Microsoft loses PERM access as Trump admin cites long abuse
The White House says Microsoft and several other tech firms abused the permanent labor certification program (PERM), cutting off access as investigations continue.
The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft and several other tech firms from the permanent labor certification program (PERM).
Labor officials claim the program has been abused for years, with large numbers of foreign workers approved for green cards.
Microsoft and Adobe are named among the companies affected; officials say they processed hundreds of thousands of foreign workers.
The move aims to reserve green cards for qualified American workers, amid broader immigration enforcement actions.
Quick read · 1 min
The Trump administration says Microsoft and several other tech firms will be cut off from the permanent labor certification program (PERM), which handles green-card sponsorship. Officials allege years of abuse and say they will not process new or pending PERM applications from these companies. Microsoft has not yet commented. The move aims to push hiring toward American workers.
What it means for you: you could see longer waits for green cards if your employer is tied to PERM through these firms. For workers already in the sponsorship queue, there may be delays as guidance is issued. What happens next will depend on how the agencies adjust rules and which companies are covered.
Expect more details from agencies soon
Talk to your HR about visa options
Consider other paths if you want to stay in the US long term
The Trump administration has stepped up its push on immigration by cutting off Microsoft from a major path to green cards. The government says the decision, announced in a press briefing, also covers other large tech firms, including Adobe, Cognizant, and Infosys. Officials describe the Permanent Labor Certification program, known as PERM, as a channel that has been exposed to fraud and abuse over the past several years and say the government won’t process new or pending applications tied to these companies.
In the briefing, Vice President JD Vance pressed the claim that Microsoft has used the system more than any other U.S. company, saying the company has laid off American workers while relying on foreign workers through visa programs. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling added that, since 2009, the group of companies named has requested nearly 3 million foreign workers, underscoring the scale of the activity involved.
Microsoft has not issued a public response yet. The White House notes that the suspensions form part of a broader effort to tighten controls on the H-1B and related programs, including adjustments to how employers can sponsor workers for permanent residency. This follows a broader pattern of enforcement actions the administration has pursued during its term, aimed at steering tech hiring toward American workers when possible.
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Which companies are affected and what does it mean for them
The authorities named several large tech firms, with Microsoft and Adobe playing prominent roles in the discussion. The administration says it will not accept new or pending PERM applications for these companies, which could slow their ability to sponsor foreign workers for green cards. If a company is unable to sponsor new workers for permanent residency, it could affect long-term staffing and project timelines, especially in high-demand tech roles where foreign workers have been common.
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What it means for workers in the US now
For foreign workers already in the pipeline, it’s unclear how long processing will pause or whether existing approvals will be revisited. The officials emphasize that this move is about preventing what they describe as systemic abuse, not about targeting individual workers. For American workers, the aim is to ensure that permanent residency opportunities are aligned with domestic hiring needs.
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What happens next
The administration says more details will come as agencies finalize guidance and adjustment rules. Expect a period of transitional guidance for employers who rely on PERM and for workers awaiting green cards, especially in tech hubs where foreign labor has been a major part of the workforce. Officials stress that actions may expand beyond the firms named today if patterns of abuse persist.
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Plain-English impact: what this means for your day-to-day
If you’re a tech worker in the US, this could mean longer waits for green cards through PERM if your employer is linked to the affected companies. If you’re a student or professional hoping to stay in the country long term, it could slow down pathways tied to permanent residency tied to work. For employers, it’s a signal to review how they sponsor workers for the long term and to prepare for possible policy changes that affect hiring pipelines.
Keep your immigration and employment options clear: stay informed about any company-specific guidance, and consider alternative visa paths or sponsorship plans with your employer. If you’re in the middle of PERM processing with a company that’s affected, consult your HR or legal team about timelines and available alternatives.
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Quick answers
Will Microsoft lose all green-card eligibility?
The move suspends new or pending PERM applications for certain companies; it does not necessarily erase existing eligible statuses, but it could slow future green-card processing.
Why is this happening now?
Officials say the program has been abused and that the government is tightening controls to prioritize American workers whose positions might otherwise be filled by foreign workers.
How does this affect job seekers?
For those seeking long-term work in the US through green cards, it could mean longer timelines or a need to pursue other visa routes. Stay in touch with potential employers about what this means for your path.
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Eight major tech companies, including Microsoft and Capgemini, are barred from PERM green-card filings as the Labor Department investigates suspected fraud.
