Now, my preference is that the government stop doing much of anything and just let the marketplace connect jobs with workers within our own borders. But ... if the government really feels that it needs to take some kind of action, then I would suggest that focusing on what is good for American citizens might be the proper course. The foreigners did not elect my Representative -- so why should the foreigner be the big beneficiary?
The penalties for H-1B and L heavy companies and the requirement that they pay more that the average prevailing wage are steps in the right direction.
Increasing the quantity isn’t, but as in all things political it is a compromise.
If I were in charge you couldn’t hire a single H-1B the instant American unemployment went above, say, 6.5%, and couldn’t import the full quota until it was below 4.5%
I also think a Start-Up visa is a good idea.