US Lawmakers Question Tech Giants on H-1B Visa Hiring Amid American Job Cuts

US Lawmakers Seek Answers From Firms Over H-1B Visa Use Amid Layoffs

India was the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas last year, accounting for 71% of approved beneficiaries among foreign workers.

Several major US corporations, including Apple, Amazon, and JPMorgan, are facing scrutiny from US lawmakers who are demanding explanations for hiring thousands of foreign workers on H-1B visas while simultaneously reducing their existing workforce, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Wednesday.

This inquiry follows a recent announcement from the Trump administration regarding plans to increase H-1B visa fees to $100,000 per year. These visas permit companies to employ foreign nationals in specialized occupational roles. Additionally, the US government has introduced a proposal to restructure the H-1B visa selection process, prioritizing higher-skilled and better-compensated workers.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Democratic Senator Dick Durbin have issued letters to several corporations requesting comprehensive information about their H-1B workforce, including specific numbers employed, compensation structures, and whether American workers have been displaced as a result of these hiring practices.

In their correspondence to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the senators expressed skepticism, stating: "With all of the homegrown American talent relegated to the sidelines, we find it hard to believe that Amazon cannot find qualified American tech workers to fill these positions."

Notably, numerous technology giants, including Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft—all making substantial investments in artificial intelligence—have announced job reductions this year.

According to the report, other companies receiving similar inquiries include Deloitte, Alphabet's Google, Meta, Microsoft, Walmart, Cognizant Technology Solutions, and Tata Consultancy Services.

Government data reveals that India dominated as the primary beneficiary of H-1B visas last year, representing 71% of approved recipients, while China followed at a much lower 11.7%.

During the first half of 2025, Amazon and its cloud-computing division, AWS, secured approval for more than 12,000 H-1B visas. Microsoft and Meta each received over 5,000 H-1B visa approvals during the same period.

When contacted by Reuters, representatives from Walmart, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Cognizant did not immediately provide comments. Similarly, Senators Grassley and Durbin did not respond to Reuters' request for commentary regarding the report.