Why is Microsoft being suspended from the green card program for H-1B workers?

The Trump administration says Microsoft committed fraud and used the program to replace American workers with foreign workers. JD Vance specifically accused the company of replacing each laid-off worker with one and a half foreign workers.

What changes did the US propose for international students working through OPT?

The Department of Homeland Security proposed requiring schools to pay $70,000 for every student’s initial OPT application. OPT permits international students to work in jobs related to their major during or after their studies.

Which universities did JD Vance accuse of possible J-1 visa fraud?

The article says Vance singled out nine universities for further investigation because he believed they used the J-1 exchange program in greater proportions than comparable institutions. It does not name the nine universities.

Microsoft is being suspended from program to apply for green cards for H-1B visa workers, Vance says

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Summary

The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft from a U.S. program for seeking green cards for H-1B workers, accusing the company of fraud in Washington. Vice President JD Vance said Microsoft replaced laid-off workers with foreign workers, while the company did not immediately comment. The action followed a proposed $70,000 fee for international students using OPT and claims that nine universities may have misused J-1 visas.

Key Facts

H-1B visas are intended for high-skilled jobs that are difficult to fill with American workers, and technology companies receive the largest share of approvals.
Nearly three-quarters of H-1B approvals go to workers from India.
The proposed OPT rule would require schools to pay $70,000 for each participating student, while the program allows students to work in jobs related to their majors during or after their studies.
J-1 visas allow international visitors to temporarily enter the United States for work and study exchange programs.
JD Vance singled out nine universities for possible investigation, alleging that they used the J-1 program in greater proportions than comparable institutions.

By AP

Published Oct 10, 2026 7:13 am KST

U.S. Vice President JD Vance gives remarks during an announcement in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House in Washington, Oct. 8. UPI-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is suspending tech giant Microsoft from a program to apply for green cards for workers who come to the U.S. to live and work using an H-1B visa as it accuses the company of fraud.

“If you do the math, for every worker that Microsoft laid off, they replaced that worker with one and a half foreign indentured servants,” said Vice President JD Vance in a White House news conference announcing the decision.

The H-1B program has long been a target of Trump supporters who say that the program undercuts American workers and is rife with abuse.

H-1B visas are meant for high-skilled jobs that are difficult to find American workers to fill. Technology companies are the biggest users, with nearly three-quarters of approvals going to workers from India.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Vance announcement came one day after Trump's Republican administration launched another broadside against international students and their ability to work in the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday proposed a $70,000 fee for international students seeking to work in the United States. The proposed rule would require schools to pay the fee for every student who participates in the Optional Practice Training program, known as OPT, which allows students to work in jobs related to their major during or after their time in school.

Vance also called out universities that he suggested were abusing a program to allow international students to come to the U.S. These temporary visas, called J-1 visas, allow international visitors to temporarily come to the U.S. for work and study exchange programs. Vance singled out nine universities that he said merited further investigation for J-1 visa fraud, saying they used the program in greater proportions than their counterparts.

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