US freezes green-card filings linked to Microsoft, Infosys

The US administration has frozen certain employment-based green-card applications involving Microsoft, Adobe and several major IT companies as part of a broader crackdown on alleged immigration fraud and the use of foreign workers.

US Vice President JD Vance announced the measures on Thursday, saying the government would intensify scrutiny of companies suspected of using skilled-worker programmes in ways that could disadvantage American employees.

The Labour Department said the restrictions would also cover major technology and outsourcing firms, including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Cognizant and Capgemini. The department said it would stop accepting new or processing pending permanent labour certification applications involving the companies.

The PERM programme is a key step for many employment-based green-card applications. Under the system, employers must demonstrate that hiring foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages, working conditions or employment opportunities of US workers.

The action does not appear to suspend existing H-1B visas. However, it could affect foreign workers seeking permanent residency through employer sponsorship, particularly those employed by major technology companies that rely heavily on skilled workers from overseas.

Indian technology companies are among the major users of the H-1B programme. Government data shows that several large technology firms, including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Microsoft, were among the leading employers of H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal 2026.

The administration has also launched investigations into nine universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Brown and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Officials allege that some institutions may have misused exchange-visitor visas or other immigration programmes to recruit international workers and students under conditions that could disadvantage American workers.

Labour officials said subpoenas had already been issued as part of the university investigations. Authorities said they would examine allegations involving foreign influence, financial relationships and possible visa violations connected to federally funded research.

The latest measures expand an immigration enforcement campaign launched during President Donald Trump’s second term. The administration has increasingly pressured businesses and institutions to prioritise US workers and employment while tightening oversight of skilled-worker visa programmes.