More response from readers to "Storm clouds rise over H1-B"
Dear eWeek:
Wow you hit the nail on the head. I was just discussing this topic with my co-workers recently not knowing that this was something that had been brewin in others minds. We just went through a series of layoffs at our company over the past year and to my knowledge not a single H1-B was laid off. On my team I lost seven people and all where U.S. citizens, and the single H1-B we had on our team was not let go… There is no doubt in my mind that the people laid off, which where all good employees, could sue the company on grounds that they where discriminated against. Frankly it disgusts me. I was wanting to know if you know of IT support groups other than the one you mentioned in your article that cover California or the nation as a whole that gives a voice to IT workers? Again great article!
Sincerely,
BT
Further reading
Dear eWeek:
I recently read your article regarding the status of H1-B workers in the US. Ms. Vaas, I believe that you have touched on a problem that is truly, truly a big problem. I have been in the IS consulting profession for over ten years now and fully believe that the program must be ended now. I believe that it is only a way for US corporations to get cheap labor, not better labor, just cheap labor. Why hire a more than qualified American worker for X amount of dollars when I can hire three H1-B visa workers for the same. US corporations complain that the talent pool in the US is not up to snuff so they must look overseas, that is ridiculous. For a fraction of the amount if they so chose they could invest that money into American children, American schools and groom(ing) our own talent. However, why invest in America when you can (get) cheap, supposedly disposable talent for less (?) …If this program is not scrapped America as a whole will suffer.
Ralph Mucerino
Dear eWeek:
What is happening to the H1-B fees all these employers are paying? I was told the fees would be used to train Americans to get them the skills needed for technology jobs. Well, where do we get in line? My congressman certainly doesnt know.
Jim Gaynor
Dear eWeek:
I am reader e week print edition. I like your articles on current trend and future of IT jobs. Sometime I send those articles to my younger brother who is working as software engineer in India too. I am Mechanical Engineer from India working in Minneapolis on H1-B visa.
After reading current week article on H1B visa, I was very surprised and shocked. I believe like me there are many genuine and hard working engineers came from different country leaving their county and relatives for better future here. They work hard and stay here for 6 years and if lucky get green card too. I am completely against reducing H1-B visa cap as it is not the solution for better security or safety of this great country. Government has to develop some kind of better system to check the entire individual before granting any visa permission... I strongly believe that it is not only technical expertise exchange between countries but also cultural and social exchange between countries for better tomorrow. Looking at todays economic downturn, company is thinking 100 times before recruiting an individual (H1-B or local). People who wants to make this great country even more better should not be restricted by visa cap.
Aalok Gautam
Dear eWeek:
Here in the Dallas area 2 out of 5 tech workers (various categories) are looking for a job. There is an overwhelming need to STOP the whole (H1-B) program until further investigation and definition of real need is completed.
WorldCom is another nail in the coffin. It is obvious the real shortage in this country is ethics. The last several years were all about greed. It is time to take a step back and make some tough choices. The tech workers who were too demanding must take some responsibility as well.
Marie Graziano
Research Assistant
