Fact check: Is there any data regarding H-1B Indian tech workers leaving the US after losing their job?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there is limited direct data regarding H-1B Indian tech workers leaving the US after job loss, but several sources reveal concerning trends and challenges:

Key findings include:

• One in six Indian professionals on H-1B visas have received deportation notices, according to survey data, with many considering returning to India due to visa program uncertainties ^[1]
• Laid-off H-1B workers are receiving "notices to appear" despite being within the 60-day grace period, which is causing significant distress among foreign workers ^[2]
• The 60-day grace period creates intense pressure for H-1B holders to find new employment or face deportation, particularly affecting those in the tech industry during economic slowdowns ^{[1] [3]}
• Personal accounts from seven current and former H-1B recipients working in Big Tech companies reveal widespread anxiety, guilt, and uncertainty about their future in the US, along with restrictions on career changes and family planning ^[4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question focuses solely on departure data but omits several critical contextual factors:

Economic and Policy Context:

• The economic slowdown in the US and its specific impact on the tech industry has created widespread layoffs affecting H-1B holders ^[3]
• There is rising hostility towards high-skilled immigration, including the H-1B program, which affects Indian professionals' decisions to stay ^[3]
• Stricter H-1B and OPT regulations are impacting not just current workers but also Indian students considering US education and career paths ^[5]

Employer Practices:

• Some sources suggest that employers may structure job postings to favor H-1B visa holders over American workers ^{[6] [7]}, which creates a complex dynamic where these workers are simultaneously vulnerable to deportation yet potentially preferred in hiring

Broader Immigration Impact:

• The challenges extend beyond just job loss to include restrictions on entrepreneurial ventures, family planning, and career mobility while on H-1B status ^[4]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral and factual in seeking data, but it may inadvertently narrow the scope of a more complex issue:

Framing Limitations:

• By focusing only on "leaving after job loss," the question doesn't capture the full spectrum of H-1B holder experiences, including those who remain despite facing deportation notices or those who leave due to systemic uncertainties rather than immediate job loss

Missing Systemic Issues:

• The question doesn't address the structural problems with the H-1B system that create these departure pressures, such as the arbitrary 60-day grace period and the complex relationship between employer dependency and worker vulnerability

Data Availability Bias:

• The sources suggest that comprehensive departure data may not be readily available, which could lead to underestimating the scope of the issue. The available information comes primarily from surveys and personal accounts rather than official government statistics ^{[1] [4]}

The question, while legitimate, benefits from broader context about the systemic challenges facing H-1B holders beyond just post-termination departures.