UPDATE ON DOL BACKLOG REDUCTION EFFORTS
1. How many Applications have been shipped from the SWAs to the BRCs?
Slightly over 180,000.
2. How many applications have had data input into the new database systems?
Approximately 86,000.
3. How many 45 day letters have gone out?
Over 40,000.
4. How many abandonment or withdrawals have been logged?
Almost 300 withdrawals through February 2005.
5. How many new applications have been received by the SWAs since December 2004? Has there been a significant increase in new Applications in the lead-up to PERM? If so, how is it measured?
Information not tracked by USDOL.
6. What is the number of hired/trained contractor personnel at each BRC site?
Approximately 100 at each and they are looking at supplementing as DOL-ETA is making funds available. See Item 12.
7. Will Atlanta/Chicago continue to process traditional cases after March 28, 2005?
They will keep some temporary work only. They are in the process of shipping all other cases to BRCs. There are approximately 10,000 in total.
8. Have contractors begun to review cases for substantive compliance with DOL guidelines? If not, when is this expected to happen?
Yes and DOL is training now.
9. Do you continue to believe that the backlog reduction process can be complete in two years? If not, what is the current projection?
Current projection is 24 to 30 months, if DOL has adequate resources.
10. Will the same workers at the Centers be trained on both RIR and non-RIR cases?
They expect to cross-train initially since they do not know what kind of cases are in the boxes.
11. When do they expect to complete initial data entry on all cases?
The goal at this time is to finish data entry on all cases by the end of summer 2005. Additional resources are being made available by DOL for the initial data entry. After data entry is completed on all cases, the workers would move over to processing.
12. How long will satellite offices (New York, Boston and San Francisco) continue to process cases?
These offices will process the cases they have until January 2006.
13. Will there be an on-line system available to check the status of cases?
DOL is working on getting information on their website about which cases have shipped. They are also working on an e-mail capability to enable a party to find out whether a case is located at the BRC. The contractor staff would answer the e-mails.
14. Do they expect to deviate from FIFO based on certain occupations?
No.
15. Regarding standards to be applied to RIR filings, will they apply one national standard?
No, they plan to try to apply the standard used in the region where the case was filed.