DoL : Dallas, Philly Backlog Centers are done.

[logiclife]

This is the information received by Immigration Voice from DoL. This press release will be on DoL website soon. Basically, the backlog centers of Dallas and Philly for labor certs are done. The only pending cases (less than 1%) are the ones where employer's response is awaiting (probably the 45 day letters).

Its very sad that thousands of IV members have gone thru hell for 3 years of existence of backlog centers and the blackest of the black hole in immigration process.

Below is the press release that will be out soon on DoL website:

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that the permanent foreign labor certification program’s backlog has been eliminated, with nearly 99 percent of cases completed and the remainder awaiting responses from employers. For almost three years, more than 300 workers in two processing centers reviewed approximately 363,000 pending labor applications, a backlog created as a result of legislative changes in 1997 and 2000.

“Clearing up the Permanent Labor Certification backlog has been a Presidential Management Agenda priority and the job was completed on-time, as promised,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “Thousands of people are no longer left waiting and wondering, and the department is moving ahead with reforms to streamline existing foreign worker certification programs.”

The Permanent Labor Certification Program processes employer requests for foreign workers when U.S. workers are not available, willing and able to fill job openings. Statutory changes to the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1997 and 2000 led to a dramatic increase in paper applications to this employment-based program. As a result, processing times rose, and applications sometimes languished for several years. Attempts to curb the growing backlog began immediately in 2001 and included regulatory and non-regulatory steps as well as seeking out experts to devise solutions for processing the caseload efficiently. Those efforts culminated with the November 2004 opening of temporary facilities in Dallas and Philadelphia dedicated solely to eliminating the backlog.

From the outset, the department pledged that the backlog would be eliminated by September 30, 2007. Both of the Backlog Elimination Centers have started a transition and shutdown phase that will continue through December.


“We applaud the accomplishments of the dedicated individuals whose critical role allowed the ongoing operation of employment-based immigration programs,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “Their resolve to the mission of seeing the task through to its successful completion is an inspiration to all who serve and do the public’s business.”


For more information on the department’s employment-based foreign labor certification programs, please visit www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov.

[chanduv23]

And IV is the first to break this news -

Thanks for the info logiclife

[logiclife]

Its now on DoL website.

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20071483.htm

[STAmisha]

Great News. This Backlog Almost Ruined My Life And Career, Esp Phily Center Is The Most Crappiest Of The Two.

[Maverick1]

“Clearing up the Permanent Labor Certification backlog has been a Presidential Management Agenda priority and the job was completed on-time, as promised,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.


On time ??? :(

[glamzon]

one chapter closed and now the next one opens (receipt backlog center) ... hmmmmmm

[kanaihya]

Guys,
can some one please explain it in detail ..Is it a recapture? or some thing else ? sorry for such a stupid Q. I am less aware about all this things and I am sure that there are many like me who don't understand it..
thanks

[Ram_C]

This is the information received by Immigration Voice from DoL. This press release will be on DoL website soon. Basically, the backlog centers of Dallas and Philly for labor certs are done. The only pending cases (less than 1%) are the ones where employer's response is awaiting (probably the 45 day letters).

Its very sad that thousands of IV members have gone thru hell for 3 years of existence of backlog centers and the blackest of the black hole in immigration process.

Below is the press release that will be out soon on DoL website:

So can we assume that all the resources working on backlog elimination will now be channeled towards AOS processing???

[BharatPremi]

We should create BEC archive as memoirs. These blackholes though closed will be remembered by us for a long. It will be in our family album for our future generations. I think still some of souls are stuck there (Apart from what BECs claim pending)...

[Karthikthiru]

It is nice to know that ImmigrationVoice knows before the press release

Thanks
Karthik

[satishku_2000]

I think it would be interesting to see the statistics on how many were actullay certified .

[satishku_2000]

So can we assume that all the resources working on backlog elimination will now be channeled towards AOS processing???

Because AOS is processed by USCIS and Labor certification is done by DOL(Department of Labor).

[kanaihya]

Please ...?? what is it about ??

Guys,
can some one please explain it in detail ..Is it a recapture? or some thing else ? sorry for such a stupid Q. I am less aware about all this things and I am sure that there are many like me who don't understand it..
thanks

[ThinkTwice]

Please ...?? what is it about ??


