Microsoft President warns green card restrictions could harm U.S. tech

Microsoft President Brad Smith has warned that the Trump administration’s restrictions on green-card applications for skilled foreign workers could damage the technological competitiveness of the United States. Smith cautioned that blocking highly skilled professionals from obtaining permanent residency could encourage talent to seek opportunities abroad and potentially paralyze the American tech sector for more than a generation.

The warnings follow an administration announcement preventing Microsoft and seven other companies—Adobe, Cognizant, Capgemini, HCL Technologies, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro—from using programs to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency. The administration stated these measures aim to prevent “alleged visa abuse” and protect American workers.

Smith rejected accusations from Vice President JD Vance that Microsoft has misused the H-1B visa program to hire foreign workers at lower salaries than Americans. Smith described these claims as “completely off base” and “unfounded,” noting that Microsoft utilizes the same compensation systems for all employees regardless of immigration status. He also highlighted that Microsoft hired over 9,000 U.S.-born workers last year.