H-1B Program Draws Mixed Reactions Amid Layoffs

The New York Times expresses concern for international college graduates leveraging the contentious H-1B visa program to secure sought-after positions in the United States, positions that many American graduates find elusive.

“These skilled foreign workers face documented challenges when trying to establish careers here,” noted a report. In a personal account, Ananya Joshi, a science graduate from India, stated, “If I can’t find a job, I’ll have to leave the country.” Meanwhile, a marketing graduate named Haina shared that she submitted a staggering 907 job applications after being let go in September 2025.

“I want to channel my skills to better the world,” declared Taiwanese graduate Huang Wen-hsing, who managed to secure a job at Amazon.

This article surfaces amid significant layoffs hitting U.S. tech graduates, particularly from companies like Oracle, which has been criticized for shifting jobs overseas, notably to India, where labor costs are lower.

The New York Post highlighted the situation on April 2nd, chronicling how many Oracle employees received layoff notices without knowing the company was actively hiring foreign employees. According to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Oracle submitted about 3,126 petitions for H-1B workers during fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

“If this doesn’t upset you, consider this poignant LinkedIn post from a U.S. Oracle employee who lost their job after years with the company,” the article suggested.

Kevin Lin, the founder of US Tech Workers, commented, “The tech sector is in turmoil. Oracle’s recent cuts could eliminate up to 115,000 tech jobs. We really need to pause employment visas.” He added, “This is a glaring issue. It’s like there’s a hundred-dollar bill lying in a ditch, and if you want to stay elected, you should pick it up. The American public can see this hitting their pockets—watching kids graduate, investing so much, only to see them unable to secure good jobs in their fields is just madness.”

Recent opinion polls reveal growing public resentment towards visa worker programs.

Interestingly, the New York Times article overlooks the fact that the government has granted visas to around 115,000 new H-1B workers and may soon issue at least 200,000 work permits to foreign graduates of U.S. universities through an “optional on-the-job training” program. This effectively offers free labor to businesses, even as agencies try to impose tighter rules on hiring foreign graduates.

Currently, U.S. companies employ at least 2 million foreign workers who do not have immigrant status, while many American graduates remain unemployed or underemployed.

Lin further asserted, “If a first-time candidate isn’t talking about eliminating H-1B and OPT, we should consider looking elsewhere.”

However, the article subtly suggests that there’s some encouraging news. Of the three foreign graduates mentioned, two have left the U.S., and the third is still searching for work. Haina remarked, “The signs from the government are quite apparent now; this program is both precarious and tough.” A Taiwanese graduate who was fired from Amazon and returned home shared, “Waking up with anxiety daily felt unbearable. It’s a system I had no control over. The U.S. doesn’t seem very inviting to those wanting to contribute through immigration.” He added, “Staying in the U.S. isn’t the only path to achieving the so-called American dream.”

Meanwhile, some Indian graduates have sought opportunities in Germany instead, with one remarking, “I think I left at just the right time. It would have been far too stressful to remain.”