PERM Job Listings Flooded in Protest Against H-1B Visa Holders

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Key Takeaways

• PERM job listings receive hundreds of unqualified U.S. local applications to block H-1B visa holders.
• Employers pause PERM processes due to audit risks and delays affecting foreign workers’ green cards.
• No official policy changes yet; protest organized on social media may continue or expand.

The recent surge in PERM Listings as a protest against H-1B visa holders marks a turning point in the United States 🇺🇸 immigration and labor market. This analysis explores the scope, methods, findings, and implications of this protest, using official data, expert commentary, and real-world examples to provide a clear, unbiased view of the situation. The goal is to help employers, foreign workers, and policymakers understand what is happening, why it matters, and what could come next.

Purpose and Scope

PERM Job Listings Flooded in Protest Against H-1B Visa Holders

This analysis examines the flooding of PERM Listings—the job advertisements required for green card sponsorship—as a protest tactic aimed at blocking H-1B visa holders from obtaining permanent residency. The focus is on:

How and why this protest started
Who is involved and affected
What the data shows about the scale and impact
How the protest fits into broader immigration debates
What the future might hold for PERM, H-1B, and U.S. immigration policy

The scope covers developments up to June 2025, with a focus on the technology sector, where most H-1B and PERM activity takes place.

Methodology

This analysis draws on:

Recent news reports and case studies of affected companies
Official government data on PERM processing and H-1B sponsorship
Social media posts from protest organizers and participants
Statements from employers, immigrant workers, and legal experts
Policy documents from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Analysis from VisaVerge.com, which has tracked the protest and its effects

Data is presented using descriptive summaries, visual descriptions, and comparisons to normal trends. All technical terms are explained in simple language.

Key Findings

Hundreds of applications per PERM job listing have been reported, far above normal levels.
Most applications are from unqualified U.S. locals who openly admit their goal is to block foreign workers from getting green cards.
Employers are pausing or restarting PERM processes to avoid government audits, causing delays for H-1B workers.
No official policy changes have been made by the DOL or USCIS in response to the protest as of June 2025.
Stakeholders are deeply divided: U.S. locals see the protest as justified, while immigrant workers and employers warn of harm and unfairness.
The protest is organized and celebrated on social media, suggesting it may continue or grow.

Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions

PERM Listings: What’s Normal vs. What’s Happening Now

Normal PERM Process:
– Employers post job ads to test if any qualified U.S. workers are available.
– Usually, only a handful of applications are received for specialized roles.
– Employers review applications, interview qualified candidates, and if none are suitable, file a PERM application with the DOL.

Current Protest-Driven Process:
– Employers are receiving hundreds of applications for a single job.
– Example: A FinTech company reported over 400 applications for a “Data Scientist II” role in just a few days.
– Most applicants do not meet the job requirements and admit they are applying only to disrupt the process.

Visual Description:
Imagine a chart with two bars for each job listing. The first bar (normal) is short, showing 5-10 applications. The second bar (protest) towers above, showing 400+ applications. This stark difference highlights the scale of the disruption.

Timeline of Events

Early June 2025: Social media posts begin encouraging U.S. locals to apply for every PERM job listing in their area.
Mid-June 2025: Companies report a sudden spike in applications, with some pausing their PERM processes.
Late June 2025: No official response from the DOL or USCIS, but employers and immigrant workers report growing delays and uncertainty.

Stakeholder Map

U.S. Local Job Seekers/Protesters: Motivated by job competition concerns, using mass applications as a protest tool.
H-1B Workers: Facing delays, uncertainty, and potential loss of green card opportunities.
Employers: Struggling with compliance, increased workload, and risk of government audits.
DOL/USCIS: Continuing normal processing, but under pressure to respond.
Immigration Advocates: Warning of harm to immigrants and the integrity of the system.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

Comparison: Protest vs. Previous PERM Challenges

In the past, PERM Listings have faced scrutiny for being too narrow or tailored to specific foreign workers. However, the current protest is unique because:

It is organized by U.S. locals, not by government or advocacy groups.
The goal is not to improve the system, but to block foreign workers outright.
The scale is much larger, with hundreds of fake or unqualified applications per job.

Trend: Growing Frustration with H-1B and Immigration Policy

This protest reflects a broader trend of frustration among some U.S. workers about the H-1B program. Common complaints include:

Belief that H-1B workers take jobs from Americans
Concerns about wage suppression in the tech sector
Perception that employers use PERM Listings to “game” the system

At the same time, immigrant workers and employers argue that:

H-1B workers fill critical skill gaps
The PERM process already protects U.S. workers by requiring a labor market test
Delays and disruptions harm both companies and foreign employees

Social media platforms have become the main place for organizing and celebrating the protest. Posts include:

Step-by-step guides on how to find and apply to PERM Listings
Screenshots of mass applications sent to employers
Celebratory messages when companies pause or cancel PERM processes

This pattern suggests the protest is likely to continue and may even spread to other sectors.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

Impact on Employers

Increased administrative burden: Employers must review hundreds of applications, most of which are not serious or qualified.
Risk of government audits: Unusual application patterns can trigger DOL audits, which are time-consuming and costly.
Delays in green card sponsorship: Some companies are pausing or restarting PERM processes, leaving foreign workers in limbo.

