Are you a foreigner working in the US? How did you get a work permit?

Having seen the strong job market for developers and designers in the US, I'd thought about working there in the future. However, I've been so put off by the stories of immigration (H1-B visa yearly allowances going in 5 days etc) that I've effectively ruled out working there anytime soon. I'm curious to know who has managed to get working rights in the US, and how they did it. (A couple of notes from me: I have a Masters in Design and a few years' work experience, so I do have demonstrable skills).