Jayapal: Taking A Hammer To Legal Immigration Won’t Fix The System

WASHINGTON, DC -Two Democratic lawmakers have sharply criticized the Trump administration’s decision to suspend Microsoft and other technology companies from a key employment-based green card programme, warning that the move threatens legal immigration pathways for skilled foreign professionals already working in the United States.

Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Suzan DelBene, both from Washington state, said October 8 that the restrictions could hurt American innovation, disrupt families and create uncertainty for workers seeking permanent residency.

The administration’s action affects the Permanent Labor Certification programme, known as PERM, which employers use to sponsor foreign workers for certain employment-based green cards.

Jayapal, the top Democrat on the House immigration subcommittee, said the decision was another attempt to restrict legal immigration. She represents tens of thousands of Microsoft workers in the Seattle area.

“This is a crucial issue for me as the top Democrat on the Immigration Subcommittee, the only member of Congress to have actually had an H-1B visa, and the Representative for tens of thousands of Microsoft workers,” she said.

Jayapal said the PERM program provides a structured process for foreign professionals seeking permanent residency, with safeguards intended to protect American workers.

“You don’t fix a broken immigration system by taking a hammer to legal immigration,” Jayapal said.

She also defended Microsoft’s longstanding support for immigration reform, saying the company had advocated modernizing the system and expanding lawful opportunities for foreign workers.

“Targeting Microsoft or the PERM program in this way simply undermines legal immigration and weakens America’s ability to innovate,” she said.

DelBene, whose Washington state district has a substantial technology industry presence, also condemned the suspension, saying it would harm skilled foreign workers already in the country.

“The Trump administration’s action today is an attack on current H-1B visa holders already in the United States,” she said.

“Haphazardly taking away the pathway to a lawful green card for skilled workers at certain American companies is a biased and punitive misuse of the law.”

DelBene argued that the restrictions would not address alleged abuse of the H-1B visa programme.

“Let’s be clear: this move will have no impact on purported H-1B visa abuse,” she said.

She warned that the decision would instead add to uncertainty for workers and their families while undermining American businesses.

“This will inject even more uncertainty into our already turbulent economy while hamstringing innovation, competitiveness, and ultimately American workers,” DelBene said.

The administration’s action covers Microsoft, Adobe and other technology companies, including Indian IT firms such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Cognizant and Capgemini. The administration has cited alleged misuse of the programme as a reason for the restrictions. (IANS)