Going from hybrid - pre-covid, and hiring as such - to 100% onsite is an asshole move and should be called out as such.

> apparent contradiction

I don't understand what you mean. Where's the contradiction? OP saying "never take an ultimatum" isn't absolute - there's an implied "in your best interest" there. If a cop tells you "freeze or I'll shoot!" do you ignore that ultimatum? Of course not, context matters. Obviously an H1B trying to support a family is going to most likely choose to comply with the ultimatum in the best interest of their quality of life. It's just unfortunate they have far less negotiation room.