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Immigration Alerts, Medical Monthly Monitor and Business Immigration Quarterly.
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DEPT. OF STATE EXPECTED TO ISSUE SUPPLEMENTAL VISA BULLETIN
As previously reported in the May issue, Congress authorized the recapture of 50,000 immigrant visas for Schedule A petitions effectively ending nurse and physical therapist retrogression for at least the next two or three years. The immigrant visas will become available as soon as the priority date is listed as “current” in the Department of State Visa Bulletin. The next monthly Visa Bulletin is anticipated in mid-June, however, Hammond Law Group has learned that the Department of State may issue a supplemental Visa Bulletin shortly.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1770.html

LOBBYING EFFORTS CONTINUE
The Spectrum Group is continuing to meet with the American Hospital Association regarding healthcare immigration legislation. The groups are meeting this month to discuss possible long term lobbying strategies including a temporary visa for registered nurses. If you are interested in participating in the latest advocacy initiative, please contact Chris Musillo (cmusillo@hammondlawfirm.com). We are actively seeking contributions, in money or in kind, for our latest effort.
http://www.aha.org/aha/index.jsp

PERM APPROVAL
Hammond Law Group has received one of the first approvals under the Department of Labor’s new PERM process. The PERM process is the labor certification procedure used in most healthcare occupation permanent residency occupations – except registered nurses and physical therapists.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts.htm

H-1b's STILL AVAILABLE
The USCIS has announced that it still has H-1b's available for those who qualify under the 20,000 exemption with a U.S. Master's degree or higher. Also, there are still many H-1b's available for next fiscal year (beginning October 1, 2005) for any position requiring at least a baccalaureate degree.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/05.25.2005alert.htm

COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
Comprehensive immigration reform may become reality within the next year, providing broader immigration options for employment. Several bills have been introduced on the topic. Senators Kennedy and McCain recently introduced the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. Another comprehensive immigration bill was introduced by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX).
http://mccain.senate.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=NewsCenter.ViewPressRelease&Content_id=1569

CGFNS AND ICN LAUNCH THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE ON NURSE MIGRATION
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) today launched a new global resource, the International Centre on Nurse Migration. The Centre is intended to be an international resource for the development, promotion and dissemination of research, policy and information on nurse migration.
http://www.cgfns.org/press-news.shtml#news15

CONGRESS AND TAX-EXEMPT STATUS FOR HOSPITALS
Congress is hearing testimony on possible reform of tax-exempt status for hospitals. Hospitals are the largest single type of charitable organization.
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=415

BI-PARTISAN SENATE GROUP SIGNS ON TO LETTER REQUESTING $24 MILLION FOR NURSING EDUCATION
Fifty-one senators, representing a bi-partisan majority of the Senate, have signed on to a "Dear Colleague" letter that asks for a $24 million increase for Title VIII nursing workforce development programs, including programs created under the Nurse Reinvestment Act. If appropriated, this would bring to $175 million the total level of funding for nursing education programs in fiscal year 2006. The letter was sent to Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Committee, and to Sen. Tom Harkin, ranking member on the committee.
http://nursingworld.org/news/ananews.htm#nraltr

NURSE TV REALITY SHOW
A clever nurse recruiter is putting together a new TV reality show. The show will highlight the lives of six nurses on assignment in Southern California.
www.nursetv.com

HLG’S MIKE HAMMOND, CHRIS MUSILLO AT STAFFING SUMMIT
HLG’s Mike Hammond and Chris Musillo will lead a roundtable discussion on healthcare immigration at the Healthcare Staffing Summit in Atlanta, June 15-17, 2005.
http://www.staffingindustry.com/healthstaff_summit/