Walmart is set to lay off approximately 1,500 corporate employees across the United States as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and reduce costs. The job cuts will primarily affect positions at the retail giant’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, along with other U.S.-based offices. A substantial portion of the affected roles reportedly belong to Walmart’s global technology division.
The move aligns with the company’s strategy to simplify its organizational structure and accelerate decision-making processes. However, the layoffs have sparked renewed debate around the H1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to employ skilled foreign professionals—especially in the technology sector.
Critics on social media have raised concerns that the layoffs may be linked to the hiring of foreign workers, particularly from India, under the H1B program. Some allege that companies are using the system as a cost-saving measure, potentially replacing American workers or paving the way for future offshoring of jobs. On the other hand, many users have condemned such accusations as xenophobic, highlighting that the program fills critical talent gaps in the industry.
Adding complexity to the conversation, reports indicate that some Indian employees were also among those laid off, suggesting that the reductions are part of a wider corporate restructuring rather than a targeted action based on immigration status.
The development underscores ongoing tensions between corporate cost-cutting initiatives, employment security, and immigration policy in the evolving U.S. job market. As companies navigate economic uncertainty and digital transformation, such decisions continue to ignite public debate on the balance between operational efficiency and workforce equity.
