USDOL RULE REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PAY FOR LABOR CERTIFICATION NOW IN EFFECT

U. S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) rule requiring employers to pay all costs associated with labor certification, limiting the validity period of approved labor certification applications, and prohibiting substitutions of employees on approved labor certification applications became effective on July 16, 2007. A permanent labor certification involves a test of the labor market to prove that no US workers are available for the job, and is the first step towards permanent residence for most foreign nationals applying through employment.

It is a strange and perplexing rule but one with serious implications for employers, employees, and their attorneys. It is only through a careful reading of the lengthy supplementary information to the rule, largely agency commentary, that one can understand what DOL might consider a violation of the rule.

Employer Must Pay Fees and Costs

In short, DOL takes the position that the rule employer, and not the employee, must pay all costs, including legal fees and advertising costs, associated with the labor certification process. The rule states that an employer may not receive payment of any kind or reimbursement for any costs associated with a labor certification application. DOL’s commentary in the supplementary information to the rule and a subsequent FAQ make very clear DOL’s opinion that all costs associated with labor certification, including attorneys’ fees, are to be paid by the employer and not the employee. DOL explains that it would consider the payment of any legal fees or costs by the employee to be, in effect, a reimbursement to the employer since the employer should bear such costs. While many attorneys and employers have commented on DOL’s tortured logic and clear act of overreaching involved in this provision, most intend to strictly adhere to the rule since the provisions for violating it include disbarment from the labor certification program for offending employers and attorneys.

APPROVED LABOR CERTIFICATION APPLICATIONS NOW HAVE A VALIDITY PERIOD

Prior to the implementation of this rule, an approved labor certification application was valid indefinitely and carried no expiration date. The rule institutes a 180 day validity period for approved applications. Approvals issued after July 16, 2007 should carry an expiration date, determined by DOL, and plainly visible on the application. They must be filed in support of a Form I-140 immigrant petition by this date or they will expire. Any labor certification application approved before July 16, 2007 will remain valid for only 180 days after July 16, 2007. In other words, the 180-day expiration “clock starts to tick” on July 16, 2007, for these applications, and they expired on Saturday, January 12, 2008 (180 days from 7/16/07) if they were not filed in support of a Form I-140 immigrant petition.

LABOR CERTIFICATION SUBSTITUTIONS, MODIFICATIONS, AND REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION NOW RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED

The rule prohibits substitution of employees on labor certification applications submitted with Form I-140 immigrant petitions after July 16, 2007. Modifications of labor certification applications submitted after July 16, 2007 will not be accepted by DOL. For labor certification applications submitted after July 16, 2007, any request for reconsideration must be submitted within 30 days of the date of denial. Requests for reconsideration related to applications submitted after July 16, 2007 may only include documentation actually received from the employer in response to a request from the Certifying Officer (CO) and documentation that the employer did not have the opportunity to present to the CO but that existed at the time the application was filed and maintained by the employer in support of the application. In other words, documentation created after submission of the labor certification application will not be considered. Denials “resulting from the applicant’s disregard of a system prompt or other direct instruction” will not be reconsidered. Requests for BALCA review of a denial or revocation must be submitted to the CO within 30 days of the determination.

Initial Steps to Take in Response to the Rule

In light of this rule and the implications of the PERM system, employers who allow employees to choose any attorney to represent the employer and employee in the labor certification application process may need to reassess policies and practices concerning selection of counsel. Employers should establish clear guidelines and procedures for selecting attorneys, for referring employees to attorneys, and for paying the legal fees and other costs associated with labor certification. They should assess labor certification applications currently in process with outside counsel and determine whether the employee paid all fees and costs prior to 7/16/07 (if the agreement with attorney was made prior to 7/16/07, the DOL rule probably does not prohibit employee from paying attorney’s fees after 7/16 (not retroactive)). They should ensure that all labor certification applications approved before July 16, 2007 are filed with USCIS in support of an I-140 immigrant petition before Saturday, January 12, 2008 (180 days from 7/16/07). They should create a calendar/“tickler” system to remain aware of upcoming expirations of approved labor certification applications and make sure that they are filed in support of an I-140 before expiration. Employers should create a notification system to apprise employees of approval and expiration dates of approved labor certification applications.

PLAN NOW TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF OBTAINING A COVETED H-1B

Each year U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) makes H-1Bs, the most common U. S. “work visas,” available on October 1, the start of the government’s fiscal year. It allows employers to file H-1B petitions for these H-1Bs up to six months in advance. For H-1Bs becoming available October 1, 2008, USCIS will begin accepting petitions on April 1, 2008. For several years U. S. employers have been suffering an extreme shortage of H-1B visas, and last year the 58,200 H-1B quota or “cap” available for employees with a bachelor’s degree was exhausted on the first day that USCIS accepted petitions. The additional 20,000 H-1B quota for employees with a US master’s degree or higher was exhausted a few weeks later on April 30. In order to increase your chances of obtaining one of the coveted H-1B numbers, you must begin planning now and submit petitions as early as possible. It can take at least several weeks to gather the necessary information, documents, and other items necessary to prepare and file the petition.

We are asking our clients to have all necessary documents, checks, and other items to us by February 15, 2008, at the very latest, in order to ensure that we can file their petitions on April 1, 2008, as our office is swamped with such petitions at this time of year.

Remember, higher education institutions and certain closely related non-profit entities, as well as government and nonprofit research organizations, are also exempt from the quotas. J 1 physicians who have been granted a waiver of the two year residence requirement in most cases are exempt as well. Also, persons who have already been counted against the H1B quota during the past six years are exempt, including most persons extending H status and changing employers.

EMPLOYERS MUST BEGIN USING NEW I-9 BY DECEMBER 27, 2007

On November 26, 2007 USCIS published a notice explaining its new Form I-9 and reminding employers that they must begin using the new “Form I-9 (Rev. 06/05/07)N” and discontinue using prior versions on or before December 27, 2007. The new I-9 is now available and may be used by employers. After December 26, 2007 employers may face fines for using prior versions of the form. The notice clarifies that “employers do not need to complete an amended Form I-9 for current employees for whom there is already a properly completed Form I-9 on file. Indeed, unnecessary verification may violate the INA’s [Immigration and Nationality Act] antidiscrimination provision . . .”

DEPARTMENT OF STATE ISSUES RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENT AND EV VISAS

U. S. Department of State (DOS) recently announced that it issued more than 651,000 student (F) and exchange visitor (J) visas during fiscal year 2007. DOS stated that this is a record number, and a 10% increase over last year’s numbers. Apparently it is an increase of 90,000 over the number of visas issued in 2001, and DOS suggests that this indicates a dissipating of the post-9/11 impression among many potential international students and exchange visitors that they were unwelcome in the U.S.

NEW PIMS SYSTEM MAY LEAD TO DELAYS FOR SOME NONIMMIGRANT VISAS

On November 7, 2007, U. S. Dept. of State issued a cable explaining the new PIMS (Petition Information Management Service) system through which consular officers will verify petition approval before issuing a visa based on the approval. The system will replace the old procedures of faxing or scanning and e-mailing approval notices from service centers or the Kentucky Consular Center to consulates. While the cable characterizes the new system as an efficient technological advance, we have been informed by a U. S. State Department official that it may lead to additional delays for H, L, O, P, and Q visa applicants. She explained: “Effective immediately, all consular posts must electronically confirm all NIV petitions prior to visa issuance. This process may take an additional 2 to 3 workdays, creating a minimum 4 workday turnaround for such applicants. This confirmation is beyond our control and cannot be waived. Any petition based, otherwise qualified NIV applicant should be prepared to wait 4 workdays in Canada to receive his or her visaed passport. We are looking at ways to reduce the expected 4 workday turnaround. U.S. based nonimmigrant visa applicants seeking to apply for an NIV are strongly advised to consider applying in their home country.”

