SUPPORTING STATEMENT
ATTESTATION FOR EMPLOYERS SEEKING TO EMPLOY H-2B NONIMMIGRANT WORKERS UNDER SECTION 204 OF DIVISION O OF THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022, PUBLIC LAW 117-103
OMB 1205-0550
A. Justification.
This information collection request (ICR) seeks a Revision of a currently approved ICR.
This ICR supports the Temporary Final Rule (TFR), Exercise of Time-Limited Authority to Increase the Numerical Limitation for Second Half of FY2022 for H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program and Portability Flexibility for H-2B Workers Seeking To Change Employers, which is being promulgated by the Department of Labor (DOL or Department) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (collectively, the Departments). The regulatory requirements are codified at 8 CFR part 214 and 20 CFR part 655 and the information collection activities covered under Attestation for Employers Seeking to Employ H-2B Nonimmigrant Workers under Section 204 of Division O of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law 117-103, Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6 (Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6), along with other requirements (e.g., recruitment efforts; recordkeeping requirements), covered under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1205-0550 (OMB 1205-0550). This ICR seeks to revise OMB 1205-0550 to eliminate the requirement that employers complete and submit the Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6 to DHS but extending the recordkeeping requirements for an additional three years.
Background Information and General Instructions:
On May 18, 2022, under the authority contained in section 204 of Division O, Title II of the FY 2022 Omnibus, DHS and DOL jointly published a temporary final rule (TFR).1 In the TFR, the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, authorized the issuance of up to 35,000 additional visas during the second half of FY 2022 for positions with start dates on or after April 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022, to those businesses that are suffering irreparable harm or will suffer impending irreparable harm, as attested by the employer on a new attestation form. This number is in addition to the 20,000 H-2B visas authorized by the Secretary of Homeland Security in consultation with the Secretary of Labor in January of 2022 for petitions with start dates on or before March 31, 2022. In addition to making the additional 35,000 visas available under the FY 2022 time-limited authority, DHS is exercising its general H-2B regulatory authority to again provide temporary portability flexibility by allowing H-2B workers who are already in the United States to begin work immediately after an H-2B petition (supported by a valid temporary labor certification) is received by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and before it is approved.
The authority to approve H-2B petitions under this FY 2022 supplemental cap expires at the end of that fiscal year. On May 31, 2022, USCIS announced that it had received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 23,500 visas made available for returning workers only.2 It also stated that it would continue to accept petitions for H-2B nonimmigrant workers for the additional 11,500 visas allotted for nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras (Northern Triangle countries or NTCs),3 as well as for nationals of Haiti, regardless of whether they are returning workers. The final date for filing petitions for nationals of NTCs and Haiti who are exempt from the returning worker requirement is September 15, 2022, or when the cap is reached, whichever occurs first.
As with the previous H-2B supplemental cap rules, the Secretary of Homeland Security determined that the additional visas were only available for returning workers, that is workers who were issued H-2B visas or otherwise granted H-2B status in FY 2019, 2020, or 2021, with the exception that up to 11,500 visas that would be exempt from the returning worker requirement and will be reserved for nationals of the NTCs and Haiti.
The TFR sought to mitigate or prevent irreparable harm to certain U.S. employers by allowing them to hire additional H-2B workers within FY 2022. This increase in the second half of FY 2022 H-2B visa cap was based on a time-limited statutory authority and did not affect the H-2B program in future fiscal years. The exigency created by the FY 2022 Omnibus to meet the high demand by U.S. employers for H-2B workers, and the short period of time remaining in FY 2022 for U.S. employers with a start date of need on or before April 1, 2022, to mitigate or avoid irreparable harm to their businesses, requires initial clearance using emergency procedures. The regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(xii)(C) provide that USCIS will reject petitions filed pursuant to the TFR that are received after the numerical limitation has been reached or after September 15, 2022, whichever is sooner.
An employer seeking authorization to employ H-2B workers under this time-limited authority was required to submit the Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6 and the I-129 petition to USCIS 30 or more days after the certified start date of work, as shown on the employer’s approved Application for Temporary Employment Certification; the employer was also required to conduct additional recruitment to confirm that there were no qualified U.S. workers available for the positions.
In addition, employers are required to maintain the records associated with the filing of Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6, including those related to the additional recruitment efforts, for three years from the date DOL certified the Application for Temporary Employment Certification.
