RETROGRESSION ON THE HORIZON
HLG has spoken with the Department of State. The DOS estimates that retrogression of Schedule A visas (aka EX visas) will occur in the 4th Quarter of 2006 unless there is Congressional action. HLG’s Helathcare Immigration Advocacy Blog updates all of Congresses twists and turns bout retrogression, green card quotas for nurses and other healthcare occupations, legislation, and advocacy. It also explains how you can get involved to influence this important national discussion.
This months highlights include:
• SKIL Bill introdcued in the Senate.
• Things we learned at AILA
• Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Dead or Alive?
• Text of the Senate’s CIR bill
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/

USCIS BACK AND FORTH ON VISASCREEN INTERPRETATION
The USCIS confirmed that Visa Screens are not required at the time of filing an I-485, Adjustment of Status.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/06.09.2006_alert.htm

LEFT OUT BY THE H1 QUOTA, NOW WHAT?
On June 1, 2006, the USCIS announced that the H-1(b) quota for cap-subject H-1(b) visas had been reached on May 26, 2006. The notice has caused a lot of anguish in the immigration community because it was released almost a week after the quota had been reached. As many as 20,000 H-1(b) cases were filed between May 26 and June 1 and will now have to be returned. There are several options available for cases that were shut-out as a result of the H-1(b) cap, which can be accessed at the link below.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/06.06.2006_alert.htm

POLLS SHOW COUNTRY FAVORS COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
A variety of recent polls highlight that the country wants Congress to pass a Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, which secures the borders, raises quotas, and legalizes workers.
http://www.pollingreport.com/immigration.htm

SHERRY NEAL’S NEW MONTHLY COLUMN
Sherry Neal is writing a monthly column for Medical News, a monthly healthcare newspaper for the Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana region. She has also been re-appointed to AILA Healthcare Committee.
http://www.medicalnews.md/ourpublication.html

ECONOMICS & ENFORCEMENT
HLG’s Sherry Neal and Chris Musillo wrote complimentary articles for the Cincinnati Bar Association’s CBA Report. Sherry’s article focuses on enforcement and the future of immigration. Chris’s survey the economic consequences of immigration.
Sherry’s article: http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/CBAReport_July2006_SLN.pdf

Chris’ article: http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/CBAReport_July2006_CTM.pdf

 

PROCESSING TIMES CHART

(Note that as of April 1, 2006, all Schedule A cases must be filed at the NSC)

 

SERVICE CENTER	PROCESSING DATES
California Service Center ( CSC )	Not Processing
AZ, CA, GU, HI, NV
Nebraska Service Center ( NSC )	January 18, 2006
AK, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY
Texas Service Center ( TSC )	January 19, 2006
AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX
Vermont Service Center (VSC)	February 26, 2006
CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, VT, VA, VI, WV

 

VISA BULLETIN  

Employment-   Based	All Charge- ability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
1st	C	C	01JAN06	C	C
2nd	C	01MAR05	01JAN03	C	C
3rd	01OCT01	01OCT01	15APR01	22APR01	01OCT01
Schedule A Workers	C	C	C	C	C
Other Workers	U	U	U	U	U
4th	C	C	C	C	C
Certain Religious Workers	C	C	C	C	C
5th	C	C	C	C	C
Targeted Employment Areas/ Regional Centers	C	C	C	C	C