Subject: IIRAIRA Section 343:
Reaffirmation of Immigration and
Naturalization (INS) Policy

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Date: August 27, 1997

To: All Regional Directors
All District Directors (Including Foreign)
All Officers in Charge (Including Foreign)
All Port Directors
All Service Center Directors
All Training Academies (Glynco and Artesia)
All Regional Counsels
All Asylum Directors
From: Office of Programs (HQPGM)

The purpose of this memorandum is to reaffirm INS policy with respect to section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRAIRA) which amends section 212(a)(5)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CFFNS) has informed INS of its intention to begin issuing certifications pursuant to section 343 of IIRAIRA on August 25, 1997.

The INS will not accept any certifications issued by CGFNS or any equivalent independent credentialing organization prior to the promulgation of INS regulations implementing section 343 of IIRAIRA. Additional INS instructions will be provided at such time as the appropriate certification procedures have been put in place.

Accordingly, instructions contained in INS memorandum 96ACT#041 (HQ 70/23.-P, HQ 70/21.1.14-P and HQ 50/5.12 dated June 6, 1997) remain in effect. See also 96 ACT#014 dated January 28, 1997 for background about section 343 of IIRAIRA.

For further information, please contact Adjudications Officer John W. Brown at 202/514-3240.

Paul W. Virtue
Acting Executive Associate Commissioner

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