vin13
07-28 10:41 AM
As others have already mentioned each state has a different rule. Based on your state, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. But what is more important is that now you are saying you do not have a job by claiming unemployment. Green Cards are for future job. If you are on unemployment compensation, how would you prove your eligibility for green card if questioned.
Dependent family members can avail unemployment without much concern of jeopardizing their Green Card.
Dependent family members can avail unemployment without much concern of jeopardizing their Green Card.
Jayr
07-05 02:28 PM
I think the reasons may be a little more subtle than mean spiritedness and malice. Makes me wonder how performance is evaluated at the USCIS. If their evaluation system is such that a large number of applicants in backlog looks tacky on their report card, then that's incentive enough for them to not want a deluge of applicants.
by now everybody might have heard stories about how USCIS pulled staff and worked overtime and weekends to utilize the 60k visas in one month to prevent the july 485 filings.
What I am wondering is why did they do it. One obvious reason is the incresed fee comming into effect from July 30 2007. In addition to it what are the other reasons.
Is there any agenda within USCIS to prevent people from getting EAD and ac21 benefits?
Is USCIS filled with anti immgrant mentality who have takem upon themselves to make our lives difficult?
by now everybody might have heard stories about how USCIS pulled staff and worked overtime and weekends to utilize the 60k visas in one month to prevent the july 485 filings.
What I am wondering is why did they do it. One obvious reason is the incresed fee comming into effect from July 30 2007. In addition to it what are the other reasons.
Is there any agenda within USCIS to prevent people from getting EAD and ac21 benefits?
Is USCIS filled with anti immgrant mentality who have takem upon themselves to make our lives difficult?
mbartosik
09-12 07:34 PM
If you are on bench, not getting paid, your employer normally asks you to send him a letter stating that you are on vacation. This needs to be done every month. For the period you are on vacation, there may not be any pay stubs. Once you get any project, you will send your employer another letter saying that you are back and ready to work for them.
With this approach, you WILL NOT get any trouble from USCIS or anyone. If any RFP comes, then, employer will show these documents and clear the issues. I did this in the past and all my friends who were in different stages (like Labor filed, I-140 filed, 485 filed) also did and had no problems.
But as always it is advised that to talk to the lawyer who is working on your case is best suited to answer as that person is to submit the paper work.
If you are "on the bench" the employer is obligated to pay you.
If you state that you are on vacation when in fact your are "on bench", and later misrepresent being on the bench as vacation to USCIS you and your employer either committing fraud or conspiring to commit fraud.
The employer must allow for "on the bench" time in the salary quoted in the LCA that accompanies the I-129 for H1B. If "on the bench" time is not allowed for it probably invalidates the prevailing wage comparison.
If your employer does not allow for 'on the bench' time in the wage rates quoted, then there is a reasonable argument that you are not meeting prevailing wage, and are infact undercutting US wages (and then some of what Lou Dobbs says is right).
If you are a consultant you could drop the quoted salary on LCA (but must remain above prevailing wage) to allow for risk of "on the bench" or any other circumstances. That way there is money to cover any gap. However, that requires more trust in the middle man - employer.
I'm not sure if I've read it right, but it looks to me like you have made a public confession here.
Of course the period between projects is an ideal time for vacation, as there is no project schedule to deal with. So whether the law is being broken I guess depends on what the motivation is for the vacation, something that is hard to prove. If the employer says you are going to tell him that you are on vacation until he finds more work then that sounds illegal. If on the other hand if you say, "how about I take this opportunity for some vacation?", it is okay.
One would hope that USCIS expercise common sense. However, common sense could mean being suspicious of gaps because the system is clearly open to abuse.
With this approach, you WILL NOT get any trouble from USCIS or anyone. If any RFP comes, then, employer will show these documents and clear the issues. I did this in the past and all my friends who were in different stages (like Labor filed, I-140 filed, 485 filed) also did and had no problems.
But as always it is advised that to talk to the lawyer who is working on your case is best suited to answer as that person is to submit the paper work.
If you are "on the bench" the employer is obligated to pay you.
If you state that you are on vacation when in fact your are "on bench", and later misrepresent being on the bench as vacation to USCIS you and your employer either committing fraud or conspiring to commit fraud.
The employer must allow for "on the bench" time in the salary quoted in the LCA that accompanies the I-129 for H1B. If "on the bench" time is not allowed for it probably invalidates the prevailing wage comparison.
If your employer does not allow for 'on the bench' time in the wage rates quoted, then there is a reasonable argument that you are not meeting prevailing wage, and are infact undercutting US wages (and then some of what Lou Dobbs says is right).
If you are a consultant you could drop the quoted salary on LCA (but must remain above prevailing wage) to allow for risk of "on the bench" or any other circumstances. That way there is money to cover any gap. However, that requires more trust in the middle man - employer.
