LIMITED DELAY OF HEALTHCARE CERTIFICATE LAW
In a last minute move, the USCIS issued an extension of the healthcare certification law deadline. However, the extension is limited to Canadian and Mexican citizens who were employed as TN nonimmigrant healthcare workers on September 23, 2003 and held a valid license from a U.S. jurisdiction before September 23, 2003. HLG will be submitting comments to the CIS regarding the extension.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-16709.htm

EAD VALIDITY PERIOD TO BE EXTENDED
The Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) published a notice that it will issue Employment Authorization Documents for more than one year. HLG will be submitting comments to CIS in favor of long validity periods for Employment Authorization Documents.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts.htm

FASTER PROCESSING AT NVC
The CIS has recommended submitting NVC required documents (DS-230 and visa fee) in a sealed envelope with an I-140 petition. Upon approval of the I-140 the CIS will forward notice of the approval and the required documents to the NVC. This could eliminate 1-3 months processing time; however, NVC has not yet commented on this suggested procedure.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants_types_family4.html

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
HLG attorney Sherry Neal wrote an article, "Recruitment and Retention Strategies for Health Care Employers," which appeared in the latest edition of Healthcare Review.
http://www.healthcarereview.com/current_issue/articles.php?show=694

ENTERING THE U.S. WITHOUT A VISASCREEN
Healthcare workers may still enter the U.S. without a Visa screen by applying for a "waiver" of the requirement. The immigration laws allow the government to waive a legal requirement when a foreign national applies for a nonimmigrant visa. On July 30, 2004, HLG published a Special Practice Advisory explaining the process.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/healthcare_alerts_main.htm

USA TODAY: MORE NURSES NEEDED
The USA Today published a July 25, 2004 article explaining that cutting nurses' patient-load is actually a way for hospitals to cut costs, not raise them. The article appeared on the front page of the Business section.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2004-07-25-nurses_x.htm