Fired? Check and see if you've been replaced by a worker from another country.
I know it's legal but, not very American.

In the midst of a global recession and a slumping economy, with an unemployment rate at 8.1%, the American people expect that U.S. companies would fill any job vacancies by hiring American citizens. According to Fox News, that is not what many American companies are planning to do. Companies like Microsoft, Cisco, and IBM — who have already laid-off thousands of American workers — "will begin applying for the right to hire foreign workers on April 1" by applying for H-1B workers. (Fox News, March 19, 2009).

On April 1, the U.S. government will begin to accept applications for 65,000 H-1B visas that will become available for American companies to hire foreign workers. According to the eligibility requirements, the worker must have attained the equivalent of at least a bachelor's degree to fill a vacancy in a "specialty" occupation. Another 60,000 visas will be made available for several exempted occupational categories. In recent years, all 65,000 nonexempt H-1B visas have been claimed within 48 hours of being made available. (USCIS Update, March 20, 2009).

Undoubtedly, these companies will make the argument that H-1B visa recipients are "high-tech workers" who represent the "best and brightest" from around the world. However, USCIS data show that nearly half of H-1B recipients hold only a bachelor's degree — an achievement to be sure, but one many Americans possess as well. In addition, the same data shows that H-1B visas are frequently issued to import workers who do not possess any high-tech skills. (USCIS Report on H-1B Petitions, Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Report). Finally, several sources — including a May 2008 study by H-1B expert Dr. Norman Matloff - demonstrate that the companies that hire these foreign workers do not pay the workers premium wages which suggests that the workers are no better qualified than their American counterparts. (Center for Immigration Studies Backgrounder, May 2008).

Another issue that warrants consideration in the H-1B debate is the fact that the program is susceptible to fraud. In September 2008, USCIS released the findings of a "Benefit, Fraud & Compliance Assessment" of the H-1B program. In studying a sample of 246 H-1B visa petitions, USCIS found 51 cases that contained at least one instance of fraud or "technical violations" — an overall violation rate of 20.7%. The study also documented several types of H-1B program abuse found in the sample, including petitions containing fake or forged documentation; willful misrepresentation of H-1B status; instances where supposed business locations were nonexistent; and employers who never intended for the beneficiary to fill the actual position offered. In one of these cases, an employer petitioned for an H-1B worker to fill a business development analyst position. When USCIS reviewed this case, however, "the petitioner stated the H-1B beneficiary would be working in a laundromat doing laundry and maintaining washing machines." (USCIS H-1B Benefit Fraud and Compliance Assessment, September 2008).

FOX News.

Doesn't make it any less true

maybe the American workers have priced themselves out of the market?

You mean Faux News, False News, Never spin the truth news...lol

ding ding ding!

Well I rarely take Fox News seriously, however, I do think there is some truth to pricing one self out of the market. Maybe greed is at both the top and the bottom of our society. Something to think about.

Me too.

My brother in law just thinks they are the cats meow. Faux news. I love that one.

Kat

Exactly...greed and more greed. That has been the problem for a while now. Money money and mo money.

Like he said; "ding ding". Right on.
Kat

The company my youngest son works for were up for a new contract and raises. They voted to leave it alone right now til the economy settles its'self in again. They renew their contracts every three years.

I was proud of them for that. Conoco Phillips employees did the right thing.

That is what everyone should do. Give up a little something...gain a lot. If they can afford it.

Kat

exactly. The greed of he who is on top is no different than that of he who cleans the toilets - the difference is that the one on top has more opportunity to exploit his position.

Damn, I was thinking that no one knows the right answer anymore...

Ditto.

.