The White House has suspended Microsoft's ability to turn H-1B workers into green card holders, a win for American tech workers and a warning shot at every big employer using the program.

• Microsoft laid off 6,000 US workers last year while picking up 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards.
• JD Vance called the visa holders "indentured servants" and cut Microsoft out of the permanent residency program while an investigation runs.
• Microsoft says it pays visa workers the same as American staff, among the highest wages in tech.
• The deeper problem is the program itself — spouses on H-4 visas can open small companies that then supply visa workers back to firms like Microsoft.
• Visa holders can't switch jobs because their employer controls their right to stay, which keeps wages down.

Outlook: Expect Vance to keep pushing this as his signature issue, with more companies likely suspended and pressure building for an executive order or new legislation.