Report alleges firms like OpenAI, Udemy, and Instacart may have discriminated against American workers while sponsoring foreign hires.
The long-debated H-1B visa program has sparked fresh controversy, with allegations that major tech firms are skirting job advertisement rules to prioritize foreign hires over American workers, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
According to a report published on August 16, companies including OpenAI, Udemy, and Instacart advertised jobs in local newspapers, instructing applicants to send resumes to “immigration or global mobility departments.”
Jobs.Now, a website monitoring H-1B hiring, alleged that many US citizens are unaware that companies often sideline them during recruitment for roles earmarked for visa sponsorship. Under federal rules, employers must demonstrate that no qualified US worker is available before sponsoring a foreign national for a green card. This requires public job postings, often in Sunday newspapers, where qualified US applicants must be considered first.
A Newsweek report claims companies posted job ads in obscure outlets with unusual application methods, raising concerns of deliberate underreach
However, Jobs.Now argues that the methods used in these advertisements—requiring paper mail or email submissions to non-standard hiring channels—appear designed to discourage applications. Unlike mainstream recruiting platforms such as LinkedIn or company career portals, these ads are less likely to attract genuine applicants.
The group has urged the US government to investigate and take strict action against what it calls “illegal and discriminatory practices” that undermine opportunities for American workers.
The allegations reignite debate on whether the H-1B system is being manipulated, with calls growing louder for reforms to ensure fair hiring practices.
