Even if less qualified? But I have a fiduciary duty to the company to hire the best talent that will do the best job.
Last I looked H1-Bs are not fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan for America. If Americans are good enough to defend you they are good enough to work for you, to be hired before an H1-B.
I've hired four others in the last couple of years that are veterans, one of which is still active reserve who gets deployed in February.
I am a veteran too, and I am also actively supporting deployed troops with my time and a lot of my money. Forgive me if I don't feel like listening to patriotism lessons. Good night.