Dandruff
10-05 03:43 PM
I see absolutely no change in EB from oct.
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WeldonSprings
06-02 01:32 PM
Application efiled at NSC on April 14.
Still no sign of the EAD
NSC is slow compared to TSC and also they start the EAD on the day it is approved and not when the previous one expires.
Somebody, needs to take this up with the Ombudsman due to difference in the processing policies and times for EAD renewals.
Application received by NSC on April 8th.
Still no sign of the EAD :mad:
Beginning to get jittery now...
Still no sign of the EAD
NSC is slow compared to TSC and also they start the EAD on the day it is approved and not when the previous one expires.
Somebody, needs to take this up with the Ombudsman due to difference in the processing policies and times for EAD renewals.
Application received by NSC on April 8th.
Still no sign of the EAD :mad:
Beginning to get jittery now...
needhelp!
02-09 12:21 PM
I will be there! Thanks IV for continuing the good work..
2011 %IMG_DESC_2%
checklaw
09-19 01:37 PM
The IV bus journey from NJ was very well planned and executed. All I had to do as a "participant" was indeed to just hop on....no fine print! On the bus and at the rally made some wonderful friends.
singhsa3, mpada and everyone who may have worked on the NJ/NY bus logistics, you have been excellent! Thank you IV core for providing this convenience.
IV handle "laborchic" who was on our NJ bus co-coordinating the minute details of to and fro journey with help from another selfless soul "amit_sp”, superbly handled stopovers, timings, ensuring that we reached rally on time and also more importantly that 'No child (read registered bus member) was left behind' and keeping driver happy etc....
Special thoughts also go to whoever came up and arranged the idea of the Gurudwara stopover during the forward journey. It was simply superb! We were able to catch up some sleep there and were fresh for the rally. The host at the the Gurudwara was most gracious. The facilities were good. We were grateful for the lovely breakfast and tea that was served.
The rally was very well organized, right to the minutest details. It was a wonderful effort from some really tired but focused and determined looking volunteer folks whom I saw scrambling around while we participants had it easy. During the rally got a good view of the Capitol Hill and other spots. The cops on motorbikes, cars and bicycles monitoring our procession looked an awesome sight. But that paled compared to the feeling of camaraderie and friendship that was overwhelming all of us folks in white IV T shirts.
Also saw faces behind IV handles, the core and other ever active ones, and found out that they were just like me, two hands two legs.... no horns or feathers. Realization then struck that what probably differentiated them from a lot of us was simply that they have reacted to the same problems you and I have in a smart, constructive and selfless manner.
This is what I could remember and share with few of you who unfortunately could not make it and a whole lot of you who did not make it. To the latter, the feeling of high I have now from having acted upon my normal demons is something I am not able to describe. I just feel it......
singhsa3, mpada and everyone who may have worked on the NJ/NY bus logistics, you have been excellent! Thank you IV core for providing this convenience.
IV handle "laborchic" who was on our NJ bus co-coordinating the minute details of to and fro journey with help from another selfless soul "amit_sp”, superbly handled stopovers, timings, ensuring that we reached rally on time and also more importantly that 'No child (read registered bus member) was left behind' and keeping driver happy etc....
Special thoughts also go to whoever came up and arranged the idea of the Gurudwara stopover during the forward journey. It was simply superb! We were able to catch up some sleep there and were fresh for the rally. The host at the the Gurudwara was most gracious. The facilities were good. We were grateful for the lovely breakfast and tea that was served.
The rally was very well organized, right to the minutest details. It was a wonderful effort from some really tired but focused and determined looking volunteer folks whom I saw scrambling around while we participants had it easy. During the rally got a good view of the Capitol Hill and other spots. The cops on motorbikes, cars and bicycles monitoring our procession looked an awesome sight. But that paled compared to the feeling of camaraderie and friendship that was overwhelming all of us folks in white IV T shirts.
Also saw faces behind IV handles, the core and other ever active ones, and found out that they were just like me, two hands two legs.... no horns or feathers. Realization then struck that what probably differentiated them from a lot of us was simply that they have reacted to the same problems you and I have in a smart, constructive and selfless manner.
This is what I could remember and share with few of you who unfortunately could not make it and a whole lot of you who did not make it. To the latter, the feeling of high I have now from having acted upon my normal demons is something I am not able to describe. I just feel it......
more...
Libra
09-20 02:43 PM
Logiclife, i can't imagine you refused to take a rose from such a beautiful girl :confused:
LogicLife is too proud.. he didn't take the rose I offered him during the rally. I don't want to have anything to do with him now!!
LogicLife is too proud.. he didn't take the rose I offered him during the rally. I don't want to have anything to do with him now!!
msp1976
02-01 09:25 PM
All moderators,
Please watch out anything that comes out of Senator Kennedy's office...
Some one in Kennedy's office is hell bent on getting rid of paragraph (5) in there....
paragraph (5) is the one that gave us the 'soft' country limits...
Here is the law text....
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/8/usc_sec_08_00001152----000-.html
TITLE 8 > CHAPTER 12 > SUBCHAPTER II > Part I > � 1152
(5) Rules for employment-based immigrants
(A) Employment-based immigrants not subject to per country limitation if additional visas available
If the total number of visas available under paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of section 1153 (b) of this title for a calendar quarter exceeds the number of qualified immigrants who may otherwise be issued such visas, the visas made available under that paragraph shall be issued without regard to the numerical limitation under paragraph (2) of this subsection during the remainder of the calendar quarter.
(B) Limiting fall across for certain countries subject to subsection (e) of this section
In the case of a foreign state or dependent area to which subsection (e) of this section applies, if the total number of visas issued under section 1153 (b) of this title exceeds the maximum number of visas that may be made available to immigrants of the state or area under section 1153 (b) of this title consistent with subsection (e) of this section (determined without regard to this paragraph), in applying subsection (e) of this section all visas shall be deemed to have been required for the classes of aliens specified in section 1153 (b) of this title.
If the 'soft quota' is gone...everything else is bullshit....
Every time I see something come out of Senator's office....They always strike para 5...
Please watch out anything that comes out of Senator Kennedy's office...
Some one in Kennedy's office is hell bent on getting rid of paragraph (5) in there....
paragraph (5) is the one that gave us the 'soft' country limits...
Here is the law text....
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/8/usc_sec_08_00001152----000-.html
TITLE 8 > CHAPTER 12 > SUBCHAPTER II > Part I > � 1152
(5) Rules for employment-based immigrants
(A) Employment-based immigrants not subject to per country limitation if additional visas available
If the total number of visas available under paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of section 1153 (b) of this title for a calendar quarter exceeds the number of qualified immigrants who may otherwise be issued such visas, the visas made available under that paragraph shall be issued without regard to the numerical limitation under paragraph (2) of this subsection during the remainder of the calendar quarter.
(B) Limiting fall across for certain countries subject to subsection (e) of this section
In the case of a foreign state or dependent area to which subsection (e) of this section applies, if the total number of visas issued under section 1153 (b) of this title exceeds the maximum number of visas that may be made available to immigrants of the state or area under section 1153 (b) of this title consistent with subsection (e) of this section (determined without regard to this paragraph), in applying subsection (e) of this section all visas shall be deemed to have been required for the classes of aliens specified in section 1153 (b) of this title.
If the 'soft quota' is gone...everything else is bullshit....
Every time I see something come out of Senator's office....They always strike para 5...
more...
maqsoodalam
04-10 10:48 PM
I am in the same boat. Can anyone reply to this inquiry.... please!
2010 %IMG_DESC_3%
indianabacklog
08-14 09:37 AM
I have contacted congressmen and senators to try to highlight this issue and to be totally honest most of them have so little knowledge of immigration law they do not even understand the problem.
