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| Economy |
| Microsoft applies for 6,000 guest worker visas amid mass layoffs |
| 2025-07-04 |
| [Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Microsoft applied for as many as 6,000 specialized migrant worker visas leading up to a decision to terminate 9,000 jobs globally, according to new reports. The global tech giant revealed this week it would cut around 4 percent of its global workforce as it ramps up investments in artificial intelligence. The move has seen loyal, long term American employees lose their livelihoods and sparked unrest at a time when President Donald Trump is trying to ramp up local production and employment. But data compiled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service suggests that in the 2025 fiscal year, Microsoft has already applied for 4,712 H1-B visas. Anecdotal commentary on X among former staff and insiders actually places this number closer to 6,000 - but the exact figure has not been verified. Suggestions that Microsoft has applied for thousands of H1-B visas would track with historical applications the company has made. In the 2024 fiscal year, 9,491 H1-B visa applications were filed, and almost all were approved. The H1-B visa is for skilled foreign workers, and allows companies to sponsor an individual to move to the US for work. It is the fourth round of layoffs at Microsoft this year following the cutting of 1 percent of its headcount in January, 6,000 further job cuts in May and 300 more in June. In April, Microsoft said it planned to use third-party firms to handle more sales of software to small and mid-size customers. The company had a global headcount of 228,000 at the end of June 2024. Microsoft has market capitalization of over $3 trillion - the biggest in the world - but it is looking to rein in costs as it funnels billions into its ambitious bet on artificial intelligence. But its use of expert foreign labor is among the highest in the United States, ranking seventh out of the top 10 US corporations. Amazon ranks first, with 9,200 applications in 2024. DailyMail.com has reached out to Microsoft regarding its use of the H1-B visa program. There is no known or confirmed link between the H1-B visas Microsoft is applying for and the global cuts which have been made. But this has not stopped MAGA supporters from calling for the visas to be stopped while layoffs of local employees are taking place. Related: Microsoft 06/28/2025 Windows 'Screen of Death' Will Change from Blue to Black Microsoft 06/25/2025 Bessent urged to stop EU's ‘punitive' tax grab targeting U.S. firms [digital services] Microsoft 06/20/2025 Nvidia Invests in Nuclear Energy Startup Founded by Creepy Bill Gates Related: H1-B: 2024-12-30 Eric Schmitt blasts 'abuse' of H-1B visa program, says Americans 'shouldn't train their foreign replacements' H1-B: 2024-03-19 Feds raising fees for Legal immigration, visas starting in April H1-B: 2023-11-12 Apple Pays $25 Million to Settle Claims It Discriminated Against Americans in Favor of Hiring Foreign Workers |
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #7 ^ This is for those who really would like for MS to FOAD. |
| Posted by: Abu Uluque 2025-07-04 11:30 |
| #6 Download Ubuntu Linux. |
| Posted by: Abu Uluque 2025-07-04 11:29 |
| #5 Those who are being laid off will be required to train their H1B replacements. |
| Posted by: Abu Uluque 2025-07-04 11:27 |
| #4 Hope you weren't expecting any different from MS. Or Goog, for that matter. |
| Posted by: ed in texas 2025-07-04 10:04 |
| #3 The H1-B system essentially holds the 'guest worker' in thrall. A utilizing company can basically ensure that the workers can't leave and treat them accordingly. Plus don't get me started on the |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2025-07-04 09:09 |
| #2 |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2025-07-04 05:39 |
| #1 Microsoft should just FOAD. |
| Posted by: Whiskey Mike 2025-07-04 05:18 |