Big Tech Hit: Trump Admin Halts Green Card Access for Microsoft, Adobe & More!
Big Tech Hit: Trump Admin Halts Green Card Access for Microsoft, Adobe & More!
Major tech players like Microsoft and Adobe lose access to a vital green card program under the Trump administration amid abuse allegations. What does this mean for skilled foreign workers and Silicon Valley? Find out!
The Trump administration has announced a significant policy shift, suspending major tech companies including Microsoft and Adobe from participating in the PERM program. This program is a crucial pathway for H-1B visa holders seeking permanent residency in the United States. Alongside Microsoft and Adobe, other IT giants like Cognizant, Infosys, and Tata will also be barred from the Department of Labor's permanent labor certification program.
The PERM process requires employers to demonstrate that no qualified American workers are available for a position before sponsoring a foreign national for a green card. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling indicated that the agency is investigating whether these companies committed fraud, potentially disadvantaging American workers by prioritizing foreign hires.
Vice President JD Vance explicitly singled out Microsoft, stating,
There has been no company in the United States, unfortunately, that has abused this system more than Microsoft.
In response, Microsoft representative Kaitlin Haskins asserted that the company “only files H-1B petitions for those who meet the rigorous standards of this visa category.” Microsoft also emphasized its commitment to developing its workforce by “strengthening this country's talent pipeline, hiring American workers, and attracting the best talent from around the world.” Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, and Tata did not immediately comment on the suspension.
This decision is being hailed as a victory by tech workers who have long voiced concerns about losing job opportunities to immigrant workers. Jobs Now, an advocacy group comprising US citizens in big tech, celebrated Vance's announcement.
The group, known for publicizing PERM job postings and assisting Americans in applying for hundreds of thousands of positions, has previously filed complaints against tech companies regarding alleged PERM system abuses. Their stance is clear: “Every job in America should be offered to an American first, no exceptions.” This isn't the first time tech industry giants have faced scrutiny over the PERM program.
OpenAI settled similar accusations with the Trump administration earlier this year, and Apple reached a comparable agreement in 2023.
The administration's critical stance on H-1B visas, a prevalent work visa in the US, has sent ripples of concern throughout Silicon Valley.
Tech companies are among the largest users of the H-1B program; for instance, Microsoft ranks fifth in H-1B visa approvals for the current fiscal year, with 3,688 visas approved in 2026, and 6,258 in 2025. Microsoft clarified that 80 percent of last year's visas were for existing employees extending or changing their status, not for new hires, with new employees representing only 1% of their US workforce.
The exact implications for current H-1B visa holders at these affected companies remain unclear, as neither the Office of the Vice President nor the Department of Labor immediately clarified whether the suspension would impact individuals seeking H-1B visas. Vance further elaborated on his view, contrasting bringing in talent like "Elon Musk" to "build something great in America" with what he implied was the current state of the H-1B program.
