[blueriver]

Most of the people applying for jobs are simply not qualified for them.

This is simply not true. I know very many qualified engineers who have worked in the industry for 15-20 years who can not even get an interview. The HR departments are throwing away a lot of good resumes because the applicants are Americans or are over the age of 40.

[FormerLurker]

The HR departments are throwing away a lot of good resumes because the applicants are Americans or are over the age of 40.

Exactly.

[discostu]

Sorry it simply is true. It might or might not have bearing on the H1B thing (IMHO I don't think it does) but the simple fact is that any advertised position will get dozens if not hundreds of respondents and most of them are clearly unqualified for the position. It's always been the case.