Ugh. I can't deny this may happen, and it shouldn't. But at this point, I think a lot of people are aware that there are alternate universes of the H1B system

Ugh. I can't deny this may happen, and it shouldn't. But at this point, I think a lot of people are aware that there are alternate universes of the H1B system. One side of it doesn't (deliberately) treat an H1B worker any differently than anyone else. In truth, even in top companies, the limited mobility of the worker may influence things in ways that aren't noticed - if it's harder to leave, it's harder to negotiate, even if you're a top dev at google. But ultimately, these companies more or less hire and treat H1B workers the same as their core workforce. Then you have this completely alternate universe. A lot of people were pretty shocked (including people who strongly support skilled immigration) to discover that most of the largest users of this program are outsourcing companies. Part of the outrage even came from the pro H1B camp, since people who are offering very high salaries for top talent discover that visas are "all run out", because they have to apply for the same lottery as a company that is paying vastly less (and replacing a US citizen in the process).