brokenarrow
Registered Users (C)
08/22/2003: Unanswered Question on EB-485 Backlog and DOL PERM Program
When it comes to EB-485 application, there are at least two questions unanswered by any sources. The primary sources of information including the agencies and the AILA Liaison people keep this information silent for unknown reasons. The first question is the cause of current logjam. Currently EB-485 processing is going nowhere and no one knows why. The second question is the status of coordination between the BCIS 485 processing backlog and the DOL PERM launch. Supposedly the PERM program is expected to approve 80% of applications in 21 days or so. Can anyone imagine what will happen to the BCIS EB-485 processing backlog? Currently, the BCIS allows concurrent filing of EB-485 and I-140. Accordingly, as soon as the certified labor certification applications are pumped out of the PERM pipeline, their cases will be pumped into the already-horribly-jammed EB-485 pipeline. Launch of EB-485 electronic filing may without doubt help the BCIS in taking in these cases at the front end. In other words, electronic filing can manage the frontlog issue. What about the backend problem? There are no indication that the adjudication itself will be either automated or electronically processed. Curious minds may want to know how the mounting EB-485 applications can lead to the Administration's commitment to reduction of processing times to 6 months. Obviously, the Administration considered all the factors and contingencies when it announced the backlog reduction commitment (6-month). Curious minds still need answer to the linkage of three policies: PERM - EB485 Processing System - 6 Month Processing Time Commitment! To this reporter, something does not add up in this linkage. Sometimes, budget does not give all the answers to certain problem.
When it comes to EB-485 application, there are at least two questions unanswered by any sources. The primary sources of information including the agencies and the AILA Liaison people keep this information silent for unknown reasons. The first question is the cause of current logjam. Currently EB-485 processing is going nowhere and no one knows why. The second question is the status of coordination between the BCIS 485 processing backlog and the DOL PERM launch. Supposedly the PERM program is expected to approve 80% of applications in 21 days or so. Can anyone imagine what will happen to the BCIS EB-485 processing backlog? Currently, the BCIS allows concurrent filing of EB-485 and I-140. Accordingly, as soon as the certified labor certification applications are pumped out of the PERM pipeline, their cases will be pumped into the already-horribly-jammed EB-485 pipeline. Launch of EB-485 electronic filing may without doubt help the BCIS in taking in these cases at the front end. In other words, electronic filing can manage the frontlog issue. What about the backend problem? There are no indication that the adjudication itself will be either automated or electronically processed. Curious minds may want to know how the mounting EB-485 applications can lead to the Administration's commitment to reduction of processing times to 6 months. Obviously, the Administration considered all the factors and contingencies when it announced the backlog reduction commitment (6-month). Curious minds still need answer to the linkage of three policies: PERM - EB485 Processing System - 6 Month Processing Time Commitment! To this reporter, something does not add up in this linkage. Sometimes, budget does not give all the answers to certain problem.