Employer Debarment & DOL Violations

Examples of Debarment

In one particular case, the USCIS Texas Service Center denied a software company's I-140 petition for a computer systems analyst on the basis that the company was listed as a debarred entity. The petitioning company appealed to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), and counsel for the petitioner argued that the I-140 petition should be approved because it was filed before the debarment period started. The AAO upheld the USCIS' denial in its decision dated March 3, 2009, and held that the USCIS is barred from approving petitions during the debarment period regardless of the filing date.

How Long Is a Debarment Period?

Debarment periods are determined by regulation. There is a three-tier system for determining debarment period lengths. The first tier is for non-willful conduct or less substantial violation. The second tier is for a willful violation such as willful failure to meet any attestation condition, misrepresentation, and action in retaliation against whistleblowers. The third tier is for willful violations that result in layoffs such as a violation of the attestation, or misrepresentation of a material fact in the courts where employer displaces the US worker.

First Tier Violations

A debarment period of at least one year is required for any violation pertaining to:

• Strike or lockout or displacement of US workers, notification labor condition application specificity, or recruitment of US workers
• A substantial violation pertaining to notification, labor condition application specificity, or recruitment of US workers
• Misrepresentation of material fact on the labor condition application
• An early termination penalty paid by the employee
• Payment by the employee of the additional $500 or $1,000 filing fee
• Certain violations regarding public access when the violation hampers the ability of the administrator to determine whether a violation has occurred or the ability of the public to have information needed to file a complaint

Second Tier Violations

A debarment period of at least two years is required for a substantial violation pertaining to:

• A willful failure pertaining to wages or working conditions, strike or lockout, notification, labor condition application specificity, displacement of US workers, or recruitment
• A willful misrepresentation of material fact on the labor condition application
• Discrimination against an employee

Third Tier Violations

A debarment period of at least three years is required for a violation where an employer displaced a U.S. worker employed by the employer in the period beginning 90 days before and 90 days after the filing H-1B petition in conjunction with any of the following violations:

• A willful violation of certain provisions pertaining to wages/working conditions, strike/lockout, notification, labor condition application specificity, displacement, or recruitment
• A willful misrepresentation of material fact on the labor condition application

If you have questions about debarment issues, please contact our immigration attorneys at The Law Firm of Shihab & Associates. We have offices in Columbus Ohio, Cleveland Ohio, Southfield Michigan and Washington, D.C