chaukas
06-14 06:46 PM
Isn't the Alien Number the A# on the I-140 ?
Gator
04-28 09:04 PM
Hi-
My H1-B expires in August 2011. My I-94 was stamped only until May 20, 2011 because my passport was expiring early. Now I have a new passport.
In March 2011, I also applied for a renewal of my Advance Parole(AP) and EAD and they are still pending approval.
I am planning on travelling to Canada next week by road(through Detroit) to get my I-94 renewed. So If I travel to Canada, will my AP application be considered abandoned?
Also, can I just cross into Canada by road, wait for a couple of hours and come back into the US to get a new I-94. I know usually you don't surrender your I-94 when visiting Canada for less of 30 days.
I am hoping I would be able tell the Canadian/US immigration officer that I need a new I-94 and hopefully surrender my older I-94 and get a new one when coming back in. Please let me know if thats not possible and I need to fly to Canada to get a new I-94.
Thanks
My H1-B expires in August 2011. My I-94 was stamped only until May 20, 2011 because my passport was expiring early. Now I have a new passport.
In March 2011, I also applied for a renewal of my Advance Parole(AP) and EAD and they are still pending approval.
I am planning on travelling to Canada next week by road(through Detroit) to get my I-94 renewed. So If I travel to Canada, will my AP application be considered abandoned?
Also, can I just cross into Canada by road, wait for a couple of hours and come back into the US to get a new I-94. I know usually you don't surrender your I-94 when visiting Canada for less of 30 days.
I am hoping I would be able tell the Canadian/US immigration officer that I need a new I-94 and hopefully surrender my older I-94 and get a new one when coming back in. Please let me know if thats not possible and I need to fly to Canada to get a new I-94.
Thanks
kprgroup
02-01 11:33 AM
Update on H1B Extension
Applied back in August and got RFE last month. Replied RFE with copy of 485 receipt and copy MTR approval and got 3 years extension until 2013.
Thanks Ann
KPR
Applied back in August and got RFE last month. Replied RFE with copy of 485 receipt and copy MTR approval and got 3 years extension until 2013.
Thanks Ann
KPR
GetGC08
05-10 04:45 PM
Hi All,
I came to US on H1B visa in Feb 2005. Initially for two & half months(2.5) I was on bench, than I got project for 6 months. After that project again I was on bench for two & half moths(2.5). Means totally I was on bench for 5 months, so for that period I don't have paystubs with me. I have W2 & paystubs for those 6 months(when I was on the project) as I paid tax for those 6 months.
After that I never be on the bench till date, means I am constantly on the project from Jan 2006 to till date.
My labor got approved & I-140 is in process. Now in future if I get RFE on this issue than how should I give response in that matter?:confused:
I am asking this because I want to be prepare if any RFE come regarding this issue.
I will really appreciate any kind of response/guidance in this matter.
I really need solution for this problem.
Thanks in advance.
I came to US on H1B visa in Feb 2005. Initially for two & half months(2.5) I was on bench, than I got project for 6 months. After that project again I was on bench for two & half moths(2.5). Means totally I was on bench for 5 months, so for that period I don't have paystubs with me. I have W2 & paystubs for those 6 months(when I was on the project) as I paid tax for those 6 months.
After that I never be on the bench till date, means I am constantly on the project from Jan 2006 to till date.
My labor got approved & I-140 is in process. Now in future if I get RFE on this issue than how should I give response in that matter?:confused:
I am asking this because I want to be prepare if any RFE come regarding this issue.
I will really appreciate any kind of response/guidance in this matter.
I really need solution for this problem.
Thanks in advance.
more...
sin94
11-11 06:34 PM
Today my I140 case was updated online (I still have not received the RFE for the mulitple calls made or letters dispatched to the USCIS)
Application Type: I140, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR ALIEN WORKER
Current Status: Document mailed to applicant.
On November 10, 2008 we mailed the document to the address we have on file. You should receive the new document within 30 days. If you do not, or if you move before you get it, call customer service.
I rechecked all offices address(old and new) no at the locations have received any news
Application Type: I140, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR ALIEN WORKER
Current Status: Document mailed to applicant.
