“Beginning in the 1960's, some 25,000 Indian ‘top graduates’ in engineering and related fields left for the United States, where many became extremely successful, among other things, running ‘more than 750 technology companies in California’s Silicone Valley alone.’ They have responded positively to the Indian government’s urging them to invest in education programs, training institutes, and productive facilities in India.” page 284We not only need to build a wall on the southern border but possibly walls around the airports. I have heard a lot of concern about the H-1B. It sounds like a virus instead of a visa but if my memory serves me correctly it is for people who have skills that are needed but in short supply. I heard about it because the techies I was around were complaining because people were being brought in from India to fill jobs they wanted and the people from India were willing to work for much less. It was a high tech way of getting cheap labor.
It was also a way to undermine the advantages of the United States. India has made a focused appeal to keep people loyal to their home country. They were encouraged to look at themselves as agents of India who were going to take as much as they could from this country and transfer it home. It isn’t only the Mexicans who are sending billions back to momma. It is common in the Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino and others.
It has long been a policy for countries to try for a brain drain from others. The idea was originally that the stronger nation would invite the brightest and best to come and study. They would offer a superior education. The hope was that once here the students would end up staying and enriching the host nation. Now it seems to be working the other way.
We need to tighten up on the visas that undermine American workers. We need to examine the role of foreign nationals who have no allegiance to the United States and are in positions to undermine our security. The hard part will be balancing freedom with responsible policies that are open and fair to all involved.
Keep in mind, it is more than just a leaky southern border. It also effects high tech.
Huntington, Samuel P. Who Are We? New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004.
homo unius libri
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