Out of the 65,000 H-1B visa applications that are up for grabs, only 46,700 applications have been submitted for 2010, according to the government.  The 20,000 visa cap available for foreign students studying in the U.S. who have at least a master's degree was met, though applications are still being accepted.

It wasn't long ago when tech companies begged the government to increase the H-1B visa cap, but that no longer is the case due to a sluggish global economy.

As the tech industry began to feel the economic pinch, Sen. Charles Grassley (R, IA) urged Microsoft to begin slashing jobs belonging to H-1B holders instead of American tech workers.  Although Microsoft initially declined the request by noting job cuts are based on performance and necessity -- not visa status -- it showed how bad the economy was expected to slide.  

Once the economy fully recovers, however, expect future H-1B visa controversy, as Silicon Valley companies begin to hire more foreign workers.  There are still many who believe the H-1B visa allowance at its current level has hurt American technology and science innovation, as less students in the United States are focusing on engineering and science.