Not everybody feels that way about immigration laws.
Outside SV, many regard H-1B Visas as a force that creates downward pressure on wages and working conditions for software developers.
One thing we do know is that immigrants form "networks" in SV and other places. There's no doubt that some of these networks are highly innovative but it's also clear that many immigrants are motivated to bring as many of their friends from the "old country" as they can -- and this consideration might affect their decision and hiring practices more than rational and economic considerations.
The truth is that the social fabric is strained to the breaking point in SF and SV. You can't walk 25 feet in SF without tripping over a homeless hippie. I don't know exactly how, but the overheated venture capital culture has got something to do with it.
Something I never hear about is that SV investors might consider starting a secondary center in, say, Kansas City or Mumbai.
1. I believe that by law an H-1B professional's salaries have to be competitive so that they don't undercut the market. In fact, I recall in my previous company that they posted salaries drawn for each H1B position.
2. Re: The networking point. This happens everywhere. Immigrants don't have some sort of magical cultural bond that non-immigrants don't. There are huge networks formed by ex-frat house members, club members and family friends that go on to take over the upper rings of society. (The US political society anyone?)
3. The homeless situation in SF is complex and ascribing it to one factor: The fact that a lot of money is pouring to the bay area is not a very convincing factor. Some competing "reasons" are that SF has nicer weather (thereby attracting people from other parts of the country), is generally more hospitable to homeless people (This might be off base but I believe benefits are better).
Do you truly believe that when an industry writes legislation that they haven't left loopholes in the resulting laws large enough to navigate the Queen Elizabeth II through?
Outside SV, many regard H-1B Visas as a force that creates downward pressure on wages and working conditions for software developers.
One thing we do know is that immigrants form "networks" in SV and other places. There's no doubt that some of these networks are highly innovative but it's also clear that many immigrants are motivated to bring as many of their friends from the "old country" as they can -- and this consideration might affect their decision and hiring practices more than rational and economic considerations.
The truth is that the social fabric is strained to the breaking point in SF and SV. You can't walk 25 feet in SF without tripping over a homeless hippie. I don't know exactly how, but the overheated venture capital culture has got something to do with it.
Something I never hear about is that SV investors might consider starting a secondary center in, say, Kansas City or Mumbai.