Beemar
12-13 01:22 AM
Without you we would have never known this breaking news.
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for January 2008 contains more bad news for Indian nationals in the EB2 category. The cutoff date for EB2, India, retrogressed by two additional years, to January 1, 2000. Moreover, the prediction contained in the Visa Bulletin for EB2, India, is that the annual limit could be reached within the next few months. If this occurs, the category will become "unavailable" for the remainder of the fiscal year.
The explanation for this is simply that demand for visa numbers by the USCIS for EB2, India, adjustment-of-status cases far exceeds supply
EB3 cutoff dates either remained unchanged or moved slightly forward, depending upon country of chargeability. The January Visa Bulletin cutoff dates become effective on January 1, 2008. Until that time, the December 2007 Visa Bulletin cutoff dates remain valid.
thanks
ram
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for January 2008 contains more bad news for Indian nationals in the EB2 category. The cutoff date for EB2, India, retrogressed by two additional years, to January 1, 2000. Moreover, the prediction contained in the Visa Bulletin for EB2, India, is that the annual limit could be reached within the next few months. If this occurs, the category will become "unavailable" for the remainder of the fiscal year.
The explanation for this is simply that demand for visa numbers by the USCIS for EB2, India, adjustment-of-status cases far exceeds supply
EB3 cutoff dates either remained unchanged or moved slightly forward, depending upon country of chargeability. The January Visa Bulletin cutoff dates become effective on January 1, 2008. Until that time, the December 2007 Visa Bulletin cutoff dates remain valid.
thanks
ram
wallpaper Fast Five delivered TWO of
PresidentO
06-09 12:13 AM
The reporter does not seem to know the issue at all and coming from an Indian/Pakistani background painted the whole issue as if it were a Desi issue.
Dude writes that visas dry up and he quotes USCIS spokes person saying we are sitting at 45,000 from week 1 and haven't still moved an inch. Damn it! Gimme a break! Get real
The attorney featured sings to his tune and talks about all things Indian, Indian companies, Indian nationals, India. Wow! Does any one need more ammunition to take charge and paint H1B issue as Indian issue? Sorry to be harsh but this is more of a bad press than any thing helpful.
Then he goes on to say that people are waiting for GC because of strict rules?? Excuse me! until Jul 2007 rules were not implemented. This guy says strict rules.
Dude writes that visas dry up and he quotes USCIS spokes person saying we are sitting at 45,000 from week 1 and haven't still moved an inch. Damn it! Gimme a break! Get real
The attorney featured sings to his tune and talks about all things Indian, Indian companies, Indian nationals, India. Wow! Does any one need more ammunition to take charge and paint H1B issue as Indian issue? Sorry to be harsh but this is more of a bad press than any thing helpful.
Then he goes on to say that people are waiting for GC because of strict rules?? Excuse me! until Jul 2007 rules were not implemented. This guy says strict rules.
nogc_noproblem
07-19 12:01 AM
Bump >>>>>>
2011 Dwayne Johnson Fast Five
eastindia
12-21 10:33 AM
I am all up for it & won't mind doing it all...
Thank you.
What is the strategy and action items?
If you detail it out, more people can be interested. Do not ask us to send junk emails or sign some useless online petition though in your action item.
Thank you.
What is the strategy and action items?
If you detail it out, more people can be interested. Do not ask us to send junk emails or sign some useless online petition though in your action item.
more...
kerstbrd
02-22 06:17 PM
I went to REC (one of the top 20 schools in India) did my Mastrs in Full scholarship and have International papers for IEEE + Few Algorithms that have been presented at Int. Conferences,( I could not attend the conf. in Paris since I did not want to go and get stamped and go through all the hassel- Go figure). I am an Ideal candidate for EB1 but my lawyer said there is a 50/50 chance for further enquiry and it will only delay the process.
I know, I know but trust me, I was a University topper in Probablity and AI theories and I decided to chicken-out.
Not because I am afraid of enquiries, I just dont want to raise any flags. I want to keep working, Hopefully get my GC within few* years and then prove myself .
I applied under EB2 only because I don't want any enquiries and I know these POS lawyers will only delay the RFE's.
Anyway, I was just frustated, sorry about this rage but just needed an outlet.
People will only file under EB1 when A) They are not from India/China and They are not afraid to go and face any flags.
& /OR B) They have good lawyer, who is very much prudent and willing to take chances.
Any other theories and welcome
*CONDITIONS APPLY LOL
my friend, you've been played. EB1 requires no labor cert. Your lawyer convinced you to "chicken out" & wait a couple of years longer in the queue. Thereby paying him fees to help you do labor certs and multiple H1/EAD/AP renewals.
I know, I know but trust me, I was a University topper in Probablity and AI theories and I decided to chicken-out.
Not because I am afraid of enquiries, I just dont want to raise any flags. I want to keep working, Hopefully get my GC within few* years and then prove myself .
I applied under EB2 only because I don't want any enquiries and I know these POS lawyers will only delay the RFE's.
Anyway, I was just frustated, sorry about this rage but just needed an outlet.
People will only file under EB1 when A) They are not from India/China and They are not afraid to go and face any flags.
& /OR B) They have good lawyer, who is very much prudent and willing to take chances.
Any other theories and welcome
*CONDITIONS APPLY LOL
my friend, you've been played. EB1 requires no labor cert. Your lawyer convinced you to "chicken out" & wait a couple of years longer in the queue. Thereby paying him fees to help you do labor certs and multiple H1/EAD/AP renewals.
chapsi29
04-02 02:23 PM
Well they should be able to take care of the RFE as they know the gravity of the situation.
Thanks again for your inputs...
Thanks again for your inputs...
more...
rongha_2000
04-22 02:24 PM
And whats your point?
This is ONLY EB2- India Priority dates from prior visa bulletins. Just FYI - no guesses no assumptions.
Jan-05 C
Feb-05 C
Mar-05 C
Apr-05 1-Apr-02
May-05 C
Jun-05 C
Jul-05 C
Aug-05 C
Sep-05 C
Oct-05 1-Nov-99
Nov-05 1-Nov-99
Dec-05 1-Jul-00
Jan-06 1-Jan-01
Feb-06 1-Aug-01
Mar-06 1-Jan-02
Apr-06 1-Jul-02
May-06 1-Jan-03
Jun-06 1-Jan-03
Jul-06 1-Jan-03
Aug-06 U
Sep-06 U
Oct-06 15-Jun-02
Nov-06 1-Jan-03
Dec-06 8-Jan-03
Jan-07 8-Jan-03
Feb-07 8-Jan-03
Mar-07 8-Jan-03
Apr-07 8-Jan-03
May-07 8-Jan-03
Jun-07 1-Apr-04
Jul-07 C
Aug-07 U
Sep-07 1-Apr-04
Oct-07 1-Apr-04
Nov-07 1-Apr-04
Dec-07 1-Jan-02
Jan-08 1-Jan-00
Feb-08 U
Mar-08 U
Apr-08 1-Dec-03
This is ONLY EB2- India Priority dates from prior visa bulletins. Just FYI - no guesses no assumptions.
Jan-05 C
Feb-05 C
Mar-05 C
Apr-05 1-Apr-02
May-05 C
Jun-05 C
Jul-05 C
Aug-05 C
Sep-05 C
Oct-05 1-Nov-99
Nov-05 1-Nov-99
Dec-05 1-Jul-00
Jan-06 1-Jan-01
Feb-06 1-Aug-01
Mar-06 1-Jan-02
Apr-06 1-Jul-02
May-06 1-Jan-03
Jun-06 1-Jan-03
Jul-06 1-Jan-03
Aug-06 U
Sep-06 U
Oct-06 15-Jun-02
Nov-06 1-Jan-03
Dec-06 8-Jan-03
Jan-07 8-Jan-03
Feb-07 8-Jan-03
Mar-07 8-Jan-03
Apr-07 8-Jan-03
May-07 8-Jan-03
Jun-07 1-Apr-04
Jul-07 C
Aug-07 U
Sep-07 1-Apr-04
Oct-07 1-Apr-04
Nov-07 1-Apr-04
Dec-07 1-Jan-02
Jan-08 1-Jan-00
Feb-08 U
Mar-08 U
Apr-08 1-Dec-03
2010 fast five movie wwe
harsh
03-20 01:10 PM
sure seems like it. As with L2 visa holders, this would allow H4 spuses to apply for work permit.
more...
sku
02-25 01:53 PM
This is the News Letter That I got from my attorney.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
TARP Restricts H-1B Hiring for Funds Recipients
The Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) recently signed into law by President Obama places strict limits on recipients of funds or certain Federal Reserve loans that want to hire high-skilled workers under the H-1B visa program for a period of two years. TARP fund recipients include certain financial institutions as well as infrastructure, energy, and automobile companies. The bill subjects recipients of TARP funds to the same rules that an "H-1B dependent" employer must follow when it sponsors a new H-1B worker. (An H-1B dependent employer is one that has 15% or more H-1B workers in the employer's total full-time workforce.) These rules include:
� The employer cannot displace any similarly-employed U.S. worker with an H-1B worker within 90 days before or after applying for H-1B status for a new employee.
