Meta Employee Detained by ICE After Losing Job in Layoffs
Original: A Meta Employee Who Just Lost Their Job Was Detained by Immigration Agents
Why This Matters
Highlights immigration enforcement risks for tech visa workers amid layoffs
A former Meta employee who lost their job during May 20 layoffs was reportedly detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to internal company communications seen by WIRED. The worker was believed detained in El Paso, Texas.
Internal Meta messaging boards discussed the detention of a former colleague who was laid off on May 20 during cuts affecting nearly 10 percent of Meta's workforce, or roughly 8,000 people. Current employees posted urgent messages tagging immigration-focused executives. The detained worker's location was believed to be El Paso, Texas, near the US-Mexico border and Ciudad Juárez consular offices. Many tech workers use H-1B visas tied to specific employers, requiring paperwork adjustments when changing jobs. Meta declined comment while DHS said it couldn't verify details without the detainee's name, adding the Trump Administration is conducting 'the largest deportation operation in history.' Some Meta employees have demanded company support for immigrant workers at deportation risk.