Indian H-1B manager says tech bias is growing: ‘People say we bring caste’

Indian H-1B manager says tech bias is growing: ‘People say we bring caste’

An Indian professional working in the United States on an H-1B visa says he feels unfairly targeted and resented amid growing stereotypes about Indian workers in tech. The manager, who says he started at a mid-level role and progressed to a senior level, wrote on the anonymous platform Blind: “Recently, I see so much anger toward Indians in tech. Online, people say we only hire our own, or that we bring the caste system here. It breaks me because I’ve spent my whole career trying to do the opposite.”

He says that although he has mentored people of diverse backgrounds and focused on merit-based hiring, the stereotype persists and now affects how he is viewed at work. “I moved to the US to belong but still feel like I live in India as my social circle is mostly Indians,” he wrote.

The post has struck a chord online. Some commenters defended him, noting the injustice of being judged by nationality or visa status. Others criticised H-1B managers broadly, saying visa-hold roles are vulnerable and some exploit privilege, which fuels resentment among other workers.

The manager’s message comes amid broader debate about workplace culture in US tech, especially around foreign-worker visas like H-1B. Critics point to allegations of hiring bias, favouritism based on nationality or community, and systems that leave H-1B workers in precarious positions.

While the manager doesn’t name his employer, media coverage notes he works at a large US tech company. The issue highlights tension between global talent mobility, visa-based labour systems and the workplace inclusion challenges that arise when cultural stereotypes and real grievances mix.