Meta, previously known as Facebook, reportedly allows at least one division to be mainly operated by Chinese immigrants, as noted by former employees who claim there is noticeable discrimination against American workers.
“At Meta, 90% of my colleagues were Chinese, while non-Chinese employees often faced exclusion and were at a disadvantage leading to their dismissal,” said Jeremy Bernier, who was recently let go from his software engineering position at the company. He also mentioned:
“I observed that six out of seven layoffs I saw were aimed at non-Chinese workers, despite them being a significant minority. The specific organization, Meta Recommendation Systems, is particularly known for its Chinese dominance.”
Bernier went on to share his feelings, stating, “On Wednesdays and Fridays, I would often be the sole non-Chinese individual in my team. They’d have lunch together without inviting me.” In a series of posts, he elaborated on his experiences at the company.
“It’s shocking to think that while Chinese individuals are promoting themselves and thriving within the organization, many Americans are being sidelined and losing their jobs,” he commented, highlighting disparities in pay and bonuses. Bernier, a Virginia Tech graduate from 2012, added:
“Almost none of the most sought-after, high-paying technical roles in U.S. companies are filled by Americans,” reflecting sentiments expressed by Silicon Valley investor Marc Andreessen in 2025.
On May 29, he mentioned:
“Anyone who has lived in different cultures understands that these differences are very real. Having spent five years abroad in over 50 countries, I worked on a predominantly foreign team, but I wasn’t prepared for how much it would affect my work-life. I made the mistake of assuming shared values based on my background.”
Many responses corroborated and reinforced Bernier’s criticisms regarding ethnic dynamics within U.S. companies, with some praising Chinese leadership while criticizing other ethnic groups. Additionally, reports of discrimination and mismanagement within American corporations emerged from various quarters.
Vice President J.D. Vance and others voiced concerns over the visa worker program which funnels many Chinese and Indian workers into Fortune 500 companies. Contrarily, Silicon Valley investors and Wall Street executives staunchly defend this program, claiming it boosts stock prices by lowering labor costs.
Corporate boards, backed by Wall Street, often endorse ethnic enclaves, which they quietly maintain. Regarding product quality, innovation, and professionalism, Kevin Lynn, founder of US TechWorkers, stated:
“Tribalism influences leadership choices, meaning positions depend more on ethnicity and social connections rather than capability.”
Lynn pointed out that this complacency is easier for large firms that have monopolistic power allowing them to meet investor demands for quick profits. His organization lobbies against visa programs that allow foreign talent to replace U.S. workers in white-collar jobs.
“Creativity and fresh thinking are being sidelined by tribalism,” Lynn stated, emphasizing its detrimental effect on American ingenuity.
“When a significant portion of your colleagues are from different cultural backgrounds, it hampers trust and collaboration needed for innovation.”
“For an American working extended hours, commuting can take away time from any creative pursuits,” he added.
In 2021, as evidence against discrimination increased, Facebook quietly paid a $14 million fine linked to these practices, backed by visa programs allowing the hiring of foreign employees almost freely.
Programs such as H-1B, L-1, and others have potentially led to millions of foreign graduates securing positions in the U.S.
Similar discriminatory practices have manifested nationwide, contributing to rising unemployment and underemployment rates among American college graduates. A recent report from the Wall Street Journal indicated:
The Class of 2026 is entering an extremely challenging job market, with employers cutting hiring drastically, raising concerns about AI taking over skilled positions.
Meta’s Mehta declined to respond to Bernier’s allegations.
To combat the tribalism that hampers career growth and the broader competitiveness of the economy, Lynn believes that Americans must engage more actively with their representatives, stating:
“We cannot continue electing individuals in Seattle or Silicon Valley who aren’t prioritizing the interests of America’s tech workforce.”
If suitable candidates are lacking, Lynn urges finding alternatives and using social media to foster grassroots movements instead of merely complaining.
New lawsuits targeting corporate ethnic enclaves could prove beneficial in the long run, he noted, suggesting that holding shareholders accountable may be a novel approach.
Bernier’s observations
Bernier used multiple posts to articulate the mixed perspectives within Meta’s Chinese division.
“To clarify, most Chinese individuals are genuinely nice, so this isn’t an attack on them,” he remarked, and added:
“Meta is the most toxic workplace I’ve experienced. The Chinese popularly refer to it as the ‘squid game,’ while others call it ‘The Hunger Games’ or ‘Lord of the Flies.’ Each is accurate, in its own way.”
He painted a picture of a company culture focused on individualism, where the Performance Review Process discourages collaboration. “Imagine being on a team where someone is let go every six months; it becomes a cutthroat environment,” he described.
Bernier recounted having a particularly harmful manager who would sabotage new employees until they required mental health support.
“Thankfully, I was able to transfer to a new team where cooperation and intelligence were valued,” he said. He elaborated on how the leadership chain predominantly consisted of Chinese individuals:
“Mandarin is the primary language spoken at the office, save for official meetings with non-speakers. The work culture starkly contrasts with American norms, emphasizing long hours and a top-down approach.”
According to Bernier, navigating through such a different cultural lens was challenging for him:
“When most of the staff and leadership are from a singular ethnic background, it’s naturally that culture that prevails. I realized my questioning nature was often met with displeasure from those in power.”
In another entry, he expressed:
“I attempted to escalate issues but found that HR focused more on legal protection than on fairness. Without substantial evidence, it became clear my situation would likely lead to retaliation.”
In 2020, Project Veritas exposed internal memos from Facebook indicating a preference for hiring foreign workers. The documents highlighted the prioritization of H-1B visa holders in HR roles to enhance workplace diversity.
“A major flaw in Western culture is a reluctance to have open discussions about various differences for fear of being labeled prejudiced,” Bernier observed, adding that this leads to ignorance and susceptibility to exploitation.
He did not address the potential security risks posed by foreign employees who may access sensitive company data.
“Many seem more concerned about being perceived as biased than about the well-being of their fellow Americans, especially within high-paying industries,” he remarked.
On a posting filled with cautious hope, he noted the direction of change is positive but emphasized the long road ahead, urging leaders to foster genuine discussions to reshape company culture.
Yet, he emphasized that altering the enclave’s culture is a daunting challenge, given the entrenched ethnic and cultural dynamics.
“It appears leadership is indifferent, as this has been evident at the headquarters for over a decade, noticeable to anyone entering the office,” he concluded.
