Trump’s H-1B, Green Card Crackdown Could Push AI Talent Out Of US, Warns Microsoft President

Microsoft President Brad Smith has cautioned that the Trump administration's crackdown on skilled immigration and green card applications could drive top AI talent away from the United States. His warning came after the administration barred Microsoft and seven other companies from applying for green cards for foreign employees.

In an interview at the International AI Summit in Dublin, Smith rejected allegations that Microsoft had misused the H-1B visa program to hire foreign workers at lower salaries, stating the claims were "completely off base". Smith emphasized that most of Microsoft's green card applications involved employees who had worked at the company for years, rather than newly recruited foreign workers.

He also dismissed claims that Microsoft paid foreign employees less than their American counterparts, insisting the company followed the same compensation system regardless of immigration status. Smith highlighted the positive impact of immigrants on American innovation and economic growth, noting that five of the six technology and science medalists honored by Trump were immigrants.

He called on the White House to review Microsoft's employment data, warning that tightened immigration policies could jeopardize the country's ability to attract AI engineers and specialists.