Exercise of Time-Limited Authority To Increase the Fiscal Year 2018 Numerical Limitation for the H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program, 24905-24919 [2018-11732]

Download as PDF 24905 Rules and Regulations Federal Register Vol. 83, No. 105 Thursday, May 31, 2018 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 8 CFR Part 214 [CIS No. 2621–18; DHS Docket No. USCIS– 2018–0004] RIN 1615–AC21 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Table of Contents 20 CFR Part 655 [DOL Docket No. 2017–0003] RIN 1205–AB88 Exercise of Time-Limited Authority To Increase the Fiscal Year 2018 Numerical Limitation for the H–2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security and Employment and Training Administration and Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor. ACTION: Temporary rule. AGENCY: The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, has decided to increase the numerical limitation on H–2B nonimmigrant visas to authorize the issuance of up to an additional 15,000 through the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. This increase is based on a time-limited statutory authority and does not affect the H–2B program in future fiscal years. The Departments are promulgating regulations to implement this determination. DATES: This final rule is effective from May 31, 2018 through September 30, 2018, except for 20 CFR 655.66, which is effective from May 31, 2018 through September 30, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regarding 8 CFR part 214: Kevin J. pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Cummings, Chief, Business and Foreign Workers Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20529–2120, telephone (202) 272–8377 (not a toll-free call). Regarding 20 CFR part 655: William W. Thompson, II, Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor, Box #12–200, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 513–7350 (this is not a toll-free number). Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the telephone numbers above via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at 1–877–889–5627 (TTY/TDD). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Jkt 244001 I. Background A. Legal Framework B. H–2B Numerical Limitations Under the INA C. FY 2018 Omnibus D. Joint Issuance of the Final Rule II. Discussion A. Statutory Determination B. Numerical Increase of up to 15,000 C. Business Need Standard—Irreparable Harm D. DHS Petition Procedures E. DOL Procedures III. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements A. Administrative Procedure Act B. Regulatory Flexibility Act C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 D. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 E. Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review), and 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs) F. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism) G. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) H. National Environmental Policy Act I. Paperwork Reduction Act I. Background A. Legal Framework The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) establishes the H–2B nonimmigrant classification for a nonagricultural temporary worker ‘‘having a residence in a foreign country which he has no intention of abandoning who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform . . . PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 temporary [non-agricultural] service or labor if unemployed persons capable of performing such service or labor cannot be found in this country.’’ INA section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b). Employers must petition DHS for classification of prospective temporary workers as H–2B nonimmigrants. INA section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1). DHS must approve this petition before the beneficiary can be considered eligible for an H–2B visa. Finally, the INA requires that ‘‘[t]he question of importing any alien as [an H–2B] nonimmigrant . . . in any specific case or specific cases shall be determined by [DHS],1 after consultation with appropriate agencies of the Government.’’ INA section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1). DHS regulations provide that an H–2B petition for temporary employment in the United States must be accompanied by an approved temporary labor certification (TLC) from the Department of Labor (DOL) issued pursuant to regulations established at 20 CFR part 655. 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A), (C)–(E), (iv)(A); see also INA section 103(a)(6), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(6). The TLC serves as DHS’s consultation with DOL with respect to whether a qualified U.S. worker is available to fill the petitioning H–2B employer’s job opportunity and whether a foreign worker’s employment in the job opportunity will adversely affect the wages or working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers. See INA section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A) and (D). In order to determine whether to issue a labor certification, the Departments have established regulatory procedures under which DOL certifies whether a qualified U.S. worker is available to fill the job opportunity described in the employer’s petition for a temporary nonagricultural worker, and whether a foreign worker’s employment in the job opportunity will adversely affect the wages or working conditions of 1 As of March 1, 2003, in accordance with section 1517 of Title XV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA), Public Law 107–296, 116 Stat. 2135, any reference to the Attorney General in a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act describing functions which were transferred from the Attorney General or other Department of Justice official to the Department of Homeland Security by the HSA ‘‘shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary’’ of Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 557 (2003) (codifying HSA, Title XV, § 1517); 6 U.S.C. 542 note; 8 U.S.C. 1551 note. E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 24906 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES similarly employed U.S. workers. See 20 CFR part 655, subpart A. The regulations establish the process by which employers obtain a TLC, and the rights and obligations of workers and employers. The INA also authorizes DHS to impose appropriate remedies against an employer for a substantial failure to meet the terms and conditions of employing an H–2B nonimmigrant worker, or for a willful misrepresentation of a material fact in a petition for an H–2B nonimmigrant worker. INA section 214(c)(14)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(14)(A). The INA expressly authorizes DHS to delegate certain enforcement authority to DOL. INA section 214(c)(14)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(14)(B); see also INA section 103(a)(6), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(6). DHS has delegated its authority under INA section 214(c)(14)(A)(i), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(14)(A)(i) to DOL. See DHS, Delegation of Authority to DOL under Section 214(c)(14)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Jan. 16, 2009); see also 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(ix) (stating that DOL may investigate employers to enforce compliance with the conditions of, among other things, an H–2B petition and a DOL-approved TLC). This enforcement authority has been delegated within DOL to the Wage and Hour Division (WHD), and is governed by regulations at 29 CFR part 503. B. H–2B Numerical Limitations Under the INA The INA sets the annual number of aliens who may be issued H–2B visas or otherwise provided H–2B nonimmigrant status to perform temporary nonagricultural work at 66,000, to be distributed semi-annually beginning in October and in April. See INA sections 214(g)(1)(B) and 214(g)(10), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(B) and 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(10). Up to 33,000 aliens may be issued H–2B visas or provided H–2B nonimmigrant status in the first half of a fiscal year, and the remaining annual allocation will be available for employers seeking to hire H–2B workers during the second half of the fiscal year.2 If insufficient petitions are approved to use all H–2B numbers in a given fiscal year, the unused numbers cannot be carried over for petition approvals in the next fiscal year. Because of the intense demand for H–2B visas in recent years, the semiannual visa allocation, and the regulatory requirement that employers 2 The Federal Government’s fiscal year runs from October 1 of the budget’s prior year through September 30 of the year being described. For example, fiscal year 2018 is from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 apply for labor certification 75 to 90 days before the start date of work,3 employers who wish to obtain visas for their workers under the semi-annual allotment must act early to receive a TLC and file a petition with USCIS. As a result, DOL typically sees a significant spike in TLC applications from employers seeking to hire H–2B temporary or seasonal workers during the United States’ warm weather months. For example, in FY 2018, based on Applications for Temporary Labor Certification filed on January 1, 2018, DOL’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) certified more than 75,500 worker positions for start dates of work on April 1, a number nearly two and one-half times greater than the entire semi-annual visa allocation. USCIS received sufficient H–2B petitions to meet the second half of the fiscal year regular cap by February 27, 2018.4 This was the earliest date that the cap was reached in a respective fiscal year since FY 2009 and reflects an ongoing trend of high H–2B program demand. This is further represented by Congress authorizing additional H–2B workers through the FY 2016 reauthorization of the returning worker cap exemption; the supplemental cap authorized by section 543 of Division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115–31 (FY 2017 Omnibus); and section 205 of Division M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115–141 (FY 2018 Omnibus), which is discussed below. C. FY 2018 Omnibus On March 23, 2018, the President signed the FY 2018 Omnibus which contains a provision (section 205 of Division M, hereinafter ‘‘section 205’’) permitting the Secretary of Homeland Security, under certain circumstances and after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to increase the number of H–2B visas available to U.S. employers, notwithstanding the otherwise established statutory numerical limitation. Specifically, section 205 provides that ‘‘the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, and upon the determination that the needs of 3 20 CFR 655.15(b). March 1, 2018, USCIS announced that it had received a sufficient number of petitions to reach the congressionally mandated H–2B cap for FY 2018. USCIS began receiving petitions for the second half of the fiscal year on February 21 and received requests for more workers than the number of H–2B visas available in the first five business days beginning on that date. As a result, USCIS, in accordance with applicable regulations, conducted a lottery on February 28 to randomly select enough petitions to meet the cap. 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(ii)(B). 4 On PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 American businesses cannot be satisfied in [FY] 2018 with U.S. workers who are willing, qualified, and able to perform temporary nonagricultural labor,’’ may increase the total number of aliens who may receive an H–2B visa in FY 2018 by not more than the highest number of H–2B nonimmigrants who participated in the H–2B returning worker program in any fiscal year in which returning workers were exempt from the H–2B numerical limitation.5 This rule implements the authority contained in section 205. In FY 2017, Congress enacted section 543 of Division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115–31, which was a statutory provision materially identical to section 205 of the FY 2018 Omnibus pertaining to the FY 2017 H–2B visa allocation. Following consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Homeland Security determined that the needs of some American businesses could not be satisfied in FY 2017 with U.S. workers who were willing, qualified, and able to perform temporary nonagricultural labor. Based on this determination, on July 19, 2017, DHS and DOL jointly published a temporary final rule allowing an increase of up to 15,000 additional H–2B visas for those businesses that attested to a level of need such that, if they did not receive all of the workers requested on the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I–129), they were likely to suffer irreparable harm, i.e., suffer a permanent and severe financial loss.6 A total of 12,294 H–2B workers were approved for H–2B classification under petitions filed pursuant to the FY 2017 supplemental cap increase. The vast majority of the H–2B petitions received under the FY 2017 supplemental cap increase requested premium processing and were adjudicated within 15 calendar days. D. Joint Issuance of This Final Rule As they did in implementing the FY 2017 Omnibus H–2B supplemental cap 7, the Departments have determined that it is appropriate to issue this final temporary rule jointly. This 5 The highest number of returning workers in any such fiscal year was 64,716, which represents the number of beneficiaries covered by H–2B returning worker petitions that were approved for FY 2007. DHS also considered using an alternative approach, under which DHS measured the number of H–2B returning workers admitted at the ports of entry (66,792 for FY 2007). 6 Temporary Rule, Exercise of Time-Limited Authority To Increase the Fiscal Year 2017 Numerical Limitation for the H–2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program, 82 FR 32987, 32998 (Jul. 19, 2017). 7 82 FR 32987 (Jul. 19, 2017). E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations determination is related to ongoing litigation following conflicting court decisions concerning DOL’s authority to independently issue legislative rules to carry out its consultative and delegated functions pertaining to the H–2B program under the INA.8 Although DHS and DOL each have authority to independently issue rules implementing their respective duties under the H–2B program, the Departments are implementing section 205 in this manner to ensure there can be no question about the authority underlying the administration and enforcement of the temporary cap increase. This approach is consistent with rules implementing DOL’s general consultative role under section 214(c)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1), and delegated functions under sections 103(a)(6) and 214(c)(14)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(6), 1184(c)(14)(B).9 See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A) & (C), (iv)(A). pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES II. Discussion A. Statutory Determination Following consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that the needs of some American businesses cannot be satisfied in FY 2018 with U.S. workers who are willing, qualified, and able to perform temporary nonagricultural labor. In accordance with section 205 of the FY 2018 Omnibus, the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that it is appropriate, for the reasons stated below, to raise the numerical limitation on H–2B nonimmigrant visas by up to an additional 15,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year. Consistent with such authority, the Secretary of Homeland Security has decided to increase the H–2B cap for FY 2018 by up to 15,000 additional visas for those American businesses that attest to a level of need such that, if they do not receive all of the workers under the cap increase, they are likely to suffer irreparable harm, i.e., suffer a permanent and severe financial loss. These businesses must attest that they will likely suffer irreparable harm and must retain documentation, as described below, supporting this attestation. The Secretary of Homeland Security’s determination to increase the numerical limitation is based on the conclusion that some businesses risk closing their doors in the absence of a cap increase. Some stakeholders have reported that 8 See Temporary Non-Agricultural Employment of H–2B Aliens in the United States, 80 FR 24042 (Apr. 29, 2015) (codified at 8 CFR part 214, 20 CFR part 655, and 29 CFR part 503). 9 See, e.g., id. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 access to additional H–2B visas is essential to the continued viability of some small businesses that play an important role in sustaining the economy in their states, while others have stated that an increase is unnecessary and raises the possibility of abuse, by, among other things, creating an incentive for employers who, unable to hire workers under the normal 66,000 annual cap, would misrepresent their actual need in order to hire H–2B workers from amongst the limited number of newly available visa numbers under the Omnibus.10 The Secretary of Homeland Security has deemed it appropriate, notwithstanding such risk of abuse, to take immediate action to avoid irreparable harm to businesses; such harm would in turn result in wage and job losses by their U.S. workers, and other adverse downstream economic effects.11 The decision to direct the benefits of this cap increase to businesses that need workers to avoid irreparable harm, rather than directing the cap increase to any and all businesses seeking temporary workers, is consistent with the Secretary of Homeland Security’s broad discretion under section 205. Section 205 provides that the Secretary of Homeland Security, upon satisfaction of the statutory business need standard, may increase the numerical limitation to meet such need.12 The scope of the assessment called for by the statute is 10 Other stakeholders have reported abuses of the H–2B program. For example, the Government Accountability Office, has recommended increased worker protections in the H–2B program based on certain abuses of the program by unscrupulous employers and recruiters. See U.S. Government Accountability Office, H–2A and H–2B Visa Programs: Increased Protections Needed for Foreign Workers, GAO–15–154 (Washington, DC, revised 2017), https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/684985.pdf; U.S. Government Accountability Office, H–2B Visa Program: Closed Civil Criminal Cases Illustrate Instances of H–2B Workers Being Targets of Fraud and Abuse, GAO–10–1053 (Washington, DC, 2010), https://www.gao.gov/assets/320/310640.pdf; see also Testimony of Stephen G. Bronars, The Impact of the H–2B Program on the U.S. Labor Market, before the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest (June 8, 2016), https:// www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/06-0816B_BronarsTestimony.pdf. Preliminary Analysis of the Economic Impact of the H–2B Worker Program on Virginia’s Economy, Thomas J. Murray (Sep. 2011), https://web.vims.edu/GreyLit/VIMS/mrr1112.pdf. 11 See Randel K. Johnson & Tamar Jacoby, U.S. Chamber of Commerce & ImmigrationWorks USA, The Economic Impact of H–2B Workers (Oct. 28, 2010), available at https://www.uschamber.com/ sites/default/files/documents/files/16102_ LABR%2520H2BReport_LR.pdf. (last visited Apr. 27, 2018). 12 DHS believes it is reasonable to infer that Congress intended, in enacting the FY 2018 Omnibus, to authorize the Secretary to allocate any new H–2B visas authorized under section 205 to the entities with the ‘‘business need’’ that serves as the basis for the increase. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 24907 quite broad, and accordingly delegates the Secretary of Homeland Security broad discretion to identify the business needs she finds most relevant. Within that context, DHS has determined to focus on the businesses with the most permanent, severe potential losses, for the below reasons. First, DHS interprets section 205’s reference to ‘‘the needs of American businesses’’ as describing a need different than the need required of employers in petitioning for an H–2B worker.13 If the term ‘‘needs’’ in section 205 referred to the same business need under the existing H–2B program, it would not have been necessary for Congress to reference such need, because Congress could have relied on existing statute and regulations. Alternatively, Congress could have made explicit reference to such statute and regulations. In addition, Congress authorized the 205 provision with materially identical language to that enacted in the FY 2017 Omnibus, which suggests that Congress does not object to the FY 2017 joint temporary rule’s approach to implementing ‘‘need.’’ See, e.g., Public Citizen v. FAA, 988 F.2d 186, 194 (D.C. Cir. 1993) (‘‘Congress is presumed to be aware of an administrative or judicial interpretation of a statute and to adopt that interpretation when it re-enacts a statute without change.’’) (citation and quotation marks omitted). Accordingly, DHS interprets this authority as authorizing DHS to address a heightened business need, beyond the existing requirements of the H–2B program. DOL concurs with this interpretation. Second, this approach limits the increase in a way that is consistent with the implementation of the FY 2017 supplemental cap, and provides protections against adverse effects on U.S. workers that may result from a broader cap increase. Although there is not enough time remaining in FY 2018 to conduct more formal analysis of such effects and the calendar does not lend itself to such additional efforts, the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that in the particular circumstances presented here, it is appropriate to tailor the availability of this temporary cap increase to those businesses likely to suffer irreparable harm, i.e., those facing permanent and severe financial loss. Under this rule, employers must also meet, among other requirements, the 13 A petitioning employer must demonstrate that it has a temporary need for the services or labor for which it seeks to hire H–2B workers. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(ii); 20 CFR 655.6. E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 24908 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations generally applicable requirements that insufficient qualified U.S. workers are available to fill the petitioning H–2B employer’s job opportunity and that the foreign worker’s employment in the job opportunity will not adversely affect the wages or working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers. INA section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A) and (D); 20 CFR 655.1. To meet this standard, in order to be eligible for additional visas under this rule, employers must have a valid TLC in accordance with 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iv)(A) and (D), and 20 CFR 655 subpart A. Under DOL’s H–2B regulations, TLCs expire on the last day of authorized employment. 20 CFR 655.55(a). Therefore, in order to have an unexpired TLC, the date on the employer’s visa petition must not be later than the last day of authorized employment on the TLC. This rule also requires an additional recruitment for certain petitioners, as discussed below. Accordingly, this rule increases the FY 2018 numerical limitation by up to 15,000 to ensure a sufficient number of visas to meet the level of demand in past years, but also restricts the availability of such visas by prioritizing only the most significant business needs. These provisions are each described in turn below. B. Numerical Increase of up to 15,000 pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES DHS expects the increase of up to 15,000 visas 14 to be sufficient to meet at least the same amount of need as the H–2B returning worker provision met in FY 2016 and the supplemental cap met in FY 2017. Section 205 of the FY 2018 Omnibus sets as the maximum limit for any increase in the H–2B numerical limitation for FY 2018, the highest 14 In contrast with section 214(g)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1), which establishes a cap on the number of individuals who may be issued visas or otherwise provided H–2B status, and section 214(g)(10) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(10), which imposes a first half of the fiscal year cap on H–2B issuance with respect to the number of individuals who may be issued visas or are accorded [H–2B] status’’ (emphasis added), section 205 only authorizes DHS to increase the number of available H–2B visas. Accordingly, DHS will not permit individuals authorized for H–2B status pursuant to an H–2B petition approved under section 205 to change to H–2B status from another nonimmigrant status. See INA section 248, 8 U.S.C. 1258; see also 8 CFR pt. 248. If a petitioner files a petition seeking H–2B workers in accordance with this rule and requests a change of status on behalf of someone in the United States, the change of status request will be denied, but the petition will be adjudicated in accordance with applicable DHS regulations. Any alien authorized for H–2B status under the approved petition would need to obtain the necessary H–2B visa at a consular post abroad and then seek admission to the United States in H–2B status at a port of entry. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 number of H–2B returning workers 15 who were exempt from the cap in previous years. Consistent with the statute’s reference to H–2B returning workers, in determining the appropriate number by which to increase the H–2B numerical limitation, the Secretary of Homeland Security focused on the number of visas allocated to returning workers in years in which Congress enacted ‘‘returning worker’’ exemptions from the H–2B numerical limitation. During each of the years the returning worker provision was in force, U.S. employers’ standard business needs for H–2B workers exceeded the normal 66,000 cap. Under the most recent returning worker statute in FY 2016, 18,090 returning workers were approved for H–2B petitions, despite Congress having reauthorized the returning worker program with more than three-quarters of the fiscal year remaining. Of those 18,090 workers authorized for admission, 13,382 were admitted into the United States or otherwise acquired H–2B status. While section 205 does not limit the issuance of additional H–2B visas to returning workers, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consideration of the statute’s reference to returning workers, determined that it would be appropriate to use these recent figures as a basis for the maximum numerical limitation under section 205. The Secretary of Homeland Security also considered the number of H–2B workers who were approved under the FY 2017 supplemental H–2B cap.16 Out of a maximum of 15,000 supplemental H–2B visas for FY 2017, a total of 12,294 beneficiaries were approved for H–2B classification. Although fewer beneficiaries were approved for H–2B classification than the available number of visas in FY 2017, the Secretary has determined that it is appropriate to authorize 15,000 additional visas again, as employers will have a longer period in which to submit their petitions due to the earlier publication date of this rule, thereby allowing for the possibility of more petitions being filed this fiscal year than in FY 2017. 15 During fiscal years 2005 to 2007, and 2016, Congress enacted ‘‘returning worker’’ exemptions to the H–2B visa cap, allowing workers who were counted against the H–2B cap in one of the three preceding fiscal years not to be counted against the upcoming fiscal year cap. Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005, Public Law 109– 13, Sec. 402 (May 11, 2005); John Warner National Defense Authorization Act, Public Law 109–364, Sec. 1074, (Oct. 17, 2006); Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, Public Law 114–113, Sec. 565 (Dec. 18, 2015). 16 See section 543 of Div. F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115–31. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 C. Business Need Standard—Irreparable Harm To file an H–2B petition during the remainder of FY 2018, petitioners must meet all existing H–2B eligibility requirements, including having an approved, valid and unexpired TLC per 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6) and 20 CFR part 655 subpart A. In addition, the petitioner must submit an attestation in which the petitioner affirms, under penalty of perjury, that it meets the business need standard set forth above. Under that standard, the petitioner must be able to establish that if it does not receive all of the workers under the cap increase, it is likely to suffer irreparable harm, that is, permanent and severe financial loss. Although the TLC process focuses on establishing whether a petitioner has a need for workers, the TLC does not directly address the harm a petitioner may face in the absence of such workers; the attestation addresses this question. The attestation must be submitted directly to USCIS, together with Form I–129, the valid TLC, and any other necessary documentation. As in the rule implementing the FY 2017 temporary cap increase, the new attestation form is included in this rulemaking as Appendix A. The attestation serves as prima facie initial evidence to DHS that the petitioner’s business is likely to suffer irreparable harm.17 Any petition received lacking the requisite attestation may be denied in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8)(ii). Although this regulation does not require submission of evidence at the time of filing of the petition, other than an attestation, the employer must have such evidence on hand and ready to present to DHS or DOL at any time starting with the date of filing, through the prescribed document retention period discussed below. In addition to the statement regarding the irreparable harm standard, the attestation will also state that the employer: Meets all other eligibility criteria for the available visas; will comply with all assurances, obligations, and conditions of employment set forth in the Application for Temporary Employment Certification (Form ETA 9142B and Appendix B) certified by the DOL for the job opportunity (which serves as the TLC); will conduct additional recruitment of U.S. workers, in accordance with this rulemaking; and will document and retain evidence of such compliance. The process under this regulation is similar to the process 17 An employer may request fewer workers on the H–2B petition than the number of workers listed on the TLC. E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations the Departments have employed with respect to the statutory provisions authorizing seafood employers to stagger the border crossings of H–2B workers. For seafood employers, a similar attestation, which provides that the employer has conducted additional recruitment, is provided to the consular officer at the time the H–2B worker applies for a visa and/or to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the time the worker seeks admission at a port of entry. See 20 CFR 655.15(f). Because the attestation will be submitted to USCIS as initial evidence with Form I–129, a denial of the petition based on or related to statements made in the attestation is appealable under existing USCIS procedures. Specifically, DHS considers the attestation to be evidence that is incorporated into and a part of the petition consistent with 8 CFR 103.2(b). The requirement to provide a postTLC attestation to USCIS is sufficiently protective of U.S. workers given that the employer, in completing the TLC process, has already made one unsuccessful attempt to recruit U.S. workers. In addition, the employer is required to retain documentation, which must be provided upon request, supporting the new attestations, including a recruitment report for any additional recruitment required under this rule. Accordingly, USCIS may issue a denial or a request for additional evidence in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b) or 8 CFR 214.2(h)(11) based on such documentation, and DOL’s OFLC and WHD will be able to review this documentation and enforce the attestations during the course of an audit examination or investigation. Although the employer must have such documentation on hand at the time it files the petition, the Departments have determined that if employers were required to submit the attestations to DOL before seeking a petition from DHS or to complete all recruitment before submitting a petition, the attendant delays would render any visas unlikely to satisfy the needs of American businesses given processing timeframes and that there are only a few months remaining in this fiscal year. In accordance with the attestation requirement, under which petitioners attest that they meet the irreparable harm standard, and the documentation retention requirements at 20 CFR 655.66, the petitioner must retain documents and records meeting their burden to demonstrate compliance with this rule, and must provide the documents and records upon the request of DHS or DOL, such as in the event of an audit or investigation. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 Supporting evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following types of documentation: (1) Evidence that the business is or would be unable to meet financial or contractual obligations without H–2B workers, including evidence of contracts, reservations, orders, or other business arrangements that have been or would be cancelled absent the requested H–2B workers, and evidence demonstrating an inability to pay debts/ bills; (2) Evidence that the business has suffered or will suffer permanent and severe financial loss during the period of need, as compared to the period of need in prior years, such as: Financial statements (including profit/loss statements) comparing present period of need as compared to prior years; bank statements, tax returns or other documents showing evidence of current and past financial condition; and relevant tax records, employment records, or other similar documents showing hours worked and payroll comparisons from prior years to current year; (3) Evidence showing the number of workers needed in previous seasons to meet the employer’s temporary need as compared to those currently employed, including the number of H–2B workers requested, the number of H–2B workers actually employed, the dates of their employment, and their hours worked (for example, payroll records), particularly in comparison to the weekly hours stated on the TLC. In addition, for employers that obtain authorization to employ H–2B workers under this rule, evidence showing the number of H–2B workers requested under this rule, the number of workers actually employed, including H–2B workers, the dates of their employment, and their hours worked (for example, payroll records), particularly in comparison to the weekly hours stated on the TLC; and/or (4) Evidence that the business is dependent on H–2B workers, such as: number of H–2B workers compared to U.S. workers needed prospectively or in the past; business plan or reliable forecast showing that, due to the nature and size of the business, there is a need for a specific number of H–2B workers. These examples of potential evidence, however, will not exclusively or necessarily establish that the business meets the irreparable harm standard, and petitioners may retain other types of evidence they believe will satisfy this standard. If an audit or investigation occurs, DHS or DOL will review all evidence available to it to confirm that the petitioner properly attested to DHS PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 24909 that their business would likely suffer irreparable harm. If DHS subsequently finds that the evidence does not support the employer’s attestation, DHS may deny or revoke the petition consistent with existing regulatory authorities and/ or notify DOL. In addition, DOL may independently take enforcement action, including, among other things, to debar the petitioner from using the H–2B program generally for not less than one year or more than 5 years from the date of the final agency decision and may disqualify the debarred party from filing any labor certification applications or labor condition applications with DOL for the same period set forth in the final debarment decision. See, e.g., 20 CFR 655.73; 29 CFR 503.20, 503.24.18 To the extent that evidence reflects a preference for hiring H–2B workers over U.S. workers, an investigation by other agencies enforcing employment and labor laws, such as the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, may be warranted. See INA section 274B, 8 U.S.C. 1324b (prohibiting certain types of employment discrimination based on citizenship status or national origin). Moreover, DHS and WHD may refer potential discrimination to IER under the Memorandum of Understanding between IER and DHS. https:// www.justice.gov/crt/partnerships. In addition, if members of the public have information that a participating employer may be abusing this program, DHS invites them to notify USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate by contacting the general H– 2B complaint address at ReportH2BAbuse@uscis.dhs.gov.19 DHS, in exercising its statutory authority under INA section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), and section 205 of the FY 2018 Omnibus, is responsible for adjudicating eligibility for H–2B classification. As in all cases, the burden rests with the petitioner to establish eligibility by a preponderance of the evidence. INA section 291, 8 U.S.C. 1361. Accordingly, as noted above, where the petition lacks initial evidence, such as a properly completed 18 Pursuant to the statutory provisions governing enforcement of the H–2B program, INA section 214(c)(14), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(14), a violation exists under the H–2B program where there has been a willful misrepresentation of a material fact in the petition or a substantial failure to meet any of the terms and conditions of the petition. A substantial failure is a willful failure to comply that constitutes a significant deviation from the terms and conditions. See, e.g., 29 CFR 503.19. 19 DHS may publicly disclose information regarding the H–2B program consistent with applicable law and regulations. E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 24910 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES attestation, DHS may deny the petition in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8)(ii). Further, where the initial evidence submitted with the petition contains inconsistencies or is inconsistent with other evidence in the petition and underlying TLC, DHS may issue a Request for Evidence, Notice of Intent to Deny, or Denial in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8). In addition, where it is determined that an H–2B petition filed pursuant to the FY 2018 Omnibus was granted erroneously, the H–2B petition approval may be revoked, see 8 CFR 214.2(h)(11). Because of the particular circumstances of this regulation, and because the attestation plays a vital role in achieving the purposes of this regulation, DHS and DOL intend that the attestation requirement be nonseverable from the remainder of the regulation. Thus, in the event the attestation requirement is enjoined or held invalid, the remainder of the regulation, with the exception of the retention requirements, is also intended to cease operation in the relevant jurisdiction, without prejudice to workers already present in the United States under this regulation, as consistent with law. D. DHS Petition Procedures To petition for H–2B workers under this rule, the petitioner must file a Form-129 in accordance with applicable regulations and form instructions, an unexpired TLC, and the attestation described above. See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x). The attestation must be filed on Form ETA–9142–B–CAA–2, Attestation for Employers Seeking to Employ H–2B Nonimmigrants Workers Under Section 205 of Division M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which is attached to this rulemaking as Appendix A. See 20 CFR 655.64. A petitioner is required to retain a copy of such attestation and all supporting evidence for 3 years from the date the associated TLC was approved, consistent with 20 CFR 655.56 and 29 CFR 503.17. See new 20 CFR 655.66. Petitions submitted pursuant to the FY 2018 Omnibus will be processed in the order in which they were received. Petitioners may also choose to request premium processing of their petition under 8 CFR 103.7 (e), which allows for expedited processing for an additional fee. To encourage timely filing of any petition seeking a visa under the FY 2018 Omnibus, DHS is notifying the public that the petition may not be approved by USCIS on or after October 1, 2018. See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x). Petitions pending with USCIS that are VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 not approved before October 1, 2018 will be denied and any fees will not be refunded. See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x). USCIS’s current processing goals for H–2B petitions that can be adjudicated without the need for further evidence (i.e., without a Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny) are 15 days for petitions requesting premium processing and 30 days for standard processing.20 Given USCIS’s processing goals for premium processing, DHS believes that 15 days from the end of the fiscal year is the minimum time needed for petitions to be adjudicated, although USCIS cannot guarantee the time period will be sufficient in all cases. Therefore, if the increase in the H–2B numerical limitation to 15,000 visas has not yet been reached, USCIS will stop accepting petitions received after September 14, 2018.21 See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x)(C). Such petitions will be rejected and the filing fees will be returned. As with other Form I–129 filings, DHS encourages petitioners to provide a duplicate copy of Form I–129 and all supporting documentation at the time of filing if the beneficiary is seeking a nonimmigrant visa abroad. Failure to submit duplicate copies may cause a delay in the issuance of a visa to otherwise eligible applicants.22 E. DOL Procedures All employers are required to have an approved and valid TLC from DOL in order to file a Form I–129 petition with DHS, in accordance with 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iv)(A) and (D). Employers with an approved TLC will have already conducted recruitment, as set forth in 20 CFR 655.40–48, to determine whether U.S. workers are qualified and available to perform the work for which H–2B workers are sought. In addition to the recruitment already conducted, employers with current labor certifications containing a start date of work before April 15, 2018, must 20 These processing goals are not binding on USCIS; depending on the evidence presented, actual processing times may vary from these 15and 30-day periods. 21 In FY 2017, USCIS used September 15th as the cutoff date for accepting petitions filed under the supplemental cap. The 15 days for processing was tied to the Premium Processing clock. However, in FY 2018, September 15, 2018 is a Saturday, when USCIS does not accept petitions. USCIS therefore revised the date to September 14th, 2018 to remain consistent with the expectation of adjudication within the premium processing clock and to avoid potential confusion and frustration from petitioners who might have otherwise expected their petitions to be received on the 15th but would instead face rejection. 22 Petitioners should note that under section 205, the H–2B numerical increase relates to the total number of aliens who may receive a visa under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of the INA in this fiscal year. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 conduct a fresh round of recruitment for U.S. workers. As noted in the 2015 H–2B comprehensive rule, U.S. workers seeking employment in these jobs typically do not search for work months in advance, and cannot make commitments about their availability for employment far in advance of the work. See 80 FR 24041, 24061, 24071. Given the 75–90 day labor certification process applicable in the H–2B program generally, employer recruitment typically occurs between 40 and 60 days before the start date of employment. Therefore, employers with TLCs containing a start date of work before April 15, 2018, likely began their recruitment around February 15, 2018, and likely ended it about March 5, 2018, more than two and one half months ago. In order to provide U.S. workers a realistic opportunity to pursue jobs for which employers will be seeking foreign workers under this rule, the Departments have determined that employers with start dates of work before April 15, 2018 have not conducted recent recruitment so that the Departments can reasonably conclude that there are currently an insufficient number of U.S. workers qualified and available to perform the work absent an additional, though abbreviated, recruitment attempt. Although the April 15 threshold for additional recruitment identified in this rule is earlier than the June 1 date for which additional recruitment was required in the FY 2017 rule, the April 15 threshold reflects a similar timeframe between the end of the employer’s recruitment and publication of the regulation as that provided under the FY 2017 rule. In the FY 2017 rule, the Departments determined that an employer’s initial recruitment efforts, which occurred approximately three months before publication, could no longer be considered current without a more recent recruitment attempt. This same analysis applies to this FY 2018 rule. Therefore, employers with still valid TLCs with a start date of work before April 15, 2018, will be required to conduct additional recruitment, and attest that the recruitment will be conducted, as follows. The employer must place a new job order for the job opportunity with the State Workforce Agency (SWA), serving the area of intended employment. The job order must contain the job assurances and contents set forth in 20 CFR 655.18 for recruitment of U.S. workers at the place of employment, and remain posted for at least 5 days beginning not later than the next business day after submitting a petition for H–2B workers to USCIS. E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations The employer must also follow all applicable SWA instructions for posting job orders and receive applications in all forms allowed by the SWA, including online applications. In addition, eligible employers will also be required to place one newspaper advertisement, which may be published online or in print on any day of the week, meeting the advertising requirements of 20 CFR 655.41, during the period of time the SWA is actively circulating the job order for intrastate clearance. Employers must retain the additional recruitment documentation, including a recruitment report that meets the requirements for recruitment reports set forth in 20 CFR 655.48(a)(1)(2) & (7), together with a copy of the attestation and supporting documentation, as described above, for a period of 3 years from the date that the TLC was approved, consistent with the document retention requirements under 20 CFR 655.56. These requirements are similar to those that apply to certain seafood employers who stagger the entry of H–2B workers under 20 CFR 655.15(f). The employer must hire any qualified U.S. worker who applies or is referred for the job opportunity until 2 business days after the last date on which the job order is posted. The 2 business day requirement permits a brief additional period of time to enable U.S. workers to contact the employer following the job order or newspaper advertisement. Consistent with 20 CFR 655.40(a), applicants can be rejected only for lawful job-related reasons. DOL’s WHD has the authority to investigate the employer’s attestations, as the attestations are a required part of the H–2B petition process under this rule and the attestations rely on the employer’s existing, approved TLC. Where a WHD investigation determines that there has been a willful misrepresentation of a material fact or a substantial failure to meet the required terms and conditions of the attestations, WHD may institute administrative proceedings to impose sanctions and remedies, including (but not limited to) assessment of civil money penalties, recovery of wages due, make whole relief for any U.S. worker who has been improperly rejected for employment, laid off or displaced, and/or debarment for 1 to 5 years. See 29 CFR 503.19, 503.20. This regulatory authority is consistent with WHD’s existing enforcement authority and is not limited by the expiration date of this rule. Therefore, in accordance with the documentation retention requirements at new 20 CFR 655.66, the petitioner must retain documents and records VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 evidencing compliance with this rule, and must provide the documents and records upon request by DHS or DOL. DHS has the authority to verify any information submitted to establish H–2B eligibility before or after the petition has been adjudicated by USCIS. See, e.g., INA section 103 204, and 214 (8 U.S.C. 1103, 1154, 1184) and 8 CFR part 103 and 214.2(h). DHS’s verification methods may include, but are not limited to: Review of public records and information; contact via written correspondence or telephone; unannounced physical site inspections; and interviews. USCIS will use information obtained through verification to determine H–2B eligibility and assess compliance with the requirements of the H–2B program. Subject to the exceptions described in 8 CFR 103.2(b)(16), USCIS will provide petitioners with an opportunity to address any adverse or derogatory information that may result from a USCIS compliance review, verification, or site visit after a formal decision is made on a petition or after the agency has initiated an adverse action that may result in revocation or termination of an approval. DOL’s OFLC has the existing authority to conduct audit examinations on adjudicated Applications for Temporary Employment Certification, and verify any information supporting the employer’s attestations under 20 CFR 655.70. Where an audit examination determines that there has been fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact or a substantial failure to meet the required terms and conditions of the attestations or failure to comply with the audit examination process, OFLC may institute appropriate administrative proceedings to impose sanctions on the employer. These sanctions may result in revocation of an approved TLC, the requirement that the employer undergo assisted recruitment in future filings of an Application for Temporary Employment Certification for a period of up to 2 years, and/or debarment from the H–2B program and any other foreign labor certification program administered by the DOL for 1 to 5 years. See 29 CFR 655.71, 655.72, 655.73. Additionally, OFLC has the authority to provide any finding made or documents received during the course of conducting an audit examination to the DHS, WHD, IER, or other enforcement agencies. OFLC’s existing audit authority is independently authorized, and is not limited by the expiration date of this rule. Therefore, in accordance with the documentation retention requirements at new 20 CFR 655.66, the petitioner PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 24911 must retain documents and records proving compliance with this rule, and must provide the documents and records upon request by DHS or DOL. Petitioners must also comply with any other applicable laws in their recruitment, such as avoiding unlawful discrimination against U.S. workers based on their citizenship status or national origin. Specifically, the failure to recruit and hire qualified and available U.S. workers on account of such individuals’ national origin or citizenship status may violate INA section 274B, 8 U.S.C. 1324b. III. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements A. Administrative Procedure Act This rule is issued without prior notice and opportunity to comment and with an immediate effective date pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (d). 1. Good Cause To Forgo Notice and Comment Rulemaking The APA, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those procedures are ‘‘impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.’’ The good cause exception for forgoing notice and comment rulemaking ‘‘excuses notice and comment in emergency situations, or where delay could result in serious harm.’’ Jifry v. FAA, 370 F.3d 1174, 1179 (D.C. Cir. 2004). Although the good cause exception is ‘‘narrowly construed and only reluctantly countenanced,’’ Tenn. Gas Pipeline Co. v. FERC, 969 F.2d 1141, 1144 (D.C. Cir.1992) the Departments have appropriately invoked the exception in this case, for the reasons set forth below. In this case, the Departments are bypassing advance notice and comment because of the exigency created by section 205 of Div. M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (FY 2018 Omnibus), which went into effect on March 23, 2018 and expires on September 30, 2018. USCIS received more than enough petitions to meet the H–2B visa statutory cap for the second half of the FY 2018 during the first five business days that those petitions could be filed. Therefore, USCIS conducted a lottery on February 28, 2018 to randomly select a sufficient number of petitions to meet the cap. USCIS rejected and returned the petitions and associated filing fees to petitioners that were not selected, as well as all capsubject petitions received after February E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 24912 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 27, 2018. Given high demand by American businesses for H–2B workers, and the short period of time remaining in the fiscal year for U.S. employers to avoid the economic harms described above, a decision to undertake notice and comment rulemaking would likely delay final action on this matter by weeks or months, and would therefore complicate and likely preclude the Departments from successfully exercising the authority in section 205. Courts have found ‘‘good cause’’ under the APA when an agency is moving expeditiously to avoid significant economic harm to a program, program users, or an industry. Courts have held that an agency may use the good cause exception to address ‘‘a serious threat to the financial stability of [a government] benefit program,’’ Nat’l Fed’n of Fed. Emps. v. Devine, 671 F.2d 607, 611 (D.C. Cir. 1982), or to avoid ‘‘economic harm and disruption’’ to a given industry, which would likely result in higher consumer prices, Am. Fed’n of Gov’t Emps. v. Block, 655 F.2d 1153, 1156 (D.C. Cir. 1981). Consistent with the above authorities, the Departments have bypassed notice and comment to prevent the ‘‘serious economic harm to the H–2B community,’’ including associated U.S. workers, that could result from ongoing uncertainty over the status of the numerical limitation, i.e., the effective termination of the program through the remainder of FY 2018. See Bayou Lawn & Landscape Servs. v. Johnson, 173 F. Supp. 3d 1271, 1285 & n.12 (N.D. Fla. 2016). The Departments note that this action is temporary in nature, see id.,23 and includes appropriate conditions to ensure that it affects only those businesses most in need. 2. Good Cause To Proceed With an Immediate Effective Date The APA also authorizes agencies to make a rule effective immediately, upon a showing of good cause, instead of imposing a 30-day delay. 