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DHS/USCIS RIN: 1615-AC16 Publication ID: Fall 2017 
Title: ●Updated English Language Proficiency Requirements for Certain Foreign Health Workers 
Abstract:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations at 8 CFR 212.15 governing certificates for foreign health care workers to update the English language requirements applicable to certain foreign nationals seeking admission to the United States for the purposes of performing labor as health care workers in one of seven covered non-physician health care professions. The Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of Education is tasked with setting standards for the English language requirements for foreign healthcare workers under the authority of section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(5)(C) and 1182(r), and 8 CFR 212.15(g), including identifying appropriate standardized tests and minimum scores. Updated DHS regulations for English language competency are important for ensuring transparency so that that those seeking to enter the United States as health care workers are competent to communicate with an interdisciplinary team of providers and the patients and families they serve. Consistent with the statute and governing regulations, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has notified DHS of additions and deletions to the approved list of testing agencies, tests and minimum scores. Therefore, this rule updates DHS regulations to reflect updated English language proficiency requirements set by HHS.

 
Agency: Department of Homeland Security(DHS)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 13771 Designation: Other 
CFR Citation: 8 CFR 212.15   
Legal Authority: Pub. L. 104-208, sec. 343    8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(5)(C) and 1182(r)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Interim Final Rule  05/00/2018 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov   Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Brian Hunt
Acting Chief, Business and Foreign Workers Division, Office of Policy and Strategy
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 1200,
Washington, DC 20529-2200
Phone:202 272-8377
Fax:202 272-1480
Email: brian.j.hunt@uscis.dhs.gov