Trump Administration Suspended Tech Green-Card Certifications
The Labor Department halted new labor certification applications for Microsoft and several other major technology firms.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Job Search
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The Trump administration suspended access to employment-based green-card labor certifications for Microsoft and various tech companies. The freeze was implemented following claims of alleged misuse of employment visa programs.
Why it matters
Vice President JD Vance has urged Microsoft to prioritize the hiring of American workers. This policy shift targets several major firms, including Adobe and Infosys, amid claims of visa program irregularities.
Microsoft stock prices fell from $531 to a low of $525.06 before partially recovering to $525.64 during intraday trading. The Labor Department has ceased all new permanent labor certification applications for the impacted firms.
The players
Keith Sonderling
He serves as the Labor Secretary responsible for implementing the current suspension of permanent labor certification applications.
JD Vance
He is the Vice President of the United States who has advocated for Microsoft to prioritize domestic hiring practices.
Microsoft
This multinational technology corporation is one of the primary entities affected by the new green-card labor certification freeze.
The details
Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling confirmed that the agency is no longer accepting new permanent labor certification applications from affected companies like Wipro, HCL Technologies, and Capgemini. While the administration alleges visa program misuse, existing H-1B visa holders are currently permitted to continue their work.
Timeline
The suspension of labor certifications for tech firms occurred on October 8, 2026.
Market Landscape
The sudden suspension of labor certifications marks an aggressive shift in how the administration regulates the H-1B visa program. This move positions federal regulators in direct conflict with the staffing models used by major global technology service providers.
The freeze directly impacts the ability of affected technology firms to secure permanent residency for foreign workers. Employees of the targeted companies may face increased uncertainty regarding their long-term employment status and residency applications.
The takeaway
The suspension highlights growing government scrutiny regarding how international technology firms utilize domestic visa programs. Companies and workers affected by this policy should monitor federal labor guidance for future changes in certification processing.
Further reading
Learn more about federal employment policies on the Job Search page.
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