Green.Tech
03-11 11:05 AM
If I start attacking your wife and kids on this forum you will immediately cry foul. But you want different rules for yourself. Let me take a higher road and not go down to your level.
Forum Admin,
Please put a check on this mirage guy/gal. Otherwise please give everyone a free pass to say what everyone has to say. Its not fair that you warn me in a private message but you let mirage say anything that he wants. Its ok to attack me, but my family is out of bound. If this doesn't apply on me, then it should not apply on mirage, and I should be given a free choice to attack mirage's wife and children, right? I do not intend on posting something for anyone's wife/hisband and children because that is not who I am, but I want to make sure you enforce the same rules here as you enforced on me the other day.
.
Sanju,
I am not condoning what 'mirage' said to you or any such irresponsible behavior on the forum BUT your complaints to the moderators would have carried more weight if you were behaving in a modest and civil way yourself. Of late, you leave no stone unturned to write flaming messages to piss off others on this forum. All this is super surprising to me because I remember you used to write really good and informative posts. It's like you suddenly lost it or that the other sanju was someone else!
Let's not all fight among ourselves. We have so many other better things to do!
Green.Tech
Forum Admin,
Please put a check on this mirage guy/gal. Otherwise please give everyone a free pass to say what everyone has to say. Its not fair that you warn me in a private message but you let mirage say anything that he wants. Its ok to attack me, but my family is out of bound. If this doesn't apply on me, then it should not apply on mirage, and I should be given a free choice to attack mirage's wife and children, right? I do not intend on posting something for anyone's wife/hisband and children because that is not who I am, but I want to make sure you enforce the same rules here as you enforced on me the other day.
.
Sanju,
I am not condoning what 'mirage' said to you or any such irresponsible behavior on the forum BUT your complaints to the moderators would have carried more weight if you were behaving in a modest and civil way yourself. Of late, you leave no stone unturned to write flaming messages to piss off others on this forum. All this is super surprising to me because I remember you used to write really good and informative posts. It's like you suddenly lost it or that the other sanju was someone else!
Let's not all fight among ourselves. We have so many other better things to do!
Green.Tech
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chaanakya
08-14 02:00 AM
@SC3....Thank you for actually saying something that is productive to a discussion (Hingish...you are an idiot and it is quite obvious from what you had to say, which was absolutely pointless) I am NOT claiming to be lucky or more qualified. Like you said, some people suffered through BEC and LC's that took ages. Then along came PERM and suddenly people saw approvals in a matter of months. My PERM got approved in less than 30 days whereas my 3 year senior colleague had to wait for a total of 4 years to get his LC (his qualifications, designation all higher than mine).....so what is the point of this story...new rules lead to new games.
All this lamenting on this website is sad because it gives many people false hopes. All I am saying is that QUIT CRYING and JUMP into ACTION !!! No, not the action where you write letters and make phone calls and hope for the "magic email".....I am talking action in terms of get a new skill set, go to evening law school, think about shoving it up the system if need it (ie port your PD !! but please do not wait HOPING for IV or anyone else to do anything !!)
Do a comparative analysis of immigration and opportunities in europe. Find out about compensation, health benefits, retirement, education benefits in other countries.
DO NOT LET THIS GREEN CARD FEVER YANK YOUR LIFE AROUND.
All this lamenting on this website is sad because it gives many people false hopes. All I am saying is that QUIT CRYING and JUMP into ACTION !!! No, not the action where you write letters and make phone calls and hope for the "magic email".....I am talking action in terms of get a new skill set, go to evening law school, think about shoving it up the system if need it (ie port your PD !! but please do not wait HOPING for IV or anyone else to do anything !!)
Do a comparative analysis of immigration and opportunities in europe. Find out about compensation, health benefits, retirement, education benefits in other countries.
DO NOT LET THIS GREEN CARD FEVER YANK YOUR LIFE AROUND.
chicago60607
09-17 11:20 AM
Voting is completed in the house, soon everyone should be here
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Vexir
05-31 11:20 AM
ipod skin spam! more than one entry is not allowed!!!! (or shouldnt be :P)
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vga_1977
04-15 05:23 PM
Hi hur11
Please let me know which category you have applied EB2/ EB3. Below is my qualification
Degree : B.Com ( 3 years)
PG : M.C.A (IGNOU - 3 Years)
Experience - 8 Years in India and 3 years in USA with different employer.
Thanks in Advance
-vga
Please let me know which category you have applied EB2/ EB3. Below is my qualification
Degree : B.Com ( 3 years)
PG : M.C.A (IGNOU - 3 Years)
Experience - 8 Years in India and 3 years in USA with different employer.
Thanks in Advance
-vga
ItIsNotFunny
08-25 05:28 PM
its clearly written in Sep'2008 bulletin. However, seems like EB3-I wont' get any of it and all numbers will be given to EB2. we loose again.
Its all EB2.
They even can't think logically that 5+ yrs of difference between EB3 & EB2 makes EB3 automatically same as EB2 as per their qualification definition.
Its all EB2.
They even can't think logically that 5+ yrs of difference between EB3 & EB2 makes EB3 automatically same as EB2 as per their qualification definition.
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belmontboy
05-23 03:20 PM
When you call the law makers and tell them you support XYZ bill.. my question is what do you get out of it!
When the lawmaker realizes that he is getting 10000 calls from LEGAL aliens,
>who are not from his constituency,
>who can�t vote and
>who can�t contribute to his election campaign�
what is the motivation for the law maker to support the bill�
So to avoid sounding stupid and foolish and desperate when you call� a more logical approach would be to :
a) Generate a public petition form on IV website and have all the members� login and sign the forms digitally�
b) Then have IV reps.. fax them and send them to lobby groups �.
c) Lawmakers will listen to one talking head�and not worry abt 1000 calls that borders on ..�saar �support the bill saar�..
How many of you have actually talked to the lawmakers? Its always the assistant!
But instead .. someone says we have a signed petition of 25000 members effected by immigration mess �. And it�s a hi tech workers lobby group ..every lawmaker will talk to you and not the assistant!
