Trump Administration Suspends Tech Giants from Green Card Pathway
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Microsoft, Adobe, and several IT firms are barred from the PERM program amid allegations of system abuse.
The Trump administration has suspended several major technology companies from the Labor Department's permanent labor certification program, known as PERM, as Wired first reported. This program serves as a primary route for H-1B visa holders seeking permanent residency and green cards in the U.S.
According to reporting from Wired, the companies barred from the program include Microsoft, Adobe, and IT firms Cognizant, Infosys, and Tata. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling stated that the agency is investigating whether these firms committed fraud to undercut American workers by hiring foreign employees. Vice President JD Vance specifically targeted Microsoft, claiming no other company in the U.S. has abused the system more.
In a statement provided to Wired, Microsoft representative Kaitlin Haskins defended the company, stating that Microsoft only files H-1B petitions for those meeting rigorous standards. The company noted that in 2025, 80 percent of its visas were used to extend or change the status of existing employees, and new employee filings represented only 1% of its U.S. workforce. Microsoft's visa approvals dropped from 6,258 in 2025 to 3,688 in fiscal year 2026.
Jobs Now, an advocacy group for U.S. citizens in big tech, celebrated the move. The group, which claims to have helped Americans apply for nearly 500,000 jobs across 7,000 employers between January and July, stated that every job in America should be offered to a citizen first.
This action follows previous settlements with Apple in 2023 and OpenAI earlier this year regarding PERM rule violations. While Vice President Vance suggested the administration would maintain a relationship with Microsoft—even as CEO Satya Nadella is set to receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation—he emphasized that the company must prioritize American workers. Additionally, Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito noted that the administration is investigating nine universities for potential fraud within the J-1 visa program.