caydee
07-09 11:16 AM
A news article from San Jose Mercury News...........
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6331029?nclick_check=1
(apologies for posting this here. I couldnt find the link to News Article Thread - 3. Moderators please move this to the right thread)
IMMIGRATION REFORM'S COLLAPSE GETS FIRMS LOOKING ABROAD
By Frank Davies
MediaNews Washington Bureau
Article Launched: 07/09/2007 01:29:41 AM PDT
WASHINGTON - Reeling from the collapse of a massive immigration bill, major tech firms plan to press for more visas and green cards for foreign workers - one element of the failed legislation - but admit they face political resistance and an uncertain future.
"We face a serious problem this year, Congress knows that, and we just have to keep pushing," said Robert Hoffman, an Oracle lobbyist. He said restrictive caps on H-1B and L visas for skilled workers and the long waiting time for green cards for some were limiting companies' growth and sending some jobs overseas.
But Ralph Hellmann, who lobbied on the Senate bill for the Information Technology Industry trade group, sounded an upbeat note. He said a separate measure increasing visas and green cards "is probably a better product now that we don't have to ride on a compre hensive bill."
Hoffman, who co-chairs Compete America, a coalition of businesses seeking immigration reform, said he hopes to meet with key congressional leaders on the issue, including Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., sponsor of the failed Senate bill, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the San Jose Democrat who chairs the immigration subcommittee in the House.
"We'll have to see what's in the realm of the doable, whether it's long-term or a stop-gap," Hoffman said.
Lofgren sounded a note of caution Friday, saying progress on any component of the comprehensive bill may be difficult.
"We're in an assessment phase right now, and I don't know what can proceed - that's up to a very diverse group of people in the House and Senate," she said. Other provisions of the failed immigration bill have champions who now see an opening for separate legislation.
Taking separate action
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said the shortage in farm labor is a crisis that means her "ag jobs" proposal for more foreign workers "should be moved before any other immigration-related legislation."
She said she will work with Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, a co-sponsor, and industry and farmworker groups to push soon for that bill.
Lofgren said "there's a compelling case for the Dream Act," another part of the comprehensive bill that would allow some children of illegal immigrants to achieve legal status and make it easier to enter college or the military.
Several South Bay students last week launched a fast to show their support for the Dream Act, and they demonstrated Tuesday in front of Lofgren's San Jose office.
Immigration hard-liners who oppose any legalization process for undocumented workers said the failure of the Senate bill shows the need to improve border security and workplace enforcement.
Rep. Brian Bilbray, a San Diego Republican who chairs the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said a congressional consensus exists to pursue those goals this year.
Workforce in jeopardy
Meanwhile, thousands of highly skilled visa-holders who filed paperwork last month for green cards had a more immediate problem this week. Because of a dispute between the State Department and Immigration Services, and a huge backlog of applications, they were told no more green cards are available this year.
Large employers, including some in the tech sector, were told this year by the Bush administration to help pass the overall bill to secure some of their key goals. Those include almost doubling the number of H-1B visas to 115,000 a year, exempting 40,000 people with higher degrees from any restrictions, and speeding up the employer-based green card system for workers already here.
With the demise of the bill and uncertainty over future immigration, some California companies may shift operations to other countries, Lofgren said. Microsoft announced plans Thursday to open a software development center in Vancouver, British Columbia, which would "allow the company to recruit and retain highly skilled people affected by the immigration issues in the U.S."
In 2006, Microsoft secured 3,117 H-1B visas for its workers - the third-highest total - according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Lou Gellos, a Microsoft spokesman, said immigration uncertainty was "an issue, but not the defining reason" for opening the Canada center.
Criticism has also mounted over abuses and fraud in the H-1B visa system.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., citing government surveys, said that "job shops" and other brokers were misusing the system to bypass U.S. workers, bring in foreign workers for substandard wages, and outsource some jobs.
"Our immigration policy should seek to complement our U.S. workforce, not replace it," Durbin said last month during the Senate debate.
System left in limbo
After behind-the-scenes negotiations, tech companies acceded to some of the proposals from Durbin and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to improve oversight and enforcement of the H-1B program by the Department of Labor. All companies would have to pledge to seek U.S. workers first for openings, and if an employer's visa-holders who are paid entry-level wages exceeded 30 percent of its workforce, a Labor Department audit would be automatic.
That agreement is now in limbo. If a serious push for an increase in visas makes progress, Durbin would want to include his proposals, an aide said.
