H1-B Faces Fresh Scrutiny as Indian-Origin CEO-Led Xbox Cuts Jobs Microsoft’s recent layoffs in its Xbox division have intensified debates over the H-1B visa program, with critics accusing the company of replacing American workers with foreign labor. The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers and online commentators, who argue that the Indian-origin CEO of Xbox, Asha Sharma, is exploiting the visa system to undermine domestic employment. The allegations come amid broader scrutiny of the H-1B program, which has already faced investigations into potential fraud and misuse. Microsoft announced plans to cut approximately 4,800 jobs globally, including around 3,200 positions in its Xbox gaming division, as part of a restructuring effort to improve profitability. The decision has sparked accusations that the company is prioritizing cost-cutting over American workers, with critics pointing to the simultaneous hiring of H-1B visa holders. A Republican congressman, Riley Moore, has called for the complete abolition of the H-1B program, claiming that tech giants like Microsoft are using the visa system to replace U.S. workers with cheaper foreign labor. Moore argued that the program is a “scam” that harms both white-collar and blue-collar workers, warning that it allows companies to “systematically replace” American jobs. The backlash has also fueled social media outrage, with users alleging that Xbox’s Indian-origin leadership is orchestrating a deliberate effort to fire American employees and replace them with H-1B visa holders. Some posts claim that Sharma, who was appointed CEO of Xbox in February 2024, is using her position to “take over” key industries through “hiring discrimination and fraud.#microsoft #xbox #asha_sharma #h1b_visa #riley_moore
