Walmart is laying off employees across three states: California, Florida, and Texas. The company has cited a corporate restructuring plan as one of the main factors contributing to these layoffs.
Additionally, some workers are being affected by a recent Supreme Court ruling that alters immigration policy, specifically impacting the work authorization of certain migrant groups.
While the company has not provided detailed information about the exact reasons behind the layoffs, these moves appear to be part of an ongoing effort to adapt to a shifting business environment.
According to Newsweek, the layoffs also coincide with changes in Walmart’s technology workforce.
Walmart’s Technology Restructuring in California
Walmart is set to lay off 106 employees in its technology office in San Bruno, California, as part of its effort to restructure its business. The affected roles include engineers, data scientists, and managers across various departments, including finance, marketing, and operations.
The memo, titled “Building for the future,” said
“We are eliminating roles as well as opening some new roles aligned with our business priorities and growth strategy. The world of technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and reshaping our structure allows us to accelerate how we deliver and adapt to the changing environment around us.“
These layoffs are part of a broader corporate restructuring strategy that Walmart has indicated may affect up to 1,500 corporate employees across the country.
The company has stressed that these layoffs are not connected to the recent tariff increases, but are instead driven by the need to adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape.
Employees affected by the layoffs have until August 22, 2025, to relocate within the company to other departments, otherwise, their employment will end. A WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) document was filed with California officials on May 23, providing the details of these layoffs.
Walmart’s Broader Corporate Restructuring
Walmart’s layoffs in California are part of a broader corporate restructuring plan designed to streamline operations and better align with the evolving business environment.
The restructuring aims to ensure that Walmart remains competitive in a fast-changing retail and technology space, including the challenges posed by global market shifts and technological disruption.
Despite earlier warnings about the impact of global tariffs, Walmart has clarified that these layoffs are not related to tariffs. A Walmart spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that the layoffs “reflect a focus on business priorities and our growth strategy, and are not related to tariffs.”
Impact of the Supreme Court Ruling on Migrant Workers
In addition to the corporate restructuring, Walmart is also letting go of some employees in Florida and Texas in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows the Trump administration to revoke temporary protections for certain migrant workers.
The ruling affects migrants from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, whose work authorizations are now in jeopardy. Walmart has instructed its stores to begin identifying workers whose legal status may soon expire.
Walmart’s Response to the Layoffs
Regarding the broader context of these layoffs, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social in May, criticizing Walmart’s stance on tariffs.
He said:
“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected. Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, ‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!“
A Walmart spokesperson reaffirmed that the layoffs related to the technology office were part of the company’s strategic focus on business priorities and growth, and were not connected to the tariffs or Trump’s policies.
Walmart’s handling of its workforce adjustments highlights the broader challenges faced by large employers in the U.S. as they adapt to changing legal and economic landscapes, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing evolution of the tech sector, and shifting immigration policies.
