Rya Jetha

Rahul Shivu Mahadev attended a Diwali celebration just before the election. The Indian-born software engineer, who lives in Santa Clara, sees the annual Festival of Lights as a way to connect with his community, sharing dishes like palak paneer, playing board games, and listening to Indian music.&nbsp;

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Rahul Shivu Mahadev attended a Diwali celebration just before the election. The Indian-born software engineer, who lives in Santa Clara, sees the annual Festival of Lights as a way to connect with his community, sharing dishes like palak paneer, playing board games, and listening to Indian music.&nbsp;

But as the partygoers made small talk, the specter of Donald Trump assuming the White House loomed. For the attendees — largely foreign nationals with work visas employed by tech companies — anxiety over the tenuous nature of their immigration status permeated the casual catch-up.&nbsp;&nbsp;

But as the partygoers made small talk, the specter of Donald Trump assuming the White House loomed. For the attendees — largely foreign nationals with work visas employed by tech companies — anxiety over the tenuous nature of their immigration status permeated the casual catch-up.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mahadev is on an H-1B visa, designated for foreign workers in specialty occupations. California has the most H-1B workers in the U.S., with more than 100,000 in fiscal 2022. When Mahadev won the lottery for a permit in 2019, he was ecstatic.&nbsp;

Mahadev is on an H-1B visa, designated for foreign workers in specialty occupations. California has the most H-1B workers in the U.S., with more than 100,000 in fiscal 2022. When Mahadev won the lottery for a permit in 2019, he was ecstatic.&nbsp;

“Working in Silicon Valley is the absolute best place for me,” Mahadev said. “The H-1B allows me to live my dreams.” At the same time, Mahadev said, his temporary visa status has made him face the fact that his life in the U.S. is provisional.&nbsp;

“Working in Silicon Valley is the absolute best place for me,” Mahadev said. “The H-1B allows me to live my dreams.” At the same time, Mahadev said, his temporary visa status has made him face the fact that his life in the U.S. is provisional.&nbsp;

“We buy furniture that can be sold quickly if we have to leave the country,” he said of visa holders. “We don’t have any property.”&nbsp;

“We buy furniture that can be sold quickly if we have to leave the country,” he said of visa holders. “We don’t have any property.”&nbsp;

The uncertainty and bureaucratic frustration have only heightened with Trump’s reelection.

The uncertainty and bureaucratic frustration have only heightened with Trump’s reelection.

During his last term, Trump launched a multi-pronged attack on the H-1B program, trying to limit eligibility for the visa and require companies to pay visa holders higher salaries than U.S. citizens. The proposals were blocked in court but threatened the highly skilled workforce that is part of the backbone of Silicon Valley.&nbsp;

During his last term, Trump launched a multi-pronged attack on the H-1B program, trying to limit eligibility for the visa and require companies to pay visa holders higher salaries than U.S. citizens. The proposals were blocked in court but threatened the highly skilled workforce that is part of the backbone of Silicon Valley.&nbsp;

Many foreign-born techies hope this time will be different, due in no small part to the close alliance between Trump and foreign-born billionaire Elon Musk.&nbsp;

Many foreign-born techies hope this time will be different, due in no small part to the close alliance between Trump and foreign-born billionaire Elon Musk.&nbsp;

The theory goes that Trump, now surrounded by a coterie of tech industry influencers, can be convinced to preserve — and maybe even improve — the legal pathways for highly skilled workers immigrating to the United States, even as he launches a mass effort to deport <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/07/san-francisco-trump-immigration-deportation-fears/">millions of undocumented immigrants</a>.

Immigrants fear deportation under Trump: &#8216;We have to prepare&#8217;

The theory goes that Trump, now surrounded by a coterie of tech industry influencers, can be convinced to preserve — and maybe even improve — the legal pathways for highly skilled workers immigrating to the United States, even as he launches a mass effort to deport <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/07/san-francisco-trump-immigration-deportation-fears/">millions of undocumented immigrants</a>.

“You should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in the country,” Trump said during a June appearance on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blqIZGXWUpU">“All-In” podcast</a>, giving a ray of hope to half a million H-1B holders and more than 1 million international students in the U.S.&nbsp;

“You should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in the country,” Trump said during a June appearance on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blqIZGXWUpU">“All-In” podcast</a>, giving a ray of hope to half a million H-1B holders and more than 1 million international students in the U.S.&nbsp;

Unlike in 2016, Trump’s campaign this time was boosted and bankrolled by tech leaders like Musk, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/05/donald-trump-san-francisco-campaign-fundraiser-tech-david-sacks/">David Sacks</a>, and Chamath Palihapitiya — all of whom were born outside the United States and have relied on foreign high-skilled workers to build their companies and formidable wealth.&nbsp;

Meet tech&#8217;s biggest Trumper: How David Sacks became the GOP&#8217;s Silicon Valley money man

