Outrage as Oracle makes thousands of foreign-worker requests amid layoff bloodbath

 Oracle recently announced significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees, triggering a public outcry due to the company's simultaneous efforts to employ overseas workers. This situation highlights tensions around job security for American workers amid ongoing debates over the H-1B visa program.

1. Layoffs Announced: On April 2, 2026, Oracle informed numerous employees via email that they were being laid off as part of an organizational change. Many were surprised by the news, which came abruptly.

2. H-1B Visa Petitions: During the same period, Oracle filed over 3,126 petitions with U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to hire foreign workers under the H-1B visa program. In fiscal year 2026 alone, the company filed 436 petitions.

3. Comparison with Other Companies: Amazon, which is also undergoing significant layoffs, has filed around 2,675 H-1B petitions during the same two years. This movement among large tech firms has raised questions about loyalty to existing American workers.

4. Public Reaction: There was considerable backlash on social media, with users expressing their anger. Comments labeled the hiring of foreign workers as disrespectful to laid-off American employees, and the situation has ignited discussions about corporate responsibility and loyalty.

5. Corporate Justifications: Companies argue that they require skilled foreign workers to fill roles that local candidates cannot, claiming that the H-1B program is crucial for innovation in technology.

6. Recent Trends in Tech Employment: The tech industry is facing a downturn, with 52,050 layoffs reported in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 40% increase from the prior year. The rise of artificial intelligence has been noted as a factor leading to these cuts.

7. Severance Packages: Laid-off employees have been told they are eligible for severance packages according to Oracle's terms.

Oracle's decision to pursue foreign workers while laying off thousands of its domestic workforce has resulted in significant public discontent, raising important questions about the ethics and effectiveness of the H-1B visa system and the broader implications of corporate layoffs in the tech industry.

https://nypost.com/2026/04/02/us-news/outrage-over-oracles-thousands-of-h-1b-requests-amid-layoffs/