Oracle and Amazon’s recent layoffs have sparked scrutiny over their H-1B visa filings, raising concerns about hiring foreign workers amid significant job cuts in the tech industry.
Oracle Corporation has recently made headlines due to significant layoffs affecting its global workforce. As thousands of employees received emails notifying them of their job cuts, attention has turned to the company’s ongoing efforts to hire foreign workers through the H-1B visa program.
According to data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Oracle filed approximately 3,126 H-1B petitions during fiscal years 2025 and 2026. These petitions are submitted by employers aiming to recruit foreign professionals in specialized fields, particularly technology. Of this total, 436 petitions were filed in 2026 alone.
Amazon has exhibited a similar trend. The company announced in January that it would eliminate 16,000 corporate jobs and filed around 2,675 H-1B petitions over the same two-year period. This follows an earlier round of layoffs in October, during which Amazon reduced its corporate workforce by 14,000 positions.
The news of Oracle’s intention to hire foreign workers has sparked considerable backlash on social media, especially in light of its recent layoffs. On Blind, an anonymous forum for verified professionals, one user described the H-1B filings as “a slap in our face.” They added, “If this doesn’t make you angry, maybe you need to read some heartfelt posts on LinkedIn from Oracle employees who are U.S. citizens and have been laid off after working at Oracle for years.”
Another commenter expressed a broader frustration prevalent across the tech industry, stating, “Look at all big tech companies; they do massive layoffs then rehire at lower salary.” A third user remarked, “Transnational corporations are disloyal to the American state and the nation.”
Companies submit H-1B petitions to seek approval from the U.S. government to hire foreign professionals, often arguing that they cannot find local candidates with the necessary skills. While employers describe the visa program as essential for remaining competitive in advanced technology fields, critics argue it can disadvantage American workers.
It’s important to note that these filings are not exclusively for new hires; companies may also submit petitions to renew or extend existing H-1B visas.
The backlash intensified this week after Oracle, chaired by billionaire Larry Ellison, informed thousands of employees worldwide that Tuesday would be their last working day. In an email sent by “Oracle Leadership,” which was reviewed by Business Insider, the company stated, “After careful consideration of Oracle’s current business needs, we have made the decision to eliminate your role as part of a broader organizational change.”
Affected employees were informed they would be “eligible to receive a severance package subject to the terms and conditions of the severance plan.”
Oracle’s latest round of layoffs occurs during a particularly challenging time for the U.S. tech sector, which is experiencing one of its weakest starts to the year in recent memory. The growing influence of artificial intelligence is increasingly linked to widespread job cuts across the industry.
In the first quarter of 2026, approximately 52,050 tech employees lost their jobs, representing a 40 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to a report released by Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The firm noted that the rising adoption of AI is emerging as a significant factor behind these reductions.
This trend is not isolated to Oracle. In March, Meta indicated plans for substantial layoffs, with reports suggesting that around 20 percent of its workforce, roughly 15,000 employees, could be affected, according to Reuters.
The scrutiny surrounding H-1B filings amid mass layoffs raises critical questions about the balance between hiring foreign talent and supporting the domestic workforce. As the tech industry navigates these challenges, the implications for both employees and companies remain to be seen.
According to Business Insider, the ongoing situation highlights the complexities of the H-1B visa program and its impact on American workers.