Microsoft Adobe PERM Green Card Suspended: DOL Halts 8 Employers From Labor Certification

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced it will no longer accept or process PERM labor certification applications from eight employers, including tech giants Microsoft and Adobe, along with six additional IT firms. This suspension directly impacts the ability of these companies to sponsor foreign workers for employment-based green cards, including those in the EB-3 category. PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) labor certification is the mandatory first step for most EB-3 employment-based green card petitions. Without an approved PERM application, employers cannot move forward with filing an I-140 immigrant petition on behalf of their sponsored workers. For employees currently in the PERM pipeline with these suspended companies, the timeline for their green card process may face significant delays. The DOL's suspension applies specifically to the named employers — Microsoft, Adobe, and the six unnamed IT firms — and does not affect other companies. Workers sponsored by unaffected employers can continue their PERM process without interruption. However, this development serves as a reminder of the vulnerability in employer-dependent immigration pathways. For EB-3 applicants currently employed at any of the eight suspended companies, it is advisable to consult with an immigration attorney immediately to assess options, including whether a transfer of sponsorship or alternative filing strategies may be available. Employees in early PERM stages may face the most significant disruption. This action underscores the importance of proactive planning in employment-based immigration. Applicants and employers alike should monitor DOL announcements closely, as additional suspensions or policy changes could affect broader segments of the EB-3 workforce pipeline.