DHS Streamlines Filing Process for Agricultural Worker Petitions

Under the new rule, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can now begin processing petitions while the Department of Labor (DOL) is still reviewing the employer’s certification. This change is meant to help American farmers get the seasonal help they need faster, while keeping labor protections in place for U.S. workers.

Petitioners seeking unnamed beneficiaries will soon be able to file Form I-129H2A online through their USCIS account, using the ETA case number issued by DOL. USCIS will start reviewing these petitions right away but will not issue final approvals until DOL finishes its certification. This update gives employers more flexibility and speeds up the hiring process for agricultural workers who enter the U.S. through legal and vetted channels.

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