Hoffman said tech representatives would agree to more enforcement "that is not punitive."
Lofgren, who represents tech executives and workers, said she could support "reforms and changes" in the visa system.
"It needs a good review - I've never thought that just increasing the numbers was in the cards," she said.
Contact Frank Davies at fdavies@mercurynews.com or (202) 662-8921.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6331029?nclick_check=1
(apologies for posting this here. I couldnt find the link to News Article Thread - 3. Moderators please move this to the right thread)
IMMIGRATION REFORM'S COLLAPSE GETS FIRMS LOOKING ABROAD
By Frank Davies
MediaNews Washington Bureau
Article Launched: 07/09/2007 01:29:41 AM PDT
WASHINGTON - Reeling from the collapse of a massive immigration bill, major tech firms plan to press for more visas and green cards for foreign workers - one element of the failed legislation - but admit they face political resistance and an uncertain future.
"We face a serious problem this year, Congress knows that, and we just have to keep pushing," said Robert Hoffman, an Oracle lobbyist. He said restrictive caps on H-1B and L visas for skilled workers and the long waiting time for green cards for some were limiting companies' growth and sending some jobs overseas.
But Ralph Hellmann, who lobbied on the Senate bill for the Information Technology Industry trade group, sounded an upbeat note. He said a separate measure increasing visas and green cards "is probably a better product now that we don't have to ride on a compre hensive bill."
Hoffman, who co-chairs Compete America, a coalition of businesses seeking immigration reform, said he hopes to meet with key congressional leaders on the issue, including Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., sponsor of the failed Senate bill, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the San Jose Democrat who chairs the immigration subcommittee in the House.
"We'll have to see what's in the realm of the doable, whether it's long-term or a stop-gap," Hoffman said.
Lofgren sounded a note of caution Friday, saying progress on any component of the comprehensive bill may be difficult.
"We're in an assessment phase right now, and I don't know what can proceed - that's up to a very diverse group of people in the House and Senate," she said. Other provisions of the failed immigration bill have champions who now see an opening for separate legislation.
Taking separate action
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said the shortage in farm labor is a crisis that means her "ag jobs" proposal for more foreign workers "should be moved before any other immigration-related legislation."
She said she will work with Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, a co-sponsor, and industry and farmworker groups to push soon for that bill.
Lofgren said "there's a compelling case for the Dream Act," another part of the comprehensive bill that would allow some children of illegal immigrants to achieve legal status and make it easier to enter college or the military.
Several South Bay students last week launched a fast to show their support for the Dream Act, and they demonstrated Tuesday in front of Lofgren's San Jose office.
Immigration hard-liners who oppose any legalization process for undocumented workers said the failure of the Senate bill shows the need to improve border security and workplace enforcement.
Rep. Brian Bilbray, a San Diego Republican who chairs the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said a congressional consensus exists to pursue those goals this year.
Workforce in jeopardy
Meanwhile, thousands of highly skilled visa-holders who filed paperwork last month for green cards had a more immediate problem this week. Because of a dispute between the State Department and Immigration Services, and a huge backlog of applications, they were told no more green cards are available this year.
Large employers, including some in the tech sector, were told this year by the Bush administration to help pass the overall bill to secure some of their key goals. Those include almost doubling the number of H-1B visas to 115,000 a year, exempting 40,000 people with higher degrees from any restrictions, and speeding up the employer-based green card system for workers already here.
With the demise of the bill and uncertainty over future immigration, some California companies may shift operations to other countries, Lofgren said. Microsoft announced plans Thursday to open a software development center in Vancouver, British Columbia, which would "allow the company to recruit and retain highly skilled people affected by the immigration issues in the U.S."
In 2006, Microsoft secured 3,117 H-1B visas for its workers - the third-highest total - according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Lou Gellos, a Microsoft spokesman, said immigration uncertainty was "an issue, but not the defining reason" for opening the Canada center.
Criticism has also mounted over abuses and fraud in the H-1B visa system.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., citing government surveys, said that "job shops" and other brokers were misusing the system to bypass U.S. workers, bring in foreign workers for substandard wages, and outsource some jobs.
"Our immigration policy should seek to complement our U.S. workforce, not replace it," Durbin said last month during the Senate debate.
System left in limbo
After behind-the-scenes negotiations, tech companies acceded to some of the proposals from Durbin and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to improve oversight and enforcement of the H-1B program by the Department of Labor. All companies would have to pledge to seek U.S. workers first for openings, and if an employer's visa-holders who are paid entry-level wages exceeded 30 percent of its workforce, a Labor Department audit would be automatic.
