Explainer-The tech green-card program under attack from Trump

The US Department of Labor suspended eight tech companies, including Microsoft, Adobe, and Infosys, from the PERM program due to alleged misuse. The suspension affects green card sponsorship for foreign workers, including Africans. Microsoft disputed claims, stating most visas were for existing employees. The move aligns with increased scrutiny of foreign labor use amid US job cuts.

India criticized U.S. VP Vance's remarks on immigration, calling them offensive. The U.S. suspended some Indian IT firms, including Microsoft and Adobe, from the PERM program. India reassured citizens about H-1B visas. TCS-IN and Infosys noted reduced H-1B reliance and U.S. hiring plans. TCS-IN applied for few H-1B visas recently and plans to hire 15,000 U.S. employees.

The Trump administration banned Microsoft, Adobe, and six other companies from sponsoring green cards for H-1B visa workers, citing investigations and allegations of displacing American workers. The ban affects pending and future applications, with no end date set. Microsoft received 6,258 H-1B approvals and 3,157 PERM filings in the last fiscal year, according to federal data.

The US suspended Microsoft, Adobe, and major IT firms from a green-card program, citing alleged abuse. Vice President Vance accused Microsoft of laying off US workers while hiring foreign labor. The suspension also covers Cognizant, Infosys, and others. Nine universities, including Harvard and Yale, are under investigation for visa misuse. Microsoft and others denied wrongdoing.

Microsoft's shares dropped 1.35% after the U.S. Department of Labor suspended it from the PERM green card program, citing potential misuse of immigration rules. The suspension impacts green card processing but not H-1B visas. Microsoft stated most H-1B applications were for current employees, and it complies with visa regulations. Separately, AI revenue concerns weighed on tech shares, with the Nasdaq 100 down 1.4%.

Microsoft, Adobe, and six IT outsourcing firms were banned from sponsoring foreign workers for US residency. The Trump administration accused them of abusing immigration programs. Microsoft's shares dropped over 1% following the announcement. The companies involved have denied the allegations or stated minimal reliance on such visas.