GC08
07-09 09:01 PM
Actually I thought they will not accept flowers. But for courtesy and humanity touch they are forwarding. Because of these atleast flowers have some purpose without wastage. This campaign will not have any impact on functioning of USCIS as they are following law. These mistakes are common in every Government organisations and time time mistakes are being corrected. Even congressional hearing happens and finds mistake they will prevent future mistakes like this. It is unlikely for affected persons to get relief immediately. But Many persons will get relief automatically on oct 2007 when DOS sets Cutoff date. I expect cut off date for EB3 2003 or 2004 and for EB2 2005.
I just felt that they did something that most people would not understand. I think the mess today is the result of a series of missteps they took. They not only mismanaged the whole green card thing but also mismanaged the public relations. Hopefully, they have learned from all these dramas. :cool:
I just felt that they did something that most people would not understand. I think the mess today is the result of a series of missteps they took. They not only mismanaged the whole green card thing but also mismanaged the public relations. Hopefully, they have learned from all these dramas. :cool:
wallpaper Mel Gibson dropped by his
Green_Print
07-11 03:28 AM
In such trying times its awesome to find individuals in the media willing to lend a receptive ear to the hardships faced by all of us and write a wonderful news article on it. Its even more significant especially because when people who should be listening to our concerns and who have the ability to address these issues have turned deaf ears.
She and other media personnel who have helped highlight this issue deserve at least a thank you note.
Just my thoughts.....
Dear Non-Indian Members,
When Xiyun Yang talked to me yesterday, I did mention that there are more Chinese and Pakistanis and people from other countries
She was very much interested in talking to them. ( I had mentioned this in my previous post, but would have got lost in the barrage of posts in the last few days)
I would suggest, that non-Indians, please contact Xiyun @
email:yangx@washpost.com
office phone: 202 334 6701
Also, please leave a comment on her article in the washington post and mention which country you belong and how this is also your issue, as much as everybody else
We definitely want to make this an universal issue and not just an Indian Issue
Anand Sharma
She and other media personnel who have helped highlight this issue deserve at least a thank you note.
Just my thoughts.....
Dear Non-Indian Members,
When Xiyun Yang talked to me yesterday, I did mention that there are more Chinese and Pakistanis and people from other countries
She was very much interested in talking to them. ( I had mentioned this in my previous post, but would have got lost in the barrage of posts in the last few days)
I would suggest, that non-Indians, please contact Xiyun @
email:yangx@washpost.com
office phone: 202 334 6701
Also, please leave a comment on her article in the washington post and mention which country you belong and how this is also your issue, as much as everybody else
We definitely want to make this an universal issue and not just an Indian Issue
Anand Sharma
mariner5555
01-15 06:29 AM
I have sent the letters today to WH and IV.
I have also sent group emails to my batchmates from my engg college asking them to join IV. I think everyone should do that - this will help IV to Increase its Memberships.
I had one more suggestion too - (this has recd less support in the past).
we need to put in a statement that many legals are not buying a house because of the uncertainity in the GC process. even the congressmen will be more patient with our cause when we mention housing.
I have also sent group emails to my batchmates from my engg college asking them to join IV. I think everyone should do that - this will help IV to Increase its Memberships.
I had one more suggestion too - (this has recd less support in the past).
we need to put in a statement that many legals are not buying a house because of the uncertainity in the GC process. even the congressmen will be more patient with our cause when we mention housing.
2011 mel gibson appologize
tempy
09-09 08:31 AM
That is not an RFE. It's a welcome notice, which is expected.
Thank you.
Thank you.
more...
swissgear
09-16 01:29 PM
Finally my journey ended today !!!
Below are my details.
1.) Priority Date --> 03/30/2006
2.) 485 Approved on --> 09/16/2010
4.) Service Center --> NSC
5.) Pre-Adjucated Yes/No --> YES
6.) Info Pass Yes/No --> yes (Today - No help)
7.) USCIS Contact Yes/No --> Yes(Case assigned to IO)
8) Service Request Yes/No --> Yes (opened SR on 09/02/10 citing "outside processing
time" and no updates on the case after initial filing)
9.) Contact Senator Yes/No --> NO
10.) Recent RFE Yes/No --> EVL in 2009
11.) AC-21 (Employer change) NO
12.)Ported Case(EB3->EB2) Yes/No --> NO
Thanks to all the great folks at IV that helped me navigate through this journey. This has been a great forum to know the updates and issues faced by the Highly Skilled Immigrants like us...
It has also helped me in understanding the situation from the inception of my journey and helped me make my moves accordingly with one goal of getting GC without going through any hassles.
And finally , I sincerely pray for all the folks in EB-3 to get some kind of relief soon, so you can get greened soon. And I would still support this great organization in what ever way I could.
Thanks and best wishes to you all waiting :-)
PS: For those of you who think Visas are over, its not the case based on my approval received today afternoon. So hang in there, your day comes soon enough :-)
Below are my details.
1.) Priority Date --> 03/30/2006
2.) 485 Approved on --> 09/16/2010
4.) Service Center --> NSC
5.) Pre-Adjucated Yes/No --> YES
6.) Info Pass Yes/No --> yes (Today - No help)
7.) USCIS Contact Yes/No --> Yes(Case assigned to IO)
8) Service Request Yes/No --> Yes (opened SR on 09/02/10 citing "outside processing
time" and no updates on the case after initial filing)
9.) Contact Senator Yes/No --> NO
10.) Recent RFE Yes/No --> EVL in 2009
11.) AC-21 (Employer change) NO
12.)Ported Case(EB3->EB2) Yes/No --> NO
Thanks to all the great folks at IV that helped me navigate through this journey. This has been a great forum to know the updates and issues faced by the Highly Skilled Immigrants like us...
