DOL Latest News

November was dominated by the aftermath of a record-breaking 43-day federal government shutdown, which ended mid-month when President Trump signed a funding package into law on November 12, 2025 . The shutdown had furloughed many federal workers, but critical DOL immigration processes impacting unskilled workers, such as prevailing wage determinations and PERM labor certifications, continued operating during parts of it . Following the reopening, the newly confirmed DOL leadership was officially sworn in, including Jonathan Berry and Andrew Rogers, signaling that the agency's regulatory and enforcement agendas would soon "kick into high gear" .

The DOL's Project Firewall enforcement initiative was reported to have already initiated nearly 200 investigations into employer recruitment and hiring practices, aiming to ensure that U.S. workers are given proper consideration for positions, including entry-level and unskilled roles, before employers can obtain labor certification for foreign workers . Additionally, Senate Republicans introduced a slate of labor reform bills targeting union election processes, which could influence the dynamics in industries that frequently hire unskilled foreign labor, such as hospitality and construction.