H-1B Visas
Ongoing coverage on H-1B Visas.
Latest coverage
US government accuses Microsoft of replacing American workers with 'foreign indentured servants,' then gives…
The US government, led by Vice President JD Vance, has suspended Microsoft's ability to apply for green cards for H-1B visa holders, accusing the company of abusing the program to replace American workers. Vance specifically criticized Microsoft for laying off American employees while benefiting from numerous H-1B visas and green cards, calling the foreign workers "indentured servants." Microsoft has stated it will provide more information and that most applications were for existing employees.
Trump administration suspends Microsoft's ability to apply for green cards, alleging fraud
The Trump administration has suspended Microsoft's ability to apply for H1-B visas, alleging fraud and accusing the company of replacing American workers with foreign labor. This action affects all divisions, including Xbox, and limits the tech giant's ability to hire from outside the U.S. Microsoft has stated the suspension is based on incorrect information, arguing most applications were for existing employees.
Xbox Does Not Plan to Replace Laid-Off Roles With H-1B Visa Hires, Says Microsoft
Microsoft communications lead Frank Shaw clarified that recent layoffs at Xbox, totaling around 1,600 roles, were part of a necessary restructuring and not an effort to replace employees with H-1B visa hires. He stated that H-1B visas represent a small percentage of Microsoft's overall workforce and are not specific to Xbox. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma also confirmed the layoffs and the closure of four studios, emphasizing that the decisions do not reflect the talent of the affected employees.
Microsoft responds to racist Xbox layoff conspiracy theory, says CEO Asha Sharma is 'American born, raised, and…
Microsoft's chief communications officer, Frank X. Shaw, addressed conspiracy theories claiming recent Xbox layoffs were intended to replace American workers with foreign H-1B visa holders. Shaw stated the workforce changes were due to the Xbox business's unhealthy state, not to replace employees, and clarified that H-1B figures are company-wide and represent a small percentage of the total workforce. He also emphasized that Xbox is the largest employer of American workers in the gaming industry and its CEO, Asha Sharma, is American-born.
Microsoft Refutes Notion That Foreign-Worker Visas Were Behind Mass Xbox Layoffs
Microsoft communications lead Frank X. Shaw refuted claims that foreign-worker visas were the cause of recent mass layoffs affecting 1,600 people at Xbox. Shaw stated the workforce changes were due to a necessary business restructure, not to replace employees with foreign workers, and that H-1B visa holders represent a small percentage of the overall workforce and were not specific to Xbox.
Microsoft comms lead says Xbox layoffs "were not made to replace employees with foreign workers" in response…
Microsoft communications lead Frank Shaw clarified that recent Xbox layoffs, affecting 1,600 employees initially and planned to reach 3,200, were not made to replace workers with foreign H-1B visa holders. Shaw stated the workforce changes were necessary to restructure the Xbox business, which he described as unhealthy, and emphasized that the H-1B visa figures mentioned are company-wide and not specific to Xbox. He also highlighted that Xbox is the largest employer of American workers in the gaming industry.
Business and Finance
Microsoft is facing significant backlash following reports of approximately 4,800 layoffs and 2,273 H-1B visa approvals. The company's recent workforce adjustments have drawn criticism.