� The employer cannot place any H-1B worker at an outside worksite unless that employer first makes a "bona fide" inquiry as to whether the other employer has displaced or will displace a U.S. worker within 90 days before or after the placement of the H-1B worker.
� The employer has to take good faith steps to recruit U.S. workers for the job opening, at wages at least equal to those offered to the H-1B worker. The employer must offer the job to any U.S. worker who applies and is equally or better qualified than the H-1B worker.
TARP contains provisions that may effectively limit recipients of TARP funds and Federal Reserve loans from sponsoring new H-1B workers. While H-1B dependency rules do not normally apply to H-1B workers earning at least $60,000 annually or possessing a Master's degree, these exemptions are not available to the TARP/Federal Reserve loan recipients.
The exact language of the bill states that the above requirements apply to "new employees" sponsored for H-1B status. While additional guidance may be issued from the Department of Labor, the plain language of the bill suggests that a company filing an H-1B petition on behalf of a current employee who is working with the company under F-1 Optional Practical Training, TN status, or some other work visa, should not be subject to the "H-1B dependent" rules. Similarly, the additional restrictions should not apply to petitions for extension of H-1B status for a current employee. However, an employer filing an H-1B change of employer petition for a new employee likely would be subject to these requirements.
The House-Senate Conference Committee removed a provision from the stimulus proposal that would have required recipients of TARP funds to enroll and participate in the E-Verify online employment eligibility verification program, as well as a provision that would have renewed the currently voluntary E-Verify program for an additional five years. E-Verify is currently set to expire in March 2009.
Effective Date of New Form I-9 Delayed Until April 3, 2009
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the effective date of its new Form I-9 from February 2, 2009 to April 3, 2009. The new Form I-9 updates the list of documents acceptable for employment eligibility verification. The temporary extension will provide DHS with an opportunity for further consideration of this rule. DHS also is extending the comment period for this rule for 30 days.
Rising Unemployment May Affect PERM Processing
In a recent meeting between the Department of Labor (DOL) and representatives of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, DOL stated that rising unemployment may affect the processing of certain PERM labor certification applications. DOL is trying to integrate labor market information from various sources, such as WARN Act notices, to determine the availability of U.S. workers in areas affected by significant layoffs. DOL cited the position of Financial Analyst located in New York City as an example of a particular occupation and location where there might be qualified U.S. workers available due to recent financial industry layoffs. DOL may require employers sponsoring PERM applications for such positions to undergo "supervised recruitment" in cases where the available data indicates that there may be available U.S. workers.
Supervised recruitment is a variation of the standard PERM procedure by which applicants for a position that is the subject of a PERM application submit their resumes directly to the DOL for initial review by DOL staff. The DOL forwards to employers the resumes of applicants that it deems qualified for the position. Employers are required to interview the applicants forwarded by DOL to determine whether the applicants are in fact qualified. To date, when DOL has issued supervised recruitment notices, more than half the cases have been withdrawn by the employer.
E-Verify Start Date for Federal Contractors Extended
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that Federal contractors and subcontractors can delay implementation of the use of the Department of Homeland Security's ("DHS") E-Verify system. E-Verify is a government run on-line system that combines DHS data with records from the Social Security Administration to determine whether a new hire is eligible to work in the U.S. The final rule was to have become effective on January 15, 2009, but now will not take effect until May 21, 2009. Once effective, E-Verify will become mandatory for federal contractors with projects exceeding $100,000 and for sub-contractors with projects exceeding $3,000. Contracts for less than $100,000 or for commercially available off-the-shelf items are exempt from this rule. Once E-Verify becomes effective on May 21, 2009, companies awarded a contract with the federal government will be required to enroll in E-Verify within 30 days of the contract award date. They will also need to begin using the E-Verify system to confirm that all of their new hires and their employees directly working on federal contracts are authorized to legally work in the United States
US VISIT Expanded to Include Lawful Permanent Residents
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a rule expanding the population of foreign nationals subject to the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program ("US-VISIT") to include U.S. permanent residents. US-VISIT will apply to all permanent residents entering or exiting from an air or seaport. Permanent residents entering through land ports of entry, however, will be required to provide fingerprints only if they are referred to secondary inspection.
