Indian outsourcers, Microsoft top the list of H-1B users in '08

[ChromeFoundry]

Source: ComputerWorld

Infosys Technologies used the most overall; Microsoft led among U.S. firms

February 23, 2009 (Computerworld) WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Microsoft Corp. was the top U.S.-based recipient of H-1B visas in 2008, receiving approval for 1,037 visas, slightly more than in 2007. But the largest users of the program remain the major Indian offshore IT services firms --and their use of H-1Bs appears to be increasing, according to government data.

(See a searchable listing of the companies receiving H-1B visas in 2008.)

The importance of the H-1B visa program to India-based outsourcers is clear from the fiscal 2008 approval list compiled by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). That fiscal year ended Sept. 30.

The H-1B visa program has been one of the most controversial issues in the IT industry. High-tech firms argue that the visas are needed so they can recruit talented graduates from U.S. universities. But opponents say the program is being used to push down wages and enable the offshoring of IT jobs.

The program is currently capped at 65,000 annually, with another 20,000 set aside for advanced-degree graduates of U.S. universities.

In the latest listing of visa holders, Infosys Technologies Ltd. remained the top user, receiving approval for 4,559 -- the same number it got in fiscal 2007. Otherwise, the numbers for other major users varied, with some of the offshore firms showing sizable increases in their use of the program.

In second place after Infosys was Wipro Ltd., which received approval for 2,678 H-1B visas in 2008. The year before, Wipro got 2,567.

Read more: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9128450&intsrc=hm_ts_head

---

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

[Deja Q]

1. Microsoft deserves to survive. America does not.

:shrug:

[OhioChick]

2. Color me surprised......not. n/t

[ihavenobias]

4. Yep. n/t

[babylonsister]

3. Not a big surprise, is this. nt

[Skittles]

5. disgusting

[daggahead]

6. Welllll ... I'll add that my list of "Why I Hate Microsoft " ... n/t

[On the Road]

7. I'm Shocked That Verizon Has Only 11 Visas Listed

landline, wireless, and all other parts of the business. There are a ton of people from India and other countries here -- I wonder what their immigration status is.