Trump administration restricts tech firms from sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residency

The Trump administration has moved to prevent technology companies from pursuing permanent residency sponsorships for foreign workers, according to officials familiar with the policy implementation. Microsoft and other major tech firms are among those affected by the new restrictions, which represent a significant shift in how the administration approaches skilled immigration in the technology sector.

The policy effectively blocks companies from initiating the green card sponsorship process for international employees, fundamentally altering recruitment and retention strategies across the tech industry. The measure appears designed to prioritize domestic hiring and reduce competition for jobs from foreign nationals seeking long-term legal status in the country.

The restriction comes as the Trump administration continues implementing broader changes to immigration policy across multiple sectors. Previous actions have targeted visa programs commonly used by technology companies to hire specialized workers, including the H-1B visa program.

Technology industry representatives have historically argued that foreign worker sponsorships are necessary to fill skill gaps in the sector, particularly in specialized fields where domestic talent is limited. The new policy is likely to draw scrutiny from business groups and may face legal challenges regarding its implementation and scope.