The H1-B visa program allows American companies to hire foreign workers who possess talents and skills that are in short supply in the US workforce. The argument for expanding the program (particularly as it pertains to the tech industry) is that there is a “tech-talent shortage” and tech companies should be allowed to hire outside the American workforce if it does not meet the demand for talent. The major argument standing in opposition to expanding the program is that there is no “talent” or “skill gap” in the tech industry, and many tech companies are merely claiming the opposite to decrease labor costs. Other articles like “Silicon Valley’s Body Shop Secret” present an additional ethical concern; H1-B immigrants are frequently mistreated by companies in the outsourcing and tech industries and these issues should be addressed before we consider expanding the program. Personally, I am ardently opposed to expanding the H1-B visa program and believe the existing system should be reformed.
The main reason I am opposed to the expansion of the program is that I do not believe there is a “talent shortage” in the US tech industry. US companies in nearly every industry would love to have a supply of highly-skilled labor at a low cost. If I, as an employer, am unable to find an aerospace engineer with 10 years of experience that is willing to be paid $30K annually, this does not imply there is a “shortage” of talented aerospace engineers. It means the labor market is working as intended− as an employer, I need to be willing to pay the going price for such a candidate or settle for a less experienced candidate.
Silicon Valley’s belief that they need not play by the rules of the US labor market seemingly stems from the smugness of the industry. Clearly, they should have unlimited access to high talent at an unrealistic asking price because they’re disrupting outdated industries and saving the world. In “There is in Fact a Tech Talent Shortage…” the quote “‘we need the best of the best’” exemplifies this attitude. Every company wants the best, but they aren’t willing to pay for the best. You’ll have to excuse me for not thinking that Zynga is God’s gift to earth, but I see no reason why the work done by the US tech industry warrants importing foreign talent to skirt the US labor market (over the work done by other industries). When crude oil was trading at over 100$ a barrel, few people were demanding we import foreign workers due to a “shortage” of petroleum engineers. Salaries rose accordingly to meet demand and the industry didn’t collapse due to a worker shortage (ironically, it collapsed due to a supply glut).
The H1-B program has a valid reason for existing− there are definitely instances where foreign talent is necessary and desirable in the US. I only believe the tech industry is crying wolf in this case. The United States is a nation of immigrants and those who take the initiative to better their lives should have a chance to succeed here. However, I believe that American workers should not be driven out of the workforce due to foreign workers.
I am definitely somewhat concerned with competition due to foreign workers and outsourcing. The Disney case demonstrates that it can really happen to anyone, and if the H1-B program is expanded, I have no doubt it will happen to even more people. It doesn’t matter how talented you are if the company you work for can hire someone to do your job at a lower cost.
Peter Forbes 