Conclusion: calling the lawmakers haphazardly is actually hurting IV cause..to a certain extent!
:cool:
if you don't call and speakup, how will the lawmakers know?
your suggestion sounds great. I am sure we can accomodate that too.
Its better to have attack on many fronts than stick with one.
We need to rise and speakup, thats all matters in the end.
When the lawmaker realizes that he is getting 10000 calls from LEGAL aliens,
>who are not from his constituency,
>who can�t vote and
>who can�t contribute to his election campaign�
what is the motivation for the law maker to support the bill�
So to avoid sounding stupid and foolish and desperate when you call� a more logical approach would be to :
a) Generate a public petition form on IV website and have all the members� login and sign the forms digitally�
b) Then have IV reps.. fax them and send them to lobby groups �.
c) Lawmakers will listen to one talking head�and not worry abt 1000 calls that borders on ..�saar �support the bill saar�..
How many of you have actually talked to the lawmakers? Its always the assistant!
But instead .. someone says we have a signed petition of 25000 members effected by immigration mess �. And it�s a hi tech workers lobby group ..every lawmaker will talk to you and not the assistant!
Conclusion: calling the lawmakers haphazardly is actually hurting IV cause..to a certain extent!
:cool:
if you don't call and speakup, how will the lawmakers know?
your suggestion sounds great. I am sure we can accomodate that too.
Its better to have attack on many fronts than stick with one.
We need to rise and speakup, thats all matters in the end.
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raj2007
06-15 12:43 AM
Thanks guys for all the posts. I guess I have a little ignorant question. If I am married does my wife need to be here for me to file her 485. I am getting court marriage done in July 2007, and hope to file my 485 as soon as I have my marriage certificate, I am sure will be filing in July, but my wife won't be coming to the US till Jan 2008, which is when we have will have the ritualistic wedding. Does she need to be here for any paperwork. She could come on H4, but her parents won't let her stay for long. Does she need medical tests as well from civil surgeon when I file for her? I am hoping she can come in Jan on H4, and then get her EAD along with mine.
Yes she needs to be here to file I-485 and then she can leave and stay there..
Yes she needs to be here to file I-485 and then she can leave and stay there..
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a1b2c3
04-30 01:13 PM
My wait time is as long as yours, so I am not thinking about getting ready for citizenship just yet (lot can happen in 5 years). If the USCIS processing times are to be believed, they are supposed to take between 12 and 15 months to decide on a currently filed application (the server seems to be down now, so couldn't verify the latest status). There may be additional time differences depending on where you are located. And knowing how USCIS operates, backlogs are not unheard of (http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/images/File/factcheck/CitizenshipDayFactSheet09-16-08.pdf).
Here is a comforting thought - and someone correct me if I am wrong - but unlike the hectic GC process with all the "inequalities" among various EB categories, naturalization process is a level-playing field where your specific skills do not matter. Everyone is considered equal here, whether you have got your GC via EB, FB or even amnesty route. This makes sense too, considering that your value (to this country) as a citizen rests primarily in your voting right, and someone who can cook is just as good to vote as another who writes smart computer codes (no knock on the cook, my wife is a fantastic cook herself). This is why the "priority date" for your citizenship application is set at 5 years (of continuous residency) from the date printed on your PR card, irrespective of your GC category (the wait is 3 years for those with USC spouse). The only condition that permits some arbitrariness in the evaluation process is in establishing a "good moral character", which makes point #6 in my original list important.
This is of 01/09. It takes about 6 months after N-400 is filed and you can apply after 4 years and 9 months.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf
Yes, there will be backlogs but most likely there won't be long waiting lines. It really depends on the number of people filing. There won't be another July 2007.
Here is a comforting thought - and someone correct me if I am wrong - but unlike the hectic GC process with all the "inequalities" among various EB categories, naturalization process is a level-playing field where your specific skills do not matter. Everyone is considered equal here, whether you have got your GC via EB, FB or even amnesty route. This makes sense too, considering that your value (to this country) as a citizen rests primarily in your voting right, and someone who can cook is just as good to vote as another who writes smart computer codes (no knock on the cook, my wife is a fantastic cook herself). This is why the "priority date" for your citizenship application is set at 5 years (of continuous residency) from the date printed on your PR card, irrespective of your GC category (the wait is 3 years for those with USC spouse). The only condition that permits some arbitrariness in the evaluation process is in establishing a "good moral character", which makes point #6 in my original list important.
This is of 01/09. It takes about 6 months after N-400 is filed and you can apply after 4 years and 9 months.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf
Yes, there will be backlogs but most likely there won't be long waiting lines. It really depends on the number of people filing. There won't be another July 2007.
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webm
03-13 01:24 PM
Folks,
This my copyright and very much pertain to our situation:
*********************
I left my world in search of prosperity
The prosperity is taking an eternity
My struggle is long and daunting
Making it more and more frustrating
Life at times seems uncontrollable
Flowing with the time unstoppable
Graying hairs testify for the feeling
Fat belly making me further unappealing
Sometimes I think of going back
Try to gather the courage that I lack
But the world I left is not the same any more.
And the world I am in, has lost its lure.
I am on the crossroad of my life
One is forward, one is left and other is right.
I don’t like the choices shown
May be I would have to create a world of my own
***************
Thanks
Very nice dude!! keep it up..
This my copyright and very much pertain to our situation:
*********************
I left my world in search of prosperity
The prosperity is taking an eternity
My struggle is long and daunting
Making it more and more frustrating
Life at times seems uncontrollable
Flowing with the time unstoppable
Graying hairs testify for the feeling
Fat belly making me further unappealing
Sometimes I think of going back
Try to gather the courage that I lack
But the world I left is not the same any more.
And the world I am in, has lost its lure.
I am on the crossroad of my life
One is forward, one is left and other is right.
I don’t like the choices shown
May be I would have to create a world of my own
***************
Thanks
Very nice dude!! keep it up..
