Amazon resumes new US green card applications for foreign workers, leaked memo shows

Amazon's Resumption of PERM Filings - Amazon has resumed the green card application process for foreign workers, planning to reopen PERM processing on January 6, 2025, after suspending it in 2023 and throughout 2024 [1][3] - PERM is part of the US Labor Department's permanent labor certification process, aiming to prove that hiring foreign workers won't negatively impact US job seekers [2] - The resumption of PERM filings may reflect Amazon's outlook for a more competitive job market and follows Trump's campaign vow to give green cards to foreign graduates of US colleges [3][8] Job Market Trends - Amazon has laid off at least 27,000 employees since late 2022, including 200 from its Fashion and Fitness group recently [4] - Resuming PERM filings indicates Amazon sees a potential "rebound" in the job market, according to immigration lawyer Richard Herman [4] - Companies previously suspended green card filings due to layoffs and the high cost and time of processing PERMs, but may now reconsider as labor market conditions improve [5][6] Tech Industry Hiring - HR software maker Karat reported a 12% year-over-year increase in average hiring targets for software engineer roles among US tech companies in 2024 [7] - Stripe laid off 300 employees but plans to grow its total headcount by roughly 1,000 this year [7] - Tech companies in the Bay Area are hiring more, indicating a positive outlook for the industry [7] Trump's Influence on Immigration Policy - President Donald Trump's campaign proposal to give green cards to foreign graduates of US colleges may be a factor in Amazon's decision to resume PERM filings [8] - There is a clash between pro-Trump tech leaders and the MAGA base over the legal immigration of skilled workers [10] - Companies may be trying to anticipate Trump's unpredictable behavior on immigration policy, given his past hard-line stance [11]