Posted on 01/11/2019 10:43:14 AM PST by DoodleDawg
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he is planning changes to the H-1B program that grants temporary visas to highly educated immigrants who work in specialty occupations such as technology or medicine.
"H1-B (sic) holders in the United States can rest assured that changes are soon coming which will bring both simplicity and certainty to your stay, including a potential path to citizenship," Trump said on Twitter. "We want to encourage talented and highly skilled people to pursue career options in the U.S."
It was unclear what Trump meant by a "potential path to citizenship" for H-1B visa holders, who already are eligible to be sponsored by their employers for legal permanent residency, which would make them eligible to become U.S. citizens.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Increasing the number of foreign workers is exactly the wrong direction
Pretty sure it will be higher numbers...
see my post on all the additional workers that come in according to Wikipedia. From their numbers there are over twice as many that qualify—in 2012 it was 135,991 in FY2012. Doubt the numbers of exemptions have decreased.
Universities have unlimited student visas BTW.
I think the middle class is being whittled away. I think it is globalists and both parties :(
I think we need to lobby Trump HARD. Like the wall, this may be our last chance!
What a shame.
We tell young people to go into the STEM fields, and then the gov’t hands out all those H-1B visas, student visas, etc.
Nothing against immigrants coming to the U.S. legally. But the U.S. gov’t shouldn’t allow so much abuse of the program.
By all means lets streamline the raping of US workers.
I just hope this news story is wrong.
If it’s true, someone needs to talk with the president.
I am afraid the US workforce is cursed and short of war, no one will ever pay attention. I wish the Democrats would pick up on this issue but they to abandoned the middle class too. We are on our own.
What a shame.
We tell young people to go into the STEM fields, and then the gov’t hands out all those H-1B visas, student visas, etc.
Nothing against immigrants coming to the U.S. legally. But the U.S. gov’t shouldn’t allow so much abuse of the program.
Yes, I encouraged my kids to pursue careers in math and science as they excelled in those areas—they were natural engineers). My dad was an Electrical Engineer and it provided a nice standard of living for our family.
They are doing OK for now. Who knows what the future holds...
Going forward I have no idea what I would encourage my grandchildren to study. Seems so many occupations are disappearing.
Yes, the H-1B Visa program is being abused, and sadly I don’t see the new improved system making any changes that will mitigate the abuses.
I have always enjoyed learning about foreign countries/ways of life from immigrants and visitors, but nowadays more and more, I feel like I am becoming the foreigner...I feel like I am at an airport when I go grocery shopping—so many people from other countries who don’t speak our language.
After spending a lot of time (too much time!) in a Ph.D. program in Computer Science, I know MANY people who came from all over the world (Russia, Brazil, China, and many other places) who want to work in the top of their field, and this means, in most cases, remaining in the US. For most, this means using their brief period of OPT (optional practical training--temporary work permit--they are entitled to this after receiving an advanced degree as an international student) and then applying for H1B.
These guys are pulling salaries exactly equivalent to what *any* US-based peer would make...starting salary for any good "Systems" Ph.D. in Computer Science is $125,000+.
No CheapLabor Express here!
As of 2018, just under 30% of USA physicians and surgeons were foreign born.
Ted Kennedy's 1965 immigration bill allows UNLIMITED immigration by foreign MDs.
I have not seen an inflation adjusted income analysis of USA physician income in recent years, but it would not surprise me if it has stagnated or declined, exactly like incomes for other occupations that have a massive over supply of foreign labor.
I strongly disagree.
Most of the foreign STEM PHDs who attend elite USA universities come from western and northern Europe, Japan, the oil rich Persian Gulf nations, and English speaking nations or city states.
80% of those elite PHDs return to their home country because the pay scale and standard of living is the same or better than the USA.
Most of the foreign STEM PHDs who attend second tier USA universities come from China, India, eastern Europe, Russia, and the oil poor Middle East.
80% of those second tier PHDs stay in the USA and accept any job offer they can because they are ALL chasing Green Cards.
The only reason a “good” Systems PHD gets paid just $125K in the USA is because there is a massive over supply of second tier foreign STEM PHDs applying for all the same jobs.