Also, we have been advised that persons who change status or extend stay in the US instead of requesting consular notification of petition approval may not be in the PIMS system at all, and may require additional verification steps at the consulate. Unfortunately, as far as we are aware at this moment, there is nothing a potential visa applicant can do in advance to ensure that his/her petition approval is in PIMS.

VISA APPLICANTS WITH DUI “HITS” MAY FACE DELAYS

On June 7, 2007 U. S. Department of State issued a cable informing consulates that nonimmigrant visa and immigrant visa applicants who have been arrested for or convicted of “drunk driving” must be referred to a “panel physician” before the visa can be issued. One arrest or conviction within the last three calendar years or two or more arrests or convictions in any time period will subject the applicant to this clearance process. The panel physician, who is a physician approved by the U.S. embassy or consulate to conduct medical examinations related to visa processes, must then determine whether the applicant may be ineligible for a visa due to a mental or physical disorder and associated behavior that would pose a threat to the property, safety, and welfare of others. While it is quite a stretch of the scope of the law to suggest that one DUI arrest indicates a mental disorder, perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the cable is that fact that even one arrest, which does not result in a conviction, can subject someone to the clearance. In the U.S., as in many other countries, simply being accused of a crime does not result in the imputation of guilt; only after being convicted of a crime may someone rightly be considered guilty of it. Visa applicants who have been arrested and/or convicted of a single DUI-related offense in the last three years or two such offenses ever in their lifetime should plan for delays when they apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

USCIS NO LONGER REQUIRES H AND L ADJUSTMENT APPLICANTS TO TRAVEL WITH I-485 RECEIPT NOTICE

On November 1, 2007, USCIS issued a final rule removing the requirement that persons seeking entry to the U.S. as an H1B temporary worker or L intracompany transferee, but who had also applied for adjustment of status (a “green card”), must be “in possession of the original notice for the application for adjustment of status, Form I-797, “Notice of Action” (issued by USCIS). Since someone may enter the U.S. as an H or L regardless of whether she/he also has an adjustment application (I-485) pending with USCIS, the regulation made little sense but occasionally led to problems at the port of entry. This rule does not eliminate the requirement that all adjustment applicants be physically present in the U.S. when the I-485 is filed (and the best way to ensure that the I-485 has been properly filed is to receive the receipt notice). In most situations traveling with the I-485 receipt notice or at least a copy of it remains a useful precaution. It should be noted that all H or L adjustment applicants, including dependants, who wish to travel and return to the U.S., must have either a valid visa stamp in their passport, or the advance parole travel document (Form I-512 travel permission) in order to return to the U.S. following foreign travel, except Canadians, who do not require a visa, and some visitors for less than 30 days to Mexico or Canada. Please note that only Hs and Ls may leave and re-enter the U.S. without abandoning their adjustment applications; all others must apply for and receive advance parole (travel permission) from USCIS before departing the U.S. If you are not certain how this new rule affects you or your employees, please consult an experienced immigration attorney before any foreign travel is planned.

DHS BEGINS TRANSITION TO 10-FINGERPRINT COLLECTION

On November 29, 2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expanded its US-VISIT “biometrics” collection program with new 10-fingerprint scanners at Washington-Dulles International Airport. In early 2008, 10-fingerprint scanners will be installed at Boston Logan International Airport (Boston, Mass.), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (Chicago, Ill.), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit, Mich.), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta, Ga.),George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport (Houston, Texas), Miami International Airport (Miami, Fla.), John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York, N.Y.), Orlando International Airport (Orlando, Fla.), and San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco, Calif.). DHS states that obtaining the additional fingerprints will enable it to better assess whether those applying for admission to the U.S. are “known or suspected terrorists, immigration violators, and criminals” and increase security.

U. S. CITIZENS NOW NEED PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO/FROM CANADA, MEXICO, CARIBBEAN, AND BERMUDA BY AIR

On September 4, 2007 Department of Homeland Security issued a reminder that effective October 1, 2007 U.S. citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda must present a passport, or other WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) compliant document, to enter or depart from the U.S. For information on WHTI compliant documents, see www.dhs.gov.

