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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Are H-1B Visas Costing American Jobs?

    The H-1B Visa program, begun in 1990, is designed to fill jobs requiring advanced science or computer skills — but only when American workers can't be found. Immigrants who are qualified receive temporary work permits, and federal guidelines say the practice should not "adversely affect the wages or working conditions" of American employees.

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    By Warren Olney • Jun 10, 2015 • 38m Listen

    The H-1B Visa program, begun in 1990, is designed to fill jobs requiring advanced science or computer skills — but only when American workers can't be found. Immigrants who are qualified receive temporary work permits, and federal guidelines say the practice should not "adversely affect the wages or working conditions" of American employees. Now they're a nightmare made real. Veteran employees are not only laid off, but required to train younger, cheaper replacements from other countries. It's happened at an iconic American company: Disney. Now tech giants Google, Microsoft and Facebook want more foreign workers. We hear how the H-1B program is dividing both parties in Congress and candidates on the trail to the White House.

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sáša Woodruff

      Producer, 'To the Point'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

    • KCRW placeholder

      "John"

      Southern California Edison (formerly)

    • KCRW placeholder

      Julia Preston

      The Marshall Project

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      Ron Hira

      Economic Policy Institute

      NewsNationalPolitics
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