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The good cause exception to the 30-day effective date requirement is easier to meet than the good cause exception for foregoing notice and comment rulemaking. Riverbend Farms, Inc. v. Madigan, 958 F.2d 1479, 1485 (9th Cir. 1992); Am. Fed’n of Gov’t Emps., AFL–CIO v. Block, 655 F.2d 1153, 1156 (D.C. Cir. 1981); U.S. Steel Corp. v. EPA, 605 F.2d 283, 289–90 (7th 23 Because the Departments have issued this rule as a temporary final rule, this rule—with the sole exception of the document retention requirements—will be of no effect after September 30, 2018, even if Congress includes an authority similar to section 205 in a subsequent act of Congress. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 Cir. 1979). An agency can show good cause for eliminating the 30-day delayed effective date when it demonstrates urgent conditions the rule seeks to correct or unavoidable time limitations. U.S. Steel Corp., 605 F.2d at 290; United States v. Gavrilovic, 511 F.2d 1099, 1104 (8th Cir. 1977). For the same reasons set forth above, we also conclude that the Departments have good cause to dispense with the 30-day effective date requirement given that this rule is necessary to prevent U.S. businesses from suffering irreparable harm and therefore causing significant economic disruption. B. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. (RFA), imposes certain requirements on Federal agency rules that are subject to the notice and comment requirements of the APA. See 5 U.S.C. 603(a), 604(a). This final rule is exempt from notice and comment requirements for the reasons stated above. Therefore, the requirements of the RFA applicable to final rules, 5 U.S.C. 604, do not apply to this final rule. Accordingly, the Departments are not required to either certify that the final rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities or conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis. C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) is intended, among other things, to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal mandates on State, local, and tribal governments. Title II of the Act requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final agency rule that may result in $100 million or more expenditure (adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector. The value equivalent of $100 million in 1995 adjusted for inflation to 2017 levels by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumer (CPI–U) is $161 million. This rule does not exceed the $100 million expenditure in any 1 year when adjusted for inflation ($161 million in 2017 dollars), and this rulemaking does not contain such a mandate. The requirements of Title II of the Act, therefore, do not apply, and the Departments have not prepared a statement under the Act. PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 D. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 This temporary rule is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1996, Public Law 104–121, 804, 110 Stat. 847, 872 (1996), 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This rule has not been found to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to compete with foreignbased companies in domestic or export markets. E. Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review), 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review), and 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs) Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. Executive Order 13771 (‘‘Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs’’) directs agencies to reduce regulation and control regulatory costs. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this rule is a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ although not an economically significant regulatory action. Accordingly, OMB has reviewed this regulation. OMB considers this final rule to be an Executive Order 13771 deregulatory action. 1. Summary With this final rule, DHS is authorizing up to an additional 15,000 visas for the remainder of FY 2018, pursuant to the FY 2018 Omnibus, to be available to certain U.S. businesses under the H–2B visa classification. By the authority given under the FY 2018 Omnibus, DHS is increasing the H–2B cap for the remainder of FY 2018 for those businesses that: (1) Show that there are an insufficient number of qualified U.S. workers to meet their needs in FY 2018; and (2) attest that their businesses are likely to suffer E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations irreparable harm without the ability to employ the H–2B workers that are the subject of their petition. This final rule aims to help prevent such harm by allowing them to hire additional H–2B workers within FY 2018. DHS estimates that the total cost of this rule ranges from $8,027,906 (rounded) to $10,306,023 (rounded) depending on the combination of petitions filed by 24913 each type of filer.24 Table 1 (below) provides a brief summary of the provision and its impact. TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF PROVISION AND IMPACT Current provision Changes resulting from the proposed provisions Expected cost of the proposed provision Expected benefit of the proposed provision The current statutory cap limits H– 2B visa allocations by 66,000 workers a year. The amended provisions would allow for up to 15,000 additional H–2B visas for the remainder of the fiscal year. • The total estimated cost to file Form I–129 would be $2,024,162 (rounded) if human resource specialists file, $2,989,687 (rounded) if inhouse lawyers file, and $4,111,474 (rounded) if outsourced lawyers file. • If a Form I–907 is submitted as well, the total estimated cost to file for Form I–907 would be a maximum of $3,839,617 if human resource specialists file, $3,921,285 if in-house lawyers file, and $4,030,421 if outsourced lawyers file. • DHS may incur some additional adjudication costs as more applicants may file Form I–129. However, these additional costs are expected to be covered by the fees paid for filing the form. • The total estimated cost to petitioners to complete and file Form ETA–9142–B–CAA–2 is $2,164,127. • Eligible petitioners would be able to hire the temporary workers needed to prevent their businesses from suffering irreparable harm. • U.S. employees of these businesses would avoid harm. Petitioners would also be required to fill out newly created Form ETA–9142–B–CAA–2, Attestation for Employers Seeking to Employ H–2B Nonimmigrant Workers Under Section 205 of Div. M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. • Serves as initial evidence to DHS that the petitioner meets the irreparable harm standard. Source: USCIS and DOL analysis. pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 2. Background and Purpose of the Rule The H–2B visa classification program was designed to serve U.S. businesses that are unable to find a sufficient number of qualified U.S. workers to perform nonagricultural work of a temporary or seasonal nature. For an H– 2B nonimmigrant worker to be admitted into the United States under this visa classification, the hiring employer is required to: (1) Receive a TLC from DOL and (2) file a Form I–129 with DHS. The temporary nature of the services or labor described on the approved TLC is subject to DHS review during adjudication of Form I–129.25 Up to 33,000 aliens may be issued H–2B visas or provided H–2B nonimmigrant status in the first half of a fiscal year, and the remaining annual allocation will be available for employers seeking to hire H–2B workers during the second half of 24 Calculation: Petitioner costs to file (Form I–129: $2,024,162 (rounded) to $4,111,474 (rounded)) + (Form I–907 $3,839,617 to $4,030,421) + (Form ETA–9142–B–CAA–2 $2,164,127) = $8,027,906 (rounded) to $10,306,022 (rounded). VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 the fiscal year.26 Any unused numbers from the first half of the fiscal year will be available for employers seeking to hire H–2B workers during the second half of the fiscal year. However, any unused H–2B numbers from one fiscal year do not carry over into the next and will therefore not be made available.27 The H–2B cap for the second half of FY 2018 was reached on February 27, 2018. Normally, once the H–2B cap has been reached, petitioners must wait until the next half of the fiscal year, or the beginning of the next fiscal year, for additional cap-subject visas to become available. However, on March 23, 2018, the President signed the FY 2018 Omnibus that contains a provision (Sec. 205 of Div. M) authorizing the Secretary of Homeland Security, under certain circumstances, to increase the number of H–2B visas available to U.S. 25 Revised effective 1/18/2009; 73 FR 78104. INA section 214(g)(1)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(B), INA section 214(g)(10) and 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(10). 26 See PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 employers, notwithstanding the established statutory numerical limitation. After consulting with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined it is appropriate to exercise her discretion and raise the H–2B cap by up to an additional 15,000 visas for the remainder of FY 2018 for those businesses who would qualify under certain circumstances. 3. Population This temporary rule would impact those employers who file Form I–129 on behalf of the nonimmigrant worker they seek to hire under the H–2B visa program. More specifically, this rule would impact those employers who could establish that their business is likely to suffer irreparable harm because they cannot employ the H–2B workers 27 A TLC approved by the Department of Labor must accompany an H–2B petition. The employment start date stated on the petition generally must match the start date listed on the TLC. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iv)(A) and (D). E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 24914 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations requested on their petition in this fiscal year. Due to the temporary nature of this rule and the limited time left for these additional visas to be available, DHS believes it is more reasonable to assume that eligible petitioners for these additional 15,000 visas will be those employers that have already completed the steps to receive an approved TLC prior to the issuance of this rule. 28 According to DOL OFLC’s certification data for FY 2018, there were about 4,978 H–2B certifications with expected work start dates between April 1 and September 30, 2018. However, many of these certifications have already been filled under the existing cap. Of the 4,978 certifications, we estimated that 1,902 certifications would have been filled with the second semi-annual statutory cap of 33,000 visas.29 We believe that the remaining certifications of 3,076 (= 4,978¥1,902) represents the pool of employers with approved certifications that may apply for additional H–2B workers under this rule, and therefore serves as a reasonable proxy for the number of petitions we may receive under this rule. pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 4. Cost-Benefit Analysis The costs for this form include filing costs and the opportunity costs of time to complete and file the form. The current filing fee for Form I–129 is $460 and the estimated time needed to complete and file Form I–129 for H–2B classification is 4.26 hours.30 The time burden of 4.26 hours for Form I–129 also includes the time to file and retain documents. The application must be filed by a U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer filing through the U.S. agent. 8 CFR 214.2(h)(2). Due to the expedited nature of this rule, DHS was unable to obtain data on the number of Form I–129 H–2B applications filed directly by a petitioner and those that are filed by a lawyer on behalf of the petitioner. Therefore, DHS presents a range of estimated costs including if only human resource (HR) specialists 28 Note that as in the standard H–2B visa issuance process, petitioning employers must still apply for a temporary labor certification and receive approval from DOL before submitting the Form I–129 petition with USCIS. 29 Between October 1, 2017, and April 15, 2018, DOL approved a total of 4,978 certifications for 86,391 H–2B positions with work start date between April and September in 2018. Therefore, we estimated that the average number of H–2B positions per certification is 17.35 (=86,391/4,978) and the number of certifications that would have been filled with the second semi-annual statutory cap of 33,000 is 1,902 (=33,000/17.35). 30 The public reporting burden for this form is 2.26 hours for Form I–129 and an additional 2 hours for H Classification Supplement. See Form I– 129 instructions at https://www.uscis.gov/i-129. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 file Form I–129 or if only lawyers file Form I–129.31 Further, DHS presents cost estimates for lawyers filing on behalf of applicants based on whether all Form I–129 applications are filed by in-house lawyers or by outsourced lawyers.32 DHS presents an estimated range of costs assuming that only HR specialists, in-house lawyers, or outsourced lawyers file these forms, though DHS recognizes that it is likely that filing will be conducted by a combination of these different types of filers. To estimate the total opportunity cost of time to petitioners who complete and file Form I–129, DHS uses the mean hourly wage rate of HR specialists of $31.84 as the base wage rate.33 If applicants hire an in-house or outsourced lawyer to file Form I–129 on their behalf, DHS uses the mean hourly wage rate of $68.22 as the base wage rate.34 Using the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, DHS calculated a benefits-to-wage multiplier of 1.46 to estimate the full wages to include benefits such as paid leave, insurance, and retirement.35 DHS multiplied the average hourly U.S. wage rate for HR specialists and for in-house lawyers by the benefits-to-wage multiplier of 1.46 to estimate the full cost of employee wages. The total per hour wage is $46.49 for an HR specialist 31 For the purposes of this analysis, DHS assumes a human resource specialist or some similar occupation completes and files these forms as the employer or petitioner who is requesting the H–2B worker. However, DHS understands that not all entities have human resources departments or occupations and, therefore, recognizes equivalent occupations may prepare these petitions. 32 For the purposes of this analysis, DHS adopts the terms ‘‘in-house’’ and ‘‘outsourced’’ lawyers as they were used in the DHS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) analysis, ‘‘Final Small Entity Impact Analysis: Safe-Harbor Procedures for Employers Who Receive a No-Match Letter’’ at G–4 (posted Aug. 5, 2008), available at https:// www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=ICEB2006-0004-0922. The DHS ICE analysis highlighted the variability of attorney wages and was based on information received in public comment to that rule. We believe the distinction between the varied wages among lawyers is appropriate for our analysis. 33 U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2017, Human Resources Specialist: https:// www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes131071.htm. 34 U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment Statistics May 2017, Lawyers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/ oes231011.htm. 35 The benefits-to-wage multiplier is calculated as follows: (Total Employee Compensation per hour)/ (Wages and Salaries per hour). See Economic News Release, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Table 1. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Civilian workers, by major occupational and industry group (December 2017), available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ archives/ecec_03202018.pdf. PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 and $99.60 for an in-house lawyer.36 In addition, DHS recognizes that an entity may not have in-house lawyers and therefore, seek outside counsel to complete and file Form I–129 on behalf of the petitioner. Therefore, DHS presents a second wage rate for lawyers labeled as outsourced lawyers. DHS estimates the total per hour wage is $170.55 for an outsourced lawyer.37 38 If a lawyer submits Form I–129 on behalf of the petitioner, Form G–28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative), must accompany the Form I–129 submission.39 DHS estimates the time burden to complete and submit Form G– 28 for a lawyer is 53 minutes (0.88 hour, rounded). For this analysis, DHS adds the time to complete Form G–28 to the opportunity cost of time to lawyers for filing Form I–129 on behalf of a petitioner. Therefore, the total opportunity cost of time for an HR specialist to complete and file Form I– 129 is $198.05, for an in-house lawyer to complete and file is $511.94, and for an outsourced lawyer to complete and file is $876.63.40 The total cost, including filing fee and opportunity costs of time, per petitioner to file Form I–129 is $658.05 if HR specialists file, $971.94 if an in-house lawyer files, and $1,336.63 if an outsourced lawyer files the form.41 (a) Cost to Petitioners As mentioned in Section 3, the population impacted by this rule is the 3,076 petitioners who may apply for up 36 Calculation for the total wage of an HR specialist: $31.84 × 1.46 = $46.49 (rounded). Calculation for the total wage of an in-house lawyer: $68.22 × 1.46 = $99.60 (rounded). 37 Calculation: Average hourly wage rate of lawyers × Benefits-to-wage multiplier for outsourced lawyer = $68.22 × 2.5 = $170.55. 38 The DHS ICE ‘‘Safe-Harbor Procedures for Employers Who Receive a No-Match Letter’’ used a multiplier of 2.5 to convert in-house attorney wages to the cost of outsourced attorney based on information received in public comment to that rule. We believe the explanation and methodology used in the Final Small Entity Impact Analysis remains sound for using 2.5 as a multiplier for outsourced labor wages in this rule, see page G–4 [Aug. 25, 2008] [https://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=ICEB-2006-0004-0922]. 39 USCIS, Filing Your Form G–28, https:// www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-your-form-g-28. 40 Calculation if an HR specialist files: $46.49 × (4.26 hours) = $198.05 (rounded); Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $99.60 × (4.26 hours to file Form I–129 H–2B + 0.88 hour to file Form G–28) = $511.94 (rounded); Calculation if an outsourced lawyer files: $170.55 × (4.26 hours to file Form I–129 H–2B + 0.88 hour to file Form G–28) = $876.63 (rounded). 41 Calculation if an HR specialist files: $198.05 + $460 (filing fee) = $658.05; Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $511.94 + $460 (filing fee) = $971.94; Calculation if outsourced lawyer files: $876.63 + $460 (filing fee) = $1,336.63. E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations to 15,000 additional H–2B visas for the remainder of FY 2017. Based on the previously presented total filing costs per petitioner, DHS estimates the total cost to file Form I–129 is $2,024,162 (rounded) if HR specialists file, $2,989,687 (rounded) if in-house lawyers file, and $4,111,474 (rounded) if outsourced lawyers file.42 DHS recognizes that not all Form I–129 petitions are likely to be filed by only one type of filer and cannot predict how many petitions would be filed by each type of filer. Therefore, DHS estimates that the total cost to file Form I–129 could range from $2,024,162 (rounded) to $4,111,474 (rounded) depending on the combination of petitions filed by each type of filer. (1) Form I–907 Employers may use Request for Premium Processing Service (Form I– 907) to request faster processing of their Form I–129 petitions for H–2B visas. The filing fee for Form I–907 is $1,225 and the time burden for completing the form is 0.5 hours. Using the wage rates established previously, the opportunity cost of time is $23.25 for an HR specialist to file Form I–907, $49.80 for an in-house lawyer to file, and $85.28 for an outsourced lawyer to file.43 Therefore, the total filing cost to complete and file Form I–907 per petitioner is $1,248.25 if HR specialists file, $1,274.80 if in-house lawyers file, and $1,310.28 if outsourced lawyers file.44 Due to the expedited nature of this rule, DHS was unable to obtain data on the average percentage of Form I–907 24915 applications that were submitted with Form I–129 H–2B petitions. Table 2 (below) shows the range of percentages of the 3,076 petitioners who may also request their Form I–129 adjudications be premium processed as well as the estimated total cost of filing Form I–907. DHS anticipates that most, if not all, of the additional 3,076 Form I–129 petitions will be requesting premium processing due to the limited time between the publication of this rule and the end of the fiscal year. Further, as shown in table 2, the total estimated cost to complete and file a Form I–907 when submitted with Form I–129 on behalf of an H–2B worker is a maximum of $3,839,617 if human resources specialists file, $3,921,285 if in-house lawyers file, and $4,030,421 if outsourced lawyers file. TABLE 2—TOTAL COST OF FILING FORM I–907 UNDER THE H–2B VISA PROGRAM Number of filers requesting premium processing b Percent of filers requesting premium processing a 25 ..................................................................................................................... 50 ..................................................................................................................... 75 ..................................................................................................................... 90 ..................................................................................................................... 95 ..................................................................................................................... 100 ................................................................................................................... 769 1,538 2,307 2,768 2,922 3,076 Total cost to filers c Human resources specialist $959,904 1,919,809 2,879,713 3,455,655 3,647,636 3,839,617 In-house lawyer $980,321 1,960,642 2,940,964 3,529,156 3,725,221 3,921,285 Outsourced lawyer $1,007,605 2,015,211 3,022,816 3,627,379 3,828,900 4,030,421 Notes: a Assumes that all 15,000 additional H–2B visas will be filled by 3,076 petitioners. b Numbers and dollar amounts are rounded to the nearest whole number. c Calculation: (Total cost per filer of Form I–907) × Number of filers who request premium processing = Total cost to filer (rounded to the nearest dollar) Source: USCIS analysis. The attestation form includes recruiting requirements, the irreparable harm standard, and document retention obligations. DOL estimates the time burden for completing and signing the form is 0.25 hour, and 1 hour for retaining documents and records relating to recruitment. The petitioner must retain documents and records of a new job order for the job opportunity placed with the State Workforce Agency (SWA) and one newspaper advertisement. DOL estimates that it would take up to one hour to file and retain documents and records relating to recruitment. Using the total per hour wage for an HR specialist ($46.49), the opportunity cost of time for an HR specialist to complete the attestation form and to retain documents relating to recruitment is $58.11.45 Additionally, the form requires that the petitioner assess and document supporting evidence for meeting the irreparable harm standard, and retain those documents and records, which we assume will require the resources of a financial analyst (or another equivalent occupation). Using the same methodology previously described for wages, the total per hour wage for a financial analyst is $69.79.46 DOL estimates the time burden for these tasks is at least 4 hours, and 1 hour for gathering and retaining documents and records. Therefore, the total opportunity costs of time for a financial analyst to assess, document, and retain supporting evidence is $348.95.47 As discussed previously, we believe that the estimated 3,076 remaining unfilled certifications for the latter half of FY 2018 would include all potential 42 Calculation if HR specialist files: $658.05 × 3,076 (population applying for H–2B visas) = $2,024,161.80 = $2,024,162 (rounded); Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $971.94 × 3,076 (population applying for H–2B visas) = $2,989,687.44 = $2,989,687 (rounded); Calculation if an outsourced lawyer files: $1,336.63 × 3,076 (population applying for H–2B visas) = $4,111,473.88 = $4,111,474 (rounded). 43 Calculation if an HR specialist files: $46.49 × (0.5 hours) = $23.25 (rounded); Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $99.60 × (0.5 hours) = $49.80 (rounded); Calculation if an outsourced lawyer files: $170.55 × (0.5 hours) = $85.28 (rounded). 44 Calculation if an HR specialist files: $23.25 + $1,225 = $1,248.25; Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $49.80 + $1,225 = 1,274.80; Calculation if outsourced lawyer files: $85.28 + $1,225 = $1,310.28. 45 Calculation: $46.49 (total per hour wage for an HR specialist) × 1.25 (time burden for the new attestation form and retaining recruitment documentation) = $58.11. 46 Calculation: $47.80 (total per hour wage for a financial analyst, based on BLS wages) × 1.46 (benefits-to-wage multiplier) = $69.79. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics May 2017, Financial Analysts: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ 2017/may/oes132051.htm. 47 Calculation: $69.79 (total per hour wage for a financial analyst) × 5 hours (time burden for assessing, documenting and retention of supporting evidence demonstrating the employer is likely to suffer irreparable harm) = $348.95. pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES (2) Attestation Requirements VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 24916 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations employers who might request to employ H–2B workers under this rule. This number of certifications is a reasonable proxy for the number of employers who may need to review and sign the attestation. Using this estimate for the total number of certifications, DOL estimates that the cost for HR specialists is $178,754 and for financial analysts is $1,073,370 (rounded).48 The total cost is estimated to be $1,252,124.49 Employers will place a new job order for the job opportunity with the SWA serving the area of intended employment for at least 5 days beginning no later than the next business day after submitting a petition for an H–2B worker and the attestation to USCIS. DOL estimates that an HR specialist (or another equivalent occupation) would spend 1 hour to prepare a new job order and submit it to the SWA.50 DOL estimates the total cost of placing a new job order is $143,003.51 Employers will also place one newspaper advertisement during the period of time the SWA is actively circulating the job order for intrastate clearance. DOL estimates that a standard job listing in an online edition of a newspaper is $250.52 The total cost if every employer placed at least one online newspaper job listing is $769,000.53 Therefore, the total cost for the attestation form is estimated to be $2,164,127.54 pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES (b) Cost to the Federal Government DHS anticipates some additional costs in adjudicating the additional petitions 48 Calculations: Cost for HR Specialists: $46.49 (total per hour wage for an HR specialist) × 3,076 certifications × 1.25 hours = $178,754. Cost for Financial Analysts: $69.79 (total per hour wage for a financial analyst) × 3,076 certifications × 5 hours = $1,073,370. 