Not really new, been going on for decades. With recent political changes I would have assumed it might have been getting better actually. I'm guilty, Canadian living in the SF Bay area.
Back in 2019 Microsoft sent job offer, 145k usd/yr base moving to SF. Couldn't get visa (no degree). New offer: 95k cad/yr in Vancouver
I've done well since then, but being in Canada I'm always "out of band". Implicit implication that I should move south where lower level positions already match Canadian bands
What you and hiddenthrowaway wrote is consistent with my understanding, that Canadian FAANG offices are staffed mostly with those who cannot (and often will never get) a US visa, plus the odd local who doesn't want to move to the US for personal or family reasons.
I've done well since then, but being in Canada I'm always "out of band". Implicit implication that I should move south where lower level positions already match Canadian bands