krishna_brc
09-17 09:38 PM
Hi,
I recieved my green card last month through Consular Processing and now getting a good offer. Is it OK to join another company just after 1 month of green card or I should wait for some more time. NEED SUGGESTIONS from experts:D
If you have good relations with your employer ask them to terminate your employment. That way at the time of your naturalization/citizenship you will have an alibi for "as to why you changed employment" with in 6 months.
This way you can prove that you had the intent to work for sponsoring employer but things didn't go well with the employer himself.
Thanks,
Krishna
I recieved my green card last month through Consular Processing and now getting a good offer. Is it OK to join another company just after 1 month of green card or I should wait for some more time. NEED SUGGESTIONS from experts:D
If you have good relations with your employer ask them to terminate your employment. That way at the time of your naturalization/citizenship you will have an alibi for "as to why you changed employment" with in 6 months.
This way you can prove that you had the intent to work for sponsoring employer but things didn't go well with the employer himself.
Thanks,
Krishna
wallpaper Women#39;s Water Polo Team.
cooldesi
01-24 11:47 PM
Your employer can file a new H1B extension petition with the documents covering the problems that caused the first denial. Now the lawyer should attach a letter notifying USCIS about the the first denial and than asking them for adjustment of status.
There is no annual cap. (or may be 300,00) on H1b extension cases. Hence in your case irrespective of your denial, you can file fresh extension one more time & making sure that you are not missing anything and a letter to USCIS mentioning your previous denial case.
I am telling you this on my own experience. And mind you this is not a time for you to be cheap. Please consult with a good lawyer.
I agree and my experience suggests that it's always better to file fresh application than mtr. this is just my personal opinion.
There is no annual cap. (or may be 300,00) on H1b extension cases. Hence in your case irrespective of your denial, you can file fresh extension one more time & making sure that you are not missing anything and a letter to USCIS mentioning your previous denial case.
I am telling you this on my own experience. And mind you this is not a time for you to be cheap. Please consult with a good lawyer.
I agree and my experience suggests that it's always better to file fresh application than mtr. this is just my personal opinion.
vikramy
09-21 03:41 PM
One of my friend got into same issue last week for his new license. He got a letter from DMV after a week, saying every thing is ok. I don't know whether problem is with DMV or USCIS, but they are not able to verify some information immediately.
YOu should be receiving communication soon.
I went to PennDOT to renew my PA Driver license and they took all my pepers. Offcer informed me that he cannot get verification for my Immigration status so he can not renew my License.
They gave me a printed peper which says we will informed you by letter within 21 dyas.
Anyone has proble to renew Lic. in PA.
YOu should be receiving communication soon.
I went to PennDOT to renew my PA Driver license and they took all my pepers. Offcer informed me that he cannot get verification for my Immigration status so he can not renew my License.
They gave me a printed peper which says we will informed you by letter within 21 dyas.
Anyone has proble to renew Lic. in PA.
2011 (Water polo team bares all for
permfiling
12-22 09:56 AM
Non production of green cards needs to be taken up IV as a action item with USCIS
more...
mishras
05-14 09:13 AM
Hi,
Received REF this week: for LCA vioation for a particular period.
I ve approved labor, 140 and EAD, still working on valid H1 with the same employer since 2003.
My employer missed filling LCA FOR 2006.
Please let me know if anyone else in the same boat, ANY COMMENT AND ADVICE WILL BE HELPFUL....
Received REF this week: for LCA vioation for a particular period.
I ve approved labor, 140 and EAD, still working on valid H1 with the same employer since 2003.
My employer missed filling LCA FOR 2006.
Please let me know if anyone else in the same boat, ANY COMMENT AND ADVICE WILL BE HELPFUL....
Appu
04-17 04:01 PM
Sign this petition on Sen Kennedy's website in support of immigration reform:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/fightforfairness
It may help...
http://www.tedkennedy.com/fightforfairness
It may help...
more...
belmontboy
04-10 03:30 PM
source?
2010 women#39;s water polo team#39;s
arnab221
04-27 09:23 PM
Most points are for joining the US Armed forces . I see where this is going .
more...
marlon2006
06-14 11:30 AM
Yes. It seems that NY was a little behind NSC.
It is a very, very inconvenient situation to be in. We are getting older and this lack of professional freedom has potential to ruin our careers you know.
Since it is now on Oct/2001, it seems you should be getting closer to file I-485. Chances are you will be able to see this going to Nov/2001 as early as next month ! That could give you some relief.
I started my masters, but ironically, we are not eligible for in-state tuition therefore I put studies on hold, waiting for the GC. It is hard paying from our own pockets, it is very expensive and at the same time I already received job offers from employers in this area that would be willing to pay the graduate studies 100%, but again, I am waiting for the GC so that I could move on.
Wow, so you were able to file I-140 and I-485 at the same time? My PD is 11/01 but due to retrogression we are waiting for the visa numbers to become current to file :mad:
It is a very, very inconvenient situation to be in. We are getting older and this lack of professional freedom has potential to ruin our careers you know.
Since it is now on Oct/2001, it seems you should be getting closer to file I-485. Chances are you will be able to see this going to Nov/2001 as early as next month ! That could give you some relief.
I started my masters, but ironically, we are not eligible for in-state tuition therefore I put studies on hold, waiting for the GC. It is hard paying from our own pockets, it is very expensive and at the same time I already received job offers from employers in this area that would be willing to pay the graduate studies 100%, but again, I am waiting for the GC so that I could move on.
Wow, so you were able to file I-140 and I-485 at the same time? My PD is 11/01 but due to retrogression we are waiting for the visa numbers to become current to file :mad:
hair USA Water Polo Men#39;s Olympic
thepaew
02-07 12:22 PM
It is approximately 20 Lakh to 35 Lakh p.a. for top talent. Again, my information is anecdotal - your mileage may vary.
I hear that the recession has hit hiring and wages in India as well. I am taking a 4-week vacation/business trip to Asia in March and can post some data when I am back.
Any guess!!!
I hear that the recession has hit hiring and wages in India as well. I am taking a 4-week vacation/business trip to Asia in March and can post some data when I am back.
Any guess!!!
more...
paragpujara
10-09 07:10 PM
I applied on 2nd July and got Receipts on 08/27/2007. Still waiting for the FP notice. There are lot of ppl in the same boat. Take it easy. I called USCIS last week and they opened Service Request for myself and mywife. Call USCIS and ask them to open SR.
hot Womens
boreal
09-23 12:07 PM
Hi boreal,
I had a problem with my wifes AP- they had not acted on it for 4 months I asked them to expedite it since we wanted to visit my father in law who was hospitalized for a medical condition- they did not respond to that request so I contacted my Senators office and asked if they could assist in this matter. They asked me for some medical documentation and faxed it to USCIS.. I noticed yesterday that her online status had changed to document mailed..we are still to get it but are optimistic that we should receive it soon.
In the absence of any compelling circumstances though I am not sure how it would work. but I would definitely recommend contacting your Senators office.
Thanks seeking_GC..i dont have such emergencies though...not visiting home country for four years probably wont qualify as an emergency :-)
I had a problem with my wifes AP- they had not acted on it for 4 months I asked them to expedite it since we wanted to visit my father in law who was hospitalized for a medical condition- they did not respond to that request so I contacted my Senators office and asked if they could assist in this matter. They asked me for some medical documentation and faxed it to USCIS.. I noticed yesterday that her online status had changed to document mailed..we are still to get it but are optimistic that we should receive it soon.
In the absence of any compelling circumstances though I am not sure how it would work. but I would definitely recommend contacting your Senators office.
Thanks seeking_GC..i dont have such emergencies though...not visiting home country for four years probably wont qualify as an emergency :-)
more...
house JMU Water Polo
chessboard
12-08 03:14 AM
congratulation to all winner... especially to winner who use the "stargate" background and put the text only...
nice contest.....
nice contest.....
tattoo what is waterpolo
gsc999
02-08 10:33 PM
well i got marriage church, but we didn't got are license yet, because my husband have some problem in court.( he is a citzen) We'll know if he will go to jail or not in march 31.
my question is:
since we don't know if he will or not. I need to know if i can start my paper with the immigration?
because if he goes to jail.. how we will do the interview if he is not here to go?
what i can do??
somebody can help me?:confused:
Hello estrela,
Thanks for posting your message. It seems that you are talking about immigration to USA based on marriage. This may not be the right place for advise regarding that issue.
This forum is dedicated to the plight of high-skilled employment based immigrants.
Please consult an immigration attorney to look into this matter because your question is unclear and you mention court issues and other legal issues. We do not want to give you incorrect advise regarding such crucial issue.
Best of luck
my question is:
since we don't know if he will or not. I need to know if i can start my paper with the immigration?
because if he goes to jail.. how we will do the interview if he is not here to go?
what i can do??
somebody can help me?:confused:
Hello estrela,
Thanks for posting your message. It seems that you are talking about immigration to USA based on marriage. This may not be the right place for advise regarding that issue.
This forum is dedicated to the plight of high-skilled employment based immigrants.
Please consult an immigration attorney to look into this matter because your question is unclear and you mention court issues and other legal issues. We do not want to give you incorrect advise regarding such crucial issue.
Best of luck
more...
pictures the USA Water Polo teams
morpheus
04-02 10:45 PM
I just did some further reading and research, and it appears that an H1 could do the following if this bill passed tomorrow.
1. Quit their job
2. Form an LLC and self-employ
3. File for 218D status. Once this is approved, you are able to work anywhere. It's not clear if there will be a filing procedure or not.
4. Wait six years.
5. File for green card. Note that 218D requires you to work for the entire six years - but it can be full-time, part-time, self-employment or full time study.
I can't believe it could be that simple. The only downside is that there might be 10 million people in the queue for 218D, so it will probably be backlogged until 2026!
1. Quit their job
2. Form an LLC and self-employ
3. File for 218D status. Once this is approved, you are able to work anywhere. It's not clear if there will be a filing procedure or not.
4. Wait six years.
5. File for green card. Note that 218D requires you to work for the entire six years - but it can be full-time, part-time, self-employment or full time study.
I can't believe it could be that simple. The only downside is that there might be 10 million people in the queue for 218D, so it will probably be backlogged until 2026!
dresses On May 24th, USA Water Polo
gsc999
02-08 10:33 PM
well i got marriage church, but we didn't got are license yet, because my husband have some problem in court.( he is a citzen) We'll know if he will go to jail or not in march 31.
my question is:
since we don't know if he will or not. I need to know if i can start my paper with the immigration?
because if he goes to jail.. how we will do the interview if he is not here to go?
what i can do??
somebody can help me?:confused:
Hello estrela,
Thanks for posting your message. It seems that you are talking about immigration to USA based on marriage. This may not be the right place for advise regarding that issue.
This forum is dedicated to the plight of high-skilled employment based immigrants.
Please consult an immigration attorney to look into this matter because your question is unclear and you mention court issues and other legal issues. We do not want to give you incorrect advise regarding such crucial issue.
Best of luck
my question is:
since we don't know if he will or not. I need to know if i can start my paper with the immigration?
because if he goes to jail.. how we will do the interview if he is not here to go?
what i can do??
somebody can help me?:confused:
Hello estrela,
Thanks for posting your message. It seems that you are talking about immigration to USA based on marriage. This may not be the right place for advise regarding that issue.
This forum is dedicated to the plight of high-skilled employment based immigrants.
Please consult an immigration attorney to look into this matter because your question is unclear and you mention court issues and other legal issues. We do not want to give you incorrect advise regarding such crucial issue.
Best of luck
more...
makeup U.S. men#39;s water polo team
skdskd
09-27 10:02 AM
Hi All,
I received the I-485 reciept notice yesterday from my lawyer (see below for my info), but the alien number on I-485 is different from the number on my approved I-140. My I-140 has a number starting with A099, but my I-485 reciept notice has a number starting with A088. Someone in this forum mentioned that A099 is for the primary applicant and A088 is for the dependant. I am the primary applicant for I-485, so if it is true, I should get A099, not A088. I am not sure if I can have two different alien numbers or if this is a mistake by USCIS. Is anyone in the same situation?
I am sorry if this issue is discussed previously (I couldn't find the related thread). I would greatly appreciate your input.
Thank you very much.
tinoue I will suggest talk to lawyer,
As per my lawyer, If at the time of filing of I-485 , you already have I-140 approved , you are supposed to write A# I-140 on I-485 Application.
Otherwise they might assign New One..
If you remember on I-485 Application there is place for A#.
I received the I-485 reciept notice yesterday from my lawyer (see below for my info), but the alien number on I-485 is different from the number on my approved I-140. My I-140 has a number starting with A099, but my I-485 reciept notice has a number starting with A088. Someone in this forum mentioned that A099 is for the primary applicant and A088 is for the dependant. I am the primary applicant for I-485, so if it is true, I should get A099, not A088. I am not sure if I can have two different alien numbers or if this is a mistake by USCIS. Is anyone in the same situation?
I am sorry if this issue is discussed previously (I couldn't find the related thread). I would greatly appreciate your input.
Thank you very much.
tinoue I will suggest talk to lawyer,
As per my lawyer, If at the time of filing of I-485 , you already have I-140 approved , you are supposed to write A# I-140 on I-485 Application.
Otherwise they might assign New One..
If you remember on I-485 Application there is place for A#.
girlfriend Water Polo
gveerab
02-23 01:18 AM
Hey Guys,
I am not sure about the status in 2009, but till the end of year 2008 I didn't face any problems. I used to travel at least once in a quarter to over seas during 2006,2007,2008 and almost all the times my POE is SFO. I never faced any problem, in fact entry in through SFO is like a automated process at vending machine or grocery store . Submit the form, copy of H1B and then give finger prints and smile for photo(if you have energy after long hours flight). Only question they used to ask is "are you bring any food items?"
One thing I observed is, if you confuse IOs by trying to give more information or giving more documents etc, you will be creating problems . Always I used to answer YES for the question "are you bringing any food?". Some IOs questioned about that and didn't bother to ask H1B related questions. This trick has been worked so far for me. I have all the documents and didn't have any problem with status, job etc. But still why you want to discuss more about those and create problems for yourself.
I heard one guy gave his AP document with H1B visa and requested the IO to consider only H1B. In this case IO didn't accept the H1B, as IO thought this guy has more advanced visa(in this case AP). These are the things we should be very careful, if you want to use your H1B, don't even talk about or show AP or any other documents.
Thanks,
Veera
I am not sure about the status in 2009, but till the end of year 2008 I didn't face any problems. I used to travel at least once in a quarter to over seas during 2006,2007,2008 and almost all the times my POE is SFO. I never faced any problem, in fact entry in through SFO is like a automated process at vending machine or grocery store . Submit the form, copy of H1B and then give finger prints and smile for photo(if you have energy after long hours flight). Only question they used to ask is "are you bring any food items?"
One thing I observed is, if you confuse IOs by trying to give more information or giving more documents etc, you will be creating problems . Always I used to answer YES for the question "are you bringing any food?". Some IOs questioned about that and didn't bother to ask H1B related questions. This trick has been worked so far for me. I have all the documents and didn't have any problem with status, job etc. But still why you want to discuss more about those and create problems for yourself.
I heard one guy gave his AP document with H1B visa and requested the IO to consider only H1B. In this case IO didn't accept the H1B, as IO thought this guy has more advanced visa(in this case AP). These are the things we should be very careful, if you want to use your H1B, don't even talk about or show AP or any other documents.
Thanks,
Veera
hairstyles defending Men#39;s Water Polo
sanju_dba
08-13 01:17 PM
WASHINGTON � President Barack Obama on Friday signed into law a $600 million border security that will put more agents and equipment along the Mexican border.
...
Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100813/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_border_security)
isnt this $600M is comming off of the 2k hike on h1 50-50 rule?
if so, any one who wants think of getting rid of h1s they should also think of loosing this border security measure.
...
Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100813/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_border_security)
isnt this $600M is comming off of the 2k hike on h1 50-50 rule?
if so, any one who wants think of getting rid of h1s they should also think of loosing this border security measure.
Jeff Wheeler
11-30 02:31 AM
and no Jeff, it wasn't directed at you
Phew! :lol:
Phew! :lol:
walking_dude
11-25 11:52 AM
Dear Friend,
Immigration Voice (IV) [http://www.immigrationvoice.org] (http://www.immigrationvoice.org%5D), a grassroots organization working to solve the issues faced by employment-based immigrants, is planning a DC Rally during the first week of March 2009 to bring the issues faced by our community to the notice of US lawmakers.
Details of this initiative are provided here - http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22519
I request you to join IV as a member and support this initiative by indicating your interest to participate in the DC Rally and Lobby Day (visiting lawmaker offices to seek their support)
As you might know our community is facing the following situation
1) 140,000 total numbers per year worldwide vs. 1 million applicants and their families waiting in the line. Some from 2001 and may be before that ! It's common sense that it will take at least 6 years to clear just the current backlog, if there were no per country quotas.
2) Per country quotas of 7% exacerbate the situation to applicants from high-demand countries like India, China, Mexico and Phillipines. Approximately just 10,000 visa numbers are available to India where as it's estimated that at least 44% of the applicants may be from India ( based on USCIS statistics of around 44% of H1bs being granted to India every year). As spouse and children are counted, considering 4 members per family, on an average only 2500 Indian applicants get Green cards in a year. As you can see the numbers are dismal.
Meaning, if you are from India, China, Mexico or Phillipines, you may have to wait 10 to 12 years to get your Green Card or more
3) Between USCIS and DOS (Department of State that runs the Visa bulletin) a number visas get wasted every year, worsening the already BAD situation. For instance between 1994 and now 218,000 GCs were wasted by USCIS. ]If the trend continues, it may well mean 15+ years for India/China/Mexico/Phillipines
Now I know the problems ! What's the solution?
1) Increase worldwide EB GC numbers to 290,000 per year or more
2) Eliminate country quotas
3) Exempt spouses and children ( dependents) from the GC quota (this will effectively double the quota)
4) Since USCIS inefficiency cannot be fixed by us, implement a 'Rollover' of unused visas to the next year(s)
5) Recapture the unused number of 218,000 visas . This may mean you'll get GC or at least see PDs jump forward by a few years (reducing your wait time tremendously)
6) Lobby USCIS to relax USCIS strict determination of 'same and similar jobs' (defined by AC21 law) to provide job mobility and promotions.
I know the solution. But, pray, who'll bell the cat?
Fortunately for us, there is an organization that is working 100% exclusively for our cause. Immigration Voice ( http://www.immigrationvoice.org) a non-profit organization formed by EB immigrants to work for our cause. Starting with barely 200 members when it was formed in 2005, now it boasts a membership of 30,000 members and around 30 state chapters serving every US state with significant EB immigrant population.
Immigration Voice ( fondly called IV by it's members) lobbies the US Congress and USCIS to provide relief to us. They have hired a high-profile lobbying firm Patton Bloggs to do lobbying for our cause. In addition they also do grassroots lobbying at State chapter level with the local Congressmen.
What's Lobbying? Is it Legal for non-citizens ?
Lobbying or 'Advocacy' is the act of Petitoning the US Government to redress issues faced by any person living in the United States. It's a right guaranteed by US Constitution (First Amendment) to every person living in the United States, citizen or not.
Just like you can argue your own case in a court of law (if you choose to do it), you can also lobby or petition the US Government on your own. If you chose so, you can also hire a professional lobbying firm to do it for you, just like you can hire a lawyer to represent you in the court. Both are legally guaranteed rights. It's common sense that a professional does a better job - be it an experienced lawyer or a lobbying firm. Getting professional help greatly increases the chances of success.
Boy, It must be really COSTLY to hire those DC Lobbyists?
You are right. They are costly, but IV has been managing to keep the effort funded through sacrifices of it's Leadership (IV Core group), voluntary contributions from it's members, local fundraising campaigns by State chapters and selling IV-branded merchandise.
Contributions are what keep IV ticking and working for you.
I understand IV has been doing all this? Have they had any success so far? I don't want to invest in a campaign destined for failure !
IVs success record so far in the order of signifance to EB community
1) July Visa bulletin Reversal - Due to flip-flop by USCIS 350,000 applicants were denied the promised ability to file I-485 in July 2007. Chances are you might have been one of them ! We faced the grim prospect of losing thousands of dollars and countless hours of effort .
IV conducted 'Flower Campaign', i.e sending Flowers to USCIS director Emilio Ganzales to request redressal of this unfair decision (in the spirit of passive resistance movement of Mahatma Gandhi). It provided wide media coverage to the issue nationwide.
IV through it's California chapter, conducted the successful 'San Jose Rally' to highlight the isue to the Congressmen through the media. It also took an active role in petitioning San Jose Congresswoman Rep. Zoe Lofgren to help fix the issue. As it turns out Madame Lofgren, who also happens to be the Chairwoman of House sub-commitee on Immigration, was instrumental in forcing USCIS to rescind (revert) it's prior unjust decision ! An IV effort that paid rich dividends.
IV actively particpated in discussions with USCIS in deciding the modality of reversing the decision, and was the first group to announce it, even before USCIS and US Department of State !
IV Walked the Talk and helped the EB Community immensely
3) Lobbying USCIS for administrative reforms - IV participated in the FBI Namecheck backlog reduction meeting ( when it approached alarming figures with some waiting for 1-3 years), where USCIS announced increased FBI funding to expedite the checks and other process improvements to increase efficiency.
IV also successfully lobbied USCIS to increase validity of EAD/AP to 2 years from the previous validity period of 1 year. It has resulted in a saving of at least $1400 per year for every EB immigrant family that has filed I-485
IV continues to lobby USCIS to relax USCIS strict determination of 'same and similar jobs' (defined by AC21 law) to provide job mobility and promotions
All right. Is there anything I can do to help IV?
Definitely ! IV is an organization of volunteers just like you and me. There are several ways you can help IV. For starters by participating in the very important upcoming DC Rally and the Lobby Day.
Just spread the word. Forward this E-mail to all your friends waiting for GCs.
1) Join : IV forums are a good source for finding answers to Immigration related matters and exchange information. IV also conducts pro-bono (FREE) lawyer conferences for members on a regular basis.
Website link - http://www.immigrationvoice.org.
Member registration - http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/register.php
2) Contribute : As you have understood, Lobbying requires lot of funding. IV needs your support to keep the good work running.
You can contribute either one time or join as a monthly (recurring) contributor [preferred] here -
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=44
You can send ANY AMOUNT to IV as a contribution. All you need to do it create a PayPal account (if you don't have one), register a bank acount/Credit Card with PayPal (if not already done). Send money to IV using E-mail id - donations@immigrationvoice.org
3) Volunteer : If you are open to volunteering, you can join your local State Chapter of IV. State chapters conduct activities such -
a) Lawmaker meetings with Congressmen to discuss issues faced by EB immigrants
b) Fundraising at local Events
c) IV publicity through Flyers at public places & Events
d) Local media outreach to get media coverage for EB community
Benefits of joining : State Chapters provide more detailed coverage of IV updates issued from time to time than available at IV forums (restricted due to presence of anti-immigrants). They also provide updates early ( 2-3 days before stuff gets posted on IV)
How to join ? : Yahoo/Google groups for the State chapters are listed here.
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=52 ( Scroll to the bottom !)
Submit a request to join your State chapter with your - IV id, Full Name, E-mail, Telephone number (mandatory to filter anti-immigrants). State chapter leaders will call to verify and you are in !
You have covered it in detail. Yet, I have many unanswered questions! Whom should I contact to get more info?
Ask IV !
Call - (202) 386-6250
E-mail - info@immigrationvoice.org
Immigration Voice (IV) [http://www.immigrationvoice.org] (http://www.immigrationvoice.org%5D), a grassroots organization working to solve the issues faced by employment-based immigrants, is planning a DC Rally during the first week of March 2009 to bring the issues faced by our community to the notice of US lawmakers.
Details of this initiative are provided here - http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22519
I request you to join IV as a member and support this initiative by indicating your interest to participate in the DC Rally and Lobby Day (visiting lawmaker offices to seek their support)
As you might know our community is facing the following situation
1) 140,000 total numbers per year worldwide vs. 1 million applicants and their families waiting in the line. Some from 2001 and may be before that ! It's common sense that it will take at least 6 years to clear just the current backlog, if there were no per country quotas.
2) Per country quotas of 7% exacerbate the situation to applicants from high-demand countries like India, China, Mexico and Phillipines. Approximately just 10,000 visa numbers are available to India where as it's estimated that at least 44% of the applicants may be from India ( based on USCIS statistics of around 44% of H1bs being granted to India every year). As spouse and children are counted, considering 4 members per family, on an average only 2500 Indian applicants get Green cards in a year. As you can see the numbers are dismal.
Meaning, if you are from India, China, Mexico or Phillipines, you may have to wait 10 to 12 years to get your Green Card or more
3) Between USCIS and DOS (Department of State that runs the Visa bulletin) a number visas get wasted every year, worsening the already BAD situation. For instance between 1994 and now 218,000 GCs were wasted by USCIS. ]If the trend continues, it may well mean 15+ years for India/China/Mexico/Phillipines
Now I know the problems ! What's the solution?
1) Increase worldwide EB GC numbers to 290,000 per year or more
2) Eliminate country quotas
3) Exempt spouses and children ( dependents) from the GC quota (this will effectively double the quota)
4) Since USCIS inefficiency cannot be fixed by us, implement a 'Rollover' of unused visas to the next year(s)
5) Recapture the unused number of 218,000 visas . This may mean you'll get GC or at least see PDs jump forward by a few years (reducing your wait time tremendously)
6) Lobby USCIS to relax USCIS strict determination of 'same and similar jobs' (defined by AC21 law) to provide job mobility and promotions.
I know the solution. But, pray, who'll bell the cat?
Fortunately for us, there is an organization that is working 100% exclusively for our cause. Immigration Voice ( http://www.immigrationvoice.org) a non-profit organization formed by EB immigrants to work for our cause. Starting with barely 200 members when it was formed in 2005, now it boasts a membership of 30,000 members and around 30 state chapters serving every US state with significant EB immigrant population.
Immigration Voice ( fondly called IV by it's members) lobbies the US Congress and USCIS to provide relief to us. They have hired a high-profile lobbying firm Patton Bloggs to do lobbying for our cause. In addition they also do grassroots lobbying at State chapter level with the local Congressmen.
What's Lobbying? Is it Legal for non-citizens ?
Lobbying or 'Advocacy' is the act of Petitoning the US Government to redress issues faced by any person living in the United States. It's a right guaranteed by US Constitution (First Amendment) to every person living in the United States, citizen or not.
Just like you can argue your own case in a court of law (if you choose to do it), you can also lobby or petition the US Government on your own. If you chose so, you can also hire a professional lobbying firm to do it for you, just like you can hire a lawyer to represent you in the court. Both are legally guaranteed rights. It's common sense that a professional does a better job - be it an experienced lawyer or a lobbying firm. Getting professional help greatly increases the chances of success.
Boy, It must be really COSTLY to hire those DC Lobbyists?