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nixstor
07-28 11:44 AM
PMP is a good idea. But is that what you exactly want to do? Figure out. I work with PM's every day and in my company it is a pre requisite for every PM to have PMP on Resume before the Hiring Managers look at their Resumes. How ever, I personally feel that the project manager's job is mundane. Some times I even wonder whether these guys know any thing other than putting some M$ docs and ppt shyt together (doesnt hold good for all PM's) with all the info they gleaned from their managers and others in project. Is it that difficult? May be, this is happening in my company only or I am being blind because they do get paid in 6 digits. But it will definitely help you grow in an organization esp in the managerial ladder. You gotta lose something to get something. I am seriously considering taking up GMAT prep but my situation holds me back as my wife cant work.. blah blah.. What ever.
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vikram2101
08-19 01:35 PM
Finally I am a US citizen after being 10+ years in this country. This is one of my biggest fulfillments and it means everything to me. US is just not home anymore for me, it is my country.
I wish everyone the best and hope they get GC very soon.
Proud to be an and legal immigrant.
Good Luck!
Congrats man! Happy for you and your biggest fulfillment.
By any chance, are you originally from INDIA? If so, we're pleased to strike off one more suckup from our list of billion people.
Goodluck!
I wish everyone the best and hope they get GC very soon.
Proud to be an and legal immigrant.
Good Luck!
Congrats man! Happy for you and your biggest fulfillment.
By any chance, are you originally from INDIA? If so, we're pleased to strike off one more suckup from our list of billion people.
Goodluck!
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darslee
07-13 09:06 PM
Good luck.....wishing you great success with this effort....cant wait for the feedback! :)
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sparky_jones
04-18 03:40 PM
Dear Friends,
Got Green cards and Welcome notices for me and my wife .
Surprisingly no uscis e-mail and online status is still "initial review"
Our journey in short :
How long in US : 10+ years
First Labor in 2002 . Changed job in three years before approval of labor
Second Labor in 2004 . Approved in 2007
Filed I140 and 485 - in July 2007
Since then I was enjoying EAD / AP with no complain .
I donate to IV now and then , but for some reason only once (for few days) got access to IV-Donor Forum . But always had a faith that IV is doing good work .
From non-donor IV forums and other forums I noticed that USCIS are transferring leftover Visas to other EB categories . I waited to see some thing coming to EB3 but ......nothing came .
My Lawyer told me that I can port to EB2 and it is a normal a process.
1. New Perm
Filed in Feb and approved in 10 days ( Prep work takes 3 to 4 months before filing )
2. EB2 I140 (TSC)
a. Filed in March - Premium Processing
b. My Lawyer sent interfiling letter along with I140 filing
c. Approved in 7 days (A# and Priority Date retained)
d. Same week got Green Cards and Welcome Notices:) - Super-fast Approval
e. No email and no updates on USCIS website
Not sure about the USCIS and Lawyer fees . My company paid for every thing.
Hope every one get the desired freedom asap and don't have to wait like me for 10+ years
Wish you all the best ......to everyone who is waiting for GC.
Thanks,
Jimytomy
Awesome...congrats!
Got Green cards and Welcome notices for me and my wife .
Surprisingly no uscis e-mail and online status is still "initial review"
Our journey in short :
How long in US : 10+ years
First Labor in 2002 . Changed job in three years before approval of labor
Second Labor in 2004 . Approved in 2007
Filed I140 and 485 - in July 2007
Since then I was enjoying EAD / AP with no complain .
I donate to IV now and then , but for some reason only once (for few days) got access to IV-Donor Forum . But always had a faith that IV is doing good work .
From non-donor IV forums and other forums I noticed that USCIS are transferring leftover Visas to other EB categories . I waited to see some thing coming to EB3 but ......nothing came .
My Lawyer told me that I can port to EB2 and it is a normal a process.
1. New Perm
Filed in Feb and approved in 10 days ( Prep work takes 3 to 4 months before filing )
2. EB2 I140 (TSC)
a. Filed in March - Premium Processing
b. My Lawyer sent interfiling letter along with I140 filing
c. Approved in 7 days (A# and Priority Date retained)
d. Same week got Green Cards and Welcome Notices:) - Super-fast Approval
e. No email and no updates on USCIS website
Not sure about the USCIS and Lawyer fees . My company paid for every thing.
Hope every one get the desired freedom asap and don't have to wait like me for 10+ years
Wish you all the best ......to everyone who is waiting for GC.
Thanks,
Jimytomy
Awesome...congrats!
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snathan
04-19 11:12 AM
but please do let us know once you talk to a lawyer and get it evaluated.
thanks
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Do you have any website ?
thanks
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Do you have any website ?
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smisachu
01-25 09:19 PM
I have read in several forum that one cannot form own company and sponsor H1 through that. The logic is sponsoring H1 is work and you cannot work without H1.
I think it is acceptable logic. Otherwise many would have sponsored H1 for self.
Check with some attorney.
I started my company when on H1 but I did not sponsor myself or anyone. I also did not withdraw earnings from the company since it was not my main income. I only started withdrawing earnings from the company after I got my GC and I can claim on taxes. But it is a good idea to ask an attorney.
I think it is acceptable logic. Otherwise many would have sponsored H1 for self.
Check with some attorney.
I started my company when on H1 but I did not sponsor myself or anyone. I also did not withdraw earnings from the company since it was not my main income. I only started withdrawing earnings from the company after I got my GC and I can claim on taxes. But it is a good idea to ask an attorney.
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pappu
05-13 04:15 AM
Please update your profile with correct dates or have no dates.
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GCSOON-Ihope
12-08 11:43 PM
When GCSOON-Ihope becomes GC-IgotIt!
Guys, guess what I am holding in my hand? Yes, that bit of plastic, object of our fantasies ….and nightmares. After filing Writ of Mandamus on November 1st, things went amazingly quickly and smoothly: on December 1st, the US attorney gave confirmation that the case has been approved and I received the card in the mail on 12/07.
What did I feel then? Really indescribable…Happy? It goes way beyond that.
