Journal fmaxwell's Journal: H-1B Visas and the Outsourcing of Tech Sector Jobs
If you are a U.S. citizen and a technical professional, it's time that you call your Congressional representatives and tell them to eliminate the H-1B visa program. According to the latest (as of 02/09/2003) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, there are about 94,000 unemployed U.S. computer scientists. Yet, at the same time, there are hundreds of thousands of H-1B visa workers holding tech jobs in the U.S. -- often the same jobs for which unemployed U.S. citizens are qualified and available.
At the same time, there are American firms who have outsourced everything from tech support to engineering. These firms pay individuals and companies in other parts of the world to perform tech work formerly done by American workers. When you come in contact with a firm that does this, let them know that you will actively avoid their products and will, instead, buy from firms that employ U.S. citizens.
It is unfair and unreasonable to drive unemployment up and wages down in the tech sector by importing cheap labor and exporting jobs. We should guarantee that our U.S. citizens are gainfully employed before foreign workers are allowed to fill positions.
I am not advocating hostility towards foreign citizens who are just trying to earn a good living. If I were in their position, I would probably do the same thing. What I am against is our government siding with big business by giving desirable jobs away to non-U.S. citizens.
The H-1B visa program and outsourcing are not necessary to remain competitive in a world market. They exist to line the pockets of wealthy CEOs and major stockholders by replacing fairly compensated American tech workers with undercompensated foreign workers.