Ceiling for controversial US H-1B visas drops

The US has reduced the number of people admissible under its controversial H-1B visa program, which lets skilled foreign workers - many in the computer technology field - take jobs in the country for up to six years. The H-1B visa program has sparked ongoing controversy. Many technology companies say they hire US workers when possible but need higher visa caps to fill important positions requiring skills for which qualified domestic workers aren't readily available. H-1B opponents, on the other hand, have assailed the program for taking away scarce technology jobs from US workers and giving them to workers from other countries who, they say, often accept lower salaries. US technology firms are currently finding some of the overseas employees they want by using L-1 visas, which permit intracompany transfers of foreign managers and workers with specialized skills.