PREMIUM PROCESSING FOR SOME EB3 - I-140s STARTING AUGUST 28
The USCIS announced today that starting August 28th it will be accepting Premium Processing requests for I-140 Immigrant Petitions filed within the following categories: EB-3 Professionals (i.e. immigrant workers with bachelor degrees who are members of the professions, such as most Computer Professional occupations, Engineers, and Physical Therapists), and EB-3 Skilled Workers (i.e. immigrant workers capable of performing skilled labor requiring at least two years of education, training or experience, such as Registered Nurses).
http://www.bibdaily.com/pdfs/News%20Release%20-%20New%20Premium%20Processing%20forms%20-%20final%20-%2017Aug06.pdf

RETROGRESSION MAY BE PUSHED BACK UNTIL NOVEMBER
HLG has learned that fewer EX visas were used in July than expected. Accordingly, the Department of State may be able to push off retrogression for one additional month. http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/08.14.2006_hcalert.htm

NCLEX IN MANILA SUFFERS SETBACK
The chances of having such a testing venue in Manila have dimmed with the well-publicized leakage of the June licensure examination for Filipino nurses. The leakage has called into question if the NCSBN will offer an NCLEX exam in Manila.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/aug/31/yehey/opinion/20060831opi4.html

UK GOVERNMENT HEALTH SERVICE JOBS CUTS
British hospital staff job cuts that will run into more than nine thousand have been announced recently as hospitals struggle to balance their finances.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4887170.stm

HLG’S HEALTHCARE AND ADVOCACY BLOG
Healthcare Immigration legislation is at a crucial juncture. Just like last year, Hammond Law Group is working with a group of immigration attorneys who are universally committed toward making sure that the healthcare industry's needs are met. This Blog will allow HLG's attorneys to timely post all critical information about retrogression, green card quotas for nurses and other healthcare occupations, legislation, and advocacy.
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/

THE FINAL PUSH
Congress has just returned to session. They should be refreshed from their month-long recess, which saw many town hall meetings where Immigration was discussed. Some are skeptical that a bill can be passed prior to the end of this Congressional session. Others believe that Congress will hear their pleas.
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/2006/09/final-push-next-week-congress-returns.html

WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN
AILA has created a handy tool that allows one to easily let their Congressional representatives know how they feel about immigration. It takes under 3 minutes! Why not take a minute (or three) and let your representatives know that you support CIR (Comprehensive Immigration Reform), the SKIL Bill and H-1 Cap relief? You can find the tool on our blog.
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/2006/08/write-your-congressmanaila-has-created.html

SAN FRANCISCO: SYMPOSIUM ON INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Hammond Law Group is pleased to announce a Symposium on International Recruitment of Healthcare Workers on Friday, October 6th, 2006. The Symposium is free to all clients and friends of the firm.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/hc_symposium_10_2006.htm

HLG’s JUDY PENDERGAST AT NCSBN
A Hammond Law Group attorney attended the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's (NCSBN) Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah August 1 through the 4th. Issues of preceptorships for new graduates and criminal background checks for license applicants were discussed. In addition, a report on the success of the expanded international NCLEX testing was provided. Although testing is not currently being conducted in the Philippines, NCSBN continues to be interested in providing the exam there.
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=153304
 

HLG’s CHRIS MUSILLO AT STAFFING SUMMIT
HLG’s Chris Musillo will be attending the Staffing Summit in San Diego from September 19-21. If you plan on attending, please drop Chris an email: cmusillo@hammondlawfirm.com

http://www.staffingindustry.com/healthstaff_summit/

HLG TO PRESENT AT MARSKELL'S HEALTH CAREERS INTERACTION SEPTEMBER 2006
Members of HLG's Healthcare Team will be attending Health Careers Interaction 2006, Toronto Canada. The event runs September 23-24, 2006.
http://www.marskell.com/torontoSEP.htm

http://www.HammondLawFirm.com/Toronto

MIKE HAMMOND SELECTED AS MENTOR FOR OHIO LAWYER MENTORING PROGRAM
Hammond Law Group Founder, Mike Hammond, has been selected to participate in a one-year voluntary mentoring program developed by the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Mike joins a select group of attorneys who were nominated based on their reputations in their local communities and proven commitment to the highest standards of ethics. "I am grateful for their dedication to improving the practice of law, their willingness to participate and their desire to help shape the future of the legal profession." says Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer
http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/default_highres.asp

HLG’S IMMIGRATION OUTLOOK: OCTOBER 17 – EDISON, NJ
The Seminar, which is free to all HLG clients and friends, is set for October 17, 2006. HLG’s Mike Hammond, Chris Musillo, and Amy Dalal will all be speaking.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/immigration_outlook102006.htm

PROCESSING TIMES CHART

(Note that as of April 1, 2006, all Schedule A cases must be filed at the NSC)

VISA BULLETIN