US Suspends Microsoft, Adobe, and Major IT Firms from Skilled Foreign Worker Green Card Program

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The US government has barred Microsoft, Adobe, and other prominent IT companies from a program aiding skilled foreign workers with green cards, citing fraud allegations and emphasizing hiring of American workers.

The United States government, under the Trump administration, has suspended Microsoft, Adobe, and several major IT firms from a program that facilitates permanent residency (green cards) for skilled foreign workers. This action was announced by Vice President JD Vance on October 8, 2026, with the administration accusing these companies of fraudulent practices within the program.

The firms affected include Microsoft, Adobe, and Indian IT service companies such as Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata, and Wipro. The Labor Secretary, Keith Sonderling, declared that no new or pending permanent labor certification applications involving these companies will be accepted, effectively halting their participation in this skilled worker program.

The green card program in question relates to H-1B visas, which allow US employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers when qualified American workers are unavailable. Tech companies are among the largest users of the H-1B program, with approximately 75% of approved visas awarded to workers from India, highlighting the program's significance in the technology sector.

Microsoft issued a detailed response emphasizing its commitment to American workers. The company stated that the majority of its US-based employees are Americans, and that 80% of the roughly 6,000 H-1B visa applications submitted in the last fiscal year were extensions or status changes for existing employees, rather than for new hires. Only about 1% of their US workforce started their employment under new H-1B petitions for individuals already legally in the US. Microsoft also noted that it strictly complies with the rigorous requirements of the visa category and ensures equal pay for its H-1B visa holders compared with other employees doing comparable work.

Vice President Vance also disclosed plans to investigate nine leading universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford, for alleged abuse of international student programs which might undermine wages for American workers.

Adobe had not provided a public comment as of the announcement.

This suspension represents a significant regulatory action aimed at addressing concerns over the use of skilled foreign worker programs by technology companies and universities, while attempting to prioritize employment opportunities for American workers. The outcomes of further investigations and any potential reinstatements remain to be seen.