Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape






RETROGRESSION UPDATE


In an apparent response to an announcement by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that it received enough petitions, in just 24 hours, to meet the congressionally-mandated cap of 65,000 H-1B visas available for next year, several U.S. Senators have filed a proposed legislation to address what they called an "urgent problem" by promoting United States competitiveness, innovation, and employer access to skilled employees.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn along with Senators Judd Gregg, Joe Lieberman, and Chuck Hagel introduced the “Global Competitiveness Act of 2008 (S.2839) which would give United States employers access to previously unused H-1B temporary worker visas and permanent EB employment-based visas from prior fiscal years.

Explaining the urgency of the bill, Sen. Cornyn said, “Tuesday’s announcement highlights the critical nature of this irresponsible cap. For businesses in Texas, and across the country, to continue to grow, prosper, and create more jobs here at home, they must have the resources necessary to remain competitive in an increasingly global economy.

“Well-educated, highly skilled workers are key to our country’s competitiveness. Our outdated system has limited the ability of many American companies to recruit and retain top-quality talent. We must address the H-1B visa crisis to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation,” Sen. Lieberman added.

SALIENT FEATURES OF GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 2008:

H-2B Temporary Worker Program

  • Extends the H-2B Returning Worker provisions for 3 fiscal years

H-1B Temporary Worker Program

  • Recaptures 150,000 unused H-1B visas which will be distributed over a 3 year period
  • Imposes a H-1B recapture fee of $1,500
  • Increases H-1B visa levels from 65,000 to 115,000 for fiscal years 2009 through 2011
  • Increases the advanced degree cap for H-1B workers with masters degrees or higher from 20k to 30k for fiscal years 2009 to 2011
  • Increases the H-1B petition fee from $1,500 to $2,250

Employment Based Visas

  • Recaptures approximately 218,000 unused employment-based visas
  • Distributes 61,000 of the recaptured EB visas to nurses and physical therapists (and spouses and children accompanying or following to join)
  • Imposes an EB visa recapture fee of $1,500
  • Exempts health care facilities in underserved areas from paying the additional EB recapture fee

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

actually we are waiting for a long time from 2006 november onwards.Please please consider us we cleared all the exams and processing ,no embassy interview
we lost our hopes.Please see the other contries how they are doing for nurses and physiotherapists.Even nursing shortage is very big in us ,they are not doing anything for retrogressed nursed .That is very shameful.So please act quickly on it.

Anonymous said...

we are very anxious and prayerful, pls act positively dear congress men

Anonymous said...

America is the land of immigrants,then y u r avoiding us (nurses).Please create a legislation for solving rerogression.PLS PLS PLS DEAR CONGRESSMEN,

THANK U THE SENATORS,U DID A GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

dear nurses keep on praying!!!!!!!!!


Sign up for PayPal and start accepting credit card payments instantly.

Created and maintained by Lyle R. Santos, BSN RN. Copyright © 2008 - Pinoy R.N. - is proudly powered by Blogger
Contact Lyle Santos - Smashing Magazine - Design Disease - NLE DEC 2011 - Absolutely Free Downloads - December 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination Results