‘Our use of H-1B sponsorships is...’: Walmart details immigration policy impact to shareholders
FILE (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) What immigration proposal at Walmart's Annual Shareholders Meeting said What Walmart told investors John Furner's message to Walmart shareholders Walmart
FILE (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) What immigration proposal at Walmart's Annual Shareholders Meeting said What Walmart told investors John Furner's message to Walmart shareholders Walmart recently announced shareholder voting results for its Annual Shareholders Meeting. Approximately 89.88% of all outstanding shares were represented at the meeting. John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart, provided an overview of Walmart’s business model and strong FY26 results. Some eight proposals were brought for voting. Among these was one from SOC Investment Group that asked for a report on how US immigration policy and enforcement are affecting Walmart's operations. The request cited potential workforce, trucking and agricultural supply chain risks. The majority of shareholders rejected the proposal requesting a report on how a shift in America's immigration policy and enforcement under President Donald Trump may impact Walmart's operations.
Walmart is America's largest private sector employer.According to a report in Axios, the proposal raised concerns that measures from the administration such as canceling humanitarian parole visas resulted in job losses and staffing shortages across the country. It noted that hundreds of workers at Walmart supercenters in Florida and Texas had work permits abruptly revoked.The proposal also reportedly said that the jump in the H-1B visa fee from $215 to $100,000 would also impact the company's ability to hire people and affect growth in its web platform and infrastructure.Walmart paused H-1B hiring in October last year, according to media reports, which was about a month after the fee revision.The proposal further said, as per the report, that the pause on visa grants to foreign-born commercial truckers could lead to rising costs for Walmart.On its part, Walmart said that it had not experienced significant operational or supply chain disruptions due to immigration-related policy changes.
"Our use of employment-based visa sponsorships is actually a very small percentage of our U.S. workforce, and it's primarily for specialized roles and complements other forms of workforce planning," Donna Morris, executive vice president and chief people officer at Walmart, told investors.John Furner noted that the company’s omnichannel retail model continues to deliver consistent performance. By expanding higher-margin commerce solutions, the company is investing in value and convenience for customers and members, associate experience and technology, all while strengthening its competitive position, driving sustained share gains and competitive differentiation. This unique model at scale positions the company well for sustained, long-term growth and returns to shareholders.Furner also highlighted investments made in supporting associates, including wages, benefits and opportunities to help build skills for the future, as well as how the company is leveraging AI to lead the next era of retail by providing associates with the technology and information they need to better serve customers and members.“The business has changed a lot since Sam Walton opened the first Walmart, and it has changed a lot since I started in the garden center.
The BriefWire