H-1B visas used by firm to create low-cost workforce, U.S. alleges

[LiberalEsto]

10. Companies want cheap labor

Kids don't bother majoring in computer science any more because the jobs aren't there, at least not for American citizens.

The cost of a 4-year degree in computer science or anything else is insanely expensive. When you graduate, you're saddled with huge student loan payments on top of normal living expenses, so you need to earn a certain amount of money to get by.

However, an American college grad in computer science is competing for jobs with computer scientists from other countries where education is free or well-subsidized. These folks from overseas don't need to earn as much because they're not saddled with student loan debt. Also, their saved earnings will likely go a lot farther when the return to their home country.

Companies that import workers on H-1B visas usually bend the rules every way they can to pay them salaries that are significantly lower than American IT workers are paid. Sometimes the H-1B are housed in dormitories so they can save money on living expenses and sock away more money to bring home. This is a win for the employers, a win for the people with H-1B visas, and a lose-lose-lose for American IT workers.