US Bars Microsoft, Adobe, and Major IT Firms From Green Card Program
The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft, Adobe, and several other technology companies from a green card program that helps skilled foreign workers obtain permanent residency in the United States. The government is accusing the companies of fraud.
“Our message to Microsoft is: You’re a great American company, but you’ve got to hire great American workers,” U.S. Vice President JD Vance said in a news conference on Thursday.
The other firms being suspended from the green card program include Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata, and Wipro.
Labor Secretary Halts Pending Applications
Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling said the government would not accept any new or pending permanent labor certification applications involving these companies.
The green card program suspension marks a significant escalation in the administration’s scrutiny of how tech companies use visa programs to fill positions. It also raises questions about how these companies will recruit and retain skilled foreign workers in the future.
H-1B visas are designed for highly skilled positions that employers may struggle to fill with qualified U.S. workers. Tech companies are among the largest users of the program, with nearly three-quarters of approved visas going to workers from India.
Microsoft Pushes Back on Allegations
Microsoft responded to the suspension with a detailed statement defending its hiring practices.
“We believe in the strength and talent of the American workforce,” a Microsoft spokesperson said. “That is why the vast majority of Microsoft employees in the United States are Americans. We look forward to providing the Administration with additional information.”
The company emphasized that most of its H-1B applications were for existing employees, not new hires.
“For example, of the approximately 6,000 H-1B visa applications we submitted in the last fiscal year, 80% percent were to extend or change the status of existing Microsoft employees,” the statement continued. “These were not to hire new people.”
Microsoft also noted that the remaining filings for new employees were for individuals already legally in the United States who decided to come work for the company. These workers equal only 1% of Microsoft’s U.S. workforce and are “not new arrivals to our country.”
The company went on to note that it only files H-1B petitions for those who meet the “rigorous standards” of the visa category. Microsoft also stated that it pays its H-1B employees the same as any “other employees doing comparable work.”
Adobe did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Universities Under Investigation
Vance also said during the news conference that the administration would investigate nine universities over allegations they’re abusing a program that allows international students to come to the U.S.
The universities named include Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. According to Vance, these institutions were using the program to undermine wages for American workers.
The investigation into universities represents a broader push by the administration to scrutinize immigration programs across multiple sectors. It signals that the green card program is not the only target of the administration’s review.
Key Companies Affected
| Company | Status |
|---|---|
| Microsoft | Suspended |
| Adobe | Suspended |
| Capgemini | Suspended |
| Cognizant | Suspended |
| HCL | Suspended |
| Infosys | Suspended |
| Tata | Suspended |
| Wipro | Suspended |
What This Means for Tech Companies
The suspension from the green card program could significantly impact how these companies recruit and retain skilled foreign workers. The permanent labor certification process is typically a key step for employers seeking to sponsor workers for green cards.
For companies like Infosys, Tata, and Wipro, which rely heavily on H-1B workers, the suspension could disrupt their ability to move employees into permanent roles in the United States.
The administration’s actions signal a tougher stance on immigration programs that tech companies have long depended on to fill specialized positions. The green card program has been a critical pathway for companies seeking to retain talent long-term.
The Broader Immigration Debate
The move reflects ongoing tensions between the tech industry’s need for skilled workers and the administration’s focus on protecting American jobs.
Tech companies have historically argued that H-1B visas and green card sponsorship are essential for accessing global talent, particularly in specialized fields like software engineering and artificial intelligence.
Critics of these programs contend that companies use them to hire foreign workers at lower wages, displacing qualified American workers. The green card program has become a central point in this debate.
The suspension is likely to face pushback from the tech industry, which has consistently advocated for expanded access to skilled worker visas.
What Happens Next
Microsoft has indicated it plans to provide the administration with additional information about its hiring practices. The outcome of that engagement remains uncertain.
The investigation into universities is also ongoing, with no timeline announced for its completion.
For now, the suspension remains in effect, preventing these companies from filing new permanent labor certification applications for skilled foreign workers. The future of the green card program for these companies depends on the results of the administration’s review.
