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US Blocks Microsoft, Adobe from Green Card Program

US Suspends IT Giants from Green Card Program for Technical Talent

On October 8, the Trump administration dropped a bombshell on the tech world: it formally suspended several major IT companies—including Microsoft and Adobe—from participating in the green card program that helps foreign technical workers secure permanent residency in the United States. The government also accused these companies of fraudulent activities.

Labor Secretary Keith Sundling made it clear: the government will no longer accept any new or pending permanent labor certification applications involving these firms. The list of affected companies reads like a who's who of tech and consulting: Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata Group, and Wipro.

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Vice President JD Vance, speaking at a press conference, emphasized that companies must prioritize hiring American workers. He also revealed that the administration will investigate nine prestigious universities—including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford—to see if they're misusing international student programs to suppress local wages.

Why This Matters

Indian technical professionals are the largest users of H-1B visas and subsequent green card conversions. In recent years, nearly three-quarters of approved H-1B visas have gone to Indian nationals. That's a staggering figure, and it explains why this policy shift has such high stakes.

Microsoft didn't waste time responding. The company pointed out that the majority of its employees are Americans. Of the roughly 6,000 H-1B applications it submitted last fiscal year, 80% were for renewing or changing the status of existing employees—not hiring new ones. The remaining new employee applications accounted for just 1% of its total American workforce, and all met strict visa standards, including equal pay for equal work.

The Bigger Picture

As global competition for AI and hard tech talent heats up, the US tightening its high-tech immigration channels could reshape the global flow of talent. For large tech companies, this isn't just a policy headache—it could disrupt core R&D teams and slow innovation.

So, what happens next? Will other countries seize the opportunity to attract top talent? And how will tech giants adapt if they can't bring in the workers they need? These are the questions looming over Silicon Valley and beyond.

Key Points:

  • Trump administration suspends Microsoft, Adobe, and other IT giants from green card program, citing fraud.
  • Affected companies include Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata Group, and Wipro.
  • Nearly 75% of H-1B visas go to Indian professionals; policy could reshape global talent flow.
  • Microsoft defends itself: 80% of H-1B applications were for existing employees, not new hires.
  • Universities like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford under investigation for potential misuse of international student programs.