U.S. suspends Microsoft, Adobe and other major IT firms from PERM green card programme
The U.S. government has suspended major IT firms, including Microsoft and Infosys, from the PERM green card program, citing fraud and a push to prioritize American workers. Additionally, several elite universities are under investigation for potential visa abuse and foreign influence.
Why it matters
This policy shift represents a significant tightening of immigration pathways for skilled foreign workers and signals a more aggressive stance on corporate hiring practices and academic research security.
The U.S. government is suspending Microsoft, Adobe and several large IT firms from a programme that allows skilled foreign workers to gain permanent residency, senior U.S. officials announced on Thursday (October 8, 2026), citing alleged fraud, and as part of an effort to push companies to hire more Americans.
“Our message to Microsoft is: You’re a great American company, but you’ve got to hire great American workers,” U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance said.
Secretary of Labour Keith Sonderling added that some of the largest IT firms in the world would also be suspended from that programme, including Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL and Capgemini.
“We will not accept any new or process any pending permanent labour certification applications involving these companies,” Mr. Sonderling said.
Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
US bars Microsoft, Adobe, and major IT firms from green card program for skilled foreign workers
Vance says the US is suspending permanent visa residency program for Microsoft and Adobe
US visa chaos: Infosys, Wipro among IT firms suspended from PERM scheme; what it means
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