Austin T. Fragomen

DOL Amends Labor Certifications

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor has amended regulations relating to the certification of immi? grant aliens for permanent employment in the United States. Effective for all applications for permanent alien labor certifications which were received on or later than Jan. 19, the amendments, according to the Department of Labor (DOL) are intended to clarify ambiguities in the former regulations, formalize certain interpretations and simplify procedures. Applications including resubmissions under remands which had been filed before the regulations went into effect remain under the old regulations. Major amendments include revising and redesignating the forms required for processing applications. Along with simplification of the form, the traditional MA 7-50 B is now ETA 7-50 A; the old A is now theB.

The Immigration and Nationality Act Part I-International Personnel

The Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, has undergone no thorough revision since 1965. There is little doubt that reanalysis of policy objectives and priorities is long over-due. The Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy has commenced a series of hearings to consider various facets of immigration reform. Each issue has attracted concerned special interest groups calling for reforms which would prospectively benefit their cause. In a series of articles I intend to analyze specific legislative reforms which would affect the major consistencies impacted by our immigration system, including undocumented aliens, multinational corporations, and the foreign investor. U.S. companies having international operations are confronted with a variety of problems in obtaining from Federal agencies the necessary visa and other approvals needed to admit foreign nationals to the United States on either a temporary or permanent resident basis. These foreign nationals are professional and managerial personnel whose presence in the U.S. is required for the efficient conduct of international business operations by U.S. multinational companies. Delays and difficulties in obtaining admission of these individuals to the United States have adverse effects on corporate operations. The multinational business community traditionally is concerned with only a small portion of the myriad provisions of immigration law. An analysis of these basic provisions would serve as a basis to consider their reform.

President Carter's Amnesty and Sanctions Proposal

On August 4, 1977, the Carter Administration announced its program regarding undocumented aliens and sanctions to be imposed upon employers. A bill, H.R. 9531, embodying this proposal was introduced on behalf of the Administration by Congressman, Peter Rodino, on October 12, 1977. Specifically the Presidents proposal covers the following areas: 1) employer sanctions; 2) border enforcement; 3) adjustment of status; 4) foreign policy; 5) temporary workers; and 6) general immigration policy.