Unlike in 2016, Trump’s campaign this time was boosted and bankrolled by tech leaders like Musk, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/05/donald-trump-san-francisco-campaign-fundraiser-tech-david-sacks/">David Sacks</a>, and Chamath Palihapitiya — all of whom were born outside the United States and have relied on foreign high-skilled workers to build their companies and formidable wealth.&nbsp;

A composite image of Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump speaks on X on Monday, August 12, 2024.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/my-project-1.jpeg?w=1080" alt="The image is divided vertically, showing two men in formal attire; one has short brown hair and a neutral expression, while the other has light hair and a slight smile." class="wp-image-301468"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A composite image of Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump speaks on X on Monday, August 12, 2024.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/my-project-1.jpeg?w=1080" alt="The image is divided vertically, showing two men in formal attire; one has short brown hair and a neutral expression, while the other has light hair and a slight smile." class="wp-image-301468"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A composite image of Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump speaks on X on Monday, August 12, 2024.</figcaption></figure>

Trump has said that in his second term, he’ll allow companies “to import the best and brightest around the world to America” and acknowledged that in the current system, graduates of U.S. universities are going back to India and China and becoming “multibillionaires employing thousands and thousands of people.”&nbsp;

Trump has said that in his second term, he’ll allow companies “to import the best and brightest around the world to America” and acknowledged that in the current system, graduates of U.S. universities are going back to India and China and becoming “multibillionaires employing thousands and thousands of people.”&nbsp;

“That is going to end on Day One,” Trump said on the podcast, to which Palihapitiya responded, “That’s fantastic.”&nbsp;

“That is going to end on Day One,” Trump said on the podcast, to which Palihapitiya responded, “That’s fantastic.”&nbsp;

Trump’s campaign later <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/campaign-walks-back-trumps-green-card-promise">walked back his promise</a> to give all foreign college graduates a green card with their diploma. Nonetheless, his comments inspired hope that he would reverse course on policies implemented during his first term, when the H-1B visa denial rate <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2022/01/12/h-1b-visa-denial-rates-plunge-after-trump-immigration-policies-end/">shot up</a>.

Trump’s campaign later <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/campaign-walks-back-trumps-green-card-promise">walked back his promise</a> to give all foreign college graduates a green card with their diploma. Nonetheless, his comments inspired hope that he would reverse course on policies implemented during his first term, when the H-1B visa denial rate <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2022/01/12/h-1b-visa-denial-rates-plunge-after-trump-immigration-policies-end/">shot up</a>.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-is-he-going-to-listen-to">‘Who is he going to listen to?’</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-is-he-going-to-listen-to">‘Who is he going to listen to?’</h2>

Sameer Khedekar, an immigration lawyer based in Palo Alto, characterized Trump’s first term as a “nightmare” for his clients.&nbsp;“The administration made it very difficult and scary and chaotic, even within the legal immigration H-1B community,” Khedekar said.&nbsp;

Sameer Khedekar, an immigration lawyer based in Palo Alto, characterized Trump’s first term as a “nightmare” for his clients.&nbsp;“The administration made it very difficult and scary and chaotic, even within the legal immigration H-1B community,” Khedekar said.&nbsp;

A similar anxiety pervaded the leadup to the recent election.&nbsp;

A similar anxiety pervaded the leadup to the recent election.&nbsp;

Mantek Singh, a machine learning engineer in the Bay Area, was closely watching despite not being able to vote, because he doesn’t trust Trump’s track record on legal immigration. Singh plans to apply for an extraordinary ability visa to get in line for a green card for permanent residency.&nbsp;

Mantek Singh, a machine learning engineer in the Bay Area, was closely watching despite not being able to vote, because he doesn’t trust Trump’s track record on legal immigration. Singh plans to apply for an extraordinary ability visa to get in line for a green card for permanent residency.&nbsp;

“Are the rules going to be so stringent that my visa is going to get denied, when it would’ve been accepted if Harris was in office?” Singh asked. “Will I be stuck in the queue forever to get a green card?”&nbsp;

“Are the rules going to be so stringent that my visa is going to get denied, when it would’ve been accepted if Harris was in office?” Singh asked. “Will I be stuck in the queue forever to get a green card?”&nbsp;

More than 1.2 million Indians are waiting for employment-based green cards, according to a National Foundation for American Policy analysis of <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies#:~:text=Reports%20on%20Employment%20Based%20Immigration">U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data</a>. The waiting period can be decades; some projections suggest it could take nearly two centuries to clear the backlog without reform.&nbsp;

More than 1.2 million Indians are waiting for employment-based green cards, according to a National Foundation for American Policy analysis of <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies#:~:text=Reports%20on%20Employment%20Based%20Immigration">U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data</a>. The waiting period can be decades; some projections suggest it could take nearly two centuries to clear the backlog without reform.&nbsp;

