Bill Ending Retrogression Filed by Illinois Congressman

RETROGRESSION UPDATE

This week, Democratic lawmakers led by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Illinois) filed a new comprehensive immigration reform bill giving renewed hope to Filipino nurses.

The bill dubbed, "Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Safety and Protection" (CIR ASAP) brings forth the following if passed into law:

Recapture of unused visa numbers from fiscal years 1992 up to 2008;
Automatic roll over of unused visa numbers to the next fiscal year. This will ensure that all unused visa allocations will become available for future use;
Increase in the visa quota per country by allowing more visa numbers;
Exemption of spouses and children from the annual quota. This means family members of an eligible nurse will no longer be counted against the visa quota allowing more visa numbers to be allocated for more nurses; and
Nurses already in the United States (U.S.) may file for I-485 Adjustment of Status even when priority dates are not current provided the applicant pays a $500 supplemental fee. This means that nurses who are already in the United States on tourist visa, student visa, or any other lawful status including those out of status for a period of less than 180 days can proceed with the I-485 application and obtain work authorization and may remain legally in the U.S. while the application is being processed.

The CIR ASAP bill, similar in form and substance to previous immigration reform packages before it, faces tough challenges ahead. A few months back, Obama said he wanted to tackle immigration but not until next year adding that he wants healthcare reform addressed first.

But with a congress and an executive controlled by Democrats, things are looking up for those looking for Schedule A relief.

Pinoy R.N. will be following the progress of this bill closely. For updates on this topic and other nursing news, submit your e-mail address to our mailing list below.

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Solar · 794 weeks ago

That would be great. All more than half a million Pinoy Nurses can just get a Tourist Visa and work in the USA. It's time the USA did away with the Consular interview in Manila. Tourist visas, here we come!!!

1 reply · active 794 weeks ago

Lyle, RN · 794 weeks ago

I think you misunderstood the article.

First, it is just a bill, meaning it is just a proposed legislation with no legal effect whatsoever. It will still need to go through its paces before it gets approved into law. Also, the chance of it passing unchanged would be slim.

Second, It is not as simple as getting a tourist visa and working right away. Seeking employment while on a tourist visa is illegal and can be cause for your visa to be revoked.

What the bill provides is the option to file an I-485 (adjustment of status) even if priority dates (PDs) are not current. The option to file an I-485 has always been there provided the PDs are current.

student · 793 weeks ago

is this only for filipono nurses?

1 reply · active 793 weeks ago

Lyle, RN · 793 weeks ago

No, it applies to all nationalities.

Blogger · 777 weeks ago

This will not push through.

Summer · 777 weeks ago

The main problem why pinoys waiting on consular processing is that priority is being given to people on H1B visas adjusting status in the USA.
The truth is that these people are taking away the visas meant for pinoys waiting in the Philippines. Why no just remove the consular processing. It is a futile process.

Legolas · 765 weeks ago

Hope the PDs never become current so that nurse tourists from the RP cannot cheat by jumping the line ahead of those waiting in the RP via Consular Processing by adjusting status.