This has nothing to do with reacapturing visa numbers, this is about clearing backed up applications for labour.

[crystal]

http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=67&Itemid=50

Please ...?? what is it about ??

[swede]

“Clearing up the Permanent Labor Certification backlog has been a Presidential Management Agenda priority and the job was completed on-time, as promised,”said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

That most be the worst "on-time" definition ever produced. 7 years for something that should have taken 7 weeks. I hope this never happens again.
Good luck to all who are still stuck in the immigration system.

[nlssubbu]

And IV is the first to break this news -

Thanks for the info logiclife

I don't think so. This was reported almost two weeks back in Shusterman's web site in their news letter.

Thanks

[Karthikthiru]

The one on the Shusterman's website is not about this latest one. It was a old press release. ImmigrationVoice must be first or one of the first to tell this news

Thanks
Karthik


I don't think so. This was reported almost two weeks back in Shusterman's web site in their news letter.

Thanks

[work4pd]

I wonder who will employ these morons from PBEC ;-)

[njboy]

bec might have been hell, but it was a vacation compared to the SWAs

[immi_seeker]

relief to lot of folks..But the queue moves from DOL to uscis now..

[work4pd]

relief to lot of folks..But the queue moves from DOL to uscis now..

USCIS to FBI(Name check queue)...

[pappu]

A lot of people abandoned their Labor applications after waiting for many years.
A lot of cases were incorrectly closed giving heartburns to a lot of us.
A lot may have been denied too.
A lot of people switched to PERM or switched employers after all the frustrations.

A process that can be done in 45 days has taken 6 years for some people. Yes some applications were filed as early as 2000.

The good news is that this problem was recognized as a problem and efforts were made to fix it. Now it is time to fix the USCIS backlogs and Name check delays.

[dreamworld]

I was there at DOL queue for 2+ years. Now, I am in the USCIS queue. Its 90days passed and called USCIS and the second level rep. told me to track my bank check. she is helpless to answer and hopeless....

USCIS: Where is my GC? Sorry just tell me, Where is my EAD? (by your law EAD should arrive in 90 days).

[sunny1000]

So can we assume that all the resources working on backlog elimination will now be channeled towards AOS processing???

nope...they belonged to DOL and they will be gone....

[sunny1000]

“Clearing up the Permanent Labor Certification backlog has been a Presidential Management Agenda priority and the job was completed on-time, as promised,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.


On time ??? :(

yeah...if they promise that they will process your application by 2050 and do it by then, it is considered "on-time" just like the premium processing where it requires USCIS to only look up your file and write an RFE to get your $1000 bucks :mad:

Personally, I was stuck in this hell hole called labor cert (including PBEC) for 5 years. Now, I will have to wait just get a RN on my 140 and 485. God Bless us all...

[himu73]

My labor is still pending in PBEc. I had a RFE which lawyer sent responce to in Mar 07.
I have sent a email to the lawyer asking about the situation.
Is there anything else to do ?

[Macaca]

Performance Report: Mar 28 2005 - Sep 30 2006 (http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/pdf/OFLC_Report_v11_8-23-07.pdf)

[Wendyzhu77]

come on, friend, be fair. They promised the backlog will be cleared on sep30, now they did cleared it on sep30. They kept this promise.
That most be the worst "on-time" definition ever produced. 7 years for something that should have taken 7 weeks. I hope this never happens again.
Good luck to all who are still stuck in the immigration system.

[sunny1000]

My labor is still pending in PBEc. I had a RFE which lawyer sent responce to in Mar 07.
I have sent a email to the lawyer asking about the situation.
Is there anything else to do ?

Please call the PBEC phone number or send an email directly to them. You may get lucky to receive an answer back. Or better yet, ask your lawyer to call... What does your online status say?

[engineer]

Does this mean that dates will be futher retrogressed?

I mean all these people will be applying for i485 soon and their PD are way way old and they will get Green Cards first..

This will be good news for them..but for others dates will be further retrogressed...

Am I correct.

[hpandey]

Its quite ironic what they are saying that they finished on time !!

Doesn't backlog (processing center ) itself mean that they are way behind time in processing the cases :)

This is the information received by Immigration Voice from DoL. This press release will be on DoL website soon. Basically, the backlog centers of Dallas and Philly for labor certs are done. The only pending cases (less than 1%) are the ones where employer's response is awaiting (probably the 45 day letters).