It has also helped me in understanding the situation from the inception of my journey and helped me make my moves accordingly with one goal of getting GC without going through any hassles.
And finally , I sincerely pray for all the folks in EB-3 to get some kind of relief soon, so you can get greened soon. And I would still support this great organization in what ever way I could.
Thanks and best wishes to you all waiting :-)
PS: For those of you who think Visas are over, its not the case based on my approval received today afternoon. So hang in there, your day comes soon enough :-)
skd
07-09 06:39 PM
This is perfect. It will drag more media attention!!!
He will get credit for all these flowers, and we will soung stupid that we just care obout our-slves but USCIS cares abou veterans.
USCIS people...trying to make fun of our misery
He will get credit for all these flowers, and we will soung stupid that we just care obout our-slves but USCIS cares abou veterans.
USCIS people...trying to make fun of our misery
more...
rstp99
01-10 11:28 AM
Sec 503 of Marc Spector's Immigration reform bill gives 25% of all EB visas and unused visas to un-skilled workers.
This shall hit all EB category visas hard and might cause more retrogression
We should not support Sec 503 of this bill.
This shall hit all EB category visas hard and might cause more retrogression
We should not support Sec 503 of this bill.
2010 121208 Mel Gibson Asks For and
royus77
06-29 02:04 PM
Guys, Are we sure that Fedex will not deliver on saturday or sunday, what will happen if they deliver, nobody will be at USCIS to accept right, so it will still be opened only on monday ?
IUnless id you selected Saturday delivery as special service Fedex wont deliver it on saturday . USICS is sure closed on saturday unless the mail room guy wants some overtime( assume he was a contractor as USICS is employing more contractor these days for the sorting work) and comes on saturday
IUnless id you selected Saturday delivery as special service Fedex wont deliver it on saturday . USICS is sure closed on saturday unless the mail room guy wants some overtime( assume he was a contractor as USICS is employing more contractor these days for the sorting work) and comes on saturday
more...
Milind123
01-24 02:57 PM
It is not good disparaging the countries needing TV by calling them idiotic and asking for boycott etc. Please know that you are living in a country (USA) which is far worse than those "idiotic" countries in this respect since 2003. US needs C1 visa for transiting through its airports even when you have a valid VISA stamp in your passport to a destination country and you need to fill eqaully gruelling application (DS 156). Also you need to carry documents for travel purposes and financial support.
Which form is more gruelling, you folks decide. Here are the 111 questions you need to answers to get a Transit Visa. I centainly find some of the question totally nosy and irrelevant esp. for a DTV. The last question is interesting. I was so so tempted to write FU for an answer.
Application for United Kingdom Entry Clearance
Applicant Name:
Visa Type: Visit
Visa Sub-Type: Direct Airside Transit
Visa Fee: USD 276.00
Postage Fee: USD 0.00
Submission Method:
Issuing Office: British Consulate General New York
Payment Made: Yes - Online
Form: VAF6
Section 1 - About You
1 Given name
2 Family name
3 Other names
4 Gender
5 Date of birth
6 Place of birth
7 Country of birth
8 Nationality
9 Do you hold any other nationalities?
10 What is your marital status?
Section 2 - Passport Information
11 Current passport or travel document number
12 Place of issue
13 Issuing authority
14 Date of issue
15 Date of expiry
16 Is this your first passport
17 You stated that you have got a previous passport.
Passport or travel document number(if known)
18 Place of issue (if known)
19 Where is this passport
Section 3 - Your Contact Details
20 Apt/Floor/Suite/Room/Street
21 City/Town/Village/Suburb/State/Province(where applicable)
22 Select the Country in which you live
23 Postal Code/Zip Code
24 How long have you lived at this address?
25 Home (landline) telephone number
26 Mobile telephone number
27 Will this be your contact details during the application process?
Section 4 - Your Family (Spouse, Partner, Civil Partner)
28 Spouse/partner's given name
29 Spouse/partner's family name
30 Where is your spouse/partner now
31 Spouse/partner's date of birth
32 Spouse/partner's nationality
33 Will your spouse/partner be travelling with you?
Section 4 - Your Family
34 Do you have any children Yes
35 How many children do you have?
Section 4 - Your Family (child 1)
36 Child's given name
37 Child's family name
38 Child's date of birth
39 Child's place of birth
40 Relationship to you
41 Child's Nationality
42 Please indicate whether they are travelling with you
43 Child's address details
44 Child's passport number
Section 4 - Your Family (child 2)
45 Child's given name
46 Child's family name
47 Child's date of birth
48 Child's place of birth
49 Relationship to you
50 Child's nationality
51 Please indicate whether they are travelling with you
52 Child's address details
Section 4 - Your Family
53 Will any other children be travelling with you?
Section 4 - Your Family (Father)
54 Father's given name
55 Father's family name
56 Father's date of birth
57 Father's place and country of birth
58 Father's nationality/nationalities
Section 4 - Your Family(Mother)
59 Mother's given name
60 Mother's family name
61 Mother's date of birth
62 Mother's place and country of birth
63 Mother's nationality/nationalities
Section 5 - Immigration History
64 Have you ever travelled outside your country or residence� in the last 10 years?
65 Have you ever travelled to the UK� in the last 10 years?
66 Have you ever been refused a visa for the UK?
67 Have you ever been refused a visa for any country?
68 Have you been granted a UK visa in the last 10 years?
69 Have you been refused entry on arrival to the UK in the last 10 years?
70 Have you ever been deported� removed or otherwise required to leave the UK?
71 Have you ever been deported� removed or otherwise required to leave another country?
72 Have you made an application to the Home Office to remain in the UK in the last 10 years?
73 Do you have a UK National Insurance Number?
74 Do you have any criminal convictions in any country (including traffic offences)?
75 Have you ever been charged in any country with a criminal offence for which you have not yet been tried in the court (including traffic offences)?
