Walmart recently announced the shareholder voting results from its Annual Shareholders Meeting, where approximately 89.88% of all outstanding shares were represented. John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart, provided an overview of the company's business model and strong FY26 results. Eight proposals were brought forward for voting, including one from the SOC Investment Group that requested a report on how US immigration policy and enforcement are affecting Walmart's operations.
Immigration Proposal Details
The proposal, as reported by Axios, raised concerns that measures from the administration, such as canceling humanitarian parole visas, have resulted in job losses and staffing shortages across the country. It noted that hundreds of workers at Walmart supercenters in Florida and Texas had their work permits abruptly revoked. The proposal also stated that the jump in the H-1B visa fee from $215 to $100,000 would 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, about a month after the fee revision. Additionally, the proposal highlighted that the pause on visa grants to foreign-born commercial truckers could lead to rising costs for Walmart.
Shareholder Vote and Walmart's Response
The majority of shareholders rejected the proposal. Walmart stated that it has not experienced significant operational or supply chain disruptions due to immigration-related policy changes. Donna Morris, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Walmart, told investors, "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."
CEO John Furner's Address
John Furner noted that the company's omnichannel retail model continues to deliver consistent performance. By expanding higher-margin commerce solutions, Walmart 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 achieving competitive differentiation. Furner highlighted investments in supporting associates, including wages, benefits, and opportunities to build future skills, as well as how the company is leveraging AI to lead the next era of retail.
Furner said, "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. But what hasn't changed is that it's our people who make the difference. We're proud of how our associates are executing our strategy and building momentum. We are well positioned for what comes next. I've never been more optimistic about what we can accomplish together."
