license withheld

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Hi dear:

I came at young age to the US., illegally. I did most of my schooling here in the States. I finished my nursing program and passed the boards in NY; since they don't need SSI. However; they do not want to release my license until I get a visa or work permit. did anyone out there have been in a similar situation or know how to apply for work permit? Thanks in advance. Sincerely; Armont;Nurse in distress:rotfl:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Let me move this to immigration advice.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

This is something you need to discuss with a specialised lawyer. You need to sort your legal status out before applying for a work visa. Finding employer will be hard ( not impossible) due to many US nurses struggling for work

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Hi dear:

I came at young age to the US., illegally. I did most of my schooling here in the States. I finished my nursing program and passed the boards in NY; since they don’t need SSI. However; they do not want to release my license until I get a visa or work permit. did anyone out there have been in a similar situation or know how to apply for work permit? Thanks in advance. Sincerely; Armont;Nurse in distress:rotfl:

Likely from the BON's point of view releasing your license is moot since you cannot legally work in the United States at this time.

Contact a good immigration attorney to see if you are eligible for the recently enacted plan by OBAMA to allow certain illegal persons brought here as children to obtain green cards.

Aside from that your only other option is to obtain a visa either by marriage or finding an employer wiling to sponsor you. Neither is easy and the latter is a hard sell with so many nurses in the United States legally allowed to work but unemployed or under employed.

Just so you know your situation is not unique. Currently there are many professionals such as lawyers, doctors and so forth that have passed the educational/testing requirements but cannot become licensed or work because they lack the proper immigration papers.

There is a case at the moment in California of a Mexican immigrant with a problem similar to yours. He passed the CA Bar exam but the state will not admit/allow him to practice because he is illegal (brought to the USA by his parents as a young child).

OTHO IIRC there is at least one and perhaps now a group of attorneys in NYS who are illegal residents but passed the NYS Bar exam and were admitted/allowed to practice. However because they lack proper immigration papers no law firm would hire him/them. So they've started their own businesses (perfectly legal) and hire themselves out as independent contractors.

You might also contact your local state and federal elected officals to see if something can be done.

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thanks so much for the imfo.I really apreciate your input provided.It oriented me in my next steps to take.I'll find a way to get trough this:kiss

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thanks so much for the imfo.I really apreciate your input provided.It oriented me in my next steps to take.I'll find a way to get trough this:kiss

YW, and hope things work out for you!

After posting my comment began to wonder about a few things.

First it is by federal statue that professional licenses, limited permits, and registrations are limited to either those holding US citizenship or have been granted permission to work/reside in this country (green card, etc...). Every nursing program tells students they must provide such information either during the application process or before starting clinicals. So how did you manage to get around this requirement and not only attend but graduate from a NYS nursing program?

Also the NYS application for a RN/LPN license clearly states one must answer questions regarding citizenship or immigration status, and that as per above a license and et al wouldn't be issued if one was not a citizen or had vaild papers from INS showing eligibility to work legally in the USA. So again one is wondering why and or how you even got to the stage of getting a letter informing that your license was being "withheld"? Are you saying NYS processed and approved your application but are withholding the license because of your immigration status?

In a way you have two problems. Even if the state had granted you a license it is illegal for you to work as a nurse in the USA, therefore no facility could legally hire you.

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yes;I have done all my schooling,including nursing here in the states.There is some clause AB 540 that allows any student regardless of inmigration status to attend school and any graduate program.I had to show in nursing school back ground check and everything else was required.I graduated and aproved by NY nursing board;I took the test and passed.They told me i need a visa in order for my licence to be release.That's where i'm right now,trying to find a sponsoring hospital or facility to help me get I-140 for nurses.I wrote this letter to get help;It is not my fault i was brought to this country at young age.I just want to do things right & find a solution.:mad:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Can you not sort somethong out re status as I thought the US government had brought something in for this reason. Even if you find a hospital to sponsor you and file I140 it doesn't mean you can work as retrogression is taking several years for your aplication to be current

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yes;I have done all my schooling,including nursing here in the states.There is some clause AB 540 that allows any student regardless of inmigration status to attend school and any graduate program.I had to show in nursing school back ground check and everything else was required.I graduated and aproved by NY nursing board;I took the test and passed.They told me i need a visa in order for my licence to be release.That's where i'm right now,trying to find a sponsoring hospital or facility to help me get I-140 for nurses.I wrote this letter to get help;It is not my fault i was brought to this country at young age.I just want to do things right & find a solution.:mad:

Again there really isn't anything we can do for you here aside from offering hugs and comfort. You need to find a good immigration attorney who can hopefully find a way for you to either obtain a Green Card, or some other permission to work here legally. Even if the NYS BON released your license it is almost certain no hospital/facility will hire you without the proper paperwork.

Suggested before you need to look into the Obama "ammesty" or whatever they're calling it for illegal immigrants brought here as children. Under the plan if you meet the requirements for deferred action a Green Card will be issued. Other than that you have few options. Again a good immigration attorney will give you the best advice.

With so many new grads and experienced nurses looking for work in NY at the moment it is going to be hard to find a facility willing to sponsor you. It just costs too much in funds and effort when positions can easily be filled by Amercian citizens or those with Green Cards.

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