US Delivers a Setback to Various IT Companies  ( IT Companies )

Washington: The US has suspended IT companies  ( IT Companies )  —Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft, and Adobe—from the ‘Permanent Labor Certification Program.’ Through this program, companies can apply for Green Cards for employees holding H-1B visas. This announcement was made by US Labor official Keith Sonderling. He was accompanied by the head of the US anti-fraud task force and Vice President JD Vance.

New Permanent Labor Certification Applications Will Not Be Accepted

Keith Sonderling stated, “I am suspending some of the world’s largest IT outsourcing companies—Wipro, HCL, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, and Capgemini—from the Permanent Labor Certification Program.” He further added that the Department of Labor is also removing Microsoft and Adobe from the program. “We will not accept any new Permanent Labor Certification applications associated with these companies. Furthermore, we will not take action on pending applications.”

Accused of Taking Jobs Away from American Workers

Sonderling noted that since 2009, these companies alone have sought approximately 3 million foreign workers. They have received approval for over 230,000 H-1B visas and more than 100,000 permanent labor certifications. These represented millions of jobs that were taken away from American workers. JD Vance Points Out Flaws in the Program

JD Vance stated that under the program from which Microsoft is being suspended, companies are required to advertise jobs in the US before applying to the Department of Labor. They must demonstrate that they need to grant green cards to foreign workers due to a shortage of American workers.

Vance Also Levels Allegations Against Universities

JD Vance also criticized universities that he claimed were misusing programs designed to facilitate the entry of foreign students into the US. These temporary visas, known as J-1 visas, allow foreign nationals to come to the US for a limited period to participate in work- and study-related exchange programs. Earlier, in September, the Trump administration had also proposed new rules regarding H-1B visas.