[abhididdigi]

OK and why is this the top of HN? Because of the number of applications?

The number of applications is slightly higher than last year, but still I fail to understand why it is on the top, because this same thing was happening for the last 4+ years.

My application was picked up in the year 2013, so I have been following both HN and the USCIS at that time. Never saw it make top of HN.

[enraged_camel]

Immigration is one of the hottest debate topics at the moment, and H1-Bs especially have huge repercussions for the tech sector. My guess is that this particular article is being upvoted because people here want to discuss it.

[Joky]

"slightly higher"? I know that slightly is subjective, but going from 175k to 233k seems quite significant to me... Especially considering that last year was already a new record.

The same thing (lottery for H1B) happened only the last 2 years (2013 and 2014), not for 4+ years (before that 2007 and 2008 also had a lottery).

It is relevant to HN because if we you start a company and need to hire, it can impact your strategy. If you're a software engineer, it shows that there is a high demand and it can be time to review alternative offers.

[sfeng]

I'm neither an immigrant nor an employer, but I care. In the comments I learned a fair bit about issues with my countries immigration policies which I did not already know.

[CodeSheikh]

Because HN caters to tech audience and majority of the H1-B petitioners are tech workers. Get it?

[abhididdigi]

I myself am an immigrant. I seriously don't see any need, because all the new immigrants will keep their eyes and ears open to see if their application is selected. All citizens/ existing immigrants, don't really care.

[asavadatti]

Speak for yourself. There are plenty of us who care.

[abhididdigi]

It is ironical, in asking me to speak for myself you are using the "royal" us.

[bthrn]

There are tons of things posted to HN, which inevitably some people find interesting and some people don't. The fact is, many H-1B visa beneficiaries are in the technology field. In addition, many technology companies are pushing for immigration reform and this isn't the first time I've seen the subject come up here.

Your stance could be taken on any technology-related content posted to HN. "Those who care about Linux will keep their eyes and ears open to Linux news. It doesn't have to be posted here because most OS users have Windows" sounds pretty ridiculous to me.

[wavefunction]

I'm a citizen of the US and I care. Especially about the abuses inherent in the system.