Impact on H-1B Workers

Uncertainty and stress: Delays in PERM processing can stall career advancement and create anxiety about future status.
Risk of losing legal status: If green card sponsorship is delayed too long, some H-1B workers may have to leave the United States 🇺🇸.
Emotional toll: Many workers have shared stories of frustration and fear about their future.

Impact on U.S. Local Workers

Sense of empowerment: Some locals feel they are taking action to protect American jobs.
Potential backlash: If the protest leads to stricter rules or audits, it could make it harder for all job seekers, not just foreign workers.

Impact on the Immigration System

Strain on the PERM process: The system was not designed to handle mass fake applications.
Possible policy changes: If the protest continues, the DOL or Congress may consider changes to prevent abuse.
Debate over fairness: The protest raises questions about who the system is meant to protect and how best to balance employer needs with worker protections.

Step-by-Step: How the Protest Disrupts the PERM Process

Job Posting and Recruitment: Employers post jobs as required by the PERM process.
Application Flood: Protesters apply en masse, often without meeting basic qualifications.
Review Overload: Employers must sort through hundreds of applications, making it hard to identify any real candidates.
Audit Risk: The DOL may flag unusual patterns, leading to audits that delay or derail the process.
Process Paused or Restarted: Some employers stop or restart the PERM process, causing delays for H-1B workers.
Green Card Sponsorship Delayed: Without a completed PERM, employers cannot file Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) for the foreign employee. Form I-140 official link

Policy Context and Official Status

The PERM process is a legal requirement for most employment-based green card sponsorships. Employers must:

Advertise the job
Recruit U.S. workers
Show that no qualified U.S. worker is available

Only then can they file a PERM application with the DOL. The DOL’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification oversees this process.

As of June 2025:

No official policy changes have been made to address the protest.
Processing times remain about 5 months for prevailing wage determinations and ongoing PERM certifications.
Employers and workers are advised to follow existing rules and consult official resources for updates.

Limitations of the Analysis

Data is based on reported cases: The true scale of the protest may be larger or smaller than current reports suggest.
No official government response yet: Future policy changes could alter the situation quickly.
Focus is on the tech sector: Other industries may experience different impacts.
Long-term effects are unknown: It is too soon to say how this protest will shape immigration policy or labor markets in the future.

Multiple Perspectives: Voices from the Field

Employers:
“We want to follow the rules, but reviewing hundreds of fake applications is not what the system was designed for. It’s slowing down our ability to hire and keep top talent.”

H-1B Workers:
“I’ve worked hard for years and now my green card process is on hold because of something I can’t control. It’s stressful and unfair.”

Protesters:
“We’re tired of being passed over for jobs. If this is what it takes to get noticed, so be it.”

Immigration Attorneys:
“This tactic could backfire. More audits and stricter enforcement will make the process harder for everyone.”

Advocates:
“Immigrant workers contribute a lot to the economy. Blocking their path to residency hurts everyone in the long run.”

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these perspectives show just how divided the debate has become, with each group feeling the system is not working for them.

Future Outlook

No immediate policy changes are expected, but the DOL and USCIS are likely watching closely.
Employers may push for new ways to verify applicant qualifications and reduce abuse.
The protest could influence future H-1B and PERM reforms in Congress.
Social media organization is likely to continue, keeping the protest alive and possibly spreading to other sectors.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

For employers:

Document all recruitment efforts carefully.
Be prepared for possible audits.
Consult immigration attorneys for best practices.

For H-1B workers:

Stay in close contact with your employer and legal counsel.
Monitor official DOL and USCIS updates.
Consider backup plans in case of delays.

For all stakeholders:

Use official government resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification is the best starting point for PERM-related questions.

Conclusion

The flooding of PERM Listings as a protest against H-1B workers is a new and complex challenge for the United States 🇺🇸 immigration system. It exposes deep divisions over jobs, fairness, and the role of foreign workers in the economy. While the protest has created real problems for employers and immigrants, it also reflects genuine frustration among some U.S. workers. The coming months will show whether policymakers respond with new rules or enforcement, and whether the protest leads to lasting changes in how the PERM and H-1B systems operate. For now, all involved must navigate a process that is more complicated—and more contentious—than ever before.

Learn Today

PERM Listings → Job ads employers post to test U.S. worker availability for green card sponsorship.
H-1B Visa → A nonimmigrant visa allowing U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
DOL → U.S. Department of Labor agency overseeing labor certification for employment-based visas.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services that processes immigration and visa petitions.
Form I-140 → Immigrant petition filed by employers to sponsor foreign workers for a green card.

This Article in a Nutshell

The surge in PERM applications as a protest against H-1B visa holders disrupts labor markets and green card processes. Employers face audit risks and delays, while workers endure uncertainty. Social media drives the movement, with potential policy changes looming. The protest reveals tensions in U.S. immigration and employment systems.
— By VisaVerge.com