DOL Tightens Rules on Green Card Labor Market Tests

On May 17, 2007, the U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule amending its labor certification regulations, with the goal of improving program integrity and reducing the incentives and opportunities for fraud and abuse. This new rule directly impacts the first stage of the three part green card process – the stage now known as PERM whereby the employer tests the labor market to prove that there are no U.S. workers who are qualified, willing, and able to perform the job that is the basis for the green card.