cagcwait
03-09 07:49 AM
Meeting with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren�s staff, San Jose
03/08/06
A group of us met with the with Chief of Staff and Congressional Aide at Zoe Lofgren�s office in San Jose, yesterday. The meeting went very well and lasted an hour. The Chief of Staff was very knowledgeable about the issues. She ofcourse knew that the IV team had already met with the Congresswoman and the staff at her DC office. One of her first comments was about that meeting and she remarked that it was very good to have � an organized group� like IV. She was very appreciative of what IV was doing as an �organized group� � doing their homework and research and putting out presentations and materials that brought out the core issues very clearly and hiring a very competent lobbying firm to help execute our agenda. She wanted to know who made those presentations (thanks to Berkeley Bee!!!!!) J.. In fact, she repeated her appreciation quite a few times about IV. She also mentioned that she had read about IV in the Roll Call and was looking forward to meet the group.
We went through the presentation, explaining the issues � most of which the Chief of Staff was already were aware of. The Congressional Aide was not aware of a few and we used the opportunity to explain the issues. Needless to say, personal examples helped to get the point across very well. While we went through the issues at the BECs and the USCIS, we quoted quite liberally from the Ombudsman report and the Presidents Economic report and from logiclife�s post on the backlog centers. At one point we were asked/ told that since these were infrastructure problems that are very deep, it is probably going to take time to completely address the fixes in the system. We again took that opportunity and told them about IV goals such as the 3yr H1B extensions instead of 1yr and the recapture of the visas lost between 2001 and 2004 - which would provide interim relief to the people affected by the backlog. We explained how the 3yr extensions instead of 1yr would relieve the USCIS of additional work and allow them to focus their efforts on actual processing / clearing of backlog. When they commented that the Dept of Homeland Security may want this to be a 1yr process, we pointed out that currently 3yr extensions are being offered to people who have filed for I485, so we are merely asking that the same be extended to people with their Labour and I-140 pending.
They offered us a couple of suggestions:
1. To talk to the Congress people �on the other side� especially in the Judiciary committee. They wanted us to consult with our lobbying firm first. They strongly felt that we should be talking to lawmakers who are not pro-immigration. They said that we may need to study their district and the industries there and try to point out how those industries are benefited by immigrants directly or indirectly.
2. To collaborate with the giants in the Private sector who employ highly skilled legal immigrants because some of them have very loud voices on the hill.
We do have an action to get back to them with a list of states that we know that don�t issue drivers license renewals for 1yr. Can someone please provide us with this information so that we can relay it back to them?
They also wanted a softcopy of our presentation and the supporting materials. We are working on that.
Overall, they had a very good opinion about ImmigrationVoice. To quote them again,
�Very Organized Group� � and they felt that organized groups make a great difference,
�Done their homework very well in terms of research, pinpointing the exact issues, presenting and communicating them in a way lawmakers / people understand�, �Have a very good lobbying firm�. They wanted IV to continue what we are doing and meet with lawmakers on either side (pro and anti immigration), so that when a �window of opportunity� presents itself, we can use it to our advantage. The Chief of Staff reiterated this point and mentioned how important it was to be prepared for this �window of opportunity�.
My request to people who read this,
1. If you are not a member of IV, please become a member and join hands with IV NOW. You can clearly see what an impact IV is making with the lawmakers in such a short frame of time.
2. If you have not contributed, please do so NOW. It is absolutely required to retain this �very good lobbying firm� and make sure that our voices continue to be heard.
3. Please join the membership drive started by logiclife at http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=305 and bring in 5 more members who can contribute monetarily / otherwise.