The CIS do not care, they follow the rules.
It is attention much higher up that is needed on Capitol Hill and someone who is willing to make it a REAL issue.
The CIS do not care, they follow the rules.
It is attention much higher up that is needed on Capitol Hill and someone who is willing to make it a REAL issue.
more...
gapala
01-26 11:23 AM
Guys,
Also note that in general Economy goes through a cycle of Expansion->Boom->Correction (Does not always leads to recession)->May lead to recession.
Any other market also follows this trend too. Depending on the type market that you are looking at, the length of growth cycles also vary. Investment market growth cycle is estimated to be 3 to 5 years. Where as Realty and infrastructure cycle is believed to take 15 to 18 years to reach the peak from the floor price. Remember the prices of the houses are not yet reached 2004 level. Based on this the home prices are expected to hit the floor by end of 2009 to Q1 2010. This will be another 10% to 15% correction based on prices as of now.
But also understand that it is not going to go up as soon as it hit the floor.. it will remain in that level atleast for 2 to 3 years until the supply is exhosted and demand increases, This time, people even predict to hold straight for 5 years before it start to expand slowly as there are too many homes in the market. Given the job losses and credit freeze, and 20% down, affordability becomes an issue for an average american. It is expected to slowly peak by 12 lengthy years before it goes south for a correction again.
If you are planning to hold on to your house for atleast next 5 to 7 years to break even (not to make profit), you can plan to buy it by Q4 2009 to Q1 2010. You can even wait until 2012 to buy house during its expansion period as it will possibly go up or hold straight but not go down as it does today.
There are lots of statistics out there with realtors which are truely misleading and based only on few factors which impact housing market. As soon as you walk in, they will start bragging about the stuff which really does not add any value to your home. Do not fall prey to these kind of marketing. Do your research and consider all personal, economic, political and geographical factors to see if they are at saturation before you decide to buy vs. rent. I know folks who are stuck with 500K mortgage for a house now worth 370K. They have done what ever they could to lower the monthly EMI by refinancing etc. But it only reduces the interest they still owe that much.
Also note that in general Economy goes through a cycle of Expansion->Boom->Correction (Does not always leads to recession)->May lead to recession.
Any other market also follows this trend too. Depending on the type market that you are looking at, the length of growth cycles also vary. Investment market growth cycle is estimated to be 3 to 5 years. Where as Realty and infrastructure cycle is believed to take 15 to 18 years to reach the peak from the floor price. Remember the prices of the houses are not yet reached 2004 level. Based on this the home prices are expected to hit the floor by end of 2009 to Q1 2010. This will be another 10% to 15% correction based on prices as of now.
But also understand that it is not going to go up as soon as it hit the floor.. it will remain in that level atleast for 2 to 3 years until the supply is exhosted and demand increases, This time, people even predict to hold straight for 5 years before it start to expand slowly as there are too many homes in the market. Given the job losses and credit freeze, and 20% down, affordability becomes an issue for an average american. It is expected to slowly peak by 12 lengthy years before it goes south for a correction again.
If you are planning to hold on to your house for atleast next 5 to 7 years to break even (not to make profit), you can plan to buy it by Q4 2009 to Q1 2010. You can even wait until 2012 to buy house during its expansion period as it will possibly go up or hold straight but not go down as it does today.
There are lots of statistics out there with realtors which are truely misleading and based only on few factors which impact housing market. As soon as you walk in, they will start bragging about the stuff which really does not add any value to your home. Do not fall prey to these kind of marketing. Do your research and consider all personal, economic, political and geographical factors to see if they are at saturation before you decide to buy vs. rent. I know folks who are stuck with 500K mortgage for a house now worth 370K. They have done what ever they could to lower the monthly EMI by refinancing etc. But it only reduces the interest they still owe that much.
