NPR Talk of the Nation Debate on H-1B

Date: Monday, September 10, 2007 7:49 PM

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1752 -- 9/10/2007 >>>>>

NPR's Talk of the Nation had a recent radio debate about using foreign workers
to fill US high-tech jobs. You can listen to the 35 minute show at:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14241565

The radio show featured two guests. One guest was a self interested
immigration lawyer, and the other, Ron Hira, is a spokesman for various
organizations and is an author of a book about outsourcing. Conspicuously
absent was anyone who thought the H-1B program should be abolished.

Ron Hira appears all over the media, like for instance he is somewhat of a
regular on Lou Dobbs. He is promoted as a friend of American high-tech
workers, but as you will find out by listening to this broadcast his agenda is
somewhat ambiguous.

Hira disappointed early by letting Microsoft off the hook. He put the blame
for using H-1B as a source of cheap labor on bodyshops. I have explained
countless times why Indian owned bodyshops shouldn't be castigated or
villified in this fashion, but my pleas fall of deaf ears even by some like
Lou Dobbs. Hira accused the bodyshops of crowding out legitimate companies who
use H-1Bs like Microsoft, and even implied that unlike the bodyshops Microsoft
doesn't use H-1B as a source of cheap labor. This is all wrong because the
mainstream companies like Microsoft use H-1B for cheap labor -- and more
important Microsoft uses bodyshops as a way to get cheap and easy H-1Bs.
Absolving companies like Microsoft from their guilt is like blessing the
devil!

It doesn't get better as the show progresses. Hira skirted a direct question
about whether there was a shortage of high-tech workers. Hira said that we
don't know if there is a shortfall of tech workers or not. His answer played
right into the hands of the immigration lawyer who must have been rubbing his
hands with glee. Hira's denial was downright weird and runs contradictory to
statements he has made over the years.

For a June issue of USA Today Hira didn't seem to lack proof that the shortage
shouters were lying:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-06-24-immigrant-workers_N.htm

"I don't think there's any indication of a broad shortage in IT
(information technology) workers," he said. "You'd see that show
up in wage increases, and we haven't seen wage increases."

Hira espoused his concept that we should issue more employment based green
cards and that we need reforms on the H-1B program. He emphasized several
times that he doesn't want the H-1B program to be abolished because it's a
very "valuable program". He said that we should encourage foreign workers to
come to the U.S. to work and we should give them green cards to stay here
permanently. Hira's advocacy of instant green cards is consistent with the
organization he is most known for, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE). The IEEE as well as Hira advocate for instant green cards so
that unlimited numbers of foreign engineers, scientists, and programmers can
become permanent residents in the U.S. Lately the IEEE has even actively
lobbied alongside companies like Microsoft to increase the number of visas for
high-tech workers.

The callers to the show weren't impressive either. One of them rambled on and
on about illegal aliens from Mexico who take programming jobs. Huh?
Another woman got her J-1 visa and Green Card but when asked, was allowed to
dodge the question of whether she took a job away from an American.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Newsletter Homepage:
http://www.JobDestruction.com/shameh1b/JobDestructionNews.htm

Support this Newsletter and www.JobDestruction.com by donating:
www.zazona.com/Donations.htm

To Be removed from this mailing list, reply to this email with UNSUbSCRIBE in
the subject window

Back to archives