Some H-1B workers say they feel insulted by debate over visa holders

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Jan. 6, 2025, 4:05 PM EST


Missouri resident Madhav Rao Pasumarti holds an H-1B visa working in IT managing product processes. Over the last couple weeks, he’s watched as he and others who share his visa status have been called “invaders” and “cheap labor.” He said it’s hurtful and baffling, and he pointed out that visa holders like him are people who want to contribute and have much at stake.

As the issue continues to be the subject of debate, people like Pasumarti, 49, who hold an H-1B, a temporary visa for high-skilled workers, say they’re unsure of what will happen to them. “It is confusing, actually, to be frank with you,” Pasumarti said, pointing out the whiplash between other recent messaging that focuses on embracing immigrants with specialty skills.

A fiery debate between different factions of MAGA loyalists ignited on social media in the days following Christmas after some of President-elect Donald Trump’s advisers came out in support of legal, high-skill immigration.

It started after Trump named venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan to an artificial intelligence advisory role. An explosion of racism and xenophobia against Krishnan followed, with some on the far right criticizing him for past statements in support of green cards for skilled workers.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/h1b-visas-debate-immigration-ramaswamy-musk-trump-rcna186173

[iemanja]

1. Did they think they were exempt from the hateful rhetoric about immigrants?

Why? Because they aren't Hispanic? Did they pay attention to the Trump campaign at all?

[Skittles]

2. INDEED

still, they have to know part of their appeal to rich assholes in America is they are indeed less costly

[OldBaldy1701E]

3. And, much easier to take advantage of.

But, they won't talk about that part, now will they?

[Skittles]

9. yes, absolutely "easier to control"

rich people LOVE that

no, they won't acknowledge it at all

[Baitball Blogger]

8. You are correct.

I have even read a post by an East Indians who denigrated Latinos. Obviously, one comes in with an educational background, the other one has mostly physical labor to offer and the importance of physical labor is underrated, which makes Latinos targets of disrespect. And, yes, the East Indian was pretty rude. Talking about Latinos like they were untouchables.

So, it's pretty karmic to see them realize they're facing the same troubles in this country.

[Aussie105]

4. Strange how a large section of American voters

listened to Trump's rhetoric but never joined the dots and worked out what it would mean for them personally.

Immigrants aren't taking your jobs.

They have skills needed in America, or do jobs Americans don't want to do.

Australia, 1960's - main meal was always potatoes, three veg and overcooked meat.
Influx of immigrants from Europe and Asia brought not only much needed labour, but widened the culinary horizons tremendously.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. "Influx of immigrants from Europe and Asia brought not only much needed labour, but widened the culinary horizons"

Like this one whose recipes I make -

https://www.youtube.com/@Marionskitchen



(her mom is on some of her videos and is a trip)

[IronLionZion]

7. Americans don't want to move every few months

IT in America is contracted out to consulting firms whose workers move cities based on where and when certain specialized skills are needed. Americans prefer to own homes and live in one community.

The "jobs" people are imagining don't exist now and won't come back by ending the H1B visa. The nature of IT has evolved. It's like the idiots who think Trump will bring back coal mining or lower grocery prices. They will be very disappointed.

[Skittles]

10. most IT jobs can be done from home

they don't need to MOVE

[IronLionZion]

11. ROFL

That's a very funny joke. Thank you for that.

Sorry, if it can be done remote, then it can be done overseas. They don't need visas at all.

[Skittles]

12. right

but the ones overseas can, and DO quit VERY easily

Visas solve that issue

I know because I worked in IT for over forty years.

[IronLionZion]

13. It's about abuse and control

they want workers to be unable to quit. Abuse doesn't work on most Americans. Americans can and do quit very easily.

[Skittles]

15. correct

I worked in OPS so I was perfectly positioned to see what happened when entire groups of American workers were laid off and replaced by offshore folk in India and Brazil. It had NOTHING to do with "skills" and everything to do with getting people cheaper and suppressing wages. Often they would keep one or two of the American folk for "backup" but I had to call them ALL THE TIME.

[MichMan]

6. Wonder if the subject of the OP is referring to DU?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219860382

[electric_blue68]

14. A visa historical side note correction...

Last edited Tue Jan 7, 2025, 10:42 PM - Edit history (1)

I worked in NYS Dept of Labor Sept '80 - Aug '81 re: Labor Certification ie ; green cards. We were a provisional (non civil service) group hired help the agency catch up with applications.

I worked in the most boring section; house keepers, au pairs, and 1 other category. Luckily I had nice co-workers, and met more from the other sections (bunches of desks put together in a Big room!) ie Manufacturing, Science, etc.

Way to my left was the H-1B group. Back then it was H-1 visas. That included artists, entertainers, too.

Eventually there became H-1A, H-1B.

Artists of extraordinary abilities, and others became O-1. Entertainers and others became P-1

Just some corrections.

As for our location (which was moved to Brooklyn several+ years later) it was the extraordinary view of the NE corner windows of the 73rd flr in South Tower 2.
Two elevators!

Unfortunately I accidentally threw out the slides I took over several months.
But the memories are still quite clear! I also have one very small real life sketch, which I refound by accident in a sketch book.