America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away • Hacker News Board

Re: America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away

#11

Post by firedrakerage » Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 4:41 PM UTC

I do not typically post, but these suggestions seem like genuine improvements to the existing system:

"Kerr suggests allocating H-1Bs not by lottery as they are now, but by salary — the more that a company is willing to pay for a foreign worker, the quicker they can get a visa."

"A second change would be to allow H-1B workers to apply for permanent residency green cards on their own, without having to be sponsored by their employers."

Both of these would ensure that we can get smart and talented individuals from outside the US and would drastically improve the ability for the US to compete while continuing to provide broad-based wage increases.

Re: America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away

#12

Post by kibwen » Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 4:41 PM UTC

rhexs wrote: post #2

A Harvard business school professor who doesn't want borders as a way to unlock that final piece of mythical economic gain? What a shocker.

The book appears to concern skilled immigration, not eradicating borders. There seem to be an unusual number of people jumping to unfounded conclusions. Immigration is a competitive advantage of the US, and we don't need to attempt to muddy the waters by conflating any degree of immigration with completely unchecked immigration.

Re: America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away

#13

Post by sarchertech » Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 4:42 PM UTC

crusso wrote: post #6

deleted

No mainstream politician is pushing for completely open borders. That's a complete straw man.

The closest quote I can find from a national politician calling for open borders is Donald Trump in 2013.

"We will have to leave borders behind and go for global unity when it comes to financial stability."

Re: America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away

#14

Post by thwy12321 » Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 4:43 PM UTC

Kephael wrote: post #7

The supply of technical workers is artificially limited by Leetcode style interviews. There doesn't seem to be an actual supply side limitation, especially not at the entry level.

This. If there was a real piece of missing demand these companies would change their interview process, but things are only moving in the opposite direction. The shortage is a myth to flood the software engineering job market with cheap workers. It needs to stop

Re: America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away

#15

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 4:43 PM UTC

kibwen wrote: post #9

crusso wrote: post #6

deleted

To whom is this replying? The linked article takes pains to ensure that nobody attempts to interpret this as advocacy for completely open borders: "This does not mean open borders but a smart and lawful methodology for determining who should be allowed entry."

[deleted]

Re: America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away

#16

Post by rrggrr » Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 4:43 PM UTC

firedrakerage wrote: post #11

I do not typically post, but these suggestions seem like genuine improvements to the existing system: "Kerr suggests allocating H-1Bs not by lottery as they are now, but by salary — the more that a company is willing to pay for a foreign worker, the quicker they can get a visa." "A second change would be to allow H-1B workers to apply for permanent residency green cards on their own, without having to be sponsored by…

"Kerr suggests allocating H-1Bs not by lottery as they are now, but by salary — the more that a company is willing to pay for a foreign worker, the quicker they can get a visa."

Would need to be artfully worded so that sign-on bonuses and short-term employment is not used to game the system by permitting averaging down over time.

Re: America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away

#17

Post by spamizbad » Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 4:45 PM UTC

kibwen wrote: post #12

rhexs wrote: post #2

A Harvard business school professor who doesn't want borders as a way to unlock that final piece of mythical economic gain? What a shocker.

The book appears to concern skilled immigration, not eradicating borders. There seem to be an unusual number of people jumping to unfounded conclusions. Immigration is a competitive advantage of the US, and we don't need to attempt to muddy the waters by conflating any degree of immigration with completely unchecked immigration.

Because they know arguing against skilled immigration is a loser so you just prop up an "open borders" strawman. Take that, scarecrow!

Re: America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away

#18

Post by tomp » Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 4:45 PM UTC

kibwen wrote: post #9

crusso wrote: post #6

deleted

To whom is this replying? The linked article takes pains to ensure that nobody attempts to interpret this as advocacy for completely open borders: "This does not mean open borders but a smart and lawful methodology for determining who should be allowed entry."

This article wouldn't even need to be written if the people/media/politicians didn't conflate "skilled immigration" with "unlimited immigration"/"open borders".

Re: America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away

#19

Post by protonfish » Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 4:46 PM UTC

Kephael wrote: post #7

The supply of technical workers is artificially limited by Leetcode style interviews. There doesn't seem to be an actual supply side limitation, especially not at the entry level.

That and a complete unwillingness to educate and mentor your workforce. I don't understand why the government should step in to help employers because they want training to be somebody else's problem.

Re: America’s Need for Skilled Immigrants Isn’t Going Away

#20

Post by dudul » Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 4:46 PM UTC

firedrakerage wrote: post #11

I do not typically post, but these suggestions seem like genuine improvements to the existing system: "Kerr suggests allocating H-1Bs not by lottery as they are now, but by salary — the more that a company is willing to pay for a foreign worker, the quicker they can get a visa." "A second change would be to allow H-1B workers to apply for permanent residency green cards on their own, without having to be sponsored by…

As a former H1B, I fully support the second change yes. IIRC, an H1B can be renewed once and last a total of 6 years (apologies if regulations changed in the past 6 years, I haven't followed since I got a GC). 6 years is a long time and should allow application for GC without sponsorship.

I'm not sure the first change is a good idea. Wouldn't it give a huge advantage to bigger companies? Haven't really thought this one through.