‘Creating Uncertainty’ for Employees, Says Microsoft
In its message to employees, Microsoft admitted that the announcement will be “creating anxiety and uncertainty” amongst its staff. Not only for those already living in the US, but for incoming employees. One individual, talking to Bloomberg, said that he’d already sold his car and put his house up for rent to start a new job in the US, but was now being told to stay put.
As well as warning H-1B visa holders, companies such as Ernst & Young and Amazon have also warned those on H-4 dependent vias to stay put. These are used for spouses and dependents of those who are on the H-1B program.
Tech companies have historically relied heavily on the program to bring skilled workers into the US. According to US government data, the companies with the greatest number of employees on H-1B visas are Amazon, Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple.