The Trump administration, via Vice President JD Vance, says it is suspending Microsoft from a U.S. immigration program that can lead skilled temporary foreign workers toward permanent residency. Vance alleges abuse and fraud tied to the H-1B visa system and the associated process that allows employers to pursue permanent status for certain workers.
Multiple outlets report Vance framing the move as part of broader enforcement against alleged labor certification abuse under the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) process linked to green card applications. Bloomberg and others describe the suspension as extending to multiple tech firms, while separate reports focus specifically on Microsoft’s ability to transfer employees from temporary H-1B status into a longer-term pathway. Some coverage also references Vance’s comments about Microsoft layoffs alongside continued reliance on foreign worker hiring under H-1B arrangements, as part of the administration’s justification.
