[dcre]

Very well said. I would add that "corporate power over individuals" applies to the fired employees just as well to the fired employees as to the H1B workers. Indeed, their power over the former depends fundamentally on their power over the latter.

[davidw]

It applies in different quantities though: the fired US people can apply for unemployment and look for a new job, or maybe take some time off and go surfing, or move elsewhere, or pursue a degree. The fired H1B people need to book a flight home.

That implies a lot more power over the latter.