Vance says Microsoft replaced laid-off workers with foreign hires. Here’s what the visa data shows

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   US Freezes Microsoft Green Card Applications Over Fraud Claims

   The Trump administration suspended Microsoft and seven other tech companies from sponsoring green cards over allegations that they favored foreign workers over Americans. Vice President JD Vance claimed that Microsoft replaced thousands of laid-off American employees with foreign hires using PERM and H-1B programs. Microsoft denies the allegations, stating that the vast majority of its H-1B approvals went to existing staff rather than new foreign replacements. Tech industry representatives have criticized the visa crackdown as political theater that risks driving valuable talent abroad.

   Why it matters

   The federal action targets immigration programs heavily relied upon by the technology sector to retain skilled global workers. Companies like Infosys have played down the immediate material impact of the PERM suspension, but immigration attorneys are advising worried employees on how the freeze affects their status. The clash highlights ongoing tensions between federal technology employment policies and corporate reliance on international talent pipelines.

   What is confirmed

   • The Trump administration suspended Microsoft from a green card program, alleging fraud.
   • The administration barred Microsoft and seven other firms from sponsoring green cards over claims they favor foreign workers.
   • Vice President JD Vance alleged that Microsoft replaced laid-off American workers with foreign hires.
   • Microsoft President Brad Smith denied Vice President JD Vance's accusations of widespread fraud.

   Still unconfirmed

   • India's Infosys does not expect a material impact from the US PERM suspension.

   What to watch next

   • Resolution or legal challenges regarding the green card sponsorship suspensions for Microsoft and other affected tech firms.
   • Further data releases or audits clarifying the exact employment status of H-1B visa recipients at Microsoft.
   Sources used for this update (25)

   1. AP News — The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft from a green card program, alleging fraud
   2. Reuters — US freezes Microsoft, Adobe, Infosys green-card applications over alleged fraud
   3. Business Insider — The advice immigration attorneys have for Microsoft workers worried about their green cards
   4. The Economist — World in Brief: White House suspends tech companies from visa programme; Polanski fails to become MP
   5. Politico — Tech industry warns Trump’s visa crackdown risks driving talent abroad
   6. Al Jazeera — ‘Indentured servants’: US green card move will hit thousands of IT workers
   7. The Seattle Times — As Microsoft cut from green card program, workers have questions
   8. GeekWire — From H-1B to CEO: How Satya Nadella traveled the path the U.S. just cut off for Microsoft workers
   9. KOMO — Microsoft, Redmond ponder potential immigration crackdown
   10. CNBC — Vance says Microsoft replaced laid-off workers with foreign hires. Here’s what the visa data shows
   11. Reuters — India's Infosys does not expect material impact from US PERM suspension
   12. MyNorthwest.com — ‘Midterm election theater’: Gee and Ursula rip Trump administration’s Microsoft H-1B crackdown
   confidence 95%