Trump Administration Cuts Off Access to a Major Immigration Program for Workers at Microsoft and Adobe


The Trump administration will no longer allow Microsoft and other tech companies to participate in a program that allows H-1B visa holders to apply for green cards, one of the most common pathways for skilled foreign workers seeking permanent residency in the United States.

In addition to Microsoft, administration officials said on Thursday that software giant Adobe and IT companies including Cognizant, Infosys, and Tata will be suspended from the PERM program, the Labor Department’s permanent labor certification program. PERM is a key step for H-1B visa holders to gain permanent residency, requiring employers to prove that there are no American workers who would be suitable for the applicant’s permanent job opportunity.

Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling said that the agency is investigating whether these companies committed fraud, undercutting American workers by hiring foreign employees.

Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, singled out Microsoft. “There has been no company in the United States, unfortunately, that has abused this system more than Microsoft,” Vance said during a press conference.

In a statement provided by Microsoft representative Kaitlin Haskins, the company said it “only files H-1B petitions for those who meet the rigorous standards of this visa category,” adding that it develops 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 respond to WIRED’s request for comment.

The suspension marks a victory for tech workers who have complained about unfairly losing out on jobs to immigrant workers.

Jobs Now, an advocacy group composed of US citizens working in big tech, celebrated Vance’s announcement on its X account with a video of dancing crabs. The group publicizes otherwise difficult-to-find PERM job postings and says it helped Americans apply to nearly 500,000 jobs across 7,000 employers between last January and this past July.

The organization and its members have also filed complaints against tech companies about alleged abuse of the PERM system, and have called for a number of changes to the employment immigration system. “Every job in America should be offered to an American first, no exceptions,” the group told WIRED in an unsigned statement.

This isn’t the first time tech companies have been targeted over PERM. Earlier this year, OpenAI and a company it acquired agreed to settle accusations from the Trump administration about violating rules for the program. Apple reached a similar deal in 2023.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Alexa Tablet Vs iPad Pro: How Amazon Is Keeping Up With Apple

    Amazon’s latest and greatest tablet shares some key similarities to Apple’s high-end iPads, but the devil is in the details. Amazon Amazon’s new Alexa Tablets, square-one reimaginings of…

    Continue reading
    Everything We Expect From Apple’s Surprise Smart Home Event Next Week

    We finally have confirmation of Apple’s massive smart home event, which is happening on Tuesday. So many things are expected to be announced, centering on Apple and Siri entering the…

    Continue reading

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Kimberly Guilfoyle associate says when she asked him for $100K, it was “quid pro quo”

    Kimberly Guilfoyle associate says when she asked him for $100K, it was “quid pro quo”

    Alexa Tablet Vs iPad Pro: How Amazon Is Keeping Up With Apple

    Alexa Tablet Vs iPad Pro: How Amazon Is Keeping Up With Apple

    Airlines Suspend Flights To Riyadh After Terrorist Attack Destroys Saudia Airbus A320

    Airlines Suspend Flights To Riyadh After Terrorist Attack Destroys Saudia Airbus A320

    PALESTINIAN REFORM ADVOCATE SAMER SINIJLAWI TELLS THE NEWS FORUM: ‘88% of eligible Palestinian voters have already preregistered for the November 28th election — the first election since 2005’

    Everything We Expect From Apple’s Surprise Smart Home Event Next Week

    Everything We Expect From Apple’s Surprise Smart Home Event Next Week

    DeMellier’s Cult Bags Just Got Their Chicest Makeover Yet

    DeMellier’s Cult Bags Just Got Their Chicest Makeover Yet