Under US-VISIT, foreign nationals entering the United States provide "biometrics" (fingerprints scan and digital photograph) when passing through U.S. immigration. The biometric information collected upon entry is compared to the information collected at the time that the foreign national was originally issued a visa or Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card"). The biometric information is also compared to a criminal records database to confirm that a person is admissible to the United States. Permanent residents with criminal convictions traveling outside of the U.S. should be reminded that they are likely to be detected at entry and they should be prepared to present evidence regarding their admissibility.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
TARP Restricts H-1B Hiring for Funds Recipients
The Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) recently signed into law by President Obama places strict limits on recipients of funds or certain Federal Reserve loans that want to hire high-skilled workers under the H-1B visa program for a period of two years. TARP fund recipients include certain financial institutions as well as infrastructure, energy, and automobile companies. The bill subjects recipients of TARP funds to the same rules that an "H-1B dependent" employer must follow when it sponsors a new H-1B worker. (An H-1B dependent employer is one that has 15% or more H-1B workers in the employer's total full-time workforce.) These rules include:
� The employer cannot displace any similarly-employed U.S. worker with an H-1B worker within 90 days before or after applying for H-1B status for a new employee.
� The employer cannot place any H-1B worker at an outside worksite unless that employer first makes a "bona fide" inquiry as to whether the other employer has displaced or will displace a U.S. worker within 90 days before or after the placement of the H-1B worker.
� The employer has to take good faith steps to recruit U.S. workers for the job opening, at wages at least equal to those offered to the H-1B worker. The employer must offer the job to any U.S. worker who applies and is equally or better qualified than the H-1B worker.
TARP contains provisions that may effectively limit recipients of TARP funds and Federal Reserve loans from sponsoring new H-1B workers. While H-1B dependency rules do not normally apply to H-1B workers earning at least $60,000 annually or possessing a Master's degree, these exemptions are not available to the TARP/Federal Reserve loan recipients.
The exact language of the bill states that the above requirements apply to "new employees" sponsored for H-1B status. While additional guidance may be issued from the Department of Labor, the plain language of the bill suggests that a company filing an H-1B petition on behalf of a current employee who is working with the company under F-1 Optional Practical Training, TN status, or some other work visa, should not be subject to the "H-1B dependent" rules. Similarly, the additional restrictions should not apply to petitions for extension of H-1B status for a current employee. However, an employer filing an H-1B change of employer petition for a new employee likely would be subject to these requirements.
The House-Senate Conference Committee removed a provision from the stimulus proposal that would have required recipients of TARP funds to enroll and participate in the E-Verify online employment eligibility verification program, as well as a provision that would have renewed the currently voluntary E-Verify program for an additional five years. E-Verify is currently set to expire in March 2009.
Effective Date of New Form I-9 Delayed Until April 3, 2009
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the effective date of its new Form I-9 from February 2, 2009 to April 3, 2009. The new Form I-9 updates the list of documents acceptable for employment eligibility verification. The temporary extension will provide DHS with an opportunity for further consideration of this rule. DHS also is extending the comment period for this rule for 30 days.
Rising Unemployment May Affect PERM Processing
In a recent meeting between the Department of Labor (DOL) and representatives of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, DOL stated that rising unemployment may affect the processing of certain PERM labor certification applications. DOL is trying to integrate labor market information from various sources, such as WARN Act notices, to determine the availability of U.S. workers in areas affected by significant layoffs. DOL cited the position of Financial Analyst located in New York City as an example of a particular occupation and location where there might be qualified U.S. workers available due to recent financial industry layoffs. DOL may require employers sponsoring PERM applications for such positions to undergo "supervised recruitment" in cases where the available data indicates that there may be available U.S. workers.
Supervised recruitment is a variation of the standard PERM procedure by which applicants for a position that is the subject of a PERM application submit their resumes directly to the DOL for initial review by DOL staff. The DOL forwards to employers the resumes of applicants that it deems qualified for the position. Employers are required to interview the applicants forwarded by DOL to determine whether the applicants are in fact qualified. To date, when DOL has issued supervised recruitment notices, more than half the cases have been withdrawn by the employer.
