[jlardinois]

Two questions (one fact-based, one opinion)

1. This article notes that the various proposed H1B reforms would require (for some definition of require) that companies make an effort to hire Americans before offering positions to visa workers. Isn't this already a requirement?

2. I agree $60,000 is a very low minimum. But how is $130,000 reasonable? Even in this industry that's a significant salary.

[Veratyr]

> I agree $60,000 is a very low minimum. But how is $130,000 reasonable? Even in this industry that's a significant salary.

I think the point is that the minimum should be far above what you'd expect to pay for a US worker, to add solid monetary incentive to hire locally first.

If the average salary for a "highly skilled" worker is $90k (seems reasonable) but you've attempted to find a US worker at an unusually high $130k (as you're required to do) and not found one, it ensures that your imported worker is not competing against the average local talent.

[talklittle]

> 2. I agree $60,000 is a very low minimum. But how is $130,000 reasonable? Even in this industry that's a significant salary.

The current administration is businesspeople. They know $130k sounds too high, it's anchoring for negotiations. It'll go lower.

But also it's kind of the point of the reform being pushed, right? If somehow $130k is passed, it will obviously disqualify most foreign workers from acquiring these visas, and maybe the current quota of visas wouldn't be met. Then the quota may be lowered in the future, further limiting the visa program.

[jlardinois]

The 130k minimum was proposed by a Democratic congresswoman, not the administration.

[sjg007]

There is a requirement to hire Americans first but there are loop holes and shenanigans. One is that the wage offered is too low so no qualified American applies b/c they are already making more. I guess that this is what the 130k would fix. Jobs are advertised in weird ways either internally (a paper print out on a board in a company room somewhere). And you have the job interview itself which can always be gamed.