To put the H-1B issue into even clearer focus, today CNN reported:

There are plenty of experienced system designers in Europe, but Axiom can't hire them without an H-1B visa, which allows highly skilled foreign nationals to work in the U.S. The U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently concluded a five-day, H-1B application period for fiscal year 2009 (which begins October 1)...

Demand for H-1B visas is rising thanks to a shortage of American citizens with training in the hard sciences, mathematics and computer science. The number of U.S. college students graduating with computer science degrees this year has declined by 43% since 2004, according to a new study by the Computing Research Association, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.

The referenced study can be found at: CRA Bulletin » CRA Taulbee Survey

Shortages of adequately skilled workers are popping up in areas of the U.S. where economic growth has been stronger in recent years, even as some softening has commenced, e.g., the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For example, the most recent release of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank's Beige Book noted:

The Eleventh District economic expansion softened further in March and early April. Numerous contacts who do business nationally say growth in Texas is outperforming the rest of the country. Factory production declined, and there were a few reports of temporary and permanent plant closings. Service sector growth was mixed and generally weaker than reported in the last Beige Book. Retail sales were below expectations. Construction and real estate markets continued to soften. Financial-service firms are cautious about lending, but competition remained stiff for deposits and quality loans. Energy activity was still strong. Agricultural conditions improved...

There is still a shortage of skilled workers, particularly higher skilled positions, such as mid-level executives and experienced engineers. Some contacts say tighter enforcement of immigration laws has led to scattered farm labor shortages, notably for harvesting vegetables and fruit.