Employment-based immigration is a complex process that may involve a number of government agencies within the United States Department of Labor, a State Department of Labor, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of State (DOS). Various employment-based pathways are available to foreign nationals seeking permanent resident status (a “Green Card”).
Immigration Attorney Eric Horn will be happy to assist you navigate this complex area of law. Call the Law Office of Eric Horn, PC at (631) 435-7900 or contact him online to schedule a consultation.
Labor Certification/PERM
Permanent labor certification by the United States Department of Labor (DOL) is required for certain employer-sponsored permanent residence (green card) applications. In its application for permanent labor certification, an employer must prove that there are no available, willing, and able U.S. workers to fill the job position and that the employment will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. In addition, the employer must comply with the procedural requirements set forth in the regulations.
The DOL issues labor certifications for foreign nationals based on strict criteria. These criteria are established to:
- Protect the rights of foreign workers.
- Protect the rights of similarly qualified U.S. workers.
- Create opportunities for employers to hire qualified foreign labor if that labor cannot effectively be obtained in the United States.
Pursuant to a regulation change in 2004, employers who file for labor certification on or after March 28, 2005 now go through what is commonly referred to as the PERM process (PERM stands for “Program Electronic Review Management”). The PERM system is an attestation and audit system through which the government can electronically receive and process labor certification applications. If the DOL certifies the labor certification application, the employer and foreign national can continue the permanent residency (green card) process with the submission of the appropriate applications to USCIS.
Due to the shortage of registered nurses and physical therapists in the United States, the Department of Labor has designated these occupations under “Schedule A” for an expedited path to permanent residence. Schedule A is a list of pre-certified occupations for which the Secretary of the Department of Labor previously has determined that there are an insufficient number of U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified and available, and that the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed will not be adversely affected by the employment of foreign workers in such occupations. These occupations do not require the recruitment process normally required for labor certification.
Foreign nurses can either pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) and be licensed in accordance with state licensure requirements or be certified through the CGFNS certification program. Physical therapist foreign nationals must possess the equivalent of a four-year U.S. degree and can be credentialed by the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT).
Long Island Immigration Attorney Eric Horn has been navigating through the highly specialized field of U.S. Immigration Law and will be happy to assist you. Contact the Law Office of Eric Horn, PC at (631) 435-7900 or contact him online to schedule a consultation.
