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Microsoft Defends Hiring Practices After U.S. Suspends Visa Program Access
The U.S. government has stopped Microsoft and seven other technology companies from using a program that helps some foreign workers seek permanent residency.
Officials say they are investigating whether companies misused visa programs and treated American workers unfairly.
Vice President JD Vance said Microsoft laid off American employees while benefiting from work visas and green cards.
Microsoft disagreed with the criticism and said most of its U.S. employees are Americans.
It said most of its H-1B applications were for people already working there, not new hires.
The company also said it pays its H-1B workers fairly.
The suspension means the affected companies cannot submit new applications or have pending applications processed through this program while the action is in place.
The government also announced investigations involving nine universities and proposed large fees for some international students seeking work experience through OPT.
The Trump administration suspended Microsoft and seven other technology companies from the Permanent Labor Certification Program amid investigations into alleged visa-program misuse.
Microsoft said about 80% of its roughly 6,000 H-1B applications last fiscal year were for existing employees, and that new hires were already legally in the United States.
The company said most of its U.S. employees are American citizens and that its H-1B workers receive pay comparable to employees doing similar work.
Vice President JD Vance accused Microsoft of laying off 6,000 American workers while benefiting from 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards.
The administration also announced J-1 visa investigations involving nine universities and proposed new fees for international students applying for OPT.
- Who
- Microsoft and seven other technology companies were suspended from the program; U.S. officials cited allegations of visa-program misuse.
- What
- The Department of Labor stopped accepting and processing permanent labor certification applications involving the companies under investigation.
- Where
- The action concerns U.S. immigration and employment programs.
- When
- The announcements and Microsoft's response were reported on Thursday; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- The administration said the action was part of investigations into alleged visa fraud and discrimination against American workers; Microsoft defended its hiring and pay practices.
Administration's allegations
Microsoft's response
Effect on American workers
Administration's allegations
JD Vance said Microsoft laid off 6,000 American workers while benefiting from thousands of H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards.
Microsoft's response
Microsoft said the vast majority of its U.S. employees are Americans and said foreign workers represented only 1% of its U.S. workforce among the new-hire applications it described.
Use of H-1B visas and pay
Administration's allegations
U.S. officials accused companies under investigation of misusing visa programs and warned employers against discrimination against American workers.
Microsoft's response
Microsoft said 80% of its roughly 6,000 H-1B applications were for existing employees, and that it pays H-1B employees the same as other employees doing comparable work.
Key facts
- Program affected
- Permanent Labor Certification Program
- Companies suspended
- Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL and Capgemini
- Microsoft H-1B applications
- Approximately 6,000 in the last fiscal year; Microsoft said 80% were for existing employees
- U.S. layoffs cited by JD Vance
- 6,000 Microsoft workers last year
- Visa figures cited by JD Vance
- 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards
- Universities under J-1 investigation
- Nine
- Proposed OPT fees
- $70,000 for initial applications and $30,000 for subsequent applications
Quotes
Microsoft
Technology company responding to the suspension.
“We believe in the strength and talent of the American workforce. That is why the vast majority of Microsoft employees in the United States are Americans.”
financialexpress.com
“Microsoft laid off last year, 6000 American workers at the same time the company benefited from 6300 H-1B visas and almost 3000 green cards.”
financialexpress.com
Keith Sonderling
US labour secretary discussing the companies’ program suspensions.
“We will not accept any new or process any pending permanent labour certification applications involving these companies.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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