••
Microsoft barred from H1B hiring program by White House
•2 min read•1 source
The United States government has prohibited Microsoft and several other major technology firms from hiring international skilled workers under the H1B visa and Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programs. This move follows allegations of systemic misuse and fraud within the visa application process. The White House, leading this crackdown, has announced it will no longer process new PERM applications for the affected companies, effectively blocking their path to securing permanent residency for foreign staff.
Vice President JD Vance has been a vocal proponent of the ban, accusing tech giants of displacing American workers in favor of foreign employees whom he described as "foreign indentured servants." Vance highlighted a specific discrepancy at Microsoft, alleging the company laid off approximately 6,000 workers while simultaneously filing 6,800 H1B applications. According to the Vice President, these actions suggest a deliberate effort to bypass the domestic labor market, leading to the current freeze on new applications until the administration’s concerns are addressed.
Microsoft has defended its recruitment practices, stating that the vast majority of its H1B visa applications were filed on behalf of existing employees rather than new hires from abroad. The company also emphasized that it maintains equitable pay structures between its international hires and American workers, denying any attempt to suppress wages or unfairly replace local staff. Despite these explanations, the suspension of the PERM program remains in place for the identified firms.
The PERM program is a critical component of the U.S. immigration system for the tech industry, with over 130,000 applications certified in the last fiscal year alone. The current standoff between the White House and the tech sector signals a significant shift in immigration enforcement, potentially impacting thousands of high-skilled workers and the long-term recruitment strategies of some of the world's largest technology corporations.