A 28-year-old data scientist on an H-1B visa has come forward on social media to recount what he describes as a deeply disturbing and unfair experience at his U.S.-based company. His post has sparked conversations around how foreign workers, particularly those on temporary visas, are often subjected to workplace exploitation due to their vulnerable immigration status.
According to the data scientist, he was recruited and brought on board with the expectation of contributing to a meaningful technical project. For five months, he claims to have shouldered a bulk of the groundwork—doing the “heavy lifting” for the project, a phrase he used to indicate the foundational and difficult tasks required to set things up. However, when the time came to work on the core modelling aspect of the project—widely considered the most prestigious and intellectually rewarding phase—he was abruptly sidelined.
He alleges that the modelling work was reassigned to someone else, and in place of that, he was handed a different task that was grueling and considered undesirable by others on the team. As he described it, “Now, when it’s finally time to shine, his manager has swooped in to build the model himself.” The disappointment in his words is clear—after investing months of effort, he felt robbed of the opportunity to showcase his capabilities on the main component of the project.
But the experience, he claims, didn’t just stop at professional marginalization. The data scientist says that his manager has continued to rely on him for technical support while reserving the more visible, high-value work for himself. “His manager still expects him to continue supporting the project only with the technical aspect,” the worker pointed out. This suggests that while he is still heavily involved in the project’s mechanics, he is being systematically excluded from recognition and leadership.
To make matters worse, the young professional says that he’s become the target of what he describes as public shaming within the workplace. In his post, he recounts multiple instances of being mocked during meetings, subjected to what he calls “ridiculous questions” regarding his Python scripts, and being micromanaged to the point of humiliation. These experiences, he notes, have contributed to an increasingly toxic work environment.
He believes that these actions are part of a broader strategy to force him out of the job. “They’re trying to mentally exhaust him into quitting,” he wrote, pointing to the fact that employees on H-1B visas are under immense pressure not to lose their jobs. If an H-1B worker is terminated, they are typically given only a short grace period—currently 60 days—to find a new employer willing to sponsor their visa, or else they risk having to leave the country. In a job market that may not offer immediate opportunities, this timeline places international workers in a precarious position.
Knowing this, the data scientist says, companies can exploit international talent with minimal consequences. “Many H-1B workers also stay silent even when mistreated because losing a job could mean leaving the country. That’s the harsh reality,” he wrote. His experience sheds light on the psychological and emotional burden that accompanies visa uncertainty, particularly for younger professionals who may not have extensive networks or backup plans.
The broader implications of his story point to a systemic issue. Foreign workers, especially those in tech roles, are often brought to the U.S. with the promise of career development and stability. However, many find themselves at the mercy of employers who understand how to leverage the restrictive immigration system to their advantage. The data scientist’s ordeal also calls attention to a recurring pattern seen across various companies: assigning difficult or less desirable tasks to visa holders while reserving the strategic or leadership roles for others.
His story has resonated with many, particularly within the immigrant and tech communities. Several commenters expressed solidarity, sharing similar experiences of being overworked and under-credited. Others noted the psychological tactics sometimes used to push out employees without technically firing them—a move that would trigger visa complications and legal scrutiny.
The public nature of his complaints, however, makes his case somewhat rare. Many visa holders are reluctant to speak out, fearing retaliation or the risk of damaging future job prospects. For those on H-1B visas, being vocal can be a gamble. “Even when you’re humiliated, even when you know it’s wrong, you often stay quiet because your entire life here depends on that job,” one user responded under his post.
The tech industry has long relied on H-1B visa holders to fill roles in data science, engineering, and software development. These positions require advanced skills, and companies often justify the sponsorship of foreign workers by citing talent shortages. However, as the data scientist’s account suggests, the dependence on employer sponsorship creates an imbalance of power, making visa holders more susceptible to mistreatment.
As this case illustrates, mental exhaustion, public shaming, and exclusion from key responsibilities can serve as non-verbal signals meant to push an employee toward resignation. Such tactics are difficult to prove but are widely discussed within communities of foreign workers. The employer-employee relationship under the H-1B framework is often described as “one-sided,” with the employer holding considerable leverage due to the visa dependency.
Ultimately, the data scientist’s experience sheds light on a troubling facet of corporate culture—one that mixes performance management with immigration pressure in a way that can be deeply harmful. His decision to speak publicly, even without naming the company, is being seen as a courageous move to draw attention to an underreported issue affecting thousands of skilled professionals across the United States.
In sharing his story, the young worker has sparked a wider discussion about ethics in the workplace, accountability for managers, and the reforms needed in the H-1B system to protect those who come to the U.S. in search of opportunity but end up feeling trapped and devalued.