76 In times of either peace or war have you� ever been involved in� or suspected of involvement in� war crimes� crimes against humanity or genocide?
77 Have you ever been involved in� supported� or encouraged terrorist activities in any country? Have you� ever been a member of� or given support to an organisation that has been concerned in terrorism?
78 Have you ever� by any means or medium� expressed views that justify or glorify terrorist violence or that may encourage others to terrorist acts or other serious criminal acts?
79 Have you engaged in any other activities that might indicate that you may not be considered a person of good character?
80 You stated that you had travelled outside your country.
Please give the approximate date and duration and purpose of your stay/s
81 You stated that you had travelled to the UK.
Please give the approximate date and duration and purpose of your stay
Section 6 - Travel Plans
82 Why are you travelling through the UK?
83 Which country are you travelling to through the UK?
84 Which country is your final destination?
85 Why are you going to the above country?
86 Do you have a visa or residence permit for your destination once you leave the UK?
87 Have you confirmed your travel plans to and from of the UK?
88 You stated that you have confirmed your travel plans.
Please provide details
Section 6 - Travel Plans(Outward Bound)
89 Date of arrival in the UK
90 At which UK airport will you land
91 Flight number
92 Date of departure from the UK.
You must depart the same day that you arrive.
93 From which UK airport will you leave the UK.
You must depart from the same airport that you arrived.
94 Flight number
Section 6 - Travel Plans(Inward Bound)
95 Will you travel through the UK on your return?
Section 6 - Current Finances and Employment
96 Are you unemployed� employed� or self-employed?
97 You stated that you are employed/self employed.
What is your present job or occupation?
98 What is the name of the company you work for?
99 When did you start this job?
100 Please provide your work address details
101 What are your employer's telephone numbers?
Landline telephone number
102 Mobile telephone number
103 What is your employer's e-mail address?
104 Do you have any other source of income from a second job or occupation?
105 Your total monthly income from all sources of work or employment after tax
Section 6 - Current Employment and Finances
106 Do you receive income from any other sources� including friends or family?
107 Do you have savings� properties or other income� for example� from stocks and shares?
108 You stated that you have savings� property or income.
Please give details
109 If someone other than yourself is paying for all or any part of this visit� how much will they give you?
110 What is the cost to you personally� of this trip?
Section 7 - Additional Information
111 Is there any other information you wish to be considered as part of your application?
Data Protection Statement
I understand that all information provided by me will be processed by UKvisas in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and for the purposes of processing my visa application. I am aware that UKvisas blah... blah... blah... (Edited)
I am aware that all information provided by me will be treated in confidence but it may be disclosed to other government departments, agencies, blah... blah... blah... (Edited)
Declaration
You must now read the declaration below and sign it. This must be signed by the applicant personally and not by a representative or other person acting on his/her behalf. An application for a person under the age of 18 may be completed by the parent or legal guardian.
blah... blah... blah... (Edited)
Applicant's Signature:
Date Signed:
For Office Use Only
Online Payment Details
Amount Paid USD 276.00
Auth Code
Date Paid
Issue / Refuse :
Category Visit
Type Direct Airside Transit
Code
Check 1
Check 2
Date Effective
Date of Expiry
Police Registration Yes / No
Tier
ECO Time taken
Authorising ECO
EC Number
Issued Date
Which form is more gruelling, you folks decide. Here are the 111 questions you need to answers to get a Transit Visa. I centainly find some of the question totally nosy and irrelevant esp. for a DTV. The last question is interesting. I was so so tempted to write FU for an answer.
Application for United Kingdom Entry Clearance
Applicant Name:
Visa Type: Visit
Visa Sub-Type: Direct Airside Transit
Visa Fee: USD 276.00
Postage Fee: USD 0.00
Submission Method:
Issuing Office: British Consulate General New York
Payment Made: Yes - Online
Form: VAF6
Section 1 - About You
1 Given name
2 Family name
3 Other names
4 Gender
5 Date of birth
6 Place of birth
7 Country of birth
8 Nationality
9 Do you hold any other nationalities?
10 What is your marital status?
Section 2 - Passport Information
11 Current passport or travel document number
12 Place of issue
13 Issuing authority
14 Date of issue
15 Date of expiry
16 Is this your first passport
17 You stated that you have got a previous passport.
Passport or travel document number(if known)
