Give Americans Their IT Jobs Back
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
For decades, American workers have been systematically overlooked in their own homeland, especially in the information technology (IT) industry. As an Iranian-American, ex-Muslim, former vegan, and former socialist with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and a specialty in cybersecurity, I've experienced firsthand the struggles and barriers faced by American-born professionals trying to secure a stable place in an industry overrun by outsourcing and foreign hiring preferences. I’m here to advocate a policy shift that prioritizes American talent, for the sake of both national security and economic stability.
When I held leadership positions as the Executive Director of CAIR Columbus and President of the Muslim Forum of Utah, I believed we should embrace global perspectives and collaborative systems, including in the IT sector. However, working in various settings alongside both Americans and foreign professionals has led me to see the stark reality: U.S. companies have increasingly displaced American IT talent with cheaper, temporary labor from abroad. This practice has created a significant socioeconomic issue for Americans and undermines the technological backbone of our nation.
Outsourcing and the Impact on American Workers
It’s no secret that American companies have turned to outsourcing and H-1B visas to reduce labor costs. The H-1B visa program, initially designed to fill genuinely vacant positions with highly specialized foreign labor, has morphed into a cost-cutting loophole that enables companies to bypass hiring American talent. Since its inception, over a million foreign workers have flooded the IT job market, creating an environment where U.S. citizens and permanent residents often find themselves sidelinedver-reliance on foreign labor has not only made it more challenging for Americans to secure IT positions but has also suppressed wages. As companies prioritize profit margins over fair pay, American tech professionals face stagnating wages in an industry that should otherwise reward skill and innovation. By prioritizing foreign labor, companies exploit a ready supply of skilled but often underpaid professionals, thus avoiding the need to improve working conditions for Americans .
Security Risks
Hiring foreign labor on H-1B and other temporary visas introduces a national security concern that is largely ignored in public discourse. In fields like IT and cybersecurity, where professionals handle sensitive information and safeguard critical infrastructures, relying on foreign nationals may expose the country to espionage and cyber threats. A nation that outsources its digital infrastructure is a nation that risks compromising its most sensitive data.
As someone specializing in cybersecurity, I can attest to the importance of maintaining a secure and controlled environment when managing data. American professionals, who are subject to U.S. law and typically undergo rigorous background checks, are more secure choices for roles that protect critical infrastructures. Allowing foreign nationals with temporary visas to control these vital systems opens the door to potential exploitation by foreign governments and cybercriminals alike. Protecting American digital assets requires a workforce that is committed not just professionally but patriotically .
The Americor American Workers
Many Americans enter the tech field believing that their hard work and skills will lead them to fulfilling careers and economic security. However, in my experience, the current hiring practices have turned the American Dream into a pipe dream for many IT professionals. Even with degrees, certifications, and years of experience, many American tech workers find it difficult to secure stable jobs as companies gravitate toward cheaper foreign labor. And even those who manage to find positions often face an uphill battle for advancement within companies dominated by foreign talent pools.
This preference for foreign workers has created an artificial barrier that prevents Americans from climbing the career ladder in their own country. In fields as essential as IT, this situation isn’t just unfair—it’s fundamentally un-American. The IT industry is one of the most promising sectors in terms of growth, innovation, and opportunity. American workers, many of whom carry the financial burden of substantial student debt from earning their degrees, deserve a fair shot at these opportunities. It is time to bring those jobs back to American citizens and prioritize them in hiring policies.
Reforms for a Fairer System
To remedy the current hiring imbalance in the IT industry, reforms are necessary:
Limit H-1B and Outsourcing for IT Positions: Congress should pass legislation that limits the use of H-1B visas in the IT sector, ensuring these visas are reserved strictly for positions that cannot be filled by American workers. Outsourcing agreements should be monitored and regulated to ensure that American job security is protected.
Enforce Hiring Transparency: Companies should be required to prove they have genuinely attempted to hire American citizens before resorting to foreign labor. The Department of Labor must enforce stricter regulations and penalties for businesses that abuse the visa system to cut costs at the expense of American workers.
Incentivize Domestic Training Programs: Offering tax incentives to companies that train and hire American workers in tech roles would allow businesses to develop the workforce they need without defaulting to foreign labor. Programs that fund training and apprenticeships for Americans entering IT fields can ensure that American workers stay competitive.
Prioritize National Security: For positions that involve sensitive data or access to critical infrastructure, hiring American citizens should be mandatory. Such a policy would reduce potential national security risks while fostering a strong, loyal domestic workforce dedicated to upholding the country’s security.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for American IT Workers
To rebuild the American economy, we must start by giving Americans back their jobs in sectors critical to our national future. America’s strength lies in its workforce, its innovation, and its spirit of resilience. But for too long, American IT professionals have been pushed aside by corporations prioritizing short-term profit over long-term loyalty to American labor. This practice has not only weakened the job market but has left us vulnerable in an increasingly digital world.
By advocating for policies that prioritize American workers, we can reclaim the IT sector and secure our nation’s technological future. As a former executive and advocate who has been deeply entrenched in both American and foreign communities, I can say this: it’s time to stand with American IT workers. We owe it to ourselves, to our economy, and to our country.
Citations
Hira, R., & Hira, A. (2010). Outsourcing America: What's Behind Our National Crisis and How We Can Reclaim American Jobs. AMACOM.
Salzman, H., Kuehn, D., & Lowell, B. L. (2013). "Guestworkers in the High-Skill U.S. Labor Market: An Analysis of Supply, Employment, and Wage Trends," Economic Policy Institute. https://www.epi.org/publication/bp359-guestworkers-high-skill-labor-market-analysis/
Charette, R. N. (2013). "The STEM Crisis Is a Myth: Forget the dire predictions of a looming shortfall of scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians." IEEE Spectrum. https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-stem-crisis-is-a-myth
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