[gusmd]

Good point, I have given that some thought too. Besides the problems already cited in the other comments, another problem is that smaller companies trying to grow might have a competitive disadvantage because of the upward pressure on the salaries.

[cplease]

I fail to see the problem here under this proposal. Small companies can buy the same talent at the same price, whether it's domestically or abroad.

You seem to be arguing that small companies should have special dispensation versus large companies to circumvent immigration laws in order to lower their labor costs.

If you think small companies have a thumb on the scale, then give them a thumb on the scale. e.g. special tax incentives for hiring. And in fact small businesses do get thumbs on the scale from the government all the time. e.g. government solicitations favoring (by mandate) small and minority or female-owned businesses, SBA loans, etc. If you think they should get more, by all means argue that, but why at the expense of the US labor force?

[gusmd]

Where do you see me arguing that smaller companies should be allowed to circumvent any immigration laws?

I simply argued that OP's proposal - which is a not a law - would put companies with scarcer funds in disadvantage against bigger companies with more money to burn. I'm all for a free market, but what the OP is proposing is a market distortion since there are a limited number of visas.

Anyhow, you do realize that H1B filling requires a certified LCA, don't you?

[Eridrus]

What about startups that want to pay with equity instead of cash?