18 Place of issue (if known)
19 Where is this passport
Section 3 - Your Contact Details
20 Apt/Floor/Suite/Room/Street
21 City/Town/Village/Suburb/State/Province(where applicable)
22 Select the Country in which you live
23 Postal Code/Zip Code
24 How long have you lived at this address?
25 Home (landline) telephone number
26 Mobile telephone number
27 Will this be your contact details during the application process?
Section 4 - Your Family (Spouse, Partner, Civil Partner)
28 Spouse/partner's given name
29 Spouse/partner's family name
30 Where is your spouse/partner now
31 Spouse/partner's date of birth
32 Spouse/partner's nationality
33 Will your spouse/partner be travelling with you?
Section 4 - Your Family
34 Do you have any children Yes
35 How many children do you have?
Section 4 - Your Family (child 1)
36 Child's given name
37 Child's family name
38 Child's date of birth
39 Child's place of birth
40 Relationship to you
41 Child's Nationality
42 Please indicate whether they are travelling with you
43 Child's address details
44 Child's passport number
Section 4 - Your Family (child 2)
45 Child's given name
46 Child's family name
47 Child's date of birth
48 Child's place of birth
49 Relationship to you
50 Child's nationality
51 Please indicate whether they are travelling with you
52 Child's address details
Section 4 - Your Family
53 Will any other children be travelling with you?
Section 4 - Your Family (Father)
54 Father's given name
55 Father's family name
56 Father's date of birth
57 Father's place and country of birth
58 Father's nationality/nationalities
Section 4 - Your Family(Mother)
59 Mother's given name
60 Mother's family name
61 Mother's date of birth
62 Mother's place and country of birth
63 Mother's nationality/nationalities
Section 5 - Immigration History
64 Have you ever travelled outside your country or residence� in the last 10 years?
65 Have you ever travelled to the UK� in the last 10 years?
66 Have you ever been refused a visa for the UK?
67 Have you ever been refused a visa for any country?
68 Have you been granted a UK visa in the last 10 years?
69 Have you been refused entry on arrival to the UK in the last 10 years?
70 Have you ever been deported� removed or otherwise required to leave the UK?
71 Have you ever been deported� removed or otherwise required to leave another country?
72 Have you made an application to the Home Office to remain in the UK in the last 10 years?
73 Do you have a UK National Insurance Number?
74 Do you have any criminal convictions in any country (including traffic offences)?
75 Have you ever been charged in any country with a criminal offence for which you have not yet been tried in the court (including traffic offences)?
76 In times of either peace or war have you� ever been involved in� or suspected of involvement in� war crimes� crimes against humanity or genocide?
77 Have you ever been involved in� supported� or encouraged terrorist activities in any country? Have you� ever been a member of� or given support to an organisation that has been concerned in terrorism?
78 Have you ever� by any means or medium� expressed views that justify or glorify terrorist violence or that may encourage others to terrorist acts or other serious criminal acts?
79 Have you engaged in any other activities that might indicate that you may not be considered a person of good character?
80 You stated that you had travelled outside your country.
Please give the approximate date and duration and purpose of your stay/s
81 You stated that you had travelled to the UK.
Please give the approximate date and duration and purpose of your stay
Section 6 - Travel Plans
82 Why are you travelling through the UK?
83 Which country are you travelling to through the UK?
84 Which country is your final destination?
85 Why are you going to the above country?
86 Do you have a visa or residence permit for your destination once you leave the UK?
87 Have you confirmed your travel plans to and from of the UK?
88 You stated that you have confirmed your travel plans.
Please provide details
Section 6 - Travel Plans(Outward Bound)
89 Date of arrival in the UK
90 At which UK airport will you land
91 Flight number
92 Date of departure from the UK.
You must depart the same day that you arrive.
93 From which UK airport will you leave the UK.
You must depart from the same airport that you arrived.
94 Flight number
Section 6 - Travel Plans(Inward Bound)
95 Will you travel through the UK on your return?
Section 6 - Current Finances and Employment
96 Are you unemployed� employed� or self-employed?
97 You stated that you are employed/self employed.
What is your present job or occupation?
98 What is the name of the company you work for?
99 When did you start this job?
100 Please provide your work address details
101 What are your employer's telephone numbers?
Landline telephone number
102 Mobile telephone number
103 What is your employer's e-mail address?
104 Do you have any other source of income from a second job or occupation?
105 Your total monthly income from all sources of work or employment after tax
Section 6 - Current Employment and Finances
106 Do you receive income from any other sources� including friends or family?
107 Do you have savings� properties or other income� for example� from stocks and shares?
108 You stated that you have savings� property or income.
Please give details
109 If someone other than yourself is paying for all or any part of this visit� how much will they give you?
110 What is the cost to you personally� of this trip?
Section 7 - Additional Information
111 Is there any other information you wish to be considered as part of your application?
Data Protection Statement
I understand that all information provided by me will be processed by UKvisas in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and for the purposes of processing my visa application. I am aware that UKvisas blah... blah... blah... (Edited)
I am aware that all information provided by me will be treated in confidence but it may be disclosed to other government departments, agencies, blah... blah... blah... (Edited)
Declaration
You must now read the declaration below and sign it. This must be signed by the applicant personally and not by a representative or other person acting on his/her behalf. An application for a person under the age of 18 may be completed by the parent or legal guardian.
blah... blah... blah... (Edited)
Applicant's Signature:
Date Signed:
For Office Use Only
Online Payment Details
Amount Paid USD 276.00
Auth Code
Date Paid
Issue / Refuse :
Category Visit
Type Direct Airside Transit
Code
Check 1
Check 2
Date Effective
Date of Expiry
Police Registration Yes / No
Tier
ECO Time taken
Authorising ECO
EC Number
Issued Date
hair wallpaper Mel Gibson mel
cjain
04-05 12:50 PM
did he really say that? dude that is hawsome!@
more...
kisana
06-20 10:09 PM
I heard that we have to provide all the address where we stayed in USA for filing I485. But very first time I came to USA almost 6-7 years back for short term and I do not remeber the actual address. Basically i do not remeber very first two address when I came here for short term. Is it a matter of concern.
hot Mel is asking
nilcritz
05-23 03:33 PM
Hi,
I do not have medical records to prove that I have taken some of the vaccination that is mandatory for the medical test. However, I do have taken those and my Doctor back in India has those records. Is there a way people know that these records in "any format" / a "specific format" can be faxed or fedexed here and can be used?
