The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft from a green card program, alleging fraud

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. suspend / səˈspɛnd / (v.) – to officially prevent a person, group, or organization from taking part in an activity, job, or program for a short time, usually as a punishment or official rule
    Example:

    The coach is suspending the football player from the team for missing practice.


  2. lash out / læʃ aʊt / (phrasal v.) – to suddenly speak or write in a very angry way to criticize someone or something
    Example:

    The manager lashed out at the employees when they missed the project deadline.


  3. recruit / rɪˈkrut / (v.) – to search for, find, and hire new people to work for a company, perform a job, or join an organization
    Example:

    The technology company plans to recruit software engineers from top universities.


  4. ally / ˈæl aɪ / (n.) – a person, group, or country that helps and supports another person or group
    Example:

    The politician thanked his key business allies for supporting his political race.


  5. indentured / ɪnˈdɛn tʃərd / (adj.) – used to describe someone who is required by a written agreement to work for an employer for a set amount of time, usually for low pay
    Example:

    Some people worry that strict job rules make foreign staff feel like indentured workers.


Article

Read the text below.

President Donald Trump’s administration announced it was suspending Microsoft and several other firms from a program allowing foreign workers to apply for green cards, as it also lashed out at universities that bring international students to the U.S. on exchange programs.


The announcement by Vice President JD Vance marks the latest swing from the Trump administration at employers and universities that welcome foreign students and workers into the country.


Such programs have frequently been targeted by some Trump supporters who argue they undercut American students and workers. Supporters say they allow the U.S. to attract the best talent from around the world and fill important hiring gaps.


Supporters of the Republican president have long argued that various programs like H-1B visas—which Vance accused Microsoft of abusing—essentially empower American companies to recruit foreign workers for jobs that end up undercutting Americans. In the wide-ranging announcement, Vance and other top administration officials also called out universities over their use of J-1 visas for international students and information technology outsourcing firms.


The announcement came hours before Trump awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, part of an event at which he granted some of the nation’s most prestigious science and technology awards to his tech billionaire allies.


Vance said the program from which Microsoft is being suspended requires companies to advertise jobs in America before applying to the Department of Labor to show they need to give a foreign worker a green card because of a lack of American workers.


“They’ll put an advertisement in a small-town newspaper. They’ll go out there and say that ‘We have advertised for a position with our company, and nobody is responding to it.’ And they will use that lack of response to then go and replace American workers with what is effectively foreign indentured servants,” Vance said. “There has been no company in the United States, unfortunately, that has used this system more than Microsoft.”


Microsoft is No. 5 among U.S. employers when it comes to using H-1B visas, according to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Amazon is No. 1.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Some people argue that hiring foreign workers makes it harder for local students and employees to find jobs. Advocates say it allows companies to attract the best talent from around the world and fill hiring gaps. What do you think governments or companies could do to support local workers while still welcoming the best talent from other countries (ex. offering training to local workers, limiting the number of foreign workers hired)? Discuss.
  • Large global tech companies often hire talented people from around the world for key jobs. Why do you think major companies look for workers internationally instead of only in their own country? In what situations do you think hiring workers from abroad is most helpful for a business, and when should a company focus on hiring local people first? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The article mentions that universities bring international students to the U.S. on exchange programs using J-1 visas. What do you think are the main benefits for students who choose to study abroad through these programs? How can participating in an exchange program shape a person’s future career? Discuss.
  • Given the chance, would you participate in an exchange program through a university or your workplace? Why or why not? What personal qualities or skills do you think a student or employee needs to adapt well to living and working in another country? Discuss.