I'm not sure if I've read it right, but it looks to me like you have made a public confession here.
Of course the period between projects is an ideal time for vacation, as there is no project schedule to deal with. So whether the law is being broken I guess depends on what the motivation is for the vacation, something that is hard to prove. If the employer says you are going to tell him that you are on vacation until he finds more work then that sounds illegal. If on the other hand if you say, "how about I take this opportunity for some vacation?", it is okay.
One would hope that USCIS expercise common sense. However, common sense could mean being suspicious of gaps because the system is clearly open to abuse.
eb3_nepa
11-06 09:25 AM
Any more inputs anyone?
more...
nivasch
05-26 07:46 AM
Thank you Team IV, QGA & Staffers of various Senators, for all your efforts.:)
arunmohan
02-04 05:03 PM
Hello All:
Please let us meet in the weekdays for lunch. Please decide day and time. I will be there.
Please let us meet in the weekdays for lunch. Please decide day and time. I will be there.
more...
gg_ny
10-02 03:26 PM
I can't imagine why people do not want to give whatever I-94 they had collected between two trips out of US. NOt sure of the rules, but the common procedure is to surrender original I-94 AND the ones you got with each H1B. I haven't heard so far that I-94's not returned gained monetary value on ebay or people could use them for anything else. For me, I see surrendering all of them as one ( or some) more document(s) not to worry about.
But see that is exactly my question. Say u surrender All your I-94 copies. however on entering they still give you a BRAND new I-94 on the airplane (assuming you are crossing by airplane ofcourse). Now That has a totally new I-94 number than what your H1B I-94 had. That is where i get confused.
But see that is exactly my question. Say u surrender All your I-94 copies. however on entering they still give you a BRAND new I-94 on the airplane (assuming you are crossing by airplane ofcourse). Now That has a totally new I-94 number than what your H1B I-94 had. That is where i get confused.
slc_ut
01-18 10:30 AM
I've visited the local IRS office again. A different official told that only passport is enough for a foreign national to get the ITIN number. The W7 form needs to be submitted with the tax filing documents.
more...
shirish
02-23 02:21 PM
This issue was discussed in 2 other threds in the last 2 months. I don't remember the name of the threads. Please search.
The status of I-140 application may be important. Out of state tution may depend on the state.
What if I-140 is approved , and the primary applicant (H1) is waiting for the PD to be current, and the dependent wants to go to school. Will this have any impact on the GC process?
The status of I-140 application may be important. Out of state tution may depend on the state.
What if I-140 is approved , and the primary applicant (H1) is waiting for the PD to be current, and the dependent wants to go to school. Will this have any impact on the GC process?
logiclife
02-08 11:48 AM
You want to keep your 140 intact for 2 reasons:
1. To port the priority date for future use in a subsequent Greencard petition.
2. To get more H1 extensions based on this 140, until you have another labor and 140 going on with new employer.
First, about 1:
There is a lot of information on this thread about priority date transfers (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=912)from old approved 140 to a new 140. Read that thread and you will learn all you want to learn and all the information out there in the immigration world about PD transfer from one 140 to another 140.
In a nutshell:
Its a grey area of the law. If your 140 is never revoked, you would be fine and able to port your priority date. If it is revoked for fraud and willful misrepresentation, then you cannot port that PD under any circumstances. If 140 is revoked by employer then it falls into grey area. USCIS adjudicator's field manual says that you can still port your PD. The code of federal regulations says that you cannot. Currently USCIS is porting priority dates even if employer has revoked that 140, and they are following the AFM(adjudicator's field manual). However that can change in future. Legislation trumps regulation and regulation trumps the adjudicator's field manual. For now, things are great as AFM is being followed.
About 2:
If you have an H1 approved for 3 years after 140 approval, and you transfer jobs to a new employer and get another H1. You should be fine. If your previous employer cancels your I-140 after you leave and go to another employer, then USCIS will not go back and cancel your H1 because it was based on an approved 140 that is now revoked. This is what is happening as of now. At the time of H1 transfer to your new employer, your 140 should be in good status and you should have a photocopy of your approved 140. Once your H1 transfer is done (probably will have same end-date as the current 3-year H1 from your current employer), if the 140 is revoked AFTER that, then you should be fine. I am saying this based on advice from a very good lawyer.
Now, in far future, USCIS may decide to go and look for H1s that were approved based on approved 140 and then if that 140 is revoked, then they would go and cancel that H1 also. Its very very unlikely that they would do that even in future. They dont have that kind of resources to keep track of H1s based on 140 approvals and then go back and cancel them whenever some disappointed employer revokes 140.
About preventing 140 from being revoked:
I do not think that by changing lawyers, you can stop the previous 140 from being revoked. Your previous employer, for any reason, can get that 140 revoked with any lawyer they choose, regardless of who your current lawyer is. Lawyers are tied to clients, not petitions and cases. However, if someone knows more about this, please post here.
