Ask HN: Why are US tech workers so pro open borders?
6•TorontoTheGood•1h ago
I am trying to understand why US tech workers seem to be so Libertarian on open border immigration policy, when it clearly does not benefit them (downward pressure on salaries, immigrant ethnic cronyism, etc). Where does this attitude come from?
Comments
uberman•1h ago
Tech workers from what context? The majority of H-1B visas go to tech workers. There are large tech employers with teams in the USA that speak an East Asian language exclusively while in office in the USA. Teams that will not employ English only speakers.
Pichai came to the USA as a student and worked initially on an H-1B visa as did Musk. Musk once claimed he would "go to war" supporting this program though he may feel differently today.
Given that much of "big tech" is staffed and run by immigrants why would we not expect big tech to be pro open boarders at least as it relates to tech employment?
TorontoTheGood•1h ago
That's not what I am asking. I want to know why US-born people in tech is/was so pro open border when it clearly does not benefit US labor. You don't get a lot of push-back from within tech against these hiring practices.
franktankbank•59m ago
I used to have more open attitudes, probably mostly stemming from the idea that America should take in the best and the brightest and that was a big driver of Americas rise to power. I sort of see it more like a Trojan horse as used in the last 30 - 40 years.
xhkkffbf•14m ago
I think the answer is that it depends upon who is talking and how the question is asked. Many recognize that it helps the US to import great talent. But people also recognize the downward pressure on wages and the sometimes explicit racism that appears. It's not usual to hear stories of managers who only want to hire people with the same skin color.
So if you ask the question in general, you'll get some basic support. But if you ask, perhaps, about H1B abuse you'll find that people will often confirm that it occurs.
jfyi•20m ago
I am opposed to borders on a fundamental, ideological level. They are an expression of state violence prohibiting natural freedom of movement and trade.
I don't believe that is actually a commonly held capital "L" Libertarian belief though, and certainly would not associate myself with that party.
victorbjorklund•10m ago
You might as well ask why US tech workers are in favour of computer science education when it clearly does not benefit them that new people learn to code etc.
uberman•1h ago
Pichai came to the USA as a student and worked initially on an H-1B visa as did Musk. Musk once claimed he would "go to war" supporting this program though he may feel differently today.
Given that much of "big tech" is staffed and run by immigrants why would we not expect big tech to be pro open boarders at least as it relates to tech employment?
TorontoTheGood•1h ago
franktankbank•59m ago
xhkkffbf•14m ago
So if you ask the question in general, you'll get some basic support. But if you ask, perhaps, about H1B abuse you'll find that people will often confirm that it occurs.