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Microsoft CEO: US losing talent to rivals
16 Oct
Summary
- New US restrictions could harm tech industry access to skilled migrants.
- Five of six tech/science medalists were immigrants, highlighting their value.
- Talented professionals may be drawn to other nations over the US.
Microsoft President Brad Smith has voiced significant concerns regarding new restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, suggesting they could cripple America's technology sector. The core of the issue lies in limitations placed on the company's ability to sponsor skilled foreign employees for permanent US residency through the green card scheme.
Smith highlighted that these policies might inadvertently encourage talented professionals to seek opportunities in other nations, thereby benefiting competitor countries while diminishing the US's access to essential expertise. He pointed to a recent national recognition where five out of six recipients of technology and science medals were immigrants, emphasizing their crucial role.
The Microsoft executive specifically criticized Vice President JD Vance's October 8, 2026 memo, which suspended several companies, including Microsoft, from sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residency. Smith described Vance's assertion about hiring American workers as "completely off base" and contended that the long green card backlog already poses a significant hurdle.
