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Dear Editor:
For the first time in almost twenty years, I am having great difficulty in finding work. I am surely one among many in these trying economic times.
My particular situation is affected by something even more ominous than the
current recession. In the last few years, my government has seen fit to
allow over 300,000 citizens of other countries into the United
States. They were allowed in to perform my job, at a far lower rate of pay than I would
receive.
Yes, I am a Computer Programmer. Without a college degree, I was
able to develop my expertise to the point where I commanded a fee greater
than someone with an advanced college degree. There are few professions
where the self-taught can command greater salaries than those
with advanced degrees can. I was very proud of my accomplishments. But a few
years ago, the corporations for which I worked, convinced my government that
there were not enough programmers to go around. This actually meant, we are tired of
paying these programmers high rates. So the corporations stuffed enough
money into the pockets of our elected officials to convince them. My
government than allowed 100,000 extra programmers a year into the country
for the next three years.
Would the AMA ever allow the same policy with
Doctors? Would the ABA ever allow the same policy with Lawyers? So, why
has my government forsaken me? The answer is very clear. Computer
Programmers have no organization to look out for their best interests. We
have no organization to pump funds into the pockets of our elected
officials. That is why we were hung out to dry. So now I am
faced with the competition of over 300,000 citizens of other countries, doing my
job, at a lower rate.
I served my country for four years in the Military and have
always been a proud American. Like many others, I believe that within
America, Americans should come first! Why is my government
giving my job to those outside the United States and denying their own citizens? How long
will these hundreds of thousands of competitors for my job be here?
Check the following link:
Debunking the Myth of a Desperate Software Labor Shortage
http://heather.cs.ucdavis.edu/itaa.real.html
http://www.zazona.com/ShameH1B
Sincerely,
Gregory R. Farrington
I have over 300,000 non-Americans competing for MY job in MY Country!
Dear Editor:
I think it is very true about the comment that a reader has written in the edition of February 1 issue of Immigrant's Weekly. People come to the U.S. for freedom. This land is full of opportunity for people of all world. Why is it so difficult to legalize those that are already here in the U.S.?
They haven't affected our lives before the September 11 attack, so why is it such a big deal now. They are probably one of the hardest working people you will come to meet. They work for a lot less than what US citizens are earning. They are just trying to earn a living to support their family just like everyone is doing in this country. Most of them have children who are born in the U.S. Do we really want to separate a child from their parent and turn to the government to help support these children? Children should always be a number one goal in this country. To help keep them happy and sheltered is a goal only their parents could do best.
We experience a world of opportunity in this country, why not share it with people of all kind. We can't let prejudice get the best of us.
Bich Thuy
