RETROGRESSION: WE'RE GETTING CLOSE
HLG has confirmed that the Senate leadership is comfortable with a proposal to solve retrogression for Schedule A occupation -- registered nurses and physical therapists. It was through grassroots advocacy that we were able to explain to the Senate leadership just how important this issue is. Read about the advocacy effort -- and what you can do to help solve retrogression -- on our Healthcare and Advocacy Blog.
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/

NCLEX TO BE OFFERED IN MANILA
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has selected Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, as a new site for the administration of the NCLEX examinations. HLG has learned that the testing center could go live by the summer, depending on how quickly Pearson Vue can prepare the testing center.
https://www.ncsbn.org/1152.htm
 

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

SYMPOSIUM ON THE INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Hammond Law Group is pleased to announce a Symposium on International Recruitment of Healthcare Workers on Friday, May 4, 2007 in New York, New York. The Symposium is free to all clients and friends of the firm. Please register early. This event is limited to the first 100 guests.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/hc_symposium_5_2007.htm

PLANNING FOR THE 2007 H-1 CAP
The H-1b season is quickly getting closer. We now only have 4 weeks left before April 1. As you may recall, last year all H-1b's were exhausted by May 26th. We are projecting that this year the cap will be reached in 2 weeks or less – perhaps as soon as ONE DAY! With that in mind, it is important to begin the preparation of any H-1b filings NOW!
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/planning_for_the_2007_h-1_cap.htm

USCIS PROPOSES MASSIVE FEE INCREASES
The USCIS is proposing raising average immigration filing fees by 66%, as soon as June 2007. The USCIS has developed a "portal page" that contains relevant information about the proposal.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=6185bf4c32b50110VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6185bf4c32b50110VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD

CGFNS CEO ADVICE TO ROSERO: DECISION IS FINAL
Philippine Regulation Commission Chair Dr. Leonor Rosero and the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) CEO Barbara Nichols spoke with each other by telephone Saturday morning, February 24 Manila time. Dr. Nichols requested the telephone conversation so that she might provide Dr. Rosero with additional information regarding CGFNS's recent decision to deny VisaScreen certification to nurses licensed following the June 2006 licensure examination. Dr. Nichols noted, however, that the decision is final, and no useful purpose would be served by Dr. Rosero coming to the United States to make an "appeal" of that decision.
http://www.cgfns.org/sections/about/news/news/2007/02-23-07_philippines.shtml

CGFNS TO OPEN CHINA LOCATIONS
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) has announced that it is opening three new exam centers in China, in addition to the current exam site in Beijing, beginning with the July 11, 2007 CGFNS Qualifying Exam. The new exam centers in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu are currently scheduled to be open for the July 11, 2007 exam.

http://www.cgfns.org/sections/about/news/news/2007/02-12-07_china.shtml
 

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