Thanks,
cagcwait
03/08/06
A group of us met with the with Chief of Staff and Congressional Aide at Zoe Lofgren�s office in San Jose, yesterday. The meeting went very well and lasted an hour. The Chief of Staff was very knowledgeable about the issues. She ofcourse knew that the IV team had already met with the Congresswoman and the staff at her DC office. One of her first comments was about that meeting and she remarked that it was very good to have � an organized group� like IV. She was very appreciative of what IV was doing as an �organized group� � doing their homework and research and putting out presentations and materials that brought out the core issues very clearly and hiring a very competent lobbying firm to help execute our agenda. She wanted to know who made those presentations (thanks to Berkeley Bee!!!!!) J.. In fact, she repeated her appreciation quite a few times about IV. She also mentioned that she had read about IV in the Roll Call and was looking forward to meet the group.
We went through the presentation, explaining the issues � most of which the Chief of Staff was already were aware of. The Congressional Aide was not aware of a few and we used the opportunity to explain the issues. Needless to say, personal examples helped to get the point across very well. While we went through the issues at the BECs and the USCIS, we quoted quite liberally from the Ombudsman report and the Presidents Economic report and from logiclife�s post on the backlog centers. At one point we were asked/ told that since these were infrastructure problems that are very deep, it is probably going to take time to completely address the fixes in the system. We again took that opportunity and told them about IV goals such as the 3yr H1B extensions instead of 1yr and the recapture of the visas lost between 2001 and 2004 - which would provide interim relief to the people affected by the backlog. We explained how the 3yr extensions instead of 1yr would relieve the USCIS of additional work and allow them to focus their efforts on actual processing / clearing of backlog. When they commented that the Dept of Homeland Security may want this to be a 1yr process, we pointed out that currently 3yr extensions are being offered to people who have filed for I485, so we are merely asking that the same be extended to people with their Labour and I-140 pending.
They offered us a couple of suggestions:
1. To talk to the Congress people �on the other side� especially in the Judiciary committee. They wanted us to consult with our lobbying firm first. They strongly felt that we should be talking to lawmakers who are not pro-immigration. They said that we may need to study their district and the industries there and try to point out how those industries are benefited by immigrants directly or indirectly.
2. To collaborate with the giants in the Private sector who employ highly skilled legal immigrants because some of them have very loud voices on the hill.
We do have an action to get back to them with a list of states that we know that don�t issue drivers license renewals for 1yr. Can someone please provide us with this information so that we can relay it back to them?
They also wanted a softcopy of our presentation and the supporting materials. We are working on that.
Overall, they had a very good opinion about ImmigrationVoice. To quote them again,
�Very Organized Group� � and they felt that organized groups make a great difference,
�Done their homework very well in terms of research, pinpointing the exact issues, presenting and communicating them in a way lawmakers / people understand�, �Have a very good lobbying firm�. They wanted IV to continue what we are doing and meet with lawmakers on either side (pro and anti immigration), so that when a �window of opportunity� presents itself, we can use it to our advantage. The Chief of Staff reiterated this point and mentioned how important it was to be prepared for this �window of opportunity�.
My request to people who read this,
1. If you are not a member of IV, please become a member and join hands with IV NOW. You can clearly see what an impact IV is making with the lawmakers in such a short frame of time.
2. If you have not contributed, please do so NOW. It is absolutely required to retain this �very good lobbying firm� and make sure that our voices continue to be heard.
3. Please join the membership drive started by logiclife at http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=305 and bring in 5 more members who can contribute monetarily / otherwise.
Thanks,
cagcwait
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smmakani
03-24 03:21 PM
Anyone from Minnesota? I have also asked this question on the state chapter thread. Who can give me the information as to who should I go and meet and where in minnesota? where to call and take the appointment? Local congressman means in minneapolis or He could be anywhere in minnesota.
sameer2730
11-06 12:13 PM
Does anyone know when VB will be out this month?
Sometime this month!!
Sometime this month!!
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140jibjab
05-15 05:13 PM
Deals net, I was wrongly implicated in the case.!! If the wife/girlfriend wants to screw you they can say anything to the police!! She wanted me out of her life because she was having a affair!! and She brught the police when I showed her the evidence!! I guess You do not have a wife/girl like that in your life.
I pleaded guilty to save my career!!.
Sometimes wrong people get into your life and you have to deal with the consequence!! This situation can happen to anyone who dont watch out for people who walk into your life!!
In my pevious post I did not want to mention / wash the dirty Linens in Public. but your Why help(without knowing the details)! attitude made me write this. Hope you do not Prejudge people in your life, and since this could happen to you !! just remember my words.
Love and respect!
I pleaded guilty to save my career!!.
Sometimes wrong people get into your life and you have to deal with the consequence!! This situation can happen to anyone who dont watch out for people who walk into your life!!
In my pevious post I did not want to mention / wash the dirty Linens in Public. but your Why help(without knowing the details)! attitude made me write this. Hope you do not Prejudge people in your life, and since this could happen to you !! just remember my words.
Love and respect!
more...
buvane
08-05 09:50 PM
My case
PD:May, 7, 2004
RD:July. 02, 2007
ND:Aug 28,2007
I140 Approval: August 8, 2006,
Status: Pending ::mad:
Service Center: NSC
PD:May, 7, 2004
RD:July. 02, 2007
ND:Aug 28,2007
I140 Approval: August 8, 2006,
Status: Pending ::mad:
Service Center: NSC
Lasantha
05-11 03:06 PM
- How has greencard changed your life after receiving it?
A big weight off my shoulders. Much more freedom in getting new jobs. Easier to travel. Planning to buy a house finally!!!
- What did you do on the day you received it?
Went out with friends and just enjoyed the feeling of freedom
-How did the long wait upset your life?
The feeling of uncertanity was terrible. Had to put lots of stuff on hold, like buying a house.
-How did immigrationvoice help you during this long wait?
The forum on this web site was like a gem. Learnt a lot from the experiences of the others.
- Would you like to continue your support to immigration voice and help others waiting?
YES
- Any advice for everyone?
Don't give up but ALWAYS have a back up plan. If you are not interested in returning home, consider a second option like the Canadain PR status as plan B
A big weight off my shoulders. Much more freedom in getting new jobs. Easier to travel. Planning to buy a house finally!!!
- What did you do on the day you received it?
Went out with friends and just enjoyed the feeling of freedom
-How did the long wait upset your life?
The feeling of uncertanity was terrible. Had to put lots of stuff on hold, like buying a house.
-How did immigrationvoice help you during this long wait?
The forum on this web site was like a gem. Learnt a lot from the experiences of the others.
- Would you like to continue your support to immigration voice and help others waiting?
YES
- Any advice for everyone?
Don't give up but ALWAYS have a back up plan. If you are not interested in returning home, consider a second option like the Canadain PR status as plan B
more...
dontcareaboutGC
04-13 12:12 PM
Along with Individual donations what are people's thoughts on advocating for and asking assistance from companies to donate to our cause. I keep reading many articles where many companies have been advocating and lobbying for this? I mean would it be too terrible if all us can try and pursuade our current employers to donate atleast 50-100$ for this. I dont know if it can be a recurring donation but even 1 time will make a huge impact on money collected.
I can start with my own organization and see if this will have any traction.
I can start with my own organization and see if this will have any traction.
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vishwak
01-12 11:14 AM
Transit Visa need to Travel Via-Germany if you don't have valid Visa or Travelling on AP.
Please who are travelling Via---> Germany should hold Transit visa, if they don't have Valid US Visa or using AP.
I believe this rule came recently, please see below link of German Consulate Website for more information.
German Missions in the United States - Transit Visa Country List (http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Transit__Country__List__Visa.html)
This applies to people who are going to India to get Visa at Consulate in India too.
If any one is Travelling Visa- Germany (Frankfurt/Munich etc) please take necessary steps.
And this is new and most of the passengers/Airport people might not be aware, better be safe than sorry later.
Please who are travelling Via---> Germany should hold Transit visa, if they don't have Valid US Visa or using AP.
