‘AI most consequential technology of our lifetimes’: Zuckerberg tells employees as Meta layoffs trigger H-1B visa concerns

Mark Zuckerberg issued a company-wide memo acknowledging the impact of Meta’s latest layoffs, which affected nearly 8,000 employees globally, including H-1B visa holders. He emphasized AI as the 'most consequential technology of our lifetimes,' stating that Meta is restructuring teams to accelerate AI-driven growth. The company plans to invest over $100 billion this year on AI infrastructure, talent, and related projects amid intensified competition with other tech giants. Layoffs were implemented abruptly, with impacted employees receiving termination notices around 4 AM on Wednesday. They were instructed to collect belongings before office access was disabled and directed to Meta’s Alumni Portal for severance, benefits, and career support. The memo highlighted the unique challenges for H-1B visa holders, whose legal work authorization in the US is tied to their employment. Meta addressed concerns by providing immigration guidance and contact information for legal support through the Alumni Portal. However, H-1B workers typically have only 60 days to secure new sponsorship, risking deportation if unemployed. Indian nationals, who make up the largest share of H-1B visa holders, are disproportionately affected, with 283,772 approvals out of 406,348 petitions in FY25. Zuckerberg expressed gratitude to departing employees while acknowledging the emotional weight of the changes. He framed the layoffs as part of a broader transformation to reduce bureaucracy and foster faster-moving teams. The memo underscored Meta’s commitment to remaining competitive in AI, positioning the technology as central to the company’s future. The restructuring follows similar job cuts at other major tech firms, including Amazon and Oracle, raising broader concerns about immigration status for foreign workers. Meta’s focus on AI investment signals a strategic pivot, though the layoffs create immediate hardships for affected employees.