Immigration newsletter 28 Jun 2006

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Demand remains high for healthcare workers in the U.S., especially for nurses and support staff. Demand for Nurse Practitioners who are Registered Nurses with specialized training that allows them to perform many of the duties normally done by doctors is growing.

Two new forms for US green cards are now available. The Affidavit of Support, primarily used for family-based applications, has been revised. The Form I-864EZ and Form I-864W are designed to streamline the process, making it easier for sponsors to demonstrate their ability to support green card applicants. All decisions made on or after July 21st will be subject to the new rule, even if the application was submitted before July 21st.

Conservative factions of the American Republican party shut down legislative debate in the House of Representatives last week. "There will be no path to citizenship," [for illegal immigrants in the U.S.] one Republican Congressman reported after a closed-door, party meeting. This will also affect other immigration legislation which may make things worse for prospective immigrants to the US.

The US Supreme Court has handed down a ruling that allows long-term illegal immigrants to be barred from entry to the U.S. An illegal resident who was deported previously failed in his attempt to gain legal immigrant status, despite being married to a U.S. citizen, being the father of a U.S. citizen, and owning his own U.S. business.

The EU is engaged in efforts to attract more foreign-born students. An analysis of the perceptions of European schools by foreigners is being used to develop programmes to assist EEA countries in attracting students. European branded education is being promoted, along with various types of assistance such as grants, living expenses and, in some cases, the possibility of expedited citizenship for graduates. The Erasmus Mundus program has a 230 million euro budget and is running from 2005 - 2008.

A key element in the so-called Bossi-Fini law of Italy that requires foreign employees to be abroad when work and residency permits are issued is being described as "impractical and virtually impossible to enforce." This has resulted in calls for changes to the law.