Feb 10, 2016

US Department of Labor announces delays in H-2A applications

Employers who participate in H-1B, H-2A and H-2B temporary nonimmigrant visa programs may experience delays in the processing of applications, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC).

The OFLC is experiencing technical network problems supporting its iCERT Visa Portal System (iCERT System), the agency said in a public service announcement.

“The network infrastructure supporting the system is exhibiting performance issues that are significantly impacting our staff’s ability to process case actions for our employer customers,” the OFLC said. “The Department’s technology staff is working diligently with the OFLC to improve system performance as soon as practically possible.”

Western Growers announced it met with members of the Appropriations Committee in the House and Senate “in an effort to highlight this concern and seek assistance with Department of Labor in resolving this issue expeditiously.”

Western Growers also announced it is working with the National Council of Agricultural Employers, among other coalition partners, to address the delay in application processing and “is working toward generally making the broken H-2A program more workable.”