Source:
http://www.immigration-law.com/
05/11/2004: Come May 28, 2004, OMB PERM Review Deadline
As everyone knows by now, OMB has been reviewing the PERM final regulation since February 23, 2004. Since they are required to complete the review within 90 days, it is expected that the OMB review be completed by May 28, 2004. For most of the employers and immigrants, publishing of the final regulation is considered more important than the actual start-date because the release of the final regulation in the federal register will set forth the detailed guidelines and standards, particularly the required "minimum" recruitment process and sources of recruitment for the PERM filing. Since the DOL intends to provide four-months (120 days) of lead time prior to actual launch of the program and provide orientation sessions throughout the country, it is expected that during the next six months, the employers will launch an active recruiment campaign to build a case for the PERM filing.
When it comes to actual publication of the OMB-approved PERM regulation, the educated guess includes one of two dates: First guess is June 1, 2004 with the actual launch of the program on October 1, 2004, the starting date of FY 2005 with the FY 2005 funding. Second possible date is the period of the AILA National Conference (June 9 through 13, 2004). Traditionally, the agencies released important policy memorandums or regulations during the AILA National Conferences. This year, the AILA is convening the Annual National Conference in Philadelphia and there will be a massive turn-out of the leaders and policymakers from DHS, DOL, DOS, SSA, and other agencies because of the proximity of the location to Washington and the agencies' needs for public relations with the immigrant community through the immigration lawyers' community.
This reporter is scheduled to attend the Annual Conference in Philadelphia. In the "enforcement-oritented" immigration environment, a substantial amount of attention is expected to be directed to the issues and policies of BICE, BCBP, and immigration court jurisdictions. However, this reporter intends to learn and report on the USCIS/DOS and employment-based immigration/visa and DOL automation issues and policies, particularly the backlog reduction agenda and schedules, outlines of reengineering programs, direction of immigration reforms and schedules, and legislative agenda of the agencies. Please stay tuned!