As recessionary trends loom large and geopolitical tensions continue to flare, the road ahead appears uncertain for thousands of Indian professionals who once saw the U.S. as the ultimate destination for growth and stability
The American dream is rapidly turning into a desi nightmare for thousands of Indian tech professionals in the United States. Once considered a land of endless opportunity, the U.S. job market—particularly in the technology sector—is now a source of rising anxiety, thanks to escalating layoffs, immigration hurdles, and a slowing demand for skilled workers, reported economictimes.indiatimes.com.
Social media platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) have become sounding boards for anxious posts from Indian engineers and IT professionals facing the brunt of the ongoing crisis. Catchphrases like “Liberation Day Layoffs” are gaining traction online, capturing the growing frustration among affected workers.
According to a layoff tracking platform, more than 2,700 tech employees lost their jobs in April alone, including those from tech titans like Google and Microsoft. The previous months were even bleaker—nearly 8,000 layoffs were recorded in March, while February saw a staggering 19,000 job cuts.
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Looking ahead, experts fear that the worst may not be over. There are growing concerns that tech companies—both startups and established players—may quietly trim up to 20% of their workforce across departments in the coming weeks
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Legal advisors also warn that navigating immigration pathways will become increasingly challenging for foreign workers, especially those from India
Industry experts attribute this downturn to a combination of global economic pressures. A key trigger has been the ongoing tariff battles between the United States and other major economies, including China and the European Union. These tit-for-tat trade policies have created a cloud of uncertainty, spooking investors and stalling enterprise deal cycles.
“Global firms are reacting to geopolitical instability and are reining in spending,” the report quoted Phil Fersht, CEO of U.S.-based advisory firm HfS Research, as saying.
“Job cuts are often the first response to these kinds of economic pressures.”
The situation is particularly grim for Indian professionals working in the U.S. on temporary visas. Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital, emphasized that visa holders are often among the first to face layoffs due to legal complexities and tightening labor regulations. For many, a pink slip not only ends employment but also triggers a countdown to leave the country unless a new job is secured quickly.