H-1B Visa Programme Faces Uncertainty Amid Tech Layoffs and Automation

Tech layoffs, the rise of AI automation, and increasing political resistance to the H-1B visa programme have ignited concerns regarding its future. An emerging post on Blind, an anonymous workplace forum, indicates that major technology companies may be bracing for potential changes to the programme by relocating jobs internationally.

A contributor identifying as an H-1B worker presented a theory reflecting current patterns in the technology sector. The contributor suggested that recent layoffs in the United States go beyond mere AI-driven efficiency, hinting at a broader strategy to move jobs to India before the H-1B visa programme faces possible restrictions or an outright phase-out.

The post on Blind referenced the vigorous expansion efforts by key tech companies, such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, in India over recent months. According to the contributor, certain teams at Amazon have already been “repatriated” to India as part of a comprehensive initiative to shift work overseas.

This activity corresponds with significant investments made by U.S. tech giants in India. Over the past year, Google committed $10 billion towards digital growth in the country. Additionally, Microsoft has introduced several data centres and has expanded AI research in the region. Meta has also declared hiring increases in India for its core engineering teams.

These changes, as suggested by the Blind contributor, illustrate a dual approach by tech CEOs—implementing cost-cutting layoffs in the U.S. while simultaneously bolstering their workforce in India, all the while insulating themselves from potential political repercussions.

The post sparked a lively discussion on the forum, with some users agreeing with the contributor’s perspective. One user commented, “If H-1B disappears, a minimal number of those jobs will transition to U.S. workers. They will be offshored instead. The only roles that might remain are customer-facing tech positions. Some users on Blind might struggle to accept this reality, but it is the truth.”

Conversely, another user provided a contrary opinion, stating, “Offshore teams have never proven effective and likely never will. They are fit only for ancillary tasks. The MAGA supporters are more concerned with illegal immigrants at the southern border than H-1Bs. Furthermore, the majority of H-1Bs are situated in coastal cities, which tend to be populated by liberal advocates for immigrants.”