Sung Block (Chief Investment Officer)

I actually think the lottery system has its merits. The problem with a purely merit-based system is that it might end up favoring only people from elite universities or those with high-paying offers, which would reduce diversity in the workforce. The H1B Visa shouldn’t only be about bringing in the “best of the best,” but also about addressing a range of skill gaps. A lottery keeps the process democratic — everyone has at least a shot, whether they’re an Ivy League graduate or someone from a mid-tier college with solid technical skills. Instead of scrapping the lottery, I’d suggest a hybrid approach: part lottery, part merit. For example, reserve a portion of slots for high-skilled applicants based on salary or education, and let the rest be open via lottery. This way, the system balances fairness with skill prioritization.