The annual H-1B season is off to a very slow start as USCIS has indicated that only 9,525 H-1B applications have been received (as of April 5th) for the new H-1B year beginning in October. 6,791 of those applications apply directly towards the main quota amount of 65,000.
The low turnout was to be expected…especially in light of the economy and newly invented USCIS guidance that has severely dampened the ability of US companies to use third party employees who are H-1B status holders.