Green Card Frenzy for Technology Giants in the U.S.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced on Thursday, October 8 that Microsoft and Adobe, as well as Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies, and Capgemini, have been removed from the PERM program. The U.S. Department of Labor said it would not accept new work‑certificate applications from those companies and would not process pending files.

Vance’s Harsh Criticism of Microsoft

Vance said that while Microsoft laid off 6,000 American employees last year, it benefited from 6,300 H‑1B visas and about 3,000 Green Card approvals. Accusing the company of abusing the immigration system, Vance noted that Americans who lost their jobs are opposed to having foreign workers brought in to replace them. These figures are based on the company's statements; an independent link between layoffs and the employment of foreign workers has not been established.

Microsoft’s Defense: 80% of Applications Are for Current Employees

Microsoft said that about 80% of the H‑1B applications it filed last fiscal year were to extend the visas or change the status of employees already working at the company. The company said the remaining applications were for new employees legally present in the U.S. It also argued that workers on H‑1B visas receive the same pay as other employees in similar roles.

What Does the PERM Program Mean?

PERM is the work‑certification system that employers use in the employment‑based Green Card process for foreign workers. The employer must demonstrate that it cannot find a suitable American worker for the position and that hiring the foreign employee will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of employees in the United States. This stage constitutes a key step in many employment‑based permanent‑residence applications.

Will Current H‑1B Visas Be Cancelled?

The decision does not halt the entire H‑1B visa program nor does it directly cancel existing H‑1B visas. However, foreign workers employed by companies that have announced their names and who seek permanent residence through employer sponsorship may experience delays in the Green Card process. Stopping PERM applications could make it harder for affected employees to transition to permanent residence. The individual circumstances of employees, their current immigration status, and the stage of their applications are significant.

Federal Investigations Continue

The U.S. administration is continuing its review of how companies use foreign‑worker programs. Officials argue that the policy is designed to protect American workers, but allegations of misconduct against companies have not yet been confirmed. The impact of the decision on the employment and permanent‑residence plans of international technology experts working in the United States will become clearer in the coming months.