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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) jointly issued this interim final rule (IFR) to adjust the amounts of civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced in connection with the employment of temporary nonimmigrant workers under the H-2B program. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, requires agencies to adjust the levels of civil monetary penalties with an initial catch-up adjustment, followed by annual adjustments for inflation. The catch-up and subsequent annual adjustments are based on the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers. The increased penalty levels as set forth in this IFR apply to all penalties assessed after the effective date, August 1, 2016, for associated violations that occurred after November 2, 2015.  Consistent with DOL's delegated authority under 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(14), INA section 214(c)(14) and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act, DOL will make future adjustments to this civil monetary penalty.

Overall Description of Deadline: Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, the interim final rule must be published by July 1, 2016 and effective no later than August 1, 2016.