Michael Arrington interviews democrat senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama.
MA: What is your position on H1B visas in general? Do you believe the number of H1B visas should be increased?
BO: Highly skilled immigrants have contributed significantly to our domestic technology industry. But we have a skills shortage, not a worker shortage. There are plenty of Americans who could be filling tech jobs given the proper training. I am committed to investing in communities and people who have not had an opportunity to work and participate in the Internet economy as anything other than consumers. Most H-1B new arrivals, for example, have earned a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent abroad (42.5%). They are not all PhDs. We can and should produce more Americans with bachelor’s degrees that lead to jobs in technology. A report of the National Science Foundation (NSF) reveals that blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans as a whole comprise more that 25% of the population but earn, as a whole, 16% of the bachelor degrees, 11% of the master’s degrees, and 5% of the doctorate degrees in science and engineering. We can do better than that and go a long way toward meeting industry’s need for skilled workers with Americans. Until we have achieved that, I will support a temporary increase in the H-1B visa program as a stopgap measure until we can reform our immigration system comprehensively. I support comprehensive immigration reform that includes improvement in our visa programs, including our legal permanent resident visa programs and temporary programs including the H-1B program, to attract some of the world’s most talented people to America. We should allow immigrants who earn their degrees in the U.S. to stay, work, and become Americans over time. As part of our comprehensive reform, we should examine our ability to replace a stopgap increase in the number of H1B visas with an increase in the number of permanent visas we issue to foreign skilled workers. I will also work to ensure immigrant workers are less dependent on their employers for their right to stay in the country and would hold accountable employers who abuse the system and their workers.
few more facts eric…
America installed all its toxic waste producing industries in …nations like India…it bribes officials to pass those proposals……people work for pittance of a wage in hazardous working conditions….soo all the clean roads green environment in US is ..because its kills thousands of poor homeless as they consume polluted unsafe drinking water ….and suffer from virulent diseases…
so how many people in US know about this?
i bet u dont?
y should just 3000,00,000 people in US compared to a billion in INDIA( alone) consume 3/4 of worlds natural resources…
its not about u r me Eric see the big picture…
America has lost its way….
its not long before countries realize and kick America out of the food chain….
then all the filth it cast on the world will be cast back on America…
please do some reading … about how America became a super power and how its faking to be super power now…..
to Indian fellow who comments on MIT vs. IIT.
The reason the ratio for acceptance is 200:1 as you stated ” much tougher ” is because it’s hard to select from a bigger pool of applicants .Don’t compare Apples to Oranges. Just to give you example , Universities in Russia have 10:1 acceptance ration , but produce much better specialists then IIT and MIT altogether. However we don’t abuse H1B
“To all those people out here thinking that H-1B program should be eliminated and only qualified American citizens should be given jobs”
Irony—Spend $29000 to pursue M.S in this country,crack interviews successfully but company won’t hire as company is “not able ” to sponsor OR “Permanent residents,citizens and Greencard holders only please”,,job posting requiring ONLY experienced people,,freshers treated as job market outcast,,economy in recession with layoffs happening every 2nd day,,face the frustration of being unemployed for months,,listen to swearing of under qualified citizens for H-1B aspirants,,getting their jobs even though they know that roughly 5% of american citizens get into STEM fields—I-R-O-N-Y…And guys,,what is this fuss about International students or H-1B aspirants taking U.S jobs…I mean WHY???…You know what is the contribution of International students and immigrants to this country…The search engine which you probably used to get to this website was the investion of a Russian born immigrant…The World Wide Web becam a reality because of the sincere efforts of a Greek immigrant…The desktop PC that your father used and probably you used for playing those games years ago was possible because of the “Pentium” processor whose inventor,I am proud to say this,is an INDIAN…36% of NASA scientists are Indians…My friend,,,I can go on and on about the contribution of immigrants to this country….open the website of any American university and how many American professors do you see who are Ph.d and teaching graduate courses???I CHALLENGE you…Do it right now…Any University or Any Graduate program in an american university and you will know the VALUE of Eductaed immigrants in this country…Don’t you ever give me the crap of eliminating the H-1B visa program again!!!
