News Notes: Labor Department Proposes New Rules For Foreign Workers

The federal Department of Labor has proposed extensive changes to the process for filing a Labor Condition Application (LCA) to employ a foreign worker. The agency says that the new rules would speed up application processing, but HR professionals and immigration attorneys are less optimistic, predicting that the proposal could radically limit the situations in which LCAs will be approved. Among other things, the proposal extends the length of time help-wanted advertisements must be run and amends H-1B visa wage obligation rules. The DOL is accepting comments on the proposed rules until July 5, 2002. For information, call (202) 693-2953.