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OPENERS
Dear Readers:  
While the US economy remains soft and workers in many sectors find themselves continuing to face layoffs and cutbacks, the market for workers in health care remains very strong.  This month, we report on a number of studies and investigations which show without a doubt that the shortages of nurses, doctors and health care professionals are not only here today, but will likely remain for many years to come. 
So it would seem that the case for making it easier for health care workers to migrate to the US would be one that would be readily apparent to Congress. Right now, health care workers face significant obstacles not faced by those in other fields. Nurses have great difficulty qualifying for H-1B visas and sometimes find themselves waiting as long as two years to get their green cards. Doctors face an onerous requirement that they return to their home countries for two years after they complete residency programs in the US.  
But Congress seems to be consumed with security legislation and more mundane business immigration legislation just cannot get on the committee calendars. In the mean time, it is no exaggeration to say that Americans are dying because of the worker shortages. 
 The first item we include this month, however, is a commentary that will stun many. The long standing USDA waiver program that places J-1 physicians in rural areas is being reviewed and there are some who are actively seeking to kill the program. Thousands of communities in this country have benefited from the placement of USDA doctors so the prospects for the disappearance of this waiver program are extremely serious.   
If you work or live in a community that has benefited from the USDA program and are interested in making your voice heard in supporting its continued existence, please let us know by contacting us at USDA@visalaw.com. 
 We are also pleased to announce a new firm policy that will affect many of you. We are now offering consultations to our clients in the health care sector free of charge. This applies to employers, health care professionals and recruiters as well. To set up a consultation via phone or in person, please go to http://www.visalaw.com/intake.html or call our office at 800-748-3819. My assistant Leslie Grandberry can schedule your appointment. 
Regards,  
Greg Siskind 
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Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.