President-Elect Obama and the New Congress
On November 4, the US public elected Barack Obama as its newest President. President Obama’s term starts January 20, 2009. Between now and then the Congress may consider a Lame Duck Session during which there is a small chance that the long-standing HR 5294 is acted on. Failing that, Congress will return in January and begin the process of new legislation.
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/2008/11/president-elect-obama-and-new-congress.html

TN Now 3 years
The USCIS has increased the admission period from one year to three years for Canadian and Mexican nationals. The rule also provides three year extensions for qualifying workers. TNs can be issued by Border Officers or if the worker is in the US, by the USCIS.  TN visas are available for dozens of Canadian and Mexican healthcare occupations.
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/2008/10/tn-admission-period-now-three-years.html

Immigrant, Women's Rights Advocates Call New HPV Vaccine Requirement For U.S. Citizenship Discriminatory, Costly
Some immigrant and women's rights advocacy groups are raising concern about a new USCIS rule that adds the human papillomavirus vaccine to the list of required vaccinations for female immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship.  This could directly impact healthcare immigration since so many of these immigrants are women.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123538.php

NCSBN Endorses Academy Health Ethical Code
The NCSBN Board of Directors approved the Voluntary Code of Ethical Conduct for the Recruitment of Foreign-Educated Nurses at their July 2008 meeting.   The Code of Conduct provides voluntary guidelines that aim to ensure that the growing practice of recruiting foreign-educated nurses is done in a responsible and ethical manner.
https://www.ncsbn.org/1457.htm

New CGFNS Pricing
CGFNS International announced new pricing, effective January 1, 2009, for its VisaScreen Visa Credentials Assessment.  The new price will be US $498.00.
http://www.cgfns.org/sections/announcements/news/2008/10-13-08-visascreen.shtml

2009 NDNQI^® Conference
The American Nursing Association’s 3rd Annual Conference: New Frontiers in Quality Care has been announced for January 21 – January 23, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion- Dallas, TX
http://www.nursingworld.org/HomepageCategory/UpcomingEvents/NDNQIConference2009.aspx

POEA Advises on Travel Clearance Over the Holidays
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration advises overseas Filipino workers returning to the country for the holidays to have their overseas employment certificate (OEC) or travel exit clearance processed early to avoid the holiday rush.
http://www.poea.gov.ph/news/2008/PR-Nov2008_BM_peak.pdf