● Covered by 6 sources · 6 reportsMedium impact5 negative1 neutral
US Suspends Microsoft, Adobe, and Other Tech Firms from Green Card Program
Key points
- Eight tech companies suspended from the PERM green card program.
- Suspension impacts new and pending permanent labor certification applications.
- Action follows allegations of fraud and abuse in H-1B visa usage.
- Vice President JD Vance specifically criticized Microsoft.
- Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling announced the halt in processing applications.
Program Suspension Announced
The Trump administration has suspended Microsoft, Adobe, and six other technology companies from the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program. This decision was announced by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling on Thursday. The other firms affected are Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata, and Wipro.
The suspension means the Department of Labor will not accept any new or process any pending permanent labor certification applications involving these companies. This action directly impacts their ability to help skilled foreign workers obtain permanent residency in the United States.
Allegations of Fraud and Abuse
The government cited alleged fraud and abuse within the H-1B visa program as the reason for the suspensions. Vice President Vance accused the targeted businesses of misusing federal programs that allow H-1B visa holders to apply for green cards. He specifically claimed that companies intentionally under-advertised jobs domestically to favor international employees.
Vance stated that "No company in the US has abused this system more than Microsoft," alleging that Microsoft fired 6,000 workers while simultaneously benefiting from 6,300 H-1B approvals and nearly 3,000 green cards. He also claimed Microsoft filed 3,682 PERM applications, with 1,000 for positions that overlapped with those of laid-off American workers.
Impact on Companies and Workers
The suspension prevents these companies from sponsoring new green card applications for foreign workers, affecting their ability to hire internationally and retain their foreign workforce. H-1B visas are intended for highly skilled positions that employers may struggle to fill with qualified U.S. workers, with nearly three-quarters of approved visas going to workers from India.
Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling noted that since 2009, these companies alone have requested almost 3 million foreign workers, received over 230,000 H-1B visa approvals, and over 100,000 permanent labor certifications. He stated this represents "hundreds of thousands of jobs that were taken from American workers."
Company Responses and Government Stance
A Microsoft spokesperson stated, "We believe in the strength and talent of the American workforce. That is why the vast majority of Microsoft employees in the United States are Americans." They also noted that most H-1B visas filed over the last financial year were for existing workers paid the same as local staff. The other companies involved have not yet commented.
Vice President Vance emphasized the administration's stance, stating, "Our message to Microsoft is: You’re a great American company, but you’ve got to hire great American workers." The Department of Labor confirmed that Adobe and Microsoft were suspended "due to multiple active federal investigations."
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
The White House has barred Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini from hiring skilled international workers permanently through the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM). Vice President JD Vance accused these companies of misusing the H1B visa program and replacing American workers, leading to the government's decision to halt processing new and pending PERM applications for these firms. This action impacts major tech companies' ability to secure permanent residency for their foreign workforce, potentially altering their hiring strategies and the landscape of skilled immigration in the tech sector.
The U.S. Department of Labor suspended Microsoft and Adobe from the Permanent Labor Certification program due to multiple active federal investigations. This action prevents these companies from sponsoring new green card applications for foreign workers, impacting their ability to hire internationally.
The US government suspended access to a permanent residency program for international H-1B workers for seven tech companies, including Microsoft and Adobe. This action follows accusations of fraud regarding H-1B worker visas and alleged under-advertising of domestic jobs to favor international employees.
The US government has suspended Microsoft, Adobe, and several IT outsourcing firms from the PERM program, blocking a path to green cards for their H-1B workers. This action stems from alleged fraud and abuse within the program and ongoing federal investigations, impacting how these companies can secure permanent residency for foreign employees.
The US government suspended Microsoft, Adobe, Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata, and Wipro from a green card program for skilled foreign workers, citing fraud allegations. This action prevents these companies from submitting new or pending permanent labor certification applications, impacting their ability to secure permanent residency for some foreign employees.
The Trump administration has suspended Microsoft from a program that allows companies to sponsor foreign workers for green cards. This action follows a complaint from Senator J.D. Vance, who alleged Microsoft was misusing the program to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor.