The Business Immigration Monthly is Hammond Law Group’s news eZine, directed at international workers and employers seeking the most up-to-date news on U.S. immigration issues, specifically those that impact workers on H, L, E, and O visas and workers seeking permanent residency. News items will be of particular interest to those in the Healthcare, IT and staffing industries.
Featured Article
Kudos to Senator Grassley! What………Seriously ?
Written by Michael F. Hammond, Senior Partner/Founder
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/monthly/featured-article-october-2009.pdf
November Visa Bulletin
The Department of State has released the November Visa Bulletin here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_4576.html
Unfortunately, there is not much movement to report. EB2 China moved forward a month to April 1, 2005; EB3 China moved forward to June 1, 2002; and EB3 Mexico moved forward to June 1, 2002.
Immigration's Role on Nobel Peace Prize Recipients
Of the first six Nobel Peace prize winners announced, four were born outside of the US, immigrated to the US and now hold US citizenship. In his recent article, “Nobel prizes remind us why immigration matters”, writer Chris O’Brien comments on the influence of immigration on the US economy writing, “That dynamic neatly summarizes the current state of our innovation economy. We are increasingly dependent on brainpower from overseas that migrates here to drive the research and discoveries we need to power economic growth…We need these immigration to renew our economy and to prosper. Our demonization of them is shameful.” O’Brien further writes that we should laud these immigrants and their contributions to the US. “We should be particularly proud that these people did not go to Russia or Germany, but came here. Our nation remains as dependent today as on the day of its founding on the ideas and imagination brought by fresh waves of newcomers arriving on our shores…How strange that a nation founded by immigrants so easily forgets their value.”
For full article see: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13500107#
Immigration Reform to take a Backseat to Healthcare Reform
It is very likely that we won’t see immigration reform being passed until next year. Recently, U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis stated at a brunch for Latina leaders rallying support for the reelection of Governor Corzine, that the president had plans to have new laws in place by next year; “First, we have to pass health care reform. It’s important to our success as a party to pass health care reform,” Solis comment, “Then the administration would be able to push for immigration reform on stronger political footing.” This apparent “tabling” of the immigration issue has angered many immigration advocates, leading many to wonder if President Obama will deliver on his promises. Stay tuned to HLG’s blog at http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/ for more information.
Upgrade to SSA Needed to Handle E-Verify Load
With the recent expansion of the E-Verify program to federal contractors, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is looking to upgrade its current system to handle future demands that will stem from this expansion. A new Government Accountability Office report states, “Although SSA’s existing IT infrastructure is sufficient to support current outgoing data exchanges, SSA officials and agency’s partners anticipate that the number of these exchanges will continue to increase and become more complex, placing greater demands on the infrastructure and systems.” As such, the SSA is using $500 million in federal stimulus funds to build a new national Computer Center to replace its 30 year old database infrastructure. There are however, still a number of areas beyond infrastructure where the SSA must conduct analysis in order to ensure that given the increased demand the new system will effectively and timely provide information needed.
For more information see: http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20091019_7083.php
Conrad 30 Extension Signed into Law by President Obama
As we reported earlier this summer, the House and Senate passed a joint resolution to extend specific immigration programs including the Conrad 30 program which allows individual states to recommend a waiver of a foreign physician's 2-year home residence requirement if the physician is willing to work in a healthcare shortage area within the state. President Obama signed this bill into law on 09/24/2009 and thus the ability of foreign physicians to seek waivers of their visa requirements is secured for an additional three years.
http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/Conference_Summary_Fy2010_LegBranch_and_CR_09.24.2009.pdf
HLG to Hold The 5th Annual Symposium on The International Recruitment of Healthcare Workers
HLG will be holding its 5th Annual Symposium on the International Recruitment of Healthcare Workers on Friday November 13th, 2009 starting at 9:30am in Crowne Plaza Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This event is FREE to attend. For more information or to register, email Hillary Sterberl at has@hammondlawfirm.com.
*** This event does fill up fast. Make sure to register EARLY to secure your spot ***
Did You Know?
In this new section, each month HLG will be sharing a basic rules and regulations that both employers who hire nonimmigrant workers and employees who are on nonimmigrant visas should know.
Did you know that:
Section 245(k) of the Immigration and Nationality Act enables a person who is adjusting status (i.e. filed an I-485 adjustment of status application with the USCIS) in an employment-based category to adjust, even if s/he has been out of status or worked without authorization for less than 180 days. Please contact your HLG attorney for more information.
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