As of August 06, 2010, there are 11,900 H-1B Master’s cap cases received. There is a 20,000 limit allowed for US earned Master’s degree cases for the year of 2010. The USCIS has also received 28,500 of the regular H-1B cap cases, of which there is a limit of 65,000 cases allowed to be accepted by USCIS for the year of 2010.
There is no doubt that there is a decrease in the numbers of employers who are using H-1B visas to bring or hire employees, possibly due to the increased H-1B audits being implemented by USCIS and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The decrease in the usage of H-1B visas can also be due to a poor economy.