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sukhwinderd
02-01 09:03 AM
also, i am planning on driving (minivan) from florida. so would make sense if there are others coming from orlando region to join. i can pick up members from daytona beach area, jacksonville etc. if someone is coming from south florida, tampa area they can stop by at orlando and we can car pool from orlando. is there a local coordinator for florida ?
more...
lvinaykumar
05-17 11:29 PM
My priority date will be current June 1st. My 485 was filed in July 2007 and I got married in 2008. I will be filing my wife's 485. Do you guys know typically how long it takes for newly filed dependent 485 to get approved?
TIA
I am in the same boat, I am hoping to be current in couple of months, I would like to know the process on how to add my spouse to my I485 application
TIA
I am in the same boat, I am hoping to be current in couple of months, I would like to know the process on how to add my spouse to my I485 application
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doknek
05-02 11:34 AM
As of now we are gathering people in one place to estimate how many people are there.
There is a Poll on the first page of this thread which is a way for us to estimate the number of people who will support any action that we take to make our voice heard.
Please post this in your original message and if you could try to make it stand out (if you could).
I also posted comments on 20+ pending users @ (will continue the good deed). I posted the exact same message that you posted on user comments. I hope you don't mind
There is a Poll on the first page of this thread which is a way for us to estimate the number of people who will support any action that we take to make our voice heard.
Please post this in your original message and if you could try to make it stand out (if you could).
I also posted comments on 20+ pending users @ (will continue the good deed). I posted the exact same message that you posted on user comments. I hope you don't mind
more...
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snathan
05-05 08:58 AM
Here is the most up-to-date list of people who have reported their issues with the audit delays:
http://www.mediafire.com/?a3znd69ymyz
I think its about time that we start brain storming the plan of action, I did like the idea of rally but that had its own Pros and Cons. We need more ideas coming from the people...
I was thinking that we could draft a letter of request to DoL and have all the members sign on it to reflect the massiveness of the issue that Management needs to know - this is becoming a major issue in the EB immigration process. We could then write up a follow-up article for newspaper or even provide a copy of that signed letter to them. Any input to this?
I have requested IV Admins to provide some input as well, but if you have any ideas please speak up!
Here is what one of the IV administrators communicated to me:
"In order for anything to be successful, it is important that we get as many people affected involved. Based on the number of people who wish to take part in solving the issue we can initiate a campaign.
Pls let everyone know that IV can help them. We need everyone affected willing to help themselves by coming out and actively participating in a campaign."
So please, dont disperse or lose hope, we need to gather more people to support the campaign, once started.
Admins: I am unable to add the files as an attachment, even after making sure that the file size is under the limit. Am I missing something?
May be we can get help from our respective congressmen/women's help on this.
Any idea?
http://www.mediafire.com/?a3znd69ymyz
I think its about time that we start brain storming the plan of action, I did like the idea of rally but that had its own Pros and Cons. We need more ideas coming from the people...
I was thinking that we could draft a letter of request to DoL and have all the members sign on it to reflect the massiveness of the issue that Management needs to know - this is becoming a major issue in the EB immigration process. We could then write up a follow-up article for newspaper or even provide a copy of that signed letter to them. Any input to this?
I have requested IV Admins to provide some input as well, but if you have any ideas please speak up!
Here is what one of the IV administrators communicated to me:
"In order for anything to be successful, it is important that we get as many people affected involved. Based on the number of people who wish to take part in solving the issue we can initiate a campaign.
Pls let everyone know that IV can help them. We need everyone affected willing to help themselves by coming out and actively participating in a campaign."
So please, dont disperse or lose hope, we need to gather more people to support the campaign, once started.
Admins: I am unable to add the files as an attachment, even after making sure that the file size is under the limit. Am I missing something?
May be we can get help from our respective congressmen/women's help on this.
Any idea?
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Saralayar
04-10 01:41 PM
Yeah, but the 5th item being demanded is the same as a free trip to the moon with out any flight training. In a logical and sensible world it will not work and will make this forum and organization look like have no motive or direction with every demand being considered viable., just beacuse it "sounds like a great idea" to a few folks.
