Microsoft, it seems, frustrated with the results of its lobbying efforts, is sidestepping the H-1B visa caps. This fall it plans to open a software development center in nearby Vancouver, British Colombia. Assuming that they can secure employment authorization from Canada, Microsoft will staff the SDC with 200 programmers from China, India and other non-US markets. That’s “highly skilled people affected by immigration issues in the U.S.” according to a Microsoft statement. They may also open to IT workers from Canada even foreign workers whose US visa is expiring. 200 workers doesn’t sound like much, but there’s “room to grow,” according to Microsoft.

How long until others follow Microsoft’s lead?

All this hot on the heels of the Cohen & Grigsby video excerpts assembled by the Programmers’ Guild, as reported by Information Week and other outlets.

Cohen & Grigsby made a response, of course, but the cat was already out of the bag and, frankly, I think that their response was very weak indeed.