ADVOCACY ALERT
Our contacts in Washington have told us that there is a growing chance of a bill to recapture as many as 90,000 visas. The language of the draft bill that we've seen calls for a full recapture of the unused visas from 2000-04. EVERYONE should contact their Congressman and let them know just how important this is.
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/2007/02/90000-visas.html

PHILIPPINES CRIMINAL AUTHORITIES RAID PHYSICAL THERAPY TEST PREP CENTER
According to the Federation of the State Boards of Physical Therapy, agents of the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation, Intellectual Property Rights Division recently raided two locations of the St. Louis Review Center in Manila which teachers were apparently using actual NPTE test items provided by students who had already taken the NPTE examination. The FSBPT confirmed that this will not have any impact on current testing operations.
http://www.fsbpt.org/news/news.asp

PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS BILL AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF J-1 PROGRAM
On January 12, 2007, President Bush signed H.R. 4997 "Physicians for Underserved Areas Act" which reauthorized for a two year period the waiver authority for foreign physicians to work in medically underserved areas under the J-1 visa program.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070112-6.html

CGFNS CONFIRMS EXAM TEST CENTERS CLOSED FOR MARCH 2007 CP QUALIFYING EXAM
CGFNS has announced which test sites will be open for the CGFNS examination scheduled for March 2007 exam. Test sites are typically closed when there are too few applicants requesting an exam at a particular center, there is a threat of disease outbreak or when emerging unstable political conditions pose a threat to applicants.
http://www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/cp/cp-qe.shtml

SUBSTITUTION OF LC's MAY END
Last Spring the Department of Labor published a Proposed Regulation that, if enacted, would have eliminated the ability of employers to substitute new employee-Beneficiaries on past unused Labor Certifications. Several organizations, including AILA, are reporting that the DOL now has finished its review of the public's comments and has delivered its revised Final Regulations to the Office of Management and Budget.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/substitution_of_labor_certifications_may_end.htm

HLG’s HEALTHCARE AND IMMIGRATION BLOG
In January 2007 the Blog focused on a number of proposals targeted at eliminating retrogression. The Blog averages several hundred readers per day and has become the headquarters for breaking information on retrogression. Are you checking it every day?
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/

USCIS PROPOSES MASSIVE FEE INCREASES
The USCIS is proposing raising average immigration filing fees by 66%, as soon as June 2007. USCIS' goal is to effect a 20% reduction in average processing times by 2009.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/USCIS_proposes_massive_fee_increases.htm

INCREASED SCRUTINY BY USCIS AND AT CONSULATES ON EXPERIENCE
As you begin to consider new candidates for the H-1b cap, keep in mind this recent trend: The U.S. Consulates have increased scrutiny significantly on H-1b petitions, particularly in verifying the prior work experience of Foreign Nationals. The U. S. Consulates are denying H-1b visas after the USCIS Service Center has already approved the case because of an inability to prove experience claimed in the supporting documentation.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/1.15.2007_alert.htm

USCIS LAUNCHES ONLINE OPTION FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORMS
On January 12th, the USCIS issued a press release announcing the new web-based service allowing Foreign Nationals to file their change of address information online. The new system is available at the USCIS website.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/1.15.2007_hcalert.htm

NBCOT WILL OFFER OTR CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
NBCOT announced that it will offer a paper and pencil administration of the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) examination on May 5, 2007 in Manila. The deadline for application is April 6, 2007. However, the OT must first be approved to test through the NBCOT International Occupational Therapy Eligibility Determination program before she/he can apply.
www.nbcot.org

IMMIGRATION NIGHTMARE IN FREMONT, CA
The Bay Area Business Courier tells of a nightmare scenario for one poor immigrant. The article is also a good example of why compliance is critical in immigration processing.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_5110144

HEALTHCARE CAREER FAIR & RECRUITMENT FORUM
February 15-17, 2007 | Toronto, Ontario
Members of Hammond Law Group, LLC such as Michael F. Hammond, Judith M. Pendergast, and Michael Shawn McCabe, will be featured speakers and exhibiting at the upcoming Marskell Health Careers Interaction 2007 in downtown Toronto, Ontario. Please visit us at booth #10.
FREE SEMINARS (PLEASE RSVP to msm@hammondlawfirm.com)
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/toronto_event_announcement.htm

HLG Event Calendar: http://www.hammondlawfirm.com

INTERNATIONALLY RECRUITED NURSES: CREATING POSITIVE PRACTICE ENVIRONMENTS

Members of Hammond Law Group, LLC will be attending these American Nurses Association events in various cities.  These events are produced by the International Centre on Nurse Migration (www.intlnursemigration.org)

Cindy Unkenholt will be attending the San Antonio, TX event on March 1-2

Judy Pendergast will be attending the Chicago, IL event on March 5-6

Harlan Simon will be attending the San Francisco, CA event on March 19-20

http://www.NursingWorld.org/meetings

HANDBOOK FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF CANADIAN HEALTHCARE WORKERS INTO THE U.S. (SECOND EDITION)

Hammond Law Group, LLC is making its revised, second edition of "Crossing the Border: Handbook for the Recruitment of Canandian Healthcare Workers into the U.S." available upon request.  This edition has been updated for 2007.  Send an e-mail to msm@hammondlawfirm.com or contact Shawn McCabe at (513) 381-2011 to request your copy.

HLG Toronto Training & Conference Center: http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/toronto

PROCESSING TIMES CHART