Why Wipro is Trending: US PERM Suspension and H-1B Visa Controversy Explained

On October 10, 2026, विप्रो (Wipro) and several other major IT firms trended across India following a significant policy move by the US Department of Labor. The US government has placed a suspension on the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program for eight leading tech companies, creating uncertainty for thousands of Indian professionals seeking permanent residency in the United States.

What is the PERM Suspension and Who is Affected?

The US Department of Labor has suspended the PERM process for eight major companies: Wipro, TCS, Infosys, HCL, Cognizant, Microsoft, Adobe, and Capgemini. According to Aaj Tak news, this move is part of the Trump administration's "America First" policy, aimed at protecting domestic jobs and preventing the decline of local wage rates.

The PERM process is the critical first step for foreign workers to transition from a temporary work visa to a ग्रीन कार्ड (Green Card). By suspending this, the US government is effectively halting new employment-based permanent residency applications for employees of these specific firms.

H-1B Visa vs. Green Card: What Changes for Employees?

It is important to distinguish between current work authorization and the path to permanent residency. The current suspension does not cancel existing h1b visa holders' rights to work. As reported by Dainik Bhaskar, current H-1B visas remain valid, and employees can continue their work within their existing visa limits. However, those whose Green Card processes were already underway may face significant delays.

Feature	H-1B Visa	Green Card (via PERM)
Nature	Temporary Work Permit	Permanent Residency
Duration	Typically 3 to 6 years	Indefinite/Permanent
Current Status	Not cancelled by PERM ban	New applications halted for 8 firms

The Political Controversy: JD Vance and India's Response

The trend was further fueled by remarks from US Vice President JD Vance, who described foreign H-1B workers as "bonded labour." Vance accused firms like Microsoft of replacing American staff with cheaper overseas hires, claiming that in the past year, Microsoft laid off 6,000 US employees while securing 6,300 H-1B visas and roughly 3,000 Green Cards.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has strongly rejected these statements. The Ministry emphasized that Indian professionals contribute significantly to the US economy, research, and new technology, noting that Indians hold approximately 71% of all H-1B visas issued in the US.

Is there a link to Elon Musk's Starlink?

Social media speculation has attempted to link this visa crackdown to Elon Musk's ongoing pressures on the Indian government regarding Starlink. However, official reports suggest this is a coincidence. The PERM ban affects not only Indian firms but also US giants like Microsoft and Adobe, suggesting the move is driven by internal US labor politics rather than diplomatic leverage.