Is it legal for employer to ask employee to repay all GreenCard expenses

[theandroiduser]

I have an approved I-140 from my employer. Before initiating the GreenCard process, they made me sign a contract that says if I leave before 36 months from signing the document, I will have to repay fully all the expenses employer incurred for my GC process. Is it legal for an employer to hold the employee responsible for GreenCard expenses. I know they cannot hold employee responsible for H1B expenses (from my personal experience). Now its been 2 n half years and I am moving to a different job for family reasons. Any one have had similar experience or know how to tackle this situation?

[pontevecchio]

Consult a LABOR Lawyer in the relevant state.

[JoeF]

The employer by law has to pay all expenses for the PERM, including lawyer fees, and can't ask to get reimbursed for that.

The employer is allowed to ask for the fees for the I-140.

[Provence]

A legally binding contract is a legally binding contract!  Your signature on the dotted line makes you liable if you fail to abide by the terms. 

[JoeF]

4 hours ago, Provence said:

A legally binding contract is a legally binding contract!  Your signature on the dotted line makes you liable if you fail to abide by the terms. 

Except for the PERM. A contract can not override the law. For that part the contract is void.

[Provence]

13 hours ago, JoeF said:

Except for the PERM. A contract can not override the law. For that part the contract is void.

Agreed!

[care_candidate]

PERM and I-140 is responsibility of employer. AOS is ideally to be paid by employee.