Sunday, January 03, 2010

The H1B Visa. What does it do to our college graduates?

Unemployment demographics: (click title to entry - thank you)

Under educated with less than a High School Diploma is currently 15%.

USA High School Graduates is currently 10.4%.

Some College or an Associate Degree is currently 9%.

Bachelor degree or higher is currently 4.9%.

The primary issue in the USA when it comes to unemployment is education. Does the H1B Visa hurt our unemployed? Probably a little, but, not significantly enough to stop the program. The primary threat to our USA Labor force in regard to unemployment comes from illegal immigration and employing undocumented workers.

The REAL question in regard to H1B Visa, is not does it cause unemployment, BUT, does it actually 'displace' USA college grads OUT of their chosen field and into lower paid labor employment. That is the real question in regard to H1B Visas. If the Visa is shown to 'displace' our college educated labor force, then the program needs to be reexamined.

But, from an 'emergency' stand point, it is the USA UNDER-EDUCATED that are hardest hit by illegal immigration. Ask the folks in 'tent cities' across the USA if they will accept lower minimum wage employment rather than live as they are, I have a feeling they would welcome the opportunity.

When I was in Junior High and High School, I really enjoyed working as a farm worker and being paid by the 'basket' (or the pound depending on the produce.) at a local produce farm. It kicked butt, you know? Tan lines, muscles and some cash in the pocket to boot. No taxes taken out and plenty of 'whistles' when we worked near a roadway. Lunch under a shade tree was fun. That was all good until I landed a Dental Assistant job at the age of 16 (No special certification was needed then, only on the job taining. I was a good worker, ya know?) when I finally applied for an SSI number. That's different now, one has an SSI number at birth these days. I was never lazy and enjoyed being an American. I took advantage of the 'employment and education opportunities' all my life.