U.S.A.s interesting latest news

U.S. Department of Labor January 31, 2020 USMCA Signed U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House this week for the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is expected to add hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions to the U.S. economy. #WB100 A yearlong celebration of the Women's Bureau will mark the agency's centennial anniversary. The theme, "Our Purpose. Your Work." honors 100 years of contributions of working women. Florida Workforce Development and Jobs Secretary Scalia visited South Florida this week, where he toured a manufacturing facility and participated in a roundtable hosted by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce discussing workforce development and the USMCA. He also visited the Miami Job Corps Center and spoke at the American Trucking Associations' national meeting HIRE Vets Medallion Applications The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is now accepting 2020 applications to recognize employers that invest in veteran careers. #EndTrafficking Secretary Scalia joined President Trump at the White House today for the signing of an executive order that will enhance efforts to combat human trafficking and online child exploitation. This week, the U.S. Department of Labor also awarded $22 million in grants to fight abusive practices including child labor, forced labor and human trafficking. Mine Safety Record The Mine Safety and Health Administration reported 24 mining fatalities in 2019, the lowest annual total on record. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT #USMCA Grants The U.S. Department of Labor announced up to $27.2 million in grants to help Mexico meet its labor obligations under the USMCA deal. Roofing Safety OSHA has fined a Pennsylvania roofing contractor $605,371 for exposing workers to fall hazards at three work sites in the Lehigh Valley region of the state. Overtime Wages An Iowa construction company has paid $126,420 in back wages to 25 current and former workers to resolve overtime violations. Trench Collapse OSHA has fined a Chicago construction company $233,377 after a worker was seriously injured when a trench collapsed. Wages Restored A Tucson restaurant will pay $114,964 in back wages and damages plus a $20,372 penalty for minimum wage and overtime violations. STAT OF THE WEEK 686,000 New Apprentices More than 686,000 new apprentices have been hired since the start of 2017. COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHT Federal Contractor Record Guidance Our recordkeeping guidance identifies which records federal contractors must keep to comply with Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Disabilities Act, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act. --------------------------------------------------------- Weekly Summary of NLRB Decisions The Summary of NLRB decisions for the week of January 21 - 24, 2020 is now available on the NLRB’s website.  The summary can be accessed by clicking the links below. https://www.nlrb.gov/cases-decisions/weekly-summaries-decisions/summary-nlrb-decisions-week-january-21-24-2020 Questions? Contact Us

--------------------------------------------------

Introduction of a New Version of Employment Eligibility Verification Form

01/31/2020 12:00 AM EST

Introduction of a New Version of Employment Eligibility Verification For

For more information, please visit our USCIS Federal Register Announcements page.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that, as part of the adjustment of its international footprint to increase efficiencies, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, will only be processed domestically by USCIS or internationally by the Department of State in certain circumstances beginning Feb 1, 2020.  

DOS will assume responsibility for certain services previously provided at USCIS international offices, services that DOS already provide in countries where USCIS does not have a presence. Eligible active-duty service members assigned overseas will file their Form I-130 locally with DOS, as will certain non-military petitioners who meet specific criteria for consular processing.  

“USCIS continues to modernize and become more efficient as an agency,” said USCIS Deputy Director Mark Koumans. “Since the Department of State has a much larger international presence, we have delegated authority to our State partners to accept and adjudicate petitions for immediate relatives abroad in certain circumstances. USCIS continues to expand online filing options, which are available to those filing domestically or those filing from abroad, saving applicants and petitioners time and money.” 

Generally, DOS will process Form I-130 locally if the petition falls under blanket authorization criteria, as defined by USCIS:  

• Temporary blanket authorizations for instances of prolonged or severe civil strife or a natural disaster; or  
• Blanket authorization for U.S. service members assigned to military bases abroad. 

In addition to these blanket authorizations, DOS maintains the discretion to accept Form I-130 if a U.S. citizen petitioner meets the “exceptional circumstance” criteria as outlined in the Policy Manual update. 

All other petitioners residing overseas must file Form I-130 online or by mail through the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility for domestic processing.  

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), Instagram (/uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook (/uscis), and LinkedIn (/uscis). 

---

.........................................................