That agreement is now in limbo. If a serious push for an increase in visas makes progress, Durbin would want to include his proposals, an aide said.
Hoffman said tech representatives would agree to more enforcement "that is not punitive."
Lofgren, who represents tech executives and workers, said she could support "reforms and changes" in the visa system.
"It needs a good review - I've never thought that just increasing the numbers was in the cards," she said.
Contact Frank Davies at fdavies@mercurynews.com or (202) 662-8921.
wallpaper of Plants vs. Zombies
nozerd
03-08 07:44 AM
Just forget about GC and save as much as you can to take back home. Treat US the same way Indians treat ME.
Just take your fortune with you. If the GC comes then great, if not thats fine too. You are going back home with something - hard cash.
Remember US $ 210 K is nearly 1 crore rupees.
Just take your fortune with you. If the GC comes then great, if not thats fine too. You are going back home with something - hard cash.
Remember US $ 210 K is nearly 1 crore rupees.
khukubindu
05-05 06:20 PM
Thanks reddymjm for your quick reply. How long would it be current , do you think ?
What should I do from my side if it the date is correct ?
Should I call USCIS.
What should I do from my side if it the date is correct ?
Should I call USCIS.
2011 (Plants vs. Zombies)
GCStatus
09-13 09:37 PM
I agree to the point that: we pay for unemployment , SS tax etc when we ourselves are not eligible for any of that if we continue on H1, in fact we are supposed to exit this country when we loose job!!!
what a joke...
also did u see this in history:
when europeans came here abt 500 years back, natives did not welcome them nor liked them. Now legal immigrants are coming , and you know how they are treated!!
so I guess system is behaving like normal. Its upto us to fight the system...
by demanding GC , we(for us and our generations) are asking for right to apply for citizenship, ultimately a right on the resource of this country(all resources including natural resource). So there has got to be fight/effort to get it. It will not come just doing what we do for living.
BINGO
what a joke...
also did u see this in history:
when europeans came here abt 500 years back, natives did not welcome them nor liked them. Now legal immigrants are coming , and you know how they are treated!!
so I guess system is behaving like normal. Its upto us to fight the system...
by demanding GC , we(for us and our generations) are asking for right to apply for citizenship, ultimately a right on the resource of this country(all resources including natural resource). So there has got to be fight/effort to get it. It will not come just doing what we do for living.
BINGO
more...
dtekkedil
07-05 02:02 PM
We will each individually send flowers to Emilio Gonzalez to be delivered July 10th. There is a suggestion to use a paypal account where we contribute money. However no one has come forward to take over the account so far.
The theme of the note attached to the flowers should be Sympathy or Get well.
Preferred Message(Sympathy): All the best for future Employment Based visa estimates
I do like the "Get Well: Hope USCIS recovers from its insanity" message as well
July 07th - Last day to mail flowers (I doubt if they can deliver on Tuesday if we order on Monday)
July 08th - Draft the letter to be mailed to media.
July 09th - Finalize the letter and mass mail it to every media email addresses we have.
July 10th - hope the media take the bait!
The theme of the note attached to the flowers should be Sympathy or Get well.
Preferred Message(Sympathy): All the best for future Employment Based visa estimates
I do like the "Get Well: Hope USCIS recovers from its insanity" message as well
July 07th - Last day to mail flowers (I doubt if they can deliver on Tuesday if we order on Monday)
July 08th - Draft the letter to be mailed to media.
July 09th - Finalize the letter and mass mail it to every media email addresses we have.
July 10th - hope the media take the bait!
jags_e
07-07 11:01 AM
Though they didnot break any law in writing, they had the intent to not give any relief to people who are eligible to apply in july as per the old bulletin.
The intent itself is ulawful.
Alos in rushing to use all the visas, they might have given visas prematurely to applicants who had no clearence.
The only thing we could do guys , is to get a lot of media attention , make the whole world know about our problems....
If we dont get the GC yearly number increased for India , we should plan to go back,..
How long can i wait to file 485..
I am pretty much sure( i wish i am proven wrong) that the Lawsuits are not gonna help us.
They did nothing wrong legally , its a tradition that DOS doesnt change the visa bulletin in a month..ITS NOT A LAW.
