Scott Bettridge was quoted in a Newsweek article discussing the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) decision to resume processing key employment visa applications following a shutdown-related pause. The DOL’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification restored access to its Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) platform on October 31, allowing employers to once again submit and manage applications for H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and PERM programs. The temporary halt, caused by the lapse in federal funding, created delays and backlogs that affected employers and foreign nationals across multiple industries.

Scott stated, “During the government shutdown, employers and immigration attorneys have been unable to obtain certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs), which is a prerequisite to filing H-1B petitions with USCIS. H-1B filings submitted without the LCA would be rejected as incomplete.” He noted that this disruption “delayed start dates of employment for many foreign nationals and increased the risk for individuals with expiring status.” With the DOL’s systems now restored, Scott added that the resumption of processing is “a welcome and needed update for employers, as well as for current or prospective H-1B visa holders.” However, he cautioned that backlogs and longer processing times are expected, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning to maintain compliance and continuity in workforce operations.

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