A Modest Proposal to Solve the H-1B Visa Crisis

The technology industry -- the companies that provide hardware, software and IT services -- is at war with itself over the American H-1B visa program.

The H-1B is by definition a non-immigrant, temporary visa -- it's essentially a guest worker program for yuppies.

The recipient of an H-1B visa must be championed by a company, and cannot easily change jobs once here, which translates into a kind of low-paid "indentured servitude." The visa lasts six years. Spouses can come with, but can't work while here. To reapply, the visa holder must leave for a year before coming back.

H1-B visas are in such demand (by both American companies and foreign skilled workers) that the quota for the whole year was filled in one day!

The program is controversial. Proponents argue that by enabling businesses to hire skilled workers from abroad, U.S. companies are better able to compete in the global marketplace. That competitiveness enables them to stay in business, and hire more American employees.

Opponents charge that H-1B visa holders displace Americans because they're paid less, and they lower American wages for skilled work. They also claim that H-1B visas provide a disincentive for American students to choose careers in technical fields like engineering.

HERE'S MY PROPOSAL TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.