E-Verify Start Date for Federal Contractors Extended
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that Federal contractors and subcontractors can delay implementation of the use of the Department of Homeland Security's ("DHS") E-Verify system. E-Verify is a government run on-line system that combines DHS data with records from the Social Security Administration to determine whether a new hire is eligible to work in the U.S. The final rule was to have become effective on January 15, 2009, but now will not take effect until May 21, 2009. Once effective, E-Verify will become mandatory for federal contractors with projects exceeding $100,000 and for sub-contractors with projects exceeding $3,000. Contracts for less than $100,000 or for commercially available off-the-shelf items are exempt from this rule. Once E-Verify becomes effective on May 21, 2009, companies awarded a contract with the federal government will be required to enroll in E-Verify within 30 days of the contract award date. They will also need to begin using the E-Verify system to confirm that all of their new hires and their employees directly working on federal contracts are authorized to legally work in the United States
US VISIT Expanded to Include Lawful Permanent Residents
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a rule expanding the population of foreign nationals subject to the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program ("US-VISIT") to include U.S. permanent residents. US-VISIT will apply to all permanent residents entering or exiting from an air or seaport. Permanent residents entering through land ports of entry, however, will be required to provide fingerprints only if they are referred to secondary inspection.
Under US-VISIT, foreign nationals entering the United States provide "biometrics" (fingerprints scan and digital photograph) when passing through U.S. immigration. The biometric information collected upon entry is compared to the information collected at the time that the foreign national was originally issued a visa or Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card"). The biometric information is also compared to a criminal records database to confirm that a person is admissible to the United States. Permanent residents with criminal convictions traveling outside of the U.S. should be reminded that they are likely to be detected at entry and they should be prepared to present evidence regarding their admissibility.
hair Posted in Dwayne Johnson
sankap
07-05 03:28 PM
http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB118359095890657571.html
Reversal Frustrates Green-Card Applicants
By MIRIAM JORDAN
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: July 5, 2007
The U.S. government's surprise offer, then abrupt reversal, of an opportunity for thousands of skilled foreign workers to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. highlights the problems of the overtaxed immigration system and the frenzy that results from a rare chance to apply for a green card.
The scramble has put tens of thousands of workers and their families in limbo after many of them and their employers spent thousands of dollars in hopes of securing permanent residency. It may result in a class-action lawsuit against the government by frustrated applicants.
The problem began June 12 when the government seemed to open the door for thousands of foreign workers and their families to end the long wait to apply for a green card. That is when the State Department published a Visa Bulletin, which is a monthly notice closely watched by immigration attorneys and their clients because it determines who is eligible to file a green-card application the next month. The June bulletin announced that practically all skilled foreign workers who had been previously deemed eligible for an employer-sponsored visa could now take the final step of applying for a green card.
By law, the U.S. can issue about 140,000 employment-based green cards each year. Last year, the government fell short by about 10,000, despite the long waiting list; leftover visas can't be rolled over to the next year. The June announcement aimed to prevent the visa slot from going to waste, according to a State Department spokeswoman.
[Green-Card Limbo]
The announcement was greeted with a mix of jubilation and panic by thousands of engineers, lab scientists and other high-skilled foreigners who had waited years for their place in line. Working ahead of a July 2 date for filing the application, intending immigrants rushed to gather documents, complete paperwork and obtain medical exams. Many of their dependents -- such as children enrolled in college overseas -- boarded planes for the U.S. to meet a requirement that all family members be present at the time of filing.
"The bulletin created a land rush among legal immigrants desperate to finalize their green-card applications," said Steve Miller, a Seattle-based immigration attorney and head of the state chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Then, on July 2, the State Department issued an "update" that reversed the previous bulletin. It stated, effective immediately, there would be no further authorizations for employment-based cases. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which processes the applications, said it would instead simply process existing applications to meet this year's quota. "We already had sufficient applications pending without new applicants," an agency spokesman said.
Mike Aytes, head of domestic operations for the USCIS, said all 147,141 employment-based green cards have now been issued for the year. "We are very sympathetic to the fact that people really had expectations � Folks spent a lot of time and effort, but it turned out they couldn't file, after all," he said.
