I do think there are problems with H1B visas these days... Too many go to big consulting companies (Infosys, Wipro, Tata, L&T, Satyam), but... Your post-boom H

I do think there are problems with H1B visas these days... Too many go to big consulting companies (Infosys, Wipro, Tata, L&T, Satyam), but... Your post-boom H1B claims are simply not true. The glut of H1B visas were available and used DURING the boom. For several years after 2000 the cap was not reached. In 2003 the cap was reduced to 65k (1998 levels). Your generalized claims about the quality level of H1B workers looks to be xenophobia (or worse). In 1999/2000, H1B visas were much less flexible than they are today. People were beholden to their companies/jobs. Transferring to another job/company took 5 months. Holders had 10 days to leave the country after losing their jobs. Out-of-status one wasn't allowed to find a new job. During the boom, enforcement of those last two things was not always strict, but afterwards it was. KICKING ALL THOSE PEOPLE OUT CAUSED THE OUTSOURCING BOOM. A well-educated workforce, familiar with the American corporate landscape, a business network in America, forced to move back, willing to apply their skills with the help of cheap local labor. While ragging on those H1B holders, it is important to realize that THEY FILLED THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY COFFERS without ever being allowed to collect (look up '40 social security credits').