You will never change yourself. Please get out of this thread and we don't need your comments. Sorry to say this.
You will never change yourself. Please get out of this thread and we don't need your comments. Sorry to say this.
more...
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gsc999
09-20 11:59 PM
No PM please
This has to be discussed in the public forum.
gsc999 - U will have to let us know - or else u wont be sapred ;)
"LOGICLIFE BEING TOUCHY WITH FLOWER ISSUE"
----
Ok, ok . Once upon a time, when we were planning the San Jose rally, Tamsen & me were discussing that we hand out flowers to passerby because that way, we could weave the concept of "flower campaign" into the San Jose rally.
So, I posted a message with subject line "Flowery campaign"
On the actual day of the rally, after we were all done. Some laggards including Logiclife, Pratik, myself and a few others went to lunch. There Logiclife mentioned that one strange dude (which was me) had posted such a strange sissy message about "flowery" stuff. It seems that Logiclife must have forgotten my ID. He said it so seriously that I didn't have the heart to tell him that it was me. He went on to say that what was this person thinking.
Fast forward to Situation room in Hyatt(09/16), someone suggested the idea of handing out flowers to passerby again. The old wounds were reopened ;-). I thought that this is the time for my pound of flesh. Logiclife, as anticipated opposed the "flowery" idea. I then pointed out that the strange guy who posted the earlier "Flowery idea" at San Jose rally was me ;-). I saw Logiclife turn red. Paskal took the cue and started to close in on the kill and wanted Logiclife to support the idea. That is the story. Other gals picked up onto this and that is how Logiclife got cornered by the "flowery" idea.:o
This has to be discussed in the public forum.
gsc999 - U will have to let us know - or else u wont be sapred ;)
"LOGICLIFE BEING TOUCHY WITH FLOWER ISSUE"
----
Ok, ok . Once upon a time, when we were planning the San Jose rally, Tamsen & me were discussing that we hand out flowers to passerby because that way, we could weave the concept of "flower campaign" into the San Jose rally.
So, I posted a message with subject line "Flowery campaign"
On the actual day of the rally, after we were all done. Some laggards including Logiclife, Pratik, myself and a few others went to lunch. There Logiclife mentioned that one strange dude (which was me) had posted such a strange sissy message about "flowery" stuff. It seems that Logiclife must have forgotten my ID. He said it so seriously that I didn't have the heart to tell him that it was me. He went on to say that what was this person thinking.
Fast forward to Situation room in Hyatt(09/16), someone suggested the idea of handing out flowers to passerby again. The old wounds were reopened ;-). I thought that this is the time for my pound of flesh. Logiclife, as anticipated opposed the "flowery" idea. I then pointed out that the strange guy who posted the earlier "Flowery idea" at San Jose rally was me ;-). I saw Logiclife turn red. Paskal took the cue and started to close in on the kill and wanted Logiclife to support the idea. That is the story. Other gals picked up onto this and that is how Logiclife got cornered by the "flowery" idea.:o
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dollar500
05-16 04:20 PM
Some guy picked up. I asked for immigration person. He said he's away. Then I read up the text on IV message. He said "thanks for the comments"
more...
makeup %IMG_DESC_9%
sayantan76
04-10 12:09 PM
Well I really think this is reasonable suggestion to factor Priority Date to determine eligibility for citizenship. It could be 5 or 10 years past your priority and only after approval of green card. Currently many people wait for 8 to 10 years for green card and another 5 years to be eligible for citizenship and some lucky ones get green card in 2 to 3 years and citizenship in another 5 years. System should somehow be balanced to have close to uniform wait times towards citizenship for all.
sorry to sound like a beaten record - but it seems that everyone here pretty much sees citizenship as fait accompli!