SECRETARY CHERTOFF INDICATES THAT FBI “NAME-CHECK” BACKLOG WILL BE CLEARED IN SIX MONTHS

In a meeting in December with representatives of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and other organizations, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff indicated that USCIS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation had revamped the “name check” process that has resulted in extreme delays for “green card” and citizenship applicants, among others. He indicated that, as a result, a large portion of the “name check” backlog should be cleared within about six months, and future “name checks” should proceed much more quickly. He cautioned that some “name checks” requiring extensive investigation may still result in serious delays indicated that this would be a small percentage of the total.

ACLU FILES LAWSUIT OVER “NAME-CHECK” DELAYS IN NATURALIZATION CASES

On December 4, the ACLU of Southern California, the National Immigration Law Center, the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, and the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson filed a lawsuit in federal court asking a federal judge to enforce the time limits on name checks for people in the naturalization (citizenship) process. The lawsuit, Bavi v. Mukasey, names as defendants, Attorney General Michael Mukasey, the FBI, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which oversees the naturalization process. Naturalization is a USCIS process, but the FBI conducts the “name-check.”

DHS RULE IMPLEMENTS U CLASSIFICATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIMES WHO ASSIST IN INVESTIGATION

On September 17, 2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule establishing procedures for issuing U nonimmigrant status for certain victims of crime who assist government officials in investigating and prosecuting the criminal activity. In order to be eligible for U classification the applicant must have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse because of the activity and must have information regarding the activity and be willing to assist government officials in the investigation of the activity. The activity must have occurred in the U.S. (including territories and possessions) and have been a violation of U.S. law. The classification allows the holder (and spouses and unmarried minor children) to remain in the U.S. for up to four years, and is obtained by filing a petition (I-918), including a “certification of helpfulness from a certifying agency,” by the victim. The principal applicant receives U-1 status, and qualifying family members receive U-2 (spouse), U-3 (child), U-4 (parent of a U-1 alien who is a child under 21 years of age), or U-5 (unmarried sibling under the age of 18) derivative status, if accompanying or following to join the principal. The derivative family members qualify (but must apply) for an employment authorization document (“work card”). Up to 10,000 people may be granted U-1 status each year.

WINNERS OF THE 2008 DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY ANNOUNCED

U. S. Department of State’s (DOS) Kentucky Consular Center has notified the 96,000 winners of the 2008 Diversity Visa Lottery, selected from among the more than 6.4 million applicants, that they now have the opportunity to consular process an immigrant visa or, if in the U.S. and eligible, apply for adjustment of status. It is important to remember that there are only 50,000 “green cards” available for the 96,000 winners, and the process must be completed before the close of the government’s fiscal year on September 30, 2008. So winners must quickly begin the visa or adjustment process and manage the process carefully if they are to be successful in obtaining the “green card.” We suggest that all winners consult an experienced immigration attorney before traveling out of the US or taking any step to process the visa.

SOME CUBANS MAY BE ABLE TO ENTER THE U.S. TO WAIT FOR GREEN CARD

On November 21, 2007 U. S. Department of Homeland Security announced the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, which offers Cuban beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant petitions to come to the U.S. rather than wait in Cuba to complete the “green card” process. The act simply announces USCIS’ discretionary authority to grant such beneficiaries humanitarian parole to enter the U.S.

