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U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has expanded enforcement of immigration rules, restricting access by several major global technology and outsourcing companies to a key process used for employment-based green card applications.
U.S. officials said several large technology and consulting companies will be unable to file new applications through the permanent labor certification system, which underpins many employment-based green card applications.
New restrictions on technology companies
The companies affected include Microsoft, Adobe and several multinational firms providing international IT services. They have historically used visa programs such as H-1B to recruit highly skilled workers from abroad.
Administration officials said some employers relied excessively on foreign worker programs and had not made enough effort to prioritize American workers. In their view, loopholes in the system allowed companies to hire workers from abroad even during periods when jobs were being cut domestically.
The White House says the restrictions are intended to encourage employers to change their hiring practices and give greater priority to searching for workers in the United States.
Microsoft has rejected claims that it used visa programs to replace American workers. The company said most of its recent immigration filings concerned current employees rather than new hires. It also said workers brought in through the H-1B program receive pay comparable to that of other employees in similar roles.
Debate has again intensified over the role of highly skilled immigration in the U.S. economy. Supporters of the restrictions say work visas can depress wages and reduce job opportunities for Americans. Critics argue that foreign professionals fill specialized roles in fields facing labor shortages and contribute to innovation, research and economic growth.
The technology industry has repeatedly warned that limiting access to international talent could weaken U.S. competitiveness in fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and software development.
Visa programs at nine universities under review
Federal agencies have also stepped up scrutiny of higher education institutions that host large numbers of international students and researchers. Nine prominent universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Brown and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, are under review over their use of exchange and academic visa programs.
Officials said they would examine whether visa categories intended for educational and cultural exchange were being used in accordance with the rules, and whether foreign influence and financial ties affected federally funded research.
Several universities confirmed that they had received subpoenas or requests for information. The institutions said they would comply with legal requirements and examine the government’s concerns.
Universities are concerned that tighter visa rules and greater uncertainty could deter talented candidates from studying in the United States. In that case, institutions in Europe, Canada and Asia could become more attractive options.
Education organizations say international students contribute billions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy through tuition, housing and everyday expenses, while also supporting research and innovation programs. Some universities have also reported a decline in applications from abroad as immigration rules tighten.
The latest measures continue steps taken since Trump returned to office to reduce immigration and increase oversight of foreign workers, students and researchers. The administration says tighter enforcement is necessary to protect jobs for Americans and ensure visa programs serve national interests.
Business groups, technology companies and universities, however, warn that restricting access to international talent could result in long-term economic and scientific losses for the United States.
