Vatives galleries

Have to watch this one carefully. Kennedy (one of the co-sponsors of this bill) had thrown EB immigrants under the bus last year while favoring FB and illegals (in CIR). Need to be see the contents of this bill very carefully. Esp this clause from the AILA report:
"Addressing the decades-long backlogs for certain countries by raising the per-country immigration limits from 7 percent to 10 percent of total admission".
The CIR in 2007 had a similar clause, bumping up the country-limit from 7% to 10%, BUT it had another related clause that stopped rollover of visa's in the last quarter.
That would be disastrous for people from India and China as number of visas issued for the whole year will go DOWN!!
The recapture clause sounds promising , provided there is atleast an even split between EB and FB (of EB coming before FB). If they do it the other way around (like they had done in the last recapture for schedule-A nurses) then EB people will see no benefit of the recapture, and will end up losing one more quick-fix option.

Eagerly waiting for the bill text so the dissection and analysis can begin!!

RECAPTURE OF IMMIGRANT VISAS LOST TO BUREAUCRATIC DELAY.

(a) Worldwide Level of Employment-Based Immigrants- Subsection (d) of section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151) is amended to read as follows:

�(d) Worldwide Level of Employment-Based Immigrants-

�(1) IN GENERAL- The worldwide level of employment-based immigrants under this subsection for a fiscal year is equal to the sum of--

�(A) 140,000; plus

�(B) the number computed under paragraph (2); plus

�(C) the number computed under paragraph (3).

�(2) UNUSED VISA NUMBERS FROM PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR- The number computed under this paragraph for a fiscal year is the difference, if any, between--

�(A) the worldwide level of employment-based immigrant visas established for the previous fiscal year; and

�(B) the number of visas actually issued under section 203(b), subject to this subsection, during the previous fiscal year.

�(3) UNUSED VISA NUMBERS FROM FISCAL YEARS 1992 THROUGH 2007- The number computed under this paragraph is the difference, if any, between--

�(A) the difference, if any, between--

�(i) the sum of the worldwide levels of employment-based immigrant visas established for each of fiscal years 1992 through 2007; and

�(ii) the number of visas actually issued under section 203(b), subject to this subsection, during such fiscal years; and

�(B) the number of unused visas from fiscal years 1992 through 2007 that were issued after fiscal year 2007 under section 203(b), subject to this subsection.�.

We have seen that even after the PD being current, there have been many people whose cases have not been approved. We saw last year in July many cases with later priority date and later receipt dates were approved and people with earlier PD and earlier Receipt dates still waiting,

Now with the 180 day rule for FBI name check, things could be expected to be little better, but we have to remember that since most of the cases are paper based, some one has to physically get to cases from a huge storage, sort it manually, distribute it manually and get it adjudicated.

So even if the visa number is current, just beacuse the number of applications are so high that we still cannot say for sure whose cases are going to be approved.

From www.immigration-information.com, it appears, the biggest factor in getting the GC visa number allocated to a case is, having a case ready to be adjudicated and in the hands of an immigration officer at a time, when both processing date and priority dates are current. It appears that even after the huge retrogression, there were not enough demand for AOS based approvals, so they had to PD current to allow CP based cases to use the visas and ensure they are not wasted. I like the fact that visa were at least not wasted, but I would have loved to see applicants who have been waiting for years to have a first opportunity to that visa, specially because they have done everything that any one could do.

I have been pro-fee increase by USCIS, only provided that they will use this money to expedite the processing, make things eletronic, make things more transparent, and to be honest, I feel the overall improvements are happening. Though I still see a lot of scope for futher improvements.

We have clearly seen that labor processing has been improved dramatically with PERM. Now waiting for years to get Labor is almost history. I hope that IV and all its members direct its efforts towards ensuring that we see the improvements in efficiency that we expected to happen with fee increases.

Lets unite together to work for a system which is fair and efficient for everyone. Lets contribute to IV administrative fixes and any other efforts which will ensure a higher efficiency and better utilization of visa numbers for AOS applications.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask all the smart and creative people here to put some effort and find out what real steps could be taken
Like
- Identify what was expected from the fees increases like
=>more information online about the case status.
=> Some tracking on how much backlog is reduced each month
=> come up with a trend of how much time it would take to complete the backlog.
=> Use the statistics, to keep the pressure on the agencies, to improve effencies.
- Verify that those steps (which needed fee increase) have actually taken place
- Maintain Statistics to show how successful Fee Increase was ....
- Ask for multi year EAD/AP
- Ensure, that once a higher fees is paid for EAD/AP, every one should be treated equally(as in all other renewals should be free)

Keep coming up with what all needs to be done. How we could track it. How could we maintain statistics which would put the needed pressure on agencies which need to improve....

