Labor Department inspector general jabs Microsoft over H-1B applications after outage
Key points
- Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito questioned Microsoft's ability to handle 6,000 H-1B applications.
- Microsoft said the outage was unrelated to its immigration program and was a technical issue not tied to cyber or AI.
- Newsweek reports the administration has criticized Microsoft for layoffs alongside H-1B filings.
After Microsoft's global service outage on Thursday, which was largely restored by Friday, Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito posted on X that Microsoft can process 6,000 H-1B applications but struggles with inboxes. Microsoft said the disruption was unrelated to its immigration program and was a technical issue not tied to cyber or AI. Newsweek reports the administration has criticized Microsoft for layoffs alongside H-1B filings. In October, Vice President Vance said the company's pathway from visa to green card had been cut off.
What employers should do
- Monitor federal government statements on H-1B filings by large employers that are also laying off staff.
Policy details
- Jurisdiction
- Federal
- Status
- —
- Effective date
- —
- Employers covered
- Microsoft
- Official source
- Official source pending
Original report: Newsweek ↗AI-assisted brief; may contain inaccuracies. Rely on the original reports and official documents. For information only; not legal, immigration or insurance advice.