US freezes green-card applications for Microsoft, Adobe, Infosys over fraud
by@Reuters
Summary
On October 8, 2026, the Trump administration announced a freeze on green-card applications from Microsoft, Adobe, and Infosys, amid investigations into alleged visa fraud linked to skilled-worker immigration programs. This action is part of the administration's broader initiative, known as Project Firewall, which has already opened around 200 cases and imposed millions in penalties as it aims to prioritize American workers by scrutinizing companies and universities that are suspected of misusing visa systems. In addition to the tech firms, nine prestigious universities, including Harvard and Stanford, are under investigation for their use of exchange-visitor visas, raising concerns about potential foreign influence and wage undercutting in federally funded research.
Tokens
$MSFT$ADBE$INFY
Analysis
Yale: Yale University is an Ivy League research university involved in international academic exchange programs. The institution faces scrutiny as part of the administration's probe into potential visa abuse and its impact on domestic employment. Adobe: Adobe is a technology company known for creative software tools and digital experience platforms used across industries. It is directly affected by the current freeze on its green-card related labor certification filings under the Trump administration's visa crackdown. Brown: Brown University is an Ivy League institution that hosts international visitors through visa programs. It is one of the nine universities targeted in the current federal investigation into J-1 visa practices. Harvard: Harvard University is a prominent private research institution that participates in exchange-visitor visa programs. It is among nine elite universities now under federal investigation for alleged misuse of J-1 visas to undercut American wages. Infosys: Infosys is a leading Indian multinational IT consulting and outsourcing firm that provides services to global clients. The company, one of the largest users of skilled worker visas, now faces suspension of its new and pending permanent labor certification applications due to alleged fraud concerns. JD Vance: JD Vance serves as Vice President of the United States in the Trump administration. He participated in the October 8 press conference announcing the H-1B fraud initiatives and expanded enforcement measures targeting companies and universities. Stanford: Stanford University is a leading research university with extensive international student and scholar programs. It has been included in the group of universities under investigation for alleged misuse of exchange-visitor visas. Microsoft: Microsoft is a major technology company that develops software, cloud services, and hardware products for consumers and enterprises worldwide. In this news, the company is one of three named firms whose permanent labor certification applications for green cards have been frozen by the Labor Department as part of an anti-fraud enforcement action. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a top research university focused on science, engineering, and technology education. It has been named in the administration's investigation of universities for potential visa misuse affecting American wages. Enforcement Action: The Labor Department has expanded Project Firewall to suspend processing of permanent labor certification applications for companies under scrutiny. University Scrutiny: Federal subpoenas have already been served on several universities as part of investigations into exchange-visitor visa compliance and potential foreign influence in research. Broader Policy Context: The current measures build on prior administration steps linking visa programs to efforts to prioritize American workers amid ongoing tech sector hiring practices.
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