Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Trump Suspends Major Tech Firms From PERM Green-Card Process
PERM is a step some employers must take when they want to help a foreign worker seek permanent residency in the United States.
The employer must show that hiring the worker will not harm American workers' wages and working conditions.
The Trump administration says several technology and IT companies misused this process.
It has suspended those companies from submitting new PERM applications or having pending ones processed.
The named companies include Microsoft, Adobe, Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services.
PERM does not give a person a green card by itself.
It is different from an H-1B visa, which allows temporary work in the United States.
The Trump administration suspended Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini from parts of the PERM process.
PERM is a Department of Labor certification process employers may need for some employment-based green-card cases.
The administration says the companies abused the system by using foreign workers to replace or undercut American workers.
The Department of Labor said it would not accept new or process pending PERM applications involving the suspended firms.
PERM certification is not a green card; it is distinct from the temporary H-1B work visa.
- Who
- The Trump administration and the Department of Labor; companies named include Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini.
- What
- The administration suspended the companies from parts of the PERM labor-certification process.
- When
- Vice President JD Vance announced the move on Thursday, October 8; the article does not specify a year.
- Where
- United States
- Why
- The administration says the companies abused foreign-worker programs to replace or undercut American workers.
Administration's position
Companies' perspective
Use of foreign-worker programs
Administration's position
The administration alleges that companies used foreign-worker programs to replace or undercut American workers.
Companies' perspective
The article does not provide responses from the suspended companies.
Microsoft's hiring practices
Administration's position
Vance accused Microsoft of laying off thousands of American workers while obtaining thousands of H-1B visas and green cards.
Companies' perspective
The article does not include Microsoft's response to Vance's accusation.
- PERM
- Permanent Labor Certification, a Department of Labor process used in some employment-based green-card cases.
- Suspended companies
- Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini.
- Effect of suspension
- The government said it would not accept new or process pending PERM applications involving the suspended firms.
- PERM outcome
- Certification is a labor-certification step and does not itself grant a green card.
- H-1B distinction
- H-1B is temporary work status; PERM relates to permanent employment.
- Announced by
- Vice President JD Vance.