US suspends major technology firms from green card program

The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft, Adobe and several other technology companies from a program that helps skilled foreign workers seek permanent residency in the United States. The government accused the companies of fraud.

US Vice President JD Vance said at a news conference on Thursday, as reported by Reuters: “Our message to Microsoft is: You’re a great American company, but you’ve got to hire great American workers.”

The other companies named for suspension are Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata and Wipro. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said the government would not accept new or pending permanent labor certification applications involving those companies.

The report also describes H-1B visas, which are intended for highly skilled jobs employers may have difficulty filling with qualified US workers. Technology companies are among the program’s largest users. Nearly three-quarters of approved visas go to workers from India, according to The Associated Press.

Vance also said the administration would investigate nine universities over allegations that they were abusing a program for international students and using it to undermine wages for American workers. Harvard, Yale and Stanford were among the universities named. Microsoft and Adobe did not immediately respond to requests for comment.