REPORT: USCIS TO ALLOW STAFFING COMPANIES TO POST AT HQ
A change in policy issued by USCIS via an AILA Q&A appears to clear the way for staffing companies to revert to prior practice and post Notices of the Filing of Applications for Permanent Residency at staffing companies' headquarters.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/01.03.2006_alert.htm

H-1 & GREEN CARD QUOTA INCREASES FAIL TO PASS
In a stunning last-minute change of tack, Congress stripped away all of the favorable business immigration provisions from the Budget Reconciliation Bill this weekend. The provisions had been overwhelmingly supported by Senators in the Judiciary Subcommittee. The Budget bill passed shortly after 5:00AM ET today. Among other things, these provisions had called for increases to the H-1 and Green card quota.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/12.19.2005_alert.htm

CGFNS TO ACCEPT TOEFL IBT
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) announced that it has begun to accept TOEFL iBT English scores on behalf of those applicants who are taking the new internet Based Testing English exam. CGFNS will continue to accept the previous TOEFL,TWE and TSE scores if they are less than 2 years old.
http://www.cgfns.org/sections/press/news/2005/11-22-05_english.shtml

OCTOBER NCLEX FACT SHEET ON-LINE
NCSBN released its October NCLEX fact sheet, which summarizes NCLEX volume and pass rates for a variety of internationally test takers.
http://www.ncsbn.org/pdfs/NCLEX_fact_sheet.pdf

KC BIZ JOURNAL: Hospitals aren't resting on slight reprieve in nursing shortage
The incremental improvement in the vacancy rates over 2005 for registered nurses and other health professionals is not enough to let anyone rest easy. Hospitals are working to increase the number of nursing students being trained in the state -- and to make a nursing career more attractive.
http://www.bizjournals.com/industries/health_care/hospitals/2005/12/19/kansascity_focus3.html?f=et163&hbx=e_vert

HLG's CHRIS MUSILLO AND KATHRYN SCHABABERLE SPEND FIRST-HALF OF DECEMBER IN MANILA
HLG attorney Chris Musillo and Sr. Legal Asst. Kathryn Schababerle were invited by several clients to spend two weeks in Manila conducting seminars and assisting clients with issues on their cases. Chris and Kathryn worked with 70 physical therapists and 25 nurses on this trip. All expect to migrate to the US in 2006. In spite of the ten days that it took Chris to recover from jet-lag, both he and Kathryn thoroughly enjoyed the trip, made many new friends, and would love to return to the Philippines.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/bios/ctm_bio.htm

http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/bios/ks_bio.htm

 

RECRUITMENT IN CANADA: An Ideal First Place To Recruit for Healthcare Workers

Featured on ILW.com
Michael F. Hammond, Esq. writes "Given its close proximity, Canada offers many practical advantages for institutions simply looking to dip their toes in the proverbial stream and begin international recruitment of health care workers."

http://www.ilw.com/articles/2005,1128-hammond.shtm

 

PROCESSING TIMES CHART  

 

PRIORITY DATES  

	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
Employment-Based
1st	C	01JAN02	01JUL03	C	C
2nd	C	01JUN01	01JAN01	C	C
3rd	01APR01	01APR01	01JUN99	01MAR01	01APR01
Schedule A Workers	C	C	C	C	C
Other Workers	01APR01	01APR01	01APR01	01APR01	01APR01