The deal between the House and Senate tore capture unused immigrant visa numbers and eliminate retrogression was finalized late last night. The deal creates a special EB3 immigrant class for Schedule A occupations -- registered nurses and physical therapists .The special classexempts50,000 immigrant visas from the general EB3category and effectively ends nurse and physical therapist retrogression for at least the next two or three years.

It is expected that the formal enabling vote will take place next week. The President will sign the legislation shortly there after. It may take the Departments of State and Homeland Security several weeks to apply the law. At this point HLG estimates retrogression will be effectively lifted for EB3Schedule A occupations with the publication o fthe July Visa Bulletin .TheJulyVisaBulletin should be released in mid-June.

HLG and its coalition partners, which include many prominent immigration attorneys, staffing companies, healthcare facilities, hospitals, and healthcare advocacy groups have spent several months working with Congressional representatives to raise awareness about thehealthcare staffing shortage and push for Congressionalaction.We are quite pleased with the result of our  efforts and are we will continue advocating for more favorable healthcare staffing legislation and policy. We would also like to extend abig "Thanks!" to all of those who contributed to the cause, such asour lobbyist Joan Bonderoff of Specturm Group, and especially to those who contributed financially -- your money was well-spent!If you are interested contributing to our next lobbying effort, please contact Chris Musillo (cmusillo@hammondlawfirm.com).