12/30/2004 IMMIGRATION ALERT

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RELEASES "PERM"
 

The Department of Labor released the long-awaited PERM regulations. The new labor certification process ("PERM") for the permanent employment of foreign nationals will take effect on March 28, 2005. The processing time under the new web-based system is anticipated to be 45-60 days for the labor certification process, the first step in the three-step green card process.

Employers will have the option of withdrawing a previously filed case and refiling under the PERM program; however, the individual will not be able to retain the priority date of the earlier filed case unless the original application was filed under the basic labor certification process and the employer has not yet conducted the recruitment for the case.

Hammond Law Group will be conducting a free telephone conference for clients which will explain the requirements of the PERM program and its impact on other cases. Look for details in early January.