2/5/2010

The FY 2011 DOL Performance Plan reflects that in FY 2009, there was no specific plan in permanent labor certification program to set aside certain applications for "integrity" performance. This, however, changed in FY 2010, targeting 60% of applications for integrity process leading to the current PERM application processing time delays to 10 months and audit case delays in processing since late 2007.

The FY 2011 performance target for integrity work will increase to 61%, which may be reflected in the forthcoming reengineered revised ETA 9089 filing form and filing procedure changes, further focusing on "integrity" of the PERM applications.

Accordingly, the employers will have to endure not only the down-turn times for the next year relating to the slow economic recovery but also from difficulties and delays in hiring needed foreign workers for "permanent" employment for a prolonged period of time. 

Employers may as well learn to live with the current delays in permanent labor certification process at least another a year and a half. Not a promising news for the employment-based immigration community as well.