The United States has reportedly suspended several major technology companies, including Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe, from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme (PERM). The move could affect companies seeking employment-based green cards for eligible foreign workers, including certain employees on H-1B visas.

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According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), the suspension was announced on Thursday, October 8, by U.S. Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling. Vice-President J.D. Vance, who heads the U.S. Anti-Fraud Task Force, was present during the announcement.

The PERM programme is an important step in many employment-based green card applications. Under the process, employers generally must demonstrate that there are not sufficient able, willing, qualified and available U.S. workers for the relevant position and that employing a foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.

The reported suspension has raised questions about its potential impact on technology companies that hire skilled professionals from overseas. Indian IT firms, in particular, have significant operations in the United States and employ workers through different immigration pathways.

If the suspensions affect pending or future labour certification applications, eligible employees and employers could face delays or additional uncertainty in their long-term immigration plans. However, the precise consequences will depend on the official suspension orders, their stated reasons, duration and scope.

The development is likely to attract attention from Indian technology professionals working in the United States, especially those pursuing permanent residency through employer sponsorship.

Further clarification from U.S. authorities will be important to establish which applications are affected and what steps companies and employees may take next.