Quote from mkmps:
those 200k people that get H1-B's are usually very smart and productive. Another side of this equation is academics. I have a couple of Ph.D. students friends that are on H1 just doi ng research for pennies. So there are 2 side of the story. Peace.
The vast, vast majority of h1bs are IT workers. Nothing else even comes close. I have met some bright h1bs, but I have also met many who are very much below average. They are used because the employer has immense power over them. They are indentured servents. I have never met an h1b who wasnt going for his "green card", so temporary is a joke. This program is used to replace Americans with workers who have no rights, and lower wages in general. Plain and simple.
From
http://www.automationmatrix.com/
Top 15 Occupations Being Replaced
Occupation Title H-1B Visa Requests
System Analysis and Programming 2,296,732
Therapists 202,633
Accountants, Auditors and Related 200,807
Other Computer Related 196,371
Electrical/Electronics Engineering 137,270
Other Architecture, Engineering and Surveying 77,859
Miscellaneous Managers and Officials 62,184
College and University Education 59,850
Other in Administrative Occupations 58,026
Miscellaneous Professional, Technical and Managerial 50,135
Physicians and Surgeons 47,948
Mechanical Engineering 46,071
Occupations in Economics 41,794
Budget and Management Systems Analysis 40,345
Data Communications and Networks 37,028