On November 10, 2008 we mailed the document to the address we have on file. You should receive the new document within 30 days. If you do not, or if you move before you get it, call customer service.
I rechecked all offices address(old and new) no at the locations have received any news
vinabath
07-02 03:18 PM
USCIS taught me a lesson about life.
Never go by rules. Find shortcuts.
Never go by rules. Find shortcuts.
more...
dan19
09-06 01:20 PM
It seems you can start working as soon as the application is sent out. This was the advice given to my firend by his attorney.
He consulted some other lawyers. They say that it is safe to get the receipt number before starting to work.
So to be on the most safe side, wait until you get the receipt number.
But many people do start soon after sending the transfer petition...I know people who have done that. My friend is also not going to wait for the receipt as he has to join immediately.
I am in the process of changing job. The new employer is saying that I can start working with them from the very next day, after they file H1B transfer application. ie I don't have to wait for the receipt. Is this true? They are asking me to give 2 weeks notice immediately so that by the time they file H1B, 2 weeks will get over, and I can start there immediately.
Please reply its kind of urgent for me.
Thanks.
He consulted some other lawyers. They say that it is safe to get the receipt number before starting to work.
So to be on the most safe side, wait until you get the receipt number.
But many people do start soon after sending the transfer petition...I know people who have done that. My friend is also not going to wait for the receipt as he has to join immediately.
I am in the process of changing job. The new employer is saying that I can start working with them from the very next day, after they file H1B transfer application. ie I don't have to wait for the receipt. Is this true? They are asking me to give 2 weeks notice immediately so that by the time they file H1B, 2 weeks will get over, and I can start there immediately.
Please reply its kind of urgent for me.
Thanks.
whereismy_gc
06-06 12:02 AM
Good job Pratik. we should grab every opportunity we get to voice our opinion even though this TV interview was mostly on H1B visa cap and increasing the cap. Only 10 seconds or so were given to the lengthy green card process. Increasing H1B quota is not a solution for us. It would infact increase our wait times and backlog of applications. it is in the interest of Hi-tech companies to have the h1b visa quota increased so that they can get more skilled workers. However they know that once they have an H1B worker, they will have that worker for many years due to retrogression. Thus retrogression is not a BIG news story. We need to highlight the greencard quota issue and not confuse it with the H1B quota issue. I feel these are 2 different things. After watching the SJC and Senate proceedings I feel Retrogression and greencard quota issue needs more awareness and education amongst lawmakers so that it is not confused with H1B visa quota.
I think the whole point of increasing the H1-B quota and at the same time not easing the GC processing leads me to think that US high-tech companies are looking to employ Hi-Tech slaves just as they did when the U.S economy was largely dependent on farming industry, during the 19th century.
It's in their blood, and no one can get that out.
Get that point!!!
I think we need to get out on the streets!!!!
I think the whole point of increasing the H1-B quota and at the same time not easing the GC processing leads me to think that US high-tech companies are looking to employ Hi-Tech slaves just as they did when the U.S economy was largely dependent on farming industry, during the 19th century.
It's in their blood, and no one can get that out.
Get that point!!!
I think we need to get out on the streets!!!!
more...
laborinbacklog
09-21 11:20 AM
I think it is a good idea but it is the job requirement and not the persons experience that defines the EB category.
chaki
02-13 12:23 AM
Thanks for your responses. Can you answer one more question ?
If my current Eb3 labor and its associated I-140 is cleared can I accept the promotion and refile under Eb2 retaining my priority date.
Chaki
If my current Eb3 labor and its associated I-140 is cleared can I accept the promotion and refile under Eb2 retaining my priority date.
Chaki
more...
va_labor2002
06-17 12:53 PM
Once the Core team drafts a letter we can send that....
Any comments from Core Team Members ? Is it possible to send ? Who is going to draft a letter ?
Any comments from Core Team Members ? Is it possible to send ? Who is going to draft a letter ?
nogc_noproblem
07-19 04:01 AM
I am in the same situation like you, thanks for the details.
