A H‑1B software engineer was terminated by Google just weeks after joining, leaving him a tight 60‑day window to secure a new sponsor or exit the United States. The case highlights growing insecurity for foreign tech workers, especially Indians, amid ongoing layoffs.

Key Takeaways

  • Google let go of an H‑1B employee within weeks of hiring.
  • The employee now faces a 60‑day deadline to find a new sponsor or leave the US.
  • H‑1B holders, particularly Indians, are experiencing heightened job‑security risks.

Gu Yichen, a 31‑year‑old software engineer originally from China, joined Google in late 2022 after a stint at Amazon. The move seemed promising during a period of aggressive hiring in the tech sector, but the company’s sudden cost‑cutting measures canceled his team’s experimental project, resulting in a full‑team layoff.

Immediate Visa Implications

H‑1B regulations grant a 60‑day grace period for workers to secure new employment after termination. Yichen explained that he reached out to internal contacts at Google for alternative roles, but a wave of industry‑wide layoffs made the job market exceptionally tight.

Return to Familiar Ground

Instead of taking any role merely to stay in the country, Yichen returned to his hometown of Nanjing for a brief respite before traveling to Yunnan. An opening at Amazon’s former team later surfaced, allowing him to re‑enter the company with his existing employment‑based paperwork, smoothing the immigration process.

Wider H‑1B Challenges

Yichen’s experience mirrors a broader trend. A May 2026 Economic Times report documented mass layoffs at Meta, Amazon, and Oracle, leaving thousands of foreign‑born tech professionals scrambling to meet the 60‑day deadline. Some attempted to switch to B‑2 visitor visas for extra time, but heightened scrutiny and rising denial rates have made that route increasingly fraught.

Indian Professionals Under Pressure

Indian nationals dominate H‑1B approvals—283,772 of the 406,348 petitions approved in FY25, according to USCIS data. This reliance amplifies the impact of layoffs on the Indian diaspora, threatening both individual careers and the talent pipeline that fuels US tech innovation.

Looking Ahead

If major tech firms continue to adopt volatile hiring cycles without contingency plans for visa‑dependent staff, the United States risks losing valuable expertise. A coordinated approach between corporations and policymakers is essential to safeguard the talent that underpins the country’s competitive edge.