DIRECTIVE	:	GENERAL ADMINISTRATION LETTER NO. 02-01
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	LENITA JACOBS-SIMMONS Deputy Assistant Secretary
SUBJECT	:	Designation of Centralized Location in Each State for the Processing of H-2A Applications

1. Purpose. To distribute a list of the centralized H-2A processing locations in each State.

2. References. 20 CFR part 655, Subpart B 20 CFR 655.101 (a).

3. Background. As a result of funding reductions and streamlining measures which have occurred throughout the years, most States have transferred the H-2A functions to a centralized location within the State to better coordinate the programmatic efforts between the State and the Regional Office and to expedite the H-2A certification process. The H-2A regulations at 20 CFR 655.101 require the simultaneous submission of an H-2A application to the Regional Office of the Department of Labor (DOL) and the State Employment Service Agency (SESA) in the area of intended employment. While most of the functions of the H-2A process are actually administered by one or more State-level office(s), the regulations frequently refer to the local offices of the SESA when referring to the recruitment process of the application. Most, if not all, of the correspondence that occurs during the submission of the application and the recruitment process is actually between the employer and a centralized location within the State, since most States have designated a centralized location for the processing of H-2A applications.

4. Action Required. SESAs are required to assure that employers using the H-2A program in their areas are aware of the specific location where filing and notification must occur. In the very near future, the Employment and Training Administration web site will include the listing of the SESAs' Central Office processing addresses which will be updated periodically.

5. Inquiries. Address questions and inquiries to Charlene Giles at (202) 693-2950.

6. Attachment. Listing of State Employment Service Agencies with Central Offices processing H-2A applications.