Last Week’s Highlights in Immigration: H-1B Scrutiny, Gold Cards & Record Deportations 🚨

Your quick-hit round-up of the biggest immigration stories shaping employers’ hiring strategies with a PERM takeaway for each.

U.S. Unveils “Project Firewall” to Crack Down on Alleged H-1B Abuse

On September 19, 2025, the Department of Labor launched “Project Firewall,” giving the Labor Secretary new powers to investigate suspected H-1B fraud, wage theft, and U.S. worker displacement. The program also broadens data sharing with DOJ and USCIS, meaning tighter oversight, larger fines, and potential sponsorship bans for employers found non-compliant.

The PERM Takeaway: Heightened H-1B scrutiny means many employers will shift toward permanent labor certification strategies. Investing in airtight recruitment records and advertising compliance under PERM now minimizes exposure if temporary visa programs tighten.

---

DHS Proposes H-1B Lottery Reforms That Favor Higher Salaries

DHS plans to scrap the random lottery and instead weight selections by wage level — Level IV roles getting four “tickets” vs. Level I’s single shot. Supporters say it boosts pay and senior hiring; critics warn it will shut out startups and new graduates.

The PERM Takeaway: If the H-1B route tilts toward top earners, employers seeking entry-level or mid-level talent may need to secure green cards earlier. Planning PERM cases proactively especially for lower wage levels will become an essential talent strategy.

---

$1M “Trump Gold Card” Visa Grants Green Cards to Wealthy Investors

The Trump administration unveiled the “Gold Card” visa, offering green cards for a $1 million investment and rolling out “Corporate” and “Platinum” tiers for bigger buy-ins. Critics argue this reorients U.S. immigration from skills-based to wealth-based criteria, potentially squeezing talent-critical industries.

The PERM Takeaway: With investor visas in the spotlight, skilled worker sponsorship may take a backseat. Employers dependent on hard-to-find talent should lock in PERM sponsorship plans now to safeguard access to the skills pipeline.

---

DHS Reports 2 Million Undocumented Immigrants Departed the U.S. Since January 2025

 DHS says 1.6 million self-deported and 400,000 were removed and record-setting numbers driven by tougher policies and expanded ICE agreements. Nearly 600,000 deportations are projected by year-end.

The PERM Takeaway: Large-scale departures shrink the available labor pool, particularly in sectors reliant on foreign-born workers. Employers may need to adjust recruitment strategies and expedite PERM filings to stabilize workforce pipelines.

---

The Bottom Line

The immigration landscape is shifting toward more enforcement, higher wage thresholds, and investor-focused pathways. For HR teams and corporate counsel, now is the time to double down on PERM compliance and proactive planning to secure your talent pipeline.