What Really Happened to “Interim Final Rule”:
“On December 1, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in Chamber of Commerce, et al. v. DHS, et al., No. 20-cv-7331, finding that the U.S. Department of Labor (the Department) failed to show it had good cause to forgo advance notice and comment under the Administrative Procedure Act for the Interim Final Rule (IFR), Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States, 85 FR 63872 (Oct. 8, 2020).”
Similarly, on December 3, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a preliminary injunction in ITServe Alliance, Inc., et al. v. Scalia, et al., No. 20-cv-14604, applying to the plaintiffs in that case.
What Does This Court Order Mean?
- The court’s order sets aside the IFR, which took effect on October 8, 2020, and implemented reforms to the prevailing wage methodology for the Permanent Employment Certification, H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visa programs
- Similarly, on December 3, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a preliminary injunction in ITServe Alliance, Inc., et al. v. Scalia, et al., No. 20-cv-14604, applying to the plaintiffs in that case
- The Department is taking necessary steps to comply with the courts’ orders, including making required technical changes to the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system
- It is trying to minimize service disruptions for customers and OFLC staff
- Specifically, the Department must make changes to the FLAG system modules to replace the 10/8/2020-6/30/2021 wage source year data that was implemented under the IFR with the OES prevailing wage data that was in effect on October 7, 2020
What is The Implementation Timeframe for this Data Change?
- The OES prevailing wage data for each SOC and area of intended employment that was in effect on October 7, 2020 (e., data for 7/1/2020-10/7/2020) has remained publicly accessible at https://www.flcdatacenter.com/
- To limit any confusion for stakeholders, beginning at approximately 12:00 PM (Noon) Eastern Time on December 4, 2020, this data source will be updated at https://www.flcdatacenter.com/to reflect the correct prevailing wage data for each SOC and area of intended employment through June 30, 2021
What is The Implementation Timeframe for Filing LCA (s)?
- All Form ETA-9035/9035Es submitted using the FLAG system through 5:59 AM Eastern Time on December 4, 2020, where the OES survey data is the prevailing wage source, will continue to be processed and issued a final determination without delay
- The FLAG system has come back online from around 8:30 AM Eastern Time on December 4, 2020
- However, employers and their authorized attorneys or agents were not temporarily able to submit applications for processing where OES survey data is the prevailing wage source
- Around 8:30 AM Eastern Time on December 9, 2020, employers and their authorized attorneys or agents will be able to submit new LCAs, Form ETA-9035/9035E, using the OES survey data that was in effect on October 7, 2020
What is the Implementation Timeframe for Processing Prevailing Wage Determinations?
- OFLC’s National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) has temporarily paused processing pending Form ETA-9141s for use in filing LCA and PERM applications
- However, employers and their authorized attorneys or agents may continue to file new requests for a prevailing wage determination at any time
- Beginning around 8:30 AM Eastern Time on December 15, 2020, OFLC’s NPWC will resume processing all pending and new Form ETA-9141s for use in filing LCA and PERM applications and will use the OES survey data that was in effect on October 7, 2020, for prevailing wage determinations where the OES survey data is the prevailing wage source
How Can I Request NPWC Review of a PWD Issued Under the IFR?
Any employer desiring review of a PWD issued using the 10/8/2020-6/30/2021 wage source year data that was implemented under the IFR may make a request for review by the NPWC Director under 20 CFR 656.41 on or before January 4, 2021, and the Director will consider such request timely under 20 CFR 656.41(a)
How Can I Submit a Timely Request for NPWC Director Review?
Please use one of the following methods to submit a timely request for the NPWC Director review:
- Online:
- Please access your Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) System account to request a review of a prevailing wage determination issued by the NPWC Director
- In the Historical Cases table, search for the case number, then open the case details
- In the Actions tab, select Request Redetermination. You will be prompted to add a case note and may upload a document if needed
- Upon submission, your request will be routed to an analyst for review. You will receive an email confirmation that your request submitted successfully
Email: FLC.PWD@dol.gov
In the email subject line, please include the phrase “IFR Request for Review” followed by the full case number on the Form ETA-91412.
2. Mail:
Employment and Training Administration
Office of Foreign Labor Certification
National Prevailing Wage Center
200 Constitution Ave NW
Room N-5311
Washington, DC 20210
- Attn: IFR Request for Review
- Please include either the full case number in the cover letter of the request for NPWC Director review ora hard copy of the Form ETA-9141 issued under the IFR methodology
Please Note:
- This also means that H1B third-party applications can get full 3-year approval and the new increased wage level will not be required now
- H-1B lottery wage rule is still active and is going through the normal lawmaking process. It changes the lottery system to favor high wages. This is still on the way to become the final rule
If you have questions about the H-1B registration timelines, process, or wage levels please schedule a consultation with us:
Schedule a call at 469-994-9407 or contact us using the form.