The US government announced earlier this month that it would freeze applications under the Permanent Labor Certification Program, or PERM, for eight technology companies including Microsoft, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, and HCL Technologies. This action prevents these firms from sponsoring skilled international workers for permanent residency on a temporary basis. The move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to restrict skilled worker immigration pathways.
The decision primarily affects Indian technology professionals who have historically comprised the majority of H-1B visa holders. These workers typically followed a career trajectory involving an engineering degree, a tech services position in India, relocation to the United States on temporary visas, and then pursuit of green card sponsorship through PERM to achieve permanent residency. Industry representatives note that major companies have already reduced their reliance on this pathway, with firms reporting that the majority of their US workforce is now domestically hired. According to available data, PERM application filings from these companies have declined significantly in recent years, suggesting limited near-term business impact.
Financial analysts and industry groups have indicated that the business implications remain relatively modest, as permanent residency sponsorships represent a small portion of these companies’ revenue. However, immigration experts and affected individuals describe more significant human consequences. Workers who have spent years in the US on temporary visas while awaiting green card processing now face extended uncertainty, particularly those with families whose children have grown up in America. The restrictions have coincided with increased anti-immigrant rhetoric and documented rises in online hostility toward Indian immigrants and H-1B visa holders since 2024.
Alternative pathways to US permanent residency exist but face substantial barriers. Categories for individuals with exceptional accomplishments or national interest waivers bypass PERM requirements but remain narrow. Investment-based green card programs require minimum capital investments of $800,000, placing them beyond reach for many applicants. Nearly one million Indian nationals were awaiting employment-based green cards as of December 2025, representing 79 percent of all pending applications in that category. Projections indicate wait times ranging from five to 179 years depending on visa category. Immigration experts suggest these restrictions may prompt some foreign workers to reconsider their long-term plans in the US, while others may forgo relocation entirely. The administration has also pursued additional immigration fee increases and restrictions affecting international students.
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