U.S. Suspends Microsoft, Adobe From Green-Card Labor Program

The U.S. Department of Labor suspended Microsoft and Adobe from the Permanent Labor Certification program Thursday, blocking new applications as federal scrutiny of foreign-worker hiring intensifies.

Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said the action covers Microsoft and Adobe because of “multiple active federal investigations.” The department also suspended Cognizant, Infosys, Capgemini, Tata, Wipro and HCL.

The Permanent Labor Certification program is used by employers seeking permanent work-based immigration for foreign employees. The decision adds an immigration-related risk for two major U.S. technology companies and a broader group of large technology services firms.

Sonderling said the companies involved had requested nearly 3 million foreign workers since 2009, received more than 230,000 H-1B visa approvals and obtained more than 100,000 permanent labor certifications. He characterized the totals as representing jobs taken from American workers.

The suspensions come as the Trump administration increases enforcement around immigration and foreign hiring programs ahead of the November midterm elections. New applications from the listed companies are now blocked under the Labor Department’s action.