26 January 2015

A Surge is Near! DOL Releases its First Quarter Stats on H-1B LCAs

Hi All! The Department of Labor (DOL) has released statistics on H-1B Labor Condition Applications (LCA) from the First Quarter (Q1) of Fiscal Year 2015 (FY2015). These statistics include the number of LCAs received, top occupations, states, and employers, as well as the number of certified, denied, and withdrawn LCAs, number of positions requested and certified, and percentage of applications timely processed.

Based on the data for Q1, FY2015, we are already seeing more LCAs filed than last year. This means that we will again see a surge of LCA filings for the second quarter (January 01, 2015 to March 31, 2015) with the additional preparation for the H-1B cap season that will begin on April 01, 2015. For example, last fiscal year “LCAs received” jumped from 67,641 in Q1 to 231,401 in Q2.

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Category: H-1B, Immigration News Updates | Comments Off on A Surge is Near! DOL Releases its First Quarter Stats on H-1B LCAs
21 November 2014

EXECUTIVE ACTION ANNOUNCED! EMPLOYMENT BASED INCLUDED!

The President has briefed the nation regarding the much anticipated executive action on immigration! As expected, the President addressed plans that will impact the employment based immigration realm. He has provided us with a general outline of his plan, which will be signed tonight.  Here are some of the expected plans/areas to be addressed: Continue reading

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19 November 2014

ANTICIPATION LOOMS: EXECUTIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION NEARS!

President Obama is expected to announce executive action on immigration this Thursday. The word around the Hill has focused mainly on the undocumented immigrants, but it is likely that the President’s executive action will include plans to address employment based immigration as well.

If President Obama decides to issue executive orders regarding employment based immigration, there are a few issues that he may touch on: Continue reading

Category: Immigration News Updates | 1 Comment on ANTICIPATION LOOMS: EXECUTIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION NEARS!
6 November 2014

India Tops List for Certified PERM Applications in 2014!

Hi All! The Department of Labor (DOL) issued Permanent Labor Certification statistics for Fiscal Year 2014 (FY2014) that I thought I would share with you!

The DOL was quite busy with PERM applications in FY2014!  We also see them getting the job done with about a 6 month turnaround for initial review once the application is filed, which is much better than last year when it was taking about 8 months!

For FY2014 (October 1st, 2013 to September 30, 2014), the DOL received 74,936 Permanent Labor Certification applications, with the 4th quarter showing the highest amount received for FY2014.

Total, in FY2014, 62,633 cases have been certified, 4,349 denied, and 4,016 withdrawn.

Further, about 59,901 applications were pending as of 09/30/2014. The processing status of active PERM applications is as follows: Continue reading

Category: Green Card, Immigration News Updates, Labor Certification | 2 Comments on India Tops List for Certified PERM Applications in 2014!
26 August 2014

BALCA is Fair, Who Knew?!

Those employers who have filed a Labor Certification on behalf of a foreign worker understand the tediousness involved in this process. The system is relentless and unforgiving and Certifying Officers (CO) have very broad discretion in the decision-making process. Recently, the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA) has been issuing very logical and fair decisions, which of course is beneficial to Employers. This can especially be seen in a recent en banc BALCA decision.  Continue reading

Category: Green Card, Immigration News Updates, Labor Certification | Comments Off on BALCA is Fair, Who Knew?!