Walmart Layoffs 2025 : The world’s largest retailer and the top private employer in the United States, has made headlines in 2025 by laying off approximately 1,500 employees from its corporate and technology divisions. This strategic decision is part of Walmart’s broader plan to streamline operations and reduce costs amid ongoing economic volatility.
However, the layoffs have sparked intense online backlash, especially after reports emerged that Walmart recently filed for 3,800 H-1B visas—a U.S. work permit for foreign nationals in specialized roles. Many critics argue that the company is replacing American workers with foreign labor, igniting a national debate over outsourcing, immigration, and job security.
Why Did Walmart Lay Off 1,500 Employees?
The layoffs mainly affect Walmart’s global technology team and some advertising departments, impacting fewer than 1,500 staff members. According to insider sources cited by Bloomberg, the workforce reduction has already begun at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and other U.S. offices.
Walmart’s leadership stated in a company-wide memo that the layoffs are designed to simplify operations, speed up decision-making, and enhance overall organizational agility during an economically challenging period.
Who Is Suresh Kumar? Walmart’s CTO Faces Growing Scrutiny
In the eye of the storm is Suresh Kumar, Walmart’s Global Chief Technology Officer, whose reported $15 million annual salary has become a focal point of public criticism. Based in California, Kumar is being linked by some online users to the company’s rising dependence on H-1B visa holders—especially those hired from India.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Kumar began his career in 1992 at IBM and later worked at Amazon, Microsoft, and Google before joining Walmart in July 2019. He currently leads Walmart’s tech infrastructure across Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club, and Walmart International, as well as overseeing data, cloud, and cybersecurity operations.
Walmart’s website highlights that his team powers the retailer’s global tech backbone, driving innovation across all facets of the company.
Social Media Reacts: MAGA Supporters Slam Walmart’s H-1B Hiring Practices
Online outrage—particularly from MAGA-aligned users—erupted after the layoff announcement. Some posts went viral alleging that Walmart’s decision to cut jobs coincided with its surge in H-1B visa applications, accusing the company of undermining American labor.”Walmart has nearly 3,500 H-1B openings with a median salary of $139,000. This isn’t “high skilled”. They’re intentionally replacing American workers with foreigners,” shared another person.
IMMIGRATION: Walmart has nearly 3,500 H-1B openings with a median salary of $139,000.
— Dominic Michael Tripi (@DMichaelTripi) January 15, 2025
This isn’t “high skilled”. They’re intentionally replacing American workers with foreigners. pic.twitter.com/N9FOxkeSh7
Another shared a photo of CTO Suresh Kumar, claiming that over 40% of Walmart’s tech workforce may be H-1B hires from India.
Other users pointed fingers at both the Trump and Biden administrations, arguing that lax policies on foreign work visas are enabling corporate outsourcing on a massive scale.
What Walmart Says About the Layoffs
In a memo reviewed by Bloomberg, CTO Suresh Kumar and U.S. CEO John Furner defended the decision, explaining that the job cuts are part of a larger initiative to improve corporate efficiency and reduce internal complexity.
They emphasized that the layoffs are not directly linked to H-1B hiring and are instead aligned with long-term restructuring goals to remain competitive during economic uncertainty.
Walmart remains the largest private employer in the United States, with over 1.6 million U.S. employees and approximately 2.1 million workers globally. The company is also the top importer in the U.S., sourcing nearly 60% of its products—ranging from electronics to apparel—from China.
Walmart’s Recent Restructuring Timeline
- February 2025: Closed its North Carolina office and consolidated staff in Arkansas and California.
- April 2025: Announced price increases, blaming high tariffs on Chinese goods imposed during the Trump administration.
- May 2025: Initiated job cuts affecting 1,500 employees, mostly in technology roles.
Despite public outrage, experts note that there’s no direct evidence linking the layoffs to Walmart’s H-1B visa hiring. Nonetheless, the optics have intensified calls for a review of corporate visa practices and employment policies.
The 2025 Walmart layoffs have ignited a national conversation about corporate ethics, immigration, and the future of the American workforce. With Suresh Kumar’s leadership and Walmart’s aggressive H-1B visa strategy in the spotlight, critics and concerned citizens alike are demanding transparency.
As economic pressures mount and political tensions rise, Walmart may find itself needing to rebuild public trust—not just through press releases, but with measurable actions that reflect its commitment to the American workforce.