US freezes green-card processing for Microsoft, Adobe workers

The US government has temporarily halted the processing of green-card applications for major technology firms like Microsoft and Adobe, amid accusations of abuse of the skilled-worker immigration system. This move is part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown on employment-based immigration and affects companies such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and Cognizant.

The Labor Department will stop accepting new applications and processing pending ones for permanent labour certification, known as PERM, which is required for employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residence in the US. US Vice President JD Vance accused Microsoft of abusing the system more than any other US company, citing layoffs while the company continued to use the H-1B visa program and seek green cards for foreign workers.

Microsoft disputed the claim, stating that most of its H-1B applications were for existing employees seeking extensions or changes of status rather than new hires.

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