In recent immigration news, Google has announced that it will be pausing its employee sponsorship program as the company is laying off thousands of workers. The tech industry in the United States is currently facing a difficult time, with major tech companies like Amazon and Google both laying off tens of thousands of employees.

Google announced last week that it would be laying off 12,000 workers, while Amazon is laying off 18,000 employees, primarily in its human resources and stores divisions.

As a result of these mass layoffs, Google has informed its foreign employees that it will be pausing its sponsorship applications for green cards (Permanent Labor Certification “PERM”) for new employees. Employer sponsors like Google, who are looking to get green cards for immigrant workers, must first get a PERM certification with the US Department of Labor after showing that no qualified American workers are able to fill the advertised position. This process takes months and while the employer is awaiting this process, they usually file for an H-1B visa for the worker.

Google stated in an email that the decision to pause its sponsorship program was due to the increased number of PERM cases audited by the Department of Labor (DOL) for tech roles, which they believe is the result of more talent being available in the U.S. job market.

It’s important to note that this decision will not affect PERM applications that have already been submitted, nor will it impact applications for other visa types. However, if you are a star in your technical field or any other field of work and have outstanding experience, you can still self-sponsor yourself for a National Interest Green Card. If you’re interested in evaluating your chances of getting a green card without any company sponsorship, it’s recommended to reach out to immigration experts for guidance.