Snopes: No Evidence Tesla Laid Off Workers For H-1B Visa Holders

Social media posts have alleged that Tesla recently replaced laid-off American workers with H-1B visa holders, but no evidence has confirmed the claims, Jack Izzo reported for Snopes.

Tesla laid off more than 6,000 workers in April 2024 simultaneously filing approximately 1,300 H-1B visa applications. I Photo: Tesla X

Tesla laid off more than 6,000 workers in April 2024, according to WARN Act filings. Simultaneously, the company filed approximately 1,300 H-1B visa applications, prompting speculation that the layoffs and visa hires were related.

Between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor approved 2,067 H-1B visa applications for Tesla.

However, most applications were for workers already employed at the company, seeking visa extensions rather than new hires.

Critics argue that the overlap between layoffs and visa applications implies that some replacements have occurred. Tesla has not responded to these claims, leaving the issue unresolved.