49 Calculation: $178,754 (total cost for HR specialists) + $1,073,370 (total cost for financial analysts) = $1,252,124. 50 The job order must address the content requirements at 20 CFR 655.18, consistent with new requirements contained in the 2016 Department of Labor Appropriations Act (Division H, Title I of Pub. L. 114–113) (2016 DOL Appropriations Act), which was enacted on December 18, 2015. 51 Calculation: $46.49 (total per hour wage for an HR specialist) × 3,076 certifications × 1 hour (time burden for placing a job order with the SWA) = $143,003. 52 Source: The Washington Post, Online Only Job Listings (35 days), page 4 available at: https:// www.washingtonpost.com/wp-stat/ad/public/static/ media_kit/16-3729-01-jobs.pdf. 53 Calculation: $250 (cost of one online newspaper job listing) × 3,076 certifications = $769,000. 54 Calculation: $1,252,124 (total cost for HR specialists and financial analysts) + $143,003 (total cost to place job order with State Workforce Agency) + $769,000 (total cost to place online newspaper job listings) = $2,164,127. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 submitted as a result of the increase in cap limitation for H–2B visas. However, DHS expects these costs to be covered by the fees associated with the forms. (c) Benefits to Petitioners The inability to access H–2B workers for these entities may cause their businesses to suffer irreparable harm. Temporarily increasing the number of available H–2B visas for this fiscal year may allow some businesses to hire the additional labor resources necessary to avoid such harm. Preventing such harm may ultimately rescue the jobs of any other employees (including U.S. employees) at that establishment. F. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism) This rule does not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of Executive Order No. 13132, 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 4, 1999), this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. G. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) This rule meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order No. 12988, 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 5, 1996). H. National Environmental Policy Act DHS analyzes actions to determine whether the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) applies to them and if so what degree of analysis is required. DHS Directive (Dir) 023–01 Rev. 01 establishes the procedures that DHS and its components use to comply with NEPA and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508. The CEQ regulations allow federal agencies to establish, with CEQ review and concurrence, categories of actions (‘‘categorical exclusions’’) which experience has shown do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and, therefore, do not require an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 40 CFR 1507.3(b)(1)(iii), 1508.4. DHS Instruction 023–01 Rev. 01 establishes such Categorical Exclusions that DHS has found to have no such effect. Dir. 023–01 Rev. 01 Appendix A Table 1. For an action to be categorically PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 excluded, DHS Instruction 023–01 Rev. 01 requires the action to satisfy each of the following three conditions: (1) The entire action clearly fits within one or more of the Categorical Exclusions; (2) the action is not a piece of a larger action; and (3) no extraordinary circumstances exist that create the potential for a significant environmental effect. Inst. 023–01 Rev. 01 section V.B (1)–(3). This rule temporarily amends the regulations implementing the H–2B nonimmigrant visa program to increase the numerical limitation on H–2B nonimmigrant visas for the remainder of FY 2018 based on the Secretary of Homeland Security’s determination, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, consistent with the FY 2018 Omnibus. Generally, DHS believes that NEPA does not apply to a rule which changes the number of visas which can be issued because any attempt to analyze its impact would be largely, if not completely, speculative. The Departments cannot estimate with reasonable certainty which employers will successfully petition for employees in what locations and numbers. At most, it is reasonably foreseeable that an increase of up to 15,000 visas may be issued for temporary entry into the United States in diverse industries and locations. For purposes of the cost estimates contained in the economic analysis above, DHS bases its calculations on the assumption that all 15,000 will be issued. However, estimating the cost of document filings is qualitatively different from analyzing environmental impacts. Being able to estimate the costs per filing and number of filings at least allows a calculation. Even making that assumption, analyzing the environmental impacts of 15,000 visa recipients among a current U.S. population in excess of 323 million and across a U.S. land mass of 3.794 million square miles, would require a degree of speculation that causes DHS to conclude that NEPA does not apply to this action. DHS has determined that even if NEPA were to apply to this action, this rule would fit within one categorical exclusion under Environmental Planning Program, DHS Instruction 023–01 Rev. 01, Appendix A, Table 1 and does not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. Specifically, the rule fits within Categorical Exclusion number A3(d) for rules that interpret or amend an existing regulation without changing its environmental effect. This rule maintains the current human environment by helping to E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations prevent irreparable harm to certain U.S. businesses and to prevent a significant adverse effect on the human environment that would likely result from loss of jobs and income. With the exception of recordkeeping requirements, this rulemaking terminates after September 30, 2018; it is not part of a larger action and presents no extraordinary circumstances creating the potential for significant environmental effects. No further NEPA analysis is required. pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES I. Paperwork Reduction Act The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., provides that a Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. DOL has submitted the Information Collection Request (ICR) contained in this rule to OMB and obtained approval using emergency clearance procedures outlined at 5 CFR 1320.13. The Departments note that while DOL submitted the ICR, both DHS and DOL will use the information. More specifically, this rule includes a new form, Attestation for Employers Seeking to Employ H–2B Nonimmigrants Workers Under Section 205 of Division M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Form ETA–9142– B–CAA–2 that petitioners submit to DHS. Petitioners will use this form to make the irreparable harm attestation described above. The petitioner would file the attestation with DHS. In addition, the petitioner may need to advertise the positions. Finally, the petitioner will need to retain documents and records proving compliance with this implementing rule, and must provide the documents and records to DHS and DOL staff in the event of an audit or investigation. The information collection requirements associated with this rule are summarized as follows: Agency: DOL–ETA. Type of Information Collection: New Collection. Title of the Collection: Attestation for Employers Seeking to Employ H–2B Nonimmigrant Workers Under Section 205 of Division M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 Agency Form Number: Form ETA– 9142–B–CAA–2. Affected Public: Private Sector— businesses or other for-profits. Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,076. Average Responses per Year per Respondent: 1. Total Estimated Number of Responses: 3,076. Average Time per Response: 6.25 hours per application. Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 19,225 hours. Total Estimated Other Costs Burden: $912,003. List of Subjects 8 CFR Part 214 Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Cultural exchange programs, Employment, Foreign officials, Health professions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Students. 20 CFR Part 655 Administrative practice and procedure, Employment, Employment and training, Enforcement, Foreign workers, Forest and forest products, Fraud, Health professions, Immigration, Labor, Longshore and harbor work, Migrant workers, Nonimmigrant workers, Passports and visas, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Unemployment, Wages, Working conditions. Department of Homeland Security 8 CFR Chapter I For the reasons discussed in the joint preamble, part 214 of chapter I of title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: PART 214—NONIMMIGRANT CLASSES 1. The authority citation for part 214 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 6 U.S.C. 202, 236; 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1102, 1103, 1182, 1184, 1186a, 1187, 1221, 1281, 1282, 1301–1305 and 1372; sec. 643, Pub. L. 104–208, 110 Stat. 3009–708; Pub. L. 106–386, 114 Stat. 1477–1480; section 141 of the Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and with the Government of Palau, 48 U.S.C. 1901 note and 1931 note, respectively; 48 U.S.C. 1806; 8 CFR part 2. 2. Effective May 31, 2018 through September 30, 2018, amend § 214.2 by adding paragraph (h)(6)(x) to read as follows: ■ § 214.2 Special requirements for admission, extension, and maintenance of status. * PO 00000 * * Frm 00013 * Fmt 4700 * Sfmt 4700 24917 (h) * * * (6) * * * (x) Special requirements for additional cap allocations under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115–141. (A) Public Law 115–141. Notwithstanding the numerical limitations set forth in paragraph (h)(8)(i)(C) of this section, for fiscal year 2018 only, the Secretary has authorized up to an additional 15,000 aliens who may receive H–2B nonimmigrant visas pursuant to section 205 of Division M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115–141. Notwithstanding section 248.2 of this part, an alien may not change status to H–2B nonimmigrant under this provision. (B) Eligibility. In order to file a petition with USCIS under this paragraph (h)(6)(x), the petitioner must: (1) Comply with all other statutory and regulatory requirements for H–2B classification, including but not limited to requirements in this section, under part 103 of this chapter, and under parts 655 of Title 20 and 503 of Title 29; and (2) Submit to USCIS, at the time the employer files its petition, a U.S. Department of Labor attestation, in compliance with 20 CFR 655.64, evidencing that without the ability to employ all of the H–2B workers requested on the petition filed pursuant to this paragraph (h)(6)(x), its business is likely to suffer irreparable harm (that is, permanent and severe financial loss), and that the employer will provide documentary evidence of this fact to DHS or DOL upon request. (C) Processing. USCIS will reject petitions filed pursuant to this paragraph (h)(6)(x) that are received after the numerical limitation has been reached or after September 14, 2018, whichever is sooner. USCIS will not approve a petition filed pursuant to this paragraph (h)(6)(x) on or after October 1, 2018. (D) Sunset. This paragraph (h)(6)(x) expires on October 1, 2018. (E) Non-severability. The requirement to file an attestation under paragraph (h)(6)(x)(B)(2) of this section is intended to be non-severable from the remainder of this paragraph (h)(6)(x); in the event that paragraph (h)(6)(x)(B)(2) of this section is enjoined or held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this paragraph (h)(6)(x) is also intended to be enjoined or held to be invalid in such jurisdiction, without prejudice to workers already present in the United States under this regulation, as consistent with law. * * * * * E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 24918 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration 20 CFR Chapter V Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the joint preamble, 20 CFR part 655 is amended as follows: PART 655—TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES 3. The authority citation for part 655 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: Section 655.0 issued under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(E)(iii), 1101(a)(15)(H)(i) and (ii), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(6), 1182(m), (n) and (t), 1184(c), (g), and (j), 1188, and 1288(c) and (d); sec. 3(c)(1), Pub. L. 101–238, 103 Stat. 2099, 2102 (8 U.S.C. 1182 note); sec. 221(a), Pub. L. 101–649, 104 Stat. 4978, 5027 (8 U.S.C. 1184 note); sec. 303(a)(8), Pub. L. 102– 232, 105 Stat. 1733, 1748 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note); sec. 323(c), Pub. L. 103–206, 107 Stat. 2428; sec. 412(e), Pub. L. 105–277, 112 Stat. 2681 (8 U.S.C. 1182 note); sec. 2(d), Pub. L. 106–95, 113 Stat. 1312, 1316 (8 U.S.C. 1182 note); 29 U.S.C. 49k; Pub. L. 107–296, 116 Stat. 2135, as amended; Pub. L. 109–423, 120 Stat. 2900; 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(i); and 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii). Subpart A issued under 8 CFR 214.2(h). Subpart B issued under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a), 1184(c), and 1188; and 8 CFR 214.2(h). Subparts F and G issued under 8 U.S.C. 1288(c) and (d); sec. 323(c), Public Law 103– 206, 107 Stat. 2428; and 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, 114–74 at section 701. Subparts H and I issued under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) and (b)(1), 1182(n) and (t), and 1184(g) and (j); sec. 303(a)(8), Public Law 102–232, 105 Stat. 1733, 1748 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note); sec. 412(e), Public Law 105–277, 112 Stat. 2681; 8 CFR 214.2(h); and 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, Public Law 114–74 at section 701. Subparts L and M issued under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) and 1182(m); sec. 2(d), Public Law 106–95, 113 Stat. 1312, 1316 (8 U.S.C. 1182 note); Public Law 109–423, 120 Stat. 2900; and 8 CFR 214.2(h). 4. Effective May 31, 2018 through September 30, 2018, add § 655.64 to read as follows: ■ pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES § 655.64 Special eligibility provisions for Fiscal Year 2018 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. An employer filing a petition with USCIS under 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x) to employ H–2B workers from May 31, 2018 through September 14, 2018 must meet the following requirements: (a) The employer must attest on Form ETA–9142–B–CAA–2 that without the ability to employ all of the H–2B workers requested on the petition filed pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x), its business is likely to suffer irreparable harm (that is, permanent and severe financial loss), and that the employer VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 will provide documentary evidence of this fact to DHS or DOL upon request. (b) An employer with a start date of work before April 15, 2018 on its approved Temporary Labor Certification must conduct additional recruitment of U.S. workers as follows: (1) The employer must place a new job order for the job opportunity with the State Workforce Agency, serving the area of intended employment. The employer must follow all applicable State Workforce Agency instructions for posting job orders and receive applications in all forms allowed by the State Workforce Agency, including online applications (sometimes known as ‘‘self-referrals’’). The job order must contain the job assurances and contents set forth in 20 CFR 655.18 for recruitment of U.S. workers at the place of employment, and remain posted for at least 5 days beginning not later than the next business day after submitting a petition for H–2B worker(s); and (2) The employer must place one newspaper advertisement using an online or print format on any day of the week meeting the advertising requirements of 20 CFR 655.41, during the period of time the State Workforce Agency is actively circulating the job order for intrastate clearance; and (3) The employer must hire any qualified U.S. worker who applies or is referred for the job opportunity until 2 business days after the last date on which the job order is posted under paragraph (c)(1) of this section. Consistent with 20 CFR 655.40(a), applicants can be rejected only for lawful job-related reasons. (c) This section expires on October 1, 2018. (d) Non-severability. The requirement to file an attestation under paragraph (a) of this section is intended to be nonseverable from the remainder of this section; in the event that paragraph (a) is enjoined or held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this section is also intended to be enjoined or held to be invalid in such jurisdiction, without prejudice to workers already present in the United States under this regulation, as consistent with law. ■ 5. Effective May 31, 2018 through September 30, 2021, add § 655.66 to read as follows: § 655.66 Special document retention provisions for Fiscal Years 2018 through 2021 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115– 141. (a) An employer that files a petition with USCIS to employ H–2B workers in fiscal year 2018 under authority of the PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 temporary increase in the numerical limitation under section 205 of Division M, Public Law 115–141 must maintain for a period of 3 years from the date of certification, consistent with 20 CFR 655.56 and 29 CFR 503.17, the following: (1) A copy of the attestation filed pursuant to regulations governing that temporary increase; (2) Evidence establishing that employer’s business is likely to suffer irreparable harm (that is, permanent and severe financial loss), if it cannot employ H–2B nonimmigrant workers in fiscal year 2018; and (3) If applicable, evidence of additional recruitment and a recruitment report that meets the requirements set forth in 20 CFR 655.48(a)(1), (2), and (7). DOL or DHS may inspect these documents upon request. (b) This section expires on October 1, 2021. Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security. R. Alexander Acosta, Secretary of Labor. Note: The following appendix will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. Appendix A—Attestation for Employers Seeking to Employ H–2B Nonimmigrant Workers Under Section 205 of Division M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 Public Law 115–141 (March 23, 2018) By virtue of my signature below, I hereby certify that the following is true and correct: (A) I am an employer with an approved labor certification from the Department of Labor seeking permission to employ H–2B nonimmigrant workers for temporary employment in the United States. (B) I was granted temporary labor certification from the Department of Labor (DOL) for my business’s job opportunity, which required that the worker(s) begin employment before October 1, 2018 and is currently valid. (C) I attest that if my business cannot employ all the H–2B nonimmigrant workers requested on my Form I–129 petition before the end of this fiscal year (September 30, 2018) in the job opportunity certified by DOL, my business is likely to suffer irreparable harm (that is, permanent and severe financial loss). (D) I attest that my business has a bona fide temporary need for all the H–2B nonimmigrant workers requested on the Form I–129 petition, consistent with 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(ii). (E) If my current labor certification contains a start date of work before April 15, 2018, I will complete a new assessment of the United States labor market in advance of H–2B nonimmigrant workers coming to the United States to begin employment before October 1, 2018, as follows: E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 1. I will place a new job order for the job opportunity with the State Workforce Agency (SWA) serving the area of intended employment that contains the job assurances and contents set forth in 20 CFR 655.18 for recruitment of U.S. workers at the place of employment for at least 5 days beginning not later than the next business day after submitting a petition for an H–2B nonimmigrant worker(s) and this accompanying attestation to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; 2. I will place one newspaper advertisement, which may be published online or in print, on any day of the week, meeting the advertising requirements of 20 CFR 655.41, during the period of time the SWA is actively circulating the job order for intrastate clearance; and 3. I will offer the job to any qualified and available U.S. worker who or is referred for the job opportunity until 2 business days after the last date on which the job order is posted. I understand that consistent with 20 CFR 655.40(a), applicants can be rejected only for lawful job-related reasons. (F) I agree to retain a copy of this signed attestation form, the additional recruitment documentation, including a recruitment report that meets the requirements for recruitment reports set forth in 20 CFR 655.48(a)(1), (2) & (7), together with evidence establishing that my business meets the standard described in paragraph (C) of this 24919 attestation, for a period of 3 years from the date of certification, consistent with the document retention requirements under 20 CFR 655.66, 20 CFR 655.56, and 29 CFR 503.17. Further, I agree to provide this documentation to a DHS or DOL official upon request. (G) I agree to comply with all assurances, obligations, and conditions of employment set forth in the Application for Temporary Employment Certification (Form ETA–9142B and Appendix B) certified by the DOL for my business’s job opportunity. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct: 1. Name of hiring or designated official of the employer (Last Name, First Name) * ................................................... 2. *DOL Case Number * 3. Signature * ................................................................................................................................................................. 4. Date signed * [FR Doc. 2018–11732 Filed 5–25–18; 5:10 pm] BILLING CODE P SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 13 CFR Part 121 Class Waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notification of waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for positive airway pressure devices. AGENCY: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is granting a class waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule (NMR) for Positive Airway Pressure Devices and Supplies Manufacturing. This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices, Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) devices, and other products intended to treat sleep apnea by keeping a person’s airways open during sleep. DATES: This action is effective July 2, 2018. SUMMARY: pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol J. Hulme, Program Analyst, by telephone at 202–205–6347; or by email at carol-ann.hulme@sba.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 8(a)(17) and 46 of the Small Business Act (Act), 15 U.S.C. 637(a)(17) and 657, and SBA’s implementing regulations require that recipients of Federal supply contracts (except those valued between $10,000 and $250,000) set aside for small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), women-owned small VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:57 May 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 business (WOSB), economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB), historically underutilized business zones (HUBZones) or participants in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development (BD) program provide the product of a small business manufacturer or processor, if the recipient is other than the actual manufacturer or processor of the product. This requirement is commonly referred to as the Nonmanufacturer Rule (NMR). 13 CFR 121.406(b). Sections 8(a)(17)(B)(iv)(II) and 46(a)(4)(B) of the Act authorize SBA to waive the NMR for a ‘‘class of products’’ for which there are no small business manufacturers or processors available to participate in the Federal market. As implemented in SBA’s regulations at 13 CFR 121.1202(c), in order to be considered available to participate in the Federal market for a class of products, a small business manufacturer must have submitted a proposal for a contract solicitation or been awarded a contract to supply the class of products within the last 24 months. The SBA defines ‘‘class of products’’ based on a combination of (1) the six digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, (2) the four digit Product Service Code (PSC), and (3) a description of the class of products. On February 27, 2017, SBA received a request to waive the NMR for Positive Airway Pressure Devices and Supplies under NAICS codes 339112 (surgical and medical instrument manufacturing) and 339113 (surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing), and PSC 6515 (medical and surgical instrument, equipment and supplies). According to that request, along with supporting documentation, there were no small PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 business manufacturers or processors of CPAP devices in the Federal market. On September 18, 2017 (82 FR 43637), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a Notice of Intent to grant a class waiver for CPAP, BiPAP and other sleep apnea devices. As revealed by the two comments submitted in response to the document, there are no small business manufacturers or processors of this product in the Federal market. The first comment, dated October 19, 2017, did not include domestic small business manufacturers capable of meeting the requirement. The second comment did not identify any manufacturers. Therefore, in the absence of a small business manufacturer of these products, a class waiver is necessary to allow otherwise qualified regular dealers to supply the product of any manufacturer on a Federal contract set aside for small business, servicedisabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), women-owned small business (WOSB), economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB), historically underutilized business zones (HUBZones) or participants in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development (BD) program. More information on the NMR and Class Waivers can be found at https:// www.sba.gov/contracting/contractingofficials/non-manufacturer-rule/nonmanufacturer-waivers. David Wm. Loines, Acting Director, Office of Government Contracting. [FR Doc. 2018–11658 Filed 5–30–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8025–01–P E:\FR\FM\31MYR1.SGM 31MYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 105 (Thursday, May 31, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24905-24919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11732]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 24905]]



DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

8 CFR Part 214

[CIS No. 2621-18; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2018-0004]
RIN 1615-AC21

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

20 CFR Part 655

[DOL Docket No. 2017-0003]
RIN 1205-AB88


Exercise of Time-Limited Authority To Increase the Fiscal Year 
2018 Numerical Limitation for the H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker 
Program

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of 
Homeland Security and Employment and Training Administration and Wage 
and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Temporary rule.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Labor, has decided to increase the numerical limitation on 
H-2B nonimmigrant visas to authorize the issuance of up to an 
additional 15,000 through the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. This 
increase is based on a time-limited statutory authority and does not 
affect the H-2B program in future fiscal years. The Departments are 
promulgating regulations to implement this determination.

DATES: This final rule is effective from May 31, 2018 through September 
30, 2018, except for 20 CFR 655.66, which is effective from May 31, 
2018 through September 30, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regarding 8 CFR part 214: Kevin J. 
Cummings, Chief, Business and Foreign Workers Division, Office of 
Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 
Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 1100, 
Washington, DC 20529-2120, telephone (202) 272-8377 (not a toll-free 
call). Regarding 20 CFR part 655: William W. Thompson, II, 
Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, Employment and 
Training Administration, Department of Labor, Box #12-200, 200 
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 513-7350 
(this is not a toll-free number).
    Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the 
telephone numbers above via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal 
Information Relay Service at 1-877-889-5627 (TTY/TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Background
    A. Legal Framework
    B. H-2B Numerical Limitations Under the INA
    C. FY 2018 Omnibus
    D. Joint Issuance of the Final Rule
II. Discussion
    A. Statutory Determination
    B. Numerical Increase of up to 15,000
    C. Business Need Standard--Irreparable Harm
    D. DHS Petition Procedures
    E. DOL Procedures
III. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
    A. Administrative Procedure Act
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    D. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
    E. Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and 
13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review), and 13771 
(Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs)
    F. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
    G. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)
    H. National Environmental Policy Act
    I. Paperwork Reduction Act

I. Background

A. Legal Framework

    The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) establishes the H-2B 
nonimmigrant classification for a nonagricultural temporary worker 
``having a residence in a foreign country which he has no intention of 
abandoning who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform . 
. . temporary [non-agricultural] service or labor if unemployed persons 
capable of performing such service or labor cannot be found in this 
country.'' INA section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), 8 U.S.C. 
1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b). Employers must petition DHS for classification 
of prospective temporary workers as H-2B nonimmigrants. INA section 
214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1). DHS must approve this petition before 
the beneficiary can be considered eligible for an H-2B visa. Finally, 
the INA requires that ``[t]he question of importing any alien as [an H-
2B] nonimmigrant . . . in any specific case or specific cases shall be 
determined by [DHS],\1\ after consultation with appropriate agencies of 
the Government.'' INA section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1).
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    \1\ As of March 1, 2003, in accordance with section 1517 of 
Title XV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA), Public Law 107-
296, 116 Stat. 2135, any reference to the Attorney General in a 
provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act describing 
functions which were transferred from the Attorney General or other 
Department of Justice official to the Department of Homeland 
Security by the HSA ``shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary'' of 
Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 557 (2003) (codifying HSA, Title XV, 
Sec.  1517); 6 U.S.C. 542 note; 8 U.S.C. 1551 note.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS regulations provide that an H-2B petition for temporary 
employment in the United States must be accompanied by an approved 
temporary labor certification (TLC) from the Department of Labor (DOL) 
issued pursuant to regulations established at 20 CFR part 655. 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A), (C)-(E), (iv)(A); see also INA section 103(a)(6), 
8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(6). The TLC serves as DHS's consultation with DOL with 
respect to whether a qualified U.S. worker is available to fill the 
petitioning H-2B employer's job opportunity and whether a foreign 
worker's employment in the job opportunity will adversely affect the 
wages or working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers. See INA 
section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A) and 
(D).
    In order to determine whether to issue a labor certification, the 
Departments have established regulatory procedures under which DOL 
certifies whether a qualified U.S. worker is available to fill the job 
opportunity described in the employer's petition for a temporary 
nonagricultural worker, and whether a foreign worker's employment in 
the job opportunity will adversely affect the wages or working 
conditions of

[[Page 24906]]

similarly employed U.S. workers. See 20 CFR part 655, subpart A. The 
regulations establish the process by which employers obtain a TLC, and 
the rights and obligations of workers and employers.
    The INA also authorizes DHS to impose appropriate remedies against 
an employer for a substantial failure to meet the terms and conditions 
of employing an H-2B nonimmigrant worker, or for a willful 
misrepresentation of a material fact in a petition for an H-2B 
nonimmigrant worker. INA section 214(c)(14)(A), 8 U.S.C. 
1184(c)(14)(A). The INA expressly authorizes DHS to delegate certain 
enforcement authority to DOL. INA section 214(c)(14)(B), 8 U.S.C. 
1184(c)(14)(B); see also INA section 103(a)(6), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(6). 
DHS has delegated its authority under INA section 214(c)(14)(A)(i), 8 
U.S.C. 1184(c)(14)(A)(i) to DOL. See DHS, Delegation of Authority to 
DOL under Section 214(c)(14)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(Jan. 16, 2009); see also 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(ix) (stating that DOL may 
investigate employers to enforce compliance with the conditions of, 
among other things, an H-2B petition and a DOL-approved TLC). This 
enforcement authority has been delegated within DOL to the Wage and 
Hour Division (WHD), and is governed by regulations at 29 CFR part 503.

B. H-2B Numerical Limitations Under the INA

    The INA sets the annual number of aliens who may be issued H-2B 
visas or otherwise provided H-2B nonimmigrant status to perform 
temporary nonagricultural work at 66,000, to be distributed semi-
annually beginning in October and in April. See INA sections 
214(g)(1)(B) and 214(g)(10), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(B) and 8 U.S.C. 
1184(g)(10). Up to 33,000 aliens may be issued H-2B visas or provided 
H-2B nonimmigrant status in the first half of a fiscal year, and the 
remaining annual allocation will be available for employers seeking to 
hire H-2B workers during the second half of the fiscal year.\2\ If 
insufficient petitions are approved to use all H-2B numbers in a given 
fiscal year, the unused numbers cannot be carried over for petition 
approvals in the next fiscal year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The Federal Government's fiscal year runs from October 1 of 
the budget's prior year through September 30 of the year being 
described. For example, fiscal year 2018 is from October 1, 2017 
through September 30, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because of the intense demand for H-2B visas in recent years, the 
semi-annual visa allocation, and the regulatory requirement that 
employers apply for labor certification 75 to 90 days before the start 
date of work,\3\ employers who wish to obtain visas for their workers 
under the semi-annual allotment must act early to receive a TLC and 
file a petition with USCIS. As a result, DOL typically sees a 
significant spike in TLC applications from employers seeking to hire H-
2B temporary or seasonal workers during the United States' warm weather 
months. For example, in FY 2018, based on Applications for Temporary 
Labor Certification filed on January 1, 2018, DOL's Office of Foreign 
Labor Certification (OFLC) certified more than 75,500 worker positions 
for start dates of work on April 1, a number nearly two and one-half 
times greater than the entire semi-annual visa allocation. USCIS 
received sufficient H-2B petitions to meet the second half of the 
fiscal year regular cap by February 27, 2018.\4\ This was the earliest 
date that the cap was reached in a respective fiscal year since FY 2009 
and reflects an ongoing trend of high H-2B program demand. This is 
further represented by Congress authorizing additional H-2B workers 
through the FY 2016 reauthorization of the returning worker cap 
exemption; the supplemental cap authorized by section 543 of Division F 
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115-31 (FY 
2017 Omnibus); and section 205 of Division M of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115-141 (FY 2018 Omnibus), which 
is discussed below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 20 CFR 655.15(b).
    \4\ On March 1, 2018, USCIS announced that it had received a 
sufficient number of petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 
H-2B cap for FY 2018. USCIS began receiving petitions for the second 
half of the fiscal year on February 21 and received requests for 
more workers than the number of H-2B visas available in the first 
five business days beginning on that date. As a result, USCIS, in 
accordance with applicable regulations, conducted a lottery on 
February 28 to randomly select enough petitions to meet the cap. 8 
CFR 214.2(h)(8)(ii)(B).
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C. FY 2018 Omnibus

    On March 23, 2018, the President signed the FY 2018 Omnibus which 
contains a provision (section 205 of Division M, hereinafter ``section 
205'') permitting the Secretary of Homeland Security, under certain 
circumstances and after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to 
increase the number of H-2B visas available to U.S. employers, 
notwithstanding the otherwise established statutory numerical 
limitation. Specifically, section 205 provides that ``the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, and 
upon the determination that the needs of American businesses cannot be 
satisfied in [FY] 2018 with U.S. workers who are willing, qualified, 
and able to perform temporary nonagricultural labor,'' may increase the 
total number of aliens who may receive an H-2B visa in FY 2018 by not 
more than the highest number of H-2B nonimmigrants who participated in 
the H-2B returning worker program in any fiscal year in which returning 
workers were exempt from the H-2B numerical limitation.\5\ This rule 
implements the authority contained in section 205.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The highest number of returning workers in any such fiscal 
year was 64,716, which represents the number of beneficiaries 
covered by H-2B returning worker petitions that were approved for FY 
2007. DHS also considered using an alternative approach, under which 
DHS measured the number of H-2B returning workers admitted at the 
ports of entry (66,792 for FY 2007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In FY 2017, Congress enacted section 543 of Division F of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115-31, which was a 
statutory provision materially identical to section 205 of the FY 2018 
Omnibus pertaining to the FY 2017 H-2B visa allocation. Following 
consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security determined that the needs of some American businesses could 
not be satisfied in FY 2017 with U.S. workers who were willing, 
qualified, and able to perform temporary nonagricultural labor. Based 
on this determination, on July 19, 2017, DHS and DOL jointly published 
a temporary final rule allowing an increase of up to 15,000 additional 
H-2B visas[thinsp]for those businesses that attested to a level of need 
such that, if they did not receive all of the workers requested on the 
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129), they were likely to 
suffer irreparable harm, i.e., suffer a permanent and severe financial 
loss.\6\ A total of 12,294 H-2B workers were approved for H-2B 
classification under petitions filed pursuant to the FY 2017 
supplemental cap increase. The vast majority of the H-2B petitions 
received under the FY 2017 supplemental cap increase requested premium 
processing and were adjudicated within 15 calendar days.
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    \6\ Temporary Rule, Exercise of Time-Limited Authority To 
Increase the Fiscal Year 2017 Numerical Limitation for the H-2B 
Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program, 82 FR 32987, 32998 (Jul. 
19, 2017).
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D. Joint Issuance of This Final Rule

    As they did in implementing the FY 2017 Omnibus H-2B supplemental 
cap \7\, the Departments have determined that it is appropriate to 
issue this final temporary rule jointly. This

[[Page 24907]]

determination is related to ongoing litigation following conflicting 
court decisions concerning DOL's authority to independently issue 
legislative rules to carry out its consultative and delegated functions 
pertaining to the H-2B program under the INA.\8\ Although DHS and DOL 
each have authority to independently issue rules implementing their 
respective duties under the H-2B program, the Departments are 
implementing section 205 in this manner to ensure there can be no 
question about the authority underlying the administration and 
enforcement of the temporary cap increase. This approach is consistent 
with rules implementing DOL's general consultative role under section 
214(c)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1), and delegated functions 
under sections 103(a)(6) and 214(c)(14)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(6), 
1184(c)(14)(B).\9\ See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A) & (C), (iv)(A).

II. Discussion

A. Statutory Determination
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    \7\ 82 FR 32987 (Jul. 19, 2017).
    \8\ See Temporary Non-Agricultural Employment of H-2B Aliens in 
the United States, 80 FR 24042 (Apr. 29, 2015) (codified at 8 CFR 
part 214, 20 CFR part 655, and 29 CFR part 503).
    \9\ See, e.g., id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary 
of Homeland Security has determined that the needs of some American 
businesses cannot be satisfied in FY 2018 with U.S. workers who are 
willing, qualified, and able to perform temporary nonagricultural 
labor. In accordance with section 205 of the FY 2018 Omnibus, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that it is appropriate, 
for the reasons stated below, to raise the numerical limitation on H-2B 
nonimmigrant visas by up to an additional 15,000 for the remainder of 
the fiscal year. Consistent with such authority, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security has decided to increase the H-2B cap for FY 2018 by 
up to 15,000 additional visas for those American businesses that attest 
to a level of need such that, if they do not receive all of the workers 
under the cap increase, they are likely to suffer irreparable harm, 
i.e., suffer a permanent and severe financial loss. These businesses 
must attest that they will likely suffer irreparable harm and must 
retain documentation, as described below, supporting this attestation.
    The Secretary of Homeland Security's determination to increase the 
numerical limitation is based on the conclusion that some businesses 
risk closing their doors in the absence of a cap increase. Some 
stakeholders have reported that access to additional H-2B visas is 
essential to the continued viability of some small businesses that play 
an important role in sustaining the economy in their states, while 
others have stated that an increase is unnecessary and raises the 
possibility of abuse, by, among other things, creating an incentive for 
employers who, unable to hire workers under the normal 66,000 annual 
cap, would misrepresent their actual need in order to hire H-2B workers 
from amongst the limited number of newly available visa numbers under 
the Omnibus.\10\ The Secretary of Homeland Security has deemed it 
appropriate, notwithstanding such risk of abuse, to take immediate 
action to avoid irreparable harm to businesses; such harm would in turn 
result in wage and job losses by their U.S. workers, and other adverse 
downstream economic effects.\11\
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    \10\ Other stakeholders have reported abuses of the H-2B 
program. For example, the Government Accountability Office, has 
recommended increased worker protections in the H-2B program based 
on certain abuses of the program by unscrupulous employers and 
recruiters. See U.S. Government Accountability Office, H-2A and H-2B 
Visa Programs: Increased Protections Needed for Foreign Workers, 
GAO-15-154 (Washington, DC, revised 2017), https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/684985.pdf; U.S. Government Accountability Office, H-2B 
Visa Program: Closed Civil Criminal Cases Illustrate Instances of H-
2B Workers Being Targets of Fraud and Abuse, GAO-10-1053 
(Washington, DC, 2010), https://www.gao.gov/assets/320/310640.pdf; 
see also Testimony of Stephen G. Bronars, The Impact of the H-2B 
Program on the U.S. Labor Market, before the Senate Subcommittee on 
Immigration and the National Interest (June 8, 2016), https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/06-08-16B_BronarsTestimony.pdf. Preliminary Analysis of the Economic 
Impact of the H-2B Worker Program on Virginia's Economy, Thomas J. 
Murray (Sep. 2011), https://web.vims.edu/GreyLit/VIMS/mrr11-12.pdf.
    \11\ See Randel K. Johnson & Tamar Jacoby, U.S. Chamber of 
Commerce & ImmigrationWorks USA, The Economic Impact of H-2B Workers 
(Oct. 28, 2010), available at https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/documents/files/16102_LABR%2520H2BReport_LR.pdf. (last 
visited Apr. 27, 2018).
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    The decision to direct the benefits of this cap increase to 
businesses that need workers to avoid irreparable harm, rather than 
directing the cap increase to any and all businesses seeking temporary 
workers, is consistent with the Secretary of Homeland Security's broad 
discretion under section 205. Section 205 provides that the Secretary 
of Homeland Security, upon satisfaction of the statutory business need 
standard, may increase the numerical limitation to meet such need.\12\ 
The scope of the assessment called for by the statute is quite broad, 
and accordingly delegates the Secretary of Homeland Security broad 
discretion to identify the business needs she finds most relevant. 
Within that context, DHS has determined to focus on the businesses with 
the most permanent, severe potential losses, for the below reasons.
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    \12\ DHS believes it is reasonable to infer that Congress 
intended, in enacting the FY 2018 Omnibus, to authorize the 
Secretary to allocate any new H-2B visas authorized under section 
205 to the entities with the ``business need'' that serves as the 
basis for the increase.
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    First, DHS interprets section 205's reference to ``the needs of 
American businesses'' as describing a need different than the need 
required of employers in petitioning for an H-2B worker.\13\ If the 
term ``needs'' in section 205 referred to the same business need under 
the existing H-2B program, it would not have been necessary for 
Congress to reference such need, because Congress could have relied on 
existing statute and regulations. Alternatively, Congress could have 
made explicit reference to such statute and regulations. In addition, 
Congress authorized the 205 provision with materially identical 
language to that enacted in the FY 2017 Omnibus, which suggests that 
Congress does not object to the FY 2017 joint temporary rule's approach 
to implementing ``need.'' See, e.g., Public Citizen v. FAA, 988 F.2d 
186, 194 (D.C. Cir. 1993) (``Congress is presumed to be aware of an 
administrative or judicial interpretation of a statute and to adopt 
that interpretation when it re-enacts a statute without change.'') 
(citation and quotation marks omitted). Accordingly, DHS interprets 
this authority as authorizing DHS to address a heightened business 
need, beyond the existing requirements of the H-2B program. DOL concurs 
with this interpretation.
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    \13\ A petitioning employer must demonstrate that it has a 
temporary need for the services or labor for which it seeks to hire 
H-2B workers. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(ii); 20 CFR 655.6.
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    Second, this approach limits the increase in a way that is 
consistent with the implementation of the FY 2017 supplemental cap, and 
provides protections against adverse effects on U.S. workers that may 
result from a broader cap increase. Although there is not enough time 
remaining in FY 2018 to conduct more formal analysis of such effects 
and the calendar does not lend itself to such additional efforts, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that in the particular 
circumstances presented here, it is appropriate to tailor the 
availability of this temporary cap increase to those businesses likely 
to suffer irreparable harm, i.e., those facing permanent and severe 
financial loss.
    Under this rule, employers must also meet, among other 
requirements, the

[[Page 24908]]

generally applicable requirements that insufficient qualified U.S. 
workers are available to fill the petitioning H-2B employer's job 
opportunity and that the foreign worker's employment in the job 
opportunity will not adversely affect the wages or working conditions 
of similarly employed U.S. workers. INA section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 
1184(c)(1); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A) and (D); 20 CFR 655.1. To meet 
this standard, in order to be eligible for additional visas under this 
rule, employers must have a valid TLC in accordance with 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(iv)(A) and (D), and 20 CFR 655 subpart A. Under DOL's H-2B 
regulations, TLCs expire on the last day of authorized employment. 20 
CFR 655.55(a). Therefore, in order to have an unexpired TLC, the date 
on the employer's visa petition must not be later than the last day of 
authorized employment on the TLC. This rule also requires an additional 
recruitment for certain petitioners, as discussed below.
    Accordingly, this rule increases the FY 2018 numerical limitation 
by up to 15,000 to ensure a sufficient number of visas to meet the 
level of demand in past years, but also restricts the availability of 
such visas by prioritizing only the most significant business needs. 
These provisions are each described in turn below.

B. Numerical Increase of up to 15,000

    DHS expects the increase of up to 15,000 visas \14\ to be 
sufficient to meet at least the same amount of need as the H-2B 
returning worker provision met in FY 2016 and the supplemental cap met 
in FY 2017. Section 205 of the FY 2018 Omnibus sets as the maximum 
limit for any increase in the H-2B numerical limitation for FY 2018, 
the highest number of H-2B returning workers \15\ who were exempt from 
the cap in previous years. Consistent with the statute's reference to 
H-2B returning workers, in determining the appropriate number by which 
to increase the H-2B numerical limitation, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security focused on the number of visas allocated to returning workers 
in years in which Congress enacted ``returning worker'' exemptions from 
the H-2B numerical limitation. During each of the years the returning 
worker provision was in force, U.S. employers' standard business needs 
for H-2B workers exceeded the normal 66,000 cap.
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    \14\ In contrast with section 214(g)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 
1184(g)(1), which establishes a cap on the number of individuals who 
may be issued visas or otherwise provided H-2B status, and section 
214(g)(10) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(10), which imposes a first 
half of the fiscal year cap on H-2B issuance with respect to the 
number of individuals who may be issued visas or are accorded [H-2B] 
status'' (emphasis added), section 205 only authorizes DHS to 
increase the number of available H-2B visas. Accordingly, DHS will 
not permit individuals authorized for H-2B status pursuant to an H-
2B petition approved under section 205 to change to H-2B status from 
another nonimmigrant status. See INA section 248, 8 U.S.C. 1258; see 
also 8 CFR pt. 248. If a petitioner files a petition seeking H-2B 
workers in accordance with this rule and requests a change of status 
on behalf of someone in the United States, the change of status 
request will be denied, but the petition will be adjudicated in 
accordance with applicable DHS regulations. Any alien authorized for 
H-2B status under the approved petition would need to obtain the 
necessary H-2B visa at a consular post abroad and then seek 
admission to the United States in H-2B status at a port of entry.
    \15\ During fiscal years 2005 to 2007, and 2016, Congress 
enacted ``returning worker'' exemptions to the H-2B visa cap, 
allowing workers who were counted against the H-2B cap in one of the 
three preceding fiscal years not to be counted against the upcoming 
fiscal year cap. Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005, 
Public Law 109-13, Sec. 402 (May 11, 2005); John Warner National 
Defense Authorization Act, Public Law 109-364, Sec. 1074, (Oct. 17, 
2006); Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, Public Law 114-113, 
Sec. 565 (Dec. 18, 2015).
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    Under the most recent returning worker statute in FY 2016, 18,090 
returning workers were approved for H-2B petitions, despite Congress 
having reauthorized the returning worker program with more than three-
quarters of the fiscal year remaining. Of those 18,090 workers 
authorized for admission, 13,382 were admitted into the United States 
or otherwise acquired H-2B status. While section 205 does not limit the 
issuance of additional H-2B visas to returning workers, the Secretary 
of Homeland Security, in consideration of the statute's reference to 
returning workers, determined that it would be appropriate to use these 
recent figures as a basis for the maximum numerical limitation under 
section 205.
    The Secretary of Homeland Security also considered the number of H-
2B workers who were approved under the FY 2017 supplemental H-2B 
cap.\16\ Out of a maximum of 15,000 supplemental H-2B visas for FY 
2017, a total of 12,294 beneficiaries were approved for H-2B 
classification. Although fewer beneficiaries were approved for H-2B 
classification than the available number of visas in FY 2017, the 
Secretary has determined that it is appropriate to authorize 15,000 
additional visas again, as employers will have a longer period in which 
to submit their petitions due to the earlier publication date of this 
rule, thereby allowing for the possibility of more petitions being 
filed this fiscal year than in FY 2017.
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    \16\ See section 543 of Div. F of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115-31.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Business Need Standard--Irreparable Harm

    To file an H-2B petition during the remainder of FY 2018, 
petitioners must meet all existing H-2B eligibility requirements, 
including having an approved, valid and unexpired TLC per 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6) and 20 CFR part 655 subpart A. In addition, the petitioner 
must submit an attestation in which the petitioner affirms, under 
penalty of perjury, that it meets the business need standard set forth 
above. Under that standard, the petitioner must be able to establish 
that if it does not receive all of the workers under the cap increase, 
it is likely to suffer irreparable harm, that is, permanent and severe 
financial loss. Although the TLC process focuses on establishing 
whether a petitioner has a need for workers, the TLC does not directly 
address the harm a petitioner may face in the absence of such workers; 
the attestation addresses this question. The attestation must be 
submitted directly to USCIS, together with Form I-129, the valid TLC, 
and any other necessary documentation. As in the rule implementing the 
FY 2017 temporary cap increase, the new attestation form is included in 
this rulemaking as Appendix A.
    The attestation serves as prima facie initial evidence to DHS that 
the petitioner's business is likely to suffer irreparable harm.\17\ Any 
petition received lacking the requisite attestation may be denied in 
accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8)(ii). Although this regulation does 
not require submission of evidence at the time of filing of the 
petition, other than an attestation, the employer must have such 
evidence on hand and ready to present to DHS or DOL at any time 
starting with the date of filing, through the prescribed document 
retention period discussed below.
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    \17\ An employer may request fewer workers on the H-2B petition 
than the number of workers listed on the TLC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to the statement regarding the irreparable harm 
standard, the attestation will also state that the employer: Meets all 
other eligibility criteria for the available visas; will comply with 
all assurances, obligations, and conditions of employment set forth in 
the Application for Temporary Employment Certification (Form ETA 9142B 
and Appendix B) certified by the DOL for the job opportunity (which 
serves as the TLC); will conduct additional recruitment of U.S. 
workers, in accordance with this rulemaking; and will document and 
retain evidence of such compliance. The process under this regulation 
is similar to the process

