Oracle Layoffs Amid H-1B Hiring Controversy
On Tuesday, thousands of Oracle employees received unexpected emails announcing their layoffs. At the same time, it appears Oracle has been active in hiring foreign workers.
According to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Oracle filed around 3,126 petitions to bring in H-1B workers for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. This paperwork is necessary for companies to employ foreign workers in specialized roles, especially in tech. Notably, 436 of those petitions were submitted this year alone.
In contrast, Amazon, which previously disclosed plans to lay off 16,000 employees earlier this year, filed roughly 2,675 H-1B petitions during the same timeframe following a previous announcement about cutting 14,000 jobs in October.
The news about Oracle hiring foreign employees has led to strong reactions on social media.
One anonymous user on Blind, a forum for verified employees, expressed their anger, describing the H-1B filing as “a slap in our face.” They also highlighted the feelings of a U.S. citizen who had worked for Oracle for years only to be let go.
Another commenter noted, “Take a look at these major tech companies. They lay off staff and then employ new ones at lower salaries.” A third individual remarked on the apparent disloyalty of multinational corporations towards the U.S.
Neither Oracle nor Amazon has commented on the situation. Companies usually submit H-1B petitions to the government when they can’t find local talent with necessary skills. While proponents argue that the program is vital for advancing technology, opponents claim it disadvantages American workers.
This backlash follows Oracle’s announcement that numerous employees worldwide would have an abrupt end to their roles on Tuesday. The email stated, “After careful consideration of Oracle’s current business needs, we have decided to eliminate your role as part of a broader organizational transformation,” according to a report from Business Insider.
Those terminated were informed they would receive severance pay as per the company’s severance policy.
Concerns over H-1B visas flared up last September when former President Trump enacted a proclamation that imposed a $100,000 annual fee on certain H-1B holders. The program is largely utilized in Silicon Valley, and this sudden announcement left many companies relying on foreign workers in distress.
Oracle’s layoffs occur during a period of significant job losses in the tech industry, with the sector experiencing its most challenging start to a year since 2023, partly attributed to AI advancements leading to substantial workforce reductions.
According to a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, 52,050 tech jobs were eliminated in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 40% increase compared to the same duration last year. Furthermore, Meta indicated plans in March to cut about 15,000 positions, translating to roughly 20% of its workforce.
