The denial rate for H1B visas dropped from 24% to 4%. This precipitous drop in denial rates was almost immediately followed by some of the largest layoffs in tech history. My belief is that the BigCos are using layoffs to constructively abuse the H1B visa program (and, more importantly, abuse terrified H1B workers).

I'm fairly involved in politics and try to contribute in large enough ways to at least be a known entity to campaign managers. If you're the same, now is the time to continue your civic engagement. I'm fairly confident DoL will be watching BigTech labor practices like a hawk, looking for both intentional domestic labor displacement and also abuse of H1B workers. I will not be surprised if Amazon is at the center of intense executive and legislative scrutiny for the next two years as a result of massive H1B allocations immediately followed by massive layoffs.

If you are an H1B worker being asked to work excessive hours or take on new responsibilities, reach out to DoL (NOT USCIS). If you are a manager/director privy to conversations about labor force reduction and H1B status is mentioned, reach out to DoL. Better to be the whistle blower than mentioned by name in a deposition.