‘Indentured servants’: US green card move will hit thousands of IT workers

The US government has suspended several top tech firms, including Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies, and Capgemini, from the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program. Vice President JD Vance stated this action is a response to companies allegedly abusing the system to hire lower-paid foreign workers, displacing American employees. The PERM program allows employers to sponsor skilled foreign workers for permanent residency, requiring employers to demonstrate a lack of available US workers. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling accused these companies of systemic fraud, claiming they have received hundreds of thousands of H-1B visas and permanent labor certifications since 2009. The suspensions are intended to prevent the alleged displacement of American workers and reduce labor costs.

The U.S. government is suspending major tech companies, including Microsoft and Adobe, from a visa program that offers a path to permanent residency for skilled foreign workers. This action stems from allegations of fraud and pressure from the White House to prioritize hiring American workers. Vice President JD Vance stated that companies cannot lay off American workers and replace them with foreign nationals, citing Microsoft's layoffs alongside its acquisition of H-1B visas and green cards. The Department of Labor also announced the suspension of Indian tech firms Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services, reporting the discovery of $22 billion in visa fraud. The probe also targets universities for allegedly exploiting international students to lower U.S. wage costs.

Vice President JD Vance announced that Microsoft has been suspended from applying for permanent residency for its H-1B workers, accusing the company of abusing the visa system. The US Labor Department also stated that Adobe has faced a similar suspension. Vance claims these companies lay off American workers and replace them with foreign workers who are paid less. The article notes that Microsoft and Adobe have received a significant number of H-1B visas and permanent labor certifications. Vance argues that this practice allows corporations to profit by undercutting American worker wages. Immigration advocacy groups, however, contend that attracting global talent benefits the US economy.

The US government is suspending Microsoft, Adobe, and several other large IT firms from a program that facilitates permanent residency for skilled foreign workers. Senior US officials announced this decision on Thursday, citing alleged fraud within the program. This action is also part of a broader effort to encourage companies to prioritize hiring American workers. US Vice-President J.D. Vance stated that the message to companies like Microsoft is to hire American workers. The program in question reportedly required companies to advertise job openings.