The January 2004 update of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) processing times on the DOL website shows significant regression in the Reduction In Recruitment (RIR) processing date in some regions, particularly in the San Francisco region.  The San Francisco DOL office now states that it is currently processing RIR applications received in May 2002.  In December 2003, DOL indicated that the San Francisco office was processing RIR cases received in November 2002.

The change in processing dates is a result of the implementation of DOL's November 2003 memo providing procedural guidance to DOL's regional offices on the processing of alien employment certifications.  In response to the memo, DOL's regional offices have recalled thousands of RIR cases that were previously remanded to the states.  As the regions integrate returned remands back into their RIR processing queues, we expect that processing dates will continue to change.

For a more detailed discussion of DOL's November 2003 memo, please refer to our December 2003 issue of Spotlight.

© 1999-2012, Jackson & Hertogs - All rights reserved