Which department do employers petition for certifications to hire foreign workers?

Employers petition for certifications to hire foreign workers through the Department of Labor. This department plays a crucial role in the labor market by ensuring that hiring foreign workers does not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers. The Department of Labor oversees the labor certification process, which is a requirement for certain types of employment-based immigration. This certification process includes verifying that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the job position being offered to a foreign worker, thereby protecting the interests of the domestic workforce.

Other departments have different responsibilities: the Department of Homeland Security focuses on immigration enforcement and status, the Department of Justice primarily manages legal affairs including immigration courts, and the Department of State handles international relations and foreign affairs, including visas but not the labor certification process. Understanding the specific roles of each department can clarify why the Department of Labor is the correct choice for this question about employment certifications for foreign workers.