The H1-B Visa program is a very controversial one and one that, given its significance, I’m shocked I had hardly knew anything about. In essence, “The H-1B visa is a temporary, non-immigration visa for foreigners in ‘special occupations.’ The careers that qualify are ones that usually require a college degree and specialized skills in science, engineering, and technology (and oddly, modeling is also included). The visa lasts for up to three years, and can be renewed” (America’s Mixed Feelings About Immigrant Labor). The current immigration bill “vastly increases the annual limit on H1-B visas, which allow corporations to bring employees with a bachelor’s degree to the U.S. from overseas for up to six years” (Myth of Talent Shortage). Whether or not the program is to be further expanded is currently in the hands of the Senate and poses many inquiries and objections.
The reason why this issue is so controversial is mainly due to the effect that the expansion would have on the economy and employment in America. On one hand, it can be argued that immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans by being hired for a lower salary after being pruned for specific STEM skills in foreign countries such as India or China. On the other hand, it can also be argued that these individuals, immigrants, have stimulated the U.S. economy with their talent and skill in the tech industry. Some of the most successful startups in the U.S. have been due to the innovation of immigrants.
There are several elements to the argument for the expansion of the H1-B Visa program. After all, the United States began as a melting pot of immigrants. Why should we turn away that from which we came? In addition, it’s common knowledge that immigrants have been crucial to the development of a bulk of the successful tech companies thriving today. “Attracting talented people to the U.S., and retaining them, would result in the best sort of American ingenuity, and indeed immigrants started some of Silicon Valley’s giants” (America’s Mixed Feelings about Immigrant Labor). This is further backed: “Immigrants started more than half of the current crop of U.S.-based startups valued at $1 billion or more.” (Study: Immigrants Founded 51% of U.S. Billion-Dollar Startups) We are all very familiar with the argument that America is “behind” in the race of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields and that we need “brain power” of individuals with coding and mathematical skills to keep up with other countries such as China. Thus, the more help we can get in terms of Visas, the better.
The backlash to the expansion of the H1-B Visa program has been substantial: “Critics argue that tech executives are simply looking for cheaper labor, and some politicians, as well as Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump, aim to curb the work visa program.” (Study: Immigrants..). This sole goal of cheaper labor as the reason for the program is, in my opinion, slightly shallow. “The program’s purpose is to find and retain talent that’s lacking in the U.S. economy, not a cheap alternative to American workers” (America’s Mixed Feelings..). Relative wages of immigrants and natives may appear to imply the exploitation of immigrants by these tech companies, but the statistics are deceptive: “Employers prefer to hire younger, thus cheaper, H-1Bs instead of older, thus more expensive, Americans.” (There Is In Fact a Tech-Talent Shortage..)
There has also been critique of the argument that America doesn’t have enough students from STEM studies to fill the roles necessary. “The anomaly is that those urging students toward STEM studies are not pressing employers to ensure that the jobs will be there.” (The Frenzy About High-Tech Talent). While it may be true that specific skill sets in specific fields are difficult to find in the U.S., there is not a lack of STEM students with the general talent needed. In fact, “colleges, for instance, are already minting far more programmers and engineers than the job market is absorbing. Roughly twice as many American undergraduates earn degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines than go on to work in those fields.” (Myth of Talent Shortage).
I think that the use of the H1-B Visa guest workers in the United States is beneficial IN MODERATION. I am not outright against the use of H1-B Visa guest workers, but I do support it with caution. One of the obvious benefits is the increase in U.S. productivity and contribution to the economy. Statistics make this quite apparent: “from 1990 to 2010, the influx of H1-B workers actually accounted for an astounding 10 to 20 percent of yearly U.S. productivity growth, and added $615 billion to the economy” (Myth of America’s Tech-Talent Shortage). Economic growth can be stimulated by population growth and productivity growth, both of which are provided by H1-B workers. That being said, I’ll admit that part of me is indeed concerned with competition due to foreign workers and/or outsourcing. How could I not be? Globalization is a double-edged sword. What originally was an opportunity in U.S. soil to U.S. citizens is now available to millions of immigrants. I think that a compromise in the expansion of the use of H1-B Visas is the most reasonable route to take (in other words, visas to select immigrants). Increasing the number of visas drastically will not contribute to motivating U.S. citizens in Universities to fill developer roles that are already being filled by immigrants; however, I fully believe that immigrants contribute a greater sense of global awareness, a diversity in experience and beliefs, and a fresh perspective in this country. Thus I would take a moderate approach to the situation.
Ethics & Professional Issues 