WASHINGTON: The Trump administration froze on Thursday (Oct 8) some green-card filings by Microsoft, Adobe and major IT outsourcers and opened probes into nine elite universities, widening a visa crackdown it says targets fraud and American job losses.
The twin actions mark the broadest strike yet against skilled-worker immigration programmes, potentially blocking a common path to permanent residency for thousands of foreign tech workers while putting some of the country's most prominent research universities on notice. The moves come even as the administration cultivates closer ties with the same tech leaders whose companies are now in its crosshairs.
"Our message to Microsoft is: You're a great American company, but you've got to hire great American workers," Vice President JD Vance said.
Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said the suspension would also cover Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini.
Guess WordCrack the word, one row at a timeBuzzwordCreate words using the given lettersMini SudokuTiny puzzle, mighty brain teaserMini CrosswordSmall grid, big challengeWord SearchSpot as many words as you can Show More Show Less"We will not accept any new or process any pending permanent labour certification applications involving these companies," Sonderling said.
Vance also said nine universities, including Harvard, Yale and Stanford, would be investigated for what the administration called the misuse of exchange-visitor visas to undercut American wages.
Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Wipro and Capgemini did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Tata Consultancy Services declined to comment.
Under the Labour Department's permanent labour certification process, known as PERM, which is required for most employment-based green cards, employers must show that hiring a foreign worker will not harm the wages, working conditions or job opportunities of US workers. Approved applications then go to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.