US media: Trump administration suspends green card applications for foreign employees of 8 technology companies

China News Service, October 9. According to comprehensive US media reports, the US government has suspended the acceptance of new and pending "Permanent Labor Certification" applications submitted by eight technology companies including Microsoft and Adobe for foreign employees. This certification is the first step for foreign employees holding H-1B visas to apply for permanent residence (green cards) for US employment-based immigrants through their employers.

U.S. Vice President Vance announced the move at a press conference on the 8th local time, accusing Microsoft of "abusing the visa system" and "prioritizing foreign employees over American employees." U.S. Labor Secretary Sandlin said that the suspension covers all "permanent labor certification" applications submitted by these eight companies.

"We want to say to Microsoft: You are a great American company, but you have to hire great American workers," Vance said at a news conference.

According to reports, a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement that the company will provide the Trump administration with more information about the immigration status of its employees: "Of the approximately 6,000 H-1B visa applications we submitted last fiscal year, 80% were to extend or change the status of existing Microsoft employees. These applications were not used to recruit new employees."

U.S. technology companies often rely on H-1B visas to hire foreign workers with specialized technical skills.