That’s what my life experience of fifty years and three continents has given me. We have the best just not enough of them.
I don’t know how to manage the cultural shift and the resultant symptoms.
But I would first try to minimize or eliminate the welfare state that we currently have. Imo that’s the big thing keeping numbers of qualified people down. It’s clear though that not everyone believes we’re short. It’s probably different in different areas...geographic and content.
I see a far, far smaller of American mathematics, physics, and science graduates every year.
That will take a generation to fix so what’s to be done in the shorter term? If there IS a shortage, then it makes sense to get someone. If there is no shortage, then there is another reason immigrants are being hired. Most here believe it’s to reduce wages. I agree with that...at least I haven’t seen any other explanation that makes sense to me. So, what to do that will accommodate areas in need and prevent abuses?
It won’t work to punish companies like taxes they’ll just move as soon as they’re able and that screws everyone here. I lean toward rewarding those that do it right...a tax break if your median or avg wages are in the top quintile or something? What can you suggest that would work for areas in need but minimize abuse?
A tax break deserves consideration. I'd like to hear any candidate say, "The current H-1B laws only pretend to prevent wage depression and only pretend to prevent replacement of Americans - and I intend to get those laws changed to really do what they now only pretend to do."