U.S. Senate approves Retrogression Relief through voice vote!

Qatrn · Apr 20, 2005

RETROGRESSION LEGISLATION : PHOTO FINISH

APRIL 15, 2005

Source: Hammond Law Group

Immigration Alerts and Medical Monthly Monitor readers have surely been following HLG's push for Retrogression legislation that recaptures past unused immigrant visa numbers. For those who wish to get acquainted with the issue, a series of article links are posted at the end of this article.

Two of our allies in the Senate have taken the lead on the issue. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have begun a multi-tier strategy to enact the recapture legislation. They have worked closely with our coalition, which includes many prominent immigration attorneys, major health care facilities, the American Hospital Association, large healthcare recruiters and other interested parties.

Sens. Hutchison and Schumer seek to amend the forthcoming "must pass" Iraqi Appropriation legislation with our proposal. For instance, they may attach our bill to a Senate version of the REAL-ID Act, if the Senators believe that the passage of REAL-ID is a forgone conclusion. REAL-ID is a comprehensive Homeland Security bill that includes restricting immigrant drivers licenses, building a fence along the southern border, and reform of the US' asylum programs.

The biggest immediate hurdle to our recapture legislation is that there are some in Congress who want a major stand-alone piece of immigration-reform legislation. This legislation could include REAL-ID, an Agricultural worker bill, an H-2B reform bill, and perhaps even the immigrant-friendly DREAM Act.

On the other hand, all of these pieces of immigration legislation could be voted on shortly. For instance, this morning's edition of Congress Daily reported that there are some in Congress who are pushing for an immediate 60-vote-to-pass "up or down" vote on each of these pieces of immigration legislation.

At this point, immigration-healthcare reform legislation could happen next week. Please contact your Congressional representatives to make sure that they are aware of your interest in this important issue.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 21, 2005

It still hasn't happened................ :rolleyes:

kid80 · Apr 21, 2005

It still hasn't happened................

STOP SEEING THE GLASS AS HALF EMPTY FOR ALL U KNOW THE SKY MAY WELL FALL ON OUR HEADS//THE RETROGRESSION IS AS GOOD AS OVER I AM READY TO BET MY LAST PENNY ON IT//REGARDS

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2005

STOP SEEING THE GLASS AS HALF EMPTY FOR ALL U KNOW THE SKY MAY WELL FALL ON OUR HEADS//THE RETROGRESSION IS AS GOOD AS OVER I AM READY TO BET MY LAST PENNY ON IT//REGARDS

I'd Bet my last penny on Suzanne, what she doesnt know isnt worth knowing.

:)

suzanne4, RN · Apr 21, 2005

I don't want people to quit their jobs until this is definite. Too many people can be hurt. And if you remember from the beginning I have said that things won't change around for about six months, and this is already mid-April.

I have been an American citizen my whole life, and know how things work over here. There is alot more at state than just nurses.

Thanks Kay.....................

p.s. even if things were to lift tomorrow, there is a huge backlog of documents to process. Things will not clear up over night. Do the math.

And processing for a greencard is not an instant procedure to begin with. It takes on average two years for jobs on the West Coast........

sarahluo · Apr 21, 2005

suzanne4, yes, i think you are right .we won't quit our jobs even if we get the good news. but you said it will take two years to get green card to west coast , which state do you think is faster for nurse to apply? and what is the reason for the time cosuming diffirence between states?

if the bill approved finally, will it be beneficial for nurses who file their petitions in 2005? since i haven't start my immigration process yet although i got almost everything in hand. :balloons:

zuriel · Apr 21, 2005

I agree with Suzanne's honest opinion. Lifting of retrogression, as it's immediate effect, will only be beneficial to PIC citizens already in the USA under different status, since they could file adjustment of status once they have a employer, but for nurses outside the USA, it is still loooooooong waiting time before you could migrate. On the other side of the coin, all those nurses who have submitted there pocket 3 at there local embassies can be interview soon. But for those who will just starting thier paper works,that is, filling of I-140 and outside USA at least 2 years is the waiting period for Ca, Texas and Nebraska. Your only hope is Vermont processing center which can process your greencard 6 to 9 months the least. So ask your employer thier filling center before you quit your job

I don't want people to quit their jobs until this is definite. Too many people can be hurt. And if you remember from the beginning I have said that things won't change around for about six months, and this is already mid-April.
I have been an American citizen my whole life, and know how things work over here. There is alot more at state than just nurses.
Thanks Kay.....................
p.s. even if things were to lift tomorrow, there is a huge backlog of documents to process. Things will not clear up over night. Do the math.
And processing for a greencard is not an instant procedure to begin with. It takes on average two years for jobs on the West Coast........

suzanne4, RN · Apr 22, 2005

suzanne4, yes, i think you are right .we won't quit our jobs even if we get the good news. but you said it will take two years to get green card to west coast , which state do you think is faster for nurse to apply? and what is the reason for the time cosuming diffirence between states?
if the bill approved finally, will it be beneficial for nurses who file their petitions in 2005? since i haven't start my immigration process yet although i got almost everything in hand. :balloons:

The number of people that want to go to California is the reason for the delay. Just the amount of time it takes to process everything. California doesn't require CGFNS exam, or the credentials verification from CGFNS.

If the bill goes thru, it will clean up the backlog of applications that are pending.........Just continue to get everything done........... :)

nurseshrek · Apr 23, 2005

The number of people that want to go to California is the reason for the delay. Just the amount of time it takes to process everything. California doesn't require CGFNS exam, or the credentials verification from CGFNS.
If the bill goes thru, it will clean up the backlog of applications that are pending.........Just continue to get everything done........... :)

as for my case,my petition was approved jan. 10 2005 in california,if the bill is approved,how long will you think my packet 3 will arrive? thanks

suzanne4, RN · Apr 23, 2005

Caifornia takes about two years to complete the process, even without the retrogression going on............so just sit tight. Nothing is going to happen overnight. Even if things get passed in the next two months, there are still quite a few applications to finish up with that were submitted and approved before December. No one can give you an exact date right now, but my best suggestion is to go to http://www.visapro.com and input your number and see what it says......That will give you the closest idea...........

Good luck. :)

Qatrn · May 5, 2005

Here is a link for an update

http://www.shusterman.com/rn-pt-amendment.html