The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft, Adobe, and several prominent information technology services firms from a federal program that enables skilled foreign workers to secure permanent residency in the United States. Federal officials cited allegations of fraud as the rationale for the sweeping restriction.
Halting Permanent Labor Certifications
Addressing reporters during a news conference on Thursday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance outlined the administration’s stance toward corporate hiring practices. Vance directed remarks specifically at domestic technology leaders, stating that while Microsoft is a great American company, it must hire great American workers, according to a report from Reuters.
The suspension extends well beyond enterprise software providers to include a wide roster of major international IT and outsourcing consultancies. The other companies affected by the decision include Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata, and Wipro.
Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling announced that the federal government will no longer accept any new or pending permanent labor certification applications that involve the sanctioned companies. The permanent labor certification process serves as a core procedural requirement for employers seeking to sponsor foreign personnel for U.S. green cards.
Immigration Scrutiny Across Tech and Academia
The administration’s punitive measures target key corporate users of skilled immigration pathways. H-1B visas are designed to facilitate hiring for highly specialized positions that domestic employers may find difficult to fill using qualified American talent. Technology companies rank among the heaviest participants in the H-1B system, with nearly three-quarters of approved visas historically awarded to workers originating from India, according to data reported by The Associated Press.
In addition to the restrictions imposed on private tech employers, the administration is broadening its review of related immigration channels. Vice President Vance stated that federal officials will open investigations into nine major universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. The inquiries focus on allegations that the institutions are abusing a program granting international students entry to the United States and utilizing that system to depress wages for domestic workers.
Neither Microsoft nor Adobe immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the suspension of their green card sponsorship filings.