Now, some are looking to Trump and Musk to help with the logjam.&nbsp;

Now, some are looking to Trump and Musk to help with the logjam.&nbsp;

“There’s a large segment of the immigration community that is actually hopeful and thinks that because of Elon’s influence, [Trump’s presidency] is going to be really good,” Khedekar said.&nbsp;

“There’s a large segment of the immigration community that is actually hopeful and thinks that because of Elon’s influence, [Trump’s presidency] is going to be really good,” Khedekar said.&nbsp;

TOPSHOT - Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he steps on stage during a rally for former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York, October 27, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/gettyimages-2180776978.jpg?w=2500" alt="A person in a black outfit and cap stands with arms raised, shouting into a microphone. Behind them, a crowd holds red signs in a vibrant, colorful setting." class="wp-image-326147"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Musk spent $119&nbsp;million&nbsp;on a super PAC supporting Trump and joined the former president on the campaign trail.</figcaption></figure>

Atal Agarwal, founder of OpenSphere, an AI assistant that helps people get visas, has been fielding calls since the election. “Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have talked about the importance of legal immigration,”&nbsp;Agarwal has been telling concerned H-1B holders. “The hope is that Trump listens to them and fixes the system.”&nbsp;

Atal Agarwal, founder of OpenSphere, an AI assistant that helps people get visas, has been fielding calls since the election. “Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have talked about the importance of legal immigration,”&nbsp;Agarwal has been telling concerned H-1B holders. “The hope is that Trump listens to them and fixes the system.”&nbsp;

Musk, while being rabidly against illegal immigration <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/10/26/elon-musk-immigration-status/">despite working in the U.S. illegally</a> early in his career, has argued that the country should open its arms to <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/elon-musk-immigration-story-chick-fil-a-1235147923/">immigrants who are</a> “productive and honest and a net contributor.”&nbsp;

Musk, while being rabidly against illegal immigration <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/10/26/elon-musk-immigration-status/">despite working in the U.S. illegally</a> early in his career, has argued that the country should open its arms to <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/elon-musk-immigration-story-chick-fil-a-1235147923/">immigrants who are</a> “productive and honest and a net contributor.”&nbsp;

“The legal immigration process in America needs to be greatly streamlined and expanded, while illegal should be shut down,” Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1837916131346071625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1837916131346071625%7Ctwgr%5E71f1e0165449be9ecd236142dc0dd8e68ec81ba8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fbusiness%2F2024%2F10%2F26%2Felon-musk-immigration-status%2F">wrote on X</a> in September. “If someone is talented, hard-working, and honest, they are an asset to the country.”

“The legal immigration process in America needs to be greatly streamlined and expanded, while illegal should be shut down,” Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1837916131346071625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1837916131346071625%7Ctwgr%5E71f1e0165449be9ecd236142dc0dd8e68ec81ba8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fbusiness%2F2024%2F10%2F26%2Felon-musk-immigration-status%2F">wrote on X</a> in September. “If someone is talented, hard-working, and honest, they are an asset to the country.”

Last month, Musk returned to the same topic. &#8220;We have an upside down system that makes it hard for highly talented people to come to America legally, but trivial for criminals to come here illegally,&#8221; <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1851970548714139679">he said.</a> &#8220;Why is easier to get in illegally as a murderer than legally as a Nobel Laureate?&#8221; Musk added that Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency will fix this problem.

Last month, Musk returned to the same topic. "We have an upside down system that makes it hard for highly talented people to come to America legally, but trivial for criminals to come here illegally," <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1851970548714139679">he said.</a> "Why is easier to get in illegally as a murderer than legally as a Nobel Laureate?" Musk added that Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency will fix this problem.

Last month, Musk returned to the same topic. &#8220;We have an upside down system that makes it hard for highly talented people to come to America legally, but trivial for criminals to come here illegally,&#8221; <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1851970548714139679">he said.</a> &#8220;Why is easier to get in illegally as a murderer than legally as a Nobel Laureate?&#8221; Musk added that Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency will fix this problem.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We have an upside down system that makes it hard for highly talented people to come to America legally, but trivial for criminals to come here illegally. Why is easier to get in illegally as a murderer than legally as a Nobel Laureate?<a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> &amp; DOGE will fix this. <a href="https://t.co/RgMGWeyX1X">https://t.co/RgMGWeyX1X</a>&mdash; gorklon rust (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1851970548714139679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

But Kelli Duehning, partner at immigration law firm BAL, is skeptical about how much influence Musk will have to reform the system, especially as Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump’s hardline immigration policy during his first term, is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/politics/stephen-miller-trump-administration/index.html">expected to be appointed</a> as deputy chief of staff for policy.

