Employers sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residence through the PERM labor certification process should be aware of a growing trend at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Recent Requests for Information (RFIs) suggest that DOL is taking a closer look at whether sponsoring employers can demonstrate their ability to pay the offered...
Category: PERM (Labor Certification)
DOJ Targets PERM Recruitment Practices: What Employers Should Learn From the Cloudera Lawsuit
A recent Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit against Cloudera is drawing significant attention within the employment-based immigration community and may signal increased government scrutiny of PERM recruitment practices. The case highlights growing enforcement efforts involving employer hiring procedures, labor certification compliance, and recruitment transparency.
For employers sponsoring foreign workers...
Why PERM Labor Certification Applications Are Being Denied More & What Employers Can Do
Employers sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residence through the PERM labor certification process are facing increased scrutiny. Recent trends suggest that applications are being denied more frequently, often due to technical errors or insufficient documentation.
Understanding these risks can help employers avoid costly delays and improve the chances of...
DOL Proposes Significant Increase in Prevailing Wages for H-1B and PERM Cases: What Employers Need to Know
Recent developments from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) may significantly impact employers sponsoring foreign workers. A newly proposed rule aims to increase prevailing wage levels for both H-1B petitions and PERM-based green card applications, potentially raising labor costs for many employers.
If implemented, this rule could change how...
Employer Immigration in 2026: What HR Teams Should Prepare for Now
As 2026 begins, many U.S. employers are entering a more demanding immigration environment—one shaped by tighter review standards, higher costs, and increased enforcement activity. For companies relying on foreign national talent, the best approach this year is early planning and stronger internal coordination between HR, recruiting, and legal teams.
Green Card Preparation for Employees: What to Do Before the Process Begins
For many foreign nationals working in the United States, employment-based permanent residence is an important long-term goal. While the green card process itself involves multiple legal steps, much of the success of a case depends on preparation well before filing begins.
Employees who understand what to expect—and take action...
Project Firewall: DOL’s New H-1B Enforcement Initiative
On September 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced Project Firewall, a new enforcement initiative aimed at protecting America’s highly skilled workforce and strengthening oversight of the H-1B visa program.
This development follows the recent Presidential Proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions. Together, these...
ABC’s OF H-1Bs (THIS IS PART 2 OF AN 7 PART SERIES). HOW MUCH DO PROSPECTIVE H-1B EMPLOYERS NEED TO PAY TO H-1B EMPLOYEES AND WHY THE FEDERALLY MANDATED PREVAILING WAGE IS SO IMPORTANT.
Employers who seek to hire an H-1B nonimmigrant in a specialty occupation must first make a filing with the Department of Labor (DOL) and obtain a Labor Condition Application (LCA). The LCA, among other things, must specify the number of workers sought, the occupational classification in which...
DHS Final Rule Modernizes H-1B Program: Flexibility, Efficiency, and Integrity Enhanced
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a final rule that modernizes the H-1B visa program, effective January 17, 2025. The changes aim to streamline the approval process, enhance flexibility for employers and workers, and bolster the integrity of the program through improved oversight.
What is...Can Employers Recoup Visa Sponsorship Costs? A Closer Look at Repayment Agreements
Hiring highly skilled foreign workers is sometimes the only way for companies to fill critical roles, especially in fields like technology, engineering, and science. However, the cost of sponsoring these employees for work visas and permanent residency can add up quickly. So, what happens if the employee resigns shortly after the company...