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On November 12, 1999, the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act (NRDAA) was enacted, creating a new H-1C nonimmigrant nurse category. This rule amends the Department of Homeland Security's regulations to implement the NRDAA requirements related to the adjudication petitions for the H-1C classification. Congress did not reauthorize the NRDAA in 2009, and therefore USCIS stopped accepting petitions for the H-1C nonimmigrant category after December 21, 2009. This expiration does not affect the ability of nurses to apply for readmission and, in limited circumstances, extension of stay for H-1Cs who have not exceeded the 3-year limit for admission in this classification.