The White House has suspended Microsoft and other companies from a US green card program, a move that blocks those employers from participating in employment-based permanent residence sponsorship.

USA Today first reported the suspension. The affected program is the employer-sponsored green card track, under which US companies sponsor foreign workers for lawful permanent residence.

Who does the suspension affect?

The suspension directly affects the named companies, including Microsoft, and any foreign nationals whose green card applications depend on sponsorship from those employers. The White House action removes the listed firms from the program rather than changing the underlying eligibility rules for applicants generally.

The decision does not alter the green card categories themselves. It removes specific employers' ability to take part in them.

Which steps change?

For affected applicants, the sponsorship step of the employment-based green card process changes: a petition filed by a suspended employer can no longer move forward on that basis. Applicants sponsored by employers not covered by the suspension continue under the existing rules.

Affected workers may need to consider other immigration pathways open to them under US law. Each case depends on individual circumstances, and this article does not provide legal advice.

Where to verify the change

Readers should anchor to official sources. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) publishes program rules and policy updates at uscis.gov, and the White House publishes executive actions at whitehouse.gov. USA Today's report carries the original details of the suspension announcement.

Passport File will update this story as the administration, USCIS, or the affected companies publish further information, including any appeal process, duration of the suspension, or additional firms added to the list.