Its very sad that thousands of IV members have gone thru hell for 3 years of existence of backlog centers and the blackest of the black hole in immigration process.

Below is the press release that will be out soon on DoL website:

[BharatPremi]

Look at the link below. More than 300 workers... Hmm !! Put average $ 50000 salary X 25 % benefits x 3 years ( 2005 to 2007) x 325 workers = $ 60937500

Collection = $1300 (Average labor fee) x 363000 = $ 471900000

Difference = $ 410962500.

Assume the same expense for executives as workers + Assume the same expense for stationary and other office expenses + Assume same expense as some other costs including mailing, (Old swa, state, regional deot expenses) = $ 60937500 x 3 = $ 182812500

USCIS Assumed Profit = $ 410962500 - $ 182812500 = $ 228150000

And your profit = Wait in hell + frustration + mental tension + exploitation + stangnant career + And if lucky then
certification


http://www.doleta.gov/print-page.cfm?URLpath=http://www.doleta.gov/whatsnew/new_releases/2007-10-01.cfm

Can somebody explain me if this is capitalism than what is Anarchy?

[SK2007]

My labor is still pending in PBEc. I had a RFE which lawyer sent responce to in Mar 07.
I have sent a email to the lawyer asking about the situation.
Is there anything else to do ?

Hi,

My case is in the same situation, our lawyer sent out RFE in first week of Sep, we have not heard anything back. I will keep you updated if I hear.

[nlssubbu]

A lot of people abandoned their Labor applications after waiting for many years.
A lot of cases were incorrectly closed giving heartburns to a lot of us.
A lot may have been denied too.
A lot of people switched to PERM or switched employers after all the frustrations.

A process that can be done in 45 days has taken 6 years for some people. Yes some applications were filed as early as 2000.

The good news is that this problem was recognized as a problem and efforts were made to fix it. Now it is time to fix the USCIS backlogs and Name check delays.


Good to know that this is finally closed. My original labor itself was struck with them for more than 2 years and I do share the pain of waiting in each stage. (2 years in labor, 1 year for 140 and another 2 year in 485). I am glad to note that this finally came to an end and at least the labor process is made much faster through PERM.

I should really thank my attorney who suggests converting my labor into RIR and finally it came through. Those who suffered in the hands of this back log center will know the pain and it is good to see that this came to an end.

Even when the applications are getting cleared, it came to the market as labor substitution and cause issues. I hope USCIS will not create another mess by the way of process improvement again :D

[Suva]

Yah you are correct and they deserve to get their Green Cards first.
Because they are waiting for long time in the backlog processing center.


Does this mean that dates will be futher retrogressed?

I mean all these people will be applying for i485 soon and their PD are way way old and they will get Green Cards first..

This will be good news for them..but for others dates will be further retrogressed...

Am I correct.

[sparky_jones]

I survived the Philadelphia Backlog Elimination Center, and I can tell you that the pain and agony was much, much, much worse than anybody can imagine...the current frontlog of receipts and the associated chaos is nothing compared to what I had to go through for almost 3 years stuck in that condemned blackhole! For several months/years, I had no idea where my Labor Certification was, and when I finally located it, a series of events occured that brought me to the edge (No 45-days letter, case closed in error, Congressmen intervention, direct appeal to the DOL secretary...the list goes on). And I am actually on the median of the scale of suffering...others had to face worse circumstances.

[sparky_jones]

So can we assume that all the resources working on backlog elimination will now be channeled towards AOS processing???
Oh God...I hope not....for the greater good of all...I sure hope not!!
:p

[SK2007]

I survived the Philadelphia Backlog Elimination Center, and I can tell you that the pain and agony was much, much, much worse than anybody can imagine...the current frontlog of receipts and the associated chaos is nothing compared to what I had to go through for almost 3 years stuck in that condemned blackhole! For several months/years, I had no idea where my Labor Certification was, and when I finally located it, a series of events occured that brought me to the edge (No 45-days letter, case closed in error, Congressmen intervention, direct appeal to the DOL secretary...the list goes on). And I am actually on the median of the scale of suffering...others had to face worse circumstances.

