The Impact of H1B Visas

In "Recent College Grads Are Discovering That a STEM Degree Doesn't Guarantee a Stable Job," from Money Magazine, it reports that the unemployment rate for graduates with physics degrees is 7.8% and for computer engineering it was 7.5% compared with an average for all college graduates of 3.9%. The article also reports that "[s]eparate data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) suggests that it’s getting more difficult for computer- and physical-science majors to land jobs after graduation." And:

    In 2014, the first year NACE began tracking job outlooks by major, only 6.1% of computer engineering majors said they were still looking for full-time employment six months after graduation, while about 80% were already employed. Jump to 2023, the latest survey, and it’s a much different picture: 13.7% are looking for jobs, while only 64% are employed full time.

    Over that same period, all college graduates faced a drop in full-time employment with a higher share looking for work, but the change in employment prospects was particularly pronounced for certain STEM majors.

The article tries to blame the high unemployment rate in STEM majors as being a consequence of the adoption of AI. But in a market where Newsweek estimated earlier this year that 60% of all computer-related jobs are filled by H1-B visa holders, do you really think high unemployment among American STEM majors is an AI issue? That excuse is just gaslighting. 

    There is some push back, though. In his most recent post, "H-1Begone," John Wilder noted the push to charge H1B applicants a $100,000 fee which caused all sorts of outrage among Indians, include many threats against Americans that sound like those we see from hardcore ISIS members. Unfortunately, Wilder reports, the $100,000 fee has been walked back so that it will now only apply to new applicants and not to renewals. But Wilder also suggests that there is a growing dislike of Indians, noting that he has "seen several polls that indicate a strong preference to getting legal Indians out over deporting illegal aliens." He adds the following advice:

How you can help is by applying for H-1B jobs at JOBS.NOW.  It’s easy, and each job application, if unfairly dismissed, can set you up for a lawsuit against the company.  And, if they take the application and judge it meets the criteria, they can’t continue with the H-1B process and the foreigner will be sent home.  There are even people who will help you file the complaint if you’re unfairly ruled out.