In the July 2 announcement, USCIS said it was "rejecting applications" to secure green cards, and the agency spokesman said it would return the paperwork of all the applicants. New cases will be entertained again in the government's next fiscal year, starting Oct. 1. However, applicants must wait their turn again, which might not happen for years.
News of the revocation of the previously announced bulletin dashed the hopes of thousands of foreign workers, many of them currently on an H-1B professional visa normally valid for up to six years. These workers face the possibility of being forced to return home if their visa expires before they get the chance to apply for a green card.
"My employer and I spent tens of thousands of dollars preparing for the day when we could file for our Change in Status application, only to have the [government] pull the rug out from under us," said Lawrence LeBlanc, a Canadian executive at AES Corp. in Arlington, Virginia. "We were devastated to hear this unprecedented news. We're not sure how we're going to tell our children."
Because there are more employer-based applicants for immigrant visas than are available each year, people wait each month to see whether they have gotten to the front of the line. Often people wait years for the green light to apply, especially if they come from countries like India and China.
The June 12 announcement set off a stampede to government-approved doctors, because green-card applicants must pass medical exams. Apurva Pratap, a Seattle-based senior manager for a multinational corporation, said he and his wife traveled 40 miles for a medical exam after they couldn't secure an appointment in town. To fulfill a requirement for a vaccination, they waited eight hours in a line that snaked around a mobile unit in Tacoma. Mr. Pratap, a native of India, has been in the U.S. since 1999.
A spokeswoman for the American Immigration Lawyers Association said it has called for a congressional investigation. An affiliated organization is expected to take legal action via a class-action lawsuit. "This is an example of how badly our immigration system is broken," says Kathleen Walker, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Write to Miriam Jordan at miriam.jordan@wsj.com1
Reversal Frustrates Green-Card Applicants
By MIRIAM JORDAN
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: July 5, 2007
The U.S. government's surprise offer, then abrupt reversal, of an opportunity for thousands of skilled foreign workers to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. highlights the problems of the overtaxed immigration system and the frenzy that results from a rare chance to apply for a green card.
The scramble has put tens of thousands of workers and their families in limbo after many of them and their employers spent thousands of dollars in hopes of securing permanent residency. It may result in a class-action lawsuit against the government by frustrated applicants.
The problem began June 12 when the government seemed to open the door for thousands of foreign workers and their families to end the long wait to apply for a green card. That is when the State Department published a Visa Bulletin, which is a monthly notice closely watched by immigration attorneys and their clients because it determines who is eligible to file a green-card application the next month. The June bulletin announced that practically all skilled foreign workers who had been previously deemed eligible for an employer-sponsored visa could now take the final step of applying for a green card.
By law, the U.S. can issue about 140,000 employment-based green cards each year. Last year, the government fell short by about 10,000, despite the long waiting list; leftover visas can't be rolled over to the next year. The June announcement aimed to prevent the visa slot from going to waste, according to a State Department spokeswoman.
[Green-Card Limbo]
The announcement was greeted with a mix of jubilation and panic by thousands of engineers, lab scientists and other high-skilled foreigners who had waited years for their place in line. Working ahead of a July 2 date for filing the application, intending immigrants rushed to gather documents, complete paperwork and obtain medical exams. Many of their dependents -- such as children enrolled in college overseas -- boarded planes for the U.S. to meet a requirement that all family members be present at the time of filing.
"The bulletin created a land rush among legal immigrants desperate to finalize their green-card applications," said Steve Miller, a Seattle-based immigration attorney and head of the state chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Then, on July 2, the State Department issued an "update" that reversed the previous bulletin. It stated, effective immediately, there would be no further authorizations for employment-based cases. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which processes the applications, said it would instead simply process existing applications to meet this year's quota. "We already had sufficient applications pending without new applicants," an agency spokesman said.
Mike Aytes, head of domestic operations for the USCIS, said all 147,141 employment-based green cards have now been issued for the year. "We are very sympathetic to the fact that people really had expectations � Folks spent a lot of time and effort, but it turned out they couldn't file, after all," he said.
In the July 2 announcement, USCIS said it was "rejecting applications" to secure green cards, and the agency spokesman said it would return the paperwork of all the applicants. New cases will be entertained again in the government's next fiscal year, starting Oct. 1. However, applicants must wait their turn again, which might not happen for years.
