Conversations around immigration often carry a certain level of modesty. There’s this notion—maybe you’ve heard it—that immigrants are, in a sense, “more American” than those born here. If they’re perceived as having a negative effect on the existing American populace, it serves as a reminder for some to perhaps take care of themselves more, like, you know, focusing on personal development or adapting to changes in the workplace.
But, sadly, that advice may not be as helpful anymore. By July 2025, layoffs in the tech sector had already surpassed 80,000, as indicated by various estimates. Sure, people are aware that the tech landscape is tough right now, yet the specifics behind it remain largely unspoken.
Business leaders, like Andy Jassy, Amazon’s CEO, have pointed fingers at AI’s role in this employment turmoil. He mentioned back in June that, “There are fewer people doing some of the jobs that technology actually starts to automate.”
Still, Jassy didn’t delve into another aspect of this situation. Data indicates that Amazon has leaned towards hiring foreign workers over American applicants. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 alone, Amazon submitted 31,817 applications for working conditions concerning H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visas, according to figures from the Foreign Labor Certification Authority. If you include Amazon Web Services, the number climbs to 40,757.
Nvidia came in second place with 27,244 applications, and then there’s Goldman Sachs, which submitted over 26,000 applications using multiple entities. Microsoft and Apple were also significant players, with figures standing at 14,181 and 8,393, respectively.
Working conditions applications allow companies to legally employ foreign workers in the U.S. Recently, signs of tension emerged when the Vice President alluded to Microsoft’s recent layoffs, stating, “I just found out,” and mentioning he hadn’t yet had discussions with the company.
In response, Microsoft pushed back on the narrative that their layoffs were due to hiring foreign workers instead of Americans, emphasizing that they had reduced their H-1B workforce as well. A spokesperson for Microsoft stated, “Our H-1B application is not related to recent job cuts, as H-1B workers have also lost their positions.” They went on to add that 78% of their H-1B applications over the past year were aimed at “existing employees.”
The theory is that these foreign workers are meant to fill “high-skill” roles, but the reality appears different. According to Labor Bureau data, a striking 82% of Microsoft’s H-1B applications in 2025 were for positions classified as entry or mid-level, which fall below the 34th percentile wage.
To simplify, this suggests that Microsoft pays 82% of these foreign employees below the average market rate for their roles.
Even if Microsoft could find Americans willing to accept lower pay, there isn’t much incentive for them to try, even though many believe that H-1B employers have to prove they can’t hire Americans.
Ron Hira, a professor at Howard University and a noted expert on the H-1B program, shared in an interview that, “My experience suggests many elites tend to believe misconceptions instead of the truth. The program would be seen differently and function more effectively with stricter requirements.”
It’s hardly surprising that younger Americans feel like these labor imports contribute to the challenges they encounter. It’s not just about jobs; they also face issues such as a housing shortage and rising car insurance costs due to congestion, problems that have reportedly been exacerbated by recent immigration raids.
Critics argue against these claims, insisting that foreign workers have been beneficial and that Americans remain unaffected.
Sure, but that doesn’t really alter the concerns of voters aged 18 to 21, especially given the recent shifts in youth voting patterns. These worries seem to lend themselves to significant double-digit margins in recent polls. Of course, these trends can shift, particularly if Republican actions don’t align with these voters’ concerns.
Aside from Vance, most mainstream political figures have been quiet on this matter. Perhaps they’re wary of upsetting major corporate clients. Their best strategy seems to be silence, hoping the issue fades from voters’ memory.
Interestingly, media coverage appears to be lacking as well. A search for reports on the Foreign Labor Certification Agency from the last year yielded no results in major outlets like the New York Times, Washington Post, or NBC News.
In contrast, the Times showed considerable concern when the State Department laid off more than 1,300 employees. They argued that “these cuts could diminish the value of the United States for many years.”
Getting fired from a federal job seems to resonate differently, almost as if it’s seen as an attack on American values. In this light, those layoffs could be perceived as the most American experience of all.
That might sound somewhat positive, but it’s unlikely to garner much sympathy from those considered less vital than foreign workers.
