John Valdez’s Legal Blog

Some reports predict that there will be a shortage of as many as 1 million nurses in the U.S. by the year 2020; yet immigration quotas make it very difficult for foreign nurses to gain U.S. permanent residence.  The House will soon vote on a bill to help hospitals and other health organizations petition for foreign nurses and physical therapists.

 H.R. 5924 would make an additional 20,000 immigrant visas available for nurses and physical therapists.  It would also attach a $1,500 fee to the visa applications that would fund domestic RN education in the United States.  Both the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration strongly support H.R. 5924.

Health care is a vital industry that is facing a critical shortage.   The passage of H.R. 5924 would be one small step in the right direction to help alleviate the shortage.  There are many other shortage areas that also need addressing, such as public school teachers, especially math, science, and special education, farm workers, and high technology professionals. 

Helping companies add foreign workers to fill shortage occupations is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job as an immigration attorney.  Even if H.R. 5924 is not passed, I look forward to helping nurses, physical therapists, and other workers find a way to process their green card applications.