10 ms·

I get the impression that this new bill is like putting lipstick on a pig which is the current system. I was hoping the amendments to the H1-B bill would be one

by anondon 10y ago

I get the impression that this new bill is like putting lipstick on a pig which is the current system. I was hoping the amendments to the H1-B bill would be one of the silver linings of a Trump presidency, but I guess not anymore.

goldmouth 10y ago
This is a proposed bill by California democrat Zoe Lofgren. Thankfully it has zero chance of passing.
winter_blue 10y ago
I've commented on this before, at: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13433540 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13433540 I'm copying the comment below: --- I'm on an H-1B, and the thing that infuriates me about the dialogue on this is that they are effectively trying to ban skilled immigration, and exclude people like me from coming. If you don't qualify for the family-based or refugee route, employment-based immigration is the only viable pathway. The amount of hate I see piled on people trying to come here via the employment-based immigration seems insane to me. These people make it seem like employment-based immigration is not as respectable or legitimate, compared to refugee/asylum and family-based immigration. The problem with requiring higher wagers is that for people like me, who were students in US -- it's very hard to get an ultra-high salary for the first job out of college. (I did my undergrad here, and I don't have a Master's.) I was a student (on an F-1 visa), and my first job out of college offered me $60,000/year. On my first job on my H-1B visa (in NYC), I was offered $85,000 a year (got slightly over $100,000 with bonuses). Then, just about a year and half later, I was paid (incl. lucky cash bonuses) slightly over $200,000 in a single year. (My base salary is $130,000 now.) If you raised wage requirements, you'd basically be not allowing people like me to continue to stay and work in the US (after graduation from college), and would instead only allow people from outside who have lots of experience (and skill) and can command a much higher salary upfront. --- It's very disappointing to see the level of vitriol directed towards people who are just trying to build a better life in this country, especially here on HN.
- jessaustin 10y ago
  Parent comment contained none of the "vitriol" you've imputed to it. Perhaps you meant to reply to something else?
- ajmurmann 10y ago
  People who studied here is a huge untackled problem. I wish there was more movement to make it easier for them (us actually) to stay. I studied here, but never really had to deal with the immigration aspect because I'm here to be with my American wife. However, I vaguely remember that F1 students could work for a very limited amount of time with the F1 visa and work even longer if they studied a STEM field. I guess that's something. But having to hustle like nuts to get above some magical salary boundary is crazy. Especially since that likely would include changing employers since that seems to be the best way to get a raise.
- thansharp 10y ago
  If you don't mind me asking, how did you get such an increase over 2.5 years? I find it surprising that $200k is possible 2.5 years out of undergrad. Are there any particular opportunities you made use of? I can communicate over mail, if that helps.
  - orsenthil 10y ago
    I can guess that. It mostly comes down to his skill. He is including bonuses. If you interview for a startup in silicon valley or NYC, those figures are not unheard of.
  - winter_blue 10y ago
    I received multiple discretionary ("spot") bonuses (all cash). My base salary was a lot lower -- which is the only thing the H-1B petition (and LCA) mentions.
- Retric 10y ago
  H-1B was not setup as a path for graduates to stay in the US. It was intended to allow highly skilled workers in and has been gamed since then to do all kinds of things. That said, I think a permissive immigration policy is in our intrests, but H-1B is a poor basis for such a policy.

by anondon 10y ago

goldmouth 10y ago

This is a proposed bill by California democrat Zoe Lofgren. Thankfully it has zero chance of passing.

winter_blue 10y ago

I've commented on this before, at: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13433540 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13433540 I'm copying the comment below: --- I'm on an H-1B, and the thing that infuriates me about the dialogue on this is that they are effectively trying to ban skilled immigration, and exclude people like me from coming. If you don't qualify for the family-based or refugee route, employment-based immigration is the only viable pathway. The amount of hate I see piled on people trying to come here via the employment-based immigration seems insane to me. These people make it seem like employment-based immigration is not as respectable or legitimate, compared to refugee/asylum and family-based immigration. The problem with requiring higher wagers is that for people like me, who were students in US -- it's very hard to get an ultra-high salary for the first job out of college. (I did my undergrad here, and I don't have a Master's.) I was a student (on an F-1 visa), and my first job out of college offered me $60,000/year. On my first job on my H-1B visa (in NYC), I was offered $85,000 a year (got slightly over $100,000 with bonuses). Then, just about a year and half later, I was paid (incl. lucky cash bonuses) slightly over $200,000 in a single year. (My base salary is $130,000 now.) If you raised wage requirements, you'd basically be not allowing people like me to continue to stay and work in the US (after graduation from college), and would instead only allow people from outside who have lots of experience (and skill) and can command a much higher salary upfront. --- It's very disappointing to see the level of vitriol directed towards people who are just trying to build a better life in this country, especially here on HN.

jessaustin 10y ago
Parent comment contained none of the "vitriol" you've imputed to it. Perhaps you meant to reply to something else?
ajmurmann 10y ago
People who studied here is a huge untackled problem. I wish there was more movement to make it easier for them (us actually) to stay. I studied here, but never really had to deal with the immigration aspect because I'm here to be with my American wife. However, I vaguely remember that F1 students could work for a very limited amount of time with the F1 visa and work even longer if they studied a STEM field. I guess that's something. But having to hustle like nuts to get above some magical salary boundary is crazy. Especially since that likely would include changing employers since that seems to be the best way to get a raise.
thansharp 10y ago
If you don't mind me asking, how did you get such an increase over 2.5 years? I find it surprising that $200k is possible 2.5 years out of undergrad. Are there any particular opportunities you made use of? I can communicate over mail, if that helps.
- orsenthil 10y ago
  I can guess that. It mostly comes down to his skill. He is including bonuses. If you interview for a startup in silicon valley or NYC, those figures are not unheard of.
- winter_blue 10y ago
  I received multiple discretionary ("spot") bonuses (all cash). My base salary was a lot lower -- which is the only thing the H-1B petition (and LCA) mentions.
Retric 10y ago
H-1B was not setup as a path for graduates to stay in the US. It was intended to allow highly skilled workers in and has been gamed since then to do all kinds of things. That said, I think a permissive immigration policy is in our intrests, but H-1B is a poor basis for such a policy.