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As part of the tough consequences of President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, Walmart Inc., the world’s largest retailer and America’s top private employer, has been forced to resign, Bloomberg reported. has halted job offers to foreign candidates requiring H-1B visas. The cap, implemented on the heels of the administration’s September executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on new applications, signals major changes to the corporate talent pipeline that will ripple through tech, retail and other sectors.

The directive primarily targets Walmart’s corporate roles in technology, data analytics and e-commerce—areas that are fueling its rivalry with Amazon—though it excludes a large portion of its 1.6 million U.S. hourly employees. Government data shows Walmart is the H-1B giant in retail, with 2,390 approvals in the first half of 2025 alone, far ahead of rivals like Target or Costco. “We are committed to securing the best talent while also being intentional about our H-1B approach,” a spokesperson told CNN. He described this ban as temporary amid legal complications.

The order, signed amid Trump’s pledge to put “Americans first,” mandates an annual fee to prevent “abuse” of the program for high-skilled roles in STEM and beyond—transfers from student visas or L-1 within a company are exempt. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick quipped, “Is that guy worth $100,000 to the government, or hiring an American?” Still, critics call it arbitrary, which could increase costs for startups and medium-sized firms that rely on global expertise.

The US Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit on October 15, arguing that the tariffs “significantly harm” by stifling innovation – a point echoed by allies like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who say H-1B visas are vital to US competitiveness. Tech giants like Amazon (over 10,000 Visa), Microsoft and Meta will suffer even more, but Walmart’s move reflects the retail sector’s shift toward in-house hiring.

Potential employees may turn to O-1 “exceptional ability” visas, remote overseas roles or L-1 transfers. As lawsuits loom and exemptions become clear, this policy is testing America’s ability to innovate – balancing “America First” with global talent wars. Walmart is hoping for a reevaluation after clarity, but for now, Bentonville’s dreams are on hold.