But Kelli Duehning, partner at immigration law firm BAL, is skeptical about how much influence Musk will have to reform the system, especially as Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump’s hardline immigration policy during his first term, is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/politics/stephen-miller-trump-administration/index.html">expected to be appointed</a> as deputy chief of staff for policy.

“The battle President Trump is going to face is, who is he going to listen to?” said Duehning.&nbsp;

“The battle President Trump is going to face is, who is he going to listen to?” said Duehning.&nbsp;

She believes that if Miller prevails, Trump’s legal immigration policy will be a continuation of his first term. Highly skilled workers likely won’t be subject to mass deportation, she said, but the strategy will be to “throw sand in the gears” to slow legal immigration.&nbsp;

She believes that if Miller prevails, Trump’s legal immigration policy will be a continuation of his first term. Highly skilled workers likely won’t be subject to mass deportation, she said, but the strategy will be to “throw sand in the gears” to slow legal immigration.&nbsp;

For example, Duehning anticipates that there will be little attempt to backfill positions at the State Department or Citizenship and Immigration Services.&nbsp;

For example, Duehning anticipates that there will be little attempt to backfill positions at the State Department or Citizenship and Immigration Services.&nbsp;

Even more burdensome bureaucratic hurdles are precisely what Mahadev has been dreading.&nbsp;

Even more burdensome bureaucratic hurdles are precisely what Mahadev has been dreading.&nbsp;

Over the past few months, he’s had sleepless nights trying to navigate the clunky website H-1B holders use to book appointments at U.S. consulates abroad to get their visas stamped.&nbsp;

Over the past few months, he’s had sleepless nights trying to navigate the clunky website H-1B holders use to book appointments at U.S. consulates abroad to get their visas stamped.&nbsp;

Slots are in short supply in India, leading to the formation of Whatsapp, Telegram, and <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/usvisascheduling/">Reddit communities</a> with thousands of members dedicated to exchanging frustrations and advice. A black market has even cropped up in India of “visa agents” who will book appointments for a fee — and sometimes <a href="https://www.m9.news/usa-news/h1b-h4-drop-box-visa-agents-a-scam-in-the-indian-black-market/#google_vignette">scam desperate overseas workers.</a> A recent pilot program to allow visa holders to get a stamp stateside is no longer available.&nbsp;

Slots are in short supply in India, leading to the formation of Whatsapp, Telegram, and <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/usvisascheduling/">Reddit communities</a> with thousands of members dedicated to exchanging frustrations and advice. A black market has even cropped up in India of “visa agents” who will book appointments for a fee — and sometimes <a href="https://www.m9.news/usa-news/h1b-h4-drop-box-visa-agents-a-scam-in-the-indian-black-market/#google_vignette">scam desperate overseas workers.</a> A recent pilot program to allow visa holders to get a stamp stateside is no longer available.&nbsp;

“What I really want is for the temporary situation to not get worse, so we can visit our parents when we want to and travel freely,” Mahadev said.&nbsp;

“What I really want is for the temporary situation to not get worse, so we can visit our parents when we want to and travel freely,” Mahadev said.&nbsp;

Foreign-born techies fear for their work visas under Trump

Jonah Owen Lamb

A federal investigation of potential workplace discrimination at Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc. has been halted after President Trump signed a Jan. 21 executive order that all but shut down the agency in charge of it, The Standard has learned.&nbsp;

A federal investigation of potential workplace discrimination at Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc. has been halted after President Trump signed a Jan. 21 executive order that all but shut down the agency in charge of it, The Standard has learned.&nbsp;

The Department of Labor’s <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp">Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs</a> enforced equal employment laws for federal contractors. The office’s employees now have little to do besides notifying companies that they will no longer be audited for potential discrimination — and, in some cases, that they won’t have to pay outstanding fines.&nbsp;

The Department of Labor’s <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp">Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs</a> enforced equal employment laws for federal contractors. The office’s employees now have little to do besides notifying companies that they will no longer be audited for potential discrimination — and, in some cases, that they won’t have to pay outstanding fines.&nbsp;

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which operates under a different department, <a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-sues-tesla-racial-harassment-and-retaliation">sued Tesla</a> in September 2023 for “widespread and ongoing racial harassment of its Black employees.” That case is ongoing even as Tesla’s board promised to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/business/tesla-elon-musk-dei-discrimination.html">end discrimination at company sites</a>.&nbsp;

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which operates under a different department, <a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-sues-tesla-racial-harassment-and-retaliation">sued Tesla</a> in September 2023 for “widespread and ongoing racial harassment of its Black employees.” That case is ongoing even as Tesla’s board promised to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/business/tesla-elon-musk-dei-discrimination.html">end discrimination at company sites</a>.&nbsp;

Tesla — and its Fremont factory in particular — was among a group of Bay Area companies that were to be audited <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25514970-2024-ofccp-company-review-list/">by the OFCCP in 2024</a>. That investigation was still underway, and findings had not been made public, when the office was shut down.

