Microsoft suspended from Perm program, CEO awarded medal by Trump
by@axios
Summary
On Thursday, the Trump administration suspended Microsoft from the Permanent Employment Program (Perm), a crucial pathway for sponsoring employees for green cards, due to allegations of employing foreign workers over U.S. citizens. This decision highlighted the administration's ongoing policy tension, as it simultaneously honored Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation later that day. The suspension, which also affected Adobe and six other IT firms, reflects broader efforts by the administration to crack down on perceived abuses in skilled worker visa programs, potentially discouraging both companies and skilled foreign professionals from pursuing opportunities in the U.S.
Tokens
$MSFT$ADBE
Analysis
Adobe: Adobe is a software company known for creative and digital experience tools. The administration also suspended it from the Perm program as part of the broader action against firms accused of improper hiring practices involving foreign workers. Vance: JD Vance serves as Vice President in the Trump Administration. He publicly addressed the Perm suspensions, emphasizing the goal of companies thriving through American employment rather than foreign hires. Lisa Su: Lisa Su is the CEO of AMD, specializing in semiconductors and processors. She received the National Medal of Science as part of the group of immigrant tech leaders recognized by the administration. Elon Musk: Elon Musk leads companies including Tesla and xAI in electric vehicles, space, and AI. As an immigrant to the U.S., he received the National Medal of Science alongside other tech executives at the White House event. Microsoft: Microsoft is a major technology company focused on software, cloud computing, and AI solutions. In this news, it is the primary target of the Trump administration's suspension from the Perm program amid accusations of prioritizing foreign hires over American workers, while its CEO received a national medal for innovation on the same day. Hiba Anver: Hiba Anver is an attorney at Erickson Immigration Group specializing in immigration matters. She expressed concerns that the policy shifts could deter talented foreign workers from U.S. opportunities. Sergey Brin: Sergey Brin co-founded Google and has advanced search and AI technologies. As a U.S. immigrant, he received the National Medal of Science at the same ceremony honoring tech achievements. Jensen Huang: Jensen Huang is the CEO of Nvidia, a leader in GPUs and AI hardware. He was awarded the National Medal of Science for his contributions, highlighting the administration's recognition of immigrant tech innovators. Satya Nadella: Satya Nadella serves as the CEO of Microsoft, leading its strategic direction in cloud and AI technologies. He was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Trump hours after the administration announced the Perm suspension affecting his company. Howard Lutnick: Howard Lutnick is the U.S. Commerce Secretary in the Trump Administration. He was referenced in connection with prior immigration fee announcements as part of ongoing efforts to reshape H-1B and related programs. Patricia Gannon: Patricia Gannon chairs the Immigration and Naturalization Group at law firm Greenspoon Marder. She commented on the potential reluctance of companies to sponsor visas due to the Perm changes and their impact on foreign talent. Trump Administration: The Trump Administration oversees federal policies on immigration, labor, and technology. It simultaneously suspended Microsoft and others from the Perm program while honoring tech leaders, reflecting tensions between supporting innovation and enforcing immigration rules to favor U.S. workers. Policy Tension: The administration continues to pursue measures that restrict certain immigration pathways for tech firms while publicly celebrating innovation from the same sector. Talent Pipeline: Legal experts observe that disruptions to the Perm process may lead both companies and skilled foreign professionals to reconsider U.S. employment opportunities. Broader Crackdown: The Perm suspensions build on earlier administration initiatives targeting perceived abuses in skilled worker visa programs.
Categories
techpoliticsmacro
Related sources
- https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/10/president-trump-presents-national-medals-of-science-and-national-medals-of-technology-and-innovation/?query-11-page=67
- https://www.newsweek.com/green-card-update-trump-admin-blocks-tech-companies-h1b-perm-program-microsoft-adobe-12541853
- https://www.wired.com/story/trump-administration-crackdown-microsoft-adobe-immigration/
- https://indianexpress.com/article/world/trump-honours-nadella-vance-suspends-microsoft-h1b-green-card-programme-india-10913428/
- https://www.reuters.com/business/us-suspending-permanent-residency-program-for-microsoft-vance-says-2026-10-08/
- https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/08/politics/vance-fraud-microsoft-immigrant
- https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/08/vance-microsoft-adobe-h-1-b-green-cards-01111603
- https://www.reuters.com/world/skilled-foreign-tech-workers-green-card-program-under-attack-trump-2026-10-08/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/vance-us-suspending-permanent-visa-residency-program-microsoft-adobe-2026-10
- https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/08/president-trump-awards-big-tech-donors-with-nations-highest-science-prizes/
- https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/us-suspends-visa-program-for-tech-firms-including-microsoft-2
- https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/us-news/trump-admin-cuts-off-microsoft-from-major-visa-program-accuses-tech-giant-of-fraud-and-abuse/