"if H1Bs are supposed to be a means of obtaining labor not available domestically it's curious they're cheaper than domestic labor
an easy way to ensure that they aren't directly substituting for domestic labor would be to add a $100k surcharge per head"
> The Proclamation restricts entry for aliens as nonimmigrants to perform services in specialty occupations in the H-1B program unless their petition is accompanied by a $100,000 payment.
Nowhere in there does it say that it's annual. Note that the H1B visa is valid for 3 to 6 years, potentially longer, which dilutes the fee to $16K per year which is small money for an employer. Also, a fixed number does not keep up with inflation either.