HIV-POSITIVE PERSONS MAY BE ALLOWED TO VISIT U.S. FOR BRIEF PERIODS

On November 6, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a rule that would allow HIV-positive persons to visit the U.S. briefly as “visitors for business or pleasure” (B-1/B-2). The law (INA 212(a)(6)) provides that those “who are afflicted with any dangerous contagious disease” are inadmissible to the U.S., and the agency has long taken the position that HIV is such a disease and that it renders those afflicted with it inadmissible to the U.S. This proposed rule would ease the agency’s stance slightly and at least allow HIV-positive individuals who meet a strict set of requirements to visit the U.S. for up to 30 days for business or pleasure. The conditions include: the applicant must establish (1) “a controlled state of HIV infection” and “no anticipated need for medical care during” the visit, (2) that she/he has been counseled about the nature, severity, and communicability of the disease, (3) “that his or her admission . . . poses minimal risk of danger to the public health,” (4) “that he or she has, or will have access to, an adequate supply of antiretroviral drugs if medically appropriate for the anticipated stay in the U.S.,” (5) “that he or she is seeking admission solely for activities that are consistent with the B-1 (business visitor) or B-2 (visitor for pleasure) nonimmigrant classifications.,” and (6) that he or she is waiving the opportunity to extension of status, change of status, or adjustment of status (in writing) and failure to comply will render him or her permanently ineligible to enter the U.S. The visa will be valid for one year or less, each period of admission to the U.S. will be 30 days or less, and only two entries to the U.S. during the visa validity period will be allowed. HIV-positive persons will remain ineligible for the visa waiver program. This is simply a proposed rule. It is not a final rule, a regulation, or a law.

EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM FEES INCREASE

USCIS PROPOSES RULE TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF I-551 CARDS WITHOUT EXPIRATION DATE

Until August 1989, I-551 Permanent Resident Cards (“green cards”) were issued without an expiration date, so many permanent residents have cards that do not expire or require replacement. Last month USCIS issued a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would require people who have these older I-551 Permanent Resident Cards to apply—within a specified time—for replacement of the old card with a new card that would be valid for 10 years, machine-readable, and carry “biometric identifiers.” People who are required to get a new card but fail to do so in the specified time period will continue to be lawful permanent residents but will not be in compliance with the law requiring a permanent resident to have the I-551 Permanent Resident Card in his/her possession at all times as evidence of registration. USCIS states that a “willful” violation of this law is a misdemeanor and can result in fines and even a 30-day imprisonment. This is simply a proposed rule. It is not a final rule, a regulation, or a law.

DHS “NO-MATCH” PROGRAM DERAILED BUT NOT DEAD

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “no-match” program has been defeated but only temporarily. The program would, in short, require employers to terminate the employment of employees whose name and social security number on earnings reports (W-2s) did not match those in the Social Security Administration’s records. Citing many problems with the program, including inaccurate Social Security records for some individuals, several groups sued to prevent DHS from implementing the program (AFL-CIO v. Chertoff, No. 07-4472 (N.D.Cal. 11/23/07)). The court first put the program on hold and DHS has both appealed that decision and put the legal process on hold until 3/1/08 so that it can re-write the rule. In a 12/05/2007 press release, Secretary Chertoff explained DHS’ approach this way: “Far from abandoning the No-Match Rule, we are pressing ahead by taking the district court’s order to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. At the same time, we will soon issue a supplement to the rule that specifically addresses the three grounds on which the district court based its injunction. By pursuing these two paths simultaneously, my aim is to get a resolution as quickly as possible so we can move the No-Match Rule forward and provide honest employers with the guidance they need.” We can probably expect a revised version of the no-match program to be implemented this spring.

USCIS REACHES H-2B CAP FOR LAST HALF OF FY2008

On January 2 and 3 USCIS received a sufficient number of petitions to reach the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the last half of Fiscal Year 2008 and notified the public that all petitions received on January 3 would be subject to a random selection process.

Many employers have been left without vital workers because of this cap. We hope that Congress is spurred to action and renews provisions that remove returning H2B workers from the quota.

AUTOMATIC EXTENSION OF WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR LIBERIANS GRANTED DEFERRED ENFORCED DEPARTURE

On September 19, 2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an automatic 18-month extension of Employment Authorization Documents for Liberians (“and persons without nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia”) who have been granted Deferred Enforced Departure.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

DREAM Act Again Defeated
On September 21, 2007, Senator Durbin (D-IL) introduced the DREAM Act (S.A. 2919) as an amendment to the defense authorization bill (H.R. 1585). But on October 24, 2007 the Senate failed to garner the votes needed to move forward with debate, effectively killing the Act again. The 52-44 vote was only eight votes short of the 60 votes necessary for cloture, which would have allowed senators to begin debating and amending the DREAM Act before voting on its final passage. Among other things, the DREAM Act would provide a path to legalization for undocumented children brought to the U.S. before age 16, and who have been in the U.S. for five years and displayed good moral character.