It is really stupid that people are arguing about H1B ejection from their country. If they are that much concerned, then I would be very much happy to not choose this country of bigots and stupids. US earns a lot thro foreign policy and taxes. Since many US products are in India and so called third world countries, the govt has been earning bucks. And Obama has been talking of H1B visa reduction. IF he does then India is not obliged to be a dumping ground for all your products and you ppl will be losing money in billions. Because for one, the nuclear deal is bound to be cancelled bcos of Obamas policies. Two, since they dont want us, we dont want you American companies to be in our country. So get lost. Three, You wud be stuck at 9 without an Indian who taught you the power of ZERO.
As for you ppl yourself are immigrants.
Remeber this is a global economy. One nation cannot survive without mutual understanding and relationship. This is a world of obligation, a give and take world. If you dont want immigrants, then dont sell your products elsewhere, start complaining about selling ur indigenously produced products in the global market and then about H1B.
I have respected people from over the world and have not identified or categorized people. But when one segregates and blames the H1B from others, i am obliged to raise my voice.
I understand you people are losing your jobs. But blaming H1B immigrants for that is totally stupid. If you are capable and have the talents, you will get the job. Else you are bound to lose the job. Simple as it is, but might be a real problem, because of the no of jobless which is a concern in every part of the world now.
For one i am just upset at the way few Americans are thinking aginst the H1B, than reassessing themselves. There is a need to be confident. If you are not confident of yourself, may God Bless you people.
(I am not talking of the all the Americans, but some people do have some stupid way of thinking)
Be rational. Phew! One World will never be a reality with such people.
If you notice now lots of Universities are in bankruptcy due to less foreigners coming to US, mainly from India and China. Universities like Havard, MIT started firing the staffs of 30%. So who’s giving jobs to the universites, the forigners or US Citizens?
If you stop the foreign students then you guys will be paying more for the colleges then paying now.
Think twice before you say something.
You guys mention H1-B work can be done by an American, but if an American do that Job correctly, why the foreigner should come to USA
Ok this is a sore topic for me on H1-B’s. Today i am being let go the team is getting rid of all contractors and keeping all the Venders from India. This pisses me off and one person that i work with from India, he does not know how to install windows software and i am like what the hell???? He is a coder and he can’t install windows software on a workstation or servers. What the hell are they teaching these people there in India.. Plus he can’t troubleshoot hardware like loose video cards and network cards. To me if i was President of the United States I kill the H1-B and put more funding for Americans to get the training and skillset they need. And send all those India people and alike back home where they belong.
@Jack Meahoff
The same thing happens in your part of the world too. When people call to Norton customer care centers based in India, those jerks don’t even know what a OS is. My friend who works in BPO gets a call daily with idiot customers scolding them without even knowing to operate a computer. There are lots of stupid things they quote. And it wud take me ages to fill in those details.
So infact there are many stupid persons on every part of the world including US. You are not kids with brain either to criticise others. And by the way, I strongly second barring H1B Visa to incompetent fellows. Because they will not give back much to your govt and will be nonetheless a robot.
There are lots of H1B scams that are going on in the US and i have read many too. So probably with new H1B bill being passed, scams may be less.
I do think that it is really stupid to blame Indians for losing job. Blame your company. Why blame us? Company takes the decision not the Indians.
If you say Russian students are better ….
That is attributed to the amount of funds allocated for RnD in Russia u should rem the technology race between us and Russia rit….which gave Russia, Germany and USA a head start…
Indian IIT’s lack funds as our country fights poverty and some other social issues… So students fail to get hands on experience due to lack of heavily furnished labs etc..
if u just compare skill(mental ability) and wit IIT students are the best they are the cream of our country….the IIT exam will send shivers down the spine of any student from any part of the world….
It takes a different mind set to crack the exam…
In india every thing comes out of adversity..so it is sustainable and rock solid
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Guys,
Do not worry about H1B workers….the H1B cap for 2010 has still not been reached! In past years, this was reached and exceeded on the first day (April 1). Moreover, the Obama administration has started rejecting extensions for H1-B workers who are already in the US….so you will see a steady downfall in H1 workers.
But whether this helps or harms the US economy is another story. Coz with so many H1-B workers getting all the heat, foreign students won’t feel like spending big bucks on US universities…and the trend has already started!
How do you guys not realize that someone who works on H1-B is actually spending his earning in the US and contributing as much to economic growth as the US citizens.
