1Walmart’s decision to lay off 1,500 employees from its technology division in May 2025 has ignited a wave of public scrutiny and debate, with Indian-origin Chief Technology Officer Suresh Kumar at the center of the controversy. The layoffs, impacting staff at the company’s Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters and other US office locations, are part of a broader organizational restructuring aimed at cost-cutting and adapting to evolving digital priorities. However, the move has triggered a fresh round of criticism regarding the use of the H-1B visa program and the employment of foreign workers in the American tech sector.
Almost immediately after the layoffs were announced, social media platforms were flooded with posts accusing Walmart of replacing American workers with H-1B visa holders, many of whom are of Indian origin. A viral post specifically targeted Suresh Kumar, alleging that more than 40% of Walmart’s technology workforce consists of H-1B visa holders, and implying that the layoffs were orchestrated to retain cheaper foreign talent. Critics have argued that this practice undercuts domestic employment opportunities, while defenders of the program maintain that it fills critical skill gaps in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Suresh Kumar: Background and Leadership at Walmart
Suresh Kumar, who has served as Walmart’s Global Chief Technology Officer since 2019, is no stranger to the technology industry’s biggest names. An alumnus of IIT Madras and Princeton University, Kumar previously held senior roles at Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, amassing over three decades of experience. At Walmart, he is responsible for overseeing global technology operations, including cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the integration of artificial intelligence into retail solutions.
Kumar’s leadership has been instrumental in Walmart’s digital transformation, with a focus on operational efficiency and long-term technological alignment. His annual compensation, as reported in SEC filings, was nearly $16 million last year, including $12 million in stock awards. Despite his track record, the recent layoffs have placed him under intense public scrutiny, with critics blaming him for the decision and for allegedly advancing a so-called “H-1B hiring agenda”.
Walmart Responds: Layoffs Not Linked to Visa Hiring
In response to the backlash, Walmart has firmly rejected claims that the layoffs were connected to H-1B visa hiring practices. In a memo reviewed by Bloomberg, both Suresh Kumar and Walmart US CEO John Furner clarified that the job cuts were designed to “accelerate decision-making and simplify the organizational structure,” and were not influenced by the company’s employment of foreign worker. They emphasized that the restructuring was a strategic response to economic uncertainty and the need for tech-led agility, rather than an attempt to replace American workers with H-1B visa holders.
The company’s official stance has done little to quell criticism, as social media outrage continues and industry observers debate the broader implications for corporate responsibility and the future of the H-1B visa program. Some labor advocates and tech professionals argue that Walmart’s reliance on H-1B workers, particularly in IT roles, is part of a larger trend among US tech giants to reduce costs by hiring skilled foreign labor. Others point out that the H-1B program is essential for filling specialized roles that are difficult to staff with domestic talent, especially as the technology landscape rapidly evolves.
Implications for Tech Industry and Visa Policy:
Walmart’s layoffs and the ensuing debate over H-1B visas have reignited longstanding tensions in the US labor market, where questions about the balance between cost efficiency, innovation, and domestic employment persist. The H-1B visa program, which allows US employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers, has long been a flashpoint for controversy, with critics arguing that it depresses wages and displaces American workers, while supporters claim it is vital for maintaining the country’s competitive edge in technology.
The situation at Walmart is emblematic of broader challenges facing the tech industry, where rapid technological change, automation, and global competition are forcing companies to adapt their workforce strategies. As companies like Walmart pursue digital transformation and seek to remain agile in a fast-changing market, the debate over how to balance the needs of business with the interests of workers is likely to intensify.
For now, Suresh Kumar remains at the forefront of Walmart’s technology strategy, but the controversy surrounding the layoffs and the H-1B visa program has underscored the complexities of leading a global tech operation in an era of heightened scrutiny and shifting public sentiment. As the conversation around foreign hiring and corporate accountability continues, the impact of Walmart’s decision—and Kumar’s leadership—will be closely watched by industry observers, policymakers, and workers alike.
