**Petition for Budget Increase in the Department of Labor (DOL) to Address Backlog in PERM Processing**

We, the undersigned, are calling for a modest increase in the Department of Labor’s budget to address the severe backlog in PERM processing. Current DOL resources are insufficient to meet the demand for labor certifications, which has resulted in prolonged wait times and increasing uncertainty for individuals pursuing lawful employment-based immigration pathways.

Here are the facts:
- The PERM labor certification process has become severely backlogged, leading to delays that now extend processing times to over a year. This impacts thousands of workers and employers relying on timely approvals for H-1B visas and green cards.
- Doubling the DOL’s workforce dedicated to PERM processing would only require an estimated increase of $2.4 million—a fraction of the budget required to process existing cases more efficiently and prevent further delays. This investment could ensure processing times stabilize at around one year.
  
In contrast, we have seen large amounts of funding directed toward immigration initiatives, such as the $150 billion allocated to address issues related to undocumented immigration. However, the budget required to ensure timely processing for lawful employment-based immigration has not received the necessary support.

This petition represents:
- Individuals currently applying for PERM labor certification,
- Future applicants, including those on OPT and H-1B visas, who will soon navigate the PERM process,
- Employers who rely on these individuals for their critical skills and contributions.

We urge Congress and the current administration to approve this modest budget increase for the DOL. We ask for prioritization of lawful employment-based immigration channels, which directly benefit the U.S. economy, enhance our workforce, and uphold the integrity of our immigration system. Let us ensure that the DOL has the resources it needs to support the legal immigration pathway that so many individuals and employers depend on.