The Department of Labor (DOL) announced today that it has eliminated the backlog for foreign labor certifications. Ninety-nine percent of the cases have been completed and DOL is simply waiting for responses for employers from the remaining 1%. More than 300 workers spent nearly 3 years reviewing more than 350,000 pending labor applications; this backlog of cases was due to changes in U.S. regulations in 1997 and 2000.

"Clearing up the Permanent Labor Certification backlog has been a Presidential Management Agenda priority and the job was completed on-time, as promised," said Elaine L. Chao, U.S. Secretary of Labor. "Thousands of people are no longer left waiting and wondering, and the department is moving ahead with reforms to streamline existing foreign worker certification programs."

The Permanent Labor Certification program processes requests for foreign workers when U.S. workers are not available to fill employment openings. Changes in immigration laws in 1997 and 2000 led to a large increase in paper applications for this program. This increase in applications led to a rise in processing times and a major backlog of cases.

"We applaud the accomplishments of the dedicated individuals whose critical role allowed the ongoing operation of employment-based immigration programs," said Emily Stover DeRocco, Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training. "Their resolve to the mission of seeing the task through to its successful completion is an inspiration to all who serve and do the public's business."