Guess Who’s Getting the Most Work Visas

Since 1990, the US has issued a set number of H-1B visas by lottery to attract talented science, technology and math professionals from around the world to its universities, research centers and companies. Increasing numbers of applications, however, combined with strict caps and a lottery system prevent many foreign professionals from entering the US workforce. A federal report points out that outsourcing firms in India receive an increasing share of the visas, reports Moira Herbst for BusinssWeek.com, and that has prompted some members of US Congress to question whether the program is really attracting the most talented workers who provide long-term benefit to the country. The report reveals a divide between US technology companies and India’s outsourcing firms; while both want a sharp increase in the annual number of visas, the former seeks permanent workers and the latter seeks temporary help. Meanwhile, many US workers remain anxious about job security and oppose any expansion in the visa program. – YaleGlobal