I believe this rule came recently, please see below link of German Consulate Website for more information.
German Missions in the United States - Transit Visa Country List (http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Transit__Country__List__Visa.html)
This applies to people who are going to India to get Visa at Consulate in India too.
If any one is Travelling Visa- Germany (Frankfurt/Munich etc) please take necessary steps.
And this is new and most of the passengers/Airport people might not be aware, better be safe than sorry later.
more...
angelfire76
01-03 02:31 PM
yes..agreed. But you are forgeting all the new EAD's (H4's) who will be part of the mix.
You have to compete with H4s on EAD (I might be generalizing here so apologies to anyone offended) you've got more serious issues than you have foreseen.
EAD is not a ticket to a high-paying job requiring a certain level of skill.
I feel this thread is going the way of a Programmer's guild forum in that "Now that I'm in the door, stop the offshoring" :D
You have to compete with H4s on EAD (I might be generalizing here so apologies to anyone offended) you've got more serious issues than you have foreseen.
EAD is not a ticket to a high-paying job requiring a certain level of skill.
I feel this thread is going the way of a Programmer's guild forum in that "Now that I'm in the door, stop the offshoring" :D
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gianik
05-25 01:20 PM
MET3259- Thanks for the Post. It was great.
Could you address my quiestion regarding "low" wages. How "low" are they and what does 'low" mean in Canada, relative to cost of living and especially real estate prices. Can you afford to buy a decent house or apartments in average salary?
Thanks
Could you address my quiestion regarding "low" wages. How "low" are they and what does 'low" mean in Canada, relative to cost of living and especially real estate prices. Can you afford to buy a decent house or apartments in average salary?
Thanks
more...
tikka
07-06 03:41 PM
http://digg.com/politics/Green_card_hopefuls_to_resort_to_Gandhigiri_in_US
DUGG
DUGG
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Lasantha
02-08 04:11 PM
That is one of the points raised in this current letter campaign for admin fixes.
I dont see any light at the tunnel. PDs will not move until they allow 485 filing even PD is not current.
I dont see any light at the tunnel. PDs will not move until they allow 485 filing even PD is not current.
more...
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Guig0
02-04 05:59 AM
Originally posted by Makaveli
guig0 i voted for you!!! just cuz eilsoe tried to screw you over by linking the WRONG SPEELing one.... j/k
btw, how the HELL do you make a spelling mistake during pixel art.......lol
why aren't you posting as much anymore i love reading your hillarious remarks :love:
you can always count on mak to vote in you when you need ;) :P
thanks for the vote mak =) i think :P
yep, i�m not posting as much anymore coz berta (you know who) left me :(
but that�s ok, i�m getting a new one for me tomorrow :blush: and then:
::said like terminator:: i�ll be back!
:P :P
guig0 i voted for you!!! just cuz eilsoe tried to screw you over by linking the WRONG SPEELing one.... j/k
btw, how the HELL do you make a spelling mistake during pixel art.......lol
why aren't you posting as much anymore i love reading your hillarious remarks :love:
you can always count on mak to vote in you when you need ;) :P
thanks for the vote mak =) i think :P
yep, i�m not posting as much anymore coz berta (you know who) left me :(
but that�s ok, i�m getting a new one for me tomorrow :blush: and then:
::said like terminator:: i�ll be back!
:P :P
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Soul
02-07 09:17 AM
Hey Kit, at work?
Who did you vote for? :moustache
- Soul :goatee:
Who did you vote for? :moustache
- Soul :goatee:
more...
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sreeni.k
01-13 10:52 AM
I tried to book tickets on makemytrip for luftansa yesterday; After going through all passport details etc- for over 2 hours checking etc the agent coolly told me that transit visa is required for advance parole holders. If you carefully see the regulations they mention "2 Years" permit not "1 year" validity of Advance parole. I also heard stories of multiple people blocked from boarding luftansa on advance parole. So i switched and booked on emirates instead. Apparently this rule is either enforced or not depends on the discretion of luftansa personel. So be carefull if you are on advance parole- Looks like germans also trying to get on the Visa Fee pie.
