RETROGRESSION UPDATE
As projected in a Pinoy R.N. report last month, the employment-based 3rd preference (EB3) visa numbers for the month of July are unavailable according to the State Department's most recent visa bulletin (July 2008). The unavailability of the visa numbers for the category where filipino registered nurses belong will persist until the new fiscal year begins in October.
Meanwhile, the Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act or HR5924 is gaining momentum in the United States congress with ten (10) congressmen co-sponsoring the bill.
HR5924, among others, seeks to lift the current visa backlog (retrogression) by removing the limit on the number of visas that can be issued to nurses.
Formal hearing on the proposed legislation by the subcommittee on immigration, citizenship, refugees, border security, and international law is scheduled on June 12, Thursday.
