Due to the time-sensitive nature of agricultural work, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expedites all H-2A “temporary or seasonal agricultural worker” petitions. However, some recent H-2A petitions have experienced unexpected delays due to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) resulting from the use of the Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE).
As delays in adjudication are especially burdensome for H-2A petitioners, we are providing an H-2A Optional Checklist as well as a Questions & Answers document to help petitioners ensure that their petitions are expeditiously processed. Additionally, USCIS will hold a public engagement in the near future to provide USCIS and H-2A employers, associations and agents the opportunity to discuss best filing practices. Until such time, USCIS is temporarily suspending the use of VIBE in the H-2A Program. Use of VIBE will resume after 45 days of the date of this USCIS Update on July 18, 2011.
