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Updates to H-1B

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Re: Updates to H-1B

#911
post #905
post #900

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Far too extreme a view. I'm very unhappy with the H1-B program and how it has been used to depress wages for engineers, but I understand (and agree with) the need for us to compete globally and not stagnate. I have nothing but respect for a lot of overseas engineers and have worked with some very intelligent, kind, generous individuals in my time. What I strongly oppose is - and I've seen this up close and personal t…

Reasonable criticisms of specific policy or programs (like you mention) is not what I or the poster above was referring to- there is a widespread cultural zeitgeist going on right now that is fundamentally emotionally based on hatred, and will broadly advocate for any policy that will harm groups they hate. Comments in this HN post show how widespread and normalized these feelings are, which wouldn't have been normal…

I understand, and broadly agree for what it's worth - as someone with friends and peers in those groups, I'm very worried about the tone of the discourse.

That said, I think it's good to recognize it's not a 0 or 1, open minded vs racists, or however it could be framed. There are a whole host of people in the middle, and actions like the one I mentioned push people towards the crazier views we see. It makes good people stand to the side and say nothing, maybe, instead of pushing back against it.

Re: Updates to H-1B

#912

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We cannot find qualified applicants. ... [a bunch of requirements] ... No, we don't pay as much as Meta. ... [some more requirements] The shortage on $5000 ferarris continues as well.

I work in the space. You are massively understating the difficulty of finding candidates willing to get a security clearance, and the cost to the company of sponsoring those clearances. It's not as simple as the compensation number alone.

Yeah, no surprise. Getting a clearance sucks.

It takes forever and you're subjected to very intrusive scrutiny as well as potentially psychological tomfoolery like polygraphs.

Why would a qualified individual subject themselves to that unless they have no other option.

There's a reason clearance jobs have a reputation as make-work for ex service members.

Re: Updates to H-1B

#913
post #605

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> if linear algebra is really a part of the day-to-day job [...] then you’re hiring specialists It kind of bothers me that the parent and other readers here are passing off knowing linear algebra as some kind of esoteric skill. Linear algebra is a year 2 course in a undergraduate eduation. There are polished libraries to make it fast. Unless you mean enough knowledge to be writing linear algebra libraries , there is…

Why is this down-voted? I was going to add most people have already seen some sort of linear algebra even in high school. Determinants, Gaussian elimination, etc. It's unclear what "linear algebra" means to GP, though. I agree writing linear algebra libraries is next level, since that involves numerical code and knowing FP math well.

The number of American (and most other countries too) students who interacted with Gaussian elimination or Determinants in High School can fairly safely be rounded down to zero.

Re: Updates to H-1B

#914

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, tech companies claim that they cannot find good enough workers to fill their positions. But "good enough" is a subjetive classification. I can always create a test for which you are not good enough, it doesn't matter how much knowledge you have. And that's what tech companies have done for years. They'll aways craft a contrived interview process that will classify most people as not "good enough" and use this a…

When company says they cannot find good enough people to hire it really means they cannot find cheap enough people.

Not true IME from working and hiring at several tech companies.

They pay at top of market. They would save a ton on comp if they gave up on h1 candidates and hired the best they could find locally.

I know popular sentiment here is often that there is no real difference between these candidates, and the standards are arbitrary. That is simply it true. There are vast differences in engineering talent. Some people are truly amazing compared to the median candidate.

Re: Updates to H-1B

#915
post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Founders can self petition Wait, so I can just open LLC and get H1B visa for it? There have to be conditions and limitations, otherwise it will be misused.

So can I now go to SF, set up an LLC, and get the sweet SF dev rates?

Yeah except your paying yourself minus taxes.

Re: Updates to H-1B

#917

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good news: the USCIS makes this data available! [0] Google, Microsoft and Meta definitely look for (and hire!) US applicants. One can reasonably have a gripe with the consulting companies on there (Infosys, Tata, Cognizant, etc.) but they don't represent 90-95% of H-1B issued. [0] https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies/h-1b-employe...

Not sure if this is only fresh visas or includes visa renewals. Because of the country caps in the naturalization process, you have people from some countries have to renew visas again and again while they wait for naturalization. Given that H1b is only 3 years, for companies like Google and Facebook, you could have a situation where they are just trying to retain employees who have been with the company for a while.

Yes, the data does include petitions filed for renewals:

> The H-1B Employer Data Hub has data on the first decisions USCIS makes on petitions for initial *and continuing* employment

Re: Updates to H-1B

#918

A supposed shortage of qualified US applicants for tech jobs, especially software developers, doesn't jibe with the huge numbers of US developers currently looking for work, including highly experienced older workers suffering from age discrimination. I'd be surprised if more than 5-10% of H-1B positions are ones where the hiring company has even looked for US applicants.

Exactly, it's creaper to fire foriegn workers as they will work for much less. It's a racket. I hope the Trump adminstration cracks down on this. Employers need to prove there's no available and qualified applicant beofore the H-1B is approved. They also need to prove they are paying the same to a domestic applicant as they would a foreign candidate.

Re: Updates to H-1B

#919
post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Guy who born with natural citizenship is too privileged to imagine how hard it is to get a green card.

Psst, the societal opinion on this has shifted. We shouldn’t feel bad about protecting ourselves.

Protecting yourselves from what?

Re: Updates to H-1B

#920

A supposed shortage of qualified US applicants for tech jobs, especially software developers, doesn't jibe with the huge numbers of US developers currently looking for work, including highly experienced older workers suffering from age discrimination. I'd be surprised if more than 5-10% of H-1B positions are ones where the hiring company has even looked for US applicants.

There is no one over 40 playing in the NBA. Is that due to age discrimination as well?
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