Just wanted to share our 7th year H-1B extension stamping in Chennai on July 15th. Since my I-140 was approved, the I-797 petition was approved for 3 years. My family (wife and daughter) attended the interview along with me. The procedure for H-1B extension/renewal is much easier in Chennai compared to first time stampers. There is a separate counter for renewals and the interview procedure is quite simple. After the initial screening of documents, we went to a separate renewal counter which did not have any queue.
The VO just asked some questions about my nature of the job and how long I have been with my company. FYI, my company is a major reputed IT Foreign MNC. My family was not asked any questions. We did not have any PIMS delays and I got the passport couriered the very next day itself. The petition was approved a month before the stamping. Overall it is a much streamlined process for H-1B visa extensions/renewals.
Thanks MP70
Just wanted to share our 7th year H-1B extension stamping in Chennai on July 15th. Since my I-140 was approved, the I-797 petition was approved for 3 years. My family (wife and daughter) attended the interview along with me. The procedure for H-1B extension/renewal is much easier in Chennai compared to first time stampers. There is a separate counter for renewals and the interview procedure is quite simple. After the initial screening of documents, we went to a separate renewal counter which did not have any queue.
The VO just asked some questions about my nature of the job and how long I have been with my company. FYI, my company is a major reputed IT Foreign MNC. My family was not asked any questions. We did not have any PIMS delays and I got the passport couriered the very next day itself. The petition was approved a month before the stamping. Overall it is a much streamlined process for H-1B visa extensions/renewals.
Thanks MP70
more...
rockstart
03-24 09:58 AM
Its the simplest RFE you can get all you need to do is submit EVL ASAP. Dont worry for your spouse's application they are not going to approve the application till the dates get current. So you can add her at that time. The guess is they are pre-adjucating your application so that when visa# are available it will be smooth approval so cheer up.
beautifulMind
05-03 07:10 AM
beautifulMind - does your new I-140 have old priority date from EB3?
I think you should not have any issues filing for EAD, all you need are your pending I-485's receipt notice. good luck!
Don't tell the world that you r a linebreaker
My line was broken twice before by fate. I have been here for 11 years now have a masters and worked for the same company from 8 years. lawyer screwed up filing in eb3 first when it should have always been eb2 so we refiled again....and once before I lost priority date for another reason. Anyways i am happy to be in EB2 with a priority date for Jan 2007
I think you should not have any issues filing for EAD, all you need are your pending I-485's receipt notice. good luck!
Don't tell the world that you r a linebreaker
My line was broken twice before by fate. I have been here for 11 years now have a masters and worked for the same company from 8 years. lawyer screwed up filing in eb3 first when it should have always been eb2 so we refiled again....and once before I lost priority date for another reason. Anyways i am happy to be in EB2 with a priority date for Jan 2007
more...
x1050us
05-15 08:06 PM
I got my GC last year auguest but her gc/485 status is stil pending. Is it even possible based on her case was dependent on me? What can I do abt it. Thanks.
Did you submit the 485s together or separately.
Did you submit the 485s together or separately.
dupedinjuly
07-17 06:00 PM
Thats right. We have won a battle. We need to win the war. The visa numbers need to be recaptured for all the july I-485 to be finally adjudicated.
We need to celebrate but focus our energies on recapturing visa numbers going forward.
Guys -
Senator Cornyn is proposing an amendment to the DOD bill SA 2143. I am not able to read the text of this in Senate.org. We may have to start our campaign again for a permanent fix soon.
NumbersUSA is reporting this in their website. Please we need to mobilize soon.
We need to celebrate but focus our energies on recapturing visa numbers going forward.
Guys -
Senator Cornyn is proposing an amendment to the DOD bill SA 2143. I am not able to read the text of this in Senate.org. We may have to start our campaign again for a permanent fix soon.
