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The bar comes even as IT firms in the US and India are demanding an increase in the H1-B visa, which is capped at 65,000 a year now.
Indians account for a majority of those with H1-B visa, issued to non-immigrant skilled workers for up to six years.
Restricting hiring of H1-B visa holders forms part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, widely known as the stimulus bill, that was passed by the Congress on Friday.
With thousands of jobs being cut by US companies almost daily over the past few months, there have been widespread apprehensions that these positions could go to low-cost foreign workers or might be outsourced to places like India.
The government data for 2008 shows that about 5.7 lakh Indians were issued H1-B and other non-immigrant visas.
Experts believe the Congress' move would certainly impact hiring of H1-B visa holders, thus affecting in a big way the engagement of Indian techies in the US, but might not affect outsourcing of jobs to places like India.
About two years ago, the US had cut down the H1-B visa limit to 65,000, from 1,95,000 a year previously.
IT firms, both Indian and American, have been asking to raise the cap to allow the companies in the US greater access to the growing talent pool across the world.
Senator Bernie Sanders, who along with another Senator Charles Grassley had moved the proposal for such restrictions, said that about a dozen banks which are getting over USD 150 billion as the bailout money have sought visas for over 21,800 foreign workers in past six years to replace sacked Americans.
These banks have announced at least one lakh job cuts in the recent months, Sanders noted.
Earlier this month, India-born international economist Jagdish Bhagwati also argued that the provision to restrict hiring of H1-B visaholders would deprive the US of the best global talent which comes in the form of highly trained and talented people.
"In terms of broader considerations like the people who are coming in on H1-B visas -- they're frequently highly trained and talented people and a lot of our progress and prosperity depend on having such people," Bhagwati, Professor of Economics at the Columbia University had said.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association, which also has been opposing the measure, described the Congress approval as ‘disappointing’ and argued that this would prove to be counterproductive as it prevents the US companies to hire the best available global talent.
The amended stimulus bill would require the banks receiving the bailout money to hire only Americans for two years unless they could prove they were not replacing laid-off Americans with guest workers, Sanders had said.
"With thousands of financial services workers unemployed, it is absurd for banks to claim they can't find qualified American workers," Sanders said.
"While we are suffering through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the very least we can do is to make sure that banks receiving a taxpayer bailout are not allowed to import cheaper labour from overseas while they are throwing American workers out on the street," he said.
In addition to banks, the Sanders-Grassley provision also restricts hiring of guest workers at any other firm that receives funds under the Troubled Asset Relief Programme or from emergency loans made by the Federal Reserve.
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One day pakistan will do America a favor.
Indians from Delhi lie on their h1b visa application, education, and work experience. Once they come here to work for the u.s. company, they ask their american coworkers for training and how to do their job. and that’s the truth ladies and gentlemen.
Indians do not have any backbone and licks the feet of powerful nations through out the course of history.First they did for the british...then soviet and recently US.Once US will show their boot they will lick chinese boot.That's how they are.
I agree Wth u Mr. Naveen ,that people should stop arguiging with Others
Good news for all jobless Americans.
America flourished by great leaders and their wisdom.Unfortunately they all are dead now.The new generation are somewhat talented, but lacked attitude,hardwork and social behavior. It's a natural curve.Just like the economy.You need to invest in your younger generation.
No bias about present situation in US. Best economy is facing meltdown. I agree with present administration. Ultimate goal for any human is to be prosperous and rich, so do "Indian". There is nothing wrong in ethics to work in foreign land as long as no racial, religious or patriotic matters are seperated from work culture. "New World" was good in terms of economy and we are seeing their results now. Most surprising is that US did not realise that meltdown/crisis are coming and did not take appropriate actions in time to mitigate risk. US is facing problems of their own from everywhere right now and cooperation from other coutries are decreasing day by day. In this situation, US is trying to buy countries/people. You can see buying process with Iraq, Afghanistan and now Pakistan. There is always an end to being a super power. US is on the edge of meltdown. BRIC countries are major threats to super power. India was prosperous before 1300 and will prosper in 21st Century.Jai Hind!!
