Hacker News Reader

Comment by oneworld | Hacker News Reader

I agree with the ads. I don't see them as being anti-immigrant. It is calling for reforms in the H1B system. We need to reform the visa system and the subsequent GC process. Why do the loud voices on the Left (&the Right) conflate everything with whatever agenda they are pushing. Merit based immigration might help me and thousands of immigrants. In the whole spectrum of immigration issues, there is a sliver that both the left and the right can agree on. Employers viewing H1Bs as lower cost dispensable workers is definitely not desired by both sides. FWIW, I am an immigrant on H1B with both bachelor's and masters degrees from US universities.

View on HN

"Hire US Workers" doesn't strike you as anti-immigrant?

I don't see this as looking for constructive reform for, as an example, better conditions for H1B residents who have no mobility or leverage. Its saying "Stop H1B and stop foreigners from taking our jobs". If thats not their message, I don't know what is.

Absolutely not, I don't see it as protectionist either. If NYC had a problem with hiring native born New Yorkers because out-of-staters had comparable or better skillsets for lower prices than I would have no problem seeing a subway campaign saying Hire New Yorkers. I think at some level the barrier needs to be higher for out-of-towners wanting to move to a new place so that the city does not become unlivable for the people that have lived there their whole life or generations. The question is what is the right balance. If tech workers are hurting because they are being undercut by foreign labor I think it is unfair to point a finger and call them anti-immigrant when the system is set up in a way that corporations can abuse the system.

Anecdotally I have previously worked at Wall Street banks that used "Body Shops" with fixed term contracts to fill positions that otherwise Americans could fill. It's awesome working with smart people from over the planet, but the system needs to be configured in such a way that it does not undercut American wages. Companies need to be able to seek out specialized talent that they cannot find in their own local market, but it is abused so much that it cannot continue in its current form.

> I think at some level the barrier needs to be higher for out-of-towners wanting to move to a new place so that the city does not become unlivable for the people that have lived there their whole life or generations

There is such system for cities in China (Hu Kou) and it's a nightmare.

I guess the difference here is our views on tribalism? I don't see people who live outside of my community as "others" who I need protection from. I would gladly earn less money to experience greater diversity and give people outside my community and opportunity to join mine.

I think for me, the line might be around protecting against transience. IF you want to join my community, people who are looking to contribute and leave a lasting impact should get benefits over people who are there to make money and leave. But there isn't really a great way to monitor this.

The group behind them would like to "reform" the system by getting rid of it.

Getting rid of H1-B wouldn't end immigration though.

They also wish to get rid of many other immigration programs. However, they have chosen to focus on this one.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com