NumbersUSA is reporting this in their website. Please we need to mobilize soon.
more...
harivenkat
05-06 09:33 PM
Senator Bob Menendez (New Jersey)'s no. is (202) 224-4744
I called him yesterday... his staff is very friendly they take your name and message and pass it on to him,,, today Senator Menendez has chided Obama
Immigration overhaul: Sen. Menendez chides Obama; Sen. Schumer appeals to Arizona governor - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-immigration-20100507,0,1561517.story)
Senator chides Obama as pressure rises on immigration
A Democratic leader says the president must treat the overhaul with more urgency. Schumer writes to the Arizona governor, hoping to delay a controversial state law.
By Peter Nicholas, Tribune Washington Bureau
A key Senate Democratic leader said President Obama must treat the immigration crisis with far more urgency, as pressure over the issue intensified across the country Thursday.
Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, an Obama ally and one of a handful of Democratic senators shaping an immigration proposal presented last week, faulted the president for suggesting on Wednesday that an immigration bill won't be finished until 2011 at the earliest.
"Telling people we're not going to get a legislative solution this year, or to suggest maybe that it's not possible this year, is not in the best interests of the nation," Menendez said in an interview in the Capitol.
At the same time, legislators and activists took steps Thursday to head off policies that they contend unfairly target illegal immigrants. Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) asked Arizona's governor in a letter to delay enactment of a tough new law that criminalizes the failure to carry immigration papers. Schumer also asked for a meeting with the governor, Republican Jan Brewer.
And one Latino advocacy group, unhappy with what it sees as Obama's aggressive deportation practices, said it would attempt to end-run the president. The group said it would send a Mother's Day letter to First Lady Michelle Obama, telling her that deporting people is destructive to families.
The developments reflected mounting frustration over the immigration question. Speaking at a Cinco de Mayo reception in the Rose Garden on Wednesday, Obama promised to "begin work" on an immigration bill this year, but set no deadline for completion.
His press secretary, Robert Gibbs, sounded a more pessimistic note at a briefing Thursday. Asked why the White House doesn't push ahead with an immigration bill as it has with other legislation that lacked a bipartisan consensus, Gibbs said: "Well, because there's not enough support to move forward."
Even if prospects for an immigration overhaul are dwindling, the White House shouldn't give up, proponents insisted. Menendez said he had asked the White House to host a major summit devoted to the issue, modeled after the healthcare summit in February. Invitations would go to House and Senate lawmakers from both parties, with a block of time set aside for hashing out differences.
A White House official who was asked about that idea Thursday said: "We are continuing to examine all of the options for moving forward with a bipartisan conversation."
Always a divisive issue, illegal immigration is generating renewed bitterness on the right and left of the political spectrum. Part of the upheaval springs from the Arizona law. But advocates for Latino interests are also resentful of the Obama administration's enforcement policies.
A memo by the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed that the agency wants to deport 400,000 people a year � more than double the number in 2005.
Menendez called on the president to order a less punitive approach. Deporting people when "counting is taking place" during the decennial census is "reason alone" for suspending the practice, he said.
In the hope that Michelle Obama might prove a softer touch, the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities said it would send a letter to the first lady inviting her to intervene.
Michelle Obama has taken a largely apolitical posture since her husband became president. Choosing sides on such a fraught issue would be out of character, but the alliance is appealing to her "as a mother."
"Deportations have reached record levels under President Obama's administration. For each person deported, there are young children left behind who are denied the right to be cared for by their parents," the letter to Michelle Obama reads.
With Arizona's law scheduled to go into effect in July, Schumer hopes to derail it by convincing Brewer that a better solution is on the horizon.
He asked her to wait one year while Congress puts in place an immigration system that would provide tough border security, a foolproof identification system so that undocumented workers can't get jobs, and a path to legal status for the 11 million people living in the United States illegally.
Delaying the Arizona law would require state legislative action. Arizona officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Conceding that Republican support is lacking in the U.S. Senate, Schumer also asked Brewer to help round up GOP votes, including those of Arizona's two senators, John McCain and Jon Kyl. So far, no Republican lawmaker has agreed to support the effort.
Schumer wrote that a comprehensive immigration bill is the best remedy.
"I simply do not believe the remedy Arizona has enacted will succeed in resolving the problem it is designed to address," he wrote.
