Satya Nadella, who immigrated to the U.S. on an H-1B visa and became Microsoft's CEO, received the National Medal of Technology from President Trump on Thursday. Hours earlier, the Trump administration suspended Microsoft from the PERM permanent residency program, with Vice President Vance accusing the company of laying off American workers while hiring foreign workers. The suspension could severely impact Microsoft employees on H-1B visas seeking to extend their stays beyond the typical six-year limit.
The Trump administration suspended PERM visa certifications for Microsoft, Adobe, and major Indian IT services companies, with Vice President Vance arguing the move protects American workers from being replaced by foreign labor. Microsoft disputed the claims, stating 80% of its H-1B applications were for existing employees. Experts disagreed sharply: immigration critics supported the action as necessary enforcement, while advocates warned it could worsen conditions for H-1B workers by blocking their path to green cards.
The Trump administration suspended Microsoft, Adobe, and other tech companies from a federal visa sponsorship program, leaving H-1B visa holders in uncertainty. Immigration attorneys advise affected workers to seek counsel immediately, though most may be able to switch jobs or wait out the suspension. The administration cited concerns that companies laid off American workers while hiring lower-paid foreign workers.
The Trump administration suspended Microsoft and Indian firms from a visa program for allegedly exploiting the PERM system that allows US employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency. Vice President Vance criticized Microsoft as the worst abuser and urged tech companies to hire more American workers instead of importing foreign talent. The move is part of broader efforts to restrict legal immigration pathways and increase reliance on domestic workers in tech and academia.