India, Nov. 17 -- Indian-origin Howard University professor Ronil Hira has weighed in on the H-1B controversy, arguing that US companies overwhelmingly prefer H-1B workers because they are cheaper and more easily controlled.

Speaking on the show System Update, Hira said it is "a no-brainer" why corporations favour H-1B employees. "Most of the people coming to the US on H-1B visas have ordinary skills, skills that are abundantly available from American workers," Hira said. "Employers prefer the H-1Bs because they can both be legally paid less than American workers, and secondly, they're controllable, they're indentured to the employer," he explained.

The processor clarified that while the programme does bring in some highly qualified pro...