No transit visa required. I got an identical response when I checked with the german consulate in november. Nevertheless, I did not take transit visa, and with visa stamping expired in March 2010, I travelled with AP on Lufthansa from IAD to BLR in December, and returned in Jan 2011, and nobody even mentioned the word "transit" anywhere along the route. Lufthansa staff is very knowledgeable about AP, both in Wash.Dulles and BLR. In fact, In BLR I saw that even Air France also does not require transit visa for Paris and allowed people with AP to board without transit visa. So folks, dont waste time and money on transit visa. Nothing is going to happen , unless you miss your connecting flight in Frankfurt, in which case you will not get to stay in a hotel and would have to spend the transit time in the airport.
No transit visa required. I got an identical response when I checked with the german consulate in november. Nevertheless, I did not take transit visa, and with visa stamping expired in March 2010, I travelled with AP on Lufthansa from IAD to BLR in December, and returned in Jan 2011, and nobody even mentioned the word "transit" anywhere along the route. Lufthansa staff is very knowledgeable about AP, both in Wash.Dulles and BLR. In fact, In BLR I saw that even Air France also does not require transit visa for Paris and allowed people with AP to board without transit visa. So folks, dont waste time and money on transit visa. Nothing is going to happen , unless you miss your connecting flight in Frankfurt, in which case you will not get to stay in a hotel and would have to spend the transit time in the airport.
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rajmirk
05-26 01:26 PM
Thanks for greaat posts, everyone. Just to follow up with Jaime's point it is tru that we are not all from India or Aisia in general. I guess I should have mentioned that. I am from a northern place - from Russia. Actually I was born and raised in one of the southern former Soviet republics, which had relatively warmer climate. But I lived for over 5 years in Russia before coming here. I just mention that, because I read it the cold Canadian weather seems to be the number one downside. It is not such a big deal to me or my wife, because it was as cold or perhaps even colder back home.
Just as Jaime I am not here just for ecenomic reasons. I wuld be better off (financially) back home. I guess we are in search of better life (qualitatively), and that is why I am wondering about Canada.
And perhaps due to somewhat European backgraund I seem to have nostalgia for European flare sometimes; hence the questions about Montreal (which I presume is a bit more European that TO).
I guess I would like to put a streignt question to those who lived in or familiar with Canada.
- I am from a Northen Country (even leave in Northeast here in US).
- I worked full time for 5 years in US (plus a year of internship)
- My field is Not IT though, it is in business (data analysis, finance, supply chains, etc)
- My in English is quite good (for and immigrant especially)
- I have some basic knowledge of French and willing to learn more
- I have a Masters degree (few actually) from US universities
- As I mentioned I have a family including kids.
My question is - what do you think my chances are in Canada in general, and in Montreal specifically?
I would appreciate any response. Thank you very much!
Go for it! My earlier comments would be mostly applicable to folks from the sub-continent - which you seem to be not and looking at your priorities and what you already have, might work out perfectly for you. Best wishes.
Just as Jaime I am not here just for ecenomic reasons. I wuld be better off (financially) back home. I guess we are in search of better life (qualitatively), and that is why I am wondering about Canada.
And perhaps due to somewhat European backgraund I seem to have nostalgia for European flare sometimes; hence the questions about Montreal (which I presume is a bit more European that TO).
I guess I would like to put a streignt question to those who lived in or familiar with Canada.
- I am from a Northen Country (even leave in Northeast here in US).
- I worked full time for 5 years in US (plus a year of internship)
- My field is Not IT though, it is in business (data analysis, finance, supply chains, etc)
- My in English is quite good (for and immigrant especially)
- I have some basic knowledge of French and willing to learn more
- I have a Masters degree (few actually) from US universities
- As I mentioned I have a family including kids.
