Microsoft Denies Visa Fraud Allegations, Says 80% of H‑1B Filings Were for Existing Staff
What Happened
Microsoft issued a statement after the Trump administration suspended it from the PERM green card program, citing alleged visa fraud. Vice President JD Vance accused the company of replacing American workers with cheaper foreign labor. Microsoft denied the claims, stating that of the 6,000 H‑1B applications filed last fiscal year, 80% were to extend or change the status of existing employees, not to hire new people. The remaining filings were for individuals already legally in the US, representing only 1% of its US workforce. Microsoft emphasized that it pays among the highest wages in the tech sector and applies rigorous standards to H‑1B petitions. The suspension affects Microsoft’s ability to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency.
Key Takeaways
The dispute highlights growing scrutiny of US visa programs under the Trump administration. Microsoft’s defense underscores that most of its H‑1B filings are for existing staff, not new arrivals, raising questions about how immigration rules are being interpreted and enforced.