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MAGA supporters and Senator Mike Lee called for ending the US H-1B visa program, sparking racist remarks on X and unverified fraud claims at Walmart, which the company denied.
US Senator Mike Lee speaks on the day Republican presidential nominee and US President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally, in Prescott Valley, Arizona, US, in the 2024 file photo. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)
MAGA supporters rallied together calling for ending the US H-1B visa program claiming that it is a scam. “There are many young white well-educated males that cannot get a tech job,” said one Cindy Morris on X, after Utah Republican senator Mike Lee asked if the visa program be stopped.
Senator Mike Lee of Utah took to X to ask if it was time to pause issuing the H-1B visa program, posting, “Is it time to pause H1B visas?”
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The visa program is a crucial path for Indians, both students and professionals, who plan to study or work in the US.
The remarks also come amid US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration.
The time to pause H1B visas was decades ago. The time to cancel all current visas and deport is now.— C.Jay Engel 🌲 (@contramordor) August 25, 2025
The debate gathered momentum as unverified claims on the anonymous workplace app Blind and on X alleged a large-scale fraud at Walmart, including rumours that a senior executive in its Global Tech division was forced out over kickbacks in contract hiring.
There are many young white well-educated males that cannot get a tech job.— Cindy Morris (@CindySMBS) August 25, 2025
The chatter intensified when Switzerland-based consultancy CTOL Digital Solutions flagged the speculation.
They are already here, plenty of them. The vast majority of these H1bs have less skills than many kids coming out of high school in the US.— specsaregood (@specsaregood) August 25, 2025
However, Walmart has rejected the online rumours, clarifying that its recent internal investigation was unrelated to any visa-linked fraud or H-1B workers, according to a Hindustan Times report.
The Utah senator’s tweet sparked a conversation on X which MAGA loyalists engaged in.
We have the workforce. These Indian scammers are NOT trained in the jobs they are being hired for and are incompatible with our way of life.— Budget Kill-Dozer (@budgetkilldozer) August 25, 2025
Most said that it was time to end to the visa program. Some tweeted racism-laced remarks.
Using the online racial derogatory term “Pajeet” often used to denote Indians, X user Dick Trickle called Indians “JeetGPT”. Some called for deportation of all Indians and H-1B visa holders.
Another user called Indians “scammers” and another said H-1B visa workers have less skills compared to US schoolchildren.
The outrage also comes amid Indians suffered racist attacks in Europe and the US. Many observers, including the Irish President, highlighted that online racism is spilling onto real life.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More
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