Yes. Also, those farmers had a "choice" not to come in the US, yet they ended up in those conditions..

If you think you are free, Just quit your job for few weeks (over 60 days), and see what happens. Illegal. Stay without a job over 6 months, and you can't get in the US for 10 years. Try to work another job, (that is not related to your profession), and it is considered illegal employment. It can be Automatic deportation. Even if you want to part-time DJ (for fun), can be considered automatic deportation.

Also, a lot of very early stage startups don't want to deal (or don't have time and money) with such immigration hassles.

Sorry, this is not complete freedom. I am treated relatively well by my company, and make good money, but I'd also like to have the option to just quit, and work something out of my own, and see where it goes. I can't right now, and neither can you, unless you want to go back to your country, and say this country good bye for good.

Intangible capital of being in the U.S. = $418,000.

http://www.reason.com/news/show/122854.html

That's a moot argument, that Mexicans are more productive in the US doesn't necessarily benefit the individual Mexican. It _is_ a great boon to the employer, though, if he can keep H1Bs with equal skills but lower wages than equivalent US workers.

Not saying that this is how it is (I haven't studied the matter), but your argument is worthless.

@ardit33 - If you want the rights of a citizen, you ought to become one.

Sure, but becoming a citizen should not be so hard for qualified people who are contributing to the country.

One has to earn every thing. Let us not pretend that we are doing anyone a favor by contributing.

So you believe that the only right way to have people earn citizenship is by forcing them to stay with the same employer for 3-6 years without a real promotion? Surely there are better alternatives.