1. To port the priority date for future use in a subsequent Greencard petition.
2. To get more H1 extensions based on this 140, until you have another labor and 140 going on with new employer.
First, about 1:
There is a lot of information on this thread about priority date transfers (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=912)from old approved 140 to a new 140. Read that thread and you will learn all you want to learn and all the information out there in the immigration world about PD transfer from one 140 to another 140.
In a nutshell:
Its a grey area of the law. If your 140 is never revoked, you would be fine and able to port your priority date. If it is revoked for fraud and willful misrepresentation, then you cannot port that PD under any circumstances. If 140 is revoked by employer then it falls into grey area. USCIS adjudicator's field manual says that you can still port your PD. The code of federal regulations says that you cannot. Currently USCIS is porting priority dates even if employer has revoked that 140, and they are following the AFM(adjudicator's field manual). However that can change in future. Legislation trumps regulation and regulation trumps the adjudicator's field manual. For now, things are great as AFM is being followed.
About 2:
If you have an H1 approved for 3 years after 140 approval, and you transfer jobs to a new employer and get another H1. You should be fine. If your previous employer cancels your I-140 after you leave and go to another employer, then USCIS will not go back and cancel your H1 because it was based on an approved 140 that is now revoked. This is what is happening as of now. At the time of H1 transfer to your new employer, your 140 should be in good status and you should have a photocopy of your approved 140. Once your H1 transfer is done (probably will have same end-date as the current 3-year H1 from your current employer), if the 140 is revoked AFTER that, then you should be fine. I am saying this based on advice from a very good lawyer.
Now, in far future, USCIS may decide to go and look for H1s that were approved based on approved 140 and then if that 140 is revoked, then they would go and cancel that H1 also. Its very very unlikely that they would do that even in future. They dont have that kind of resources to keep track of H1s based on 140 approvals and then go back and cancel them whenever some disappointed employer revokes 140.
About preventing 140 from being revoked:
I do not think that by changing lawyers, you can stop the previous 140 from being revoked. Your previous employer, for any reason, can get that 140 revoked with any lawyer they choose, regardless of who your current lawyer is. Lawyers are tied to clients, not petitions and cases. However, if someone knows more about this, please post here.
more...
tikka
05-31 04:58 PM
Now is the time to take action.
Thank you. If you could be so kind to keep encourgaing people to contribute and then post in the funding thread.
we need $ for lobbying.
Thank you
Thank you. If you could be so kind to keep encourgaing people to contribute and then post in the funding thread.
we need $ for lobbying.
Thank you
pappu
09-14 03:51 PM
call 732-297-9886 and ask questions
more...
kishdam
02-06 03:44 PM
Do you work for saicon.. I also signed something like this.
No. I work for an established software product company. Did anyone at your employer left and what were consequences. At my office not all signed this and they still continued application.
No. I work for an established software product company. Did anyone at your employer left and what were consequences. At my office not all signed this and they still continued application.
TeddyKoochu
01-24 10:20 AM
Based on the information available i am expecting EB2-I will get 8-12K visa this year (2011), unlike 20k last year (2010). Which means the PD will move as far as Nov-06 or Dec-06 the best this year.
No FB Spillover
High PERM approvals
Also porting may play a big role this year (EB3-ROW to EB2-ROW and EB3-I to EB2-I).
The high perm approvals are not translating into high I140 approvals refer to the completions on the dashboard also RFE's are on the rise. So we may still get the same spillover this year even without any kind if FB. The 485 approvals for both Eb1 and EB2 ROW are way down this year from last year on that website.
No FB Spillover
High PERM approvals
Also porting may play a big role this year (EB3-ROW to EB2-ROW and EB3-I to EB2-I).
The high perm approvals are not translating into high I140 approvals refer to the completions on the dashboard also RFE's are on the rise. So we may still get the same spillover this year even without any kind if FB. The 485 approvals for both Eb1 and EB2 ROW are way down this year from last year on that website.
more...
shishya
09-02 01:30 PM
Heh. Sure I updated both at USPS AND at USCIS -- and yes I had my Alien # and the receipt number (I got married after I applied for 485 -- so waiting for dates to become current again EB2-May06 to add her).
Question: did you update your new home mailing address online at USPS (Postal website) or using USCIS (Change address) at the time of updating your new mailing address? Initially you do receive a confirmation # when you fillout first part of online application then later you would see additional links at the bottom of page where it would ask for "are there any pending application" somthing like that...
If you did update using UCSIS website then did you enter your A# (that is if you have already applied for EAD/I-485 then you should have a A#) along with your pending receipt numbers?
I did change my home address for 4 times now in the past 2 years and everytime when updated using USCIS, I promptly received individual letters notification/confirmation for each family members (pending cases) that address was sucessfully updated.
