Porting is a mess. For starters, the list of employers willing to deal with your visa is limited (most startups are too small and moving too fast). Second, you can't quite your job, without having secured a visa transfer first. I mean of course you can but you must leave the country immediately (looking for job after quitting and before leaving the country is technically a violation of the law). While not 100% preventing moving between companies, it definitely puts higher pressure on job security.

In some cities 25/hr is the market rate, in others it is 50. That is how is passes the required market rate salary component of the H1B application.

"how does a person become trapped"

Illegal collusion, a pink slip, and a simple phone call.

"Sorry, but respectfully your comment is utter bullshit."

I guess you win the thread then, way to go winner.

>> There is now a list of H1B jobs an the average pay which the petitioner must prove they are paying above.

Citation needed.