Yes, it is about time! Non-US Citizens from India have been taking our high-tech (IT) jobs for years and it is about time the US puts a stop to it. All H1-B visa's should be revoked immediately.
I totally agree with you. I work for an investment company,a lady with H1-B visa is in our team. the company spends thousand of dollars a year renewing her visa. She has so many complaints against her including making rude religious remarks. But guess what, she is still there while they laid off hardworking Americans in the same team that were as qualified!
Business is not based on races/citizens/non-immigrants. If a company is making profit out of you, your job will always be safe. Have you ever considered in your company why only those hardworking Americans have to suffer job loss? and I am sure those were Americans only who came up with this job cutting list in your company, and still paying visa renewals for the lady on H1B.
Louis, Mani, Raj..US is perfectly meritocratic and rightly lauded for that quality. Indra Nooyi, Francisco D'souza, Sanjay Jha are all CEOs for a reason - they were better than the rest. Moreover the US is a country of immigrants and will always be. So stop wasting your time with pro-protectionist blog posts and try to distinguish yourself from the rat pack. Who knows what heights you can reach
continuation of part1.....Now, again think that INDIA is facing the crisis and we have US citizens taking our jobs. Our families cannot not survive and childrens cannot go to school. That will be a disaster. I completely agree with the emotions of USA citizens but at the same time I would also say that USA government should decide and do the best for the benifit of everyone. Citizens of USA has selected the president and he is determined to provide job opportunities to all USA citizens first. As told in his speech on 24th he will create 3.5 million jobs in next 1 year and focus on ENERGY,HEALTH CARE sector and EDUCATION. I hope that whatever is decided by Govt. of USA will bring peace, properity and healthy Global IT relationship among all the countries.
think there is no point in proving who is wrong and who is right and who is dumb. We all know that every person who is capable of working in india or overseas is talented and presence of that person in foreign country is the proof. This is an economical and financial crisis for USA and those who all are abusing USA for this decision against H1 and L1 should realise that whatever lavish life they are living in USA and enjoyment they do in india is all because of the respect given to them by USA and their childrens and families in india are brought up with the money they have earned by working in USA. We should not be greedy and should also look from USA citizens perspective. Let me ask this questions to all INDIANS. What if same situation would have been in india? What would have been you reaction? First thing that comes in my mind is Violence and SItuation out of control. I am saying based on the fact that in india it is difficult to control Riots when there is a situation like this.
Mr. Bhagwat,What kind of economist are you? The use of computer in business was invented by US, the best Inventions came from US, the BEST strategies for BUSINESS world came from US, INDIANS are not talented, they are imitators. Please look back and see how the whole world has changed and who played the key role. AND you are saying AMERICA will deprived from talent, you the dumb person of th world. Companies has to pay more money for American TALENT and INDIAN's TENDENCY is to make money even for the cost of their respect, thats' where AMERICANS are different. Before BRITISH came to INDIA and made us Slave now we are coming USA to be SLAVE. I don't understand how you become economist and who gave you degree.
Mr. Jai, I agree with you, this is time to see big picture otherwise we will be next generation SLAVE again, in other part H1B is getting avg 60k salary which is far better then American salary i.e 25k-45k, I am also researching to come out from Slave things which is right somewhere for Indians. beacuse US person will think 100 years far then Indian and they are number 1 in world.
Mr. Bhagwati, you obviously dont live in the United States if you are sitting here telling people that U.S software engineers earn figures of 25-45 k. I can tell you right now that the average annual salary of a typical software engineer is about 60k for new University Graduates. Computer Science Engineers that graduate from the top schools in the country start at an average salary of 80 thousand to 100 thousand, thats not even including 8-50k in bonuses every year, h-1b visa's on the other hand I have heard that they dont even qualify for any bonuses, much less a significant salary. Mr. jai is absolutely correct and you have absolutely no clue what you are talking about.And for the record, you dont live here in america obviously....... dont pretend you know the statistics when you do not have a clue on earth about our salaries. You are good for cheap labor period, and thats good for business. Software engineers have the potential to make as much as primary care physicians, and we software engineers come a dime a dozen. No wonder companies are shipping our jobs off over seas..... I hope that Obama-Biden will put a end to h1-b visa's, because we dont need it , the only people that need it in our country are the greedy companies that want more money in their pockets. If we are to do h1-b visa's, we should tax the companies triple for importing them.
