Foreign Labor Certification Program

Purpose
This program permits U.S. employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary or permanent basis to fill jobs essential to the U.S. economy. It is designed to ensure that the admission of foreign workers into the U.S. will not adversely affect the job opportunities, wages, and working conditions of U.S. workers.

Customers and Services 
Primary customers are Minnesota employers interested in hiring foreign workers. DEED issues prevailing wage determinations for the temporary programs, H-1B (professional specialty occupations) and H-2B (non-agricultural occupations), and the permanent employment program (PERM); processes H-2B applications; and conducts housing inspections and recruits U.S. workers for employers filing under the temporary H-2A agricultural occupation visa program. The U.S. Department of Labor may issue a labor certification when there are insufficient qualified U.S. workers available and willing to perform the work at wages that meet or exceed the prevailing wage paid for that occupation in the area of intended employment. NOTE: As of 7/01/2009, DEED ceased processing H-2B applications and as of 1/01/2010 no longer issues prevailing wage determinations due to changes in the labor certification process and regulations.

Measures - Reporting period is state fiscal year (SFY), July 1 - June 30

Funding Source and Expenditure (in thousands)

Statutory Authority
-- U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act; U.S. Code Title 8, Chap. 12

Contact Information 
Frances Regan, Program Manager
Phone: 651.259.7508; Fax: 651.297.7722; TTY: 651.296.3900

This information current as of January 2010.