My question is - what do you think my chances are in Canada in general, and in Montreal specifically?
I would appreciate any response. Thank you very much!
Go for it! My earlier comments would be mostly applicable to folks from the sub-continent - which you seem to be not and looking at your priorities and what you already have, might work out perfectly for you. Best wishes.
more...
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Gravitation
12-13 12:48 PM
Can you explain why EB2 ROW is flowing to EB3 and not to EB2 India?
It's just a decision that state department makes. I'm not saying it's justified. I'm not saying that's how it should be.
I think the logic is that when India EB2 became Unavailable and EB2-RoW was Current (for example in Sept Bulletin: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_3009.html
If EB2 RoW were flowing into EB3 RoW, this would not have been possible.
I think it's an attempt to bring EB3 on par with EB2 (this is just my guess).
It's just a decision that state department makes. I'm not saying it's justified. I'm not saying that's how it should be.
I think the logic is that when India EB2 became Unavailable and EB2-RoW was Current (for example in Sept Bulletin: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_3009.html
If EB2 RoW were flowing into EB3 RoW, this would not have been possible.
I think it's an attempt to bring EB3 on par with EB2 (this is just my guess).
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longq
12-29 10:56 AM
I tend to agree with your interpretation that "NOT SUBJECT TO PER COUNTRY LIMITATION IF ADDITIONAL VISAS AVAILABLE" refers to those beyond 140K. The language of law is always beautiful, isn't it?:)
Anyhow, I still think it merits a deeper investigation and consultation with attorneys.
No one analysed the statue of the language used in 202 5 a.
If the total number of visas available under paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5).
The key is OR. If the the intension of the language is total demand is less than 140,000, then it would have been "If the total number of visas available under paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5)"
The language used in the 202 5 a, explicitly defines each preference catagory seperatly. Also it says "the visas made available under that paragraph shall be issued".
For example the unused visas by EB1, let us assume 10,000.
The visas avaliable in EB2 is 40,000 as per 203 b 2.
Therfore the total visas in EB2 is 50,000.
If the total demand is less than 50,000 in EB2 (India+Cina+ROW), the 7% quota is not applicaple.
This is the very direct, simple interpretation of 202 5 A.
Therefore one cannot (EB3-ROW) interpret, for their convenience. Thats why I suggest the IV to discuss with experinced attorney and make a enquiry with law makers or DOS, if required. Otherwise (if it is wrong it is a big blow to India and China). We will get only 2800 per year.
Anyhow, I still think it merits a deeper investigation and consultation with attorneys.
No one analysed the statue of the language used in 202 5 a.
If the total number of visas available under paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5).
The key is OR. If the the intension of the language is total demand is less than 140,000, then it would have been "If the total number of visas available under paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5)"
The language used in the 202 5 a, explicitly defines each preference catagory seperatly. Also it says "the visas made available under that paragraph shall be issued".
For example the unused visas by EB1, let us assume 10,000.
The visas avaliable in EB2 is 40,000 as per 203 b 2.
Therfore the total visas in EB2 is 50,000.
If the total demand is less than 50,000 in EB2 (India+Cina+ROW), the 7% quota is not applicaple.
This is the very direct, simple interpretation of 202 5 A.
Therefore one cannot (EB3-ROW) interpret, for their convenience. Thats why I suggest the IV to discuss with experinced attorney and make a enquiry with law makers or DOS, if required. Otherwise (if it is wrong it is a big blow to India and China). We will get only 2800 per year.
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fightretro
04-01 06:21 PM
Sent fax # 10 and 11
dingudi
11-10 12:45 PM
So there seem to be lot more people from July filer category than I thought who have not received FP notice.
My Info
485 July2nd , ND sept 10,2007
No FP
opened SR on Oct 8,2007
No use of SR until today.
