Microsoft Applies for 6,000 H-1B Visas Amid 9,000 Global Layoffs

Microsoft is facing significant scrutiny after applying for up to 6,000 H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers while simultaneously laying off approximately 9,000 employees globally, roughly 4% of its workforce. Critics, particularly from conservative and labor groups, argue that this strategy undermines American workers and constitutes a misuse of the H-1B visa program, which ties workers’ legal status to their employment, making layoffs particularly precarious for visa holders. Microsoft defends the layoffs and visa applications as necessary steps to adapt to a rapidly evolving tech market focused on artificial intelligence, also highlighting substantial investments in offshore operations like its $3 billion commitment to India. The visa filings, including a significant number routed through Indian outsourcing firms, have intensified debates over whether these moves represent cost-cutting through cheaper foreign labor or efforts to maintain global competitiveness. Experts like Steven Camarota from the Center for Immigration Studies suggest that business advocacy for guest worker programs often does not align with actual labor shortages, adding complexity to the discussion. Meanwhile, other major tech companies like Amazon are also reducing workforces as AI integration reshapes job requirements across the industry.