Vance announces suspension of Microsoft and Adobe from H-1B programme over abuse

The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing a decision to suspend Microsoft and Adobe from a key programme of the immigration system. This is reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Allegations of systemic abuse

US Vice President JD Vance stated that the authorities will suspend the participation of Microsoft and a number of other tech companies in the programme, which allows H-1B visa holders to apply for green cards.

According to Vance, such measures are directed against companies that, in the administration's view, systematically abuse the visa system. Vance emphasised that no other company has abused the system more than Microsoft. Specifically, he accused the tech giant of firing US citizens and subsequently replacing them with foreign hires.

«На кожного звільненого Microsoft працівника припадає півтора іноземних найманих працівника.... (компанія демонструє - ред.) Скандальну систему, яку ми допускали в цій країні надто довго» (For every Microsoft employee laid off, there are one and a half foreign hires.... (the company demonstrates - ed.) A scandalous system that we have tolerated in this country for far too long), Hegseth said.

Microsoft's reaction and figures

In response to the allegations, a Microsoft spokesperson announced that the company intends to send additional explanatory documents to the Trump administration. She emphasised that the majority of the company's employees in the US are citizens of the country.

According to the data provided, Microsoft filed approximately 6,000 H-1B visa applications last financial year, with 80% submitted by current Microsoft employees.

"Microsoft подає заяви на отримання віз H-1B лише для тих, хто відповідає суворим вимогам цієї візової категорії. Ми платимо нашим співробітникам одні з найвищих зарплат у технологічному секторі, і наші зарплати є одними з найвищих серед усіх компаній, які подають заяви на отримання віз H-1B. Ми платимо нашим співробітникам із візами H-1B стільки ж, скільки й іншим співробітникам, які виконують аналогічну роботу" (Microsoft files H-1B visa applications only for those who meet the strict requirements of this visa category. We pay our employees some of the highest salaries in the tech sector, and our salaries are among the highest of all companies filing H-1B visa applications. We pay our H-1B visa holders the same as other employees performing similar work), explained press secretary Kate Frischman.

Adobe had not sent any comments to journalists' requests at the time of publication.

Context: what is the H-1B programme

It is worth noting that the H-1B visa category was introduced by the US Congress in 1990. It is the primary instrument for the entry of highly skilled foreign specialists, making it critically important for the development of the tech industry and the startup ecosystem.

Holders of such visas can subsequently obtain the right to apply for a green card, which allows them to reside legally in the US for an unlimited period.