Offshoring & outsourcing is another issue which might actually harm US citizens as well as people migrating to the US for work/study (including H1-B workers). But large corporations will never stop offshoring/outsourcing! So there you go…
As for me, I am a tech professional on H1-B and expecting my extension to be rejected (due for renewal next year). So will pursue my career in a different country. And I shall have fewer hairs turning white from worrying about keeping my job to maintain my immigrant status, GC, citizenship, blah blah…
Don’t get me wrong, I love US…the cities, the food, the bourbon and even the people. But can’t help hating the the politics and the corporate strategies that govern this country!
God save the US!
Cheers!
I wonder why are these ppl so scared of H1 ppl. It’s an open economy and world is moving towards that. This is the truth and one has to accept it today or later. Try any means but the talent will always win whether it’s from locals or is coming out of country. Protectionism never helps and always leads to disaster. If you don’t know what you are doing I don’t think you should be getting advantage over anyone. Talented tech workers don’t care where they work. US are no big deal for them. They will go where ever their talent is appreciated. If US locals keep acting foolish like this I am sure they will be serving some other country and make that country a super power. Imagine then these locals serving that country and becoming immigrant there. Moreover, H1 ppl do pay taxes and are disciplined citizens, not like illegal immigrants who are overloads to the society.
1) L1 Visa people are far more than H1 Visa people in USA
2) If USA is taking a stand that it will not allow any H1B visa holder from India,China or other countries to have a job in USA (Because they want to give job to american citizen )then Indian and chineese government should BAN US products/Companies from China and India .
If USA cannot share anything then china and india also have right to look after local companies goods and services .
If Local companies in India and China florish the they will have more opportunities for indian and chineese in thier home country itself rather then comming to USA .
IF above happens, then US corporation will not be able to make money ,US government will not get taxes from US corporation and USA government will then relaize it mistake .
One more things i have heard
Q) Imigrant sent all thier money back to thier country ?
Ans:
H1B visa people pay same tax (Federal,State,SS) as other american but they will never get the benefit like unemployment benefit,free healthcare , discount to do college course etc etc
I don’t understand all this hateful word from american without understaning the whole thing .
I know that there is lots of rejection of H1B and other work visa and that all is happening because of instruction given by new Obama government to USCIS. This government is complete failure and don’t understand that this will increase outsourcing work. Already there is a significant rise is outsourcing. Many companies have started outsourcing their work in the shortage of skilled labor.
I know that there is lots of rejection of H1B and other work visa and that all is happening because of instruction given by new Obama government to USCIS. This government is complete failure and don’t understand that this will increase outsourcing work. Already there is a significant rise is outsourcing. Many companies have started outsourcing their work in the shortage of skilled labor. The sad part is that condition is becoming worst and work is moving out from USA.
Eric,
You seems to be a fool. What have you done for US? Just don’t waste time in writing stupid things. Try to use your brain and then all problems will be solved. Be competent.
Eric… for your information..
there are many foreign people who are staying and working in India now even though India has billion people and 1/3 of US area wise…try to understand.. World is changing… wake up Eric…
Oppression. Americans work top secret jobs for the Feds while indentured H1Bs work the private sector. Enough – sounds like Germany.
Wow! I just saw this blog site.. the debate here is incredible. There is a lot of opinion, some good, some bad and some downright dumb but never boring. I am in the UK, and the immigration debate is all about stopping cab drivers and islamic terrorist immigrants.
Whatever is the future, I can vouch for 2 certain results.
a) The US, India and China is the future. Citizens of most other countries have no clue on globalization and are miles behind in regards to dedication and hardwork
b) Capitalism will be tame in the years ahead. We have all learnt that the free wheeling all for profit race does no good.
With that, all the best for all the people on this blog. You guys will all do well… just move to Europe dude.. HALF THE CONTINENT IS ON BENEFIT AND THE OTHER HALF IS WATCHING SOCCER. WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT!
Neat, thanks for posting!
How about the unemployed US citizens who have Masters Degree??? H1 visas are on a need basis. Is our government trying to tell us that we as qualified citizens are still not good enough for the jobs but are good enough to receive the measly unemployment benefits. I see foreign nationals holding jobs while US citizens are sitting at home. What a waste!!!!
