What You Missed In Immigration: Birthright Wins, Wages Rise & ICE Goes Into Overdrive

Prevailing Wage Levels Jump Across the Board

The Department of Labor's updated prevailing wage data went into effect July 1, and most employers are looking at higher numbers. The median increase came in at 3.3%, with roughly 74% of occupation-by-metro combinations seeing wages climb. Science, legal, and healthcare roles led the way, and most major STEM occupations followed suit. There was one notable exception: Software Developer and Data Scientist wages actually declined in California's Santa Clara/San Jose metro, though that market still tops the national pay charts. Any employer filing Labor Condition Applications or PERM applications needs to be working off the new numbers starting now.

The PERM Takeaway: This is the story that hits every PERM employer's bottom line directly. Prevailing wage levels determine the salary floor for your sponsored positions, and a 3.3% median increase means your labor costs just went up whether you planned for it or not. Employers with PERM cases in progress need to check immediately whether their offered wage still meets the new prevailing wage for their occupation and metro area. If it doesn't, you may need to amend the offer or refile. For new filings, build the updated wages into your budgets before you start the recruitment process, not after. And for those in the Santa Clara/San Jose market seeing a decline, don't assume it's a free pass. Audit the specific occupation codes, because the aggregate decline may not apply to your particular role. Work with your PERM ad agency to make sure every filing reflects the July 1 data.

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Supreme Court Preserves Birthright Citizenship

The Supreme Court handed down one of its most consequential immigration rulings in years on June 30, striking down President Trump's executive order that sought to restrict birthright citizenship. The Court held that children born in the United States remain U.S. citizens under the 14th Amendment, with only limited exceptions. The ruling leaves longstanding citizenship rules intact: most children born on U.S. soil automatically acquire citizenship at birth, regardless of their parents' immigration status. It was a decisive rejection of the administration's attempt to redefine who qualifies as a citizen from birth.

The PERM Takeaway: While birthright citizenship doesn't directly affect the PERM labor certification process, this ruling carries enormous weight for the families of sponsored workers. Many H-1B holders and other employment-based visa holders have U.S.-born children whose citizenship was never in question until the executive order created uncertainty. That uncertainty is now resolved. For employers, this is a retention and morale story. Your sponsored employees were watching this case closely, and the outcome removes one major source of anxiety from their lives. A less stressed employee is a more engaged employee. Use this moment to reinforce your commitment to their long-term immigration journey.

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TPS Work Authorization Extended Through July 10, But the Clock Is Loud

USCIS extended the validity of certain employment authorization documents for TPS holders from Haiti and Syria through July 10. The extension came after the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with terminating TPS for both countries. Employers should treat affected EADs as valid through July 10, avoid early reverification, and continue monitoring USCIS guidance as the agency works through implementation. It's a brief reprieve, not a solution.

The PERM Takeaway: July 10 is days away. Employers with Haitian or Syrian TPS holders on their payroll need to have a plan that extends beyond next Thursday. If TPS protections end and work authorization expires, those employees lose the ability to work legally. This is the final window to explore whether any of those workers are eligible for PERM sponsorship or another employment-based pathway that could preserve their status. For employees who don't qualify, employers need to understand their obligations under I-9 rules and be prepared to act accordingly. Do not wait for another extension announcement. Plan as though this is the last one.

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ICE Arrests Surge Past 10,000 in Five Days

Federal immigration enforcement just hit a new gear. ICE arrested more than 10,000 people over a five-day stretch, with officers conducting enforcement during routine check-ins, traffic stops, and street encounters. The agency's detention population has swelled to more than 63,000. The numbers reflect a directive to significantly increase daily arrests, and the operational tempo shows no signs of slowing down.

The PERM Takeaway: When ICE enforcement is running this hot, the anxiety ripples through every immigrant community, including your workforce. Sponsored employees in valid status have nothing to fear legally, but the climate of heightened enforcement creates real psychological pressure that can affect productivity, attendance, and retention. Employers should proactively communicate with their foreign national employees about their rights and their valid work authorization status. Make sure they know where to find their immigration documents, understand that they are in compliance, and have access to counsel if they encounter an enforcement situation. A brief, reassuring internal communication can go a long way in keeping your team focused and stable during a volatile period.

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New York Sounds the Alarm on Immigration Scams

New York officials are warning immigrants about a surge in scams targeting people navigating the immigration system. The schemes range from scammers impersonating USCIS or ICE officials to fake law firms, fraudulent "notarios," phishing attempts, and bogus visa lottery offers. Officials are reminding people that government agencies never demand payment through gift cards, money transfer apps, or cryptocurrency, and urging anyone seeking immigration help to work only with licensed attorneys or DOJ-accredited representatives.

The PERM Takeaway: Your sponsored employees are prime targets for these scams, especially during periods of high enforcement activity and policy uncertainty. When people are anxious about their immigration status, they're more vulnerable to anyone offering fast solutions or claiming government authority. Employers can play a protective role here by sharing scam awareness resources with their foreign national workforce and reminding employees that all immigration communications related to their sponsorship should flow through official company counsel. A quick email or team meeting covering the basics of scam recognition could save an employee from a devastating financial loss or a compromised immigration case.

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Stay sharp, stay compliant, and we'll see you next week.