Tesla — and its Fremont factory in particular — was among a group of Bay Area companies that were to be audited <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25514970-2024-ofccp-company-review-list/">by the OFCCP in 2024</a>. That investigation was still underway, and findings had not been made public, when the office was shut down.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 24: Tesla CEO Elon Musk leaves the Phillip Burton Federal Building on January 24, 2023 in San Francisco, California. Musk testified at a trial regarding a lawsuit that has investors suing Tesla and Musk over his August 2018 tweets saying he was taking Tesla private with funding that he had secured. The tweet was found to be false and cost shareholders billions of dollars when Tesla's stock price began to fluctuate wildly allegedly based on the tweet. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1459166551-scaled.jpg?w=2500" alt="Elon Musk is rolling out a program requiring users to pay in order to post content." class="wp-image-148548"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Elon Musk&#8217;s Tesla was among companies being audited by the Labor Department&#8217;s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1459166551-scaled.jpg?w=2500" alt="Elon Musk is rolling out a program requiring users to pay in order to post content." class="wp-image-148548"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Elon Musk's Tesla was among companies being audited by the Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1459166551-scaled.jpg?w=2500" alt="Elon Musk is rolling out a program requiring users to pay in order to post content." class="wp-image-148548"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Elon Musk&#8217;s Tesla was among companies being audited by the Labor Department&#8217;s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. </figcaption></figure>

Since 2012, workers at the Fremont factory have complained of rampant, systemic racial abuse from management. Black workers were routinely referred to by slurs, they said, and threatening graffiti-covered restrooms and work and break areas.

Since 2012, workers at the Fremont factory have complained of rampant, systemic racial abuse from management. Black workers were routinely referred to by slurs, they said, and threatening graffiti-covered restrooms and work and break areas.

The OFCCP sent Tesla a letter last week stating that its review had stopped. “We had to mail the companies we audit to tell them they no longer have to comply with our rules or regulations,” said Aliyah Levin, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2391, which represents 1,200 federal workers in San Francisco and eight Western states.&nbsp;

The OFCCP sent Tesla a letter last week stating that its review had stopped. “We had to mail the companies we audit to tell them they no longer have to comply with our rules or regulations,” said Aliyah Levin, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2391, which represents 1,200 federal workers in San Francisco and eight Western states.&nbsp;

Tesla’s letter was one among dozens in California alone, according to Levin. OFCCP investigators were set to review the practices of more than 2,000 U.S. companies this year, including 211 in California, <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25514982-2025-ofccp-company-review-list/">according to federal data that is no longer online</a>. Investigations have been canceled at the San Francisco offices of Google, Meta, Blackrock, Sony, and PG&amp;E, among others.

Tesla’s letter was one among dozens in California alone, according to Levin. OFCCP investigators were set to review the practices of more than 2,000 U.S. companies this year, including 211 in California, <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25514982-2025-ofccp-company-review-list/">according to federal data that is no longer online</a>. Investigations have been canceled at the San Francisco offices of Google, Meta, Blackrock, Sony, and PG&amp;E, among others.

Trans people flood Pelosi’s office with passport issues as Trump order causes travel chaos

sf-standard/related-post

‘Our business is deemed illegal’: Bay Area firms respond to Trump’s effort to kill DEI

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Despite its lack of name recognition, OFCCP for years served as an effective civil rights watchdog for Silicon Valley- and San Francisco-based tech companies.&nbsp;

Despite its lack of name recognition, OFCCP for years served as an effective civil rights watchdog for Silicon Valley- and San Francisco-based tech companies.&nbsp;

In 2022, <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25514969-2022-linkedin-ofccp-conciliation-agreement/">LinkedIn was fined $1.8 million</a> for paying hundreds of female engineering and marketing employees in San Francisco and Sunnyvale less than men who held the same jobs.&nbsp;

In 2022, <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25514969-2022-linkedin-ofccp-conciliation-agreement/">LinkedIn was fined $1.8 million</a> for paying hundreds of female engineering and marketing employees in San Francisco and Sunnyvale less than men who held the same jobs.&nbsp;

In 2021, <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25514971-2021-google-ofccp-conciliation-agreement/">Google was fined $2.6 million</a> for the same offense, which affected thousands of women, including nearly 300 staffers in San Francisco.&nbsp;

In 2021, <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25514971-2021-google-ofccp-conciliation-agreement/">Google was fined $2.6 million</a> for the same offense, which affected thousands of women, including nearly 300 staffers in San Francisco.&nbsp;

In 2020, <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25514980-2020-cisco-ofccp-conciliation-agreement/">Cisco was fined $2 million</a> for underpaying women, as well as Black and Latino employees, compared with their white male counterparts.&nbsp;

In 2020, <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25514980-2020-cisco-ofccp-conciliation-agreement/">Cisco was fined $2 million</a> for underpaying women, as well as Black and Latino employees, compared with their white male counterparts.&nbsp;

