Proposed Changes to the PERM Electronic Review Management System
關於 PERM 電子審核管理系統的擬議修訂
Introduction
The United States Department of Labor plans to change the labor certification process required for employers who sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency.
美國勞工部計劃更改僱主為外籍員工申請永久居留權時所需的勞工認證流程。
Main Body
The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced its intention to modernize the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) system, noting that there have been no major regulatory updates since 2004. This move is part of a larger government strategy to adjust legal immigration paths. This follows previous changes to the H-1B visa lottery and proposals to increase minimum wages for specialized jobs. The administration emphasized that current recruitment rules do not reflect today's labor market or new technology.
勞工部 (DOL) 宣布打算將計劃電子審核管理 (PERM) 系統現代化，並指出自 2004 年以來一直沒有重大的法規更新。此舉是政府調整合法移民路徑更大戰略的一部分。在此之前，H-1B 簽證抽籤已有所變動，且有提案建議提高專業職位的最低工資。政府強調，目前的招聘規則已無法反映當今的勞動力市場或新技術。
Currently, employers must conduct a strict labor-market test to prove that no qualified U.S. workers are available. They must also ensure that hiring a foreign national does not negatively affect the wages or working conditions of local employees. This process requires determining a 'prevailing wage' and following specific advertising rules, such as placing ads in Sunday newspapers. For professional positions, employers must use at least three different recruitment methods and document why any rejected candidates were not hired.
目前，雇主必須進行嚴格的勞動力市場測試，以證明沒有合格的美國工人可用。他們還必須確保聘僱外籍人士不會對本地員工的工資或工作條件產生負面影響。此過程需要確定「盛行工資」並遵守特定的廣告規則，例如在週日報紙刊登廣告。對於專業職位，雇主必須使用至少三種不同的招聘方法，並記錄為何被拒絕的候選人未被聘用。
Although the exact legal language has not been released, the DOL suggests that documentation standards will become stricter and recruitment duties will expand. Consequently, these changes may lead to longer processing delays and higher costs for companies. Furthermore, the proposed updates are specifically designed to give priority to domestic workers, especially those who have lost their jobs due to corporate downsizing.
雖然具體的法律措辭尚未公布，但勞工部暗示文件標準將變得更嚴格，招聘職責也將擴大。因此，這些變更可能會導致處理延遲時間更長，且企業成本更高。此外，擬議的更新專為優先考慮本土工人而設計，尤其是那些因企業裁員而失業的人員。
Conclusion
The Department of Labor is now preparing a new rule to make the PERM certification process more rigorous for those sponsoring foreign workers.
勞工部目前正準備制定新規則，使贊助外籍員工的 PERM 認證過程更加嚴格。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The 'B2 Shift': From Simple to Sophisticated
At the A2 level, you use words like 'so', 'and', or 'but' to connect ideas. To hit B2, you need to use Logical Connectors. These words act like bridges, showing the reader exactly how two ideas relate.
Look at these specific 'bridges' from the text:
🔗 The 'Result' Bridge: Consequently
- A2 Style: "The rules are harder, so it takes more time."
- B2 Style: "Documentation standards will become stricter. Consequently, these changes may lead to longer processing delays."
- Why it works: Consequently sounds professional. It tells the reader: "Because of the thing I just mentioned, this specific result happened."
🔗 The 'Addition' Bridge: Furthermore
- A2 Style: "It is expensive and it helps local workers."
- B2 Style: "...higher costs for companies. Furthermore, the proposed updates are specifically designed to give priority to domestic workers."
- Why it works: Instead of just adding a fact with 'and', Furthermore signals that you are adding a stronger or more important point to your argument.
🛠️ Practical Application: The 'Upgrade' Map
If you want to sound like a B2 speaker, stop using these 'Small Words' and start using these 'Bridge Words':
| Avoid (A2) | Use This (B2) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| So | Consequently / Therefore | When one thing causes another |
| And / Also | Furthermore / Moreover | When adding a new, important point |
| But | However / Despite this | When showing a contrast |