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Many of these Indian I T consultancies are fronts for visa chasing Indians. Of course, if you lived in India, you would do almost anything to get out. The management of these companies of course make sure they have green cards, they then recruit at low wages for people to come to USA to work on H visas. So in return for low wages, the people get H visas and live in the best country in the world. I note that their is a strong lobby to convert H visas into Green Cards. If this is done, their mothers, fathers, grandparents and thousands of other Indians without any qualifications will flood these shores and any positives will be ruled out. Look at what has happened in Europe, Canada, Australia etc. We have planted the seeds of future problems to solve some commercial greed today. Has anyone looked into how easy it is to move to India. The government of India keeps you out to protect their own, but of course, our liberal democracy doesnt allow us to think this way. Soon, when the Indians get their hands on political power, we will only be importing Indians. Our grandchildren are going to despise us for this.
It is wordpress. I am glad you like it.
Here is the problem with this visa. It is used as an outsourcing tool . Without the h1b visa holders, all offshoring would come to a grinding halt. I am surprised that no one has mentioned this yet. The h1bs are contributing directly to knowledge transfer and offshoring. It has the opposite effect. All the arguments that it brings jobs here and keeps them from being off shored are false. I know how this is done. A few h1bs are brought here. One of them is made the manager. The offshore facility usually has 4-5 employees per person here. The manager is also made the boss of the existing American employees. They are forced to transfer knowledge to the h1bs. Each of the h1bs transfers the knowledge to 3-4 offshore employees. The department soon moves offshore. The whole thing is insidious. The American employees are given no work while they train the h1bs. Their job is simply to train. Since their manager is himself an h1b, they have to agree. The knowledge transfer happens at the speed of light with instant messaging and morning phone calls with offshore employees in which everyone has to participate.
The offshore quality sucks but you cannot compete with a 10 to 1 ratio of employees working at one tenth the price. The h1b visa does not bring jobs here. That is a lie and the corporations know it.
The h1bs that came here in th 80s brought their jobs here and did not offshore them. They bought houses and cars and paid taxes here. The technology did not exist to be able to offshore American jobs. There was no Internet and email and instant message. It is different now and the h1b is no longer good for America.
There is no reason to target the software industry professionals with this kind of competition. Find a better way.
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The H1B program causes US Companies to sacrifice quality for lower wages. The H1B program is a Labor Scam, Immigration Scam and Economic Scam. Millions of Americans agree on this truth! Millions of Americans witness this and can testify to this truth. Millions of Americans are fed up with working along side these H1Bs. If calling an outsourced customer service from India isn’t annoying and frustrating enough, millions of Americans are fed up with working along side these H1Bs or going to health professional who is an H1B.
. . . Check this out From Associated Press:
An Indian-trained surgeon linked to the deaths of at least 87 patients in Australia over two years had been given glowing references by six former colleagues in the United States, despite having been cited for negligence there earlier, according to copies of the references obtained by The Associated Press.
Jayant “Jay” Patel, 56
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You American Politicians ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Especially you President Obama. You know damn well there is no shortage of qualified technical people in this country. All you care about is the Lobbyist and big business who only wants cheap labor.(How much are these special interest paying you and is it worth it ) You have thousands of Americans with tech skills drawing unemployment while you bring in people from other countries to take their jobs. Then you make us train them before we get laid off. Shame on YOU. You know it a bald face lie. These people coming from India are not geniuses. They are not even held to the same standard. Most of them get trained when they get here. We Americans must have 5 to 10 years experience… then they turn us down because we cost too much. You are not tying to attract the best and brightest. You just want cheap labor. Why don’t you put America back to work. Create more earners and less unemployment recipients. You need to halt this program and force US companies to look here first. They just skip this step altogether. I was told by one Indian recruiter that, “They wanted an Indian for this job”. That’s a damn shame. I have to beg Indian recruiters to find me a job in MY country. 80% of all the interviewers I have had over the last year have been Indian. Wake up America. As we increase the standard of living for other countries… Ours will decrease. Americans a blind and stupid ! This global economy will hurt us more than help. It is the poorer countries that will benefit. America had better wake up and protect it’s own citizens and let the corporate greed go. I will do everything I can to make sure that the returning soldiers know the extent of outsourced jobs. They will not have jobs to come home to. They’ve been given away for a few dollars of profit.
I do not blame the Indians. They should take advantage of Americas stupidity !
Because they are cowards that prey on the weak.
So let me understand this correctly: he’s for removing tax breaks for companies that offshore jobs, BUT he’s for bringing in more H1B scab/job-robbers – ??? Sure, makes sense. This dope isn’t getting my vote in ’12; sounds like he’s mixed up.