New federal data show H-1B and H-4 visas now capture 82% of all new US tech jobs
twitter.comI couldn't see any source for the figure in the headline?
That's because this tweet is written to maximize engagement. Number 3 uses a screenshot of some other random tweet that says all people of indian descent in the US are "agents" (5.1 million people).
Wow, the xenophobia is getting pretty blatant.
New Trump Immigration Policy: Ending The H-1B Visa Lottery - https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2025/07/21/new-t... - July 21st, 2025
Computer science has one of the highest unemployment rates - https://www.newsweek.com/computer-science-popular-college-ma... - May 23rd, 2025
Modification of Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/08/2021-00... - January 8th, 2025
This is a welcome change but we can go even further: we should raise the bar for permanent immigration, but eliminate the intermediate steps in between (even green cards).
If you are exceptionally qualified you should just become a citizen (with the responsibilities and pledge of loyalty as a citizen). And we should fast track that for those who qualify (again, on a significantly higher bar)
No way. You need an immigration system that has a "try before you buy" aspect to it. Not all educated immigrates are going to like the US and are not going to be a fit for the US. It's not just about keeping out bad education, it's making sure that those who think they want to want to immigrate to the US want to be part of the US.
> If you are exceptionally qualified you should just become a citizen...
Exceptionally qualified at what, doing some job nobody else wants to do?
I suspect a big part of "US exceptionalism" is that people who were shitty at math were allowed to immigrate and they either saw a niche in the market or their kids were able to 'learn all the math' and contribute to the Silicon Valley Cesspool.
So the tech industry for US citizens is mostly dead.
Companies are even incentivized to hire over Americans due to OPT and no payroll tax.
What industries are next?
OPT employees must still file taxes and pay income tax, but FICA (Social Security + Medicare) is exempt for both employer and employee as long as the worker remains in F-1 nonresident status (typically up to 5 calendar years).
For an OPT worker in F-1 status, the employer saves approximately 7.65% on payroll taxes compared to hiring a regular U.S. worker.
An OPT worker after graduating can remain in F1 status for 3 years while employed with these exemptions.
That is wrong. Only a short-term H1B (less than 6 months in US) is not subject to FICA. https://www.irs.gov/government-entities/employers-must-withh...
you are Wrong
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/fore...
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-...
No, if you actually read your links the reason that these students are not subject to FICA is because they are working as part of the educational requirement for their degree, and they are limited to part-time work.
I dont thin you read it.
STEM OPT Extension If you have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, you may apply for a 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT employment authorization if you:
Are an F-1 student who received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List (PDF); Are employed by an employer who is enrolled in and is using E-Verify; and Received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on your STEM degree.
No, you clearly still don't understand.
The OPT extension merely allows graduates to gain additional work training in field. The eligible degrees are limited to those in which work training is considered important/necessary for employment.
IOW, they're still students.
1. Come here on an F-1 visa for undergrad, work while you go to school, in stem, you can contract 20 hrs a week while in school and then work full time during breaks. No 'need' has to be justified.
2. F-1 in STEM graduates, gets 3 year OPT STEM work permit. Employer and visa holder pays so social security tax, and there is no need to justify it, and you can pay them as little as you can get away with. During this period, work like mad to find an H-1B job.
If not?
3. Go to grad school - work while there, then get another OPT STEM for 3 years with no need, no SS tas, any pay level
4. The visa holder has been in the U.S. for 10-12 years, working feverishly to line up the H-1B gig and when they get it, it's for 3 years, with an automatic 3 year extension just by asking. Get married to a gal from back home, he/she gets and H-4 and with any luck gets a work permit for as long as the spouse has wone.
5. The end point in this process is to have a company sponsor your for a Green Card. You can get a 1 year extension on your 6 year H-1B if 18 years wasn't enough time.
>no payroll tax
Is this for real? Companies don't have to pay payroll tax on H1Bs?
No, they have to pay it. Everyone has to pay payroll tax on all employees.
No, every one has to pay.