Any help will be highly apprciated.
- N
I do not have medical records to prove that I have taken some of the vaccination that is mandatory for the medical test. However, I do have taken those and my Doctor back in India has those records. Is there a way people know that these records in "any format" / a "specific format" can be faxed or fedexed here and can be used?
Any help will be highly apprciated.
- N
more...
house Mel Gibson.
nomad
07-12 02:22 AM
http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/262484.html
Editorial: Green card fiasco
Stop mistreating those who play by rules
-
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, July 9, 2007
If you want to know what's really wrong with our immigration system, consider the July debacle at the Citizen and Immigration Service.
Individuals and businesses typically have to wait years to apply for "green cards" for permanent residency based on job skills. The backlogs have been so severe that an engineer from India or China has had to wait six years to apply for a green card. In other employment categories, the wait can be nine to 11 years. For people from the Philippines, the wait in some work categories is 22 years.
But then in the monthly Visa Bulletin issued June 13, the State Department said that employment-based visas would be available.
This set off a rush among sponsoring businesses and individuals who have waited in line for years to apply for green cards. Thousands prepared applications and mailed them in time for the immigration service to receive them by July 2, the first day of the application window.
Then on that very day, the State Department issued a "never mind" update, announcing that the 60,000 green cards it had expected to offer would no longer be available. The thousands who submitted applications will have their applications sent back to them.
As Los Angeles immigration attorney Carl Shusterman said last Tuesday, "We're right back to square one, with scientists, engineers, teachers and health care workers having to wait in endless lines for employment-based visas."
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, chairwoman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law sent irate letters to the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security. She said that changing course midmonth is contrary to years of practice, would result in the loss of thousands of dollars already expended by sponsoring businesses and individuals to prepare applications and, more important, would "threaten the integrity and predictability of our immigration system."
This is no way to treat people who try to play by the rules.
The Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman notes in his 2007 annual report to Congress that the nation has a "perpetual backlog" of employment-based green card applications. This backlog means that even green cards that should be available aren't used. This contributes to the backlog; if green cards are not issued in the year they are authorized, they are lost.
In 2006, more than 10,000 employment-based green cards were lost, even though the immigration service had 100,000 to 150,000 applications waiting to be processed. Since 1994, nearly 219,000 employment-based green cards have been lost because the immigration service isn't processing enough applications in a timely manner.
It gets worse. The funds appropriated by Congress to jumpstart a backlog elimination project expired Sept. 30. The backlog will continue.
In the long term, this country needs to increase the number of employment-based green cards to meet demand. But if the immigration service cannot even process applications in a timely fashion for the current numbers of employment-based green cards that are supposed to be available, what's the point?
In the short term, if Congress and the president do nothing else regarding immigration reform, they should at least make sure that the immigration service processes green card applications in timely fashion. The backlog is inexcusable and contributes to the nation's illegal immigration problem. If we want people to play by the rules, we have to make it possible for them to do so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial: Green card fiasco
Stop mistreating those who play by rules
-
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, July 9, 2007
If you want to know what's really wrong with our immigration system, consider the July debacle at the Citizen and Immigration Service.
Individuals and businesses typically have to wait years to apply for "green cards" for permanent residency based on job skills. The backlogs have been so severe that an engineer from India or China has had to wait six years to apply for a green card. In other employment categories, the wait can be nine to 11 years. For people from the Philippines, the wait in some work categories is 22 years.
But then in the monthly Visa Bulletin issued June 13, the State Department said that employment-based visas would be available.
This set off a rush among sponsoring businesses and individuals who have waited in line for years to apply for green cards. Thousands prepared applications and mailed them in time for the immigration service to receive them by July 2, the first day of the application window.
Then on that very day, the State Department issued a "never mind" update, announcing that the 60,000 green cards it had expected to offer would no longer be available. The thousands who submitted applications will have their applications sent back to them.
As Los Angeles immigration attorney Carl Shusterman said last Tuesday, "We're right back to square one, with scientists, engineers, teachers and health care workers having to wait in endless lines for employment-based visas."
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, chairwoman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law sent irate letters to the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security. She said that changing course midmonth is contrary to years of practice, would result in the loss of thousands of dollars already expended by sponsoring businesses and individuals to prepare applications and, more important, would "threaten the integrity and predictability of our immigration system."
This is no way to treat people who try to play by the rules.
The Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman notes in his 2007 annual report to Congress that the nation has a "perpetual backlog" of employment-based green card applications. This backlog means that even green cards that should be available aren't used. This contributes to the backlog; if green cards are not issued in the year they are authorized, they are lost.
In 2006, more than 10,000 employment-based green cards were lost, even though the immigration service had 100,000 to 150,000 applications waiting to be processed. Since 1994, nearly 219,000 employment-based green cards have been lost because the immigration service isn't processing enough applications in a timely manner.
It gets worse. The funds appropriated by Congress to jumpstart a backlog elimination project expired Sept. 30. The backlog will continue.
