Microsoft lays off H-1B workers

Microsoft Corp. is laying off 5,000 workers over the next 18 months, including a "significant number" of foreign workers. Although Microsoft hasn't detailed how many foreign workers would lose their jobs. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), a leading critic of the H-1B visa program, has urged Microsoft to protect the jobs of U.S. workers over foreign workers. In a letter to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Grassley demanded that U.S. workers get priority in keeping their jobs. He argued that the company has a "moral obligation" to protect U.S. workers.

But there is nothing in the law that requires a company to cut the jobs of H-1B workers before U.S. workers. "In fact, the law is very well designed to say that you have to treat H-1Bs the same as U.S. citizens in all regards," David Kussin, an immigration attorney at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, said.

Microsoft will not disclose the number of H-1B workers on its payroll. However, from public data from 2006 and 2007, the company received approval for nearly 2,300 visas. However, Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos said in a statement: "The initial reductions we announced affect employees in a number of business units, and a significant number of the affected employees are foreign citizens working in this country on a visa."

For more on Microsoft's layoffs:
- check out this Computerworld.com article

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