US Action Puts Green Card Dreams of Indian IT Professionals in Limbo; TCS, Infosys Among 8 Firms Named

Washington’s crackdown on employment-based immigration could delay permanent residency applications, while H-1B visas remain a separate process

New Delhi: Indian IT professionals working in the United States could face fresh uncertainty over their Green Card applications following reports that eight major technology companies have been suspended from the US Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program. The companies named include Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe.

According to the reported action, new PERM applications associated with these companies will not be accepted, while the processing of pending applications could also be put on hold. The development comes as President Donald Trump’s administration steps up scrutiny of employers hiring foreign professionals, alleging that some companies exploit the immigration system at the expense of American workers.

However, the reported suspensions and their precise scope should be confirmed through official US Department of Labor records before publication.

Which Eight Companies Are Under Scrutiny?

The eight companies identified in the report are Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe.

US Labor Department official Keith Sonderling reportedly stated that new applications linked to the companies would not be accepted and pending cases would not proceed during the suspension. Federal investigations involving Microsoft and Adobe have also been cited in connection with the action.

The development has raised concerns among Indian professionals whose employers sponsor their employment-based Green Card applications.

What Is PERM and Why Is It Important for Green Cards?

The Permanent Labor Certification, commonly known as PERM, is an important step in many employment-based Green Card applications in the United States.

Under the process, an employer generally needs to demonstrate that there are no qualified and willing US workers available for the position and complete the prescribed recruitment requirements. The employer then seeks certification from the Department of Labor.

Once PERM certification is approved, the employer can proceed to the relevant next stage of the employment-based immigration process, which commonly includes filing an immigrant petition. Further requirements must still be met before permanent residency is granted.

A suspension affecting PERM applications could therefore delay the Green Card process for employees whose cases depend on their employers completing this stage.

Are H-1B Visas Also Being Suspended?

No. A PERM suspension does not automatically cancel H-1B visas.

The H-1B visa allows US employers to hire eligible foreign professionals temporarily for certain specialty occupations. PERM, by contrast, is a labor certification process used in many employment-based permanent residency cases.

The reported action concerns the PERM process, not an automatic cancellation of existing H-1B visas or a blanket suspension of all H-1B applications.

The impact on an individual employee will depend on their visa status, the stage of their Green Card application and the specific terms of any action taken against their employer.

How Could Indian IT Professionals Be Affected?

Indian professionals employed by these companies could experience delays or uncertainty if their Green Card applications depend on new or pending PERM cases.

– Employees awaiting PERM filing: Their applications could be delayed if the employer is prohibited from submitting new cases.
– Employees with pending PERM applications: Processing could be interrupted if their cases fall within the scope of the suspension.
– Employees planning long-term US residency: Delays could complicate decisions about their careers, families and future in the country.
– Employees who have completed PERM: Their situation could differ depending on the stage of the immigration process and the scope of the relevant order.

The reported action does not mean that every Green Card application filed through these companies has been cancelled. Nor does it establish that all Indian employees working for the companies will lose their jobs.

JD Vance Raises Questions Over Microsoft’s Hiring Practices

US Vice President JD Vance reportedly cited Microsoft as an example while questioning the employment practices of major technology companies.

According to the figures attributed to Vance, Microsoft laid off approximately 6,000 American employees in 2025 while receiving approval for more than 6,000 H-1B visas and filing 3,682 PERM applications during the period. He further alleged that around 1,000 PERM applications were associated with positions from which American employees had been removed.

Vance argued that hiring foreign workers at lower costs could put downward pressure on wages and affect employment opportunities for American professionals.

These claims represent allegations about the company’s hiring practices and should not be treated as proven violations without supporting findings.

Microsoft’s Response to the Allegations

Microsoft reportedly said that approximately 80% of its H-1B applications during the previous fiscal year involved extensions or changes in the immigration status of existing employees rather than new hires.

The company said the remaining applications for new employees largely concerned individuals already residing legally in the United States who had decided to join Microsoft. It also stated that these applications accounted for approximately 1% of its US workforce.

Microsoft reiterated its commitment to American workers, saying that most of its US-based employees are American citizens. The company also maintained that it is among the technology sector’s higher-paying employers and that H-1B employees receive compensation comparable to that of other employees performing similar work.

US Administration Cites Immigration and Recruitment Data

According to figures attributed to Labor Department official Keith Sonderling, the companies collectively sought to hire approximately three million foreign workers since 2009, received approvals for more than 230,000 H-1B visas and obtained over 100,000 permanent labor certifications.

The Trump administration is reportedly examining how employers use the immigration system and whether their recruitment practices comply with applicable rules.

However, the number of visa applications, approvals or labor certifications alone does not establish fraud. Allegations, ongoing investigations and proven violations are distinct matters.

Will Foreign Employees Lose Their Jobs Immediately?

The reported PERM action does not automatically mean that foreign employees at the affected companies must leave their jobs or that their existing visas have been revoked.

Its principal potential impact is on the employment-based permanent residency process. Employees awaiting certification may face delays, while those further along in the process will need to determine whether the action affects their particular cases.

Affected professionals should seek guidance from their employers’ immigration teams or qualified US immigration attorneys regarding the status of their applications, the validity of their current visas and the options available to them.

For Indian IT professionals, the key concern is not an automatic loss of jobs or visas, but the possibility of prolonged uncertainty over permanent residency. The actual impact will depend on the officially confirmed scope of the action and each employee’s individual immigration circumstances.