Cloudera Suspended from PERM Program Over Alleged Discriminatory Hiring

On May 13 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a 180-day suspension of Cloudera Inc., a California data-software firm, from the federal PERM program. The action follows a finding that the company favored foreign workers for high-paying technology roles while excluding qualified American applicants. The Department of Justice may extend the suspension pending further investigation.

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The PERM program permits employers to sponsor foreign nationals for employment-based green cards. Under PERM, employers must certify that no qualified U.S. workers are available before foreign labor can be approved. Officials allege Cloudera “engineered a non-functional recruitment process” that blocked qualified U.S. workers and falsely certified that none were available.

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Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said the suspension demonstrates the administration’s resolve to enforce immigration and labor laws and to hold “bad actors” accountable. The Department of Labor’s press release reiterated that Cloudera’s conduct violated the Immigration and Nationality Act and noted that the suspension may be extended pending review.

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The Department’s analysis described the practice of making job ads inaccessible to Americans as “not uncommon.” Observers note that such tactics enable firms to claim a lack of qualified U.S. workers and secure foreign labor approvals. The site Jobs.Now now tracks PERM postings to increase public visibility of such positions.

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The suspension bars Cloudera from filing any new PERM labor certifications for 180 days. The Department of Justice may extend the suspension pending further investigation, indicating the possibility of additional enforcement actions.

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• “Protecting the integrity of our immigration and labor systems requires employers to follow the law and provide American workers a fair opportunity to compete for jobs,” — Keith Sonderling, Acting Labor Secretary

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• “Today’s action reflects this Administration’s commitment to holding bad actors accountable when they attempt to circumvent those protections.” — Keith Sonderling, Acting Labor Secretary

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• “engineered a non-functional recruitment process that prevented qualified American workers from applying for high-paying technology positions while certifying to [the Employment and Training Administration’s Office] that no qualified U.S. workers were available,” — Department of Labor press release

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• “Now tracks such PERM jobs and posts them so that Americans can apply.” — Department of Labor observation

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The Department of Labor noted that the 180-day suspension could be extended if the DOJ investigation uncovers further violations. Cloudera has not responded to requests for comment. Ongoing oversight by the Department may shape future enforcement of PERM recruitment standards.

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