White House suspends Microsoft from green-card program for H-1B workers
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The administration announced that Microsoft will be barred from a program that helps H-1B visa holders obtain green cards, citing alleged violations.
The White House said Microsoft will be suspended from a program that assists H-1B visa holders in applying for permanent residency. The decision was announced at a news conference by Vice President JD Vance, who said the company had replaced laid-off employees with foreign workers at a ratio of 1.5 to 1.
The move reflects ongoing criticism of the H-1B system, which is intended for high-skill positions that lack sufficient U.S. labor supply. Technology firms account for the majority of approvals, with most beneficiaries coming from India.
Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The announcement followed a Department of Homeland Security proposal to impose a $70,000 fee on schools for each international student participating in Optional Practical Training, a program that allows work related to a student's field of study. Vance also named nine universities for further review over possible misuse of the J-1 exchange-visitor program.