US suspends Microsoft, major IT firms from key green card program

The US government has announced the suspension of Microsoft, Adobe, and several major IT firms from a program that enables skilled foreign workers to attain permanent residency. This suspension is attributed to allegations of fraud and is part of a broader initiative to encourage companies to hire more American employees. U.S. Vice President J.D.

Vance stated that while Microsoft is an esteemed American company, it must prioritize hiring American workers. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling added that other prominent IT companies, such as Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini, would also be barred from participating in the program. The Department of Labor will no longer accept new or pending permanent labor certification applications from these companies. Microsoft has yet to provide a comment on the matter.

The PERM process involves employers seeking certification from the Department of Labor to demonstrate that there is no qualified, willing, or available U.S. worker for a particular job. This step is necessary before filing petitions for most employment-based green cards. Vance also revealed that nine universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford, are under investigation for allegedly hiring international students to drive down American wages.

Labor Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito disclosed that subpoenas have been served in connection with this inquiry. He emphasized that if American universities resort to illegal means to save money while risking American research to foreign adversaries, it undermines academic integrity and represents institutional betrayal.