how has our respective motherlands harmed us that despite being pushed around by US for years on end -we are desperately seeking US citizenship?? after all - in many cases - its the basic and advanced education received at our respective countries that has made us qualify as "highly skilled" immigrants here.....
go ahead - put all the red dots - but do some soul searching before that!
here is the first line of US citizenship oath - "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen" - while i can absolutely live in US as a law-abiding, tax-paying resident - how can i renounce my country of birth?
sorry to sound like a beaten record - but it seems that everyone here pretty much sees citizenship as fait accompli!
how has our respective motherlands harmed us that despite being pushed around by US for years on end -we are desperately seeking US citizenship?? after all - in many cases - its the basic and advanced education received at our respective countries that has made us qualify as "highly skilled" immigrants here.....
go ahead - put all the red dots - but do some soul searching before that!
here is the first line of US citizenship oath - "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen" - while i can absolutely live in US as a law-abiding, tax-paying resident - how can i renounce my country of birth?
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howzatt
07-25 08:06 PM
On my wife's labor certificate, it is said her position requires a minimum of master degree. But the alternate is bachelor degree plus 2 years' experience. The lawyer has filed I-140 under EB2.
We are worried that this position does not qualify EB2 because we read on the internet that EB2 requires master degree or bachelor plus at least 5 years' progressive experience. We called the lawyer and said we heard from a friend such a case had been denied. She was very busy and just said there was no problem to apply for Eb2, and if we doubt it, we can hire our friend as a lawyer. We are so pissed off.
Can someone help me clarify if this position is qualified for EB2? do we need to change it to Eb3?
Thanks.
LOL. When I read the title of this post, I thought the pistons just signed up an indian immigrant :)
We are worried that this position does not qualify EB2 because we read on the internet that EB2 requires master degree or bachelor plus at least 5 years' progressive experience. We called the lawyer and said we heard from a friend such a case had been denied. She was very busy and just said there was no problem to apply for Eb2, and if we doubt it, we can hire our friend as a lawyer. We are so pissed off.
Can someone help me clarify if this position is qualified for EB2? do we need to change it to Eb3?
Thanks.
LOL. When I read the title of this post, I thought the pistons just signed up an indian immigrant :)
hairstyles %IMG_DESC_11%
CSPAvictim
07-11 05:57 PM
Question: Are people from outside CA allowed send thank you letters to her?
samswas
05-04 02:19 PM
I see one approval today with user id "clouds" and priority date - June-30.. Hope things go in favor of us.
Actually, NO. I looked at his other posts and he said he got email at 1 AM, must have selected wrong date
Actually, NO. I looked at his other posts and he said he got email at 1 AM, must have selected wrong date
Totoro
03-31 04:57 PM
Here are the examples I presented (lightly edited). Anyone wanting to meet with lawmakers should feel free to use as much of these documents as needed.
Examples
Case 1 (Waiting 10 years):
- i left a very well-paid job after 5 years in multi-nationals before coming to US in 1999.
- Did dual Masters from a top engineering school + business certification
- Brought into US $25000 from savings abroad for my studies; Took $25K More as a private loan and have paid it off long back.
- Never considered myself underpaid in USA. My compensation is amongst the best.
- Have owned a house since 2002 and raising two US born kids, of course paid taxes for 9 years.
Now,
- it is the quality of life AND the quality of PEOPLE that i wanted to work with: one of the reasons why i came to US.
- Would like to buy a larger house and can certainly afford it today with a credit score over 800.
- Would like to start my own company, or try to do something different & more strategic for a job function.
However,
i have been in the EB3 queue since 2004, with no respite in sight. All is clear except that there are no visa numbers available.
The issue as you all agreed to - is that this is painfully slow and everyone like me is stuck with one employer and the same job.
As employers and their lawyers often decide when and in which category a candidate can apply, the employee is left at their mercy. It is understandable if an employer is sponsoring, they must benefit for their investment. Question is how? is 5 years of 'must-serve-us' good enough, or 10, or 15? When can an employee have the mobility?