The max we could get from a lawsuit is damages(financials) , and as USCIS is a fees funded organisatiom , its gonna come back to us
In one way we should be happy that the USCIS is cleaning its internal backlog,
The intent itself is ulawful.
Alos in rushing to use all the visas, they might have given visas prematurely to applicants who had no clearence.
The only thing we could do guys , is to get a lot of media attention , make the whole world know about our problems....
If we dont get the GC yearly number increased for India , we should plan to go back,..
How long can i wait to file 485..
I am pretty much sure( i wish i am proven wrong) that the Lawsuits are not gonna help us.
They did nothing wrong legally , its a tradition that DOS doesnt change the visa bulletin in a month..ITS NOT A LAW.
The max we could get from a lawsuit is damages(financials) , and as USCIS is a fees funded organisatiom , its gonna come back to us
In one way we should be happy that the USCIS is cleaning its internal backlog,
more...
vinabath
03-25 03:20 PM
Wait for Oct 2008 for any possible movement.
My PD is 1 March,2004 and my realistic estimate for getting my GC is end of 2009.
You are on spot. To be little optimistic, It will be 3rd quarter of 2009.
My PD is 1 March,2004 and my realistic estimate for getting my GC is end of 2009.
You are on spot. To be little optimistic, It will be 3rd quarter of 2009.
2010 Plants vs. Zombies is the
PD_Dec2002
06-22 01:29 PM
My labour and I-140 is approved last year and I am working with current employer from last 1 and half years. Employer is making good money trough me.
As now the dates are current, my employer is trying to exploit me.
He is not responding to my mails, and not picking my phone.
Last modified message which I got from him is that:
The whole financials for the company changes with filing 485 for you immediately. So, it is definitely a loss for company to process your 485 immediately.
you need to come with items that you are ready to compromise in return; so that the company also benefits by helping you."
I am very much in tension and he is talking to me.
Can someone suggest what may be the option for me?
Well, just say that you will bear ALL expenses associated with filing I-485. That way the only expense for the employer will be a few cents to photocopy and give you the approved copy of I-140.
If you can get the employment letter as well, that's awesome. Otherwise, just use two recent pay stubs. And for those who are going to jump in and say, "No, employment letter is absolutely required...", well, it is not. It's good to have one in case USCIS want it, but not mandatory.
Thanks,
Jayant
P.S.: I am guessing the net financials of your company must be $5000/year otherwise I don't see how paying for your I-485 affects the company's bottomline! :-) Of all the BS, this excuse is a winner!!
As now the dates are current, my employer is trying to exploit me.
He is not responding to my mails, and not picking my phone.
Last modified message which I got from him is that:
The whole financials for the company changes with filing 485 for you immediately. So, it is definitely a loss for company to process your 485 immediately.
you need to come with items that you are ready to compromise in return; so that the company also benefits by helping you."
I am very much in tension and he is talking to me.
Can someone suggest what may be the option for me?
Well, just say that you will bear ALL expenses associated with filing I-485. That way the only expense for the employer will be a few cents to photocopy and give you the approved copy of I-140.
If you can get the employment letter as well, that's awesome. Otherwise, just use two recent pay stubs. And for those who are going to jump in and say, "No, employment letter is absolutely required...", well, it is not. It's good to have one in case USCIS want it, but not mandatory.
Thanks,
Jayant
P.S.: I am guessing the net financials of your company must be $5000/year otherwise I don't see how paying for your I-485 affects the company's bottomline! :-) Of all the BS, this excuse is a winner!!
more...
gc28262
03-06 04:36 PM
What pisses me off is that there are 220,000 visa numbers every year for family based GCs while skilled immigrants get only 140,000. Nothing wrong with immigrants wanting to bring immediate family members but this is causing nothing but chain migration. I think USA give more GCs to cab drivers than skilled immigrants.
That is one of the curses of democracy. Politicians favor vote banks. After all what they care about is the votes.
That is one of the curses of democracy. Politicians favor vote banks. After all what they care about is the votes.
hair Plants vs. Zombies isn#39;t
SDdesi
08-14 12:55 AM
We have received FP notices for our 485 applications that reached USCIS on July 2nd (EB2/India)
Good luck to all other IV folks.
Good luck to all other IV folks.
more...
caydee
07-09 11:16 AM
A news article from San Jose Mercury News...........
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6331029?nclick_check=1
(apologies for posting this here. I couldnt find the link to News Article Thread - 3. Moderators please move this to the right thread)
IMMIGRATION REFORM'S COLLAPSE GETS FIRMS LOOKING ABROAD
By Frank Davies
MediaNews Washington Bureau
Article Launched: 07/09/2007 01:29:41 AM PDT
WASHINGTON - Reeling from the collapse of a massive immigration bill, major tech firms plan to press for more visas and green cards for foreign workers - one element of the failed legislation - but admit they face political resistance and an uncertain future.
"We face a serious problem this year, Congress knows that, and we just have to keep pushing," said Robert Hoffman, an Oracle lobbyist. He said restrictive caps on H-1B and L visas for skilled workers and the long waiting time for green cards for some were limiting companies' growth and sending some jobs overseas.
But Ralph Hellmann, who lobbied on the Senate bill for the Information Technology Industry trade group, sounded an upbeat note. He said a separate measure increasing visas and green cards "is probably a better product now that we don't have to ride on a compre hensive bill."
Hoffman, who co-chairs Compete America, a coalition of businesses seeking immigration reform, said he hopes to meet with key congressional leaders on the issue, including Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., sponsor of the failed Senate bill, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the San Jose Democrat who chairs the immigration subcommittee in the House.
"We'll have to see what's in the realm of the doable, whether it's long-term or a stop-gap," Hoffman said.
Lofgren sounded a note of caution Friday, saying progress on any component of the comprehensive bill may be difficult.
"We're in an assessment phase right now, and I don't know what can proceed - that's up to a very diverse group of people in the House and Senate," she said. Other provisions of the failed immigration bill have champions who now see an opening for separate legislation.
Taking separate action
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said the shortage in farm labor is a crisis that means her "ag jobs" proposal for more foreign workers "should be moved before any other immigration-related legislation."
She said she will work with Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, a co-sponsor, and industry and farmworker groups to push soon for that bill.
Lofgren said "there's a compelling case for the Dream Act," another part of the comprehensive bill that would allow some children of illegal immigrants to achieve legal status and make it easier to enter college or the military.
Several South Bay students last week launched a fast to show their support for the Dream Act, and they demonstrated Tuesday in front of Lofgren's San Jose office.
Immigration hard-liners who oppose any legalization process for undocumented workers said the failure of the Senate bill shows the need to improve border security and workplace enforcement.
Rep. Brian Bilbray, a San Diego Republican who chairs the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said a congressional consensus exists to pursue those goals this year.
Workforce in jeopardy
Meanwhile, thousands of highly skilled visa-holders who filed paperwork last month for green cards had a more immediate problem this week. Because of a dispute between the State Department and Immigration Services, and a huge backlog of applications, they were told no more green cards are available this year.
Large employers, including some in the tech sector, were told this year by the Bush administration to help pass the overall bill to secure some of their key goals. Those include almost doubling the number of H-1B visas to 115,000 a year, exempting 40,000 people with higher degrees from any restrictions, and speeding up the employer-based green card system for workers already here.
With the demise of the bill and uncertainty over future immigration, some California companies may shift operations to other countries, Lofgren said. Microsoft announced plans Thursday to open a software development center in Vancouver, British Columbia, which would "allow the company to recruit and retain highly skilled people affected by the immigration issues in the U.S."
In 2006, Microsoft secured 3,117 H-1B visas for its workers - the third-highest total - according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Lou Gellos, a Microsoft spokesman, said immigration uncertainty was "an issue, but not the defining reason" for opening the Canada center.
Criticism has also mounted over abuses and fraud in the H-1B visa system.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., citing government surveys, said that "job shops" and other brokers were misusing the system to bypass U.S. workers, bring in foreign workers for substandard wages, and outsource some jobs.
"Our immigration policy should seek to complement our U.S. workforce, not replace it," Durbin said last month during the Senate debate.
System left in limbo
After behind-the-scenes negotiations, tech companies acceded to some of the proposals from Durbin and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to improve oversight and enforcement of the H-1B program by the Department of Labor. All companies would have to pledge to seek U.S. workers first for openings, and if an employer's visa-holders who are paid entry-level wages exceeded 30 percent of its workforce, a Labor Department audit would be automatic.
That agreement is now in limbo. If a serious push for an increase in visas makes progress, Durbin would want to include his proposals, an aide said.
Hoffman said tech representatives would agree to more enforcement "that is not punitive."
Lofgren, who represents tech executives and workers, said she could support "reforms and changes" in the visa system.
"It needs a good review - I've never thought that just increasing the numbers was in the cards," she said.
