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

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

#31

Post by merpnderp »

dudul wrote: post #20
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 o…

I think the first is a great idea. A $450k/year neurosurgeon should get a massive preference over a $45k/year Sharepoint contractor. The highest paid are tautologically in the shortest supply.

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

#32

Post by antisthenes »

sbr464 wrote: post #21

A side benefit that I hadn’t really considered but seems obvious; By taking in skilled workers from other countries, it’s like poaching talent from another company. Then they aren’t contributing to or building companies in their former country. Not sure the scale you would need to make a dent, but is there a name for this?

A side benefit? It's been USA's primary competitive advantage for decades - brain draining the cream of the crop from a 5 billion population.

It's incredibly naive to think it was ever unintentional.

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

#33

Post by bduerst »

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…

The problem is that pay isn't uniform across skilled labor demand, and the purpose of the H1B program is to fulfill demand in the economy.

If you set a quota and give to the highest bidder, you're going to see private sector executives and financial roles being filled in cities with high costs of living and competitive wages. Salary is a function not only of demand but also location and industry.

This will discriminate against rural and middle America by depriving them of the skilled labor that they need to survive.

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

#35

Post by scarface74 »

dudul wrote: post #20
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 o…

How is that different than now? Larger companies can already afford to pay people more and smaller companies have to compete in salary.

Outside of the west coast and FAANG companies, salaries aren’t that crazy. I haven’t seen any difference in comp based on company size in most of the US. They all have to compete for the same talent pool.

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

#37

Post by [deleted] »

sarchertech wrote: post #13
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."

[deleted]

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

#38

Post by ojbyrne »

israrkhan wrote: post #28
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…

This would result in most H1B allocations on east/west coast, where salaries (and cost of living) are relatively higher. I think this is already the case, but enforcing it by salary will result in a wider gap. Companies operating in low "cost of living" areas, will not be able to get skilled workers on H1Bs.

There is already a “prevailing wage” thing you have to meet, that varies by region, so it could be done as percentage above the prevailing wage.

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

#39

Post by ivl »

antisthenes wrote: post #32
sbr464 wrote: post #21

A side benefit that I hadn’t really considered but seems obvious; By taking in skilled workers from other countries, it’s like poaching talent from another company. Then they aren’t contributing to or building companies in their former country. Not sure the scale you would need to make a dent, but is there a name for this?

A side benefit? It's been USA's primary competitive advantage for decades - brain draining the cream of the crop from a 5 billion population. It's incredibly naive to think it was ever unintentional.

The beneficiary of pretty much every brain drain for the last 100 years. No wonder such a strong economy came of it.

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

#40

Post by malandrew »

One thing that is incorrect here is how the Republican position on immigration is portrayed. They want comprehensive immigration reform that specifically allows skilled immigrants to come to the US, do away with the lottery system and eliminate exemptions for those that broke immigration laws. Basically, most Republicans would prefer a system that is more like Canada's or Switzerland's, where you need to earn your way in.

Here's one site that better explains the Republican position: https://www.republicanviews.org/republican-views-on-immigrat...

"Republicans believe that family and skill should be prioritized when granting citizenship to those who go through the proper legal channels to enter the country. Priority should be given to children and spouses of immigrants that are already legally in the country. They believe the government should emphasize the skills that our economy needs most when determining eligibility, and that the Labor Certification Program should be overhauled. These two measures together would help match qualified workers with work that is in urgent need of filling positions in the country. Despite accusations of being anti-immigration, Republicans do understand the value that immigrants bring to this country, when entering via legal methods. In the Republican Platform adopted at the 2000 GOP convention, the Republican Party declared that it supports increasing the number of H-1B visas, to ensure that high-tech workers are provided to specialized positions, as well as expanding the H-2A program for temporary agricultural workers."

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