Oracle’s Layoffs and H-1B Visa Applications Stir Controversy

On Tuesday, many Oracle employees received termination notices just as the company is significantly expanding its workforce by hiring foreign workers through the H-1B visa program.

A report highlighted that despite laying off thousands, Oracle has filed around 3,126 petitions to hire H-1B workers for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This year alone, 436 of those petitions were submitted, according to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The timing of these visa requests has drawn significant scrutiny. On the same day that layoffs were announced globally, Oracle informed many employees that they would be let go immediately. A copy of the layoff email, which was obtained by Business Insider, stated: “After careful consideration of Oracle’s current business needs, we have made the decision to eliminate your role as part of broader organizational changes.” Employees were informed they would receive severance pay based on the company’s retirement plan.

This stark contrast between domestic job cuts and the push for overseas talent has led to considerable backlash on social media. One user on Blind, an anonymous forum for verified employees, expressed anger, stating that the H-1B petition felt like a slap in the face to American staff. They mentioned a heartfelt post by a U.S. citizen who was recently let go after years at Oracle, emphasizing the emotional impact of the layoffs.

Many users echoed similar frustrations. One pointed out the trend among major tech firms where significant layoffs are often followed by hiring at lower salaries. Another commented on the disloyalty of multinational companies to American workers.

Oracle isn’t alone in this strategy of seeking foreign talent while reducing its domestic workforce. Amazon, after announcing cuts of 16,000 positions in January, also filed about 2,675 H-1B petitions during the same two-year period, following a previous announcement of letting go 14,000 employees.

These developments take place during a particularly challenging time for the tech sector. A report from executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas indicated there were 52,050 layoffs in tech during the first quarter of 2026, marking a 40% rise from the same period in 2025 and the worst start to the year for tech jobs since 2023.