Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration announced on Thursday the suspension of Microsoft and several other technology firms from a program that allows foreign workers to apply for green cards, citing allegations of fraud and abuse. The move is part of a broader initiative targeting employers and universities perceived by the administration as undermining American workers and students.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the announcement was made by Vice President JD Vance, who stated that companies were using the program to replace American workers with foreign nationals. Vance specifically accused Microsoft of abusing the H-1B visa system, which he described as enabling companies to recruit foreign workers for jobs that could otherwise be filled by Americans. This action represents the latest effort by the administration to scrutinize and restrict immigration pathways for foreign talent.
Vance Alleges Companies Exploit Green Card Process
Vice President Vance detailed the process by which companies are required to advertise job openings domestically before seeking to hire foreign workers through the green card application process. He alleged that some companies fulfill this requirement with minimal effort, such as placing advertisements in small-town newspapers, and then use the lack of local applicants to justify hiring foreign nationals. Vance further claimed that these foreign workers are often employed under conditions akin to “indentured servants,” earning less than their American counterparts and facing immediate deportation if they lose their jobs.
“There has been no company in the United States, unfortunately, that has used this system more than Microsoft,” Vance stated during a White House press conference. He cited data indicating that Microsoft, the fifth-largest user of H-1B visas among U.S. employers, laid off 6,000 American workers in the previous year while simultaneously obtaining 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards.
Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, responded to the allegations by clarifying that 80 percent of its approximately 6,000 H-1B visa applications last fiscal year were for extending or changing the status of existing employees, not for hiring new individuals. The company stated that filings for new employees represented only 1 percent of its U.S. workforce and that these individuals were already legally in the United States. Microsoft emphasized that it only files H-1B petitions for those who meet the program’s rigorous standards.
Broader Scrutiny of H-1B and Exchange Programs
The H-1B visa program, designed for high-skilled occupations where American workers are scarce, has been a persistent point of contention. Technology companies are the primary beneficiaries, with a significant portion of approvals going to workers from India. The administration had previously attempted to increase fees for H-1B visas, a move that faced legal challenges.
In addition to the green card program suspension, the administration also targeted international students and exchange programs. The Department of Homeland Security proposed a $70,000 fee for international students participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows them to work in fields related to their studies. Vice President Vance also called out nine universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford, for allegedly abusing the J-1 visa program for international exchange visitors.
Several of the named companies, including Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Universities such as MIT and Brown confirmed they were reviewing government subpoenas related to foreign worker programs. Stanford stated its cooperation with the investigation, while MIT highlighted that all its J-1 visa holders are vetted by the U.S. government.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
