Share to ClassroomUS Stops Microsoft Using Green Card Program
On 8 October, the US government stopped Microsoft from using a program that helps foreign workers get a green card. A green card lets a person live and work in the US permanently. Seven other companies, such as Adobe and Infosys, were also stopped. Vice President JD Vance accused the companies of fraud, which means lying or cheating to get something. On the same day, Microsoft's boss, Satya Nadella, got a technology medal from President Donald Trump.
Many of these workers first come to the US with an H-1B visa. This is a special permit for highly skilled workers. Vance said Microsoft laid off about 6,000 American workers last year but asked for thousands of these visas. He said the visa workers must leave the US if they lose their jobs. Microsoft defended its hiring. It said 80% of its visa applications were for people who already worked at the company. It also said visa workers get the same pay as American workers.
Officials say they want to protect jobs for Americans. Nine universities, including Harvard and Yale, will also be investigated. Some critics say companies use these visas to hire cheaper foreign workers. But the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) noted that other big companies, such as Google and Apple, use the same program and were not named.