Why is it that someone with equal or less qualification / experience can become a US citizen 5 to 10 years before me? Just because they were born in a different country? Because their employer decided a faster EB category? Because they married a US citizen?
I love America and remain grateful for the opportunities it has provided.
However, I have trained a lot of US citizens / GC holders who have gone far ahead in career, and I am still doing the same.
Liberty seems only a statue at times.
Case 2 Engineer (Waiting 15 years):
I have been in this country for more than 15 years and still waiting for the GC...I have never been out of status all along...Here is my story...
I came to US in 1994 fall to attend graduate school and started working from 1997 as transportation engineer. I applied for green card in 1998, but unfortunately the rules were different and the goal post seems to change every time.
During that time all engineering fields were clubbed together (computers, mechanical, civil etc.) under one generic field for labor certification purposes and therefore the wage requirement was much higher than what a typical transportation engineer would make at that time. Therefore my labor was denied. After talking to my immigration lawyer I was left with two options...Pick up a job that paid the asking labor certification wage (which was skewed and next to impossible) or send additional documentation and references to convince the dept of labor that transportation engineers do not make that much money and that I am being paid more than the prevailing wage for 'transportation engineers'. . After I send additional paperwork to dept of labor based on the suggestion given by my lawyer, what if the dept of labor still denied my labor? I would have been back to square one, and moreover I would have lost a year or two on H1 status. Please note that at that time you had ONLY 6 yrs of H1 visa and it COULD NOT BE EXTENDED EVEN YOUR IMMIGRATION PAPERWORK WAS PENDING. The above rule came later (instance of goal post moving), but I had to make my decision based on what the rules were at that time. So I decided to go back to school in 1999 and attended graduate school to get a computer science degree.
In late 2000, I joined a company in CA and resumed my paperwork for the green card. My labor was approved and filed for 140 and 140 was also approved in 2002. In 2005, my spouse started to work full-time and started the green card process. We finally applied 485s in 2007, but are still waiting for the approvals. It took CIS almost A YEAR to get our EADs! That too after many calls, letters and contacting the local senator! What an inefficient bureaucracy!
When the economy was good, I was helpless with CIS rules and its bureaucracy. By the time I received my EAD, the economy is in shambles now...In the process, I had nothing to show for the past 5 yrs!
Few years back there was a pilot program at TSC where they issued FB green cards under fast track. I personally know someone who applied for their parents, and they got their green cards within 60 days! Their parents never visited US before and during their first ever visitor's visit, they have their green cards? Here I am, came to US in 1994, attended graduate schools, paid tuition, contributed to research, paid my taxes, never was out of status and most importantly, played by the rules, but I am still waiting in this mess!
Case 3 Partner (Waiting 14 years):
I've been here for 14 years now; and my wife for 9, legally for every single day. We have two US graduate degrees each. We have paid over $100,000 in federal income tax alone, in each of the last few years. We own our home. Our child was born here. I am a partner at my firm. And we have many wonderful friends here. But we continue to wait indefinitely for our green cards. Citizenship seems an impossible dream at this point.
Any provision that would bring us closer to citizenship (such as "citizenship fastrack for those who've legally been in the US for more than 10 years" and/or "paid taxes for N years" and/or "earned US graduate degrees" etc) would be very welcome.
Examples
Case 1 (Waiting 10 years):
- i left a very well-paid job after 5 years in multi-nationals before coming to US in 1999.
- Did dual Masters from a top engineering school + business certification
- Brought into US $25000 from savings abroad for my studies; Took $25K More as a private loan and have paid it off long back.
- Never considered myself underpaid in USA. My compensation is amongst the best.
- Have owned a house since 2002 and raising two US born kids, of course paid taxes for 9 years.
Now,
- it is the quality of life AND the quality of PEOPLE that i wanted to work with: one of the reasons why i came to US.