After September 15, 2022, or sooner, if USCIS announces that the additional 11,500 visas for NTCs and Haiti are used before that date, employers are no longer permitted to submit the Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6 along with I-129 petitions to USCIS when requesting approval to bring H-2B workers; as a result, the Department is eliminating the need to complete the form, thus removing it from OMB 1205-0550. Employers will only be required to retain records associated with the filing of the form and with the recruitment efforts conducted in connection with their requests under this TFR.
Lastly, DOL sought public comments in connection with Form ETA 9142-B-CAA-6’s associated requirements to revise and extend the information collection, as appropriate, using traditional notice and comment processes under the PRA. Specifically, DOL requested comments on the burden associated with reviewing instructions, performing any required steps, and retaining all required documentation supporting Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6, via a 60-day notice included in the TFR.
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.
This information collection is required by regulations exercising authority delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Labor under the FY 2022 Omnibus. The H-2B program generally is governed by a range of statutory authorities, including sections 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) and 214(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. §§ 1011(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) and 1184(c)), as well as regulatory authorities appearing at 8 CFR parts 103 and 214, 20 CFR part 655, and 29 CFR part 503. In general, before an employer may petition for temporary nonagricultural foreign workers, it must submit an Application for Temporary Employment Certification to the Secretary of Labor satisfying the elements prescribed by the INA and implementing regulations.
The update to regulations at 8 CFR part 214 and 20 CFR part 655 required the creation of a new form for employers to submit to USCIS. Under 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(xii)(B)(2), the employer was required to file the Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6 with USCIS as part of its Form I-129 petition. Through the Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6, the Departments sought to collect information necessary to ensure that employers seeking to hire H-2B workers under the supplemental cap meet all requirements to hire H-2B workers provided in the TFR. Specifically, through this form, employers were required to attest that they met the irreparable harm standard, and that they sought to hire either returning workers or workers from the Northern Triangle countries or Haiti, as well as other program requirements. Employers that submitted the form and I-129 petition to USCIS 30 or more days after the start date of work were also required to attest, through this form, that they would complete a new assessment of the labor market by taking certain enumerated recruitment steps.
Finally, the employer is required to retain documents and records demonstrating compliance with the TFR and must provide the documents and records to DHS or DOL upon request. The retention of Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6 and supporting documentation is required by regulations at 20 CFR 655.66. The Departments intend to conduct a significant number of audits focusing on irreparable harm and other worker protection provisions. The requirement to retain the form and supporting documentation will assist the Departments in assessing employers’ compliance with the TFR’s requirements.
Authority: 8 CFR parts 103 and 214; 20 CFR part 655, subpart A; 29 CFR part 503; Sections 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), 103(a)(6), and 214 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101, 1103(a)(6), and 1184; and Pub. L. 117-70
2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.
The information collection is necessary to implement the temporary cap increase authorized by the FY 2022 Omnibus. After obtaining a temporary labor certification (TLC), employers were required to complete and submit a signed attestation (Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6) to USCIS and retain that form, along with the required supporting documentation, for three years, from the date the TLC is issued. Retaining these records for the specified period of time allows federal agencies to assess compliance with applicable regulatory standards.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also, describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
This form and its instructions were available via the internet (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor) but have since been removed from the Department’s website as USCIS is no longer accepting the form. The employer must retain a copy of the form, as it was submitted to USCIS, along with all necessary supporting documentation, for three years from the date DOL issues the TLC.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.
The procedures and documentation requirements are sufficiently distinct to avoid duplication of collection activities. The information collections covered by this request apply only to employers who seek H-2B workers under the TFR; consequently, there is no duplication of the information collection requirements.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.
The requirements associated with this information collection apply to some small businesses that will submit applications to hire H-2B workers under the cap increase. Recordkeeping requirements, for example, may be satisfied in part by using information that already exists in payroll and other records kept by most employers for other general employment or business purposes.
DOL considered the memorandum issued to all heads of departments and agencies by OMB on June 22, 2012, about Reducing Reporting and Paperwork Burdens.4 It would not be appropriate to include exemptions for small entities (including small businesses) from the requirements under the TFR. The requirements are not disproportionately more burdensome for small entities than large ones.
6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.
In the absence of this information collection, DOL and DHS would be unable to enforce compliance with the terms of the attestations, and DHS would be unable to ensure that visas made available by the temporary H-2B cap increase are reserved for those businesses that meet the irreparable harm standard.
7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner that requires further explanation pursuant to regulations 5 CFR 1320.5.
These data collection efforts do not involve any special circumstances.
8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.
Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years—even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.
