In the March 29, 2007 article "Tech worker visa scramble begins," Debra Fiori, director of human resources for RTKL Associates, a Baltimore-based architecture firm alleged that "There's a shortage of U.S. workers in architecture and engineering" and explained how RTKL was preparing to beat the H-1b filing deadline for several H-1b applications.What RTKL failed to disclose is that, according to Department of Labor LCA records, RTKL pays their H-1b architects a wage as low as $32,000. (While some are Intern positions, most are not, and only three about 100 H-1b positions pay more than $60,000 salary.)
Furthermore, in spite of RTKL’s claim of a labor shortage – and no access to H-1b workers for several months – their website lists only a handful of open positions in each major city.
H-1b Proponents claim that the program has substantial wage protections for U.S. workers. But DOL approved these $32,000 architect positions.