I called him yesterday... his staff is very friendly they take your name and message and pass it on to him,,, today Senator Menendez has chided Obama
Immigration overhaul: Sen. Menendez chides Obama; Sen. Schumer appeals to Arizona governor - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-immigration-20100507,0,1561517.story)
Senator chides Obama as pressure rises on immigration
A Democratic leader says the president must treat the overhaul with more urgency. Schumer writes to the Arizona governor, hoping to delay a controversial state law.
By Peter Nicholas, Tribune Washington Bureau
A key Senate Democratic leader said President Obama must treat the immigration crisis with far more urgency, as pressure over the issue intensified across the country Thursday.
Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, an Obama ally and one of a handful of Democratic senators shaping an immigration proposal presented last week, faulted the president for suggesting on Wednesday that an immigration bill won't be finished until 2011 at the earliest.
"Telling people we're not going to get a legislative solution this year, or to suggest maybe that it's not possible this year, is not in the best interests of the nation," Menendez said in an interview in the Capitol.
At the same time, legislators and activists took steps Thursday to head off policies that they contend unfairly target illegal immigrants. Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) asked Arizona's governor in a letter to delay enactment of a tough new law that criminalizes the failure to carry immigration papers. Schumer also asked for a meeting with the governor, Republican Jan Brewer.
And one Latino advocacy group, unhappy with what it sees as Obama's aggressive deportation practices, said it would attempt to end-run the president. The group said it would send a Mother's Day letter to First Lady Michelle Obama, telling her that deporting people is destructive to families.
The developments reflected mounting frustration over the immigration question. Speaking at a Cinco de Mayo reception in the Rose Garden on Wednesday, Obama promised to "begin work" on an immigration bill this year, but set no deadline for completion.
His press secretary, Robert Gibbs, sounded a more pessimistic note at a briefing Thursday. Asked why the White House doesn't push ahead with an immigration bill as it has with other legislation that lacked a bipartisan consensus, Gibbs said: "Well, because there's not enough support to move forward."
Even if prospects for an immigration overhaul are dwindling, the White House shouldn't give up, proponents insisted. Menendez said he had asked the White House to host a major summit devoted to the issue, modeled after the healthcare summit in February. Invitations would go to House and Senate lawmakers from both parties, with a block of time set aside for hashing out differences.
A White House official who was asked about that idea Thursday said: "We are continuing to examine all of the options for moving forward with a bipartisan conversation."
Always a divisive issue, illegal immigration is generating renewed bitterness on the right and left of the political spectrum. Part of the upheaval springs from the Arizona law. But advocates for Latino interests are also resentful of the Obama administration's enforcement policies.
A memo by the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed that the agency wants to deport 400,000 people a year � more than double the number in 2005.
Menendez called on the president to order a less punitive approach. Deporting people when "counting is taking place" during the decennial census is "reason alone" for suspending the practice, he said.
In the hope that Michelle Obama might prove a softer touch, the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities said it would send a letter to the first lady inviting her to intervene.
Michelle Obama has taken a largely apolitical posture since her husband became president. Choosing sides on such a fraught issue would be out of character, but the alliance is appealing to her "as a mother."
"Deportations have reached record levels under President Obama's administration. For each person deported, there are young children left behind who are denied the right to be cared for by their parents," the letter to Michelle Obama reads.
With Arizona's law scheduled to go into effect in July, Schumer hopes to derail it by convincing Brewer that a better solution is on the horizon.
He asked her to wait one year while Congress puts in place an immigration system that would provide tough border security, a foolproof identification system so that undocumented workers can't get jobs, and a path to legal status for the 11 million people living in the United States illegally.
Delaying the Arizona law would require state legislative action. Arizona officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Conceding that Republican support is lacking in the U.S. Senate, Schumer also asked Brewer to help round up GOP votes, including those of Arizona's two senators, John McCain and Jon Kyl. So far, no Republican lawmaker has agreed to support the effort.
Schumer wrote that a comprehensive immigration bill is the best remedy.
"I simply do not believe the remedy Arizona has enacted will succeed in resolving the problem it is designed to address," he wrote.
Green Card Aspirant
03-24 07:23 PM
I too fall in the same boat. I see one of them responding for this post that we can apply for premium processing. If we apply for premium processing before 6 months , does it raise any questions at USCIS ... why this guy is applying for premium processing ?? Are we eligible to apply H1 B Extension with premium processing before 6 months of H1 B Expiry ??
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
ChangingJobs
06-30 09:22 PM
Changingjobs:
You can begin working for company B on your H as soon as company B files an H petition for you, since the H1B is portable. You can also begin working on your EAD for company B, although that will result in you no longer being in H1B status.
Any employment with company B is a violation of your H1B with company A. If the petition from company B is denied, you will no longer be in H1B status.
You could then go back to work for company A on the EAD. If you wanted to work for company A on the H1B you would have to leave the US and reenter on an H1B visa.
I am assuming your EAD is from an I-140/I-485 filed by employer A. You will want to make sure that your I-140 is portable under AC21, otherwise company A could pull your I-140 causing your I-485 and EAD to be denied.
Thanks a lot for the clear answer. This is very useful.
You can begin working for company B on your H as soon as company B files an H petition for you, since the H1B is portable. You can also begin working on your EAD for company B, although that will result in you no longer being in H1B status.
Any employment with company B is a violation of your H1B with company A. If the petition from company B is denied, you will no longer be in H1B status.
You could then go back to work for company A on the EAD. If you wanted to work for company A on the H1B you would have to leave the US and reenter on an H1B visa.
I am assuming your EAD is from an I-140/I-485 filed by employer A. You will want to make sure that your I-140 is portable under AC21, otherwise company A could pull your I-140 causing your I-485 and EAD to be denied.
Thanks a lot for the clear answer. This is very useful.
satishtr
04-23 09:29 AM
Passage of Immigration reform in the senate was not at all a problem, they have passed it more then once before. It is the house that rejected all of them. No wonder pelosi dosn't want any of it :), but again she is a strong women who passed health care reform... There is more probablity of this thing going through if the house passed the resolution first, just like the other legislation.
pappu
06-06 09:10 AM
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=4&id=13&Itemid=36
You can find some points here in the documents on the URL mentioned above. This thread brings a good point. There are several issues that impact society, economy, family and relationships due to delays and problems in the GC process. Nobody has a compresensive study on that. Its a real anthropological/sociology and somewhat economics subject for anyone in universities doing a research. Such student can use us in this group to study. We should also try to have a document highlighting these issues so that US media can look at this problem from a different perspective.
some points
- lives are on hold
- property purchases cannot be planned
- cannot plan future investments and plan for settling in life.
- H1B is a temporary job and loss of job means leaving the country in 15 days. thus it impacts the lifestyle and family life. it has economic and psycological implications
- spouse cannot even have driving license since they cannot have a social security card. social security card is given only upon getting work permit. and h4 visa means spose cannot work. lack of driving license is a huge factor in creating restlessness and anxiety and leads to several hardships for a family. Driving is a need in this country and lack of of by spouses affects the homemakers and management of the house and needs.
- H1Bs on extensions (1 year) and people with 1 year EADs have difficulty getting driving license renewed in some states. not being able to drive to work is a big problem in itself and has economic and physical hardship implications.
- long wait for green card weighs in heavy on immigrant families and they cannot enjoy the same freedom that citizens or permanent residents enjoy. This restriction hampers the growth and development of children.
- children of H1B holders cannot get any relief in tuition in local colleges even if they are intelligent and qualify all exams with best scores. They cannot get any scolarships.
- employers of h1B tend to exploit employees knowing that the employee will stay until PR application is approved. This creates depression in employees.
- lack of promotions and raises for H1B immigrant causes disparity amongst employees and coworkers change their attitude against the employee. Such lack of respect and seeing juniors becoming seniors over a perid of time, creates emotional stress in immigrant.
- The lengthy, vague and irratic nature of proceessing of cases by USCIS and DOL causes tensions and distress at various stages in the process.
