Americans’ Mass Layoffs Killing Green Card Dreams

US Job Market Crash Deepens Green Card Struggles for H-1B Workers

The job market in the United States is facing a sharp downturn, and it’s impacting not just American citizens but also H-1B visa holders. For Indian professionals working in the U.S. and aiming for a green card, the path just became more uncertain.

A major hurdle is the PERM labor certification, the first and critical step in the employment-based green card process. This requires employers to prove there are no qualified American workers available for the job. However, with recent mass layoffs, there’s a surge of local applicants, making this harder to justify.

PERM Scrutiny Increases as Resumes Flood In

Employers now report receiving hundreds of applications from U.S. citizens for every open role. This triggers closer scrutiny from the Department of Labor, which may question the legitimacy of the PERM process if the employer can’t demonstrate a genuine recruitment effort.

As a result, some companies are quietly withdrawing from PERM filings, while others are moving roles offshore to avoid complications. Big tech companies that once aggressively sponsored Indian H-1B workers are now freezing or delaying green card programs.

Green Card Hopes at Risk for H-1B Holders

Although the law doesn’t explicitly require employers to hire Americans over foreign nationals, failure to prove adequate recruitment can invalidate the application. Amid such uncertainty, many employers are unwilling to take the risk.

For Indian H-1B workers, this situation could lead to long delays—or even a dead end—in their green card journey. If you’re planning to begin the PERM process, it’s wise to consult with an immigration attorney and prepare a strong fallback strategy.