HEADLINES

PT / OT Degrees: Masters or Bachelors?
We are currently experiencing a devastating situation with the USCIS Service
Centers. The Service Centers are now denying all H-1B petitions filed on behalf of
Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists, in spite of the fact that the PT’s and
OT’s have the requisite license.  HLG and a team of attorneys is arguing the case and
may seek federal court action.
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/2009/03/pt-ot-update.html

Visa Bulletin
The April Visa Bulletin was released.  It retrogresses the Philippine and All Other
Countries back to March 2003 and says that we should not expect any further
progression in 2009.  However it does give hope for forward progress in October.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_4438.html
 

H-1 Cap
On April 1, 2009, the USCIS will open the FY 2010 H-1 visa quota.  H-1B visas can
only be filed once per year so it is critical that you review your workforce and make
sure that any needed action is taken.
http://www.h1cap.com/
 

Pres. Obama on the Nursing Shortage
In an off-the-cuff response to a question by Rep. Lois Capps, President Obama said,
 “The notion that we would have to import nurses makes absolutely no sense.” The
statement was picked up by some international news organizations. The President
continued, “And there are a lot of people who would love to be in that helping
profession, and yet we just aren’t providing the resources to get them.”  What does
this mean for the future of international nurse recruitment?
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/2009/03/obama-on-international-nurses.html

 

Government Delays Two Rules: I-9 Rule and E-verify Rule for Federal Contractors
The government has now issued delays on two rules which were planned to take
effect this month: (1) new rules for I-9 Employment Verification form; and (2) the
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) which would make mandatory use of E-verify for federal
contractors.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/2.2.09_govt_delay_I9_Everify.htm

 

11 Individuals Arrested for Visa and Mail Fraud at New Jersey Corporation
The latest immigration enforcement effort by the U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement has resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals on visa and mail fraud. A
New Jersey corporation, Vision Systems Group (VSG), was also indicted on charges
of conspiracy and mail fraud along with a Notice of Forfeiture seeking forfeiture of
$7.4 million from proceeds derived from the offenses. The government used
information from immigration filings and tax filings to combine for a charge of
conspiracy. No lawyer or law firm was mentioned in the indictment begging the
question of who is VSG’s counsel or if they even had one.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/2.16.09_visa%20_fraud.htm

 

Canadian Politician Upset at Processing Times
The number of Filipino caregivers being allowed to come to Canada to work has been
slashed almost in half, says a Liberal MP, who is accusing Ottawa of targeting health-
care providers from the Philippines.  Jim Karygiannis said his office has been fielding
calls from Toronto Filipinos whose relatives can't obtain visas in Manila to travel here
to work as live-in caregivers, even though they are qualified and in demand.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2009/03/02/8585001-sun.html

 

3 of U.S.’ Largest Nursing Unions Merge
The three unions to merge are the United American Nurses, California Nurses
Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee and the Massachusetts Nurses
Association. Their new, 150,000-member association will be called the United
American Nurses-National Nurses Organizing Committee.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/021909dnbusnurseunion.3da449e.html

 

Amid Nurse Shortage, Hospitals Focus on Retention
That turnover rate is a major contributor to the nation's growing shortage of nurses.
But there are expanding efforts to give new nursing grads better support. Many
hospitals are trying to create safety nets with residency training programs.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090216/ap_on_he_me/med_nursing_shortage

 

HLG EVENTS

Available Now
Inside the Minds: Working with Government Agencies in Immigration Law
Sherry Neal has contributed a chapter to Aspatore Books' latest Inside the Minds
series.
Aspatore Books

 

 

PROCESSING DATES

SERVICE CENTER	PROCESSING DATES
California Service Center ( CSC )	Not Processing
AZ, CA, GU, HI, NV
Nebraska Service Center ( NSC )	May 1, 2008
AK, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY
Texas Service Center ( TSC )	March 10, 2008
AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX
Vermont Service Center (VSC)	Not Processing
CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, VT, VA, VI, WV

 

 

 VISA BULLETIN

	All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
Employment-Based
1st	C	C	C	C	C
2nd	C	15FEB05	15FEB04	C	C
3rd	01MAR03	01MAR03	01NOV01	01MAR03	01MAR03
Other Workers	01MAR01	01MAR01	01MAR01	01MAR01	01MAR01
4th	C	C	C	C	C
Certain Religious Workers	U	U	U	U	U
5th	C	C	C	C	C