[untog]

You wanted to hire someone on a visa - not a US citizen.

US citizen or not, they'll be paying US tax. As it is, the country has lost out on potential tax income from those employees.

[syntern]

Not only that, the US lost their contribution to the local economy: they won't buy groceries, pay landlords or buy from the local car dealership. There is a huge missed opportunity there.

I just don't get why the US wouldn't want qualified workers to get in the US. Singapore had this lesson learned well.

Disclaimer: I'm on H1B myself.

[teh_klev]

People completely miss this about immigrant workers (I use the term in a positive way). Tax generation, local spending etc.

[wvenable]

Your point is correct. But hiring a US citizen would be better for the country because not only would there be the potential tax income but the savings from lower unemployment.

[untog]

How many talented developers are out of work in the US right now? Particularly in somewhere like the Bay area, where this startup would be based.

[gohrt]

> How many talented developers are out of work in the US right now? Particularly in somewhere like the Bay area,

0, which is why salaries and rents are incredibly high.

[wvenable]

The Bay area might be short on developers but I know there are talented developers in other states that are unemployed or underemployed. So Colombia is ok but Nebraska is not?

[fredfoobar]

While I agree that hiring a US citizen would be better for the country and I'm certain that all talented US citizens have jobs or are creating more jobs (through startups). But, I think there is merit in attracting top talent from other countries and retaining them as well (who in turn contribute to the economy).