In the long term, this country needs to increase the number of employment-based green cards to meet demand. But if the immigration service cannot even process applications in a timely fashion for the current numbers of employment-based green cards that are supposed to be available, what's the point?
In the short term, if Congress and the president do nothing else regarding immigration reform, they should at least make sure that the immigration service processes green card applications in timely fashion. The backlog is inexcusable and contributes to the nation's illegal immigration problem. If we want people to play by the rules, we have to make it possible for them to do so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tattoo that Mel Gibson will have
puddonhead
06-18 11:40 AM
One more thing....
<Puddonhead puts his lecturing hat on to boast about his "knowledge">
Some of you guys have admirable abilities of using rhetoric (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetoric_(Aristotle)). However, in this particular discussion - I guess it will help us all if we could keep the hectoring and general negative rhetoric out of it. Calling someone anti-immigrant in a derogatory fashion because he is opposed to our views - is negative rhetoric. So is the comparison of L1 abuse with house burglary.
The lawyers are taught the "Socratic Method" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_method) - to chafe out logic from the thicket of rhetoric. This is specially important when we are discussing something from different positions.
Hope we can get over it and find some common ground.
</Puddonhead takes off his lecturing hat>
<Puddonhead puts his lecturing hat on to boast about his "knowledge">
Some of you guys have admirable abilities of using rhetoric (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetoric_(Aristotle)). However, in this particular discussion - I guess it will help us all if we could keep the hectoring and general negative rhetoric out of it. Calling someone anti-immigrant in a derogatory fashion because he is opposed to our views - is negative rhetoric. So is the comparison of L1 abuse with house burglary.
The lawyers are taught the "Socratic Method" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_method) - to chafe out logic from the thicket of rhetoric. This is specially important when we are discussing something from different positions.
Hope we can get over it and find some common ground.
</Puddonhead takes off his lecturing hat>
more...
pictures Mel Gibson rant launches full
nrk
08-16 01:23 PM
congrats.
Landed in this country on Aug-16-1997 for Masters. Today myself and my wife both got CPO mail/text message. Thanks IV community and good luck to all. I will be doing my part to make this system better!!!
Details:
PD: 04 Jan 2006, EB2 I
RD: 07 Jul 2007, TSC (I-140 was with NSC, but the attorney sent it to TSC in the july 2007 fiasco)
ND: 27 Aug 2007, NSC
Didn't do anything in 2008 and decided to do everything possible this time around.
Aug 3 - Primary I-485 SR,
Aug 5- Primary EAD SR,
Contacted Congress Woman on Aug 9 - Didn't get any useful info. I think, being in bay area, they might have been flooded with these requests.
Aug 10 - Opened an Infopass for Aug 18
Aug 16, 8:30 am - Dependent SR
Aug 16, 9:30 am - Called the customer service for primary's status - got the standard response that they sent a mail (which i didn't get) asking me to wait for 60 days.
Aug 16, 11:00 am - Wife called me to inform the good news, the online status change.
Aug 16, 11:05 am - got the text message (which just said "check your status online").
Aug 16: Got the CPO mail (time stamped 10:18am)
Guys (and Gals), Hang in there and you will have your independence soon.
Regards,
Yet Another Greencard Wait (not anymore :)
Landed in this country on Aug-16-1997 for Masters. Today myself and my wife both got CPO mail/text message. Thanks IV community and good luck to all. I will be doing my part to make this system better!!!
Details:
PD: 04 Jan 2006, EB2 I
RD: 07 Jul 2007, TSC (I-140 was with NSC, but the attorney sent it to TSC in the july 2007 fiasco)
ND: 27 Aug 2007, NSC
Didn't do anything in 2008 and decided to do everything possible this time around.
Aug 3 - Primary I-485 SR,
Aug 5- Primary EAD SR,
Contacted Congress Woman on Aug 9 - Didn't get any useful info. I think, being in bay area, they might have been flooded with these requests.
Aug 10 - Opened an Infopass for Aug 18
Aug 16, 8:30 am - Dependent SR
Aug 16, 9:30 am - Called the customer service for primary's status - got the standard response that they sent a mail (which i didn't get) asking me to wait for 60 days.
Aug 16, 11:00 am - Wife called me to inform the good news, the online status change.
Aug 16, 11:05 am - got the text message (which just said "check your status online").
Aug 16: Got the CPO mail (time stamped 10:18am)
Guys (and Gals), Hang in there and you will have your independence soon.
Regards,
Yet Another Greencard Wait (not anymore :)
dresses Mel Gibson
mrdelhiite
06-29 07:58 PM
Im signing off the web page for the rest of the weekend.. im going to leave my brains behind and go watch Sivaji.
Lets see what Monday has to offer us. :)
someone..suggest all this to Mr. More ... his next movie can be about immigration ... !!
Peace
-M
Lets see what Monday has to offer us. :)
someone..suggest all this to Mr. More ... his next movie can be about immigration ... !!
Peace
-M
more...
makeup Suicide On Mel Gibson#39;s
sundarpn
01-28 05:10 PM
both H1 were approved from the same USCIS center? the one which is stuck in PIMS, which service center it was?
good point.
We need to track the H1b approval date and the service center that approved it.
For those who don't know, the first three letters of the receipt number in you I-797 H-1b approval notice indicates the service center.
Like SRC is Texas, EAC is Vermont, LIN is nebraska and CSC for california.
Please include this info too.
good point.
