CTO Suresh Kumar Blamed, Targeted, For Walmart Layoffs
India-West News Desk
BENTONVILLE, AR – Walmart’s recent decision to lay off over 1,500 employees has sparked online backlash, particularly among supporters of President Donald Trump whose economic policies are among reasons the company has made the move.
The criticism has included unfounded claims that the company is replacing American workers with foreign employees on H-1B visas. Some of the ire has been directed at Suresh Kumar, Walmart’s Global Chief Technology Officer and Chief Development Officer, due to his Indian background—despite no evidence linking him to the staffing changes.
Kumar, who holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, oversees Walmart’s global technology strategy and digital transformation.
Walmart, the largest private employer in the country with about 1.6 million U.S. workers, has also been consolidating office spaces and adjusting prices in response to inflation and tariffs. As of now, the company has not commented on the targeting of Kumar or the allegations circulating online.
While social media narratives suggest that the layoffs are tied to hiring foreign tech workers, current reports indicate otherwise. The job cuts are concentrated in areas like Walmart’s U.S. e-commerce division and Walmart Connect, its advertising business—departments not typically reliant on H-1B visa holders. Bloomberg has reported that the layoffs are part of a broader effort to streamline operations and improve decision-making efficiency amid economic pressures.
The situation has reignited discussions around immigration and employment policy in the U.S., particularly regarding the H-1B visa program.
Indians accounted for the majority of H-1B approvals in recent years—77% in 2022 and 72.3% in 2023.
pemba
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Foreign workers are stealing our jobs. Trump should stop issuing H -1B VISAS.
May 27, 2025Mouli
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Most H1-B workers can be very easily situated in their Indian offices and companies can save enormous sums of money and also avoid any controversies regarding the concept of H1-B. One could avoid very easily local protests and potential boycotts.
May 27, 2025Daljit Singh
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Our modern economy requires highly skilled workers in STEM fields. The bottom line is that we do not have, nor is it expected to have soon, a sufficient number of trained people to compete with other industrialized countries such as China, Japan, the EU, Taiwan, Singapore, or South Korea. Without the H1-B visa, it would not be easy to maintain a lead in high technology. Any public policy to replace the current immigration policy based on merit would result in a significant decline in the standard and quality of life in the United States. The symptoms of the decline have already started appearing in the last five months.
May 27, 2025Ryan
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Agree. However, in practice 80% of H1Bs are issued to people who have mundane skill who can easily be replaced by anyone. The only reason for hiring H1bs is cost. The rest 20% are smart, highly qualified/skilled and we need them (like Suresh Kumar).
May 28, 2025Chad Perkins
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I don’t think you are wrong and I harbor no ill will towards Indian employees in any field. Your point is deftly felt however as the U.S. retreats from science and education and holds on to some fantasy that we can remain a relevant economy, a relevant super power, or a relevant culture while we do this. If we spent 10% of the budget we currently waste on the military on education in STEM fields for our youth we could easily become vastly more secure than pumping more $ into military contractors will ever make us. Not to mention our stubborn ignorant attitude regarding immigration and maintaining a healthy workforce. Out economy can’t grow if we don’t have enough people to perform the necessary labor. And as a 50 year old white dude I don’t care what color or nationalities lead to American prosperity, growth, and security. I don’t know why any one would.
May 29, 2025