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by protomyth 3801 days ago
No, the real fix is to make sure the actual goals of the program align with what actually happens. At this point, saying that each H1-B worker must make $117,700[1] or more to prove they are skilled beyond US workers seems to be a fair change. After all, if you can hire US citizens cheaper, you are not fulfilling the goals of the program[2].

1) 10x poverty guidelines in US for 2015.

2) http://www.dol.gov/whd/immigration/h1b.htm

3 comments

> At this point, saying that each H1-B worker must make $117,700[1] or more to prove they are skilled beyond US workers seems to be a fair change

That's not enough for some places. I know mid level engineers at some of the big companies make more than that, for example.

I believe so many companies don't hire people for culture fit but then hire an h1b worker. If they had to pay market rate or better like you say it would be great for those of us who can't seem to make it past the interviews even when qualified.
it is not fair. Its not fair for genuine h1b sponsoring companies in geographic locations where cost of living is low.

$117,700 in San Francisco is not the same as $117,700 in Austin.

Again, any minimum salary requirement, becomes very easy to game (employee can be expected to pay back in cash, for the difference). This will put genuine companies (that cannot do such shady deals) at a great disadvantage

Perhaps I should have put the full poverty level tables which are calculated at https://aspe.hhs.gov but 10x the local poverty level seems more than fair.

> Again, any minimum salary requirement, becomes very easy to game (employee can be expected to pay back in cash, for the difference). This will put genuine companies (that cannot do such shady deals) at a great disadvantage

Paybacks are illegal now and should stay that way. A couple of criminal prosecutions would do wonders for fraud.

Kickbacks certainly are illegal (and it should remain that way).

But, just because it is illegal, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Robberies happen but we don't stop trying to put criminals away or give up and make it legal to rob people.
> make it legal to rob people.

Civil forfeiture comes scarily close.