- Would like to buy a larger house and can certainly afford it today with a credit score over 800.
- Would like to start my own company, or try to do something different & more strategic for a job function.
However,
i have been in the EB3 queue since 2004, with no respite in sight. All is clear except that there are no visa numbers available.
The issue as you all agreed to - is that this is painfully slow and everyone like me is stuck with one employer and the same job.
As employers and their lawyers often decide when and in which category a candidate can apply, the employee is left at their mercy. It is understandable if an employer is sponsoring, they must benefit for their investment. Question is how? is 5 years of 'must-serve-us' good enough, or 10, or 15? When can an employee have the mobility?
Why is it that someone with equal or less qualification / experience can become a US citizen 5 to 10 years before me? Just because they were born in a different country? Because their employer decided a faster EB category? Because they married a US citizen?
I love America and remain grateful for the opportunities it has provided.
However, I have trained a lot of US citizens / GC holders who have gone far ahead in career, and I am still doing the same.
Liberty seems only a statue at times.
Case 2 Engineer (Waiting 15 years):
I have been in this country for more than 15 years and still waiting for the GC...I have never been out of status all along...Here is my story...
I came to US in 1994 fall to attend graduate school and started working from 1997 as transportation engineer. I applied for green card in 1998, but unfortunately the rules were different and the goal post seems to change every time.
During that time all engineering fields were clubbed together (computers, mechanical, civil etc.) under one generic field for labor certification purposes and therefore the wage requirement was much higher than what a typical transportation engineer would make at that time. Therefore my labor was denied. After talking to my immigration lawyer I was left with two options...Pick up a job that paid the asking labor certification wage (which was skewed and next to impossible) or send additional documentation and references to convince the dept of labor that transportation engineers do not make that much money and that I am being paid more than the prevailing wage for 'transportation engineers'. . After I send additional paperwork to dept of labor based on the suggestion given by my lawyer, what if the dept of labor still denied my labor? I would have been back to square one, and moreover I would have lost a year or two on H1 status. Please note that at that time you had ONLY 6 yrs of H1 visa and it COULD NOT BE EXTENDED EVEN YOUR IMMIGRATION PAPERWORK WAS PENDING. The above rule came later (instance of goal post moving), but I had to make my decision based on what the rules were at that time. So I decided to go back to school in 1999 and attended graduate school to get a computer science degree.
In late 2000, I joined a company in CA and resumed my paperwork for the green card. My labor was approved and filed for 140 and 140 was also approved in 2002. In 2005, my spouse started to work full-time and started the green card process. We finally applied 485s in 2007, but are still waiting for the approvals. It took CIS almost A YEAR to get our EADs! That too after many calls, letters and contacting the local senator! What an inefficient bureaucracy!
When the economy was good, I was helpless with CIS rules and its bureaucracy. By the time I received my EAD, the economy is in shambles now...In the process, I had nothing to show for the past 5 yrs!
Few years back there was a pilot program at TSC where they issued FB green cards under fast track. I personally know someone who applied for their parents, and they got their green cards within 60 days! Their parents never visited US before and during their first ever visitor's visit, they have their green cards? Here I am, came to US in 1994, attended graduate schools, paid tuition, contributed to research, paid my taxes, never was out of status and most importantly, played by the rules, but I am still waiting in this mess!
Case 3 Partner (Waiting 14 years):
I've been here for 14 years now; and my wife for 9, legally for every single day. We have two US graduate degrees each. We have paid over $100,000 in federal income tax alone, in each of the last few years. We own our home. Our child was born here. I am a partner at my firm. And we have many wonderful friends here. But we continue to wait indefinitely for our green cards. Citizenship seems an impossible dream at this point.
Any provision that would bring us closer to citizenship (such as "citizenship fastrack for those who've legally been in the US for more than 10 years" and/or "paid taxes for N years" and/or "earned US graduate degrees" etc) would be very welcome.