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Seasons Greetings!
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During the Holiday Season, more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. And in this spirit we say, simply but sincerely, thank you and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.
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| IN THE NEWS - Monthly Nurse Update |
By Thomas J. Joy, Esq., Immigration Solutions Affiliated Attorney
The December 2007 Visa Bulletin issued by the US Department of State indicates that retrogression of the immigrant visa quota continues to result in a substantial and unpredictable waiting period for immigrant visas under the current system.
We remain hopeful that new laws will be enacted soon to decrease the present waiting periods for nurses to immigrate to the United States. We base our hope on the fact that the current critical shortage of nurses in the US demands immediate action so that the US healthcare system can continue to operate effectively. In addition, in the past, new laws have been enacted to address the shortage of nurses in the US by allowing more foreign nurses into the US. Finally, several legislative solutions have been and continue to be proposed and debated behind the scenes, even though Congress is in recess for an extra week for Thanksgiving.
Various groups of healthcare employers, nurse recruiting companies and related entities and persons are presently lobbying for a legislative solution. The present focus is on short-term immediate relief for nurses. In addition, long-term permanent relief is being pursued. Specific proposals include exempting nurses from the annual immigrant visa quota restrictions, increasing the number of immigrant visas available in the EB-3 quota category that applies to nurses and creating a new nonimmigrant visa to allow nurses to come to the US immediately to start work while waiting for the immigrant visa process ("green card") to be completed.
Hospitals and nurse recruiters in the US are encouraged to contact their Senators and congressmen to express their support for these legislative efforts to relieve the current shortage of nurses in the US by speeding up the process to bring foreign nurses to the US.
We continue to follow these issues on a daily basis and will keep you advised. | |
| IN THE NEWS - New I-9 Form |
USCIS has published a newly revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) Press Release (http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/FormI9Update110707.pdf). All employers must complete a Form I-9 for each employee hired in the United States. The new form is in furtherance of the document reduction requirements of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), which decreased the number of documents employers may accept from newly hired employees during the employment eligibility verification process. The new Form I-9 does not allow for a Certificate of U.S. citizenship (Form N-560 or N-570); Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570); Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-151); the unexpired Reentry Permit (Form I-327); and the unexpired Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571). These forms are no longer acceptable because they are more prone to fraud, counterfeiting, and tampering.
The new list of documents includes the most updated version of the Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766), an unexpired or expired U.S. passport; a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551); an unexpired foreign passport with a temporary I-551 stamp; an unexpired Employment Authorization Document containing a photograph (Form I-766, I-688, I-688A, or I-688B); and an unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94) for nonimmigrant aliens authorized to work for a specific employer.
The Service encourages employers to start using the new Form I-9 immediately, as it will become effective once the notice is published in the Federal Register. The new Form I-9 and a newly published "Handbook for Employers, Instructions for Completing the Form I-9" may be accessed at: http://www.ilw.com/immigdaily/news/2007,1127-Employer.pdf.
You can download the new I-9 form here: http://www.ilw.com/immigdaily/news/2007,1127-I9form.pdf |
| IN THE NEWS - European Union Considers "Blue Card" to Eliminate Brain Drain |
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In late October, the European Union revealed a plan to compete in the ever growing global market for highly skilled individuals who are willing to move to a new country in order to seek a better life, higher income, or experience a new culture.
The "blue card" plan calls for admission of an additional 20 million Asian, African and Latin American workers over the next twenty years. EU officials hope that the proposal would encourage those who fit the bill to choose the EU over other popular destination countries - especially the United States. With the decline of the dollar and increasing strength of the Euro, EU legislators may have picked just the right time to catch the attention of highly skilled workers who are deciding what jobs to apply for and which country to relocate to.
If the EU government approves the new plan, it will grant highly skilled workers a renewable right to work and live anywhere in the EU bloc. Permanent residency will be given automatically after five consecutive years, and a fast-track procedure would be offered in order to them to obtain work permits and make it easier for their families to join them. Applicants would need to show that they are filling jobs that could not be performed by EU workers, and candidates would need an EU job contract of at least one year guaranteeing a salary of at least three times the minimum wage in the country where they would be working plus health insurance. For further reading: http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/23/business/card.php?page=1 |
| IN THE NEWS: Additional Analysis Regarding USCIS Receipt Delays for Fiscal Year 2007 |
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Many applicants are still awaiting receipts for applications filed during the 2007 fiscal year. Reasons for the frustrating processing delay are still coming to light. With immigration reform inevitably forthcoming, it is important to understand why so many people applied at the same time and inundated the processing centers causing such a significant delay. Looking at why so many people filed this year may also shape how immigration is reformed in the future and will hopefully remind legislators that the bureaucratic side of immigration reform must not be overlooked.
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Fee Increase: Due to the need to increase revenue to increase the efficiency of the USCIS, fees were increased significantly in FY 2007.
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When the fee increase was announced many immigrants rushed to file their applications before the fee hike went into effect. This was one cause for a dramatic flood of applicants.
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Debate Over Immigration Policy: Anti-immigrant language that surfaced during the debate over immigration policy this year caused many to file out of fear. Immigration authorities had also announced they were preparing a new, more challenging test for aspiring citizens, which they published in September. These discussions motivated lawful permanent residents to apply naturalization in FY 2007, which impacted the processing centers.
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Media: Many of those who applied for naturalization are part of the Latino immigrant community. Hispanic organizations, including the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, and Univision, the Spanish-language television network, spearheaded a nationwide naturalization campaign in FY 2007 in which hundreds of thousands of legal immigrants signed up to become citizens.
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When making changes to immigration law, the USCIS and other government agencies will hopefully remember the domino type effect the foregoing actions had, and be better prepared on the bureaucratic side of things when immigration laws are modified - either in a piecemeal fashion or comprehensively. Whatever changes the Government does make will take far longer to effectuate if the bureaucratic counterpart is underdeveloped, understaffed, or under-funded. Here's to successful immigration reform in 2008! We link to: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/23/us/23immig.html |
| IN THE NEWS - "No-Match" Letter Update |
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. . . And now for an update on current litigation regarding the new policy regarding "No-match" letters. In late November the Department of Homeland Security asked the federal court in San Francisco to postpone a hearing on its plan to link Social Security records to immigration enforcement until March. The rule was intended to begin in September, but was halted due to concerns regarding the constitutionality of the new law. The Government stated that it needs the additional time to perfect the new policy. Additionally, the SSA has confirmed to the legal news service BNA that it will be revising its letter in response to the lawsuit and that no match letters will not be sent until at least Spring 2008. We link to:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sunday/chi-immig_natnov25,0,5253690.story
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| IN THE NEWS - What In the Heck Is an "Ombudsman" and Why Is It a Must Have? |
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The USCIS Ombudsman is a critically important immigration problem solving tool that everyone should know about but few people do. The USCIS Ombudsman provides recommendations for resolving individual and employer problems with the USCIS. For further reading, we link to: http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/editorial_0482.shtm. |
| IN THE NEWS - Air Travel: The Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Packing |
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Aside from making sure your travel documents are in order, Immigration Solutions would like to remind you of some other travel restrictions that might be overlooked due to the excitement of the holiday season.
Remember! - Do not wrap gifts you're taking on the plane. Security officers may have to unwrap gifts if they need to take a closer look. Either ship wrapped gifts ahead of time or wait until your destination to wrap them.
The holiday season is also a popular time to transport favorite foods. The following items are NOT permitted in carry-on luggage:
- Gravy
- Salad dressing
- Oils and vinegars
- Cranberry sauce
- Salsa
- Sauces
- Maple syrup
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- Creamy dips
- Wine, liquor and beer
- Other beverages
- Jams
- Jellies
- Soups
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For those of you with a sweet tooth -- pies and cakes ARE permitted in carry-on baggage, but may be subject to additional screening. For further questions regarding travel this holiday season, we link to: http://www.tsa.gov/. |
| IN FOCUS: Tips for Company-Sponsored Party Goers - MAKE IT COUNT! |
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 A company sponsored holiday party can provide a great opportunity to promote your career objectives, as well as have a great time. However, a couple of missteps could be damaging. Follow Dr. Randall S. Hansen's advice on how to use this holiday season's work festivities to your advantage.
Do keep in mind that although holiday parties are intended to be an enjoyable reward for employees, they still are strictly business events. Remember that your behavior is being observed during the party because most likely it is. Act professionally at all times.
Don't forego the invitation to an office party, and do try to stay at least one half hour at the party for appearances.
Don't talk business all night and try to keep the conversations light and upbeat. Remember to thank your co-workers for all the hard work and support they've given you throughout the year.
Do keep your hands to yourself. Although it may feel like a social event, remember that you should remain professional - holiday parties are not the time to flirt.
Use the opportunity to meet top management, supervisors, board members or others who can influence your career. Carry your drink in your left hand so you may shake hands freely when meeting new guests.
Do make a few inquiries before the party: ask whether the event is casual or formal so that you may select appropriate attire; find out if you are permitted to bring a guest; and inquire what the company policy is regarding cars or taxi service for getting home safely that night.
Do enjoy yourself that evening! Employers go out of their way to make the night memorable for their employees so be sure to appreciate their gift to you!
Last but not least, don't forget to thank the person responsible for the planning and coordinating of the party, and do consider sending a thank-you note to top management for hosting the party. (http://www.quintcareers.com/office_party_dos-donts.html) |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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* CGFNS Symposium on Healthcare Immigration from 12/3-12/4/2007
Philadelphia, PA - This symposium, hosted by CGFNS, is entitled "Building Global Alliances in a World of Healthcare Inequities", and is promised to bring together a crucial mix of leaders, researchers, policy makers and clinicians to discuss new solutions to health inequity. To find out more, please visit the website:
http://www.cgfns.org/files/pdf/news/10-02-07_newsrelease.pdf
* American Nurses Association 2nd Annual National Data Use Conference
The American Nurses Association is proud to present the second annual National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) conference from January 30 - February 1, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. The event will take place at Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, a Loews Hotel. To reserve your spot, please visit:
http://www.nursingworld.org/HomepageCategory/UpcomingEvents/NDNQI2008.aspx |
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WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? |
We'd like to hear from you, our readers -- tell us what you'd like to read about in the Immigration Solutions Newsletter! Do you have any questions you'd like one of our attorneys to answer? Don't be shy - send your questions as well as your ideas to leslie@immigrationsolution.net.
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We at Immigration Solutions make it a point to keep you informed of every change that happens pertaining to U.S. immigration policy and law. Immigration Solutions is comprised of a network of highly experienced Immigration Case Managers and Paralegals, working in association with licensed, U.S. Attorneys and Certified Specialists in the field of immigration and nationality law. Through an affiliate office, we also provide our clients with global migration consulting services and global work permits. We have a depth of experience with complex business visas for investors, multinational managers, outstanding individuals in the areas of athletics, business, science and the arts, visa petitions on behalf of nurses and allied healthcare professionals and PERM Labor Certification. We are set up to conveniently work on your behalf throughout the USA and abroad.
You may contact our office to schedule a one-time free consultation with one of our attorneys at no further obligation. We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions at all times. We would be pleased to send you a copy of our brochure, our fees and respond to any other inquiry that you might have. | |
We're excited to report the publishing of Immigration Solutions' e-book entitled, 