INS BECOMES BCIS
Effective March 1, 2003, the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) has become a part of the Department of Homeland Security. The newly formed Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) now handles all of the INS’ benefits services.
Effective March 1, 2003, the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) has become a part of the Department of Homeland Security. The newly formed Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) now handles all of the INS’ benefits services.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/03.03.03alert.htm
H-1s FOR NURSES: CLARITY FROM BCIS
In response to a private question posed by the American Immigration Lawyer's Association, BCIS has clarified that a nurse must always hold a state license in order to be approved for an H-1B. The BCIS had been infrequently approving H-1 cases where the nurse held an authorization to take the NCLEX-RN and a temporary nursing license.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/h1_nurse_ins_letter.pdf
H-1s FOR NURSES: CLARITY FROM BCIS
In response to a private question posed by the American Immigration Lawyer's Association, BCIS has clarified that a nurse must always hold a state license in order to be approved for an H-1B. The BCIS had been infrequently approving H-1 cases where the nurse held an authorization to take the NCLEX-RN and a temporary nursing license.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/h1_nurse_ins_letter.pdf
CGFNS NOW
ACCEPTS
TOEIC AND
IELTS
Effective March 3, 2003, CGFNS began accepting TOEIC and IELTS for foreign healthcare workers seeking English-language proficiency certification as a condition of CGFNS recognition. The long-standing TOEFL/TSE program remains acceptable.
Effective March 3, 2003, CGFNS began accepting TOEIC and IELTS for foreign healthcare workers seeking English-language proficiency certification as a condition of CGFNS recognition. The long-standing TOEFL/TSE program remains acceptable.
CALIFORNIA
PROVIDES ALTERNATIVE TO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
The California Board of Nursing has begun issuing state licenses to foreign nurses with an individual taxpayer identification number in lieu of a social security number. The application for a taxpayer identification number can be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service website.
The California Board of Nursing has begun issuing state licenses to foreign nurses with an individual taxpayer identification number in lieu of a social security number. The application for a taxpayer identification number can be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service website.
NO RETROGRESSION
IN 2003, 2004
The Department of State reconfirmed that it does not expect the Green Card cap to be reached in 2003 or 2004. This sets aside fears that the Philippine EB3 retrogression would be shortly reached due to the spike in nursing cases.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/03.06.03alert.htm
The Department of State reconfirmed that it does not expect the Green Card cap to be reached in 2003 or 2004. This sets aside fears that the Philippine EB3 retrogression would be shortly reached due to the spike in nursing cases.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/03.06.03alert.htm
HAMMOND LAW GROUP, LLC PUBLISHED ON ILW.COM
"A
Resolution for Foreign Nurses" by Sherry
Neal, Esq.
This article, which discusses recent BCIS
memos affecting healthcare workers, has
been published on ILW.com.
MIKE HAMMOND TO SPEAK
AT UPCOMING HEALTHCARE FORUM
"Representing
Doctors, Nurses And Other Health Professionals - New Issues For New Times"
Speakers: William Stock, Sylvia Boecker, Eleanor Fitzpatrick, Michael Hammond, Judith Pendergast, Donna Richardson, Stephen Seeling, Carl Shusterman and Gregory Siskind
Speakers: William Stock, Sylvia Boecker, Eleanor Fitzpatrick, Michael Hammond, Judith Pendergast, Donna Richardson, Stephen Seeling, Carl Shusterman and Gregory Siskind
Register/More Information:
http://www.ilw.com/lawyers/seminars/february2003.shtm
INS RESTORES PREVIOUS FILING FEES
The brief decrease in INS filing fees ended on February 27, 2003. The INS has restored filing fees to the pre-January 24, 2003 rates.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/02.27.03alert.htm
Hammond Law Group has a team of attorneys and legal staff who work with leading hospitals, recruiting agencies, and other healthcare providers to handle the immigration processing of cases for professional nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and other healthcare providers. This eZine is designed to provide our clients with only the information they need. For more detailed information about any of the topics discussed, please contact us and a member of our healthcare team will be happy to speak to you. mfh@hammondlawfirm.com