News of the revocation of the previously announced bulletin dashed the hopes of thousands of foreign workers, many of them currently on an H-1B professional visa normally valid for up to six years. These workers face the possibility of being forced to return home if their visa expires before they get the chance to apply for a green card.
"My employer and I spent tens of thousands of dollars preparing for the day when we could file for our Change in Status application, only to have the [government] pull the rug out from under us," said Lawrence LeBlanc, a Canadian executive at AES Corp. in Arlington, Virginia. "We were devastated to hear this unprecedented news. We're not sure how we're going to tell our children."
Because there are more employer-based applicants for immigrant visas than are available each year, people wait each month to see whether they have gotten to the front of the line. Often people wait years for the green light to apply, especially if they come from countries like India and China.
The June 12 announcement set off a stampede to government-approved doctors, because green-card applicants must pass medical exams. Apurva Pratap, a Seattle-based senior manager for a multinational corporation, said he and his wife traveled 40 miles for a medical exam after they couldn't secure an appointment in town. To fulfill a requirement for a vaccination, they waited eight hours in a line that snaked around a mobile unit in Tacoma. Mr. Pratap, a native of India, has been in the U.S. since 1999.
A spokeswoman for the American Immigration Lawyers Association said it has called for a congressional investigation. An affiliated organization is expected to take legal action via a class-action lawsuit. "This is an example of how badly our immigration system is broken," says Kathleen Walker, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Write to Miriam Jordan at miriam.jordan@wsj.com1
more...
PDOCT05
10-29 11:27 AM
Friends,
I am july 2nd filer and for dependant the case has been rejected for missing signature.My lawyer is refiling it today. I have following questions can some one clarify me?
1) Is there any precautions that i should take while re-filing?
2) Will USCIS accept the app or should they make me wait for my PD?
Thanks,
I am july 2nd filer and for dependant the case has been rejected for missing signature.My lawyer is refiling it today. I have following questions can some one clarify me?
1) Is there any precautions that i should take while re-filing?
2) Will USCIS accept the app or should they make me wait for my PD?
Thanks,
hot #39;Fast Five#39;: Vin Diesel And
gparr
January 21st, 2004, 08:58 AM
Matt, There were patchy clouds so the shutter speeds were all over the place but never slower than 1/300, which is why the lens was wide open. I was scraping for every ounce of light I could get and I knew the extremes of sunlight on one side of the geese and shadows on the other were going to cause me problems, regardless. I did think about swimming out there and hanging a sheet on the left to reflect, but it was zero degrees and I just wasn't up to it. ;)
I was going to reshoot this morning, with smaller apertures and a higher ISO to retain shutter speeds but, as things go in Illinois in the winter, yesterday was probably the only sunny day we'll get this week, so no warm morning sun to shine on the geese. It's a popular hangout spot for geese, so I'll try the shot again. I'm not all that excited about the shot itself, but it's an excercise in perfecting the miniscule talent I have.
Don't worry, I have enough sense to not touch a 1D unless my pockets are bulging with disposable income because I know that, once I do, I won't sleep until I have one!
Don,
Thanks for the thoughts. I tend to go right to manual. I'll incorporate Av and Tv modes into my shooting to see if I like them and/or can get comfortable with them. Usually, once I go to that side of the dial, I figure I might as well do all of the work. Agreed on the fully automatic side. I've used it a few times to see what it would do, but I just can't get comfortable with allowing a computer to dictate how my image will look, outside of composition. And I doubt I'll ever rely on the automated side of the dial.
Gary
I was going to reshoot this morning, with smaller apertures and a higher ISO to retain shutter speeds but, as things go in Illinois in the winter, yesterday was probably the only sunny day we'll get this week, so no warm morning sun to shine on the geese. It's a popular hangout spot for geese, so I'll try the shot again. I'm not all that excited about the shot itself, but it's an excercise in perfecting the miniscule talent I have.
Don't worry, I have enough sense to not touch a 1D unless my pockets are bulging with disposable income because I know that, once I do, I won't sleep until I have one!
Don,
Thanks for the thoughts. I tend to go right to manual. I'll incorporate Av and Tv modes into my shooting to see if I like them and/or can get comfortable with them. Usually, once I go to that side of the dial, I figure I might as well do all of the work. Agreed on the fully automatic side. I've used it a few times to see what it would do, but I just can't get comfortable with allowing a computer to dictate how my image will look, outside of composition. And I doubt I'll ever rely on the automated side of the dial.
Gary