[[Page 24909]]

the Departments have employed with respect to the statutory provisions 
authorizing seafood employers to stagger the border crossings of H-2B 
workers. For seafood employers, a similar attestation, which provides 
that the employer has conducted additional recruitment, is provided to 
the consular officer at the time the H-2B worker applies for a visa 
and/or to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the time 
the worker seeks admission at a port of entry. See 20 CFR 655.15(f). 
Because the attestation will be submitted to USCIS as initial evidence 
with Form I-129, a denial of the petition based on or related to 
statements made in the attestation is appealable under existing USCIS 
procedures. Specifically, DHS considers the attestation to be evidence 
that is incorporated into and a part of the petition consistent with 8 
CFR 103.2(b).
    The requirement to provide a post-TLC attestation to USCIS is 
sufficiently protective of U.S. workers given that the employer, in 
completing the TLC process, has already made one unsuccessful attempt 
to recruit U.S. workers. In addition, the employer is required to 
retain documentation, which must be provided upon request, supporting 
the new attestations, including a recruitment report for any additional 
recruitment required under this rule. Accordingly, USCIS may issue a 
denial or a request for additional evidence in accordance with 8 CFR 
103.2(b) or 8 CFR 214.2(h)(11) based on such documentation, and DOL's 
OFLC and WHD will be able to review this documentation and enforce the 
attestations during the course of an audit examination or 
investigation. Although the employer must have such documentation on 
hand at the time it files the petition, the Departments have determined 
that if employers were required to submit the attestations to DOL 
before seeking a petition from DHS or to complete all recruitment 
before submitting a petition, the attendant delays would render any 
visas unlikely to satisfy the needs of American businesses given 
processing timeframes and that there are only a few months remaining in 
this fiscal year.
    In accordance with the attestation requirement, under which 
petitioners attest that they meet the irreparable harm standard, and 
the documentation retention requirements at 20 CFR 655.66, the 
petitioner must retain documents and records meeting their burden to 
demonstrate compliance with this rule, and must provide the documents 
and records upon the request of DHS or DOL, such as in the event of an 
audit or investigation. Supporting evidence may include, but is not 
limited to, the following types of documentation:
    (1) Evidence that the business is or would be unable to meet 
financial or contractual obligations without H-2B workers, including 
evidence of contracts, reservations, orders, or other business 
arrangements that have been or would be cancelled absent the requested 
H-2B workers, and evidence demonstrating an inability to pay debts/
bills;
    (2) Evidence that the business has suffered or will suffer 
permanent and severe financial loss during the period of need, as 
compared to the period of need in prior years, such as: Financial 
statements (including profit/loss statements) comparing present period 
of need as compared to prior years; bank statements, tax returns or 
other documents showing evidence of current and past financial 
condition; and relevant tax records, employment records, or other 
similar documents showing hours worked and payroll comparisons from 
prior years to current year;
    (3) Evidence showing the number of workers needed in previous 
seasons to meet the employer's temporary need as compared to those 
currently employed, including the number of H-2B workers requested, the 
number of H-2B workers actually employed, the dates of their 
employment, and their hours worked (for example, payroll records), 
particularly in comparison to the weekly hours stated on the TLC. In 
addition, for employers that obtain authorization to employ H-2B 
workers under this rule, evidence showing the number of H-2B workers 
requested under this rule, the number of workers actually employed, 
including H-2B workers, the dates of their employment, and their hours 
worked (for example, payroll records), particularly in comparison to 
the weekly hours stated on the TLC; and/or
    (4) Evidence that the business is dependent on H-2B workers, such 
as: number of H-2B workers compared to U.S. workers needed 
prospectively or in the past; business plan or reliable forecast 
showing that, due to the nature and size of the business, there is a 
need for a specific number of H-2B workers.
    These examples of potential evidence, however, will not exclusively 
or necessarily establish that the business meets the irreparable harm 
standard, and petitioners may retain other types of evidence they 
believe will satisfy this standard. If an audit or investigation 
occurs, DHS or DOL will review all evidence available to it to confirm 
that the petitioner properly attested to DHS that their business would 
likely suffer irreparable harm. If DHS subsequently finds that the 
evidence does not support the employer's attestation, DHS may deny or 
revoke the petition consistent with existing regulatory authorities 
and/or notify DOL. In addition, DOL may independently take enforcement 
action, including, among other things, to debar the petitioner from 
using the H-2B program generally for not less than one year or more 
than 5 years from the date of the final agency decision and may 
disqualify the debarred party from filing any labor certification 
applications or labor condition applications with DOL for the same 
period set forth in the final debarment decision. See, e.g., 20 CFR 
655.73; 29 CFR 503.20, 503.24.\18\
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    \18\ Pursuant to the statutory provisions governing enforcement 
of the H-2B program, INA section 214(c)(14), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(14), a 
violation exists under the H-2B program where there has been a 
willful misrepresentation of a material fact in the petition or a 
substantial failure to meet any of the terms and conditions of the 
petition. A substantial failure is a willful failure to comply that 
constitutes a significant deviation from the terms and conditions. 
See, e.g., 29 CFR 503.19.
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    To the extent that evidence reflects a preference for hiring H-2B 
workers over U.S. workers, an investigation by other agencies enforcing 
employment and labor laws, such as the Immigrant and Employee Rights 
Section (IER) of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, may 
be warranted. See INA section 274B, 8 U.S.C. 1324b (prohibiting certain 
types of employment discrimination based on citizenship status or 
national origin). Moreover, DHS and WHD may refer potential 
discrimination to IER under the Memorandum of Understanding between IER 
and DHS. https://www.justice.gov/crt/partnerships. In addition, if 
members of the public have information that a participating employer 
may be abusing this program, DHS invites them to notify USCIS's Fraud 
Detection and National Security Directorate by contacting the general 
H-2B complaint address at [email protected].\19\
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    \19\ DHS may publicly disclose information regarding the H-2B 
program consistent with applicable law and regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS, in exercising its statutory authority under INA section 
101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), and section 205 
of the FY 2018 Omnibus, is responsible for adjudicating eligibility for 
H-2B classification. As in all cases, the burden rests with the 
petitioner to establish eligibility by a preponderance of the evidence. 
INA section 291, 8 U.S.C. 1361. Accordingly, as noted above, where the 
petition lacks initial evidence, such as a properly completed

[[Page 24910]]

attestation, DHS may deny the petition in accordance with 8 CFR 
103.2(b)(8)(ii). Further, where the initial evidence submitted with the 
petition contains inconsistencies or is inconsistent with other 
evidence in the petition and underlying TLC, DHS may issue a Request 
for Evidence, Notice of Intent to Deny, or Denial in accordance with 8 
CFR 103.2(b)(8). In addition, where it is determined that an H-2B 
petition filed pursuant to the FY 2018 Omnibus was granted erroneously, 
the H-2B petition approval may be revoked, see 8 CFR 214.2(h)(11).
    Because of the particular circumstances of this regulation, and 
because the attestation plays a vital role in achieving the purposes of 
this regulation, DHS and DOL intend that the attestation requirement be 
non-severable from the remainder of the regulation. Thus, in the event 
the attestation requirement is enjoined or held invalid, the remainder 
of the regulation, with the exception of the retention requirements, is 
also intended to cease operation in the relevant jurisdiction, without 
prejudice to workers already present in the United States under this 
regulation, as consistent with law.

D. DHS Petition Procedures

    To petition for H-2B workers under this rule, the petitioner must 
file a Form-129 in accordance with applicable regulations and form 
instructions, an unexpired TLC, and the attestation described above. 
See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x). The attestation must be filed on Form 
ETA-9142-B-CAA-2, Attestation for Employers Seeking to Employ H-2B 
Nonimmigrants Workers Under Section 205 of Division M of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, which is attached to this rulemaking 
as Appendix A. See 20 CFR 655.64. A petitioner is required to retain a 
copy of such attestation and all supporting evidence for 3 years from 
the date the associated TLC was approved, consistent with 20 CFR 655.56 
and 29 CFR 503.17. See new 20 CFR 655.66. Petitions submitted pursuant 
to the FY 2018 Omnibus will be processed in the order in which they 
were received. Petitioners may also choose to request premium 
processing of their petition under 8 CFR 103.7 (e), which allows for 
expedited processing for an additional fee.
    To encourage timely filing of any petition seeking a visa under the 
FY 2018 Omnibus, DHS is notifying the public that the petition may not 
be approved by USCIS on or after October 1, 2018. See new 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(x). Petitions pending with USCIS that are not approved 
before October 1, 2018 will be denied and any fees will not be 
refunded. See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x).
    USCIS's current processing goals for H-2B petitions that can be 
adjudicated without the need for further evidence (i.e., without a 
Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny) are 15 days for 
petitions requesting premium processing and 30 days for standard 
processing.\20\ Given USCIS's processing goals for premium processing, 
DHS believes that 15 days from the end of the fiscal year is the 
minimum time needed for petitions to be adjudicated, although USCIS 
cannot guarantee the time period will be sufficient in all cases. 
Therefore, if the increase in the H-2B numerical limitation to 15,000 
visas has not yet been reached, USCIS will stop accepting petitions 
received after September 14, 2018.\21\ See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x)(C). 
Such petitions will be rejected and the filing fees will be returned.
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    \20\ These processing goals are not binding on USCIS; depending 
on the evidence presented, actual processing times may vary from 
these 15- and 30-day periods.
    \21\ In FY 2017, USCIS used September 15th as the cutoff date 
for accepting petitions filed under the supplemental cap. The 15 
days for processing was tied to the Premium Processing clock. 
However, in FY 2018, September 15, 2018 is a Saturday, when USCIS 
does not accept petitions. USCIS therefore revised the date to 
September 14th, 2018 to remain consistent with the expectation of 
adjudication within the premium processing clock and to avoid 
potential confusion and frustration from petitioners who might have 
otherwise expected their petitions to be received on the 15th but 
would instead face rejection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As with other Form I-129 filings, DHS encourages petitioners to 
provide a duplicate copy of Form I-129 and all supporting documentation 
at the time of filing if the beneficiary is seeking a nonimmigrant visa 
abroad. Failure to submit duplicate copies may cause a delay in the 
issuance of a visa to otherwise eligible applicants.\22\

E. DOL Procedures

    All employers are required to have an approved and valid TLC from 
DOL in order to file a Form I-129 petition with DHS, in accordance with 
8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iv)(A) and (D). Employers with an approved TLC will 
have already conducted recruitment, as set forth in 20 CFR 655.40-48, 
to determine whether U.S. workers are qualified and available to 
perform the work for which H-2B workers are sought. In addition to the 
recruitment already conducted, employers with current labor 
certifications containing a start date of work before April 15, 2018, 
must conduct a fresh round of recruitment for U.S. workers. As noted in 
the 2015 H-2B comprehensive rule, U.S. workers seeking employment in 
these jobs typically do not search for work months in advance, and 
cannot make commitments about their availability for employment far in 
advance of the work. See 80 FR 24041, 24061, 24071. Given the 75-90 day 
labor certification process applicable in the H-2B program generally, 
employer recruitment typically occurs between 40 and 60 days before the 
start date of employment. Therefore, employers with TLCs containing a 
start date of work before April 15, 2018, likely began their 
recruitment around February 15, 2018, and likely ended it about March 
5, 2018, more than two and one half months ago. In order to provide 
U.S. workers a realistic opportunity to pursue jobs for which employers 
will be seeking foreign workers under this rule, the Departments have 
determined that employers with start dates of work before April 15, 
2018 have not conducted recent recruitment so that the Departments can 
reasonably conclude that there are currently an insufficient number of 
U.S. workers qualified and available to perform the work absent an 
additional, though abbreviated, recruitment attempt. Although the April 
15 threshold for additional recruitment identified in this rule is 
earlier than the June 1 date for which additional recruitment was 
required in the FY 2017 rule, the April 15 threshold reflects a similar 
timeframe between the end of the employer's recruitment and publication 
of the regulation as that provided under the FY 2017 rule. In the FY 
2017 rule, the Departments determined that an employer's initial 
recruitment efforts, which occurred approximately three months before 
publication, could no longer be considered current without a more 
recent recruitment attempt. This same analysis applies to this FY 2018 
rule.
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    \22\ Petitioners should note that under section 205, the H-2B 
numerical increase relates to the total number of aliens who may 
receive a visa under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of the INA in this 
fiscal year.
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    Therefore, employers with still valid TLCs with a start date of 
work before April 15, 2018, will be required to conduct additional 
recruitment, and attest that the recruitment will be conducted, as 
follows. The employer must place a new job order for the job 
opportunity with the State Workforce Agency (SWA), serving the area of 
intended employment. The job order must contain the job assurances and 
contents set forth in 20 CFR 655.18 for recruitment of U.S. workers at 
the place of employment, and remain posted for at least 5 days 
beginning not later than the next business day after submitting a 
petition for H-2B workers to USCIS.

[[Page 24911]]

The employer must also follow all applicable SWA instructions for 
posting job orders and receive applications in all forms allowed by the 
SWA, including online applications. In addition, eligible employers 
will also be required to place one newspaper advertisement, which may 
be published online or in print on any day of the week, meeting the 
advertising requirements of 20 CFR 655.41, during the period of time 
the SWA is actively circulating the job order for intrastate clearance. 
Employers must retain the additional recruitment documentation, 
including a recruitment report that meets the requirements for 
recruitment reports set forth in 20 CFR 655.48(a)(1)(2) & (7), together 
with a copy of the attestation and supporting documentation, as 
described above, for a period of 3 years from the date that the TLC was 
approved, consistent with the document retention requirements under 20 
CFR 655.56. These requirements are similar to those that apply to 
certain seafood employers who stagger the entry of H-2B workers under 
20 CFR 655.15(f).
    The employer must hire any qualified U.S. worker who applies or is 
referred for the job opportunity until 2 business days after the last 
date on which the job order is posted. The 2 business day requirement 
permits a brief additional period of time to enable U.S. workers to 
contact the employer following the job order or newspaper 
advertisement. Consistent with 20 CFR 655.40(a), applicants can be 
rejected only for lawful job-related reasons.
    DOL's WHD has the authority to investigate the employer's 
attestations, as the attestations are a required part of the H-2B 
petition process under this rule and the attestations rely on the 
employer's existing, approved TLC. Where a WHD investigation determines 
that there has been a willful misrepresentation of a material fact or a 
substantial failure to meet the required terms and conditions of the 
attestations, WHD may institute administrative proceedings to impose 
sanctions and remedies, including (but not limited to) assessment of 
civil money penalties, recovery of wages due, make whole relief for any 
U.S. worker who has been improperly rejected for employment, laid off 
or displaced, and/or debarment for 1 to 5 years. See 29 CFR 503.19, 
503.20. This regulatory authority is consistent with WHD's existing 
enforcement authority and is not limited by the expiration date of this 
rule. Therefore, in accordance with the documentation retention 
requirements at new 20 CFR 655.66, the petitioner must retain documents 
and records evidencing compliance with this rule, and must provide the 
documents and records upon request by DHS or DOL.
    DHS has the authority to verify any information submitted to 
establish H-2B eligibility before or after the petition has been 
adjudicated by USCIS. See, e.g., INA section 103 204, and 214 (8 U.S.C. 
1103, 1154, 1184) and 8 CFR part 103 and 214.2(h). DHS's verification 
methods may include, but are not limited to: Review of public records 
and information; contact via written correspondence or telephone; 
unannounced physical site inspections; and interviews. USCIS will use 
information obtained through verification to determine H-2B eligibility 
and assess compliance with the requirements of the H-2B program. 
Subject to the exceptions described in 8 CFR 103.2(b)(16), USCIS will 
provide petitioners with an opportunity to address any adverse or 
derogatory information that may result from a USCIS compliance review, 
verification, or site visit after a formal decision is made on a 
petition or after the agency has initiated an adverse action that may 
result in revocation or termination of an approval.
    DOL's OFLC has the existing authority to conduct audit examinations 
on adjudicated Applications for Temporary Employment Certification, and 
verify any information supporting the employer's attestations under 20 
CFR 655.70. Where an audit examination determines that there has been 
fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact or a substantial 
failure to meet the required terms and conditions of the attestations 
or failure to comply with the audit examination process, OFLC may 
institute appropriate administrative proceedings to impose sanctions on 
the employer. These sanctions may result in revocation of an approved 
TLC, the requirement that the employer undergo assisted recruitment in 
future filings of an Application for Temporary Employment Certification 
for a period of up to 2 years, and/or debarment from the H-2B program 
and any other foreign labor certification program administered by the 
DOL for 1 to 5 years. See 29 CFR 655.71, 655.72, 655.73. Additionally, 
OFLC has the authority to provide any finding made or documents 
received during the course of conducting an audit examination to the 
DHS, WHD, IER, or other enforcement agencies. OFLC's existing audit 
authority is independently authorized, and is not limited by the 
expiration date of this rule. Therefore, in accordance with the 
documentation retention requirements at new 20 CFR 655.66, the 
petitioner must retain documents and records proving compliance with 
this rule, and must provide the documents and records upon request by 
DHS or DOL.
    Petitioners must also comply with any other applicable laws in 
their recruitment, such as avoiding unlawful discrimination against 
U.S. workers based on their citizenship status or national origin. 
Specifically, the failure to recruit and hire qualified and available 
U.S. workers on account of such individuals' national origin or 
citizenship status may violate INA section 274B, 8 U.S.C. 1324b.

III. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

A. Administrative Procedure Act

    This rule is issued without prior notice and opportunity to comment 
and with an immediate effective date pursuant to the Administrative 
Procedure Act (APA). 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (d).
1. Good Cause To Forgo Notice and Comment Rulemaking
    The APA, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), authorizes an agency to issue a rule 
without prior notice and opportunity to comment when the agency for 
good cause finds that those procedures are ``impracticable, 
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' The good cause 
exception for forgoing notice and comment rulemaking ``excuses notice 
and comment in emergency situations, or where delay could result in 
serious harm.'' Jifry v. FAA, 370 F.3d 1174, 1179 (D.C. Cir. 2004). 
Although the good cause exception is ``narrowly construed and only 
reluctantly countenanced,'' Tenn. Gas Pipeline Co. v. FERC, 969 F.2d 
1141, 1144 (D.C. Cir.1992) the Departments have appropriately invoked 
the exception in this case, for the reasons set forth below.
    In this case, the Departments are bypassing advance notice and 
comment because of the exigency created by section 205 of Div. M of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (FY 2018 Omnibus), which went 
into effect on March 23, 2018 and expires on September 30, 2018. USCIS 
received more than enough petitions to meet the H-2B visa statutory cap 
for the second half of the FY 2018 during the first five business days 
that those petitions could be filed. Therefore, USCIS conducted a 
lottery on February 28, 2018 to randomly select a sufficient number of 
petitions to meet the cap. USCIS rejected and returned the petitions 
and associated filing fees to petitioners that were not selected, as 
well as all cap-subject petitions received after February

[[Page 24912]]

27, 2018. Given high demand by American businesses for H-2B workers, 
and the short period of time remaining in the fiscal year for U.S. 
employers to avoid the economic harms described above, a decision to 
undertake notice and comment rulemaking would likely delay final action 
on this matter by weeks or months, and would therefore complicate and 
likely preclude the Departments from successfully exercising the 
authority in section 205.
    Courts have found ``good cause'' under the APA when an agency is 
moving expeditiously to avoid significant economic harm to a program, 
program users, or an industry. Courts have held that an agency may use 
the good cause exception to address ``a serious threat to the financial 
stability of [a government] benefit program,'' Nat'l Fed'n of Fed. 
Emps. v. Devine, 671 F.2d 607, 611 (D.C. Cir. 1982), or to avoid 
``economic harm and disruption'' to a given industry, which would 
likely result in higher consumer prices, Am. Fed'n of Gov't Emps. v. 
Block, 655 F.2d 1153, 1156 (D.C. Cir. 1981).
    Consistent with the above authorities, the Departments have 
bypassed notice and comment to prevent the ``serious economic harm to 
the H-2B community,'' including associated U.S. workers, that could 
result from ongoing uncertainty over the status of the numerical 
limitation, i.e., the effective termination of the program through the 
remainder of FY 2018. See Bayou Lawn & Landscape Servs. v. Johnson, 173 
F. Supp. 3d 1271, 1285 & n.12 (N.D. Fla. 2016). The Departments note 
that this action is temporary in nature, see id.,\23\ and includes 
appropriate conditions to ensure that it affects only those businesses 
most in need.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ Because the Departments have issued this rule as a 
temporary final rule, this rule--with the sole exception of the 
document retention requirements--will be of no effect after 
September 30, 2018, even if Congress includes an authority similar 
to section 205 in a subsequent act of Congress.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Good Cause To Proceed With an Immediate Effective Date
    The APA also authorizes agencies to make a rule effective 
immediately, upon a showing of good cause, instead of imposing a 30-day 
delay. 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The good cause exception to the 30-day 
effective date requirement is easier to meet than the good cause 
exception for foregoing notice and comment rulemaking. Riverbend Farms, 
Inc. v. Madigan, 958 F.2d 1479, 1485 (9th Cir. 1992); Am. Fed'n of 
Gov't Emps., AFL-CIO v. Block, 655 F.2d 1153, 1156 (D.C. Cir. 1981); 
U.S. Steel Corp. v. EPA, 605 F.2d 283, 289-90 (7th Cir. 1979). An 
agency can show good cause for eliminating the 30-day delayed effective 
date when it demonstrates urgent conditions the rule seeks to correct 
or unavoidable time limitations. U.S. Steel Corp., 605 F.2d at 290; 
United States v. Gavrilovic, 511 F.2d 1099, 1104 (8th Cir. 1977). For 
the same reasons set forth above, we also conclude that the Departments 
have good cause to dispense with the 30-day effective date requirement 
given that this rule is necessary to prevent U.S. businesses from 
suffering irreparable harm and therefore causing significant economic 
disruption.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. (RFA), imposes 
certain requirements on Federal agency rules that are subject to the 
notice and comment requirements of the APA. See 5 U.S.C. 603(a), 
604(a). This final rule is exempt from notice and comment requirements 
for the reasons stated above. Therefore, the requirements of the RFA 
applicable to final rules, 5 U.S.C. 604, do not apply to this final 
rule. Accordingly, the Departments are not required to either certify 
that the final rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities or conduct a regulatory 
flexibility analysis.

