Trump administration targets Microsoft and major IT firms over H-1B visa and green card practices

The 180-day suspension of permanent labor certification applications for selected companies signals a tougher immigration enforcement strategy, raising questions about corporate hiring practices, American workers’ job security, and the use of temporary work visas as a pathway to permanent residency.

The Trump administration has moved to restrict the ability of several major technology companies to sponsor foreign workers for permanent US residency, escalating its scrutiny of the H-1B visa program and the relationship between corporate hiring practices and American employment.

Vice President J.D. Vance announced the measure on Thursday, October 8, while leading the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Under the administration’s action, Microsoft and five major India-based IT companies-Wipro, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant, and HCL Technologies-face a temporary suspension of their ability to sponsor H-1B workers through the permanent labor certification (PERM) process.