gc_on_demand
03-17 10:39 AM
RFE can be issued even though your priority date is not current. This is because USCIS is processing the case and keeping it ready (pre-adjudicate) to issue GC when dates get current.
Recently USCIS announced that they have less application for US Citizenship.
"In fiscal year 2007, a record 1.4 million legal permanent residents applied to become naturalized U.S. citizens just as the agency raised fees for a variety of services. About a million people received U.S. citizenship the following year.
By fiscal year 2008, the number of citizenship applications in the pipeline dropped to about 518,000 � far below the 730,000 filed in 2006."
Also they hired more employees in 2007. Also last year was election year so USC was priority. We will see more resource allocation to 485 apps. But dates are not current to they are Pre Adjuctiing cases. Also it makes sense that date didnot move in April as there was a huge demand from CIS. I think for This FY we will see more EB based approval.. and from now onward there will not be a huge jump back and forth. Also india Eb2 will get 25k visas for this FY and in last quater people till Mid 2006 will get actul card .. There may be some low hanging fruit from early 2007 or late 2006. ( I expect only 1-2 % )
Recently USCIS announced that they have less application for US Citizenship.
"In fiscal year 2007, a record 1.4 million legal permanent residents applied to become naturalized U.S. citizens just as the agency raised fees for a variety of services. About a million people received U.S. citizenship the following year.
By fiscal year 2008, the number of citizenship applications in the pipeline dropped to about 518,000 � far below the 730,000 filed in 2006."
Also they hired more employees in 2007. Also last year was election year so USC was priority. We will see more resource allocation to 485 apps. But dates are not current to they are Pre Adjuctiing cases. Also it makes sense that date didnot move in April as there was a huge demand from CIS. I think for This FY we will see more EB based approval.. and from now onward there will not be a huge jump back and forth. Also india Eb2 will get 25k visas for this FY and in last quater people till Mid 2006 will get actul card .. There may be some low hanging fruit from early 2007 or late 2006. ( I expect only 1-2 % )
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paragpujara
10-15 12:03 PM
DMVs in VA and MD check immigration status to issue/renew DL.
I renewed mine 3 months ago. Texas is a LIBERAL state after all.
Can anybody list the states that check immigration status to renew / issue a driver's license?
I renewed mine 3 months ago. Texas is a LIBERAL state after all.
Can anybody list the states that check immigration status to renew / issue a driver's license?
calboy78
08-18 10:45 PM
Sorry to hear about this.
This is so ridiculous - I have had friends who had degree in metallurgy and they successfully got their h1 and even green card :mad:
This is so ridiculous - I have had friends who had degree in metallurgy and they successfully got their h1 and even green card :mad:
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WillIBLucky
05-30 02:44 PM
I agree this crappy bill better not pass and is worse than retrogression. It is screwing everyone at the cost of giving amnesty to illegals. It is such a joke I would have never imagined that they would have the balls to do this, but I guess they are all politicians!!!
It would take 10 years for Illegals to get citizenship under this bill and get voting rights.
But it looks like the exisiting latino group has promised vote to democratic candidate in 2009 for President. And so this bill is so much for illegals. We educated even if become citizen will take a educated decision on who should we vote. So they are screwing us. Politics!
It would take 10 years for Illegals to get citizenship under this bill and get voting rights.
But it looks like the exisiting latino group has promised vote to democratic candidate in 2009 for President. And so this bill is so much for illegals. We educated even if become citizen will take a educated decision on who should we vote. So they are screwing us. Politics!
more...
Sunx_2004
10-04 10:39 PM
Just to add My I 140 approved from the first company.
Sorry for opening a new thread, Please point me to the thread if this issue is already addressed in some other thread and delete this thread.
I filed my I-485 in July, Still waiting for receipts, Now my company got acquired by another company. My questions are-
Any actions required from my side? What will happen to my I-485 which is already filed, Do I need to re-file with new company?
If I get EAD in next few weeks can I use that EAD after 6 months of filing I485?
Thanks
Sorry for opening a new thread, Please point me to the thread if this issue is already addressed in some other thread and delete this thread.
I filed my I-485 in July, Still waiting for receipts, Now my company got acquired by another company. My questions are-
Any actions required from my side? What will happen to my I-485 which is already filed, Do I need to re-file with new company?
If I get EAD in next few weeks can I use that EAD after 6 months of filing I485?
Thanks
BharatPremi
10-19 10:43 PM
Based on my final travel plan in November (Yet not finalized), I will vote or not vote by November 9th.
more...
Charleh
05-28 05:14 AM
You can bind them quite easily, assuming your data sources implement the correct interfaces (I believe IBindable/IBindableList).
You would use the metadata table to fill the list for the combobox and then bind the list to the 'degree' fields on your persons table
There are numerous ways to actually accomplish this, I'll run through a straight forward method using the datasource wizard
1. Drop a combobox onto the page
2. Go to the 'Data Sources' window which is usually docked on the left and add a new data source
3. Pick your data provider (I've picked database)
4. Set up your connection to connect to the database. I've just included the connection data in the application for the sake of simplicity
5. Choose the table you wish to bind to - this will be the 'metadata' table with your degrees
6. Finish the wizard, now in the datasources window you should have your table visible.
7. Drag the whole table onto the combobox
8. The program will assign the DisplayMember and ValueMember of the combobox automatically, you can modify it in the combobox properties - the ValueMember is the underlying identifier (the ID column) whereas the DisplayMember is the value you will actually see in the box
9. Repeat steps 1-6 to add your 'persons' table to the datasources window (you can use the same connection as you used before, you won't need to add another)
10. Once you have added the persons table, in the datasources window expand the persons table so you can see all of the actual columns of the table.
11. Find the column you will be binding to (the degree1 column for instance) and drag that onto the combobox.
12. Finished!
Of course you will need to make sure that a certain record from your persons table is selected as the datasource contains a record pointer - you can always drop a BindingNavigator control on there and associate it with the datasource but it does look a bit 'Microsoft Accesss' so I don't use them. Of course you will probably be getting to your persons form via a persons list in the first place so naturally you will be passing in the persons 'ID' and finding that person in the table using the ID
Either way your combobox is bound - your metadata is bound to the item list of the combobox and the persons tables 'degree1' field is bound to the selected value of the box. Visual Studio tends to be quite intelligent in this respect - if you drag a data column onto a bindable control it knows that it should bind the 'value' of that control to the data source. If you drag an entire data table or data container onto the control it knows to bind any 'list' objects to it.
VS 2008 will have already added the necessary code to 'bind' the objects at runtime - check your 'onload' function in the VB code
Of course you've only really got one thing to bind to on a textbox so you get different functionality (with respect though you can actually bind to any property of a control but most of the time why would you want to?)
This is just an example of how to bind to a control - the data exists in memory, so any changes you make won't affect the database immediately. In fact I'm not 100% on how the data gets written back with tableadapters. You may want to read up on them, I usually use custom objects which implement the bindable interfaces.
Edit:
Looks like you can just use the 'Update' method on the tableadapter and pass in the dataset thats automatically defined for you (the dataset will be holding the actual data you are editing). So if you stick a 'save' button on the page and then in the save method call YourTableAdapter.Update(YourDataSource) that should do it - I'll give it a try!
You would use the metadata table to fill the list for the combobox and then bind the list to the 'degree' fields on your persons table
There are numerous ways to actually accomplish this, I'll run through a straight forward method using the datasource wizard
1. Drop a combobox onto the page
2. Go to the 'Data Sources' window which is usually docked on the left and add a new data source
3. Pick your data provider (I've picked database)
4. Set up your connection to connect to the database. I've just included the connection data in the application for the sake of simplicity
5. Choose the table you wish to bind to - this will be the 'metadata' table with your degrees
6. Finish the wizard, now in the datasources window you should have your table visible.
7. Drag the whole table onto the combobox
8. The program will assign the DisplayMember and ValueMember of the combobox automatically, you can modify it in the combobox properties - the ValueMember is the underlying identifier (the ID column) whereas the DisplayMember is the value you will actually see in the box
9. Repeat steps 1-6 to add your 'persons' table to the datasources window (you can use the same connection as you used before, you won't need to add another)
10. Once you have added the persons table, in the datasources window expand the persons table so you can see all of the actual columns of the table.
11. Find the column you will be binding to (the degree1 column for instance) and drag that onto the combobox.
12. Finished!
Of course you will need to make sure that a certain record from your persons table is selected as the datasource contains a record pointer - you can always drop a BindingNavigator control on there and associate it with the datasource but it does look a bit 'Microsoft Accesss' so I don't use them. Of course you will probably be getting to your persons form via a persons list in the first place so naturally you will be passing in the persons 'ID' and finding that person in the table using the ID
Either way your combobox is bound - your metadata is bound to the item list of the combobox and the persons tables 'degree1' field is bound to the selected value of the box. Visual Studio tends to be quite intelligent in this respect - if you drag a data column onto a bindable control it knows that it should bind the 'value' of that control to the data source. If you drag an entire data table or data container onto the control it knows to bind any 'list' objects to it.
VS 2008 will have already added the necessary code to 'bind' the objects at runtime - check your 'onload' function in the VB code
Of course you've only really got one thing to bind to on a textbox so you get different functionality (with respect though you can actually bind to any property of a control but most of the time why would you want to?)
This is just an example of how to bind to a control - the data exists in memory, so any changes you make won't affect the database immediately. In fact I'm not 100% on how the data gets written back with tableadapters. You may want to read up on them, I usually use custom objects which implement the bindable interfaces.
Edit:
Looks like you can just use the 'Update' method on the tableadapter and pass in the dataset thats automatically defined for you (the dataset will be holding the actual data you are editing). So if you stick a 'save' button on the page and then in the save method call YourTableAdapter.Update(YourDataSource) that should do it - I'll give it a try!
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roseball
05-04 11:11 PM
Hi All,
Recently I received an RFE on my Wife's 485 application asking to prove that we both are still married. My lawyer is asking for around $400 to respond to this RFE, We have already paid the lawyer about $7500 until now for our GC process and she is no longer the preferred lawyer for the company that I am working for, but I had to keep my case with her as she has processed all of my applications until now. My questions are:
1. Can we ourselves respond to the RFE and save the $400.00,
2. If so, What's the process and what documents that we need to send to prove that we are still married.
Appreciate all of your help in this regard.
Thanks
Yes, you can reply to RFE directly. One of my friends recently got a similar RFE and the RFE included the type of documents to submit. The following is the text from the RFE:
"Submit evidence to demonstrate that your present marriage to XXXX is bonafide. This may be in the form of birth certificates for common children, documentary evidence of joint residence and/or ownership of property, joint income tax returns, joint financial accounts, spousal insurance coverage and other such documentation. If you fail to submit any evience or of you submit insufficient evidence, you application may be considered for denial"
His lawyer is charging him similar fee so mailed all the above mentioned documents directly with a cover letter and copy of the RFE. Hope this helps.
Recently I received an RFE on my Wife's 485 application asking to prove that we both are still married. My lawyer is asking for around $400 to respond to this RFE, We have already paid the lawyer about $7500 until now for our GC process and she is no longer the preferred lawyer for the company that I am working for, but I had to keep my case with her as she has processed all of my applications until now. My questions are:
1. Can we ourselves respond to the RFE and save the $400.00,
2. If so, What's the process and what documents that we need to send to prove that we are still married.
Appreciate all of your help in this regard.
Thanks
Yes, you can reply to RFE directly. One of my friends recently got a similar RFE and the RFE included the type of documents to submit. The following is the text from the RFE:
"Submit evidence to demonstrate that your present marriage to XXXX is bonafide. This may be in the form of birth certificates for common children, documentary evidence of joint residence and/or ownership of property, joint income tax returns, joint financial accounts, spousal insurance coverage and other such documentation. If you fail to submit any evience or of you submit insufficient evidence, you application may be considered for denial"
His lawyer is charging him similar fee so mailed all the above mentioned documents directly with a cover letter and copy of the RFE. Hope this helps.
more...
rameshvaid
09-02 03:02 PM
Hi there,
I have been arrested for shoplifting. Finger printed,and produced in court. The case has been dismissed as I did not do it on purpose. I got the document from the court that case is DISMISSED. 1. Is it good to do the "Case Expungement"?
2. Does the port of entry officer sees the arrest even I expunge the case?
3. any other scenarios I might encounter?
Any suggestions are highly appreciated
Thank you
At the POE the IO will surely know abt your arrest. Have all your documents from the court and show it to them and you will be allowed to come in.
Expungement can be done only after 12 months and u should not have any other record against you.
Just relax,, do not repeat the mistake and cross the boarder if you have to peacefully.. You will be just fine..
RV
I have been arrested for shoplifting. Finger printed,and produced in court. The case has been dismissed as I did not do it on purpose. I got the document from the court that case is DISMISSED. 1. Is it good to do the "Case Expungement"?
2. Does the port of entry officer sees the arrest even I expunge the case?
3. any other scenarios I might encounter?
Any suggestions are highly appreciated
Thank you
At the POE the IO will surely know abt your arrest. Have all your documents from the court and show it to them and you will be allowed to come in.
Expungement can be done only after 12 months and u should not have any other record against you.
Just relax,, do not repeat the mistake and cross the boarder if you have to peacefully.. You will be just fine..
RV
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add78
05-01 10:49 AM
I just got my Labor approved (PD - 2/22/2008) . Attorneys are working on filing I-140.
1. Shall I wait for I-140 PP to re-instate or go ahead with normal processing?
2. Is there 'ANY' chance that my PD will be current before I get I-140 approval when filed through normal processing?
Thanks,
Ag
1. Do not delay you i-140 application. Your Labor will expire after 180 days of its approval. You can file I-140 normal now, and if PP goes in effect, you can pay the additional fee and convert it to PP.
2. Doesn't matter as of now. Until USCIS prohibits concurrent filing, you can still file I-485 even if your I-140 is pending, if the dates open up in the summer.
1. Shall I wait for I-140 PP to re-instate or go ahead with normal processing?
2. Is there 'ANY' chance that my PD will be current before I get I-140 approval when filed through normal processing?
Thanks,
Ag
1. Do not delay you i-140 application. Your Labor will expire after 180 days of its approval. You can file I-140 normal now, and if PP goes in effect, you can pay the additional fee and convert it to PP.
2. Doesn't matter as of now. Until USCIS prohibits concurrent filing, you can still file I-485 even if your I-140 is pending, if the dates open up in the summer.
more...
ameryki
03-17 04:30 PM
I don't remember immi status even coming up during mortgage appli!
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redgreen
03-14 12:14 PM
So what exactly is meant by this switching? How/What does it affect? Where or how you/company/USICS decide whether you are on H1 or EAD?
Thanks coopheal, desi3933.
But in case of switching from H1b to EAD (while working for H1b/GC sponsoring employer), there is no termination, changes in the employee�s eligibility or change in job duties. So no requirement to cancel H1b.
Thanks coopheal, desi3933.
But in case of switching from H1b to EAD (while working for H1b/GC sponsoring employer), there is no termination, changes in the employee�s eligibility or change in job duties. So no requirement to cancel H1b.
more...
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GreenCard_Soon
05-25 01:44 PM
Just sent the fax.
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p_kumar
12-20 02:08 PM
Hi.
I have a question on whether Advance Parole is required for my wife to come back to the US.
She is coming back on December last week. Her H4 visa is expiring on JAN first week. she has her new H4 extension approval notice, 485 receipt notice with her. Does she need to have advance parole to come back?
(Her AP got approved after she left and I have received the docs recently. So I was wondering if I should fed-ex the docs to her).
UPDATE: she has a valid H4 Visa stamping on passport till Jan 10
Please advice
Yes you can fedex the AP to india and yes she can use it while coming back if needed. I got this from USCIS level 2 immigration officer.:D
I have a question on whether Advance Parole is required for my wife to come back to the US.
She is coming back on December last week. Her H4 visa is expiring on JAN first week. she has her new H4 extension approval notice, 485 receipt notice with her. Does she need to have advance parole to come back?
(Her AP got approved after she left and I have received the docs recently. So I was wondering if I should fed-ex the docs to her).
UPDATE: she has a valid H4 Visa stamping on passport till Jan 10
Please advice
Yes you can fedex the AP to india and yes she can use it while coming back if needed. I got this from USCIS level 2 immigration officer.:D
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ski_dude12
02-22 07:21 PM
Did you inform USCIS that you are changing jobs using EAD and invoking AC21?
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cagedcactus
07-24 04:01 PM
My I 140 was rejected in April 2007 because USCIS thought that my company couldnt show the ability to pay. My PD was 2003 August.
My attorney filed an appeal, and now he suggests, that we file fresh I 140 and I 485 using the same Labor approval from original PD.
I asked her, whether it was allowed, because I was thinking about filing fresh PERM under the impression that since My I 140 was rejected, I lost my PD.
I need help from the GURUs here. Is the above possible?
My attorney says that when an appeal is pending, once can file a new I 140 and get that approved (so it replaces that appeal). And the benefit would be I will be able to file I 485 right now along with I 140.
Please help me out. I need to act soon on this.
Many thanks in Advance.......
My attorney filed an appeal, and now he suggests, that we file fresh I 140 and I 485 using the same Labor approval from original PD.
I asked her, whether it was allowed, because I was thinking about filing fresh PERM under the impression that since My I 140 was rejected, I lost my PD.
I need help from the GURUs here. Is the above possible?
My attorney says that when an appeal is pending, once can file a new I 140 and get that approved (so it replaces that appeal). And the benefit would be I will be able to file I 485 right now along with I 140.
Please help me out. I need to act soon on this.
Many thanks in Advance.......
more...
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frostrated
10-01 11:57 PM
it is possible for company B to apply as a future employee. But if you do not join company B after the GC is approved, it constitutes fraud on your part and that of the company.
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dvb123
09-13 04:06 PM
It costs around 50k - 100k for a class action lawsuit. Pls collect the money and then think about it. U can look in the directory for Federal immigration litigation lawyers. There are a lot of them. The chance of winning is very less because green card is a benefit and not a job opportunity where you are being discriminated. If you can prove that you lost a job opportunity in United States because you do not have a green card and that job opportunity was given to another less retrogressed country immigrant, maybe you can fight in the supreme court that your civil rights have been violated but it is a long shot and would involve lot of money and 3 years minimum time frame.
An except from DOL equal opportunity laws
The Immigration and Nationality Act prohibits employers (when hiring, discharging, or recruiting or referring for a fee) from discriminating because of national origin against U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and authorized aliens or discriminating because of citizenship status against U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and the following classes of a aliens with work authorization: permanent residents, temporary residents (that is, individuals who have gone through the legalization program), refugees, and asylees.
Federal litigation also can be done without legal representation i.e. lawyer but a person must dedicate himself to 8 hrs legal work for 3-4 months which a working person cannot do.
An except from DOL equal opportunity laws
The Immigration and Nationality Act prohibits employers (when hiring, discharging, or recruiting or referring for a fee) from discriminating because of national origin against U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and authorized aliens or discriminating because of citizenship status against U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and the following classes of a aliens with work authorization: permanent residents, temporary residents (that is, individuals who have gone through the legalization program), refugees, and asylees.
Federal litigation also can be done without legal representation i.e. lawyer but a person must dedicate himself to 8 hrs legal work for 3-4 months which a working person cannot do.
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FinalGC
08-04 09:25 AM
Great idea
dh010447
03-24 10:11 AM
Lucky you!! Mine was filed on Jan 5th and still waiting!!
I think the labor certification is slowing going back to 2 years approval time including PWD. 3-6 months for PWD and 1 year to 2.5 years for Labor.
My lawyer ('s assistant) told me yesterday that the PWD's are taking 6 to 8 weeks to come back. 8 weeks have past now, didnt really want to force the issue though as it's not just me that's waiting.
i have until July 1012... Hopefully enough time for my PERM approval...
I think the labor certification is slowing going back to 2 years approval time including PWD. 3-6 months for PWD and 1 year to 2.5 years for Labor.
My lawyer ('s assistant) told me yesterday that the PWD's are taking 6 to 8 weeks to come back. 8 weeks have past now, didnt really want to force the issue though as it's not just me that's waiting.
i have until July 1012... Hopefully enough time for my PERM approval...
Shailesh76
12-09 10:34 AM
Here is my letter with names out:
Dear Senator,
My name is -------, and I am a highly skilled technology consulting professional from India. I came to the U.S. back in 2000 on employment and since then, I have made an excellent contribution to all the employers that I have worked for. My current work involves consulting in Public Sector for a State Police Agency. I am involved in developing an information system that will increase officer safety, and boost crime prevention and control.
However, I feel that my human rights are being violated.
My wife, --------, is a CPA - a highly qualified and accomplished individual. She cleared the NASBA CPA exam with flying colors in first attempt.
However, she feels her human rights are being violated.
This is so due to an issue called Employer Based Green Card Retrogression.
In these years, we have earned top notch dollars, paid taxes, made charitable contributions, visited numerous craft fairs and bought American products, and participated in the cultural diversity of this country. Highly skilled and accomplished as we are, we don't have a life.
We don't have a life, because we don't have security and peace of mind. We don't have peace of mind because after toiling for more than six years, we are still temporary workers. We don't have a green card yet.
Because we don't have a green card, life has come to a hold. Here's how.
For the longest time we didn't participate in my employer's 401 K plan because we weren't sure if we will get our green card and become permanent residents and hence be able to enjoy fruit of our labor after retirement. I didn�t buy life insurance, or make long term investments for the same reason - unless we get a green card it seems like we are living in an exotic refugee camp. We haven't bought a home because our H1Bs have always been tied to a particular employer, and there is always this chance where if for some reason one of us loses our job, then we will not be able to afford the mortgage and may also have to leave the country in a matter of days, leaving no time for us to sell the house.
Senator, where is my American Dream? Why has America created a temporary workers' program which is completely unfavorable to the worker's quality of life and long term welfare?
My wife's H1B visa is expiring this February 2007, and since her green card was not filed and mine has no chances of showing up in that time, she will have to quit her job and sit at home - almost under house arrest. I can't even imagine what it would do the morale and self-confidence of a dignified woman who has earned her living through her hard work all these years.
Senator, we are in a crisis.
EB Green Card backlogs have resulted for individuals coming from high-demand countries, even when the overall cap has not been reached and regardless of the fact that these high-demand countries are often the only source of individuals capable of filling high-skilled jobs. Those caught in the backlog are forced to spend up to seven years waiting, unable to become true stakeholders in this country, putting their lives on hold in the hopes that a green card will eventually become available to them. Not surprisingly, these talented professionals often tire of waiting and leave the U.S. to put their knowledge and skills to use in other countries eager to compete with and surpass the U.S.
But this need not be the case.
By passing legislation that provides H-1B and EB green card backlog relief, you will be showing your support for enabling the best and brightest from around the globe to contribute their skills and knowledge to the U.S. economy, which is good for American workers, American businesses, and the country�s long-term economic health.
I request your support for the High-Skilled Immigrant Interim Relief Act of 2006 bill introduced in the Senate by Senator Cornyn. This bill provides relief to legal high-skilled immigrants waiting patiently for their permanent residency and gives required impetus to innovation and competitiveness in the U.S. A similar bill popularly known as the Securing Knowledge, Innovation and Leadership (SKIL) bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Cornyn and co-sponsored by Senators Allard, Allen, Bennett, Enzi, Hutchison and Lott. This bill has also been introduced in the House by Rep. Shadegg and co-sponsored by Reps. Conaway, Doolittle, Flake, Hoekstra, McCaul, Pence, Shimkus and Tiahrt.
I am a member of Immigration Voice, a national grassroots organization of legal high-skilled immigrants. Our organization is committed to helping the United States maintain economic competitiveness by retaining the world's best and brightest talent in the United States.
My family and about 500,000 others are in urgent need of your action in this matter.
Dear Senator,
My name is -------, and I am a highly skilled technology consulting professional from India. I came to the U.S. back in 2000 on employment and since then, I have made an excellent contribution to all the employers that I have worked for. My current work involves consulting in Public Sector for a State Police Agency. I am involved in developing an information system that will increase officer safety, and boost crime prevention and control.
However, I feel that my human rights are being violated.
My wife, --------, is a CPA - a highly qualified and accomplished individual. She cleared the NASBA CPA exam with flying colors in first attempt.
However, she feels her human rights are being violated.
This is so due to an issue called Employer Based Green Card Retrogression.
In these years, we have earned top notch dollars, paid taxes, made charitable contributions, visited numerous craft fairs and bought American products, and participated in the cultural diversity of this country. Highly skilled and accomplished as we are, we don't have a life.
We don't have a life, because we don't have security and peace of mind. We don't have peace of mind because after toiling for more than six years, we are still temporary workers. We don't have a green card yet.
Because we don't have a green card, life has come to a hold. Here's how.
For the longest time we didn't participate in my employer's 401 K plan because we weren't sure if we will get our green card and become permanent residents and hence be able to enjoy fruit of our labor after retirement. I didn�t buy life insurance, or make long term investments for the same reason - unless we get a green card it seems like we are living in an exotic refugee camp. We haven't bought a home because our H1Bs have always been tied to a particular employer, and there is always this chance where if for some reason one of us loses our job, then we will not be able to afford the mortgage and may also have to leave the country in a matter of days, leaving no time for us to sell the house.
Senator, where is my American Dream? Why has America created a temporary workers' program which is completely unfavorable to the worker's quality of life and long term welfare?
My wife's H1B visa is expiring this February 2007, and since her green card was not filed and mine has no chances of showing up in that time, she will have to quit her job and sit at home - almost under house arrest. I can't even imagine what it would do the morale and self-confidence of a dignified woman who has earned her living through her hard work all these years.
Senator, we are in a crisis.
EB Green Card backlogs have resulted for individuals coming from high-demand countries, even when the overall cap has not been reached and regardless of the fact that these high-demand countries are often the only source of individuals capable of filling high-skilled jobs. Those caught in the backlog are forced to spend up to seven years waiting, unable to become true stakeholders in this country, putting their lives on hold in the hopes that a green card will eventually become available to them. Not surprisingly, these talented professionals often tire of waiting and leave the U.S. to put their knowledge and skills to use in other countries eager to compete with and surpass the U.S.
But this need not be the case.
By passing legislation that provides H-1B and EB green card backlog relief, you will be showing your support for enabling the best and brightest from around the globe to contribute their skills and knowledge to the U.S. economy, which is good for American workers, American businesses, and the country�s long-term economic health.
I request your support for the High-Skilled Immigrant Interim Relief Act of 2006 bill introduced in the Senate by Senator Cornyn. This bill provides relief to legal high-skilled immigrants waiting patiently for their permanent residency and gives required impetus to innovation and competitiveness in the U.S. A similar bill popularly known as the Securing Knowledge, Innovation and Leadership (SKIL) bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Cornyn and co-sponsored by Senators Allard, Allen, Bennett, Enzi, Hutchison and Lott. This bill has also been introduced in the House by Rep. Shadegg and co-sponsored by Reps. Conaway, Doolittle, Flake, Hoekstra, McCaul, Pence, Shimkus and Tiahrt.
I am a member of Immigration Voice, a national grassroots organization of legal high-skilled immigrants. Our organization is committed to helping the United States maintain economic competitiveness by retaining the world's best and brightest talent in the United States.
My family and about 500,000 others are in urgent need of your action in this matter.