165K jobs were a big deal ... but 6M H1-Bs?

[thunder rising]

[Catshrink]

1. But we *need* those H1-Bs

to do the jobs Americans won't do.

:sarcasm:

[treestar]

2. There are 6 million H-1Bs?

M?

[valerief]

3. 6M H1Bs this month? Wouldn't surprise me. nt

[gcomeau]

4. Do me a favor.

1. Tell me what the requirements are to get an H1B.

2. Tell me what the unemploymnent rate for that educational/experience level is.

Could we NOT be then reactionary reality-ignoring anti-immigration faction? How about that? That sound like a plan to anyone?

[housewolf]

5. I don't know, but i'm one of the folks competing with H1B visa folks

and 2 things have happened just this year - (I'm in the IT field - QA Software Tester)
first, I was required to take a 15% rate reduction
second, I've been unemployed since July and nary a nibble since then

third, over a longer time, rates being quoted for positions in my field have dropped 30% since 2002

[enlightenment]

6. Okay . . .

Candidate Requirements for H1-B Visa:

Candidate must have secured job offer from a US source.
In order to get an H1B visa you will need the equivalent of a US college or university degree in a relevant subject.
If you have been educated outside the US, this requirement can often be met by:
EITHER - A non-US and/or only partly relevant degree, followed by three or more years work experience.
OR – Twelve years of high-level work experience.
NB If you wish to practice a profession such as law, medicine, or accountancy, etc, you will also need to obtain the relevant State or Federal licence to practice in the place of intended employment.

http://www.workpermit.com/us/employee.htm#UScandH1B


Unemployment rate for persons with a bachelor degree (or higher), not seasonally adjusted, by month for 2010 with 2009 annual rate for comparison:

2009 ANNUAL AVG 4.6
2010 January: 5.1 February: 5.0 March: 4.7
http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet (that link probably won't work correctly, but I'm sure you can call up the output yourself)

There is an increase in the percentage of unemployed people with similar educational attainment in the US. More specifically - unemployment has increased since 2009 in Information services, Professional and Business Services, and Education and Health services . . .

edited for clarity