Rolling Tech Layoffs Snag Green Card Prospects for H-1B Workers

A deluge of layoffs at Google LLC and other tech companies is throwing a wrench into immigrant workers’ green card plans, even if they managed to keep their jobs as their employers reduced their head counts.

Google is pausing its filing of new labor certifications—known as PERM applications—to ensure compliance with US Labor Department regulations, a company spokesperson said. The company, however, will continue to pursue applications already filed that are still pending at the DOL, the spokesperson said.

PERM applications are a preliminary step to sponsoring a worker for an employment-based green card and critical to H-1B specialty occupation ...