H-1B visa

H-1B visa is a modern form of indentured servitude, whereby foreign workers come to the United States and promise to work for the same company for six years, usually at lower wages than under a free market. Free enterprise economist Milton Friedman observed, "There is no doubt," he says, "that the [H-1B] program is a benefit to their employers, enabling them to get workers at a lower wage, and to that extent, it is a subsidy."

Large companies in the high tech industry, such as Microsoft, prefer to hire workers on H-1B visas because those workers are unlikely ever to compete with their employers. The law generally requires those workers to remain with their initial employer for six years and remain working on the tasks specified in the original visa, or else leave the country. It is difficult to switch employers and even if there is a switch in employment, the worker must continue to work as specified in the original visa. After the six years elapses, the worker must leave the country unless the employer obtains an extension, or invites the worker back after a year outside the country.

The number of H-1B visas issued per year cannot currently exceed 65,000, plus another 20,000 for those with U.S. graduate degrees. There is no limit on H-1B visas for universities, non-profit research laboratories and government research laboratories.

There is a controversial bill in Congress to increase the number of H-1B visas allowed. Microsoft and other high tech companies like to hire these workers because they are unlikely ever to present a competitive threat.