US suspends major tech firms from skilled-worker green card process
US halts labour-certification processing for major technology firms
The Trump administration has suspended Microsoft, Adobe and six other technology companies from a US programme that helps skilled foreign workers pursue permanent residency. US Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said the government would not accept new or pending permanent labor certification applications involving the companies.
The other firms named in the suspension are Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata and Wipro. The administration has accused the companies of fraud, though the report did not detail the allegations or specify the duration of the suspensions.
At a news conference, Vice President JD Vance addressed Microsoft directly, saying the company should hire American workers. Microsoft and Adobe did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Why the action matters for workforce planning
Permanent labor certification is a significant step for employers seeking to sponsor eligible foreign employees for US permanent residency. The Labor Department's decision to stop accepting both new and pending applications could affect cases already in progress as well as future filings for the named organizations.
The development sits alongside the US system for H-1B visas, which are intended for highly skilled roles when employers may struggle to find qualified US workers. Technology companies are among the programme's largest users. The Associated Press reported that workers from India receive nearly three-quarters of approved H-1B visas.
The administration also said it would investigate nine universities, including Harvard, Yale and Stanford. It alleges that they have abused a programme for international students and used it to undermine wages for American workers.
Operational implications
For the affected companies, the immediate issue is not only future sponsorship strategy but the status of permanent-residency cases that are pending with the Labor Department. The reporting does not state how the department will handle those cases beyond saying it will not accept them.
Employers with US staffing plans tied to immigration processes may need to identify which roles and employees depend on labor certification, assess potential delays and seek advice on the applicable requirements. The practical business implication is that organizations named in the suspension should treat labour-certification capacity as an active workforce-planning risk while awaiting further government detail.