We need to rationalize our immigration policy while there is still time. There are some easy things to do. First, allow unused visa numbers from the many countries that do not send immigrants to the United States to be used by nations, like India and China, who do. After a sufficient period in H-1B status allow the person to apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident. Such an application is judged independently of a specific job opportunity that can never change or is restricted to one city.
Business never recruits for a fixed job and constantly moves people around.
If the green card applicant earns a sufficient points by satisfying criteria on age, English language fluency, education, and marketable skills that can be shown to benefit the US economy, they should be allowed to stay permanently. Fifth, end the ban on spousal employment for H-4s that cruelly and unnecessarily puts the promising careers of countless professional spouses into the deep freeze. Sixth, no longer insist on current priority dates as a precondition to adjustment of status applications. Allow the H-1B to apply after the period of apprenticeship has been served, but insist on visa availability before it can merit final approval. There are those who say that all of this is simply the alarmist wailings of an immigration apologist.