One factual correction to your Comment....
The “OPT Program” is not “brief,” and it is not a work visa.
Under “OPT,” foreign STEM graduates are allowed to work for 36 months in the USA. The program is actually authorized by their Student Visa. It is not a separate visa.
Most Americans are unaware that OPT employers are not required to pay Social Security or Medicare taxes on OPT paychecks.
Under Trump, the OPT Program has grown to almost 300,000 foreign workers.
Those 300,000 tax exempt foreign STEM workers compete directly against young native born American graduates for exactly the same jobs!
Similar story here. My dad was a programmer, and I convinced my kids that the computer field always has jobs open. But with the number of H-1B visas increasing, who knows?
I, too, always appreciated learning about different languages and cultures and people all over the world. Many of us have worked, prayed, etc., with Americans (and visitors) from other countries.
We can appreciate all those things, but still point out how work visas - and other gov’t immigration policies - affect the job market.
For example:
Years ago, many naturalized Americans spoke a second language, but most employers didn’t require their employees to be bilingual. In fact, back then, a heavy accent might’ve hurt your chances at a job dealing with the public.
Nowadays, many employers advertise for employees who can speak Spanish fluently, especially in jobs dealing with the public.
Also, years ago, schools/colleges offered classes in many different beautiful languages - Italian, French, German, Spanish, etc. - that are spoken in many parts of the world.
Now the schools/colleges (around here) schedule only Spanish language classes. The other languages aren’t seen as important, anymore. (It seems we were more appreciative of different languages 30-plus years ago.)
Also, whenever the U.S. gov’t adopts a job market policy that favors people from other countries, it sends a message that American workers aren’t smart enough, hardworking enough, etc. And many of those workers from other countries believe that message. If Trump backs an increase in work visas, that’s the message he’ll be sending.
Sorry for the long rant. But it felt good to vent.
Thank you for your thoughtful post.
Frankly it felt wonderful to read post from someone with kindred spirit...I am with you on same page!
I think we need to email President Trump because I think he is not getting the best advice.
I think you are presenting the exception. Far too many H-1B Visas are going to Indian coders with on-line degrees who will work for less than $30/hour. Actually, one talked to my spouse who has a PhD and 30 years experience—offered a pautry $30/hour for temp position, and that was the high end according to the Indian recruiter**... If you read my posts, I have 4 family members in STEM fields...2 PhDs and 1 MS and one BS. I know quite a bit about the H-1B Visa issue...
The MS in Computer Engineering and the PhD in Statistics are the only Caucasian US citizens in their work groups...
Sorry though you may know and be friends with many hard working PhDs who want to stay here, don’t you feel the least bit conflicted that they are taking jobs at $125,000+ that US workers could fill?
And if they are soooo superior in their field, why are they trying to take an H-1B visa slot? There are other VISA classifications for those truly highly skilled in their fields.
Frankly, given the world as it turns, I think we need an American First policy...Sorry it seems you don’t agree.
**Spouse told the guy to pound sand and is making several times that now btw.
Dang right! The diploma mills and “guaranteed pass” (IT) certification mills need to be shut down. A great majority of these serfs are not qualified in any regard, despite their “papers.”
Anyone who works IT knows the cheap labor express exploits everyone-the displaced workers, the unqualified immigrants, truly qualified immigrants, and the customers. Pay should always be equivalent to the skill level.
If exceptional positions truly cannot be filled, then the employer needs to pay exceptionally well. The fact that they don’t, proves the entire system is corrupt. Stealing people’s livelihoods is a dangerous game. Given the lack of legal and political recourse, other methods will be employed. At some point those with particular skill sets and insider information will have nothing left to lose...
How many H1-Bs go to people like that and how many go to graduates of the Indian equivalent of ITT Tech and come here solely because they will work for a fraction of what a U.S. resource will? Just curious.
The global capitalism is a failure. It does not help the average citizen at all. This why the Democrats are gaining power daily by selling socialism as cure to global capitalism. Both sides are wrong.
Hmmm....posted like a good trade union isolationist communist
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