Microsoft pushes back after Labor Department suspends its foreign-worker program access
The Labor Department has suspended Microsoft from a federal program that helps foreign workers obtain permanent U.S. residency and will not process its pending applications. The move was announced just before President Trump was set to award Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Microsoft responded to the administration's accusation that it abuses foreign worker programs.
The Labor Department has barred Microsoft from a federal initiative that supports foreign employees seeking permanent U.S. residency, and the agency said it will not act on the company’s outstanding requests. The suspension concerns Microsoft’s participation in that program.
The action was disclosed shortly before President Trump was scheduled to present Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Microsoft issued a response to the administration’s allegation that it misuses programs designed for foreign workers.
The suspension could create uncertainty for Microsoft employees from abroad who are seeking permanent U.S. residency, along with their families, and may disrupt teams that depend on them. It might also affect how the company recruits and retains international talent while the matter is unresolved. More broadly, the episode may draw attention to how federal foreign-worker programs are administered and how quickly employers can respond when access is paused.