Trump blocks tech giants from green card program

Vice President JD Vance accused the companies of misusing foreign labor programs and undermining employment opportunities for American workers. The decision also affects Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL Technologies, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and Wipro. The US Department of Labor announced that new permanent labor certification applications submitted on behalf of these companies would no longer be accepted, while pending applications would not be processed. The administration said the restrictions were intended to protect American workers and strengthen oversight of skilled foreign labor employment.

Following the announcement, Microsoft defended its foreign worker hiring practices, stating that the vast majority of its US workforce consists of American citizens. The company said approximately 80% of the 6,000 H-1B visa petitions filed during its most recent fiscal year were intended to extend or change the status of existing employees, while petitions for new hires represented only 1% of its total US workforce. Microsoft expressed its willingness to provide additional information regarding the administration's allegations. The decision could create uncertainty over the technology sector's ability to recruit foreign specialists and plan its long-term workforce needs. Although the PERM restrictions do not amount to a complete cancellation of H-1B work visas, they represent a significant obstacle for affected companies seeking permanent residency for their foreign employees.