Good that atleast now you are out of it. My LC has been for 4 .5 years and in the last week of sep, they sent RFE to my employer. I am still waiting for the LC. This is my 10th year in US and I am ready for my 5th annual extension of H1.

[njboy]

people who got stuck for couple of years in new jersey SWA and then for a few more at philadelphia backlog center should be provided with counselling for their trauma

[njboy]

SK2007, what kind of RFE did you get? LCAs are pretty open and shut cases..Im assuming yours was done using traditional recruitment since most RIRs got cleared many months ago

[siaa96]

The Backlog Centers did 80% of the work in the last 6 months. If they had done this kind of work 2 years earlier, many of us would have been through by now.

Now welcome to the next nightmare - I-140 backlogs.

[sanjay]

This is the information received by Immigration Voice from DoL. This press release will be on DoL website soon. Basically, the backlog centers of Dallas and Philly for labor certs are done. The only pending cases (less than 1%) are the ones where employer's response is awaiting (probably the 45 day letters).

Its very sad that thousands of IV members have gone thru hell for 3 years of existence of backlog centers and the blackest of the black hole in immigration process.

Below is the press release that will be out soon on DoL website:


Good to hear this but the wait for more than 2.5 years still haunts me. I sometime curse myself why did not I try perm process in EB2? Just to keep old priority date with me. One of my friend applied in perm (first batch) and got his labor cleared and filed concurrent 140 and 485 (EB2 was current then). now he is enjoying Green card for last one year.


I still remember pain going through tracking cases with immigrationprotal Dallas backlog center every day. I pray GOD that i don't have to go through the same pain again, now tracking for 485 cases.

[SK2007]

SK2007, what kind of RFE did you get? LCAs are pretty open and shut cases..Im assuming yours was done using traditional recruitment since most RIRs got cleared many months ago

Mine went in traditional, my company did not want to convert to RIR or to PERM. I think it is in advertisement phase. It is so stupid that the comapny is advertising for a job that I have been working for 5.5 years.

[vali]

My case is still "IN PROCESS". I did received some of the papers and I did everything according with their requirements but I'm still stuck in Philadelphia BEC waiting for certification since April 2001.
If anyone still in process please let us know.
I'm not so sure if this "NEWS" is real.

[STAmisha]

PBEC is the ultimate torture. My LC languished for years and it came out in JULY 2007. By the time it came out, I lost 4 yearrs, career, health (I worried so much about this backlog)

Hopefully there wont be any black holes like this.

[aycy]

Thanks to them my wife is having a hard time getting a job and my career growth is slower than it supposed to be. The long delay has caused her having a big gap in her resume. :mad:

[nk007]

My case is still "IN PROCESS". I did received some of the papers and I did everything according with their requirements but I'm still stuck in Philadelphia BEC waiting for certification since April 2001.
If anyone still in process please let us know.
I'm not so sure if this "NEWS" is real.

I am in same position yours. My PD is Aug 2001. received recruitment instructions in March 07, did everything , attorney send the final papers to them in June 07. It was in process till end of July 07 and then online status changed to closed. Still waiting for them to reopen the case and get certified. Don't know what they are doing.

[alex77]

Philly center was really slow. A friend of mine gave up and returned back to India after the frustrating delay!

[SK2007]

Philly center was really slow. A friend of mine gave up and returned back to India after the frustrating delay!

How is your friend doing? I am taking the same path.

[Hassan11]

Hi

I have a question regarding an appeal I did a year ago (September 2006) for a rejected LC.

I have an approved LC and I-140 on an entry level position (EB3) with my company. after I got a promotion to a senior position that requires a masters degree but with a smilar job description but more senior and supervisory responsabilities with the same company. after promotion, I filed for a new LC (EB2) but it got rejected because DOL thinks it is the same position as the already approved LC. my company and I wrote a letter as an appeal on Sep 2006 within 30 days from rejection of LC to BALCA explaining that new position requires a masters degree and it is a senior position with more supervisory duties. as of today, almost a year later, we haven't heard anything regarding DOL (BALCA) decision on my appeal. is anybody in the same situation?? what should I do next?? also I read somewhere that DOl might revoke the already approved LC EB3 after I filed a second LC for EB2 with the same employer. can DOL revoke the first LC EB3 after I have an approved I-140??
please help. any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks