Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to create a new nonimmigrant visa category (H-1D) for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics.
Establishes qualifications for foreign EMTs and paramedics, including education, licensing, and background checks.
Requires employers to file an attestation confirming that hiring foreign EMTs or paramedics will not adversely affect U.S. workers’ wages and working conditions.
Limits the number of H-1D visas issued to 2,500 per fiscal year, with a maximum of 1,250 in the first six months.
Allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to adjust the visa cap based on demand and labor market conditions.
Mandates that employers provide wages and working conditions equivalent to those of similarly employed U.S. workers.
Requires annual reporting to Congress on the impact of the program, including compliance and wage disparities.
Implements monitoring procedures for employer compliance, including site visits and audits.
Establishes penalties for employers who fail to meet attestation conditions or misrepresent facts.
The act will take effect 180 days after enactment, with regulations to be developed by the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Labor.
