Immigration News  |
| Changes in immigration that impact your life. |
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| DOL Certifies More Than 5,500 Workers in 16 states as Eligible to Apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) |
| November 5, 2009 |
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| The U.S. Department of Labor on November 5, 2009, announced that approximately 5,500 workers from companies in 16 states — Alabama, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin — are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). Workers covered by these latest TAA certifications will be contacted by their respective states with instructions on how to apply for individual benefits and services. |
| Federal Minimum Wage Will Increase to $7.25 on July 24 |
| July 15, 2009 |
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| The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reminds employers and employees that the federal minimum wage will increase to $7.25 on Friday, July 24. With this change, employees who are covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will be entitled to pay no less than $7.25 per hour. |
| Frequently Asked Questions on Suspension of H-2A Final Rule |
| June 1, 2009 |
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| The US Department of Labor (DOL), on June 1, 2009, released some frequently asked questions and answers (FAQs) regarding the May 29, 2009 suspension of a December 18, 2008 H-2A final rule. The suspension of the H-2A final rule will take effect on June 29, 2009. |
| DOL Suspends H-2A Final Rule |
| May 31, 2009 |
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| The Department of Labor (DOL) suspended the H-2A Final Rule published on December 18, 2008 and in effect as of January 17, 2009. The suspension of the H-2A rule will last nine months. During this period, the previous rules that were in place prior to Jan. 17 will be reinstated for those wishing to employ H-2A workers. The suspension of the current rule and reinstatement of the previous rule will take effect June 28. After the nine-month examination period, the DOL will either propose a new rule for public comment or reinstate the Dec. 18 rule. |
| DOL Postpones Use of iCERT System for LCAs |
| May 13, 2009 |
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| The Department of Labor (DOL) has postponed obligatory use of the new iCERT online portal for labor condition applications (LCAs). Employers will now be able to use the legacy online system for H-1B, E-3 and H-1B1 LCAs through June 30. |
| Durbin, Grassley Introduce the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act |
| April 23, 2009 |
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| This is the second time in two years that US Senators Mr Chuck Grassley and Mr Dick Durbin proposed a legislation that aims to curb the use of H-1B and L-1 visas. Responding to growing concerns about immigrants displacing U.S. workers, assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act, designed to preserve the controversial H-1B program that allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers, but to limit its abuse. |
| DOL’s Interim Final Rule on H-2A Filing Procedures |
| April 16, 2009 |
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| DOL published an interim final rule amending its regulations to extend the transition period of the application filing procedures currently in effect for H-2A employers. The transition period is extended to include all employers with a date of need on or before January 1, 2010. |
| Department of Labor Update – LCAs and PERM Applications |
| March 28, 2009 |
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| The Department of Labor (DOL) provided an update regarding the new iCERT system which will be used to file labor condition applications (LCAs) and PERM applications. The iCERT system is now planned to launch on April 15, 2009 for LCA filings. The current LCA system will remain open until May 14. Effective May 15, the iCERT system must be used for all LCAs. |
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