The TFR published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2022, at 87 FR 30334, invited public comments on the information collection for a period lasting 60 days. The Department did not receive comments in response to this request for comments.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
There is no payment or gift to respondents involved with this information collection.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
No assurances of confidentiality or privacy are provided. The information collected is not submitted to the Departments unless requested. As a practical matter, information from an investigation file would be disclosed only in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
This information collection does not involve sensitive matters.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.
The attestation form included attestations, including an attestation that the employer met the irreparable harm standard, and document retention obligations spelled out in the TFR and described above. DOL estimated the time burden for completing and signing the form to be 0.25 hours and 0.5 hours for notifying third parties and retaining records relating to the returning worker requirements. Using the total hourly wage for an HR specialist ($49.30), the estimated opportunity cost of time for an HR specialist to complete the attestation form, notify third parties, and retain records relating to the returning worker requirements, is $36.98 per response.5
Additionally, employers were required to assess and document supporting evidence for meeting the irreparable harm standard. Employers were, and continue to be required to retain all records associated with these attestations and with their requests for H-2B workers pursuant to the TFR. DOL estimates the average time burden for complying with the recordkeeping requirement is approximately 0.25 hour (15 minutes).
DOL believes that an estimated 6,304 remaining unfilled certifications for the latter half of FY 2022 would include all potential employers that might request to employ H-2B workers under the TFR. This estimated number of certifications is a reasonable proxy for the estimated number of employers that will need to review and sign the attestation based on the average number of workers requested on each H-2B Application for Temporary Employment Certification. Using this estimate for the total number of certifications, DOL estimates that the monetized value of the time burden for HR specialists conducting the recordkeeping activities is $77,697.
The burden for this ICR is summarized in the following table:
Estimated Annualized Respondent Hour and Cost Burdens
Forms |
Number of Respondents |
Frequency |
Total Number of Responses |
Time Per Response (In Hours) |
Total Burden Hours |
Hourly Wage Rate* |
Total Burden Costs |
Record keeping |
6,304 |
1 |
6,304 |
0.25 |
1,576 |
$49.30** |
$77,697 |
Unduplicated Totals |
6,304 |
1 |
6,304 |
0.25 |
1,576 |
$49.30 |
$77,697 |
* Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2021, Human Resources Specialists, available at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131071.htm.
**Calculation: $49.30 ($34.00 mean hourly wage * 1.45 benefits-to-wage multiplier = $49.30)
13. Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected on the burden worksheet).
Start-up/capital costs: There are no start-up costs.
Maintenance and operations costs: None
14. Provide estimates of annualized costs to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies may also aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.
DOL anticipated some additional costs will be incurred by DHS in adjudicating the Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6. DOL, however, expects these costs will be covered by the fees associated with forms filed with USCIS in support of a petition for H-2B workers. DOL will not incur government costs associated with the employers’ retention of the necessary information associated with this collection.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported on the burden worksheet.
DOL is now reporting a reduction in the burden initially projected when the emergency request was filed. The burden hours for which emergency approval was initially sought has been reduced by 55,160 hours. This burden reduction results from the fact that, as of September 15, 2022, employers were no longer allowed to complete and submit the form, nor required to conduct a business harm assessment, as stipulated under the regulations. The only remaining requirement is the recordkeeping requirement, which DOL estimates will result in an approximate total of 1,576 burden hours. See more information on the table in A.12 above.
16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.
The information on Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-6 will not be published; however, DHS may publicly disclose information regarding the H-2B program consistent with applicable law and regulations.
17. If seeking approval not to display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
ETA will display the OMB approval number and expiration date.
18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”
DOL is not seeking any exception to the certification requirements.
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
This information collection does not employ statistical methods.
1 Exercise of Time-Limited Authority to Increase the Numerical Limitation for Second Half of FY2022 for H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program and Portability Flexibility for H-2B Workers Seeking To Change Employers, in the Federal Register, 87 FR 30334, available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/05/18/2022-10631/exercise-of-time-limited-authority-to-increase-the-numerical-limitation-for-second-half-of-fy-2022.
3 The TFR referred to the three countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras as the “Northern Central American countries.” The countries are referred to as the “Northern Triangle” here.
4 Office of Management and Budget Memorandum, Reducing Reporting and Paperwork Burden (June 22, 2012), available at https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/inforeg/memos/reducing-reporting-and-paperwork-burdens.pdf.
5 Calculation: $49.30 (average per hour wage for an HR specialist) × 0.75 (time burden for the new attestation form and notifying third parties and retaining records related to the returning worker requirements) = $36.98.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | Attachment; 240; 1 |
| Author | Smyth, Michel - OASAM OCIO |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2022-09-21 |