Trump administration blocks green card sponsorship process

The Trump administration has moved to restrict an important employment-based immigration process involving major U.S. companies, potentially affecting foreign workers hoping to obtain permanent residency through their employers.

According to Reuters, the administration has suspended certain companies, including Microsoft, from participating in the federal labor certification process commonly known as PERM.

PERM is a key step in many employment-based Green Card applications. Through this process, employers generally must demonstrate that they have tested the U.S. labor market and that hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect wages and working conditions for similarly employed American workers.

The reported action could create significant uncertainty for foreign employees who depend on employer sponsorship to pursue permanent residency in the United States.

However, the decision does not mean that existing Green Card holders are prohibited from working at the affected companies. Lawful permanent residents generally retain their authorization to work in the United States.

The distinction is important because the restrictions concern a pathway to obtaining permanent residency, rather than the employment rights of people who already have it.

For workers currently navigating the immigration system, the consequences may depend on their employer, the stage of their application and whether other immigration options remain available.

The development comes amid the Trump administration’s broader efforts to reshape employment-based immigration and increase scrutiny of programs involving foreign workers.

Questions remain about the full list of affected employers, the duration of the suspensions and how pending applications will be handled.

For foreign professionals hoping to build long-term careers in the United States, those details could determine whether their plans face delays or more substantial obstacles.