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San Diego’s Qualcomm is the fifth-largest user of H-1B talent
According to the White House 50% of job growth in the US after WW2 came from technology jobs. Technology is the goose that lays the golden egg. The H-1B Visa is killing the innovation machine and the corporate hacks claim that the reverse is true (that failing to issue more visas will kill innovation). In the Silicon Valley, the mechanisms for innovation from start-ups is well known. Talented engineers get tired of working for larger staid companies and branch out on their own. That cycle is heavily impacted when the worker is chained to a company for 6 years waiting for a Green Card.— January 15, 2013 10:26 p.m.
San Diego’s Qualcomm is the fifth-largest user of H-1B talent
I traveled to Toronto many times in a previous job while interacting with Rogers TV. I was stunned to see exactly what you've described. Only in Canada it's not just STEM workers being replaced, it's also low wage jobs like Taxi drivers and fast food. In the US much of the unskilled jobs are being driven by illegal immigration, while in Canada it seems as though legal immigration from India is filling those jobs. Indian presence is everywhere in Toronto. When I stepped off of the airplane into the lobby there was a huge banner proclaiming, "Celebrating India in Canada!". There was even a kids TV show where the main character was an Indian girl living in Canada, I think it was called "Mindy" or something like that.— January 15, 2013 10:20 p.m.
San Diego’s Qualcomm is the fifth-largest user of H-1B talent
It is a hard thing to believe, but consider these points: - Dan Sullivan testified before congress (while lobbying for an increase in the H-1B Visa cap) before congress back ~1999 that foreign workers represented less than 5% of the company workforce. - Since then, Qualcomm total employment in the region has remained relatively flat at around 10,000 employees (give or take a few thousand).. - During that time the company has brought in about 10,000 foreigners into the region on H-1Bs and Green Cards. - Presumably at least some Americans are also hired in the process. The only way that these numbers make sense is if there is a net outflow of talent from the company along with massive displacement of American workers (most probably replaced through attrition). If the company doubled in size while importing 10,000 foreigners I would say that you are probably right, but if you start with around 10,000 American employees, add 10,000 foreigners and end up with 10,000 employees, there hasn't been a net job creation in the area, but rather a net outflow of 10,000 people. These are all rough numbers of course, but only because Qualcomm refuses to release more information about their hiring practices.— January 15, 2013 10:10 p.m.
San Diego’s Qualcomm is the fifth-largest user of H-1B talent
Yes Mumbai is a huge center for financial outsourcing. The work being outsourced is financial analysis, company research, etc. Crushing the IT job market has worked so well that companies are targeting other industries. Rite-Aid and CVS are both large consumers of H-1Bs. They have discovered they can insource people in order to reduce pharmacy expenses for example.— January 15, 2013 9:53 p.m.
San Diego’s Qualcomm is the fifth-largest user of H-1B talent
Very true, In fact government statistics on STEM employment has shown that employment in IT related fields has been relatively flat over the past 10 years.— January 15, 2013 9:49 p.m.
San Diego’s Qualcomm is the fifth-largest user of H-1B talent
One other thing about Qualcomm - Rather than being a consumer of local talent and a job creation engine for Americans, I think it's highly likely that Qualcomm is an exporter of engineering talent to the region. Young engineers are recruited directly overseas, come to the company and work for 10 years or so (waiting for their Green Card) and then leave and work elsewhere. This means that Qualcomm isn't hiring the young talent here and is also contributing to American worker displacement at other companies. Think of that for a moment and reflect. The biggest employer in San Diego is likely not a net consumer of American workers, but a net sourcer of cheap foreign workers to the region.— January 12, 2013 1:09 p.m.
San Diego’s Qualcomm is the fifth-largest user of H-1B talent
The corporate rationale for insourcing has been to reduce engineer compensation which has definitely been the case. The sad thing though is that the labor distortion has created a system of apartheid that prefers to hire foreigners (mostly Indians) rather than Americans. I've seen this happen at Qualcomm and most of the engineers that I know have experienced it first-hand. One ex-Qualcomm engineer who was himself a Chinese H-1B Visa holder referred to the "Indian Mafia" during his stint at Qualcomm. Speaking of Qualcomm, the company has hired close to 10,000 foreign born workers (both H-1B and green card) for a staff of only about 11,000 to 12,000 workers in the US. Qualcomm has publicly stated that 70% of their H-1B hires are Indians. What a stunning statistic and why Qualcomm should be labeled for performing corporate treason. A study came out today citing Qualcomm's economic benefits to the region. The study cited the local payroll numbers, tax numbers, etc. But how much of that payroll is directly going to Americans? How much of the payroll ends up going to mostly Indians and how much of that flows out of the US economy and back to India?— January 12, 2013 1:05 p.m.
San Diego’s Qualcomm is the fifth-largest user of H-1B talent
Don, thanks for highlighting this important issue. This is an important issue to all Americans and not just engineers. Why? Because outsourcing and insourcing via the H-1B and many other Visas is the blueprint that Corporations and Wall Street are using to marginalize the middle class. Regardless of income, anyone who collects a paycheck from a company can be replaced using either of these methods and are therefore middle class. Definitely sad to see that the Democrats have been bought off as much as the Republicans when it comes to increasing the cap on insourcing visas. This country is doomed. Chronically high unemployment rates during a time of historically low interest rates and record corporate profits should be a cause for Americans to riot in the streets.— January 12, 2013 12:43 p.m.
OK, Mr. Abrams, Super 8’s a Hit — Back to Star Trek Now?
Sorry, hate to disagree. Taken in context for it's day, the Original Series was much better than Next Generation. But I heartily concur that J.J. Abrams needs to get back to Star Trek.— June 22, 2011 6:25 p.m.
More Layoffs at Union-Tribune
It's sad to watch the ruination of the newspaper industry. The loss of serious journalism has created an enormous problem for this country and is one of the reasons for the shocking gains made by the Robber Barons over the past 10 years. It may also be responsible for some of the increase in political polarization in this country. I read an article recently where the CIA has said that the US could face disastrous consequences in the future because lack of serious journalism could lead to a loss of the checks and balances that are needed in the decision making process. It was surprising to see the CIA recognize this as a problem as well...— June 17, 2011 7:14 p.m.