American IT workers face harsh realities in the globalized marketplace

You wouldn’t know it from the fairly conventional author photo that graces Ephraim Schwartz’s Reality Check, but these days the InfoWorld columnist stands out in a crowd.

He’s the guy with the bull’s-eye painted on his forehead. Or so it seems, based on the mountain of inflamed e-mail he’s received since his April 4 column about the challenges faced by foreign workers trying to get H-1B visas for employment in the United States.

Response to the column has been fast and furious. “I was called ignorant, disloyal, and a dupe of the immigration-lawyer lobby,” Schwartz says. “One reader said my comments were close to treason.” Many missives came from unemployed American tech workers who recounted their struggles to find work in this outsourcing-crazed economy. “I did get one supportive e-mail, a letter from a CEO of an outsourcing company who thanked me for having the courage to write this,” he adds.

Not much of a batting average there, Ephraim.

It’s clear that the issue of hiring foreign workers — here or abroad — has emerged as a core concern that provokes high passion. Undeterred, Schwartz takes another swipe at the issue this week, continuing along the perilous path that has become the third rail of IT (see “The H-1B visa issue revisited”).

“I am not advocating hiring foreign nationals over Americans,” Schwartz says. “I’m merely reporting on real-life situations that are happening every day.” According to his most recent column, many U.S. companies are hiring H-1B visa holders simply because they may cost less than comparable American workers. With tight IT budgets continually top of mind, this kind of hiring practice will likely increase, most assuredly at the expense of U.S. citizens.

Schwartz’s column is called Reality Check for a reason. Some may argue the value of supporting American workers and the importance of loyalty to the Red, White, and Blue, but corporate America is unlikely to change its course. For better or worse, a company’s loyalty is to its owners, the shareholders. Its charter is to maximize share value.

U.S. workers will need to find ways to make themselves more attractive to employers, whether through education, specialization, or innovation.

It’s harsh terrain that Schwartz is navigating. Just don’t shoot the messenger.

On the subject of innovation, InfoWorld is now accepting nominations for our annual Innovators awards. If you know of a technology pioneer whose body of work and thought has advanced the practice and understanding of IT, please nominate them with this form. Nominations are open through May 20. Winners will be announced in August.