Again I would encourage to come with ideas which will unite the legal immigrants togther and be fair to every one instead of ideas that will divide us and help one group at the cost of other.

We all deserve to get cases processed in a reasonable time. SO lets put ideas together....................

How can I get the clause removed from my SS card?
You can apply for a replacement SS card with that clause removed (point #7 has the link for this procedure) only after you get the green card.

Lol... looks like then you have to marry an american gori/gora or ABCD. :D Hopefully you will find a partner in india and get married before 485 gets approved
Oh yeah .. but that is provided I can file my 485 by that time. Given my PD was just May 06, I had NO preparation for 485 filing, wonder how much time gathering up all the required docs takes for this filing :)

@ ndialani - Got your pvt. message. I will email you the letter to USCIS sec. Napolatino and the name of the IO at TSC.

It's good to see that a lot of people who are not even current are proactively working on their cases and getting everything ready.

Good luck!

Hi Caliguy,

congrats for getting greened...i saw you efforts and you deserve it...i am impressed and motivated with your efforst..can you share me the latter format which you had wrote to Napolatino..i would appreciate your help...thank you.

Raju & all others

My apologies !!!

Here is the link

http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10708

Could you please add your message there.


I cannot find this thread and the link does not work. I pledge $200

We need more

Great stuff folks..

I convinced more people from my office to send a message on change.gov. Even US citizens who respect your work could send a message to the transition team saying that they are for the legal and highly skilled immigrants...

Getting recommendations from your bosses, managers and co-workers may also be helpful. Its very unusual for the USCIS/Immigration dept people to hear good things about the immigrants from US Citizens.

These days lots of people are talking about the transition at work and they know about change.gov website. If you know good friends who can write for you then that could be of great help.

I have a feeling that some good news is coming up in the pipeline. Was reading about Janet Naplolitano and Silos in today's NY times editorial.

Lets give it a best shot here guys..:)

Positive or negative we need to know what is going on out there, this visa deal has made me a geek (no offence), I watch CSPAN when Monday night football is on.

:rolleyes:

Does voting "Aye" mean yes? And the silent means "Pass"?

correct.

aye = yes

some weren't present, some specifically said 'pass'

Why ??

Because visa availability date was Current during July 2007 for EB2 and EB3 and it never got advanced beyond that.

So anyone who got their labor applied (PD) after July 2007 didnt get chance yet.

There will certainly be folks with EB1 though.

Could members who had this insurance post their experience?
?

I think your question should be "Could members who had to use this insurance for ER visits post their experience?"

It�s good until you file a claim, but you should look for what happens after that.

Just curious. Why do you claim ROW is receiving preferential treatment over India when all the countries get the same upper limit of the visas. Now if the Indians ask for more visas just because there are more Indians asking for green cards, wouldn't that be preferential treatment? :)



Quota system treats everybody anything but "equal". And this is not just the question of equality, because I am sure you agree that we are equals. It is the question of PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT. You are in the category getting preferential treatment, so you oppose any change, you "create" arguements that you were "promised" a system when you came, and thus any change to the system, before you get your green card would be WRONG and UNFAIR. So you should continue to get that PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT. And PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT to you is NOT WRONG AND UNFAIR. Right?

BTW, hope you liked the You tube video, Frank is really good. I do not want you to go, so that's why I posted the video. Hope it helped you to stick around. Now don't say you have the right to watch it 5 times and I can watch it only once because I am from India and you are ROW :D

Cheers,

Attended Interview on Dec 12,
Visa Stamped on Dec 17
Got the passport on Dec 20th.


I am still waiting for my wife's PP (interview on DEC 19th). My friend went on DEC 26th and got his on the same day....

What about you guys who are waiting for thier PPs?

Lately the members of IV have come to know that Aman Kapoor, the co-founder of IV has sold his house and spent around $64000/- towards the administrative costs of IV. This too was brought to our attention from a regular member like you and me, without which this would not have come to our knowledge at all.

