The Trump administration has suspended Microsoft from a federal programme that lets employers seek permanent residence, commonly called a green card, for staff who enter the United States on H1B visas. Vice President JD Vance announced the step at a White House news conference and said the company stood accused of fraud.
Vance told reporters that if the figures were examined, for every worker Microsoft laid off the firm replaced that worker with one and a half foreign indentured servants.
The H1B scheme has long been criticised by supporters of President Donald Trump, who argue that it undercuts American workers and is open to widespread abuse. The visas are intended for specialist roles that employers find hard to fill from the domestic labour market. Technology companies remain the largest users, and nearly three quarters of approvals go to workers from India.
The announcement followed a separate proposal made the previous day by the Department of Homeland Security. The department has suggested a fee of 70,000 dollars for international students who wish to work in the United States. Under the draft rule, universities would pay the charge for every student who takes part in Optional Practical Training, the arrangement that allows employment linked to a course of study during or after enrolment.
Vance also named universities he suggested were misusing J1 visas, which permit temporary visits for work and study exchanges. He identified nine institutions that he said deserved further investigation for possible fraud, on the ground that they used the programme in greater proportions than comparable universities.
By A.Ikechukwu
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