Former U.S. tech workers allege Indian managers exploited H-1B visa dependencies for long hours and biased hiring, amid new $100,000 H-1B fee.

Former U.S. tech workers shared on Reddit experiences of alleged exploitation by Indian managers, claiming some leveraged H-1B visa dependencies to enforce long hours and create biased hiring practices favoring specific regional, linguistic, or caste groups. While not all managers or companies were implicated, the accounts highlighted concerns about workplace inequality, limited recourse for visa holders, and systemic favoritism. These stories emerged alongside a new Trump administration rule imposing a $100,000 one-time fee for new H-1B applicants, effective September 21, 2025, which some believe could reduce vulnerabilities tied to the program. The discussion reflects broader debates about fairness, immigration policy, and workplace culture in American tech and retail industries.