Contact Frank Davies at fdavies@mercurynews.com or (202) 662-8921.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6331029?nclick_check=1
(apologies for posting this here. I couldnt find the link to News Article Thread - 3. Moderators please move this to the right thread)
IMMIGRATION REFORM'S COLLAPSE GETS FIRMS LOOKING ABROAD
By Frank Davies
MediaNews Washington Bureau
Article Launched: 07/09/2007 01:29:41 AM PDT
WASHINGTON - Reeling from the collapse of a massive immigration bill, major tech firms plan to press for more visas and green cards for foreign workers - one element of the failed legislation - but admit they face political resistance and an uncertain future.
"We face a serious problem this year, Congress knows that, and we just have to keep pushing," said Robert Hoffman, an Oracle lobbyist. He said restrictive caps on H-1B and L visas for skilled workers and the long waiting time for green cards for some were limiting companies' growth and sending some jobs overseas.
But Ralph Hellmann, who lobbied on the Senate bill for the Information Technology Industry trade group, sounded an upbeat note. He said a separate measure increasing visas and green cards "is probably a better product now that we don't have to ride on a compre hensive bill."
Hoffman, who co-chairs Compete America, a coalition of businesses seeking immigration reform, said he hopes to meet with key congressional leaders on the issue, including Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., sponsor of the failed Senate bill, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the San Jose Democrat who chairs the immigration subcommittee in the House.
"We'll have to see what's in the realm of the doable, whether it's long-term or a stop-gap," Hoffman said.
Lofgren sounded a note of caution Friday, saying progress on any component of the comprehensive bill may be difficult.
"We're in an assessment phase right now, and I don't know what can proceed - that's up to a very diverse group of people in the House and Senate," she said. Other provisions of the failed immigration bill have champions who now see an opening for separate legislation.
Taking separate action
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said the shortage in farm labor is a crisis that means her "ag jobs" proposal for more foreign workers "should be moved before any other immigration-related legislation."
She said she will work with Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, a co-sponsor, and industry and farmworker groups to push soon for that bill.
Lofgren said "there's a compelling case for the Dream Act," another part of the comprehensive bill that would allow some children of illegal immigrants to achieve legal status and make it easier to enter college or the military.
Several South Bay students last week launched a fast to show their support for the Dream Act, and they demonstrated Tuesday in front of Lofgren's San Jose office.
Immigration hard-liners who oppose any legalization process for undocumented workers said the failure of the Senate bill shows the need to improve border security and workplace enforcement.
Rep. Brian Bilbray, a San Diego Republican who chairs the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said a congressional consensus exists to pursue those goals this year.
Workforce in jeopardy
Meanwhile, thousands of highly skilled visa-holders who filed paperwork last month for green cards had a more immediate problem this week. Because of a dispute between the State Department and Immigration Services, and a huge backlog of applications, they were told no more green cards are available this year.
Large employers, including some in the tech sector, were told this year by the Bush administration to help pass the overall bill to secure some of their key goals. Those include almost doubling the number of H-1B visas to 115,000 a year, exempting 40,000 people with higher degrees from any restrictions, and speeding up the employer-based green card system for workers already here.
With the demise of the bill and uncertainty over future immigration, some California companies may shift operations to other countries, Lofgren said. Microsoft announced plans Thursday to open a software development center in Vancouver, British Columbia, which would "allow the company to recruit and retain highly skilled people affected by the immigration issues in the U.S."
In 2006, Microsoft secured 3,117 H-1B visas for its workers - the third-highest total - according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Lou Gellos, a Microsoft spokesman, said immigration uncertainty was "an issue, but not the defining reason" for opening the Canada center.
Criticism has also mounted over abuses and fraud in the H-1B visa system.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., citing government surveys, said that "job shops" and other brokers were misusing the system to bypass U.S. workers, bring in foreign workers for substandard wages, and outsource some jobs.
"Our immigration policy should seek to complement our U.S. workforce, not replace it," Durbin said last month during the Senate debate.
System left in limbo
After behind-the-scenes negotiations, tech companies acceded to some of the proposals from Durbin and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to improve oversight and enforcement of the H-1B program by the Department of Labor. All companies would have to pledge to seek U.S. workers first for openings, and if an employer's visa-holders who are paid entry-level wages exceeded 30 percent of its workforce, a Labor Department audit would be automatic.
That agreement is now in limbo. If a serious push for an increase in visas makes progress, Durbin would want to include his proposals, an aide said.
Hoffman said tech representatives would agree to more enforcement "that is not punitive."
