Tech Layoffs and AI Push Fuel Concerns Over H-1B Visa Future

The increasing wave of tech layoffs, the rise of AI automation, and growing political resistance against the H-1B visa program have led to mounting speculation about its uncertain future. A recent viral post on Blind, an anonymous workplace forum, suggests that major tech companies may already be preparing for potential restrictions on the program—by shifting jobs offshore.

An H-1B worker on the platform shared a theory that aligns with ongoing trends in the tech industry: layoffs in the U.S. are not solely driven by AI-driven efficiencies but may also be part of a broader strategy to move jobs to India before the H-1B program faces significant limitations or even a potential end.

The Blind post highlighted the aggressive expansion efforts made by major tech giants such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta in India in recent months. According to the user, some teams at Amazon have already been “repatriated” to India as part of a broader initiative to transfer work overseas.

This observation aligns with a series of major investments by U.S. tech firms in India. Over the past year, Google has pledged $10 billion for digital expansion in the country, while Microsoft has launched multiple data centers and expanded AI research in the region. Meta, meanwhile, has significantly increased hiring in India, particularly for core engineering roles.

The Blind user suggested that these developments indicate tech CEOs are strategically balancing cost-cutting layoffs in the U.S. with workforce expansion in India, all while insulating themselves from potential political backlash.

The post sparked a debate on the forum, with some agreeing with the user’s viewpoint. “If H1B goes away, very few of those jobs will go to US workers. They will be outsourced. The only ‘safe’ ones are customer-facing tech roles. I know the hateful ones on Blind don’t want to hear that but it’s the truth,” one user responded.

However, not everyone shared the same opinion. Another user countered, “Offshore teams never worked and won’t ever work, they’re only useful for ancillary functions. MAGA base doesn’t care about H1Bs as much as illegal immigrants from the southern border. Besides, most H1Bs stay in coastal cities dominated by immigrant-loving liberals.”