In agreements the companies signed with the agency, all three agreed to conduct annual pay equity analyses and face continued federal security for five years.&nbsp;

In agreements the companies signed with the agency, all three agreed to conduct annual pay equity analyses and face continued federal security for five years.&nbsp;

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The OFCCP was created by executive order in 1965 under President Lyndon Johnson to ensure that federal contractors do not discriminate against employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The office oversees approximately one-fifth of the U.S. labor force, according to its fast-shrinking website, by regulating the practices of private companies that contract with the federal government.&nbsp;

The OFCCP was created by executive order in 1965 under President Lyndon Johnson to ensure that federal contractors do not discriminate against employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The office oversees approximately one-fifth of the U.S. labor force, according to its fast-shrinking website, by regulating the practices of private companies that contract with the federal government.&nbsp;

President Trump deemed the agency an “illegal” diversity, equity, and inclusion program, revoking Johnson’s executive order with his own.

President Trump deemed the agency an “illegal” diversity, equity, and inclusion program, revoking Johnson’s executive order with his own.

The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a blueprint for a right-wing takeover of government that is often touted as a roadmap for Trump’s second term in office, advocated for the elimination of the agency.&nbsp;

The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a blueprint for a right-wing takeover of government that is often touted as a roadmap for Trump’s second term in office, advocated for the elimination of the agency.&nbsp;

Acting Labor Secretary Vincent N. Micone, whose department oversees the office, ordered staff to stop all work in a Jan. 24 email that was obtained by The Standard.&nbsp;

Acting Labor Secretary Vincent N. Micone, whose department oversees the office, ordered staff to stop all work in a Jan. 24 email that was obtained by The Standard.&nbsp;

“Cease and desist all investigative and enforcement activity under the rescinded Executive Order 11246 and the regulations promulgated under it,” Micone wrote. “This includes all pending cases, conciliation agreements, investigations, complaints, and any other enforcement-related or investigative activity.”&nbsp;

“Cease and desist all investigative and enforcement activity under the rescinded Executive Order 11246 and the regulations promulgated under it,” Micone wrote. “This includes all pending cases, conciliation agreements, investigations, complaints, and any other enforcement-related or investigative activity.”&nbsp;

In another email, Micone alleged that the office’s work, among that of other programs, “resulted in shameful discrimination.” He encouraged employees to report anyone secretly trying to continue enforcement actions by contacting the Office of Personnel Management at <a href="mailto:DEIAtruth@OPM.gov">DEIAtruth@OPM.gov</a>.&nbsp;

In another email, Micone alleged that the office’s work, among that of other programs, “resulted in shameful discrimination.” He encouraged employees to report anyone secretly trying to continue enforcement actions by contacting the Office of Personnel Management at <a href="mailto:DEIAtruth@OPM.gov">DEIAtruth@OPM.gov</a>.&nbsp;

The OFCCP’s website says it is being updated, and many links no longer work.&nbsp;

The OFCCP’s website says it is being updated, and many links no longer work.&nbsp;

Levin said OFCCP employees, including roughly 80 in the Bay Area, do not know if they will have jobs or if the office will exist in any capacity. When asked about the office’s future, a spokesperson said the Department of Labor could not provide any information.

Levin said OFCCP employees, including roughly 80 in the Bay Area, do not know if they will have jobs or if the office will exist in any capacity. When asked about the office’s future, a spokesperson said the Department of Labor could not provide any information.

Rob Sax, vice president of AFGE’s National Council of Field Labor Locals, said the Jan. 21 executive order conflates union members’ anti-discrimination work with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.&nbsp;

Rob Sax, vice president of AFGE’s National Council of Field Labor Locals, said the Jan. 21 executive order conflates union members’ anti-discrimination work with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.&nbsp;

“It is not about taking one group and saying you will hire them,” Sax said.

“It is not about taking one group and saying you will hire them,” Sax said.

Like other federal workers, the office’s employees have been offered incentives to resign by the Trump administration. Sax said he told his members not to accept.

Like other federal workers, the office’s employees have been offered incentives to resign by the Trump administration. Sax said he told his members not to accept.

“This administration thinks it can do whatever it wants,” he said, adding that Congress must step in and stop what he described as overreach by the Trump administration. “I believe at some point Congress is going to realize they’re becoming superfluous. I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s a crackpot belief.”

“This administration thinks it can do whatever it wants,” he said, adding that Congress must step in and stop what he described as overreach by the Trump administration. “I believe at some point Congress is going to realize they’re becoming superfluous. I don't think it's a crackpot belief.”

“This administration thinks it can do whatever it wants,” he said, adding that Congress must step in and stop what he described as overreach by the Trump administration. “I believe at some point Congress is going to realize they’re becoming superfluous. I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s a crackpot belief.”

