The United States offers a vast number of jobs in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Specialists refer to those fields as the “STEM” fields. The country is always expanding its workforce so that it can accommodate both native-born citizens as well as foreign nationals. Workers who have H-1B clearance help our economy by providing their expertise in the STEM fields which are essential to the progress and development of the United States. Some new job opportunities arise solely because foreign workers continue to offer their services.
How Do H-1B Visas Impact U.S. Wages?
Contrary to some people’s belief, the addition of H1-B workers to the workforce does not reduce wages for native-born workers at all. In fact, recent studies on the matter have shown that such workers have a positive impact on overall wages for employees that work for organizations whose workforce takes advantage of highly skilled H-1B workers.
H-1B Benefits on U.S. Employment and Wages in Recent Years
Recent studies on the wage impact of H-1B workers in the U.S. have illustrated positive effects on U.S. wages overall. A study that an organization conducted between 2009 and 2011 concluded that the wage growth was substantial for people who worked for a company that included H-1B professionals. The study also showed that the overall wages for workers with bachelor’s degrees was nominal, not negative.
Another study that was conducted between 1990 and 2010 revealed a similar outlook. The H-1B program started in 1990, therefore, researches measured and monitored the growth trends for 20 years. The findings revealed that the wage increases in H-1B STEM workers were directly related to the increased wages that occurred within native U.S. workers with college educations. Additionally, H-1B STEM wage increases directly affected wage increases for U.S.educated workers with both STEM and non-STEM jobs.
How Do H-1B Visas Impact U.S. Employment Rates?
Again, H-1B visa workers effect the U.S. employment rates in a positive way. A significant amount of media attention has highlighted these benefits by drawing attention to the economic contributions of H-1B workers in recent tears. These workers have helped to create new job opportunities, and they will help to fill gaps in STEM occupations in the United States.
Employment Trends Show a Need for Highly Skilled Workers
Various organizations and citizens argue that the presence of H-1B workers causes hiring of U.S.-native workers to freeze. Research has shown evidence that contradicts such statements. When compared, the unemployment rate for occupations which utilize H-1B skilled labor is much lower (which includes U.S. born workers) than the overall national unemployment rate. STEM jobs, for example, have a lower unemployment rate than the overall U.S. unemployment number. The availability of these highly skilled positions illustrate the continuing need to attract and maintain skilled labor in the U.S.
The Illusion of Negative Competition
A significant number of native born professionals operate under the illusion that competition from foreign nationals have only negative effects on their well-being. However, America’s powerful economy provides the opportunity for workers with H-1B visas to not only work alongside native-born workers, but also to compliment the existing workforce by fulfilling highly skilled positions that require competent candidates. H-1B visa works should be viewed as a blessing to the economy rather than a curse.
H-1B Cap Halting Progress of the U.S.
However, there is an important limitation that the United States has placed on itself, as well. By limiting the number of H-1B visas to 65,000 per year, the U.S. has stunted its ability to create new jobs. The U.S. rejected more than 178,000 H-1B visa applications between the years 2007 and 2008. It could be argued that metropolitan areas in the United States could have created many new jobs if the country had approved more H-1B applications.
Debunking the Myth That H-1B Workers Only Benefit the Technology Sector
The economic benefits of the H-1B visas are not limited to the technology sector. While it is true that that the U.S.’s use of its H-1B workers in the field of technology garners a great deal of public interest and attention, it is also true that the country still needs them in other areas as well. Many industries and organizations in the U.S. have a high demand for H-1B workers.
Influence of H-1B Workers in Metropolitan Areas and Major Organizations
Geographically, the need for highly skilled workers is evident. Workers with H-1B visas have been shown to be in high demand in developing metropolitan hub areas such as:
- Columbus, Indiana
- Boulder, Colorado
- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Trenton-Ewing, NJ
- And more.
Additionally, many major companies outside of the technology industry also have a great need for skilled workers with H-1B visas. Examples of such companies you probably know include but are not limited to:
- Walmart
- Bank of America
- Mayo Clinic
- Merrill Lynch
- Credit Suisse
- Caterpillar Inc.
- HTC Global
- Countless others
STEM occupations account for more than two thirds of jobs for H-1B workers and jobs in the crucial areas of business, finance, health care and life sciences have a dire need for these professionals.
Our Country’s Needs Are Obvious
The United States need more highly skilled workers in order to satisfy the needs of a continuously-expanding and innovative economy. The statistical information illustrates that the presence of H-1B workers already contributes the American economy and in the futures will create opportunity in the form of new positions. Highly skilled workers are not limited to solely H-1B visas. There are several additional types of visas that can accommodate various foreign born professionals including various types of H Visas, EB-1 Visas and L Visas – just to name a few. Other options for professionals include Optional Practical Training and Curricular Practical Training.
Contact Us For Assistance With Business and Professional Immigration
If you are a foreign born professional who is trying to determine your best option, or if you are an employer in search of talented and highly skilled workers, call Pride Immigration Law Firm PLLC or contact us online. With over a decade of experience in corporate and business immigration, we are completely equipped to help you reach your goals.
Beeraj Patel, Esq.
Latest posts by Beeraj Patel, Esq. (see all)
- What Benefits Does a Green Card Provide? - November 18, 2024
- Common Issues with Form I-140 and How to Overcome Them - November 12, 2024
- How Long Will It Take to Get a Green Card? - October 7, 2024