Microsoft’s decision to cut 1,600 jobs from its Xbox division has triggered fresh criticism, with attention shifting to the company’s use of the H-1B visa program.
The layoffs are part of a broader workforce reduction affecting about 4,800 employees across Microsoft. At the same time, federal records indicate the company has been approved for 2,273 H-1B employer-sponsored visa workers this year.
Critics argue that the figures raise concerns about whether American workers are being displaced by lower-cost foreign labor, reigniting a long-running debate over the H-1B visa system and its role in the U.S. technology industry.
The issue has also drawn political attention. President Donald Trump recently sought to curb employers’ use of the H-1B program by proposing a $100,000 fee on companies submitting H-1B applications, arguing that the measure would encourage firms to prioritize hiring American workers.
However, a federal judge blocked the proposal, ruling that the administration lacked the authority to impose such a fee because it would effectively amount to a tax, a power reserved for Congress.
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