US tech cut off indians. No Job offer for H1Bs and OPTs.

U.S. Tech Companies Cut Jobs for Indians: A Wake-Up Call for India’s Leadership

In recent months, a sharp downturn in the U.S. tech industry has led to a hiring freeze and significant layoffs, disproportionately impacting Indian professionals working under the H-1B visa and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs. Once the largest beneficiaries of America’s booming tech economy, Indian workers now find themselves caught in the crossfire of economic slowdown, visa restrictions, and shifting immigration priorities.

While the layoffs are global in nature, the consequences for Indian nationals are particularly severe. As thousands face job loss, visa expiration, and forced return to India, concerns are mounting over the Indian government's lack of a meaningful response. Critics argue that neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration nor ideological organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have taken substantive action to address the growing crisis faced by Indian tech professionals abroad.

A Global Tech Slowdown with Local Consequences
The U.S. tech sector has been experiencing a dramatic contraction. Major firms such as Meta, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have announced large-scale layoffs, affecting tens of thousands of employees worldwide. Hiring freezes have followed, particularly targeting foreign nationals dependent on work visas.

For Indian tech workers—who make up more than 70% of H-1B visa holders—this crisis has led to immediate and life-altering challenges. The H-1B visa allows foreign professionals to work in the U.S. for a specific employer, but they must find new sponsorship within 60 days of termination or face deportation. For those on OPT, typically recent graduates from U.S. universities, job prospects are vanishing, cutting short the American dream.

Why Indian Workers Are Vulnerable
Indian tech professionals have long formed the backbone of America’s software and IT infrastructure. Yet their dependence on restrictive visa programs makes them particularly vulnerable during downturns. The lack of labor protections for H-1B holders means they are among the first to go during layoffs, regardless of their performance or contribution.

Moreover, visa policies prevent them from easily switching employers or starting their own ventures, further compounding the uncertainty. While some legal efforts are underway to lobby for reform, policy change remains slow—especially in an election year when immigration debates are politically sensitive in the U.S.

The Silence from New Delhi
What is raising eyebrows, however, is the lack of urgency from the Indian government. Despite being aware of the unfolding crisis, the Modi administration has made no significant diplomatic or policy interventions to support Indian nationals affected by U.S. tech job cuts.

For a government that has often highlighted the global success of the Indian diaspora as a badge of honor, the muted response feels inconsistent. The Ministry of External Affairs has offered general guidance, but no formal support structure, repatriation assistance, or legal aid initiatives have been launched to aid returning or stranded workers.

Critics argue that India’s foreign policy, which has often projected a narrative of strong global leadership under Modi, is failing to protect its skilled citizens abroad when it matters most. The current silence stands in stark contrast to the active role New Delhi played in evacuating citizens from Ukraine and other conflict zones. While this situation is economic rather than geopolitical, the personal and professional fallout for thousands is no less severe.

What Role for the RSS?
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), often seen as the ideological backbone of the current government, has remained publicly disengaged from the crisis as well. While the RSS is primarily focused on domestic cultural and social issues, its reach into policymaking and influence over government direction is well-known.

Given the RSS’s emphasis on national pride and the empowerment of Indian talent, its silence on a mass displacement of Indian workers from the global tech industry seems contradictory. This could have been an opportunity for the organization to advocate for policies promoting domestic job creation, reverse brain drain, or skills reintegration for returning professionals—but such initiatives have not materialized.

The Risk of a “Reverse Brain Drain”
The forced return of thousands of highly skilled Indian workers risks triggering a “reverse brain drain,” where talented professionals are unable to fully leverage their experience in the domestic job market. India’s tech sector, though robust, may not yet be positioned to absorb such a large influx of professionals with U.S.-specific skill sets.

This mismatch can lead to underemployment, wage compression, and a loss of motivation among returnees—many of whom invested heavily in U.S. education and career pathways. Without targeted programs to integrate this workforce, India stands to lose more than just face on the global stage; it risks squandering a valuable pool of talent.

What Can Be Done?
There are several actionable steps the Indian government and society could take:

Diplomatic Engagement: Open formal dialogue with the U.S. to explore policy leniency for laid-off H-1B and OPT holders, such as extended grace periods or support in transferring visas.

Returnee Integration Programs: Launch government-backed programs to match returning professionals with Indian startups, IT firms, and innovation hubs.

Tax and Incentive Policies: Create incentives for Indian companies to hire returning NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), including tax benefits and startup funding.

Legal and Counseling Aid: Offer legal aid cells through Indian consulates to help Indian nationals understand their options in the U.S. and avoid exploitation.

Public Communication: Demonstrate visible support through public statements and action plans, helping to ease the anxiety faced by affected families.

Conclusion
The mass layoffs and hiring freezes in the U.S. tech industry have left thousands of Indian professionals stranded, stressed, and uncertain about their future. What’s more troubling is the absence of strong political or institutional support from India’s leadership.

This moment is not just about lost jobs; it’s about the fragility of India’s global mobility strategy, and the need to rethink how the country supports its talent abroad. Whether the Indian government chooses to act or remain silent could define how millions of young Indians view their future—not just in Silicon Valley, but at home.

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