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H-1B Visa Most Used for 'Software Engineer,' 'Software Developer' Roles

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Re: H-1B Visa Most Used for 'Software Engineer,' 'Software Developer' Roles

#71
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "You do realize that the "highly skilled" part has been systematically ignored for a couple decades now?" Is that a fact? "Ignored" by whom, and how exactly? Applicants must prove they are indeed exceptionally skilled. Sponsoring employers must prove the candidates are skilled. The petitions involve CVs, references from colleagues, diplomas, supporting evidence, interviews, all kinds of proof. Are you saying it's a…

The applicants aren't the problem. It's the employers bending and breaking the rules and regulators not enforcing them.

> "It's the employers bending and breaking the rules and regulators not enforcing them"

Those are serious accusations, coming with absolutely no proof whatsoever.

You can't possibly claim rules are being broken at scale when it comes to bringing in skilled migrants into the US. That just rings like xenophobic scaremongering.

Re: H-1B Visa Most Used for 'Software Engineer,' 'Software Developer' Roles

#72
post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The applicants aren't the problem. It's the employers bending and breaking the rules and regulators not enforcing them.

> "It's the employers bending and breaking the rules and regulators not enforcing them" Those are serious accusations, coming with absolutely no proof whatsoever. You can't possibly claim rules are being broken at scale when it comes to bringing in skilled migrants into the US. That just rings like xenophobic scaremongering.

Disney broke the law when attempting to replace its IT department with guest workers. Proof enough?

Re: H-1B Visa Most Used for 'Software Engineer,' 'Software Developer' Roles

#73
post #51

> And when we compare the job titles to earnings, it appears companies really are simply using the visa program to save a bit of money on contracted tech professionals. This seems like the lump of labour fallacy being applied here. It's not like there are many devs really struggling to find work in the US. Rather, the opposite program exists: there are almost no software shops that aren't hiring.

Not sure how you jump to “lump of labour fallacy” here when the article was discussing wage suppression. This trope is beyond tired and misused. Please stop spreading misinformation.

Re: H-1B Visa Most Used for 'Software Engineer,' 'Software Developer' Roles

#74
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about if we move this discussion to focus on how you fear people from poor countries might have the competency to be your competitor in the job market? I used to make just USD 5-10 an hour as a senior software engineer before joining a company in another country. I have no sympathy for people who were born in a developed country and feels entitled to get a job I could possibly get just because I wasn't born ther…

Why should I as a member of local labour pool support globalizing my own competition? With globalized competition will come global wages, and I outright cannot survive living here on a global wage. 5-10/h doesn't cover food+shelter for me

You don't need to support it. What you don't have a right to do is to try to use the state to prohibit it. If you want to buy local, it's your prerogative, and there is nothing wrong with your choice. However, if your neighbor wants to buy from elsewhere, it's theirs as well, and this is valid for both buying bananas or engineer work.

Re: H-1B Visa Most Used for 'Software Engineer,' 'Software Developer' Roles

#75
post #26
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having to go through a lottery based visa system to work?

I know you're not the parent commenter, but is your issue with the intent of the policy (presumably, to manage immigration) or with the implementation of said policy (via a lottery based system)?

Both, but mostly the implementation of policy.

Re: H-1B Visa Most Used for 'Software Engineer,' 'Software Developer' Roles

#77
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why should I as a member of local labour pool support globalizing my own competition? With globalized competition will come global wages, and I outright cannot survive living here on a global wage. 5-10/h doesn't cover food+shelter for me

You don't need to support it. What you don't have a right to do is to try to use the state to prohibit it. If you want to buy local, it's your prerogative, and there is nothing wrong with your choice. However, if your neighbor wants to buy from elsewhere, it's theirs as well, and this is valid for both buying bananas or engineer work.

If they live in the United States they have a right to use the state to prohibit it. The First Amendment guarantees the right to petition the government for redress of grievances (whether real or perceived).

In the words of the Copley First Amendment Center, "People have the right to appeal to government in favor of or against policies that affect them or in which they feel strongly. This freedom includes the right to gather signatures in support of a cause and to lobby legislative bodies for or against legislation"

Re: H-1B Visa Most Used for 'Software Engineer,' 'Software Developer' Roles

#78
post #75
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know you're not the parent commenter, but is your issue with the intent of the policy (presumably, to manage immigration) or with the implementation of said policy (via a lottery based system)?

Both, but mostly the implementation of policy.

Out of curiosity, is there a method of implementation you'd be more in favor of?

Re: H-1B Visa Most Used for 'Software Engineer,' 'Software Developer' Roles

#79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone who worked in the US with a H1-B, in my case it was because you'd not find someone with my particular skill at that point in time. I was also paid more than the employees at the company I was contracted to work at - because of my particular skill and I'd taken a pay cut to move to the US. This is what the H1-B is/was supposed to be like. It does seem that it has been abused.

> in my case it was because you'd not find someone with my particular skill at that point in time. That's how the program is sold and it's incredibly easy to game. Require 10 years of Swift experience and suddenly the candidate pool is dry. Generally most, if not all, IT job postings list an unrealistic and fictitious skill set. > I was also paid more than the employees at the company I was contracted to work at The…

>That's how the program is sold and it's incredibly easy to game. Require 10 years of Swift experience and suddenly the candidate pool is dry. Generally most, if not all, IT job postings list an unrealistic and fictitious skill set.

Can't such abuse be avoided by requiring the "winning" candidate to show that he indeed has 10 years of Swift experience?

Re: H-1B Visa Most Used for 'Software Engineer,' 'Software Developer' Roles

#80
post #78
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Both, but mostly the implementation of policy.

Out of curiosity, is there a method of implementation you'd be more in favor of?

Yes, a preference system similar to the Canadian one, which has a points system based on a variety of factors. Especially factoring in the fields with the most need and also education level (or equivalent experience that is actually verified). That is a more clearer approach than a lottery based one. This is what I would suggest if I was American.

Speaking as a non-American:

I have issues with the intent too, because I am not happy about the fact that this is a country developed by immigrants, yet there is anti-immigrant sentiment. People have to 'prove' themselves to get in, and even there's no guarantee of success there with clear goalposts, and only extra-ordinary ability people (O-1 visa) can get in without much headache. A bit like locking the door behind you IMO.

I want to say that I understand the problems unrestricted immigration will place on the country. However, there is a position that will allow many more immigrants than current immigrant visa system allows for, and we are not close to that.

I believe the reason is that people aren't comfortable possibly having their salaries drop by a small percent. The hypocrisy is what really gets to me though. America is touted as a free market economy, especially by the Republicans who fight for less government intervention in business, yet they're the ones advocating for tighter immigration controls which is the opposite of free market.

Apologies if this seems like a rant. You might not get what I'm trying to convey because you probably not know the feeling of being dealt the shitty hand of being born in a place that isn't a first world country.

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