Trump administration has suspended certain employment-based Green Card Applications involving major technology companies, including Microsoft and Adobe. The decision forms part of a broader effort to tighten skilled-worker immigration rules in the United States.
The US Department of Labor announced a freeze on new Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) applications involving several technology and outsourcing companies. Pending applications involving these employers will also be paused.
The affected companies include Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini.
Why Has the US Suspended Green Card Applications?
The administration says the decision aims to protect American workers and prevent possible misuse of employment-based immigration programmes.
PERM certification is an important requirement for most employment-based green cards. Employers must demonstrate that hiring foreign workers will not negatively affect American wages or employment opportunities.
The certification process also requires employers to assess the availability of qualified US workers before recruiting foreign employees.
The latest suspension could affect companies that depend on international professionals for technical and specialised positions.
Microsoft Faces Scrutiny Over Foreign Worker Hiring
Microsoft has attracted particular attention because it is the largest filer of PERM applications, according to Labor Department data.
US Vice President JD Vance accused Microsoft of misusing the immigration system while reducing its American workforce.
Vance claimed the company laid off approximately 6,000 American employees last year. He also cited around 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards associated with Microsoft.
However, Microsoft rejected suggestions that its immigration practices involved replacing American employees with lower-paid foreign workers.
The company said approximately 80% of its H-1B filings during the previous fiscal year involved existing employees. These applications covered visa extensions or changes in immigration status.
Microsoft also maintained that H-1B employees receive comparable salaries to other workers performing similar duties.
Separately, Microsoft announced plans in July to eliminate approximately 4,800 positions. The cuts represented around 2.1% of its global workforce.
Major IT Companies Face Immigration Restrictions
Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling provided additional details about the companies affected by the suspension.
According to Sonderling, these employers have sought nearly three million foreign workers since 2009.
He said the companies received more than 230,000 H-1B approvals and over 100,000 permanent labor certifications.
The figures highlight the significant role international recruitment plays within the American technology industry.
Labor Department data also identified Amazon as the largest employer of approved H-1B beneficiaries during fiscal year 2026.
Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Apple and Microsoft followed Amazon in the rankings.
Trump Administration Raises Concerns Over Hiring Practices
Vice President JD Vance also questioned how some companies advertise vacancies before recruiting foreign employees.
He alleged that certain employers publish ineffective job advertisements and later claim suitable American candidates are unavailable.
According to Vance, these practices may allow businesses to recruit foreign workers at lower wages.
These allegations form part of the administration’s justification for strengthening oversight of employment-based immigration programmes.
However, the claims do not establish that every affected company violated immigration regulations.
How Long Will the Green Card Suspension Last?
The Trump administration has not announced a specific deadline for lifting the restrictions.
Vance said the suspensions would remain in place for as long as necessary.
The decision creates uncertainty for foreign professionals seeking permanent residency through affected employers.
It may also complicate workforce planning for technology companies that recruit international employees.
The restrictions specifically concern the PERM certification process. They should not be interpreted as a complete suspension of every employment-based immigration category.
Further developments will depend on future announcements from the US Department of Labor and other relevant authorities.
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The policy reflects the administration’s continuing focus on domestic employment protections and stricter oversight of skilled-worker immigration.
