Layoff | Microsoft | 2023 Feb. 14

Here is the link.

Steve Leonard | 

Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft Research | Austin, Texas, United States   

There have been many layoffs in tech recently (46,000 and counting). Unfortunately, I was one of them. I want to spend a little time explaining what happens when you are laid off on a US visa.

 
Basically, you have 60 days to find a new job, or your entire family get deported.
 
I'm on an L1 visa which means I cannot transfer my visa to another company. So in my case at Microsoft, I have to find a new role with a similar title in the same company that just laid me off. Oh and that new role has to be willing to sponsor me and the skillset required has to be almost identical to my current role or my visa won't be valid.
 
Pretty tough right? Especially when there's 10,000 other people in my org that are also trying to find a role.
 
What's really worse though is:

- Your spouse's right to work ends when yours does, so you both lose your jobs!
- You'll likely have to sell any US assets at a loss, cars, house etc
- In our situation, it can cost upwards of $40,000 to get our family and household furniture home.
- When you arrive in your country, you will most likely still have financial obligations in the US
- You will also have no income which means finding accommodation will be almost impossible (especially after spending your savings on shipping furniture)
- Depending on where you are shipping your furniture it will likely take several months for it to arrive
- Your children have to leave their school and as a parent, your sole concern is simply whether you will be able to put a roof over their heads
 
 
Also during the 60 days when you are no longer working:

- You cannot use Social Services (that you paid into)
- Depending on your severance all medical costs are out of pocket and lose your healthcare coverage
- You cannot start your own business
- You cant work for any other business, not even part-time bar work or anything
- You lose your place in the line for a permanent residency (green card)


My takeaway to anyone in my network reading this is, if you are hiring, please consider an immigrant who is on a visa, and if you are in a position where you need to make a decision on layoffs, please take this into consideration.
 
I personally wouldn't wish that situation on anyone.