How much do political considerations, rather than economic arguments, influence the current debate surrounding the H-1B issue?
Whenever Congress decides policy, there is always going to be some consideration of politics. The economic arguments are strong in favour of allowing more highly skilled foreign nationals, many of whom are completing degree programmes at US universities.
A key reason H-1B visas are so crucial is that they generally are the only way an outstanding international student can stay in the United States to work. The wait for green cards (permanent residence) is so long, 7 to 10 years or potentially more for people from India and China, that it is simply not feasible to hire someone directly on a green card.
The economic arguments made against H-1Bs are mostly versions of the same arguments made against immigrants for more than 100 years: namely that they take jobs from Americans.
Given the obvious alternatives, companies have to hire people outside the United States if they are not allowed to hire key personnel inside the United States. It's a little surprising that defenders of the status quo of blocking skilled foreign nationals can continue to make the same arguments and, in many cases, receive a receptive audience.
Image: Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy. | File photograph
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