US freezes green card applications from Microsoft, major IT firms over alleged fraud

The United States government has frozen green card applications from major tech companies including Microsoft, Adobe, and other IT firms, citing allegations of fraud. This move is part of a broader crackdown on visa programs, which the administration claims targets fraud and protects American jobs. Additionally, the Trump administration has initiated investigations into nine top universities, signaling that the scrutiny extends beyond just corporations.

This crackdown marks the most extensive action yet against the immigration programs for skilled workers, potentially limiting a common pathway to permanent residency for foreign tech professionals. The administration's actions have been met with criticism, with critics arguing that Microsoft, in particular, has been unfairly targeted for allegedly laying off American workers while utilizing a significant number of H-1B visas and green cards.

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