Great and big relief. During Y2K conversation, there was a need for IT workers, now there are are plenty of US citizens to fill the needs. Most of the ousourcing companies are abusing the US honesty and system. These companies discriminate US citizens and only hire indians. These Indian earn money from here and send most of it to India. These candidates do not like and adopt american life style and culture. Also outsourcing companies ignore H1 visa and get candidates on L1 or B1 visa for short time and after the expiration of the visa bring another batch on similar visa. The B1 visa candidates are paid in India and US govt does not get any tax. Now a days being an american citizen and IT professional is a curse in US. Due to no future in getting a job in IT, the enrollment in the colleges have stopped. Most of the computer science cources have been cancelled. If US does not produce any future IT graduate, will US depend upon India and other countries for IT needs?
u s present position is due to un necessary war on afghanistan iraq vietnam h1b guest worker are not responsible for loss of job of americans
h1b holders are paying tax house rent and food bill so most of they earned amount goes to america they prepare food and living like very common man and after that some saving they transfer to india for family maintanance so work permit holders are helpful to american economy
Yes, I agree. There are over 65,000 H1-B Visas. US Citizens have the sklls, knowledge, and experience that are unemployed that need these jobs. Let's see if the Obama Administration will revoke these Visas.
USA has helped other countries in the past. Now it is time to take care of us citizen and our children. Now Us is borrowing money from China and other countries . I see born amercans are suffering and what way these H-1visa holders integrate with america. They atr here to send money back home . They dont even contibute 50cents tothe suffering americans, Educate the children here with financial help. Globalization has brought us to this level of poverty. it is time america take care of its people and children.Give visa to people who will integrate with america rather creating another country within usa and only for the purpose of making money and send back and not cotributing for the country. born american cilderen are fighting for the country,H-1 visa holders drive lexus and BMw and mecedes and enjoy life. Time to stop worrying about globalization,letus take care o f our children.
Mani, I 100% agree with you. These visa holders do not integrate with USA. Most of their earning are sent back to their country. These candidates do not have any loyalty to this country. It is time that we start thinking and acting upon 'America first'. There is no shortage of finding qualified americans to do the job. We should not allow the slavery in this country.
When George Bush Sr and Bill Clinton were presidents there was no issue abt H1.now wen the economy is down because of the Iraq war,you cant blame H1 ppl for it.H1 ppl pay more taxes than citizens BUT without getting any citizen privileges in return.SAP came from Germany and created lots of jobs,Why were ppl not complaining then.Im many jobs requirements they mention Greencard or citizen so there is no chance H1 ppl can fill that position,soo pls stop complaining about H1 and try to pull the country from recession.
Hey guys, this is great news for America. As an IT worker with 30 year experience, and who has been layed off 3 times in the past years because Indian workers were brought in to replace me, this is wonderful!! Finally!!All the best to you guys in India, but please keep your jobs on your own soil. We have plenty of Americans that are well educated and need the work.
Isn't this absurd. US is trying to operate and find cure for stomach pain for a headache. Its not only H1B program or the foreign workers effecting but the amount of money spent in War, the lazzy attitude of many American workers. Go and check the Statistics for the percentage of IT sector among other businesses. Why people are thinking that only IT business is the one who can drive to sink US? This meltdown was due to the irregularities of Financial sector which is heart of any business. Why to blame IT and foreign workers.I really sympathies for people who lost the job and have family to survive, but this is short term solution and not fixing the root cause of the issue.
Wake up, 65000 H1 visa per year plus thousands of L1 and B1 has taken away IT jobs. If there was a shortage IT professionals in US then why so many hard working qualified US citizens are unemployed? y2K is over, revoke these visas and send them back. America for American first.
