to be a foreigner on such a visa.
As I looked for more information, I found this website. It's an anti-H-1B visa site, claiming that the visa program "has no serious safeguards to protect American workers from being replaced and is abused to provide cheap foreign labor." Like any other policy, this visa has the potential to be abused.
In November 2001, representative Tom Tancredo gave a speech suggesting that scrapping the H-1B visa would give jobs back to Americans, and improve the US economy. He even went so far as to imply that H-1B holders and other immigrants are terrorists.
Let me tell you something, Mr. Tancredo. If the H-1B visa is abolished, do you really think companies wouldn't outsource more? At least immigrants spend their hard-earned American wages in America and help the local economy.
If you think the only reason high-tech companies are hiring immigrants is because they're cheaper, I think it's worth noting the number of Indian employees at Microsoft in managerial positions. And no, anecdotal evidence doesn't prove your point.
Maybe I'm just an exception to the rule, but I'm not from India, nor am I cheap labour (my salary is on par with my American peers). In fact, it cost Microsoft more money in recruitment costs and legal fees to hire me than to hire an American. What does that tell you?
Oh, and I didn't try to hijack the plane on my way here.
Comments
I thought Canadian citizens got TN visas?
Posted by: at September 24, 2003 4:15 PM
Actually, it's better you don't answer that.
Posted by: at September 24, 2003 4:47 PM
Why, afraid I'll go on another tirade?
Posted by: chris at September 25, 2003 7:42 PM