Ask HN: What will happen with the H1-B program?

8 points by nodra 11 hours ago

The H-1B program was originally meant to address a shortage of talent. But there’s no real shortage of qualified American engineers as far as I know but companies keep requesting and hiring H-1B workers anyway. Is anything being done to fix this?

cosmicgadget 10 hours ago

The administration vocally supports the H1-B program and the majority in both congressional houses aren't going to run afoul of the guy in charge.

Whatever the stated reasons for creating the program, it's the new normal.

rvz 10 hours ago

Nothing. It is the scam that won't ever change.*

The best part is, all companies know it is a scam. But they will abuse it anyway and any change against it will be heavily lobbied. Here is how it simply works:

   What employers say (lie): "We can't find 'skilled' and 'talented' people locally."

   What they *REALLY* want: "We *really* need e̶x̶c̶e̶p̶t̶i̶o̶n̶a̶l̶ ̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶g̶r̶a̶d̶u̶a̶t̶e̶s̶ AI agents to work 24/7 for $1 a month"

   What they *actually* do: *Issues hundreds of H1-Bs to the cheapest country they can find.*
> Is anything being done to fix this?

No.

Why would these companies want to fix their primary method of getting cheap labor?

*unless you introduce a new visa system and for technical roles, everyone must pass a 'leetcode' test in person to win the visa and the offering role is office only.

  • nodra 10 hours ago

    I hope some representative(s) in congress get signal and do something. I see it brought up more and more on x but that doesn’t mean much I guess.