US citizens are unemployed because, in general, they lack 'IT'thinking and capable of only 'smart talk'. If American's were hard working why did so many Americans hire 'Mexicans' for Blue colored jobs? Similarly why do you think so many Indians are being hired for 'Trash IT' jobs? Because there exists only handful of’ real ‘ hard working Americans who are capable of logical thinking . I do not think H1-workers have caused 'unemployment' in this country. On the contrary credit must go to the 'Smart empty talking Americans' and America’s failed ‘presidential’ policies. Indian’s never lived for free in this country and working in those ‘IT ‘ jobs was never easier .They worked even harder than any ‘hard working ‘Americans .They paid the taxes like any other citizen, without getting any citizen privileges in return.
I totally agree. US government should totally stop all H1Bs and also put more restrictions, verifications on L1 visa and punishment to violators even if it is a major company. These guys bring fresh graduates to US and steal the jobs from the good and more experienced Americans. This is total BS if someone says Americans are not talented. All Indians come to US with a crappy atitude, learn from Americans and screw up their jobs. Greedy Indian companies should play by rules and not circumvent laws as they do in India.
The whole H1 and L1 GUEST worker visa program is a complete sham, or at least it is in Information Technology (IT).First off - the whole purpose of the GUEST worker visa programs are too supplement the American workforce. It is/was not intended to displace American workers with cheap foreign labor, but sadly business here in America betrays American workers every day.Fact of the matter is that American citizens are losing their jobs in a dramatic fashion, and the GUEST workers need to go for now. When we have room for them and Americans are working they can come back - It's simple.Our Government needs to enforce the GUEST worker visa laws and protect the prosperity of it's American Citizens.
I don't see anything wrong with this. In the current state of the country, US must stop foreign workers totally. How many foreign workers India permit, can anyone say? Social security tax is meant as a retirement benefit and there is no need to return it if someone stays only for a limited time.
Has any H1B ever thought,we come to this country pay all taxes..even taxes that feed Americans and give no benefit to us like Medicare and social secirty.... we are not elgible for un employement benefits..so when it comes for taking money .. we are treated like us citizens and when it comes to giving benefits we are treated as non resident immigratns ..! why ? Just fr ur information...to people have posted thoughts..here on the blog..Indians H1B are highest tax payers to ur country (in terms of temp immigrants group)....
At least now INDIANS should wakeup......stop dreaming and start working.....work for our land... which take cares at any condition..India is great but not indians.......they work for others(us) like slaves, thinking masters themselves...they cry when they(us) kick on our ass like this......
It is a total lie that they can't find qualified workers in USA, it is ridiculous. I am of Indian origin, but I must speak the truth. Leadership in corporate America is corrupt, while laying of millions of Americans, they are hiring foreign workers often with little or no experience. These consulting companies who employ foreign workers most likely giving kick backs and gifts to executives/managers at these companies. Americans have to train these young foreign workers, then they get a terminated. These people have families, children to support and a life to live. I know personally many highly skilled American workers who lost their jobs who have kids, what are they supposed to do. Reading comments above, it seems these workers are not appreciative, instead they are demanding more. It is not commendable when you are stealing jobs from others. If there were truly a shortage and foreign workers filling those spots, then that would be a different story, but that is not the case.
ARIF peshimama,Just article publish in the Indian news papers, this for your Information.
THIS IS VERY GOOD IN ANY WAY, and need to rationalize economy and income of individuals. This is proactive step to recover economic growth generate employment.
every country has a policy to defend his nationals ahead of expitrates. Nothing wrong with policies of US. India needs to have birth control and try to control the poulation so that resources can be used to develop employment. Jai Hind
The US Congress decision to first abrorb the US workers, before taking in workers from India, because they are cheaper is absolutely right. The US workers without jobs, must be given top priority.
What USA decides on H1-B is their problem? From indian side, we need to start putting a close eye on American Companies investing in India. If they don't provide an employment opportunity to citizen of INDIA then their Mutli-National Corporations should be more regulated. If you are smart you know what i mean.
If it a temporary measure with specific time limit, then we need to agree with the Americans; if it is an uncertain period plan, then, as you said, there is the danger of implanting Americans in their multi-$ establishments in India too as part of finding jobs to their 'champions' - which has to be handled with seriousness.