Just a thought!!
If you
Question: did you update your new home mailing address online at USPS (Postal website) or using USCIS (Change address) at the time of updating your new mailing address? Initially you do receive a confirmation # when you fillout first part of online application then later you would see additional links at the bottom of page where it would ask for "are there any pending application" somthing like that...
If you did update using UCSIS website then did you enter your A# (that is if you have already applied for EAD/I-485 then you should have a A#) along with your pending receipt numbers?
I did change my home address for 4 times now in the past 2 years and everytime when updated using USCIS, I promptly received individual letters notification/confirmation for each family members (pending cases) that address was sucessfully updated.
Just a thought!!
If you
glus
07-10 07:54 PM
I think employer should bear the full cost of H1B and H1B extension. It is illegal for the employer to get that money from employee.
This is not your business. We are here to help. If a person asks for advise, please provide it if you can. You comments may seem to be valid, but this is not what the user is asking for....
regards,
This is not your business. We are here to help. If a person asks for advise, please provide it if you can. You comments may seem to be valid, but this is not what the user is asking for....
regards,
more...
dingudi
10-25 09:33 PM
But has this happened to anyone where first online status says card ordered and then it reverts back to previous status of received and pending application. And this is only for my spouse.
kiran_k02
11-28 06:09 PM
I filed my AP renewal online, I used my discover to pay my dues.
I did not submit any paperwork, I got an RFE just for photographs.
Most important thing for AP-renewal according to my experience is photographs.
I hope this helps, message me if you have any additional questions.
I did not submit any paperwork, I got an RFE just for photographs.
Most important thing for AP-renewal according to my experience is photographs.
I hope this helps, message me if you have any additional questions.
sanjay
01-27 01:48 PM
According to CNNMoney: “Home Depot, the No. 1 home improvement retailer, announced Monday that it is shutting down its high-end EXPO business and shrinking its support staff, with both moves resulting in a reduction of 7,000 jobs.”Posted in Retail, US***Tagged: Home Depot layoff*** http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=layoffblog.com&blog=5255291&post=1231&subd=layoffblog&ref=&feed=1
More... (http://layoffblog.com/2009/01/26/home-depot-cutting-7000-jobs/)
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23346
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23347
Idiot, why are you creating a thread for each company. you could have mentioned Home Depot, Catterpillar and pfizer in the same thread.
Before creating a thread, you should think that you are eating space and band width of a site which is run by a non - profitable organization.
More... (http://layoffblog.com/2009/01/26/home-depot-cutting-7000-jobs/)
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23346
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23347
Idiot, why are you creating a thread for each company. you could have mentioned Home Depot, Catterpillar and pfizer in the same thread.
Before creating a thread, you should think that you are eating space and band width of a site which is run by a non - profitable organization.
lazycis
12-11 06:00 AM
wow !! Good... so you too applied after your EAD had expired... and you continued to work on H1. That gives me a good feeling... thanks. Can you share your situation a little more (or I can give my email seperately). I was also wanting to know if you ae aware whether EAD can be applied from outside the US, just in case I had to do that...
That was exactly my situation - working on H1 and having EAD just in case. I was not planning on changing jobs and H1 was just extended for another 3 years so I think I waited almost a year (after EAD expired) before applying for EAD renewal. I do not see why you cannot file it from outside the US if you file by mail. There will be an issue if you e-file as you will have to appear at the ASC to have your picture taken. So file by mail, all you need to send is form I-765, a copy of I-485 receipt, a copy of current (old) EAD, 2 photos and a check for $340 payable to DHS.
That was exactly my situation - working on H1 and having EAD just in case. I was not planning on changing jobs and H1 was just extended for another 3 years so I think I waited almost a year (after EAD expired) before applying for EAD renewal. I do not see why you cannot file it from outside the US if you file by mail. There will be an issue if you e-file as you will have to appear at the ASC to have your picture taken. So file by mail, all you need to send is form I-765, a copy of I-485 receipt, a copy of current (old) EAD, 2 photos and a check for $340 payable to DHS.
perm2gc
08-24 10:28 AM
So just to be clear:
What most of you on this forum are suggesting is that I should apply for EAD/AP right away and also maintain my H1.
Do I need to go through my lawyer to apply for EAD/AP or I can apply it on my own? What is the USCIS fees for the same?
TIAEveryone preserves their H1 for the worst cases that might be coming in future..
You check the USCIS website and check yourself whether you can do it yourself or not.
What most of you on this forum are suggesting is that I should apply for EAD/AP right away and also maintain my H1.
Do I need to go through my lawyer to apply for EAD/AP or I can apply it on my own? What is the USCIS fees for the same?
TIAEveryone preserves their H1 for the worst cases that might be coming in future..
You check the USCIS website and check yourself whether you can do it yourself or not.
