medicalMonitor

the monthly healthcare immigration eZine

                                   published by Hammond Law Group, LLC 

APRIL 1, 2004 VOL. II ISSUE  3 (APRIL ISSUE)   

 

HLG PHONE SEMINAR ON VISASCREEN

Hammond Law Group, LLC hosted a free phone seminar on March 11, 2004 regarding the VisaScreen™ requirements.  We were pleased to be joined by Donna Richardson, CGFNS' Director of Operations and Amos Sydnor, CGFNS' Manger of Credentials.

 
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/03.11.2004healthcare_alert.htm

 

NEBRASKA GRANTING ADDITIONAL TIME FOR VISASCREENS ON I-485’S

The Deputy Director  of the Nebraska Service Center recently said  that the NSC is granting additional time for healthcare workers to submit the VisaScreen on I-485 cases.  This is in recognition of the very long processing times for some CGFNS cases.

 
http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/nebraska/aboutus.htm
 
AHA SEEKING A DELAY IN HEALTHCARE CERTIFICATE LAW

The American Hospital Association is lobbying for a delay in the July 26, 2004 law that will require foreign healthcare workers to obtain a healthcare certificate.  

 

SENATORS ALSO SEEK DELAY IN VISA SCREEN LAW

Leading members of Senate Judiciary Committee have drafted and sent a letter to Tom Ridge, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urging him to delay the implementation of the forthcoming additional Visa Screen regulations until October 1, 2005.

http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/03.31.2004healthcare_alert.htm

 
 

RELIEF FOR NURSES WITHOUT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS
The California Board of Nursing is extending the time for a nurse to submit a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.  Previously the California Board of Nursing would destroy the file if the nurse could not present a SSN or ITIN within one year of taking the NCLEX.  Now the nurse can request additional time by submitting a letter to the attention of Jodi Carkhuff at the California Board of Nursing.  The letter can be submitted by the nurse directly or by the recruiter or attorney for the nurse.  

 
http://www.rn.ca.gov/ 

 

NO EXPEDITING NURSING CASES AT THE NEBRASKA SERVICE CENTER

At the Chicago conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association on March 12, 2004, the Deputy Director of the Nebraska Service Center said there are no plans to expedite nursing cases.   

 
http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/nebraska/aboutus.htm  

 

CGFNS OFFERING ADDITIONAL EXAMS FOR TN NURSES

In an effort to assist Canadian and Mexican nurses (who are eligible for Trade NAFTA Status) obtain the required VisaScreen Certificate, CGFNS will be conducting two special administrations of the CGFNS exam.  The dates of the special examinations are May 12, 2004 and June 9, 2004 and they are limited to nurses seeking TN status.

http://www.cgfns.org/cgfns/index.html

  

MANILA ASKS FOR VISA SCREEN PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT
The US Consulate at Manila is asking applicants to submit the Visa Screen ahead of time so that they may 
verify the legitimacy of the Certification.  Apparently, the Consulate has seen a spike in visa fraud. 
http://manila.usembassy.gov/
 
CIS CONFIRMS J-1 PHYSICIANS OBTAINING CONRAD STATE 30 WAIVERS  EXEMPT FROM H-1B CAP
In the March 2, 2004 Service Center Operations Teleconference, CIS confirmed that physicians in J-1 status who have obtained a waiver of the two year home residency requirement of §212(e) under the Conrad State 30 program are exempt from the H-1B FY cap. Thus, these physicians will continue to be able to file H-1B petitions with immediate start dates.
www.uscis.gov
 
PROCESSING TIMES
As a new feature, HLG's medicalMonitor will include processing times at the CIS' four Service Centers.  The Service Centers are currently processing Schedule A Nurses I-140s received in as of:
CALIFORNIA: March 20, 2003
NEBRASKA:  February 9, 2004
VERMONT:  February 17, 2004
TEXAS:  May 6, 2003 
 

Vermont Service Center (VSC)

CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, VT, VA, VI, WV

Nebraska Service Center (NSC)

AK, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY

Texas Service Center (TSC)

AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX

California Service Center (CSC)

AZ, CA, GU, HI, NV

 

 

 
Hammond Law Group has a team of attorneys and legal staff who work with leading hospitals, recruiting agencies, and other healthcare providers to handle the immigration processing of cases for professional nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and other healthcare providers. This eZine is designed to provide our clients with only the information they need.  For more detailed information about any of the topics discussed, please contact us and a member of our healthcare team will be happy to speak to you.  mfh@hammondlawfirm.com 

 

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