Democratic Lawmakers Criticize Trump Administration’s Suspension of Tech Firms From Green Card Program
Washington — Two Democratic members of Congress have criticized the Trump administration’s decision to suspend Microsoft and other technology companies from a key employment-based green card program, warning that the restrictions could undermine American innovation and create uncertainty for skilled foreign workers seeking permanent residency.
Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Suzan DelBene, both of Washington state, said Thursday that the administration’s action threatens established legal immigration pathways for professionals already working in the United States.
The restrictions affect the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program, which allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for certain employment-based green cards.
Jayapal, the ranking Democrat on the House immigration subcommittee, described the move as another attempt by the administration to restrict legal immigration.
“This is a crucial issue for me as the top Democrat on the Immigration Subcommittee, the only member of Congress to have actually had an H-1B visa, and the Representative for tens of thousands of Microsoft workers,” she said.
The Indian-American lawmaker, who represents a Seattle-area congressional district, emphasized that the PERM program provides a structured process for foreign professionals seeking permanent residency while incorporating protections for American workers.
“The PERM program is the first step toward an employment-based green card for countless workers who want to contribute to this country, and it lays out a clear process with steps to ensure that this is a net benefit to our economy and does not harm American jobs,” Jayapal said.
She argued that restricting access to the program would make it more difficult for skilled immigrants to contribute to the U.S. economy.
“You don’t fix a broken immigration system by taking a hammer to legal immigration,” Jayapal said.
Jayapal also defended Microsoft’s longstanding support for immigration reform, noting that the company has advocated modernizing the immigration system and expanding lawful employment opportunities.
“Targeting Microsoft or the PERM program in this way simply undermines legal immigration and weakens America’s ability to innovate,” she said.
DelBene, whose congressional district includes a significant technology industry presence, also condemned the administration’s decision.
“The Trump administration’s action today is an attack on current H-1B visa holders already in the United States,” she said.
“Haphazardly taking away the pathway to a lawful green card for skilled workers at certain American companies is a biased and punitive misuse of the law.”
DelBene rejected the administration’s justification that stronger restrictions were necessary to address alleged abuses of employment-based immigration programs.
“Let’s be clear: this move will have no impact on purported H-1B visa abuse,” she said.
She warned that the restrictions could disrupt the lives of foreign professionals and their families while weakening the country’s ability to attract and retain highly skilled workers.
“This will inject even more uncertainty into our already turbulent economy while hamstringing innovation, competitiveness, and ultimately American workers,” DelBene said.
The lawmakers’ criticism followed the administration’s decision to suspend Microsoft, Adobe and other technology companies from participating in the PERM program.
The suspension affects the companies’ ability to pursue certain employment-based permanent residency applications but does not automatically revoke existing H-1B visas.
The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized occupations, including technology, engineering and scientific research.
The dispute reflects broader disagreements over the administration’s immigration enforcement policies and their potential impact on American companies that rely on international talent. (Source: IANS)
