NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Memphis, TN, January 19, 2025: FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam Raj Subramaniam, the chief executive officer of FedEx Corporation, has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding the company’s use of H-1B visas, saying FedEx remains a merit-driven organization that hires based on skills and business needs, not nationality.
Speaking to The New York Times in his first detailed response to the backlash, Subramaniam said he believes strongly in legal immigration and credited it for shaping his own journey in the United States. He recalled arriving in the country as a student with little money, saying he still keeps the $2 bill he brought with him as a reminder of the opportunity America offered.
The remarks come after weeks of online criticism and political commentary accusing FedEx of favoring foreign workers over Americans. The criticism intensified following reports that the company had sponsored more H-1B visa applications in recent years, even as some U.S. workers were laid off during broader restructuring efforts.
Much of the backlash was fueled by claims circulating on social media and conservative outlets suggesting that American jobs were being replaced by H-1B visa holders. Some of the attacks personally targeted Subramaniam, with critics focusing on his Indian origin rather than FedEx’s overall employment data.
FedEx has rejected those claims, saying H-1B workers make up only a tiny fraction of its U.S. workforce and that visa approvals do not necessarily translate into actual hires. The company has also said that many of the layoffs cited by critics were in roles that do not qualify for H-1B sponsorship, making direct replacement unlikely.
Industry analysts and immigration experts have echoed that view, noting that H-1B visas are typically used for specialized professional roles and are subject to strict federal regulations, including wage requirements and labor condition attestations designed to protect U.S. workers.
The controversy is unfolding amid a broader national debate over skilled immigration, with the federal government tightening visa rules, increasing fees, and shifting toward wage-based selection for H-1B applicants. Those changes, combined with heightened political rhetoric ahead of the 2026 election cycle, have contributed to a rise in anti-immigrant and, in some cases, explicitly anti-Indian sentiment online.
Subramaniam, who took over as FedEx CEO in 2022, said the company will continue to focus on talent and compliance with U.S. law. He emphasized that FedEx’s success as a global logistics company depends on attracting the best people, while remaining committed to fairness and opportunity in the American workforce.
As scrutiny over corporate hiring practices continues, the FedEx debate has become a flashpoint in the wider conversation about immigration, globalization, and the future of work in the United States.
