BUSINESS BRIEFING / TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft Corp., facing criticism for hiring foreigners while conducting job cuts, said it planned to keep its use of H1-B guest-worker visas at about the same level.

The company posted a letter on a blog from general counsel Brad Smith in response to concerns voiced by Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa).

After Microsoft fired an initial 1,400 employees Jan. 22, Grassley wrote to Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, demanding that he fire H1-B visa holders first. Microsoft has been one of the leading advocates for an expansion of the H1-B program.