H-1B demand this year will be fast, furious

[OhioChick]

Proponents will call demand come April 1 evidence of need while opponents will emphasize offshore outsourcing is behind demand

April 1, 2013 06:00 AM ET

WASHINGTON -- The federal government begins accepting new H-1B visa petitions today, with demand expected to be heavy. And the initial rush is going to be followed by much fury.

Industry proponents of the H-1B visa will argue -- at megaphone strength -- that high demand is evidence of both an improving economy and the need for skilled workers.

Opponents will counter that H-1B visa employees are displacing U.S. workers, and they will point in particular to H-1B visa demand by offshore outsourcing companies.

Immigration experts say visa demand this year will be high enough to cause the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) to hold a lottery to decide who gets a visa. The last time this happened was in 2008.

More: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9238009/H_1B_demand_this_year_will_be_fast_furious

[antigop]

1. There is "high demand" for lower salaries and benefits. That's what the "high demand" is. nt

[msongs]

2. cancel this for a year or so nt