Vance says Microsoft replaced laid-off workers with foreign hires. Here’s what the visa data shows

During a press conference on Thursday, Vice President JD Vance accused Microsoft of replacing the 6,000 employees it laid off in 2025 with foreign workers on H-1B visas. His comments came as the Trump administration announced a halt to the green card sponsorship for eight technology firms, which prevents them from sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residency.

While the suspension applies to the Labor Department's PERM program for green cards, it does not impact H-1B visas, which are temporary work permits. Nevertheless, data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) highlights the extent to which these companies depend on foreign labor.

According to the USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub, Amazon and Meta emerged as the leading sponsors of H-1B visas, with neither company being included in the suspension. Amazon topped the list with 19,178 H-1B approvals in fiscal year 2025, followed by Meta with 6,294, while Microsoft ranked third with 6,258 approvals. Microsoft had historically outpaced Amazon in H-1B sponsorship until Amazon surpassed it in 2017, now securing approximately three times as many approvals as Microsoft.

The eight companies facing suspension are all among the top 50 sponsors of H-1B visas in the United States, primarily in the IT services and consulting sectors. Adobe is the smallest of the suspended companies, ranking at number 45. The announcement of the suspension was accompanied by news from the Labor Department's inspector general, Anthony D'Esposito, who revealed an investigation into potential J-1 visa fraud involving nine prominent U.S. universities. Critics argue that these visa programs undermine American workers by providing incentives for employers to hire from abroad.

While Vance's assertion about Microsoft replacing laid-off workers with H-1B visa holders is based on accurate figures, the data reveals a more complex picture. Although Microsoft did secure over 6,000 H-1B approvals last year, approximately two-thirds of those approvals were granted to individuals already employed by the company. In contrast, Amazon's hiring trends indicate a different approach, as nearly four times as many of its H-1B approvals were for new employees.

This situation highlights the ongoing debate about the impact of foreign labor on the American workforce. Supporters of stricter immigration policies often cite these statistics to argue for reforms, while others point out the necessity of foreign talent in filling skills gaps in the tech industry.

As the administration moves forward with its policies, the implications for both domestic workers and foreign talent remain to be seen. The tech industry, which relies heavily on skilled foreign workers, may face challenges in maintaining its workforce if the restrictions on H-1B visas are tightened further. Meanwhile, the scrutiny of visa programs continues as investigations into potential abuses unfold, sparking discussions about the future of immigration policy in the U.S.