Wages, Bulletins, and the Big Speech: What You Missed In Immigration

Milow LeBlanc
1 day ago
4 min read

U.S. Immigration News

March Visa Bulletin Brings Movement in Employment Categories

The State Department released the March 2026 Visa Bulletin with some welcome news for employment-based applicants. EB-4 advanced nearly two years worldwide, EB-2 India moved forward 11 months, and EB-2 became "Current" for most countries outside China and India. Family-based categories saw more modest gains, with limited movement in F-2A and a four-month advance for the Philippines in F-3.

The PERM Takeaway: Forward movement in employment-based categories is a green light for employers with PERM cases in the pipeline. If your sponsored worker's priority date is approaching currency, especially in EB-2 now is the time to ensure every piece of your filing is buttoned up and ready to go. Employers who haven't started PERM recruitment for workers in advancing categories are leaving time on the table. Progress in the bulletin rewards those who planned ahead.

Trump Centers State of the Union on Border Enforcement

President Trump used his State of the Union address to spotlight border security and the removal of immigrants without legal status, framing both as defining achievements. He cited sharp declines in illegal border crossings and claimed no migrants have been released into the U.S. pending court proceedings in recent months. CBP data supports a significant drop in southern border encounters compared to the prior year. Trump also highlighted efforts to curb drug trafficking by sea, though experts caution that seizure data doesn't capture the full picture of drug flows.

The PERM Takeaway: When the president puts immigration enforcement center stage in the biggest speech of the year, it signals where agency priorities are headed. Employers should expect continued scrutiny of employer-sponsored programs alongside border enforcement. The best defense is a clean, well-documented PERM process, accurate job descriptions, compliant recruitment, and wages that meet or exceed prevailing requirements. When enforcement is the narrative, airtight filings are your armor.

U.S. Opens Consular Services in West Bank Settlements

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will begin offering passport services in Efrat, a Jewish settlement in the West Bank the first time consular services have been delivered inside a settlement. Similar pop-up services are planned for Beitar Illit. Embassy officials say the decision doesn't change U.S. policy, but Israeli and Palestinian leaders across the spectrum called it significant, with supporters praising the move and critics arguing it legitimizes settlements widely considered illegal under international law.

The PERM Takeaway: While this doesn't directly affect employer-sponsored immigration, it's a reminder that U.S. consular operations are increasingly shaped by geopolitical decisions. Employers with workers requiring consular processing should stay attuned to how shifting diplomatic priorities can impact where and how visa services are delivered, especially in regions where access is already complex.

DOL Wage Rule Proposal for H-1B and PERM Clears Federal Review

A Department of Labor proposal to revise prevailing wage rules for H-1B and PERM labor certification programs has cleared review by the Office of Management and Budget a key step toward publication in the Federal Register. While the details remain confidential, the rule is expected to raise prevailing wage requirements, increasing minimum pay levels for H-1B workers and employment-based green card roles. It still must go through public comment and final rulemaking before taking effect.

The PERM Takeaway: This is the story to watch. If prevailing wages go up, the cost of sponsoring foreign workers rises with them and PERM cases filed at lower wage levels could face new challenges. Employers should start reviewing their current and planned PERM filings against potential wage increases now. If you're on the fence about starting a case, filing before a new rule takes effect could lock in current wage requirements and save significant cost. Don't wait for the Federal Register notice to start planning.

Trump Administration Considers Requiring Banks to Collect Citizenship Data

The administration is reportedly reviewing whether to require banks to collect customers' citizenship information, with options ranging from an executive order to Treasury Department regulations. Banks already verify customer identities under anti-money-laundering laws but don't currently gather citizenship status. No decision has been finalized, and the White House has characterized reports as speculative.

The PERM Takeaway: If enacted, citizenship-linked banking requirements could add another layer of complexity for foreign national employees navigating life in the U.S. while their PERM cases are pending. Employers should be prepared to reassure sponsored workers that their immigration status is being managed proactively uncertainty in one area of life has a way of creating anxiety across the board. Retention starts with communication.

Global News

New Zealand Raises Wage Thresholds and Updates Occupation List

New Zealand has added new roles to its National Occupation List and confirmed increases to median wage benchmarks across several visa programs. Effective March 9, updated thresholds will apply to Green List pay requirements, exemptions for highly paid roles, maximum stay rules for lower-skilled workers, and income requirements for supporting dependents. Wage criteria for key residence pathways, including the Skilled Migrant Category, are also going up.

The PERM Takeaway: New Zealand's wage threshold increases mirror the same trend playing out in the U.S. governments worldwide are raising the bar on employer-sponsored immigration by tying it to higher wages. For multinational employers, this is a clear signal: competitive compensation isn't just a retention tool, it's becoming a compliance requirement across jurisdictions. U.S. employers should view the DOL's pending wage rule in this global context and plan accordingly.

Canada Overhauls Express Entry with New Category-Based Draws

Canada has revamped its 2026 Express Entry system to prioritize candidates with Canadian work experience and skills in high-demand sectors. New occupation-focused streams target medical doctors, researchers, senior managers, transport workers, and certain military recruits, while existing priority categories for French-language proficiency, healthcare, STEM, and trades continue. The minimum work experience requirement for all occupational categories has increased from six months to one year within the past three years.

The PERM Takeaway: Canada continues to fine-tune its immigration system to match labor market needs something the U.S. PERM process was designed to do from the start. As Canada raises its experience requirements, the U.S. PERM process remains one of the most structured ways to demonstrate genuine employer need for foreign talent. Employers competing for globally mobile workers should recognize that candidates have options, and a well-run PERM sponsorship signals long-term commitment that other countries' systems may not match.