hue and cry over H1-B

The news spread like fire..

The hottest topic of discussion these days is either the inundation of H-1B petitions within hours of first day USCIS began accepting the applications or miserable ouster of Indian cricket team at WC'07. Every international student I've met in past 2 days has but one concern. Everyone is making their guesses and pulling up all the logic they can to predict the fate of their H1-B petition.

And the funniest part is 'The agency said it will use computers to randomly pick visa recipients from the applications received Monday and Tuesday. It will reject the rest of the applications and return the filing fees.' So, all of us are at the mercy of their computers now :)

There are other factors like whether your application falls in the category of people holding advanced degrees from US universities since they enjoy a separate quota of 20K. The debate is whether the limit should be increased and US senators seem to be forever arguing on it. They have to answer the giants like Microsoft, IBM who make money for US and want more no. of skilled international employees on one hand and local protagonists, who oppose the intake of foreigners taking over their jobs, on other. The demand of H1-Bs is increasing unprecedentedly: in 2005, the applications limit was reached till as late as september; in 2006, it went till May and 2007, all records broken!

Well, let's see what happens. I am not much disturbed; I know that the companies need me as much as, if not more than, my needing them. I wouldn't be disappointed in the least in going back. The suspense should clear in 15 days or so and good luck to all the students who want to make it big here and all their chances depend on this one 'very sought after' piece of paper.