United Kingdom, Oct. 9 -- Microsoft and several other major technology companies have been barred from having new or pending applications for permanent US residency processed, as the Trump administration escalates its criticism of the use of foreign workers.

US Vice President JD Vance accused Microsoft and other firms of abusing the H-1B visa programme and the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM), which can provide a route for skilled international workers to eventually obtain permanent residency.

Vance said on Thursday (08.10.26): "No company in the US has abused this system more than Microsoft."

He accused the company of replacing American employees with "foreign indentured servants" and cited Microsoft's layoffs alongside ap...