So some of the members have taken an initiative to reimburse Aman and other core IV team members with the expenses they have incurred so far towards the administrative costs of IV. Note that the time they have spent and the sufferings cannot be compensated. Let us do the least by atleast compensating the money. Please do not donate directly to IV funds.

There is a funding drive in this other thread towards reimbursing the administrative costs of IV.

http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/sh...ad.php?t=10708

Could you please pledge an amount ?


People, since Aman and lets not forget other core members also who I am sure have racked up a lot of out of pocket cost we as a community should gather funds for administrative cost also. GC is not just Aman's/ pappu/logiclife and others core member's dream...its OUR dream, and its not fair that in spite of knowing the time and money spent by the core members we donot share the burden.
So here is what I am thinking, there are 21000+ members of which I think 10,000 can be considered the real people (I am sure there are more..but a real conservative estimate) if we all pitch in $10 for administrative cost I think it would not put any dent in our pockets and this collective effort would not create a financial burden on any of the core members.

Even though IV is not for profit, there is no rule which says that you cannot have funds for administrative cost. In fact one rule of thumb to give to any NOP charitable organization like united way etc is to look at their admin cost. Why not IV have that.
Any thoughts!

Lets not make this a core team fight only...people are jumping in the boat and asking all and any question they can..and when it comes to giving money they will say that..oh I cant no money...I am not a rich guy my self but managed to give $200 and now signed up for $50 yesterday...looking at what a lot of people are doing I think I might have to go to $100.

I realize that there is no point in telling you guys anything. When you don't have an open mind, you can not accept the facts. It's like banging your heads against steel wall. When you are not even ready to diagnose the disease, there is little hope you will be able to cure it. Denial is a beautiful thing.

So I apologize for my comments.

Here is something you will love:
Congratulations IV and the core team! Keep up the good work.


Please dont bang your head on the wall.The wall will break.Please dont apologize.If you really mean it can you please start actively participating in activities which will help everybody.I dont mean that you have to be with IV forum.I know that you are disillusioned with the IV forum.You can take some responsibility and start educating the law makers and people who are in your area.You can do this on your individual capacity you need not represent any forum.This will benefit everybody including ,you ,me and lot of other people who are undergoing this pain.

We have to all work together to achieve our goals whether you are in IV forum or not.

I am getting married in Jan 2008. can i go ahead and apply now? How to include the wife? will that be a problem.

Dear Friends,

Got Green cards and Welcome notices for me and my wife .
Surprisingly no uscis e-mail and online status is still "initial review"

Our journey in short :

How long in US : 10+ years

First Labor in 2002 . Changed job in three years before approval of labor
Second Labor in 2004 . Approved in 2007
Filed I140 and 485 - in July 2007

Since then I was enjoying EAD / AP with no complain .

I donate to IV now and then , but for some reason only once (for few days) got access to IV-Donor Forum . But always had a faith that IV is doing good work .
From non-donor IV forums and other forums I noticed that USCIS are transferring leftover Visas to other EB categories . I waited to see some thing coming to EB3 but ......nothing came .
My Lawyer told me that I can port to EB2 and it is a normal a process.

1. New Perm
a. Filed in Feb and approved in 10 days ( Prep work takes 3 to 4 months before filing )
b. Requirement : 4 years Engineering + 5 years minimum experience

2. EB2 I140 (TSC)
a. Filed in March - Premium Processing
b. My Lawyer sent interfiling letter along with I140 filing
c. Approved in 7 days (A# and Priority Date retained)
d. Same week got Green Cards and Welcome Notices:) - Super-fast Approval
e. No email and no updates on USCIS website

Not sure about the USCIS and Lawyer fees . My company paid for every thing.
Hope every one get the desired freedom asap and don't have to wait like me for 10+ years

Wish you all the best ......to everyone who is waiting for GC.


Thanks,
Jimytomy

Congratulations, your hard work and patience have paid off!

Done

anjs

I guess formal or semi-formal wear should be good enough in the heat.


I'm more of the opinion that White shirts and Denims should be fine. Suit in bay area makes no sense. We are all after all geeky engineers after all.. like some one said!

A

Thanks ... Yes I guess so...

Good luck - Guess u r through