H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

The Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA) recently affirmed the final determination of a Certifying Officer (CO) denying labor certification for the position of “Latin American Refining Prospect Director.”

An Audit Notification was issued by the CO to the Employer requesting them to submit its recruitment documentation. A response to the request was submitted by the Employer. The Employer stated that it conducted three additional steps in its recruitment process, including listing the job opportunity with a private employment firm. In the response, they explained they were unable to find applicants and received zero resumes that met the minimum qualifications for the position. The job requirements were a Master’s Degree in Business Administration or Chemical Engineering and 10 years of experience in the position or a managerial/executive position in the petroleum/refining industry. In its response, the Employer also submitted a copy of the Recruiting Firms’ advertisement. The ad included an extensive job description, educational & experience requirements as well as the location of the job opportunity. However, the advertisement did not mention the company by name.

The CO stood by his original decision citing the Employer failed to provide adequate documentation of its recruitment through the Recruiting Firm. In addition, the recruiting firm failed to identify the name of the Employer in its advertisements. The CO cited 20 C.F.R. & 656.10(c). It provides “the employer to attest that the job opportunity has been and is clearly open to U.S. workers.” In addition, the CO listed 20 C.F.R. & 656.17(f) (1) for the regulatory bases for denial. It “requires that advertisements name the employer.”

The Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA) recently overturned the decision of a Certifying Officer (CO) to deny labor certification for the position of “Marketing Manager.”

Upon evaluating an Employer’s Application for Permanent Labor Certification, the CO ordered the Employer to present copies of its recruitment efforts. The Employer provided a copy of its notice of filing, job order with the Washington State Workforce Agency (SWA), as well as newspaper ads placed in the Seattle Times. In addition, they submitted a copy of the company’s recruitment report.

After reviewing the recruitment data, the CO denied Certification because he believed it violated PERM regulation 20 CFR 656.17(f)(6), which provides that additional language not found on the ETA Form 9089 exceeds the job requirements for the position. The CO stated the Employer’s Notice of Filing (NOF), SWA job order, newspaper advertisements and web advertisements all listed “may require employer-reimbursed travel.” The phrase was not listed on the Employer’s 9089 form.

The Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA) recently affirmed the decision of a Certifying Officer (CO) to deny labor certification for the position of “Account Manager.”

After receiving & reviewing an Employer’s Application for Permanent Labor Certification, the CO issued an Audit notification. It required the Employer to present all of its recruitment materials. The Employer responded with the documentation requested.

The CO denied the application based on PERM regulation 20 C.F.R. 656.17 (e) (1) (ii) (E). He stated “the employer failed to provide adequate documentation of the additional recruitment steps for professional occupations.” The Employer placed the ad for the Account Manager position on the website Dice.com, which the Employer argued was a trade or professional organization. The CO maintained that this website did not qualify as a trade or professional organization.