We need to track the H1b approval date and the service center that approved it.
For those who don't know, the first three letters of the receipt number in you I-797 H-1b approval notice indicates the service center.
Like SRC is Texas, EAC is Vermont, LIN is nebraska and CSC for california.
Please include this info too.
girlfriend Mel Gibson Upstages X-Men
ashishgour
09-10 11:36 AM
I believe it will have an impact in the long run...so I guess we can continue calling even today...
hairstyles Mel Gibson
tikka
07-11 04:21 AM
PRLog.Org) � Furore over the recent incident involving a volte-face by two US federal agencies - the Department of State and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, on acceptance of Green Card applications from eager highly-skilled professionals such as engineers, scientists, computer and healthcare professionals, has reached epic proportions.
Earlier this week, the agencies involved claimed that a communication gap and an overzealous attempt at reducing backlogs caused them to use up all available Green Cards for the current fiscal year by Monday, July 2, 2007, revoking a previous press release that they would honor applications through July 2007. The resulting discontent among applicants gained significant media attention across the United States and abroad, even striking a chord in Bollywood, the world�s largest movie industry.
This week, scores of highly-skilled professionals across various ethnicities and nationalities are sending flowers to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service in a symbolic act of "Gandhiism" or Gandhigiri, to demonstrate their displeasure and to request honoring of their Green Card applications filed in July.
In response to this event, Academy Award Nominee Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who produced the run-away successes "Munna Bhai MBBS", and "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" stated, "Mahatma Gandhi has influenced several personalities, including American Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King, Jr. These young, law-abiding professionals have set out to strive for reform the right way- the Gandhigiri way."
The theme of �Lage Raho Munna Bhai� centers on the usage of non-violent principles to win over difficult and non-co-operating entities. In the movies, character Munna Bhai wins over the tough Dr. Asthana by means of chain deliveries of flower bouquets. The sequel has revived Gandhian principles and popularized the concept of Gandhigiri- literally meaning a symbolic act of peaceful protest across South Asia and the UK.
Rajkumar Hirani, who has directed the Munna Bhai series, had this to say - "When you feel you have been wronged, you feel angry. The best way to overcome what you think is unjust, is to protest peacefully. Be nice to your opponent and let him see your point of view. My well-wishes go out to these educated, highly-skilled professionals who have abided by the law and have been eagerly waiting in line for their Green Cards for nearly ten years."
Boman Irani, who plays hardball Dr. Asthana in the popular series, shared his views � �Gandhigiri is a tool that makes your opponent see your point of view without losing your dignity. With aggression, one usually loses focus over the main issue, whereas good behavior makes the other person open up a dialogue. What�s key is to keep the efforts ongoing � Gandhigiri isn�t easy, but works in the long run!�.
The film personalities shared their solidarity with Immigration Voice, a not-for-profit group that advocates highly-skilled immigration reform.
�Expectations ran high among applicants. Highly-skilled professionals and US employers have incurred financial expenses averaging USD 3,000 or more, per family in just filing and preparation fees, not including the rush to get medical examinations completed on time, or the resulting hurry to get supporting documentation from home countries. Several applicants have had to call off vacations or business trips to be in the US to file �adjustment of status� applications as part of the final stage of the Green Card process. Some applicants or their representatives even traveled personally to Immigration Service Centers to be the first ones to submit. Not to mention the downtime that has resulted in lost productivity to several US businesses", says Aman Kapoor, of Immigration Voice. Aged parents and families in home countries were inconvenienced to source supporting documentation such as birth and baptismal certificates, all resulting in naught.
Although the ability to file for �adjustment of status� during July would not have granted the coveted Green Card, this move alone would have provided several interim benefits to qualifying applicants while waiting for their Green Cards- benefits such as the right to travel and right to work. Several applicants� spouses are highly-skilled and have been eroding their skills over the years in anticipation of a Green Card because they cannot otherwise work on dependent visas.
Also, several applicants have been subject to career stagnation over the years and this move would have provided flexibility to switch employers after 180 days of filing. Employers would have benefited from paperwork reduction as well as additional legal fees required to frequently temporary visas.
Says Kapoor, "Disconcert among highly-skilled professionals grew exponentially in the last few days. Several members, out of their own initiative decided to organize a peaceful protest in the Gandhigiri style to display their resentment.�
Dr. Emilio Gonzales, USCIS Director, announced in a press release Monday that the agency would arrange for the flowers to be sent to recuperating service personnel. In the movie, Dr. Asthana finally relents to Munna Bhai's chain flower campaign. Although, this symbolic gesture has by highly-skilled professionals has evinced a reaction from movie moguls, it is hoped that the incident will prompt real meaningful reform in the US immigration system in the days to come.
- - - - -
http://www.prlog.org/10023531-bollywood-supports-highly-skilled-workers-green-card-concerns.html
Earlier this week, the agencies involved claimed that a communication gap and an overzealous attempt at reducing backlogs caused them to use up all available Green Cards for the current fiscal year by Monday, July 2, 2007, revoking a previous press release that they would honor applications through July 2007. The resulting discontent among applicants gained significant media attention across the United States and abroad, even striking a chord in Bollywood, the world�s largest movie industry.
This week, scores of highly-skilled professionals across various ethnicities and nationalities are sending flowers to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service in a symbolic act of "Gandhiism" or Gandhigiri, to demonstrate their displeasure and to request honoring of their Green Card applications filed in July.