Lofgren, who represents tech executives and workers, said she could support "reforms and changes" in the visa system.
"It needs a good review - I've never thought that just increasing the numbers was in the cards," she said.
Contact Frank Davies at fdavies@mercurynews.com or (202) 662-8921.
hot Plants Vs. Zombies Hints|How
dskhabra
03-27 09:30 AM
We landed in Canada (Rainbow Bridge, Niagara) last week. No questions asked by Canadian immigration regarding stay in US. On the way back (Rainbow Bridge) US IO did not ask anything about 485 or Canada PR.
We filed AOS in July 2007 and have valid H1 visa in the passports. But it all depends on your luck and we had some personal reasons to land in Canada and we took the risk.
We filed AOS in July 2007 and have valid H1 visa in the passports. But it all depends on your luck and we had some personal reasons to land in Canada and we took the risk.
more...
house Plants vs Zombies is a new
sathishkrish
11-21 10:40 AM
Gurus,
I have a unique position. couple of weeks back I was told that have fatal cancer and won't live pass 4-6 months. After recovering from initial shock I am wondering if my wife will be able to continue her american dream or she will have to head home after me.
I have filed 485 with approved 140 back in june, 2007 with PD of March, 2003
Please help.
Mehul
Dear Mehul,
I am really shocked to hear this and I pray god that you fully recover from this ordeal. I am going to call my Attorney to see if he has any options out.
Satish
I have a unique position. couple of weeks back I was told that have fatal cancer and won't live pass 4-6 months. After recovering from initial shock I am wondering if my wife will be able to continue her american dream or she will have to head home after me.
I have filed 485 with approved 140 back in june, 2007 with PD of March, 2003
Please help.
Mehul
Dear Mehul,
I am really shocked to hear this and I pray god that you fully recover from this ordeal. I am going to call my Attorney to see if he has any options out.
Satish
tattoo Plants vs. Zombies
raj2007
04-23 10:09 PM
Tell me what wrong he did for him to apologize and I will apologize to you. When nothing is permanent he worked with them for 1 and half years, he got them 4 employees. Why in the world should he apologize?.
When you say that you will not need your clients you are wrong. when I was searching for projects I got a chance to apply to a job opening in one of my previous client, guess what, the start to my second stint was smooth just because I had a good rapport with my client and they liked my work. I even got one of my team mates in my client place to give me a referral for my higher studies.
"Your ex boss is not a bad guy, he knows you are leaving for better opportunity".He is not only a bad guy, he is evil IF (note the big IF) he is keeping the money which is not his. Their conscience should prick when they feed and give excellent education to their kids with the ill gotten money.
Unfortunately one might need his ex-employer in future (might not always be the case) and that is the irony of it all.
I feel the same..you will always need the ex clients than ex employer.
Why you need the experience letter?
Appointment letter is good enough for green card purposes and as far as reference letter, I always got them from client.
There are 2 issues.
1. Getting back the salary
2. Non compete agreement.
Getting back salary is not a big deal. These type of cases never goes to the court and most o the employers will settle out of court.
regarding Non Compete, I feel you have served enough and there is no valid case.
When you say that you will not need your clients you are wrong. when I was searching for projects I got a chance to apply to a job opening in one of my previous client, guess what, the start to my second stint was smooth just because I had a good rapport with my client and they liked my work. I even got one of my team mates in my client place to give me a referral for my higher studies.
"Your ex boss is not a bad guy, he knows you are leaving for better opportunity".He is not only a bad guy, he is evil IF (note the big IF) he is keeping the money which is not his. Their conscience should prick when they feed and give excellent education to their kids with the ill gotten money.
Unfortunately one might need his ex-employer in future (might not always be the case) and that is the irony of it all.
I feel the same..you will always need the ex clients than ex employer.
Why you need the experience letter?
Appointment letter is good enough for green card purposes and as far as reference letter, I always got them from client.
There are 2 issues.
1. Getting back the salary
2. Non compete agreement.
Getting back salary is not a big deal. These type of cases never goes to the court and most o the employers will settle out of court.
regarding Non Compete, I feel you have served enough and there is no valid case.
more...
pictures Plants vs. Zombies
anilnag
05-02 03:55 PM
in contributions and in any thing else... I started contributing even before lot of people here heard about IV.
Ask a few more to give me red... I will be happy to get more for saying what I said.