- Skilled EB immigrants only make up 11.5% of legal immigrants. This small number contributes the most to the us economy instead of other catagories.
- Lot of highly educated professional want to start new businesses and ventures. Inability to do that hurts their innovative spirit and competitive edge that usa can befit from. New business will also provide more revenue and jobs for the country.
- Due to the nature of H1B validations and extensions, every time the immigrant travels to the home country there has to be a visa interview. These visa interviews have to be planned months in advance and the trip cannot be short. It has a financial burden and emotional stress for the family. Not being able to visit the homecountry at will creates family tensions and issues. Families and relatives have to stay part and meet after long intervals of time.
- inability to change jobs during the 8 year greencard process hurts the learning and development and career growth of the person. For a high skilled professional in the prime of his work life this is very important. Not being able to change jobs creates frustration and growth becomes stagnant.
- the long wait for the GC forces some immigrant to migrate to other developed countries that have better immigration process or head back to home country to use their skills. Its a loss of intellectual capital for USA. For an immigrant it means uprooting life again from one place and restarting life again elsewhere. It not only has financial implications but a social, cultural and emotional burden on the family.
You can find some points here in the documents on the URL mentioned above. This thread brings a good point. There are several issues that impact society, economy, family and relationships due to delays and problems in the GC process. Nobody has a compresensive study on that. Its a real anthropological/sociology and somewhat economics subject for anyone in universities doing a research. Such student can use us in this group to study. We should also try to have a document highlighting these issues so that US media can look at this problem from a different perspective.
some points
- lives are on hold
- property purchases cannot be planned
- cannot plan future investments and plan for settling in life.
- H1B is a temporary job and loss of job means leaving the country in 15 days. thus it impacts the lifestyle and family life. it has economic and psycological implications
- spouse cannot even have driving license since they cannot have a social security card. social security card is given only upon getting work permit. and h4 visa means spose cannot work. lack of driving license is a huge factor in creating restlessness and anxiety and leads to several hardships for a family. Driving is a need in this country and lack of of by spouses affects the homemakers and management of the house and needs.
- H1Bs on extensions (1 year) and people with 1 year EADs have difficulty getting driving license renewed in some states. not being able to drive to work is a big problem in itself and has economic and physical hardship implications.
- long wait for green card weighs in heavy on immigrant families and they cannot enjoy the same freedom that citizens or permanent residents enjoy. This restriction hampers the growth and development of children.
- children of H1B holders cannot get any relief in tuition in local colleges even if they are intelligent and qualify all exams with best scores. They cannot get any scolarships.
- employers of h1B tend to exploit employees knowing that the employee will stay until PR application is approved. This creates depression in employees.
- lack of promotions and raises for H1B immigrant causes disparity amongst employees and coworkers change their attitude against the employee. Such lack of respect and seeing juniors becoming seniors over a perid of time, creates emotional stress in immigrant.
- The lengthy, vague and irratic nature of proceessing of cases by USCIS and DOL causes tensions and distress at various stages in the process.
- Skilled EB immigrants only make up 11.5% of legal immigrants. This small number contributes the most to the us economy instead of other catagories.
- Lot of highly educated professional want to start new businesses and ventures. Inability to do that hurts their innovative spirit and competitive edge that usa can befit from. New business will also provide more revenue and jobs for the country.
- Due to the nature of H1B validations and extensions, every time the immigrant travels to the home country there has to be a visa interview. These visa interviews have to be planned months in advance and the trip cannot be short. It has a financial burden and emotional stress for the family. Not being able to visit the homecountry at will creates family tensions and issues. Families and relatives have to stay part and meet after long intervals of time.
- inability to change jobs during the 8 year greencard process hurts the learning and development and career growth of the person. For a high skilled professional in the prime of his work life this is very important. Not being able to change jobs creates frustration and growth becomes stagnant.
- the long wait for the GC forces some immigrant to migrate to other developed countries that have better immigration process or head back to home country to use their skills. Its a loss of intellectual capital for USA. For an immigrant it means uprooting life again from one place and restarting life again elsewhere. It not only has financial implications but a social, cultural and emotional burden on the family.
