A former hiring manager at Uber, who moved to the US in 2013 for a master’s degree, has issued a warning on rising anti-Indian sentiment. His message targets students aspiring for H-1B visas amid shifting political and job market realities.
In a social media post, the Indian manager cautioned against optimism around the US midterms and immigration reform. He stated that expectations of policy relief linked to elections may be misplaced given the current political climate.
Claiming to have earned $500,000 in total compensation at Uber, he said attitudes on the ground have changed sharply. Many American STEM graduates, according to him, now unfairly blame Indians for a weak job market.
He also criticised some Indian social media creators in the US for posting cringe content. Such content, he argued, gets amplified online and worsens resentment among local communities, further complicating the immigration debate.
The former Uber manager added that traditional political divisions no longer apply. Even sections of the American left, once supportive of immigration, are now sceptical about the H-1B programme and its impact.
He further warned that job seekers now face competition not just from peers but also from AI. Hiring needs have reduced sharply as AI coding tools improve and replace several entry-level and mid-level roles.
Without naming his current employer, he said roles that numbered 20 in 2020 may now be limited to just 2 to 4 positions. This shift has made tech hiring far more selective and uncertain.
Indian students taking education loans exceeding $100,000 and facing F-1 visa delays now face slimmer chances of H-1B sponsorship. He clarified that the warning aims to raise awareness, not discourage, especially against agents selling false promises.
