White-collar imperialisms: the H-1B debate in America

Abstract

Debates over the H-1B visa program and high-skilled immigration more generally in the United States need to be viewed in the context of America's position in the world as global hegemon or imperialist power. While those supporting and those opposing the expansion of the H-1B program may seem to be ideological opposites, both sides often share a common and comfortable assumption of the righteousness of US global domination, privilege and advantage. Challenging such assumptions and working our ways out of the frequent dead-ends of the H-1B debates is essential for developing a globally progressive, equitable and anti-imperialist labor and education politics in America today.

Keywords:

• American imperialism
• H-1B visa
• immigration policy
• knowledge economy
• skilled immigration