Why are H-1Bs called indentured workers?
Employers have unusual leverage and power over the foreign H1B worker because that worker can not easily change jobs once they are here. Employers can pay them less, work them harder, and refuse to give them salary increases because they know the H-1B can’t leave as easily as a U.S. Citizen in a similar position. If the H1B worker decides to change jobs, they need another employer to sponsor them for the H1B visa, and the big “carrot” for the H1B worker is the promise of a “green card”. If they leave the first employer for another one, the green card process which has to start over from scratch. The prize of a green card is used as a carrot by the first employer because they know that the H-1B is taking a huge risk if his visa expires before the green card is approved. This carrot and stick game places the H1B worker in a bad position, making him essentially an indentured servant, docile, submissive and willing to work for less pay. If an H1B worker leaves his company that company may
