Bill Gates's Wish Is Homeland Security's Command

theodp writes "PC World reports that DHS has extended the time foreign graduates of US colleges can stay in the country and work to almost two-and-a-half years, an 'emergency' change that drew kudos from Microsoft and other H-1B visa stakeholders. Looks like when Bill Gates says 'Jump,' the government asks 'How high?' Bill Gates's Congressional Testimony, March 12, 2008: 'Extending OPT from 12 to 29 months would help to alleviate the crisis employers are facing due to the current H-1B visa shortage. This only requires action by the Executive Branch, and Congress and this Committee should strongly urge the Department of Homeland Security to take such action immediately.' DHS Press Release, April 4, 2008: 'The US Department of Homeland Security released today an interim final rule extending the period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) from 12 to 29 months for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students.'"

Comments

Jack Abramoff and Preston *Gates*

[Doc Ruby]

Jack Abramoff, the Republican gangster, got his start lobbying at the Preston Gates law firm. The "Gates" in the title is William H. Gates Sr, one of the foremost corporate lawyers in America, who helped his son William H. Gates III start Microsoft. Microsoft later was officially declared a monopoly abusing its market dominance, while Democrats controlled the Executive Branch. But when Republicans took control during the remedy phase of the monopoly trials, Microsoft was let off without the remedies that actually stop monopolies. Those Republicans were (and are) part of Abramoff's gang.

Re:When has there ever been an H1-B Visa surplus?

[Arthur B.]

So you want to artificially restrict the supply of labor by FORCING employers to hire American workers so YOU can have more money. Granted, the argument that there are "not enough" H1B visa for the jobs is bullshit, but there should be infinite H1B visa. By supporting restriction on labor you are using the armed power of the government against innocent people to get a higher paycheck. As a side-effect, the prices rise because of the artificial restriction on labor and capital flees. In my book you're a criminal.

Re:Well played Mr. Gates, well played.

[tjstork]

We need to Unionize the entire country. If we even have a fighting chance against corporate America. The sooner people realize that Unions are not as bad as the PR teams make them out to be. The sooner we can get stronger like the European Unions.

So what, we can go back to the days of Jimmy Hoffa? People that want to bring unions everywhere have no idea what they are talking about. Just to start with, why not go rent "On the Waterfront", and see what the union is all about.

Re:When has there ever been an H1-B Visa surplus?

[Arthur B.]

The only "abuse" here is done by DHS. The government has no right to tell an employer who he can or cannot employ.