655.204—Determinations based on temporary labor certification applications.

(a) Within two working days after the temporary labor certification application has been filed with it, the SWA shall mail the duplicate application directly to the appropriate OFLC Administrator.
(b) The SWA, using the job offer portion of its copy of the temporary labor certification application, shall promptly prepare a local job order and shall begin to recruit U.S. workers in the area of intended employment.
(c) The OFLC Administrator, upon receipt of the duplicate temporary labor certification application, shall promptly review the application to determine whether it meets the requirements of §§ 655.201-655.203 in order to determine whether the employer's application is (1) timely, and (2) contains offers of wages, benefits, and working conditions required to ensure that similarly employed U.S. workers will not be adversely affected. If the OFLC Administrator determines that the temporary labor certification application is not timely in accordance with § 655.201 of this subpart, the OFLC Administrator may promptly deny the temporary labor certification on the grounds that, in accordance with that regulation, there is not sufficient time to adequately test the availability of U.S. workers. If the OFLC Administrator determines that the application does not meet the requirements of §§ 655.202-655.203 because the wages, working conditions, benefits, assurances, job offer, etc. are not as required, the OFLC Administrator shall deny the certification on the grounds that the availability of U.S. workers cannot be adequately tested because the wages or benefits, etc. do not meet the adverse effect criteria.
(d) If the certification is denied, the OFLC Administrator shall notify the employer in writing of the determination, with a copy to the SWA. The notice shall:
(1) State the reasons for the denial, citing the relevant regulations; and
(2) Offer the employer an opportunity to request an expedited administrative-judicial review of the denial by an Administrative Law Judge. The notice shall state that in order to obtain such a review, the employer must, within five calendar days of the date of the notice, file by facsimile (fax), telegram, or other means normally assuring next day delivery a written request for such a review to the Chief Administrative Law Judge of the Department of Labor (giving the address) and simultaneously serve a copy on the OFLC Administrator. The notice shall also state that the employer's request for review should contain any legal arguments which the employer believes will rebut the basis of the OFLC Administrator's denial of certification; and
(3) State that, if the employer does not request an expedited administrative-judicial review before an Administrative Law Judge within the five days:
(i) The OFLC Administrator will advise the DHS that the certification cannot be granted, giving the reasons therefor, and that an administrative-judicial review of the denial was offered to the employer but not accepted, and enclosing, for DHS review, the entire temporary labor certification application file; and
(ii) The employer has the opportunity to submit evidence to the DHS to rebut the bases of the OFLC Administrator's determination in accordance with the DHS regulation at 8 CFR 214.2(h)(3)(i) but that no further review of the employer's application for temporary labor certification may be made by any Department of Labor official.
(e) If the employer timely requests an expedited administrative-judicial review pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of this section, the procedures of § 655.212 shall be followed.