H1-B Visa Brouhaha

Last month I wrote a column indicating that by 2016 the annual quota of H1-B visas would increase to 593,000 from the current 65,000 under the comprehensive immigration reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate. While some solution providers have said they would welcome the quota increase, others in the channel have diametrically opposed views.

JOHN ROBERTS Can be reached via e-mail at jorobert@cmp.com.

The major objections to raising the annual quota center on two points. The first is that the increase would adversely affect U.S.-based technology job seekers, whether experienced or new to the market. The second is the possible negative impact on both the growth of the U.S. economy and the domestic pool of technology talent.

"Corporate America is telling Congress we need more foreign workers because there is a shortage of American workers," said Michael Tock, a recent college graduate who is working part-time as a Cisco Systems lab aide at the College of Dupage in Glen Ellyn, Ill. "But I don't believe that when people like me are available to work and can't even get in for an interview, but foreign workers with the same credentials can," he said.

"While I understand the advantages of keeping costs down for companies, we need to be judicious about whose economy we are really growing when we push high-tech jobs overseas or to temporary residents spending minimally in our country," said Ron Hoyt, a developer at MDServe, a health-care VAR in Stafford, Texas.

Whether in the eyes of employers these concerns will be trumped by factors such as controlling labor costs or the ability to find people with critical skills and experience remains to be seen. Moreover, it is far from certain that the increase actually will become law. The Senate and House (whose competing version of the immigration reform bill does not increase H1-B quotas) are far apart on this issue.

Which side of the H1-B visa debate are you on? Contact me via e-mail at jorobert@cmp.com