The U.S. federal government said on the 8th it will suspend Microsoft and
several other technology firms from participating in the permanent labor
certification (PERM) program, the first step for H-1B visa holders seeking U.S.
permanent residency. Nine universities, including Harvard and Stanford, are
under investigation for alleged J-1 visa fraud. Vice President Vance, announced
the Microsoft action at a White House briefing, said the company "committed
fraud" and must hire American workers, saying companies cannot fire U.S. staff
and replace them with precarious foreign workers.
