The White House is blocking Microsoft and seven other IT firms from PERM applications — the H-1B-to-green-card pipeline. Vance called it fraud; Labor's Sonderling says no new or pending filings get pr

What happened: The White House barred Microsoft and seven other firms from hiring skilled international workers permanently through the H-1B and PERM programmes. Vice-President JD Vance accused Microsoft of fraud and replacing American workers. Key numbers: H-1B visas capped at 85,000 per year. Why it matters: The government will not process new or pending PERM applications from Microsoft or the other named companies. Microsoft said it looks forward to providing the Administration with additional information.

White House policy change directly impacts Microsoft's foreign hiring, signaling geopolitical labor restrictions.

White House policy change directly impacts Microsoft's foreign hiring, signaling geopolitical labor restrictions. — impact context not separately stored; see What changed.