C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) is intended, among 
other things, to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal 
mandates on State, local, and tribal governments. Title II of the Act 
requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing 
the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final agency rule 
that may result in $100 million or more expenditure (adjusted annually 
for inflation) in any one year by State, local, and tribal governments, 
in the aggregate, or by the private sector. The value equivalent of 
$100 million in 1995 adjusted for inflation to 2017 levels by the 
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumer (CPI-U) is $161 million.
    This rule does not exceed the $100 million expenditure in any 1 
year when adjusted for inflation ($161 million in 2017 dollars), and 
this rulemaking does not contain such a mandate. The requirements of 
Title II of the Act, therefore, do not apply, and the Departments have 
not prepared a statement under the Act.

D. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This temporary rule is not a major rule as defined by section 804 
of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1996, Public Law 
104-121, 804, 110 Stat. 847, 872 (1996), 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This rule has 
not been found to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 
million or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant 
adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 
innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to 
compete with foreign-based companies in domestic or export markets.

E. Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review), 13563 
(Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review), and 13771 (Reducing 
Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs)

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. 
Executive Order 13771 (``Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory 
Costs'') directs agencies to reduce regulation and control regulatory 
costs.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this 
rule is a ``significant regulatory action'' although not an 
economically significant regulatory action. Accordingly, OMB has 
reviewed this regulation. OMB considers this final rule to be an 
Executive Order 13771 deregulatory action.
1. Summary
    With this final rule, DHS is authorizing up to an additional 15,000 
visas for the remainder of FY 2018, pursuant to the FY 2018 Omnibus, to 
be available to certain U.S. businesses under the H-2B visa 
classification. By the authority given under the FY 2018 Omnibus, DHS 
is increasing the H-2B cap for the remainder of FY 2018 for those 
businesses that: (1) Show that there are an insufficient number of 
qualified U.S. workers to meet their needs in FY 2018; and (2) attest 
that their businesses are likely to suffer

[[Page 24913]]

irreparable harm without the ability to employ the H-2B workers that 
are the subject of their petition. This final rule aims to help prevent 
such harm by allowing them to hire additional H-2B workers within FY 
2018. DHS estimates that the total cost of this rule ranges from 
$8,027,906 (rounded) to $10,306,023 (rounded) depending on the 
combination of petitions filed by each type of filer.\24\ Table 1 
(below) provides a brief summary of the provision and its impact.
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    \24\ Calculation: Petitioner costs to file (Form I-129: 
$2,024,162 (rounded) to $4,111,474 (rounded)) + (Form I-907 
$3,839,617 to $4,030,421) + (Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-2 $2,164,127) = 
$8,027,906 (rounded) to $10,306,022 (rounded).

                                    Table 1--Summary of Provision and Impact
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Changes resulting from    Expected cost of the   Expected benefit of the
          Current provision            the proposed provisions     proposed provision       proposed provision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The current statutory cap limits H-2B  The amended provisions    The total        Eligible
 visa allocations by 66,000 workers a   would allow for up to    estimated cost to file   petitioners would be
 year.                                  15,000 additional H-2B   Form I-129 would be      able to hire the
                                        visas for the            $2,024,162 (rounded)     temporary workers
                                        remainder of the         if human resource        needed to prevent
                                        fiscal year.             specialists file,        their businesses from
                                                                 $2,989,687 (rounded)     suffering irreparable
                                                                 if in-house lawyers      harm.
                                                                 file, and $4,111,474     U.S. employees
                                                                 (rounded) if             of these businesses
                                                                 outsourced lawyers       would avoid harm.
                                                                 file.
                                                                 If a Form I-
                                                                 907 is submitted as
                                                                 well, the total
                                                                 estimated cost to file
                                                                 for Form I-907 would
                                                                 be a maximum of
                                                                 $3,839,617 if human
                                                                 resource specialists
                                                                 file, $3,921,285 if in-
                                                                 house lawyers file,
                                                                 and $4,030,421 if
                                                                 outsourced lawyers
                                                                 file.
                                                                 DHS may incur
                                                                 some additional
                                                                 adjudication costs as
                                                                 more applicants may
                                                                 file Form I-129.
                                                                 However, these
                                                                 additional costs are
                                                                 expected to be covered
                                                                 by the fees paid for
                                                                 filing the form.
                                       Petitioners would also    The total        Serves as
                                        be required to fill      estimated cost to        initial evidence to
                                        out newly created Form   petitioners to           DHS that the
                                        ETA-9142-B-CAA-2,        complete and file Form   petitioner meets the
                                        Attestation for          ETA-9142-B-CAA-2 is      irreparable harm
                                        Employers Seeking to     $2,164,127.              standard.
                                        Employ H-2B
                                        Nonimmigrant Workers
                                        Under Section 205 of
                                        Div. M of the
                                        Consolidated
                                        Appropriations Act,
                                        2018.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS and DOL analysis.

2. Background and Purpose of the Rule
    The H-2B visa classification program was designed to serve U.S. 
businesses that are unable to find a sufficient number of qualified 
U.S. workers to perform nonagricultural work of a temporary or seasonal 
nature. For an H-2B nonimmigrant worker to be admitted into the United 
States under this visa classification, the hiring employer is required 
to: (1) Receive a TLC from DOL and (2) file a Form I-129 with DHS. The 
temporary nature of the services or labor described on the approved TLC 
is subject to DHS review during adjudication of Form I-129.\25\ Up to 
33,000 aliens may be issued H-2B visas or provided H-2B nonimmigrant 
status in the first half of a fiscal year, and the remaining annual 
allocation will be available for employers seeking to hire H-2B workers 
during the second half of the fiscal year.\26\ Any unused numbers from 
the first half of the fiscal year will be available for employers 
seeking to hire H-2B workers during the second half of the fiscal year. 
However, any unused H-2B numbers from one fiscal year do not carry over 
into the next and will therefore not be made available.\27\
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    \25\ Revised effective 1/18/2009; 73 FR 78104.
    \26\ See INA section 214(g)(1)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(B), INA 
section 214(g)(10) and 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(10).
    \27\ A TLC approved by the Department of Labor must accompany an 
H-2B petition. The employment start date stated on the petition 
generally must match the start date listed on the TLC. See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(iv)(A) and (D).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2018 was reached on February 
27, 2018. Normally, once the H-2B cap has been reached, petitioners 
must wait until the next half of the fiscal year, or the beginning of 
the next fiscal year, for additional cap-subject visas to become 
available. However, on March 23, 2018, the President signed the FY 2018 
Omnibus that contains a provision (Sec. 205 of Div. M) authorizing the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, under certain circumstances, to 
increase the number of H-2B visas available to U.S. employers, 
notwithstanding the established statutory numerical limitation. After 
consulting with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security has determined it is appropriate to exercise her discretion 
and raise the H-2B cap by up to an additional 15,000 visas for the 
remainder of FY 2018 for those businesses who would qualify under 
certain circumstances.
3. Population
    This temporary rule would impact those employers who file Form I-
129 on behalf of the nonimmigrant worker they seek to hire under the H-
2B visa program. More specifically, this rule would impact those 
employers who could establish that their business is likely to suffer 
irreparable harm because they cannot employ the H-2B workers

[[Page 24914]]

requested on their petition in this fiscal year. Due to the temporary 
nature of this rule and the limited time left for these additional 
visas to be available, DHS believes it is more reasonable to assume 
that eligible petitioners for these additional 15,000 visas will be 
those employers that have already completed the steps to receive an 
approved TLC prior to the issuance of this rule. \28\ According to DOL 
OFLC's certification data for FY 2018, there were about 4,978 H-2B 
certifications with expected work start dates between April 1 and 
September 30, 2018. However, many of these certifications have already 
been filled under the existing cap. Of the 4,978 certifications, we 
estimated that 1,902 certifications would have been filled with the 
second semi-annual statutory cap of 33,000 visas.\29\ We believe that 
the remaining certifications of 3,076 (= 4,978-1,902) represents the 
pool of employers with approved certifications that may apply for 
additional H-2B workers under this rule, and therefore serves as a 
reasonable proxy for the number of petitions we may receive under this 
rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ Note that as in the standard H-2B visa issuance process, 
petitioning employers must still apply for a temporary labor 
certification and receive approval from DOL before submitting the 
Form I-129 petition with USCIS.
    \29\ Between October 1, 2017, and April 15, 2018, DOL approved a 
total of 4,978 certifications for 86,391 H-2B positions with work 
start date between April and September in 2018. Therefore, we 
estimated that the average number of H-2B positions per 
certification is 17.35 (=86,391/4,978) and the number of 
certifications that would have been filled with the second semi-
annual statutory cap of 33,000 is 1,902 (=33,000/17.35).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Cost-Benefit Analysis
    The costs for this form include filing costs and the opportunity 
costs of time to complete and file the form. The current filing fee for 
Form I-129 is $460 and the estimated time needed to complete and file 
Form I-129 for H-2B classification is 4.26 hours.\30\ The time burden 
of 4.26 hours for Form I-129 also includes the time to file and retain 
documents. The application must be filed by a U.S. employer, a U.S. 
agent, or a foreign employer filing through the U.S. agent. 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(2). Due to the expedited nature of this rule, DHS was unable 
to obtain data on the number of Form I-129 H-2B applications filed 
directly by a petitioner and those that are filed by a lawyer on behalf 
of the petitioner. Therefore, DHS presents a range of estimated costs 
including if only human resource (HR) specialists file Form I-129 or if 
only lawyers file Form I-129.\31\ Further, DHS presents cost estimates 
for lawyers filing on behalf of applicants based on whether all Form I-
129 applications are filed by in-house lawyers or by outsourced 
lawyers.\32\ DHS presents an estimated range of costs assuming that 
only HR specialists, in-house lawyers, or outsourced lawyers file these 
forms, though DHS recognizes that it is likely that filing will be 
conducted by a combination of these different types of filers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ The public reporting burden for this form is 2.26 hours for 
Form I-129 and an additional 2 hours for H Classification 
Supplement. See Form I-129 instructions at https://www.uscis.gov/i-129.
    \31\ For the purposes of this analysis, DHS assumes a human 
resource specialist or some similar occupation completes and files 
these forms as the employer or petitioner who is requesting the H-2B 
worker. However, DHS understands that not all entities have human 
resources departments or occupations and, therefore, recognizes 
equivalent occupations may prepare these petitions.
    \32\ For the purposes of this analysis, DHS adopts the terms 
``in-house'' and ``outsourced'' lawyers as they were used in the 
DHS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) analysis, 
``Final Small Entity Impact Analysis: Safe-Harbor Procedures for 
Employers Who Receive a No-Match Letter'' at G-4 (posted Aug. 5, 
2008), available at https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=ICEB-2006-0004-0922. The DHS ICE analysis 
highlighted the variability of attorney wages and was based on 
information received in public comment to that rule. We believe the 
distinction between the varied wages among lawyers is appropriate 
for our analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To estimate the total opportunity cost of time to petitioners who 
complete and file Form I-129, DHS uses the mean hourly wage rate of HR 
specialists of $31.84 as the base wage rate.\33\ If applicants hire an 
in-house or outsourced lawyer to file Form I-129 on their behalf, DHS 
uses the mean hourly wage rate of $68.22 as the base wage rate.\34\ 
Using the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, DHS 
calculated a benefits-to-wage multiplier of 1.46 to estimate the full 
wages to include benefits such as paid leave, insurance, and 
retirement.\35\ DHS multiplied the average hourly U.S. wage rate for HR 
specialists and for in-house lawyers by the benefits-to-wage multiplier 
of 1.46 to estimate the full cost of employee wages. The total per hour 
wage is $46.49 for an HR specialist and $99.60 for an in-house 
lawyer.\36\ In addition, DHS recognizes that an entity may not have in-
house lawyers and therefore, seek outside counsel to complete and file 
Form I-129 on behalf of the petitioner. Therefore, DHS presents a 
second wage rate for lawyers labeled as outsourced lawyers. DHS 
estimates the total per hour wage is $170.55 for an outsourced 
lawyer.\37\ \38\ If a lawyer submits Form I-129 on behalf of the 
petitioner, Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or 
Accredited Representative), must accompany the Form I-129 
submission.\39\ DHS estimates the time burden to complete and submit 
Form G-28 for a lawyer is 53 minutes (0.88 hour, rounded). For this 
analysis, DHS adds the time to complete Form G-28 to the opportunity 
cost of time to lawyers for filing Form I-129 on behalf of a 
petitioner. Therefore, the total opportunity cost of time for an HR 
specialist to complete and file Form I-129 is $198.05, for an in-house 
lawyer to complete and file is $511.94, and for an outsourced lawyer to 
complete and file is $876.63.\40\ The total cost, including filing fee 
and opportunity costs of time, per petitioner to file Form I-129 is 
$658.05 if HR specialists file, $971.94 if an in-house lawyer files, 
and $1,336.63 if an outsourced lawyer files the form.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 
Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2017, Human Resources 
Specialist: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes131071.htm.
    \34\ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
Occupational Employment Statistics May 2017, Lawyers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes231011.htm.
    \35\ The benefits-to-wage multiplier is calculated as follows: 
(Total Employee Compensation per hour)/(Wages and Salaries per 
hour). See Economic News Release, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau 
of Labor Statistics, Table 1. Employer costs per hour worked for 
employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: 
Civilian workers, by major occupational and industry group (December 
2017), available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_03202018.pdf.
    \36\ Calculation for the total wage of an HR specialist: $31.84 
x 1.46 = $46.49 (rounded). Calculation for the total wage of an in-
house lawyer: $68.22 x 1.46 = $99.60 (rounded).
    \37\ Calculation: Average hourly wage rate of lawyers x 
Benefits-to-wage multiplier for outsourced lawyer = $68.22 x 2.5 = 
$170.55.
    \38\ The DHS ICE ``Safe-Harbor Procedures for Employers Who 
Receive a No-Match Letter'' used a multiplier of 2.5 to convert in-
house attorney wages to the cost of outsourced attorney based on 
information received in public comment to that rule. We believe the 
explanation and methodology used in the Final Small Entity Impact 
Analysis remains sound for using 2.5 as a multiplier for outsourced 
labor wages in this rule, see page G-4 [Aug. 25, 2008] [https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=ICEB-2006-0004-0922].
    \39\ USCIS, Filing Your Form G-28, https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-your-form-g-28.
    \40\ Calculation if an HR specialist files: $46.49 x (4.26 
hours) = $198.05 (rounded);
    Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $99.60 x (4.26 hours to 
file Form I-129 H-2B + 0.88 hour to file Form G-28) = $511.94 
(rounded);
    Calculation if an outsourced lawyer files: $170.55 x (4.26 hours 
to file Form I-129 H-2B + 0.88 hour to file Form G-28) = $876.63 
(rounded).
    \41\ Calculation if an HR specialist files: $198.05 + $460 
(filing fee) = $658.05;
    Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $511.94 + $460 (filing 
fee) = $971.94;
    Calculation if outsourced lawyer files: $876.63 + $460 (filing 
fee) = $1,336.63.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(a) Cost to Petitioners
    As mentioned in Section 3, the population impacted by this rule is 
the 3,076 petitioners who may apply for up

[[Page 24915]]

to 15,000 additional H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2017. Based on 
the previously presented total filing costs per petitioner, DHS 
estimates the total cost to file Form I-129 is $2,024,162 (rounded) if 
HR specialists file, $2,989,687 (rounded) if in-house lawyers file, and 
$4,111,474 (rounded) if outsourced lawyers file.\42\ DHS recognizes 
that not all Form I-129 petitions are likely to be filed by only one 
type of filer and cannot predict how many petitions would be filed by 
each type of filer. Therefore, DHS estimates that the total cost to 
file Form I-129 could range from $2,024,162 (rounded) to $4,111,474 
(rounded) depending on the combination of petitions filed by each type 
of filer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ Calculation if HR specialist files: $658.05 x 3,076 
(population applying for H-2B visas) = $2,024,161.80 = $2,024,162 
(rounded);
    Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $971.94 x 3,076 
(population applying for H-2B visas) = $2,989,687.44 = $2,989,687 
(rounded);
    Calculation if an outsourced lawyer files: $1,336.63 x 3,076 
(population applying for H-2B visas) = $4,111,473.88 = $4,111,474 
(rounded).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Form I-907
    Employers may use Request for Premium Processing Service (Form I-
907) to request faster processing of their Form I-129 petitions for H-
2B visas. The filing fee for Form I-907 is $1,225 and the time burden 
for completing the form is 0.5 hours. Using the wage rates established 
previously, the opportunity cost of time is $23.25 for an HR specialist 
to file Form I-907, $49.80 for an in-house lawyer to file, and $85.28 
for an outsourced lawyer to file.\43\ Therefore, the total filing cost 
to complete and file Form I-907 per petitioner is $1,248.25 if HR 
specialists file, $1,274.80 if in-house lawyers file, and $1,310.28 if 
outsourced lawyers file.\44\ Due to the expedited nature of this rule, 
DHS was unable to obtain data on the average percentage of Form I-907 
applications that were submitted with Form I-129 H-2B petitions. Table 
2 (below) shows the range of percentages of the 3,076 petitioners who 
may also request their Form I-129 adjudications be premium processed as 
well as the estimated total cost of filing Form I-907. DHS anticipates 
that most, if not all, of the additional 3,076 Form I-129 petitions 
will be requesting premium processing due to the limited time between 
the publication of this rule and the end of the fiscal year. Further, 
as shown in table 2, the total estimated cost to complete and file a 
Form I-907 when submitted with Form I-129 on behalf of an H-2B worker 
is a maximum of $3,839,617 if human resources specialists file, 
$3,921,285 if in-house lawyers file, and $4,030,421 if outsourced 
lawyers file.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ Calculation if an HR specialist files: $46.49 x (0.5 hours) 
= $23.25 (rounded);
    Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $99.60 x (0.5 hours) = 
$49.80 (rounded);
    Calculation if an outsourced lawyer files: $170.55 x (0.5 hours) 
= $85.28 (rounded).
    \44\ Calculation if an HR specialist files: $23.25 + $1,225 = 
$1,248.25;
    Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $49.80 + $1,225 = 
1,274.80;
    Calculation if outsourced lawyer files: $85.28 + $1,225 = 
$1,310.28.

                      Table 2--Total Cost of Filing Form I-907 Under the H-2B Visa Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of               Total cost to filers \c\
                                                      filers     -----------------------------------------------
 Percent of filers requesting premium processing    requesting         Human
                       \a\                            premium        resources       In-house       Outsourced
                                                  processing \b\    specialist        lawyer          lawyer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25..............................................             769        $959,904        $980,321      $1,007,605
50..............................................           1,538       1,919,809       1,960,642       2,015,211
75..............................................           2,307       2,879,713       2,940,964       3,022,816
90..............................................           2,768       3,455,655       3,529,156       3,627,379
95..............................................           2,922       3,647,636       3,725,221       3,828,900
100.............................................           3,076       3,839,617       3,921,285       4,030,421
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\a\ Assumes that all 15,000 additional H-2B visas will be filled by 3,076 petitioners.
\b\ Numbers and dollar amounts are rounded to the nearest whole number.
\c\ Calculation:
(Total cost per filer of Form I-907) x Number of filers who request premium processing = Total cost to filer
  (rounded to the nearest dollar)
Source: USCIS analysis.

