Trump administration suspends Microsoft from green card programme, alleges visa fraud

The Trump administration has suspended Microsoft from a US programme used to seek green cards for H-1B workers, accusing the company of abusing the visa system. Vice President JD Vance said the move was aimed at protecting American jobs.

Hyderabad: The Trump administration has suspended Microsoft from a US programme that allows companies to seek green cards for skilled foreign workers, including those employed on H-1B visas, amid allegations of fraud.

Vice President JD Vance announced the move on Thursday, accusing Microsoft of exploiting the system at the expense of American workers. According to reports, the administration has also suspended several other major technology and IT outsourcing companies from the programme.

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The programme, known as the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme, requires employers to demonstrate that there are not enough qualified US workers available for a position before seeking permanent residency for a foreign employee.

Vance said Microsoft laid off about 6,000 American workers last year while obtaining 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards. He argued that the figures showed the company was relying heavily on foreign workers.

“If you do the math, for every worker that Microsoft laid off, they replaced that worker with one and a half foreign indentured servants,” Vance said at a White House news conference.

Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to reports.
Vance also criticised the broader H-1B programme, which has long faced opposition from Trump supporters who argue that it can undercut American workers. H-1B visas are intended for high-skilled jobs for which qualified US workers are difficult to find.

Technology companies are among the largest users of the programme, with nearly three-quarters of approvals going to workers from India, according to available data.

The announcement came a day after the administration announced further measures targeting international students and their ability to work in the US.