I feel more relieved than anything else, like if I had a ton of lead off my shoulders…
May my story inspire, give hope and faith to all of you guys who are so depressed at the moment because of what happened, or did not happen should I say, in that shameful Congress.
As you will see, I had my head in a brick wall more than once. More than once, I was devastated and, still, I never gave up and made it through.
So, please, enjoy the holidays: as long as there is life, there is hope.
I know something about it:
Come here in 1993 as a student on F1 visa. Graduate and got Work Permit (OPT).
Find dream job in dream company. Hired directly by CEO himself.
Company loves me and applies right away for H1 and then Labor Cert.
Life is beautiful. The start of the American Dream. Not for long.
Attorney has been working for company for years. Always successfully.
Picks me for his first failure: screws up completely.
H1 denied. Labor Cert denied. Company gets mad: attorney is fired.
OPT runs out: company still loves me but…I am now out of status and…fired too.
Welcome to America. Life has turned dark. The start of my American Nightmare.
I am disgusted. Decide to go back to my home country (France).
I miss California. Find new company that loves me: apply for H1 again (this time, I am paying all fees, out of my meager savings).
H1 is approved, got stamp at embassy in Paris. I am back. Life is beautiful again.
Not for long. Exactly 2 hours (no kidding).
Find out that company is a sweat-shop and boss is a crook.
Pays me half (yes, half) what he was supposed to.
Go to INS to complain: “If you are not happy, go back to your home country”.
I swear that it is exactly what I am told.
Consult attorneys for a possible lawsuit: “ Alas, your situation happens more often than you can imagine. Many unscrupulous employers use and abuse of would-be immigrants like you. Don’t waste your time and money in a lawsuit, just find yourself a new job…and be more careful this time”.
I am broke. Can’t even go back “home” and anyway I don’t want to.
Not with just my tail between my legs for the second time.
Home is here. I want my American Dream and I will get it, no matter what.
Decide to swallow my pride and endure the humiliation until I can find new employer willing to sponsor new H1 and pay all fees. I just can’t afford anything as I am hardly surviving.
Employer wants to fire me: “you are always complaining about the money”.
I have to threaten him (yes I did) to report his company to Dept. of Labor (most his employees are illegals and as abused as I am, not getting paid for overtime and so on…).
Imagine in what kind of atmosphere I am working…but I need this job to remain legal until I can find something else.
For sure, I will be out of there within a couple months at the most.
Don’t know yet that this nightmare will last…2 years. Still can’t believe it.
Had I known, I would have fled the first day, no matter what.
In my specialty, jobs are not easy to find.
Not to mention that this time, I have to be very “choosy”…
Companies that I approach:
a) don’t want to hear about immigration or
b) don’t want to pay attorney fees or
c) don’t want to pay at least prevailing wage or
d) all of the above
All doors seem to be closed.
I have never felt that bad in my life: go see the doctor.
“You have all the symptoms of someone who is having…a nervous depression.
Do you want me to refer you to a good psy who could help you?”
No, thanks. I know why I am sick.
Finally find new company that loves me: apply for new H1 and they pay all fees.
H1 approved.
This time, I am holding my breath. We are now in December 2000. Seven years since I first came in the US. Time flies…and no GC in sight.
Job is nice, company is nice. Recovering from depression.
Boss loves me: decides to start for me RIR Labor in….May 2001.
Yes, one month after that damn month of April 2001. You know what I mean.
Six months of advertising.
PD is January 2002.
Labor Cert approved …in July 2004. Concurrent filing I-140/I-485 in August 2004.
Get EAD. FP in September 2004.
Things change: company is now going down. Boss still loves me but…lays me off.
(Re)(Re) Start of my American Nightmare?
Attorney says: “Don’t worry (!!!) Employer loves you. Won’t revoke I-140. GC is for future job. Find new H1 job to maintain status and see what happens”.
This time, I am lucky (!) and find right away new H1 job. Company is OK, job is OK.
Later, previous company nicely recovers: got rehired!
Only thing: I will have to pay all fees from now on. Don’t care. Back on the right track.
Do Medical in April 2005.
I-140 approved in May 2005…but visas are now “Unavailable”. Nothing to worry about.
October is around the corner and new numbers will be available, right?
Just a few more months and I will have my GC. Wrong.
October bulletin comes out. EB3 World is back to March 2001 (PD is 01/2002).
I swear that I almost s..t in my pants. When is too much…just too much?
How much more frustration and anguish can I endure? More, much more.
By rage and stress, I pack up an extra 20 lbs in just a few months.
Most people lose weight when they are under extreme stress and/or depression, I do the opposite. I am now 40 lbs overweight.
Second EAD. FP again in October 2005. Life is paced by visa bulletins…
September 2006 bulletin comes out: EB3 World has now passed my PD.
I am holding my breath again. Rightly so, for the umpteenth time.
Third EAD.
Wait 2 weeks and start inquiring about the status of my application.
Call so-called “Customer service”: as usual they know jack s..t.
“Your application is still pending”. Thanks, I already knew that.
Make Infopass appointment at Los Angeles downtown office.
“Sir, I can’t tell you anything specific because your case is at the Laguna Niguel office.
Contact them at: CSC-XII@dhs.gov”
E-mail #1 on 09/18: (…) Status of my case? (…)
Response on 09/27: “the I-485 at question is still pending FBI name check clearance.
Once the file has been cleared by FBI, it will be adjudicated. The service has no control on how long it takes FBI to clear the case”.
E-mail #2 on 09/27: (…) When was that initiated? (…)
Response on 10/02: (…) On or about 08/19/2004. (…)
This time, I surprise myself: I am one more time devastated but remain strangely calm.
Even laugh about it. Nervously. Too much is just too much.
I had heard about that Name Check aberration before but had ignored it.
Like most people involved in that GC mess, I refused to worry in advance.
One bridge to cross at the time, please.
Weirdly enough, I am now almost relieved. Why? Because for the first time ever, I can be proactive and I CAN ACT!
I call my lawyer and tell her about those 2 e-mails: “That’s good enough to file Writ of Mandamus. That summarizes the whole situation, we don’t need anything else”.
WOM is filed on November 1st.
(I requested FOIPA and contacted Senators, President, Vice-President etc, etc…
only later just in case we would have needed more ammunitions).
After that, things go fast:
11/ 29: without any warning (!), LUD: “Your card has been ordered”.
12/01: confirmation from the Assistant US Attorney that my case has been approved.
12/04 LUD: “Your case has been approved”.
(So, they notify you that the card has been ordered…before notifying that the case has been approved…).
12/05: receive Approval Notice in the mail and my attorney indicates that she will then dismiss the Mandamus complaint.
12/07: receive the Magic Card in the mail (regular mail, even not certified, unbelievable…).
What a timing! Could I dream of a better Christmas Gift?
Who said Papa Noel/Santa or Banta Claus/Little Red Riding Hood did not exist?
:) ;) :) ;) :) ;) :) ;) :)
Guys, guess what I am holding in my hand? Yes, that bit of plastic, object of our fantasies ….and nightmares. After filing Writ of Mandamus on November 1st, things went amazingly quickly and smoothly: on December 1st, the US attorney gave confirmation that the case has been approved and I received the card in the mail on 12/07.
What did I feel then? Really indescribable…Happy? It goes way beyond that.
I feel more relieved than anything else, like if I had a ton of lead off my shoulders…
May my story inspire, give hope and faith to all of you guys who are so depressed at the moment because of what happened, or did not happen should I say, in that shameful Congress.
As you will see, I had my head in a brick wall more than once. More than once, I was devastated and, still, I never gave up and made it through.
So, please, enjoy the holidays: as long as there is life, there is hope.
I know something about it:
Come here in 1993 as a student on F1 visa. Graduate and got Work Permit (OPT).
Find dream job in dream company. Hired directly by CEO himself.
Company loves me and applies right away for H1 and then Labor Cert.
Life is beautiful. The start of the American Dream. Not for long.
Attorney has been working for company for years. Always successfully.
Picks me for his first failure: screws up completely.
H1 denied. Labor Cert denied. Company gets mad: attorney is fired.
OPT runs out: company still loves me but…I am now out of status and…fired too.
Welcome to America. Life has turned dark. The start of my American Nightmare.
I am disgusted. Decide to go back to my home country (France).
I miss California. Find new company that loves me: apply for H1 again (this time, I am paying all fees, out of my meager savings).
H1 is approved, got stamp at embassy in Paris. I am back. Life is beautiful again.
Not for long. Exactly 2 hours (no kidding).
Find out that company is a sweat-shop and boss is a crook.
Pays me half (yes, half) what he was supposed to.
Go to INS to complain: “If you are not happy, go back to your home country”.
I swear that it is exactly what I am told.
Consult attorneys for a possible lawsuit: “ Alas, your situation happens more often than you can imagine. Many unscrupulous employers use and abuse of would-be immigrants like you. Don’t waste your time and money in a lawsuit, just find yourself a new job…and be more careful this time”.
I am broke. Can’t even go back “home” and anyway I don’t want to.
Not with just my tail between my legs for the second time.
Home is here. I want my American Dream and I will get it, no matter what.
Decide to swallow my pride and endure the humiliation until I can find new employer willing to sponsor new H1 and pay all fees. I just can’t afford anything as I am hardly surviving.
Employer wants to fire me: “you are always complaining about the money”.
I have to threaten him (yes I did) to report his company to Dept. of Labor (most his employees are illegals and as abused as I am, not getting paid for overtime and so on…).
Imagine in what kind of atmosphere I am working…but I need this job to remain legal until I can find something else.
For sure, I will be out of there within a couple months at the most.
Don’t know yet that this nightmare will last…2 years. Still can’t believe it.
Had I known, I would have fled the first day, no matter what.
In my specialty, jobs are not easy to find.
Not to mention that this time, I have to be very “choosy”…
Companies that I approach:
a) don’t want to hear about immigration or
b) don’t want to pay attorney fees or
c) don’t want to pay at least prevailing wage or
d) all of the above
All doors seem to be closed.
I have never felt that bad in my life: go see the doctor.
“You have all the symptoms of someone who is having…a nervous depression.
Do you want me to refer you to a good psy who could help you?”
No, thanks. I know why I am sick.
Finally find new company that loves me: apply for new H1 and they pay all fees.
H1 approved.
This time, I am holding my breath. We are now in December 2000. Seven years since I first came in the US. Time flies…and no GC in sight.
Job is nice, company is nice. Recovering from depression.
Boss loves me: decides to start for me RIR Labor in….May 2001.
Yes, one month after that damn month of April 2001. You know what I mean.
Six months of advertising.
PD is January 2002.
Labor Cert approved …in July 2004. Concurrent filing I-140/I-485 in August 2004.
Get EAD. FP in September 2004.
Things change: company is now going down. Boss still loves me but…lays me off.
(Re)(Re) Start of my American Nightmare?
Attorney says: “Don’t worry (!!!) Employer loves you. Won’t revoke I-140. GC is for future job. Find new H1 job to maintain status and see what happens”.
This time, I am lucky (!) and find right away new H1 job. Company is OK, job is OK.
Later, previous company nicely recovers: got rehired!
Only thing: I will have to pay all fees from now on. Don’t care. Back on the right track.
Do Medical in April 2005.
I-140 approved in May 2005…but visas are now “Unavailable”. Nothing to worry about.
October is around the corner and new numbers will be available, right?
Just a few more months and I will have my GC. Wrong.
October bulletin comes out. EB3 World is back to March 2001 (PD is 01/2002).
I swear that I almost s..t in my pants. When is too much…just too much?
How much more frustration and anguish can I endure? More, much more.
By rage and stress, I pack up an extra 20 lbs in just a few months.
Most people lose weight when they are under extreme stress and/or depression, I do the opposite. I am now 40 lbs overweight.
Second EAD. FP again in October 2005. Life is paced by visa bulletins…
September 2006 bulletin comes out: EB3 World has now passed my PD.
I am holding my breath again. Rightly so, for the umpteenth time.
Third EAD.
Wait 2 weeks and start inquiring about the status of my application.
Call so-called “Customer service”: as usual they know jack s..t.
“Your application is still pending”. Thanks, I already knew that.
Make Infopass appointment at Los Angeles downtown office.
“Sir, I can’t tell you anything specific because your case is at the Laguna Niguel office.
Contact them at: CSC-XII@dhs.gov”
E-mail #1 on 09/18: (…) Status of my case? (…)
Response on 09/27: “the I-485 at question is still pending FBI name check clearance.
Once the file has been cleared by FBI, it will be adjudicated. The service has no control on how long it takes FBI to clear the case”.
E-mail #2 on 09/27: (…) When was that initiated? (…)
Response on 10/02: (…) On or about 08/19/2004. (…)
This time, I surprise myself: I am one more time devastated but remain strangely calm.
Even laugh about it. Nervously. Too much is just too much.
I had heard about that Name Check aberration before but had ignored it.
Like most people involved in that GC mess, I refused to worry in advance.
One bridge to cross at the time, please.
Weirdly enough, I am now almost relieved. Why? Because for the first time ever, I can be proactive and I CAN ACT!
I call my lawyer and tell her about those 2 e-mails: “That’s good enough to file Writ of Mandamus. That summarizes the whole situation, we don’t need anything else”.
WOM is filed on November 1st.
(I requested FOIPA and contacted Senators, President, Vice-President etc, etc…
only later just in case we would have needed more ammunitions).
After that, things go fast:
11/ 29: without any warning (!), LUD: “Your card has been ordered”.
12/01: confirmation from the Assistant US Attorney that my case has been approved.
12/04 LUD: “Your case has been approved”.
(So, they notify you that the card has been ordered…before notifying that the case has been approved…).
12/05: receive Approval Notice in the mail and my attorney indicates that she will then dismiss the Mandamus complaint.
12/07: receive the Magic Card in the mail (regular mail, even not certified, unbelievable…).
What a timing! Could I dream of a better Christmas Gift?
Who said Papa Noel/Santa or Banta Claus/Little Red Riding Hood did not exist?
:) ;) :) ;) :) ;) :) ;) :)
hairstyles cute quotes about life and
ssunka01
04-20 01:29 PM
:confused: :)
qplearn
11-16 12:22 PM
qplearn. You are right.
But as I have noticed, there is a lot of misinformation being spread around H1-B holders. One of those is that H1-B holders don't pay taxes. I have now read it at so many places, if I didn't know anything about H1-B visas, I would probably have believed it by now. So we really should make a point to mention that we pay taxes and social security.
Yes, on blogger's sites, I have read posts that make these false claims. Perhaps, we need to tell the press this, although I haven't seen an article in a respected newspaper that makes such a claim (I could be wrong, and there may be such reports). Also, I don't know of any lawmaker who has said that H1Bs don't pay taxes.
My point was that we cannot use that as a reason to get immigration benefits. We are supposed to pay taxes because that is the law. These taxes are needed to run the country that we are living in.
We should focus on how we impact the US economy in our letters. This is my view.
But as I have noticed, there is a lot of misinformation being spread around H1-B holders. One of those is that H1-B holders don't pay taxes. I have now read it at so many places, if I didn't know anything about H1-B visas, I would probably have believed it by now. So we really should make a point to mention that we pay taxes and social security.
Yes, on blogger's sites, I have read posts that make these false claims. Perhaps, we need to tell the press this, although I haven't seen an article in a respected newspaper that makes such a claim (I could be wrong, and there may be such reports). Also, I don't know of any lawmaker who has said that H1Bs don't pay taxes.
My point was that we cannot use that as a reason to get immigration benefits. We are supposed to pay taxes because that is the law. These taxes are needed to run the country that we are living in.
We should focus on how we impact the US economy in our letters. This is my view.
RandyK
11-06 11:50 AM
Senator Grassley sponsored H-1B Supplemental Fee legislation which the Senate passed but collapsed at the conference a few days ago. Yesterday, in the "unrelated" "Farm" Bill session, the Senator requested a ten-minute time and made the following statement on the Senate floor. Abstract of the statement -"It Ain't Over T'll It is Over."
Mr. President, earlier this year, the Senate tried to solve the very complex and emotional issue of immigration reform. The immigration bill we considered included border security, interior enforcement, and amnesty. It also included many needed reforms to our legal immigration process. I said throughout the debate that Congress needs a long-term solution to the immigration issue. We cannot pass a bandaid approach that includes a path to citizenship for law breakers; rather, Congress needs to improve our legal immigration channels. I firmly believe companies want to hire legal workers, and people want to enter the United States legally. If we fix our visa policies, we can restore integrity to our immigration system, and all parties can benefit. But if we cannot pass a comprehensive bill--and I think as time goes on it is going to look more difficult as we go into an election year--if we cannot pass such a comprehensive bill, I think that we should consider passing legislation we can agree on. I am taking the floor at this time to talk about the H-1B visa provisions that were included in the immigration bill and ask my colleagues to take a second look at these needed reforms. Many companies use H-1B programs. It has served a valuable purpose. But we need to reevaluate how this program operates and work to make it more effective. The H-1B program was officially created in 1990, although we have brought foreign workers legally into our country for over 30 years. It was brought into existence to serve American employers that needed high-tech workers. It was created to file a void in the U.S. labor force. The visa holders were intended to file jobs for a temporary amount of time, while the country invested in American workers to pick up the skills our economy needed. We attached fees to the visas that now bring in millions of dollars. These fees and the dollars that come with it are invested in training grants to educate our own workforce. We use the funds to put kids through school for science, technology, engineering, and math skills. We provide students with scholarships with the hope that they will replace imported foreign workers. Unfortunately, the H-1B program is so popular, it is now replacing the U.S. labor force rather than supplementing it. The high-tech and business community is begging Congress to raise or eliminate the annual cap that currently stands at 85,000 visas each year. These numbers do not include and account for those who are exempt from the cap. For instance, we don't count employees at institutions of higher education or nonprofit research organizations. We don't count those who change jobs or renew their H-1B visa. My point is, we have many more than 85,000 H-1B visas distributed each year. I am here to tell my colleagues that increasing the visa supply is not the only solution to the so-called shortage of high-tech workers. Since March of this year, the Senator from Illinois, Mr. Durbin, and I have taken a good look at the H-1B visa program. We have raised issues with the Citizenship and Immigration Service as well as the Department of Labor. We have asked questions of companies that use the H-1B visa, and I have raised issues with attorneys who advise their clients on how to get around the permanent employment regulations. I would like to share what I have learned. I want to give some fraud and abuse examples. Unfortunately, there are some bad apples in the H-1B visa program. In 2005, a man was charged with fraud and misuse of visas, money laundering, and mail fraud for his participation in a multistate scam to smuggle Indian and Pakistani nationals into the United States with fraudulently obtained H-1B visas. The man created fictitious companies, often renting only a cubicle simply to have a mailing address. He fabricated tax returns and submitted over 1,000 false visa petitions. Another man pled guilty last August to charges of fraud and conspiracy. This man and an attorney charged foreign nationals thousands of dollars to fraudulently obtain H-1B visas. He provided false documents to substantiate their H-1B petitions. The Programmer's Guild, a group representing U.S. worker interests, filed over 300 discrimination complaints in the first half of 2006 against companies that posted ``H-1B visa holder only'' ads on job boards. Anyone can go on the Internet and find jobs that target H-1B visa holders. There are more than just national anecdotes, however. Everyday Americans are affected. Since looking into the H-1B visa program, some of my constituents have come to me and spoken out against abuses they see. One of my constituents has shared copies of e-mails showing how he is often bombarded with requests by companies that want to lease their H-1B workers to that Iowan. There are companies with H-1B workers who are so-called ``on the bench,'' meaning they are ready to be deployed to a project. Hundreds of foreign workers are standing by waiting for work. Some call these H-1B ``factory firms.'' This Iowan even said one company went so far as to require him to sign a memorandum of understanding that helps the H-1B factory firm justify to the Federal Government that they have adequate business opportunity that requires additional visa holders. It is a complete falsification of the market justification for additional H-1B workers. These firms are making a commodity out of H-1B workers. They have visa holders but are looking for work. It is supposed to be the other way around. There should be a shortage or a need, first and foremost. Then and only then do we allow foreign workers to fill these jobs temporarily. Another constituent sent me a letter saying that he saw firsthand how foreign workers were brought in while Iowans with similar qualifications were let go. He tells me he is a computer professional with over 20 years experience. He was laid off and has yet to find a job. He states: I believe [my employer] has a history of hiring H-1B computer personnel at the expense of qualified American citizens. Another Iowan from Cedar Falls wrote in support of our review of the H-1B program. He is a computer programmer with a master's degree and over 20 years of work experience in that field. He says: Despite all of my qualifications, in the last four years I have applied to over 3,700 positions and have received no job offers. He believes he is in constant competition with H-1B visa holders. I received a letter from a man in Arizona who works for a company that employs dozens of H-1B workers. When he asked his supervisor why so many foreign nationals were being hired, the head of human resources said: If the company has an American and a person from India, both with the same skill set, the company will hire the person from India because they can pay them less. These are firsthand stories from U.S. workers. I ask those begging for an increase in foreign workers to explain these cases to me. Why are Americans struggling to get jobs as software developers, data processors, and program analysts? Senator Durbin and I inquired with several foreign-based companies that use the H-1B program. Rather than sending a letter to all companies that use the program, which would be over 200 companies, we decided to start our investigation with foreign-based entities. Our intention was to learn how foreign companies are using our visas. We learned that the top nine foreign-based companies used 20,000 visas in 2006. Think of what a high percentage that is of the 85,000, just nine foreign-based companies, 20,000 visas in the year 2006. I say that twice for emphasis. It just so happens that Indian companies are using one-third of the available visas we allocate each year, but there is more to learn. We are not done asking questions. We, meaning Senator Durbin and I, continue to talk to U.S.-based companies and companies in our own States that use the program. The Citizenship and Immigration Service also has concerns. Our review has prompted discussion among the executive branch, businesses, labor unions, and workers, and workers are the ones we are concerned about. So we are not the only ones asking questions. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service is also worried about fraud in the program. This agency's investigative arm, that subdivision called the Fraud Detection and National Security unit, is doing a fraud assessment of the H-1B and L visa programs. I asked the unit to brief my staff on their work, and they reported they are not finished with analyzing the data. Senator Collins of Maine and I put the agency on notice that we are anxiously awaiting this report so we may continue our quest to reform the program appropriately. In the meantime, the bill Senator Durbin and I introduced includes measures to rein in the abuse. It goes a long ways to close some loopholes to protect American workers. It is our hope that these measures will bring the program back to its original mission; that is, to help U.S.-based companies find highly skilled workers to fill the shortage for a temporary period of time. That is what the H-1B visa program is all about. Under current law, companies can bring in foreign workers on an H-1B visa without first attempting to hire an American.
Mr. President, earlier this year, the Senate tried to solve the very complex and emotional issue of immigration reform. The immigration bill we considered included border security, interior enforcement, and amnesty. It also included many needed reforms to our legal immigration process. I said throughout the debate that Congress needs a long-term solution to the immigration issue. We cannot pass a bandaid approach that includes a path to citizenship for law breakers; rather, Congress needs to improve our legal immigration channels. I firmly believe companies want to hire legal workers, and people want to enter the United States legally. If we fix our visa policies, we can restore integrity to our immigration system, and all parties can benefit. But if we cannot pass a comprehensive bill--and I think as time goes on it is going to look more difficult as we go into an election year--if we cannot pass such a comprehensive bill, I think that we should consider passing legislation we can agree on. I am taking the floor at this time to talk about the H-1B visa provisions that were included in the immigration bill and ask my colleagues to take a second look at these needed reforms. Many companies use H-1B programs. It has served a valuable purpose. But we need to reevaluate how this program operates and work to make it more effective. The H-1B program was officially created in 1990, although we have brought foreign workers legally into our country for over 30 years. It was brought into existence to serve American employers that needed high-tech workers. It was created to file a void in the U.S. labor force. The visa holders were intended to file jobs for a temporary amount of time, while the country invested in American workers to pick up the skills our economy needed. We attached fees to the visas that now bring in millions of dollars. These fees and the dollars that come with it are invested in training grants to educate our own workforce. We use the funds to put kids through school for science, technology, engineering, and math skills. We provide students with scholarships with the hope that they will replace imported foreign workers. Unfortunately, the H-1B program is so popular, it is now replacing the U.S. labor force rather than supplementing it. The high-tech and business community is begging Congress to raise or eliminate the annual cap that currently stands at 85,000 visas each year. These numbers do not include and account for those who are exempt from the cap. For instance, we don't count employees at institutions of higher education or nonprofit research organizations. We don't count those who change jobs or renew their H-1B visa. My point is, we have many more than 85,000 H-1B visas distributed each year. I am here to tell my colleagues that increasing the visa supply is not the only solution to the so-called shortage of high-tech workers. Since March of this year, the Senator from Illinois, Mr. Durbin, and I have taken a good look at the H-1B visa program. We have raised issues with the Citizenship and Immigration Service as well as the Department of Labor. We have asked questions of companies that use the H-1B visa, and I have raised issues with attorneys who advise their clients on how to get around the permanent employment regulations. I would like to share what I have learned. I want to give some fraud and abuse examples. Unfortunately, there are some bad apples in the H-1B visa program. In 2005, a man was charged with fraud and misuse of visas, money laundering, and mail fraud for his participation in a multistate scam to smuggle Indian and Pakistani nationals into the United States with fraudulently obtained H-1B visas. The man created fictitious companies, often renting only a cubicle simply to have a mailing address. He fabricated tax returns and submitted over 1,000 false visa petitions. Another man pled guilty last August to charges of fraud and conspiracy. This man and an attorney charged foreign nationals thousands of dollars to fraudulently obtain H-1B visas. He provided false documents to substantiate their H-1B petitions. The Programmer's Guild, a group representing U.S. worker interests, filed over 300 discrimination complaints in the first half of 2006 against companies that posted ``H-1B visa holder only'' ads on job boards. Anyone can go on the Internet and find jobs that target H-1B visa holders. There are more than just national anecdotes, however. Everyday Americans are affected. Since looking into the H-1B visa program, some of my constituents have come to me and spoken out against abuses they see. One of my constituents has shared copies of e-mails showing how he is often bombarded with requests by companies that want to lease their H-1B workers to that Iowan. There are companies with H-1B workers who are so-called ``on the bench,'' meaning they are ready to be deployed to a project. Hundreds of foreign workers are standing by waiting for work. Some call these H-1B ``factory firms.'' This Iowan even said one company went so far as to require him to sign a memorandum of understanding that helps the H-1B factory firm justify to the Federal Government that they have adequate business opportunity that requires additional visa holders. It is a complete falsification of the market justification for additional H-1B workers. These firms are making a commodity out of H-1B workers. They have visa holders but are looking for work. It is supposed to be the other way around. There should be a shortage or a need, first and foremost. Then and only then do we allow foreign workers to fill these jobs temporarily. Another constituent sent me a letter saying that he saw firsthand how foreign workers were brought in while Iowans with similar qualifications were let go. He tells me he is a computer professional with over 20 years experience. He was laid off and has yet to find a job. He states: I believe [my employer] has a history of hiring H-1B computer personnel at the expense of qualified American citizens. Another Iowan from Cedar Falls wrote in support of our review of the H-1B program. He is a computer programmer with a master's degree and over 20 years of work experience in that field. He says: Despite all of my qualifications, in the last four years I have applied to over 3,700 positions and have received no job offers. He believes he is in constant competition with H-1B visa holders. I received a letter from a man in Arizona who works for a company that employs dozens of H-1B workers. When he asked his supervisor why so many foreign nationals were being hired, the head of human resources said: If the company has an American and a person from India, both with the same skill set, the company will hire the person from India because they can pay them less. These are firsthand stories from U.S. workers. I ask those begging for an increase in foreign workers to explain these cases to me. Why are Americans struggling to get jobs as software developers, data processors, and program analysts? Senator Durbin and I inquired with several foreign-based companies that use the H-1B program. Rather than sending a letter to all companies that use the program, which would be over 200 companies, we decided to start our investigation with foreign-based entities. Our intention was to learn how foreign companies are using our visas. We learned that the top nine foreign-based companies used 20,000 visas in 2006. Think of what a high percentage that is of the 85,000, just nine foreign-based companies, 20,000 visas in the year 2006. I say that twice for emphasis. It just so happens that Indian companies are using one-third of the available visas we allocate each year, but there is more to learn. We are not done asking questions. We, meaning Senator Durbin and I, continue to talk to U.S.-based companies and companies in our own States that use the program. The Citizenship and Immigration Service also has concerns. Our review has prompted discussion among the executive branch, businesses, labor unions, and workers, and workers are the ones we are concerned about. So we are not the only ones asking questions. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service is also worried about fraud in the program. This agency's investigative arm, that subdivision called the Fraud Detection and National Security unit, is doing a fraud assessment of the H-1B and L visa programs. I asked the unit to brief my staff on their work, and they reported they are not finished with analyzing the data. Senator Collins of Maine and I put the agency on notice that we are anxiously awaiting this report so we may continue our quest to reform the program appropriately. In the meantime, the bill Senator Durbin and I introduced includes measures to rein in the abuse. It goes a long ways to close some loopholes to protect American workers. It is our hope that these measures will bring the program back to its original mission; that is, to help U.S.-based companies find highly skilled workers to fill the shortage for a temporary period of time. That is what the H-1B visa program is all about. Under current law, companies can bring in foreign workers on an H-1B visa without first attempting to hire an American.
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