Pls do not call the labor office, it's only delaying the process
This is what I received from my lawyer today!
The following update was received from the Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation and forwarded by the AILA liason Stacy Shore:
Our office has a backlog of 6,720 RIRs which includes 530 applications remaining for 4/01 and a backlog of 6,278 regular applications which includes 5,034 applications remaining for 4/01. (Ref. question 1 & 2)
We were recently assigned additional part-time staff, from DLLR's Central Office of Employment Services, to assistant with reducing the backlog applications. We should begin processing an estimation of 300 to 400 applications per month. (Ref. questions 1 & 2)
Although we process all permanent applications, the main focus remains the RIR applications. The RIRs are expedited because they require much less processing time than the regular applications and they allows us to complete a larger number of applications. (Ref. question 1 & 2)
In order to reduce the amount of inquiries, our office began issuing confirmation of transmittal cards to inform law office and/or businesses of the date their applications were completed by Maryland and transmitted to the USDOL for a determination. On the other hand, we have always issued confirmation of receipt cards to the law offices and/or businesses to confirm receipt of their applications. These cards include the name of the business, name of worker, date application was received and a case control number. These can be used as proof of FLC filing for BCIS. (Ref. question 3)
We are asking AILA not to direct their foreign worker clients to contact our office. We are receiving telephone calls on individual lines and they are faxing our office. These interruptions only delay the processing of the applications. Additionally, we are receiving quite a few INS form G-28 signed on behalf of the foreign worker clients rather than by the business. FLC receives the applications as filed by the employer and if the law firm does not represent the employer, we must direct all processing correspondence and communications to the business.
Yolanda Milam
MD FLC