Eight leading technology firms were barred from the U.S. employment‑based green‑card verification program on Oct 8.
The United States Department of Labor announced that participation in the PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) verification process has been suspended for eight major companies, among them Indian IT powerhouses Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro and HCL, as well as U.S.‑based Microsoft and three other firms whose names were not disclosed. The move effectively halts the ability of these firms’ employees to rely on the current employer‑sponsored pathway to obtain lawful permanent residency.
The PERM system is a prerequisite for most employment‑based green‑card applications, requiring employers to prove that no qualified U.S. workers are available for a given position. Companies typically use the program to secure long‑term visas for their high‑skill engineers and managers, streamlining talent retention across borders. With the suspension in place, new applications from the affected firms must now await a reinstatement or an alternative adjudication route, potentially adding months—or even years—to the residency timeline.
U.S. officials have not provided a detailed justification for the abrupt suspension, prompting speculation among immigration lawyers and industry analysts. Some observers suggest the decision reflects intensified scrutiny of tech‑sector hiring practices and a broader push to tighten high‑skill immigration channels. Others warn it could be a procedural response to compliance concerns uncovered during recent audits of the PERM filings.
For Pakistan, the ripple effect is tangible. A significant share of the Indian firms’ offshore workforce comprises Pakistani engineers who have been stationed in U.S. offices or working remotely for U.S. clients, many of whom have been counting on the PERM route to secure green cards for themselves and their families. The suspension may delay their plans to settle permanently in the United States, potentially prompting some to reconsider long‑term employment with these firms or to explore alternative immigration routes.
The companies affected have yet to outline remedial steps, but they are expected to engage with legal counsel to navigate the disruption and to keep their talent pipelines intact. Meanwhile, immigration advocates are calling for greater transparency from the U.S. government, arguing that predictable and fair processes are essential for maintaining the flow of skilled professionals who contribute to both the American and South Asian tech ecosystems.