This month's immigration show has a lot to unpack. The June 2026 Visa Bulletin has been released, and while movement was limited, our expert panel breaks down exactly what that means for you and what to expect for the rest of the year. Host Deirdre O'Regan, Senior Director of Recruitment at AMN Healthcare International, is joined by two familiar faces: immigration attorneys Mike Hammond and Chris Masiello, both based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Together, they tackle the most pressing questions from international healthcare professionals navigating the U.S. immigration process. Episode Summary This episode discusses the June 2026 Visa Bulletin. There was no movement seen across employment-based categories relevant to healthcare workers. Mike and Chris explain why this wasn't a surprise and why retrogression at the end of a fiscal year can actually signal something positive. The panel also covers the ongoing impact of the public charge rule, the visa ban, H-1b updates, pending legislation like JARA, and a wide range of audience questions on topics including aging out, embassy transfers, follow-to-join, and more. Key Takeaways No Movement in the June Visa Bulletin: This was largely expected. The U.S. government overshot visa usage earlier in the fiscal year, and a slowdown through June–September is the natural result. Philippines EB-3 Approaching Quota: The bulletin notes the Philippines is close to exhausting its annual allotment. Retrogression or unavailability is likely for the remainder of fiscal year 2026. But, this signals that visas are being used efficiently, not wasted. Public Charge Rule vs. the Visa Ban: These are two separate policies. The visa ban affects approximately 35–40 countries. The public charge rule paused immigrant visa processing from around 70 countries. Understanding the difference is critical for knowing where your case stands. Paused Countries — Attend Your Interview: For those from paused (not banned) countries, the recommendation is to attend your embassy interview. Cases receive 221(g) holds, but attending is still encouraged. Banned Countries — Limited Options for Now: Unfortunately, the ban is expected to continue, potentially for the duration of the current administration. Attending an interview from a banned country is unlikely to yield results at this time. H-1b Update: Since September 2025, a presidential proclamation has effectively made the H-1b unavailable for overseas workers unless an employer pays an additional $100,000 fee, which very few have done. A court appeal decision is expected within the next six weeks and could change this. JARA Legislation: Still being actively discussed in Congress but passing immigration legislation — especially healthcare immigration — is extremely difficult. No imminent breakthrough is expected, though progress can sometimes happen quickly once it starts moving. EB-3 Remains the Primary Pathway: Approximately 80–90% of international nurses come to the U.S. via the EB-3 green card. Processing for an I-140 is currently running close to two years under regular processing. Premium Processing Caution: Premium processing does not move your place in the priority queue and is not recommended unless you are recapturing a priority date. Child Status Protection Act (CSPA): If you have a child approaching age 21, the time your I-140 is pending can be added to their age before they "age out." Do not premium process your I-140 if protecting a child's eligibility is a concern — doing so could actually hurt you. English Exam is Just as Important as NCLEX: AMN Healthcare International urges candidates to prioritize their English language exam preparation now, during this period of retrogression, so they are fully ready when the visa bulletin moves again. Timestamps 00:00:02 – Podcast introduction 00:00:19 – Welcome and host introduction; International Nurses Day acknowledgment 00:03:32 – Guest introductions: Mike Hammond and Chris Masiello 00:04:00 – June 2026 Visa Bulletin overview — no movement; Mike's reaction 00:05:12 – Chris's analysis: public charge rule, visa pause, and why movement stalled 00:07:20 – Update on paused countries and the expected case-by-case review process 00:09:26 – Dual citizenship and banned countries: can you move forward? 00:11:05 – Embassy interview timelines and summer slowdowns 00:12:35 – Switching embassies: is it possible and when does it make sense? 00:15:13 – Follow-to-join explained: spouses and dependents joining later 00:17:27 – Alternate visa routes beyond EB-3 00:20:29 – EB-3 processing timelines and premium processing explained 00:22:14 – H-1b update: the $100,000 proclamation, ongoing lawsuits, and what to watch for 00:28:42 – Aging out and the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) 00:31:37 – F-1 visa holders: pathways to a green card 00:33:20 – Embassy appointments for paused vs. banned countries 00:35:12 – National interest exemptions for banned countries 00:42:29 – F-4 family-based visa category explained (and its 20-year wait) 00:44:39 – Will the date of filing chart move before fiscal year end? 00:45:49 – CSPA criteria explained in detail 00:49:11 – Projections for the remainder of fiscal year 2026 00:51:42 – Closing remarks from Mike and Chris 00:51:46 – AMN Healthcare International requirements, application tips, and English exam preparation 01:01:58 – International Nurses Day tribute video Resources Mentioned:AMN Healthcare International: Start your journey to success in the U.S. today.Subscribe & ShareIf you find this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow healthcare professionals. 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