(2) Attestation Requirements
    The attestation form includes recruiting requirements, the 
irreparable harm standard, and document retention obligations. DOL 
estimates the time burden for completing and signing the form is 0.25 
hour, and 1 hour for retaining documents and records relating to 
recruitment. The petitioner must retain documents and records of a new 
job order for the job opportunity placed with the State Workforce 
Agency (SWA) and one newspaper advertisement. DOL estimates that it 
would take up to one hour to file and retain documents and records 
relating to recruitment. Using the total per hour wage for an HR 
specialist ($46.49), the opportunity cost of time for an HR specialist 
to complete the attestation form and to retain documents relating to 
recruitment is $58.11.\45\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ Calculation: $46.49 (total per hour wage for an HR 
specialist) x 1.25 (time burden for the new attestation form and 
retaining recruitment documentation) = $58.11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, the form requires that the petitioner assess and 
document supporting evidence for meeting the irreparable harm standard, 
and retain those documents and records, which we assume will require 
the resources of a financial analyst (or another equivalent 
occupation). Using the same methodology previously described for wages, 
the total per hour wage for a financial analyst is $69.79.\46\ DOL 
estimates the time burden for these tasks is at least 4 hours, and 1 
hour for gathering and retaining documents and records. Therefore, the 
total opportunity costs of time for a financial analyst to assess, 
document, and retain supporting evidence is $348.95.\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ Calculation: $47.80 (total per hour wage for a financial 
analyst, based on BLS wages) x 1.46 (benefits-to-wage multiplier) = 
$69.79.
    U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 
Occupational Employment Statistics May 2017, Financial Analysts: 
https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes132051.htm.
    \47\ Calculation: $69.79 (total per hour wage for a financial 
analyst) x 5 hours (time burden for assessing, documenting and 
retention of supporting evidence demonstrating the employer is 
likely to suffer irreparable harm) = $348.95.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed previously, we believe that the estimated 3,076 
remaining unfilled certifications for the latter half of FY 2018 would 
include all potential

[[Page 24916]]

employers who might request to employ H-2B workers under this rule. 
This number of certifications is a reasonable proxy for the number of 
employers who may need to review and sign the attestation. Using this 
estimate for the total number of certifications, DOL estimates that the 
cost for HR specialists is $178,754 and for financial analysts is 
$1,073,370 (rounded).\48\ The total cost is estimated to be 
$1,252,124.\49\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ Calculations:
    Cost for HR Specialists: $46.49 (total per hour wage for an HR 
specialist) x 3,076 certifications x 1.25 hours = $178,754.
    Cost for Financial Analysts: $69.79 (total per hour wage for a 
financial analyst) x 3,076 certifications x 5 hours = $1,073,370.
    \49\ Calculation: $178,754 (total cost for HR specialists) + 
$1,073,370 (total cost for financial analysts) = $1,252,124.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Employers will place a new job order for the job opportunity with 
the SWA serving the area of intended employment for at least 5 days 
beginning no later than the next business day after submitting a 
petition for an H-2B worker and the attestation to USCIS. DOL estimates 
that an HR specialist (or another equivalent occupation) would spend 1 
hour to prepare a new job order and submit it to the SWA.\50\ DOL 
estimates the total cost of placing a new job order is $143,003.\51\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ The job order must address the content requirements at 20 
CFR 655.18, consistent with new requirements contained in the 2016 
Department of Labor Appropriations Act (Division H, Title I of Pub. 
L. 114-113) (2016 DOL Appropriations Act), which was enacted on 
December 18, 2015.
    \51\ Calculation: $46.49 (total per hour wage for an HR 
specialist) x 3,076 certifications x 1 hour (time burden for placing 
a job order with the SWA) = $143,003.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Employers will also place one newspaper advertisement during the 
period of time the SWA is actively circulating the job order for 
intrastate clearance. DOL estimates that a standard job listing in an 
online edition of a newspaper is $250.\52\ The total cost if every 
employer placed at least one online newspaper job listing is 
$769,000.\53\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ Source: The Washington Post, Online Only Job Listings (35 
days), page 4 available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-stat/ad/public/static/media_kit/16-3729-01-jobs.pdf.
    \53\ Calculation: $250 (cost of one online newspaper job 
listing) x 3,076 certifications = $769,000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore, the total cost for the attestation form is estimated to 
be $2,164,127.\54\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ Calculation: $1,252,124 (total cost for HR specialists and 
financial analysts) + $143,003 (total cost to place job order with 
State Workforce Agency) + $769,000 (total cost to place online 
newspaper job listings) = $2,164,127.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(b) Cost to the Federal Government
    DHS anticipates some additional costs in adjudicating the 
additional petitions submitted as a result of the increase in cap 
limitation for H-2B visas. However, DHS expects these costs to be 
covered by the fees associated with the forms.
(c) Benefits to Petitioners
    The inability to access H-2B workers for these entities may cause 
their businesses to suffer irreparable harm. Temporarily increasing the 
number of available H-2B visas for this fiscal year may allow some 
businesses to hire the additional labor resources necessary to avoid 
such harm. Preventing such harm may ultimately rescue the jobs of any 
other employees (including U.S. employees) at that establishment.

F. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    This rule does not have substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of 
Executive Order No. 13132, 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 4, 1999), this rule does 
not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation 
of a federalism summary impact statement.

G. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This rule meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 3(a) 
and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order No. 12988, 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 5, 1996).

H. National Environmental Policy Act

    DHS analyzes actions to determine whether the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) applies to them and if so what degree 
of analysis is required. DHS Directive (Dir) 023-01 Rev. 01 establishes 
the procedures that DHS and its components use to comply with NEPA and 
the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing 
NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508. The CEQ regulations allow federal 
agencies to establish, with CEQ review and concurrence, categories of 
actions (``categorical exclusions'') which experience has shown do not 
individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human 
environment and, therefore, do not require an Environmental Assessment 
(EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 40 CFR 1507.3(b)(1)(iii), 
1508.4. DHS Instruction 023-01 Rev. 01 establishes such Categorical 
Exclusions that DHS has found to have no such effect. Dir. 023-01 Rev. 
01 Appendix A Table 1. For an action to be categorically excluded, DHS 
Instruction 023-01 Rev. 01 requires the action to satisfy each of the 
following three conditions: (1) The entire action clearly fits within 
one or more of the Categorical Exclusions; (2) the action is not a 
piece of a larger action; and (3) no extraordinary circumstances exist 
that create the potential for a significant environmental effect. Inst. 
023-01 Rev. 01 section V.B (1)-(3).
    This rule temporarily amends the regulations implementing the H-2B 
nonimmigrant visa program to increase the numerical limitation on H-2B 
nonimmigrant visas for the remainder of FY 2018 based on the Secretary 
of Homeland Security's determination, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Labor, consistent with the FY 2018 Omnibus. Generally, DHS 
believes that NEPA does not apply to a rule which changes the number of 
visas which can be issued because any attempt to analyze its impact 
would be largely, if not completely, speculative. The Departments 
cannot estimate with reasonable certainty which employers will 
successfully petition for employees in what locations and numbers. At 
most, it is reasonably foreseeable that an increase of up to 15,000 
visas may be issued for temporary entry into the United States in 
diverse industries and locations. For purposes of the cost estimates 
contained in the economic analysis above, DHS bases its calculations on 
the assumption that all 15,000 will be issued. However, estimating the 
cost of document filings is qualitatively different from analyzing 
environmental impacts. Being able to estimate the costs per filing and 
number of filings at least allows a calculation. Even making that 
assumption, analyzing the environmental impacts of 15,000 visa 
recipients among a current U.S. population in excess of 323 million and 
across a U.S. land mass of 3.794 million square miles, would require a 
degree of speculation that causes DHS to conclude that NEPA does not 
apply to this action.
    DHS has determined that even if NEPA were to apply to this action, 
this rule would fit within one categorical exclusion under 
Environmental Planning Program, DHS Instruction 023-01 Rev. 01, 
Appendix A, Table 1 and does not individually or cumulatively have a 
significant effect on the human environment. Specifically, the rule 
fits within Categorical Exclusion number A3(d) for rules that interpret 
or amend an existing regulation without changing its environmental 
effect.
    This rule maintains the current human environment by helping to

[[Page 24917]]

prevent irreparable harm to certain U.S. businesses and to prevent a 
significant adverse effect on the human environment that would likely 
result from loss of jobs and income. With the exception of 
recordkeeping requirements, this rulemaking terminates after September 
30, 2018; it is not part of a larger action and presents no 
extraordinary circumstances creating the potential for significant 
environmental effects. No further NEPA analysis is required.

I. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., provides 
that a Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection 
of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to 
an information collection, unless it is approved by OMB under the PRA 
and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, 
notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally 
be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of 
information that does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 
1320.5(a) and 1320.6. DOL has submitted the Information Collection 
Request (ICR) contained in this rule to OMB and obtained approval using 
emergency clearance procedures outlined at 5 CFR 1320.13. The 
Departments note that while DOL submitted the ICR, both DHS and DOL 
will use the information.
    More specifically, this rule includes a new form, Attestation for 
Employers Seeking to Employ H-2B Nonimmigrants Workers Under Section 
205 of Division M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Form ETA-
9142-B-CAA-2 that petitioners submit to DHS. Petitioners will use this 
form to make the irreparable harm attestation described above. The 
petitioner would file the attestation with DHS. In addition, the 
petitioner may need to advertise the positions. Finally, the petitioner 
will need to retain documents and records proving compliance with this 
implementing rule, and must provide the documents and records to DHS 
and DOL staff in the event of an audit or investigation. The 
information collection requirements associated with this rule are 
summarized as follows:
    Agency: DOL-ETA.
    Type of Information Collection: New Collection.
    Title of the Collection: Attestation for Employers Seeking to 
Employ H-2B Nonimmigrant Workers Under Section 205 of Division M of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act.
    Agency Form Number: Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-2.
    Affected Public: Private Sector--businesses or other for-profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,076.
    Average Responses per Year per Respondent: 1.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 3,076.
    Average Time per Response: 6.25 hours per application.
    Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 19,225 hours.
    Total Estimated Other Costs Burden: $912,003.

List of Subjects

8 CFR Part 214

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Cultural exchange 
programs, Employment, Foreign officials, Health professions, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Students.

20 CFR Part 655

    Administrative practice and procedure, Employment, Employment and 
training, Enforcement, Foreign workers, Forest and forest products, 
Fraud, Health professions, Immigration, Labor, Longshore and harbor 
work, Migrant workers, Nonimmigrant workers, Passports and visas, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Unemployment, 
Wages, Working conditions.

Department of Homeland Security

8 CFR Chapter I

    For the reasons discussed in the joint preamble, part 214 of 
chapter I of title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as 
follows:

PART 214--NONIMMIGRANT CLASSES

0
1. The authority citation for part 214 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 6 U.S.C. 202, 236; 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1102, 1103, 1182, 
1184, 1186a, 1187, 1221, 1281, 1282, 1301-1305 and 1372; sec. 643, 
Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009-708; Pub. L. 106-386, 114 Stat. 
1477-1480; section 141 of the Compacts of Free Association with the 
Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall 
Islands, and with the Government of Palau, 48 U.S.C. 1901 note and 
1931 note, respectively; 48 U.S.C. 1806; 8 CFR part 2.


0
2. Effective May 31, 2018 through September 30, 2018, amend Sec.  214.2 
by adding paragraph (h)(6)(x) to read as follows:


Sec.  214.2  Special requirements for admission, extension, and 
maintenance of status.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (6) * * *
     (x) Special requirements for additional cap allocations under the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115-141. (A) Public 
Law 115-141. Notwithstanding the numerical limitations set forth in 
paragraph (h)(8)(i)(C) of this section, for fiscal year 2018 only, the 
Secretary has authorized up to an additional 15,000 aliens who may 
receive H-2B nonimmigrant visas pursuant to section 205 of Division M 
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115-141. 
Notwithstanding section 248.2 of this part, an alien may not change 
status to H-2B nonimmigrant under this provision.
     (B) Eligibility. In order to file a petition with USCIS under this 
paragraph (h)(6)(x), the petitioner must:
     (1) Comply with all other statutory and regulatory requirements 
for H-2B classification, including but not limited to requirements in 
this section, under part 103 of this chapter, and under parts 655 of 
Title 20 and 503 of Title 29; and
    (2) Submit to USCIS, at the time the employer files its petition, a 
U.S. Department of Labor attestation, in compliance with 20 CFR 655.64, 
evidencing that without the ability to employ all of the H-2B workers 
requested on the petition filed pursuant to this paragraph (h)(6)(x), 
its business is likely to suffer irreparable harm (that is, permanent 
and severe financial loss), and that the employer will provide 
documentary evidence of this fact to DHS or DOL upon request.
    (C) Processing. USCIS will reject petitions filed pursuant to this 
paragraph (h)(6)(x) that are received after the numerical limitation 
has been reached or after September 14, 2018, whichever is sooner. 
USCIS will not approve a petition filed pursuant to this paragraph 
(h)(6)(x) on or after October 1, 2018.
    (D) Sunset. This paragraph (h)(6)(x) expires on October 1, 2018.
    (E) Non-severability. The requirement to file an attestation under 
paragraph (h)(6)(x)(B)(2) of this section is intended to be non-
severable from the remainder of this paragraph (h)(6)(x); in the event 
that paragraph (h)(6)(x)(B)(2) of this section is enjoined or held to 
be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this paragraph 
(h)(6)(x) is also intended to be enjoined or held to be invalid in such 
jurisdiction, without prejudice to workers already present in the 
United States under this regulation, as consistent with law.
* * * * *

[[Page 24918]]

Department of Labor

Employment and Training Administration

20 CFR Chapter V

    Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the joint preamble, 20 CFR 
part 655 is amended as follows:

PART 655--TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN WORKERS IN THE UNITED 
STATES

0
3. The authority citation for part 655 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  Section 655.0 issued under 8 U.S.C. 
1101(a)(15)(E)(iii), 1101(a)(15)(H)(i) and (ii), 8 U.S.C. 
1103(a)(6), 1182(m), (n) and (t), 1184(c), (g), and (j), 1188, and 
1288(c) and (d); sec. 3(c)(1), Pub. L. 101-238, 103 Stat. 2099, 2102 
(8 U.S.C. 1182 note); sec. 221(a), Pub. L. 101-649, 104 Stat. 4978, 
5027 (8 U.S.C. 1184 note); sec. 303(a)(8), Pub. L. 102-232, 105 
Stat. 1733, 1748 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note); sec. 323(c), Pub. L. 103-206, 
107 Stat. 2428; sec. 412(e), Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (8 
U.S.C. 1182 note); sec. 2(d), Pub. L. 106-95, 113 Stat. 1312, 1316 
(8 U.S.C. 1182 note); 29 U.S.C. 49k; Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 
2135, as amended; Pub. L. 109-423, 120 Stat. 2900; 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(4)(i); and 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii).
    Subpart A issued under 8 CFR 214.2(h).
    Subpart B issued under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a), 1184(c), 
and 1188; and 8 CFR 214.2(h).
    Subparts F and G issued under 8 U.S.C. 1288(c) and (d); sec. 
323(c), Public Law 103-206, 107 Stat. 2428; and 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, 
114-74 at section 701.
    Subparts H and I issued under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) and 
(b)(1), 1182(n) and (t), and 1184(g) and (j); sec. 303(a)(8), Public 
Law 102-232, 105 Stat. 1733, 1748 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note); sec. 412(e), 
Public Law 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681; 8 CFR 214.2(h); and 28 U.S.C. 
2461 note, Public Law 114-74 at section 701.
    Subparts L and M issued under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) and 
1182(m); sec. 2(d), Public Law 106-95, 113 Stat. 1312, 1316 (8 
U.S.C. 1182 note); Public Law 109-423, 120 Stat. 2900; and 8 CFR 
214.2(h).

0
4. Effective May 31, 2018 through September 30, 2018, add Sec.  655.64 
to read as follows:


Sec.  655.64  Special eligibility provisions for Fiscal Year 2018 under 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018.

    An employer filing a petition with USCIS under 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x) 
to employ H-2B workers from May 31, 2018 through September 14, 2018 
must meet the following requirements:
    (a) The employer must attest on Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-2 that without 
the ability to employ all of the H-2B workers requested on the petition 
filed pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x), its business is likely to 
suffer irreparable harm (that is, permanent and severe financial loss), 
and that the employer will provide documentary evidence of this fact to 
DHS or DOL upon request.
    (b) An employer with a start date of work before April 15, 2018 on 
its approved Temporary Labor Certification must conduct additional 
recruitment of U.S. workers as follows:
    (1) The employer must place a new job order for the job opportunity 
with the State Workforce Agency, serving the area of intended 
employment. The employer must follow all applicable State Workforce 
Agency instructions for posting job orders and receive applications in 
all forms allowed by the State Workforce Agency, including online 
applications (sometimes known as ``self-referrals''). The job order 
must contain the job assurances and contents set forth in 20 CFR 655.18 
for recruitment of U.S. workers at the place of employment, and remain 
posted for at least 5 days beginning not later than the next business 
day after submitting a petition for H-2B worker(s); and
    (2) The employer must place one newspaper advertisement using an 
online or print format on any day of the week meeting the advertising 
requirements of 20 CFR 655.41, during the period of time the State 
Workforce Agency is actively circulating the job order for intrastate 
clearance; and
    (3) The employer must hire any qualified U.S. worker who applies or 
is referred for the job opportunity until 2 business days after the 
last date on which the job order is posted under paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section. Consistent with 20 CFR 655.40(a), applicants can be 
rejected only for lawful job-related reasons.
    (c) This section expires on October 1, 2018.
    (d) Non-severability. The requirement to file an attestation under 
paragraph (a) of this section is intended to be non-severable from the 
remainder of this section; in the event that paragraph (a) is enjoined 
or held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the 
remainder of this section is also intended to be enjoined or held to be 
invalid in such jurisdiction, without prejudice to workers already 
present in the United States under this regulation, as consistent with 
law.

0
5. Effective May 31, 2018 through September 30, 2021, add Sec.  655.66 
to read as follows:


Sec.  655.66  Special document retention provisions for Fiscal Years 
2018 through 2021 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, 
Public Law 115-141.

    (a) An employer that files a petition with USCIS to employ H-2B 
workers in fiscal year 2018 under authority of the temporary increase 
in the numerical limitation under section 205 of Division M, Public Law 
115-141 must maintain for a period of 3 years from the date of 
certification, consistent with 20 CFR 655.56 and 29 CFR 503.17, the 
following:
    (1) A copy of the attestation filed pursuant to regulations 
governing that temporary increase;
    (2) Evidence establishing that employer's business is likely to 
suffer irreparable harm (that is, permanent and severe financial loss), 
if it cannot employ H-2B nonimmigrant workers in fiscal year 2018; and
    (3) If applicable, evidence of additional recruitment and a 
recruitment report that meets the requirements set forth in 20 CFR 
655.48(a)(1), (2), and (7).
    DOL or DHS may inspect these documents upon request.
    (b) This section expires on October 1, 2021.

Kirstjen M. Nielsen,
Secretary of Homeland Security.
R. Alexander Acosta,
Secretary of Labor.

    Note:  The following appendix will not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations.

Appendix A--Attestation for Employers Seeking to Employ H-2B 
Nonimmigrant Workers Under Section 205 of Division M of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 Public Law 115-141 (March 23, 
2018)

    By virtue of my signature below, I hereby certify that the 
following is true and correct:
    (A) I am an employer with an approved labor certification from 
the Department of Labor seeking permission to employ H-2B 
nonimmigrant workers for temporary employment in the United States.
    (B) I was granted temporary labor certification from the 
Department of Labor (DOL) for my business's job opportunity, which 
required that the worker(s) begin employment before October 1, 2018 
and is currently valid.
    (C) I attest that if my business cannot employ all the H-2B 
nonimmigrant workers requested on my Form I-129 petition before the 
end of this fiscal year (September 30, 2018) in the job opportunity 
certified by DOL, my business is likely to suffer irreparable harm 
(that is, permanent and severe financial loss).
    (D) I attest that my business has a bona fide temporary need for 
all the H-2B nonimmigrant workers requested on the Form I-129 
petition, consistent with 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(ii).
    (E) If my current labor certification contains a start date of 
work before April 15, 2018, I will complete a new assessment of the 
United States labor market in advance of H-2B nonimmigrant workers 
coming to the United States to begin employment before October 1, 
2018, as follows:

[[Page 24919]]

    1. I will place a new job order for the job opportunity with the 
State Workforce Agency (SWA) serving the area of intended employment 
that contains the job assurances and contents set forth in 20 CFR 
655.18 for recruitment of U.S. workers at the place of employment 
for at least 5 days beginning not later than the next business day 
after submitting a petition for an H-2B nonimmigrant worker(s) and 
this accompanying attestation to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 
Services;
    2. I will place one newspaper advertisement, which may be 
published online or in print, on any day of the week, meeting the 
advertising requirements of 20 CFR 655.41, during the period of time 
the SWA is actively circulating the job order for intrastate 
clearance; and
    3. I will offer the job to any qualified and available U.S. 
worker who or is referred for the job opportunity until 2 business 
days after the last date on which the job order is posted. I 
understand that consistent with 20 CFR 655.40(a), applicants can be 
rejected only for lawful job-related reasons.
    (F) I agree to retain a copy of this signed attestation form, 
the additional recruitment documentation, including a recruitment 
report that meets the requirements for recruitment reports set forth 
in 20 CFR 655.48(a)(1), (2) & (7), together with evidence 
establishing that my business meets the standard described in 
paragraph (C) of this attestation, for a period of 3 years from the 
date of certification, consistent with the document retention 
requirements under 20 CFR 655.66, 20 CFR 655.56, and 29 CFR 503.17. 
Further, I agree to provide this documentation to a DHS or DOL 
official upon request.
    (G) I agree to comply with all assurances, obligations, and 
conditions of employment set forth in the Application for Temporary 
Employment Certification (Form ETA-9142B and Appendix B) certified 
by the DOL for my business's job opportunity.
    I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United 
States of America that the foregoing is true and correct:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Name of hiring or designated official of the   2. *DOL Case Number *
 employer (Last Name, First Name) *.
 
3. Signature *..................................  4. Date signed *
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2018-11732 Filed 5-25-18; 5:10 pm]
 BILLING CODE P

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