In response to this event, Academy Award Nominee Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who produced the run-away successes "Munna Bhai MBBS", and "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" stated, "Mahatma Gandhi has influenced several personalities, including American Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King, Jr. These young, law-abiding professionals have set out to strive for reform the right way- the Gandhigiri way."
The theme of �Lage Raho Munna Bhai� centers on the usage of non-violent principles to win over difficult and non-co-operating entities. In the movies, character Munna Bhai wins over the tough Dr. Asthana by means of chain deliveries of flower bouquets. The sequel has revived Gandhian principles and popularized the concept of Gandhigiri- literally meaning a symbolic act of peaceful protest across South Asia and the UK.
Rajkumar Hirani, who has directed the Munna Bhai series, had this to say - "When you feel you have been wronged, you feel angry. The best way to overcome what you think is unjust, is to protest peacefully. Be nice to your opponent and let him see your point of view. My well-wishes go out to these educated, highly-skilled professionals who have abided by the law and have been eagerly waiting in line for their Green Cards for nearly ten years."
Boman Irani, who plays hardball Dr. Asthana in the popular series, shared his views � �Gandhigiri is a tool that makes your opponent see your point of view without losing your dignity. With aggression, one usually loses focus over the main issue, whereas good behavior makes the other person open up a dialogue. What�s key is to keep the efforts ongoing � Gandhigiri isn�t easy, but works in the long run!�.
The film personalities shared their solidarity with Immigration Voice, a not-for-profit group that advocates highly-skilled immigration reform.
�Expectations ran high among applicants. Highly-skilled professionals and US employers have incurred financial expenses averaging USD 3,000 or more, per family in just filing and preparation fees, not including the rush to get medical examinations completed on time, or the resulting hurry to get supporting documentation from home countries. Several applicants have had to call off vacations or business trips to be in the US to file �adjustment of status� applications as part of the final stage of the Green Card process. Some applicants or their representatives even traveled personally to Immigration Service Centers to be the first ones to submit. Not to mention the downtime that has resulted in lost productivity to several US businesses", says Aman Kapoor, of Immigration Voice. Aged parents and families in home countries were inconvenienced to source supporting documentation such as birth and baptismal certificates, all resulting in naught.
Although the ability to file for �adjustment of status� during July would not have granted the coveted Green Card, this move alone would have provided several interim benefits to qualifying applicants while waiting for their Green Cards- benefits such as the right to travel and right to work. Several applicants� spouses are highly-skilled and have been eroding their skills over the years in anticipation of a Green Card because they cannot otherwise work on dependent visas.
Also, several applicants have been subject to career stagnation over the years and this move would have provided flexibility to switch employers after 180 days of filing. Employers would have benefited from paperwork reduction as well as additional legal fees required to frequently temporary visas.
Says Kapoor, "Disconcert among highly-skilled professionals grew exponentially in the last few days. Several members, out of their own initiative decided to organize a peaceful protest in the Gandhigiri style to display their resentment.�
Dr. Emilio Gonzales, USCIS Director, announced in a press release Monday that the agency would arrange for the flowers to be sent to recuperating service personnel. In the movie, Dr. Asthana finally relents to Munna Bhai's chain flower campaign. Although, this symbolic gesture has by highly-skilled professionals has evinced a reaction from movie moguls, it is hoped that the incident will prompt real meaningful reform in the US immigration system in the days to come.
- - - - -
http://www.prlog.org/10023531-bollywood-supports-highly-skilled-workers-green-card-concerns.html
gccovet
10-30 09:10 AM
done my part.
GCCovet.
GCCovet.
kondur_007
10-01 11:19 AM
According to Ron Gotcher:
"There shouldn't be any debate, as the statute is explicit:"
EB2 INDIA future for fiscal year 2010 - Page 2 - Immigration Information Discussion Forum (http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/general-immigration-questions/9181-eb2-india-future-for-fiscal-year-2010-a-2.html)
Let's see if DOS follows the law as the USCIS pending numbers clearly demonstrate that spill over to oversubscribed countries will be required(by law) in the first quarter, moreso with the new "Pending I485 numbers" report that will be released by USCIS hopefully in a month or two (since Aug25, 2009 report didn't reflect the EB2I approvals in Sepetember 2009).
So December 2009 Visa Bulletin Dates should include spillover visas. Hoping for the best.
He is right, but the problem is, USCIS and DOS has always done spill over only at the end of fiscal year and not quarterly.
Now who will go and tell them to read their own statute again and reinterprete?? (like the spill over that was done vertical for several years until they realize, "it needs to be horizontal by our statute!!")
"There shouldn't be any debate, as the statute is explicit:"
EB2 INDIA future for fiscal year 2010 - Page 2 - Immigration Information Discussion Forum (http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/general-immigration-questions/9181-eb2-india-future-for-fiscal-year-2010-a-2.html)
Let's see if DOS follows the law as the USCIS pending numbers clearly demonstrate that spill over to oversubscribed countries will be required(by law) in the first quarter, moreso with the new "Pending I485 numbers" report that will be released by USCIS hopefully in a month or two (since Aug25, 2009 report didn't reflect the EB2I approvals in Sepetember 2009).
So December 2009 Visa Bulletin Dates should include spillover visas. Hoping for the best.
He is right, but the problem is, USCIS and DOS has always done spill over only at the end of fiscal year and not quarterly.
Now who will go and tell them to read their own statute again and reinterprete?? (like the spill over that was done vertical for several years until they realize, "it needs to be horizontal by our statute!!")
No comments:
Post a Comment