Re: Illegal / Legal Questions (was RE: .Net Job in Chicago)

This discussion raises something I've always found interesting regarding
the treatment of Visa workers in the United States.

I was an expatriate programmer in Western Europe for a few years.  During
this time, I observed several debates within various contries regarding the
necessity of restricting of worker visas due to local unemployment.  At no
time in any of these discussion were questions of discrimination,
xenophobia, or any similar categorizations raised.  The prevailing attitude
was that of "assuring opportunities were offered to your own citizens
first".  It was not (I mean NEVER) questioned other than for reasons of
economic impact.  In short, they protected their job markets for their own
residents far, far more agressively than the U.S. does and are unapologetic
about it.  They seem to feel it was their duty.

Whenever the possibility of restricting visas is raised in the United
States, it is usually followed by a "full body convulsion" from several
quarters with all the aforementioned discriminatory accusations.  And
judging by the tech unemployment rate for 40+ workers, we've certainly got
as many job protection issues as anybody else. Studies have shown the 40+
worker is the category that seems to be most heavily impacted by guest
workers.

I guess the question I'm posing here is,  Is restricting Visas in order
to "protect your own" bad for any country, or is the U.S. being held to
a different and unfair standard than others?

BTW.  This is the liveliest the job board has been for months, perhaps
ever.  Might as well do this, it sure doesn't get many job postings.