February 4, 2009
WashTech News
According to a prominent news report, major American banks that got the largest government bailouts totaling $150 billion, filed more H1-B and other guest worker applications instead of employing Americans first. As the economic crash worsened in 2008 and many banks laid off employees, these banks increased their visa requests by almost one third. The average annual salary for these positions was $90,721, almost twice that of the median national income.
American taxpayer money is being used to employ foreign labor in this high unemployment scenario. WashTech sought the American reaction to this news:
Andrew McFarlane, Wine Salesperson, Seattle, WA: This is rotten. Recently, more than 50,000 Americans lost their jobs, all in one day, and this is what the banks are doing? I am from New Zealand originally and I am an American citizen now. If I were losing my job to someone cheaper, I'd be quite distressed right now.
Laura Sessions, IT recruiter, NY, NY: We do not need more H1-B visa holders in these economic times. I am flooded with top notch candidates, most from financial firms. In my 30 years of being an IT recruiter, I've seen companies join the cheap labor bandwagon, not train their American employees on new technologies but bring in cheap H1-Bs for the job. The American programmers have languished, not moved up and the H1-Bs have received the training these programmers should have received. These companies throw out resumes for non-critical reasons, just to justify hiring the H1's. Even the H1-Bs holders who now have Green cards, are unemployed. We must employ Americans first, then Green card holders and only then call more H1-Bs.
Philip Hunt, IT professional, Marlborough, MA: This myopic "race to the bottom" to employ initially cheaper foreign workers is a slap in the face to all unemployed Americans. There are thousands of unemployed American technical professionals right now who would jump at almost ANY chance to be reemployed in their fields. We have a greater stake in the prosperity of our country than the foreign replacement workers. This is just another example of the careless, reckless attitude of many tech industry managers who only think and act selfishly for short-term goals. Wall Street did the same and look where that got us!
Dennis M. Kimmel, Entrepreneur, Santa Rosa, California: Disgusting!!! I will forward this info to all my elected leaders and ask them if they are concerned for our country.
John Malloy, IT professional, Boston, MA : I worked in IT for over 25 years. I have had to train my H1-B replacements 6 times in the last 9 years here in Boston, and then I got laid off.
Carl Thorson, student, Seattle, WA: Any American company that's applying for assistance from the government, has an obligation to hire Americans first. The banks' behavior is very irresponsible. It's deeply affecting our economy. Many young people today don't look beyond their ipods and designer shoes. They need come out of their comfort zones, and fight for their rights.
Associated Press Reporter Frank Bass shared the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for General News Reporting. See his AP story here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090201/ap_on_bi_ge/bailout_foreign_workers
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Bank Bailout For More Foreign Labor
Priyanka JoshiAccording to a prominent news report, major American banks that got the largest government bailouts totaling $150 billion, filed more H1-B and other guest worker applications instead of employing Americans first. As the economic crash worsened in 2008 and many banks laid off employees, these banks increased their visa requests by almost one third. The average annual salary for these positions was $90,721, almost twice that of the median national income.
American taxpayer money is being used to employ foreign labor in this high unemployment scenario. WashTech sought the American reaction to this news:
 | Robin Faye, Unemployed, Seattle, WA: We're in such a brutal economic climate and our tax money is going to hire foreign workers when Americans are suffering economically? I am outraged! I just graduated from college and I can't find a single job in this market. I am going to any interview I can get. What do I do now? How can I compete with a cheap H1-B visa holder who is making half of what I need to live on? |
Andrew McFarlane, Wine Salesperson, Seattle, WA: This is rotten. Recently, more than 50,000 Americans lost their jobs, all in one day, and this is what the banks are doing? I am from New Zealand originally and I am an American citizen now. If I were losing my job to someone cheaper, I'd be quite distressed right now.
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 | Max Marshek , Construction, Seattle, WA: The Government has a responsibility to protect Americans. We have to be protected financially, socially, and not just from terrorist attacks. The banks are stabbing us in the back. This is not patriotic. |
Philip Hunt, IT professional, Marlborough, MA: This myopic "race to the bottom" to employ initially cheaper foreign workers is a slap in the face to all unemployed Americans. There are thousands of unemployed American technical professionals right now who would jump at almost ANY chance to be reemployed in their fields. We have a greater stake in the prosperity of our country than the foreign replacement workers. This is just another example of the careless, reckless attitude of many tech industry managers who only think and act selfishly for short-term goals. Wall Street did the same and look where that got us!
Dennis M. Kimmel, Entrepreneur, Santa Rosa, California: Disgusting!!! I will forward this info to all my elected leaders and ask them if they are concerned for our country.
John Malloy, IT professional, Boston, MA : I worked in IT for over 25 years. I have had to train my H1-B replacements 6 times in the last 9 years here in Boston, and then I got laid off.
 | Brandon Flynn, Construction, Seattle, WA: I am shocked. We're already too dependent on other countries. We need to become a self sustaining nation. |
Carl Thorson, student, Seattle, WA: Any American company that's applying for assistance from the government, has an obligation to hire Americans first. The banks' behavior is very irresponsible. It's deeply affecting our economy. Many young people today don't look beyond their ipods and designer shoes. They need come out of their comfort zones, and fight for their rights.
 | Monika Balkelyte, Unemployed, Seattle, WA: I have dual citizenship from Lithuania and America. I think what the banks are doing is horrible for Americans. |
Associated Press Reporter Frank Bass shared the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for General News Reporting. See his AP story here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090201/ap_on_bi_ge/bailout_foreign_workers
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