In 1999, the entire allotment was used up by June, five months before the fiscal year's end. This year, the visas were gone in March. With the quota set to tumble back to 65,000 in 2002, Congress is fighting over another increase. Several legislators plan to introduce proposals that would temporarily push the cap over 200,000. Such proposals enrage union representatives, who say that any visa increase harms domestic workers.
Labor leaders make two arguments.
First, they assert that the private sector is to blame for its own labor woes because U.S. workers could fill the gaps if the industry funded more retraining programs. These protectionist arguments are outdated and false. Companies don't apply for H1-Bs on a whim or to save a few bucks. The procedures are complicated and costly, typically requiring specialized lawyers. After proving they made a good-faith effort to hire an American, companies must file an array of forms in a process that often lasts several months.