You are right. They are costly, but IV has been managing to keep the effort funded through sacrifices of it's Leadership (IV Core group), voluntary contributions from it's members, local fundraising campaigns by State chapters and selling IV-branded merchandise.
Contributions are what keep IV ticking and working for you.
I understand IV has been doing all this? Have they had any success so far? I don't want to invest in a campaign destined for failure !
IVs success record so far in the order of signifance to EB community
1) July Visa bulletin Reversal - Due to flip-flop by USCIS 350,000 applicants were denied the promised ability to file I-485 in July 2007. Chances are you might have been one of them ! We faced the grim prospect of losing thousands of dollars and countless hours of effort .
IV conducted 'Flower Campaign', i.e sending Flowers to USCIS director Emilio Ganzales to request redressal of this unfair decision (in the spirit of passive resistance movement of Mahatma Gandhi). It provided wide media coverage to the issue nationwide.
IV through it's California chapter, conducted the successful 'San Jose Rally' to highlight the isue to the Congressmen through the media. It also took an active role in petitioning San Jose Congresswoman Rep. Zoe Lofgren to help fix the issue. As it turns out Madame Lofgren, who also happens to be the Chairwoman of House sub-commitee on Immigration, was instrumental in forcing USCIS to rescind (revert) it's prior unjust decision ! An IV effort that paid rich dividends.
IV actively particpated in discussions with USCIS in deciding the modality of reversing the decision, and was the first group to announce it, even before USCIS and US Department of State !
IV Walked the Talk and helped the EB Community immensely
3) Lobbying USCIS for administrative reforms - IV participated in the FBI Namecheck backlog reduction meeting ( when it approached alarming figures with some waiting for 1-3 years), where USCIS announced increased FBI funding to expedite the checks and other process improvements to increase efficiency.
IV also successfully lobbied USCIS to increase validity of EAD/AP to 2 years from the previous validity period of 1 year. It has resulted in a saving of at least $1400 per year for every EB immigrant family that has filed I-485
IV continues to lobby USCIS to relax USCIS strict determination of 'same and similar jobs' (defined by AC21 law) to provide job mobility and promotions
All right. Is there anything I can do to help IV?
Definitely ! IV is an organization of volunteers just like you and me. There are several ways you can help IV. For starters by participating in the very important upcoming DC Rally and the Lobby Day.
Just spread the word. Forward this E-mail to all your friends waiting for GCs.
1) Join : IV forums are a good source for finding answers to Immigration related matters and exchange information. IV also conducts pro-bono (FREE) lawyer conferences for members on a regular basis.
Website link - http://www.immigrationvoice.org.
Member registration - http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/register.php
2) Contribute : As you have understood, Lobbying requires lot of funding. IV needs your support to keep the good work running.
You can contribute either one time or join as a monthly (recurring) contributor [preferred] here -
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=44
You can send ANY AMOUNT to IV as a contribution. All you need to do it create a PayPal account (if you don't have one), register a bank acount/Credit Card with PayPal (if not already done). Send money to IV using E-mail id - donations@immigrationvoice.org
3) Volunteer : If you are open to volunteering, you can join your local State Chapter of IV. State chapters conduct activities such -
a) Lawmaker meetings with Congressmen to discuss issues faced by EB immigrants
b) Fundraising at local Events
c) IV publicity through Flyers at public places & Events
d) Local media outreach to get media coverage for EB community
Benefits of joining : State Chapters provide more detailed coverage of IV updates issued from time to time than available at IV forums (restricted due to presence of anti-immigrants). They also provide updates early ( 2-3 days before stuff gets posted on IV)
How to join ? : Yahoo/Google groups for the State chapters are listed here.
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=52 ( Scroll to the bottom !)
Submit a request to join your State chapter with your - IV id, Full Name, E-mail, Telephone number (mandatory to filter anti-immigrants). State chapter leaders will call to verify and you are in !
You have covered it in detail. Yet, I have many unanswered questions! Whom should I contact to get more info?
Ask IV !
Call - (202) 386-6250
E-mail - info@immigrationvoice.org
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