White House finishes review of Labor Department plan to overhaul PERM green-card process

The White House has finished evaluating a Department of Labour initiative to revamp the PERM permanent labour certification, the first step for employers sponsoring foreign workers for green cards. The rule would update the minimum recruitment standards, tighten rules on U.S. worker layoffs, and reinforce non-discrimination requirements, all of which have remained unchanged since 2004. The agency submitted the proposal to the Office of Management and Budget in July, advancing it amid a broader anti-fraud crackdown led by Vice President J D Vance.

Recent actions include suspending PERM programmes for Microsoft, Adobe, Infosys Technologies, Tata Group and six other technology companies. Once published in the Federal Register, the proposal will open for a 30- or 60-day public comment period, and the final rule will not take effect until those comments are considered.