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Tesla discrimination probe killed as Trump axes watchdog agency

Josh Koehn

At first glance, Steve Hilton’s expected candidacy for <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/01/14/los-angeles-fire-gavin-newsom-president-recall/">governor of California</a> might appear dead on arrival.

Gavin Newsom&#8217;s presidential ambitions engulfed by Los Angeles fires

At first glance, Steve Hilton’s expected candidacy for <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/01/14/los-angeles-fire-gavin-newsom-president-recall/">governor of California</a> might appear dead on arrival.

A Republican hasn’t controlled the heavily blue Golden State since 2011, when Arnold Schwarzenegger finished his second term and packed up his things to get to the choppa. As far as mystique goes, there’s little point in comparing one of the world’s biggest movie stars to Hilton, a 55-year-old British ex-pat who <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/style/steve-hilton-fox-news-silicon-valley-populist-pundit.html">frequently walks around barefoot, raises chickens</a>, and bears a vague resemblance to Jeff Bezos.

A Republican hasn’t controlled the heavily blue Golden State since 2011, when Arnold Schwarzenegger finished his second term and packed up his things to get to the choppa. As far as mystique goes, there’s little point in comparing one of the world’s biggest movie stars to Hilton, a 55-year-old British ex-pat who <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/style/steve-hilton-fox-news-silicon-valley-populist-pundit.html">frequently walks around barefoot, raises chickens</a>, and bears a vague resemblance to Jeff Bezos.

But at a time when Democrats have yet to field a consensus candidate for 2026 and are collectively <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/10/nancy-pelosi-donald-trump-elon-musk-democrats/">soul searching after a crushing defeat to Donald Trump</a>, Hilton’s unconventional résumé and close ties to Silicon Valley tech could make him an intriguing candidate. He parlayed his role as a top adviser to former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron into a job as a Fox News host, building <a href="https://x.com/SteveHiltonx">a massive social media following</a> by skewering Democrats, particularly those in California.

Nancy Pelosi, once Trump&#8217;s biggest foe, fades from the limelight

But at a time when Democrats have yet to field a consensus candidate for 2026 and are collectively <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/10/nancy-pelosi-donald-trump-elon-musk-democrats/">soul searching after a crushing defeat to Donald Trump</a>, Hilton’s unconventional résumé and close ties to Silicon Valley tech could make him an intriguing candidate. He parlayed his role as a top adviser to former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron into a job as a Fox News host, building <a href="https://x.com/SteveHiltonx">a massive social media following</a> by skewering Democrats, particularly those in California.

“There’s a lane for him,” said Larry Gerston, professor emeritus of political science at San Jose State University. “The question is: How wide is that lane?”&nbsp;

“There’s a lane for him,” said Larry Gerston, professor emeritus of political science at San Jose State University. “The question is: How wide is that lane?”&nbsp;

Hilton, who moved to California with his wife in 2012 and became a U.S. citizen four years ago, is expected to announce his campaign after completing a book tour for “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Califailure-Reversing-Americas-Worst-Run-State/dp/0063390418">Califailure</a>,” which will be published March 25. The book focuses on the state’s many crises, from housing and homelessness to public safety and drug epidemics in major cities, laying the blame for these issues at Democrats’ feet.

Hilton, who moved to California with his wife in 2012 and became a U.S. citizen four years ago, is expected to announce his campaign after completing a book tour for “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Califailure-Reversing-Americas-Worst-Run-State/dp/0063390418">Califailure</a>,” which will be published March 25. The book focuses on the state’s many crises, from housing and homelessness to public safety and drug epidemics in major cities, laying the blame for these issues at Democrats’ feet.

Tony Strickland, a former legislator from Huntington Beach who is once again seeking a seat in the state Senate, said he has spent considerable time helping Hilton make connections.

Tony Strickland, a former legislator from Huntington Beach who is once again seeking a seat in the state Senate, said he has spent considerable time helping Hilton make connections.

“I believe he is going to be a candidate,” Strickland said. “I can’t speak for him, but I will tell you I&#8217;ve been encouraging him to do so. I&#8217;ve told him that if he decided to take that plunge, I would do everything I could to help him garner as much support as possible.”

“I believe he is going to be a candidate,” Strickland said. “I can’t speak for him, but I will tell you I've been encouraging him to do so. I've told him that if he decided to take that plunge, I would do everything I could to help him garner as much support as possible.”

“I believe he is going to be a candidate,” Strickland said. “I can’t speak for him, but I will tell you I&#8217;ve been encouraging him to do so. I&#8217;ve told him that if he decided to take that plunge, I would do everything I could to help him garner as much support as possible.”

