H1B visa overhaul could benefit big tech companies

Alphabet's Google told some of its workers not to worry about the changes

The new way foreign worker visas are doled out in the US is poised to benefit some of the biggest technology companies, like Alphabet, Microsoft and Facebook, while punishing outsourcing firms that developed a disproportionate dependence on the programme.

The administration is increasing scrutiny on H1B visa applications for low-level computer programmers, focusing enforcement on the heaviest users of the programme, and warning applicants not to discriminate against American workers. The size and scope of the program remains unchanged for now. 

There are 85,000 H1B visas distributed through a random lottery each year, and applicants rush to file by the