Stories
US Suspends Major Tech Giants From Green Card Program Over Visa Fraud Claims
- •The United States has suspended several major technology companies including Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL, Cognizant, and Microsoft from the PERM labor certification program.
- •US Vice President JD Vance announced the suspension, accusing companies of abusing the program and urging them to prioritize hiring American workers instead of relying on foreign labor.
- •The PERM program is a crucial step for employers seeking permanent residency for foreign workers on H-1B visas, though existing approved green card cases are not automatically affected.
- •The Department of Homeland Security also proposed steep fees for international students participating in the OPT program, requiring colleges to pay thousands for initial applications and renewals.
Key Questions Answered
The United States suspended several major technology and IT outsourcing firms from the PERM labor certification program, including Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft, and Adobe.
The PERM program is a crucial labor certification process that US employers must complete before sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residency in employment-based green card categories. While new filings are suspended for the affected companies, existing approved green card cases are not automatically impacted.
The administration suspended the companies amid an ongoing investigation into visa fraud and alleged abuse of the program. US officials criticized the substitution of American employees with foreign labor and emphasized the goal of encouraging the hiring of domestic workers.
