GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ENDS; SERVICES SLOWLY COMING ON-LINE

Late yesterday the Senate and House each passed a budget bill, which was signed by President Obama.  The bill’s signing ends the two week federal government shutdown.  The shutdown obstructed many immigration services, notably the Department of Labor’s iCert system, which was shuttered.  Through the iCert system employers and their lawyers apply for Labor Condition Applications (LCAs), Prevailing Wage Determination (PWDs) and Permanent Employment Labor certification (PERM).  The discontinuation of these programs meant that H-1Bs and PERM-based green card applications effectively stopped.    

As of this writing, the iCert system remains inoperable.  It is expected that the iCert system will commence operating within 24 hours.  At that time MU Law immediately will begin filing LCAs, PWDs, and PERM applications.  We are prioritizing those matters with a legal deadline or business necessity. 

Other immigration services were slowed by the shutdown.  It is expected that those services should return to normal processing times in the near future.