The breadth of that support, at least financially, could be far wider than any Republican candidate for governor has collected in recent years.&nbsp;

The breadth of that support, at least financially, could be far wider than any Republican candidate for governor has collected in recent years.&nbsp;

Steve Hilton formed a political organization called Golden Together that lays out a clear plan to dismantle bureaucracy in California.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/steve-hilton-3.jpg?w=2500" alt="A bald man in a dark shirt gestures with his hands while speaking in front of a yellow background with partially visible text reading &quot;TOGETHER.&quot;" class="wp-image-368861"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hilton formed a political organization called Golden Together that lays out a clear plan to dismantle bureaucracy in California.</figcaption></figure>

Hilton has connections to tech after launching Crowdpac, a political fundraising platform, with Democratic donor Reid Hoffman in 2014. Meanwhile, Hilton’s wife, Rachel Whetstone, has served as a senior executive for Netflix, Facebook, and Google. They live in an elite enclave of Atherton in a home estimated to be worth more than $18 million.

Hilton has connections to tech after launching Crowdpac, a political fundraising platform, with Democratic donor Reid Hoffman in 2014. Meanwhile, Hilton’s wife, Rachel Whetstone, has served as a senior executive for Netflix, Facebook, and Google. They live in an elite enclave of Atherton in a home estimated to be worth more than $18 million.

To many in Big Tech, the most attractive aspect of Hilton’s candidacy may be his approach to slashing taxes and regulations on corporations. Policy papers for his political organization, Golden Together, slam the state’s approach to business and entrepreneurs while suggesting that bureaucracy be stripped away in a manner similar to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/14/trump-nih-cuts-cost-bay-area-billions/">Donald Trump’s executive orders</a> and Elon Musk’s attempted dismantling of federal agencies through the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/establishing-and-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency/">Department of Government Efficiency</a>.

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To many in Big Tech, the most attractive aspect of Hilton’s candidacy may be his approach to slashing taxes and regulations on corporations. Policy papers for his political organization, Golden Together, slam the state’s approach to business and entrepreneurs while suggesting that bureaucracy be stripped away in a manner similar to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/14/trump-nih-cuts-cost-bay-area-billions/">Donald Trump’s executive orders</a> and Elon Musk’s attempted dismantling of federal agencies through the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/establishing-and-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency/">Department of Government Efficiency</a>.

“California’s policy regime should be unequivocally on the side of job- and wealth-creators,” a Golden Together report says. “We must forcefully champion all our world-beating industries: from agriculture to life sciences, from aerospace to entertainment, from energy to tech.”

“California’s policy regime should be unequivocally on the side of job- and wealth-creators,” a Golden Together report says. “We must forcefully champion all our world-beating industries: from agriculture to life sciences, from aerospace to entertainment, from energy to tech.”

Conyers Davis, a board member of <a href="https://goldentogether.com/">Golden Together</a> and director of the Schwarzenegger Institute at the University of Southern California, suggested that DOGE may have taken its approach from Hilton’s platform.

Conyers Davis, a board member of <a href="https://goldentogether.com/">Golden Together</a> and director of the Schwarzenegger Institute at the University of Southern California, suggested that DOGE may have taken its approach from Hilton’s platform.

“A lot of these policies predate DOGE,” Davis said. “So, if anything, I think maybe the DOGE guys have been reading what Steve’s been putting out and copying him.”

“A lot of these policies predate DOGE,” Davis said. “So, if anything, I think maybe the DOGE guys have been reading what Steve’s been putting out and copying him.”

For roughly a year, Hilton, who declined comment, has traveled the state touting a “positive populist” campaign that seeks to address kitchen-table issues such as public safety, affordable housing, and early childhood development. This messaging has been particularly aimed at courting Latino voters, a group Trump made gains with in 2024.

For roughly a year, Hilton, who declined comment, has traveled the state touting a “positive populist” campaign that seeks to address kitchen-table issues such as public safety, affordable housing, and early childhood development. This messaging has been particularly aimed at courting Latino voters, a group Trump made gains with in 2024.

However, a close inspection of Hilton’s policy proposals will likely have many Democrats — particularly labor unions — seeing red. They include repealing three laws: the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, which gives public employees the right to bargain as unions; AB 5, which requires tech companies to compensate gig workers as full-time employees; and the Private Attorneys General Act, which allows workers to file class-action lawsuits against their employers.&nbsp;

However, a close inspection of Hilton’s policy proposals will likely have many Democrats — particularly labor unions — seeing red. They include repealing three laws: the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, which gives public employees the right to bargain as unions; AB 5, which requires tech companies to compensate gig workers as full-time employees; and the Private Attorneys General Act, which allows workers to file class-action lawsuits against their employers.&nbsp;

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Jim Araby, the strategic campaign director for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, the largest private-sector union in Northern California, said these proposals are part of the traditional GOP playbook.

Jim Araby, the strategic campaign director for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, the largest private-sector union in Northern California, said these proposals are part of the traditional GOP playbook.

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