> "If companies like Infosys or Cognizant are taking "slots" that could be filled by people like those H1Bs, then I'd consider that a big problem."

It's hard to get data, but this is precisely what appears to me to be happening.

There's a limited number of slots by country. These companies specifically target those slots. I've worked with these folks (who are wonderful people, to be clear), and also had multiple friends with very niche, in-demand skills need to leave the country.

I don't have the data, but at a micro level, the system does appear to simply be set up backwards.