|
December 2007 Volume 13 Number 4The H-1B Program and Labor Certification: Attestation and PERMSloan West Coast Program on Science and Engineering Workers This seminar is the first in a series that discusses issues related to science and engineering workers on the West Coast. Each seminar will feature a background paper outlining the issues and presentations by researchers as well as industry, government, and advocate representatives. We hope that each seminar will produce a better understanding of areas of consensus and disagreement on a particular aspect of the science and engineering labor force and labor market. This seminar focuses on the current processes by which both temporary workers and immigrants are admitted to fill US jobs in science and engineering. The H-1B program uses an "attestation" admissions process, meaning employers provide assurances about wages and working conditions. With such attestations, approval for hiring H-1B workers is almost automatic, provided visas are available. By contrast, securing an employment-related immigration visa usually requires "labor certification," which generally requires evidence of efforts to recruit US workers. PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is a relatively new and expedited labor certification process. The background paper will review attestation and certification and focus on recent changes and current issues. The government participants will explore the impacts of recent changes, and Rep Lofgren will explain the status of legislation that would change the H-1B program. The researchers panel will explore the impacts of these processes on immigrants and US workers, and the industry panel will address employer and worker concerns. The $75 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and the wine tasting. Please make checks payable to UC Regents and send to Philip Martin, UC-Davis, Dept ARE, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA; registration will be acknowledged and receipts will be issued; there are no refunds. For further information, please contact: plmartin@ucdavis.edu The seminars are supported by the Sloan Foundation in cooperation with the NBER's Science & Engineering Workforce Project. The meeting will be held on the UCD campus. Rooms have been reserved at the Best Western-University Lodge, 123 B Street, Davis, tel (530) 756-7890. The UCD rate is $85 --please make your reservations before December 28, 2007—we are the UCD Immigration group. The Davis Airporter provides transportation from Sacramento airport (SMF) for $20; reservations are required. Public bus route 42 provides service to UCD about 2 blocks away from the hotel for $1.50 at 22/24 after the hour, but the service is hourly and the last bus is 9:23. Campus maps and parking permits will be mailed to confirmed participants January 4, 2008.
<< back |