Congress Continues Narrow Focus on Enforcement
On November 1, 2007 two border enforcement bills were introduced into Congress. The “Border Enforcement, Employment Verification, and Illegal Immigration Control Act” (H.R. 4065) was introduced by Representative Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and the “Immigration Enforcement and Border Security Act of 2007’’ (S. 2294) was introduced by Senator Kyl (R-AZ). Both bills broadly call for enhanced border security and stricter enforcement of current immigration laws.

Attempt to Increase H-1B Fees and Supply More Health Care Workers Fails
Two significant immigration-related amendments to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 (H.R. 3043) were passed on October 23, 2007 and then stricken on November 1, 2007 during a conference between House and Senate conferees to reconcile differences between their respective versions of the act. The Grassley-Sanders amendment (H.ADMT. 3396) would have added an additional H-1B filing fee of $3,500 to create a special education fund to promote studies in the fields of math, science and engineering. The Schumer-Hutchison amendment (H.AMDT. 3404 and (H.AMDT. 3449) was an attempt to increase the domestic supply of nurses, physical therapists, and university faculty members in these areas by recapturing unused green cards from the years 1996 and 1997.

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THE FIRM IS HONORED, SPEAKS AND ORGANIZES!

Mr. Ware has just been selected, for the second time, as among the 50 “Leaders in Law” in Louisiana for 2008. His recent speaking engagements include: the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Mid-South conference, the Region I, Region II, Region III, and Region VII National Association of International Educators (NAFSA) regional conferences, the Florida Association of International Educators fall meeting, the CUPA-HR Mississippi Chapter fall meeting, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, McNeese State University, and Employment Law Seminars, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA., as well as Jackson, MS. Mr. Ware’s upcoming speaking engagements include: Employment Law Update Seminar, Pensacola, FL, 01/30/08; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 01/25/08; Daytona Beach Community College, Daytona Beach, FL, 01/31/08; Lynn University, Boca Raton,. FL, 02/01/08; Southern Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers, Williamsburg, VA, 02/12/08; Florida Association of International Educators, Boca Raton, FL, 02/18/08; Florida International University, Miami, FL 02/19/08; Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, 03/14/08.

Ms. Gasparian recently spoke at the State of Florida Human Resources Conference 2007, the Region III NAFSA conference, Mississippi State University, and at the Philipino American Lyons Club, LA chapter meeting. She helped organize the AILA MidSouth Chapter Conference (as Vice Chair of the Chapter in Louisville, KY). She is co-chair of the “Immigration Law 2008: Coming to America,” conference, sponsored by the LA Bar Association, on February 15, 2008.

Ms. Kimbrell recently served as the guest expert on immigration reform for a popular Louisiana radio program and also spoke at the 6th Annual Multicultural Conference on Comprehensive Immigration Reform at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Mr. Springer recently spoke at the Region I, Region II, and Region VII NAFSA conferences, at the Florida Association of International Educators fall meeting, at the CUPA-HR Louisiana Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter fall meeting, and at several universities, including the Thunderbird School of Global Management (10/24/07), University of Idaho (10/12/07), Florida International University (11/14/07), and University of Alabama at Huntsville (11/16/07). He is scheduled to speak this spring at the Alabama Staffing Association meeting (4/11/08), at the Georgia International Educators Association meeting (2/21/08), at the National Association of College and University Attorney’s meeting in Seattle (3/6/08), the NAFSA annual conference in Washington, D.C. (5/25/08), at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2/15/08) and the University of Idaho (3/7/08).

For information about any of these engagements, please contact Yolanda Mata at 1-800-537-0179 (or locally at 504-830-5900).

Also, see our Events Calendar for an up-to-date listing of upcoming engagements.