Is New Jersey Selling Out American Workers?

Update:

‘New Jersey became the No. 1 state to move away from in 2018, according to new data from moving and relocation company United Vans Lines.

The top reason why residents left was for a professional opportunity, the UVL data shows. Of all the residents who moved out, 46 percent listed “job” as the deciding factor.’

People are fleeing from New Jersey more than any other state—here’s the No. 1 reason why

Are non-immigrant visa workers literally displacing Americans from their jobs and homes?

 

There are several indications that New Jersey is selling out American workers in favor of H-1B and J-1 visa workers at a higher rate than many other states. This begs the question – is New Jersey indicative of the grim future for American Workers and American Graduates across America?

From Birthplaces of Software Developers in U.S. through 2018, we see 9 NJ counties (Middlesex, Hudson, Mercer, Somerset, Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Morris, Camden) were among the top 50 American counties with the Lowest Percentage of U.S. Born Computer Software Developers, 1000 or more workers, in 2018. As can be seen below, in Hudson County American born Software Developers (including Blacks and Hispanics) are a minority, while India born Software Developers are a majority.

Key facts about the U.S. H-1B visa program and California, Texas and New Jersey Employers Have the Most to Lose From H-1B Restrictions (but doesn’t mention employees have the most to gain) both show New Jersey has a high number of approved H1B visa workers, especially when one considers New Jersey’s size and population. In 2013, New Jersey had the highest concentration of H1B visa workers of the top 10 states for H1B. And since New Jersey is basically a sanctuary state for unlawful immigrants, the number may be much higher when including those with expired H1B or F-1 visas.

Claiming that “J-1 Physicians Essential to U.S. Health Care” (they’re not; see Unmatched American Doctors), from Educational Commission For Foreign Medical Graduates we learn New Jersey is ranked 9th for displacing American Medical Graduates from Medical Residencies with J-1 visas. Interestingly, the list of top 10 states for approved H1B and the list of top 10 states for J-1 displacing American Medical Graduates have 7 states in common. Those states not in the top 10 for approved H1B often have 1 or more counties among the top 50 displacing American born software developers (Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida).

From Matt Bonness’ H1B Bodyshop Report – Sept 28, 2020, we see 4 of the Top 10 Worst H1B Bodyshops are located in New Jersey – two in Edison. 2nd rank Larsen & Toubro Infotech was raided by ICE in 2019 after faking invitation letters from Apple, and sued by two female former employees for gender discrimination in 2012.

Edison NJ, home of 2 of the Top 10 Worst H1B Bodyshops, is located in Middlesex County – top ranked American county with the fewest American born software developers (18.7%; see above 1st link). Certainly suggests a relationship between Worst H1B Bodyshops and the most displaced American born software developers.

This is a “Race To The Bottom” solely to replace American Workers and American Graduates with the lowest cost labor possible with working conditions that would not be tolerated by Americans.

In 2019 Governor Murphy Opens NJ Office in India; Announces Tech MOU Deal.

“India is one of New Jersey’s largest trade and investment partners, and Indian-Americans represent the largest group of foreign-born residents in New Jersey, state officials said. The New Jersey India Center will cultivate international investment opportunities in the Garden State and deepen cultural and educational ties between New Jersey and India, they added.”

Did Governor Murphy sell out NJ Institute Of Technology to NASSCOM?

“. . . this partnership will give NASSCOM member companies direct access to NJIT’s impressive Venturelink Incubator, along with three-months free rent.”

Sounds like a transfer of technology from NJIT to NASSCOM at New Jersey taxpayer expense, both in terms of dollars and jobs (F1 CPT/OPT vs American Graduates).

Why are American elected officials so quick to make these deals that might provide some short term gains for a few, but in the long run produce long term loses for many, many more? Why are the needs of the few (corporations) outweighing the needs of the many (American workers)?

Two possible relationships have been identified – a) most American Medical Graduates displaced for Medical Residencies by J-1 visa and fewest American born software developers (or most approved H1B); b)Worst H1B Bodyshops and fewest American born software developers. Granted this seems obvious, but the numbers gives positive support to the hypothesis. And numbers can make all the difference in presenting a successful argument.