JD Vance, Pramila Jayapal Clash Over Green Card Curbs
US Vice President JD Vance has defended the Trump administration’s decision to suspend eight major technology companies from a key employment-based green card process, clashing with Indian-origin Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal over the future of legal skilled immigration.
Vance Targets ‘Never-Ending Flow of Cheap Labour’
Vance accused large corporations of seeking continuous access to lower-cost foreign workers, arguing that immigration programmes should not be used in ways that disadvantage American employees.
His remarks came after Jayapal criticised the suspension of Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL and Capgemini from the Permanent Labor Certification programme, or PERM.
The administration says the action is linked to ongoing federal investigations into possible misuse of employment-based immigration programmes.
Pramila Jayapal Defends Legal Immigration
Jayapal, who previously held an H-1B visa and serves on the House Immigration Subcommittee, argued that the crackdown weakens legitimate immigration pathways and could damage US innovation.
She said PERM already contains safeguards intended to ensure foreign hiring benefits the economy without harming American workers.
Jayapal also stressed that many US industries, including technology, depend heavily on skilled immigrants.
Green Card Freeze Hits Major Tech Firms
PERM is an important step in the employment-based green card process, requiring employers to demonstrate that qualified US workers are not available for certain positions.
The suspension means the affected companies cannot currently proceed with new or pending PERM applications.
However, existing H-1B visas are not automatically cancelled by the decision.
Indian professionals could be among the most affected because they form a major share of skilled foreign workers employed by technology and outsourcing companies in the United States.
