US kicks Microsoft, Adobe off H-1B visa program over alleged abuse

Congress criticized PM Modi for not retaliating against US actions affecting Indian IT professionals. The US suspended eight IT firms, including Microsoft, Tata, Infosys, and Wipro, from a green card program, alleging job market exclusion of Americans. Microsoft faces accusations of abusing the system. Indian professionals make up over 70% of approved H-1B petitions annually.

Congress criticized PM Modi for not protecting Indian IT firms after the US suspended eight companies (Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini) from the PERM green card program. The US accused these firms of misusing the system, potentially affecting future green card applications. Congress suggested India could respond using laws like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

The U.S. Department of Labor suspended Microsoft (MSFT) and Adobe (ADBE) from the Permanent Labor Certification Program, citing scrutiny of hiring practices. Microsoft's stock is trading at $522.61, 11.6% below its GF Value™ of $591.09, with a GF Score™ of 99/100. Insider activity shows $71.42 million in sales over the last three months. The company has a market cap of $3.88 trillion and operates in software, cloud services, and AI technologies.

The Trump administration suspended eight tech firms, including Microsoft, TCS, and Infosys, from the PERM green card process. Microsoft denies replacing US workers, while TCS expects minimal disruption. The crackdown also involves investigations into nine universities over J-1 visa fraud.

The US has frozen green card filings for Microsoft, Adobe, and six other IT firms, alleging visa abuse. Current H-1B workers can keep their status, but their path to permanent residency is blocked. Microsoft states 80% of its H-1B applications were for current employees. The freeze is part of a year-long escalation, with a $100,000 fee imposed on new H-1B petitions last year. The timing is notable as it comes before Microsoft's CEO receives a presidential award.

The White House has barred Microsoft and other tech firms from hiring foreign professionals for permanent roles, citing alleged abuse of the H-1b visa program. According to US Vice President JD Vance, Microsoft is replacing American workers with foreign contractors. Microsoft denies this, stating most visa requests are for existing employees at equal pay. The US will not process new visa applications from the accused companies, which also include Adobe, Cognizant, and others.