Ask a few more to give me red... I will be happy to get more for saying what I said.
dresses Plants vs Zombies :
krishna.ahd
04-20 03:46 PM
I changed my job twice using AC-21 informed USCIS once, I don't see any risk itz a law, as long as you are able to produce paperwork that your current job is similar to previous one you are safe, any decent employer would give you a supporting letter (oh ya exluding blood sucking desi pimps).
I find many guys calcluate too much and let go good opportunities, get real guys no one is behind you if you have job and not done anything wrong,
I really don't care when I get my GC as long as they renew my EAD ( I am on my foruth EAD)
All
I have changed jobs twice keeping more or less same job description but salary wise much more what i used to get.
No need to inform INS. I know most of us little concerned to use AC21 for better job and salary but i never heard of anyone (atleast from my circle ) denied GC for changing job.
I encourage everybody who come across good opportunity to go for it. Keep same job description ( atleast on paper).
I find many guys calcluate too much and let go good opportunities, get real guys no one is behind you if you have job and not done anything wrong,
I really don't care when I get my GC as long as they renew my EAD ( I am on my foruth EAD)
All
I have changed jobs twice keeping more or less same job description but salary wise much more what i used to get.
No need to inform INS. I know most of us little concerned to use AC21 for better job and salary but i never heard of anyone (atleast from my circle ) denied GC for changing job.
I encourage everybody who come across good opportunity to go for it. Keep same job description ( atleast on paper).
more...
makeup Plants vs Zombies
When485
04-21 04:19 PM
I could not control my feelings and shock when I read your post. We talk and cry about the delays and inconveniences but this one...OMG,,its really upsetting.. I immediately prayed for your welfare and peace...somehow I got a flash inside me saying that " you will live beyond 4-6 months and something will work out for you""
Hope you get some positive news soon!
take care
Hope you get some positive news soon!
take care
girlfriend Why play Plants vs Zombies?
gsc999
07-06 07:22 PM
I saw your earlier post from this thread, where you are asking if it is ok to protest without having a permit. It seems you do not have aproper permit yet.
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?p=98957#post98957
It seems you are member of this Chinese website http://www.mitbbs.com/, we welcome you to Immigration voice. We want to support you in this march but we need to have proper permits. Is it ok to reschedule this to 14th July so that we can gather the necessary permits and also inform all our Bay area members?
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?p=98957#post98957
It seems you are member of this Chinese website http://www.mitbbs.com/, we welcome you to Immigration voice. We want to support you in this march but we need to have proper permits. Is it ok to reschedule this to 14th July so that we can gather the necessary permits and also inform all our Bay area members?
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reddymjm
06-07 09:18 AM
reddymjm,
I thought that we have to send our I-485 applications to NSC regardless of which state you are from.
Is that not true? How come your friend sent it to TSC?
Also, what do you mean by "Nebraska had a 6 day lag till Jan 1st"?
Thanks.
It depends on where ur I140 approval came from. What I mean by lag is they receive the application on 1st jun, they are working on assigning the lin # after 6 days. If they were at the same pace they should start working on the new I485 recived on Jun 1st today.
I thought that we have to send our I-485 applications to NSC regardless of which state you are from.
Is that not true? How come your friend sent it to TSC?
Also, what do you mean by "Nebraska had a 6 day lag till Jan 1st"?
Thanks.
It depends on where ur I140 approval came from. What I mean by lag is they receive the application on 1st jun, they are working on assigning the lin # after 6 days. If they were at the same pace they should start working on the new I485 recived on Jun 1st today.
sdudeja
09-18 01:06 PM
:)I applied for my wife's EAD renewal online on 11 august and got the card in mail on 15 sep. I guess this was a good experience.
desi3933
07-09 02:38 PM
.....
Set up a LLC company or sole proprietorship and work with an attorney. Keep the paperwork tight and upto date.
....
Setting up company is just the first step for Self-Employment. The key things is to demonstrate that new job is in same/similar classification and company has offered "bonafide" job, not just job on paper.
BTW, it is not necessary to have LLC. The corporate structure could be S-Corp or C-Corp also.
__________________
Not a legal advice.
Set up a LLC company or sole proprietorship and work with an attorney. Keep the paperwork tight and upto date.
....
Setting up company is just the first step for Self-Employment. The key things is to demonstrate that new job is in same/similar classification and company has offered "bonafide" job, not just job on paper.
BTW, it is not necessary to have LLC. The corporate structure could be S-Corp or C-Corp also.
__________________
Not a legal advice.
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