My Info
485 July2nd , ND sept 10,2007
No FP
opened SR on Oct 8,2007
No use of SR until today.
swissgear
10-29 01:36 PM
I think it all started in 2007. As you guys know there were mass applications filed in 2007 from everyone who were current including EB2/ROW/I/C and EB3 /ROW/I/C.
AFAIK, close to 1 million applications were filed during this period if you include 485s , EADs and APs and all by all the folks.
All was fine until this time and then came 2008 where some people who were still on H1 applied for EADs and APs as USCIS started to give EADs for 2 years.
Then in 2008 there was a new rule put in place stating that there need to be an Employer-Employee relationship for the people working on H1, this has created some kind of panic among employees and employers and people started to invoke EADs left and right thinking it was not safe to continue to be on H1.
And since then as the economy started to take toll, people were laid off and employers were not willing to transfer H1s as they were too many queries on H1 extensions and transfers. Everyone thought that it was never to be safe to be on H1 and started to invoke EADs either to change for better jobs and people looking for jobs also invoked EADs as it was easier to move..
Then came Oct 2009 and we saw that not many Labors are getting filed by EB2 ROW applicants and very few employers were filing Labors as the Unemployment was in 2 digits % wise and were not able to convince DOS on non availability of citizen/PRs workers to do same or similar jobs.
Also most of the Labors were audited and it took close to a year to clear all that backlog before people were eventually approved in EB2-ROW applicants, until we saw July visa bulletin which raised our hopes.Based on the spill over they were supposed to approve close more than 40k EB2 I/C applications in the last 3 months of the year.
But there was a twist in their understanding. As most of the people who got EADs in 2008 were ripe for renewals(this includes EB-2 ROW/I/C, EB-3 ROW/I/C).And hence applied in mass for their renewals. This caused a huge delay in approving the EAD renewals and you have already heard sad stories about it..
Out of all this, All I can say is that USCIS was working harder than ever during the past 3-4 months to approve so many cases and hence I assume there is a genuine workload to clear all those cases.
Based on the approval trends, I think they have already allocated visas to the applicants who were current and started to approve as soon as the case has been looked into unlike what they used to follow of requesting visas after final verification.
Remember USCIS cannot give an excuse of not utilizing all the visas for the current year and blame on FBI name checks and all , as they had 3 sweet years to adjudicate the applications. And I guess they were under tremendous pressure to approve the cases by Sept 2010 month end.
Just my Honest Opinion.
AFAIK, close to 1 million applications were filed during this period if you include 485s , EADs and APs and all by all the folks.
All was fine until this time and then came 2008 where some people who were still on H1 applied for EADs and APs as USCIS started to give EADs for 2 years.
Then in 2008 there was a new rule put in place stating that there need to be an Employer-Employee relationship for the people working on H1, this has created some kind of panic among employees and employers and people started to invoke EADs left and right thinking it was not safe to continue to be on H1.
And since then as the economy started to take toll, people were laid off and employers were not willing to transfer H1s as they were too many queries on H1 extensions and transfers. Everyone thought that it was never to be safe to be on H1 and started to invoke EADs either to change for better jobs and people looking for jobs also invoked EADs as it was easier to move..
Then came Oct 2009 and we saw that not many Labors are getting filed by EB2 ROW applicants and very few employers were filing Labors as the Unemployment was in 2 digits % wise and were not able to convince DOS on non availability of citizen/PRs workers to do same or similar jobs.
Also most of the Labors were audited and it took close to a year to clear all that backlog before people were eventually approved in EB2-ROW applicants, until we saw July visa bulletin which raised our hopes.Based on the spill over they were supposed to approve close more than 40k EB2 I/C applications in the last 3 months of the year.
But there was a twist in their understanding. As most of the people who got EADs in 2008 were ripe for renewals(this includes EB-2 ROW/I/C, EB-3 ROW/I/C).And hence applied in mass for their renewals. This caused a huge delay in approving the EAD renewals and you have already heard sad stories about it..
Out of all this, All I can say is that USCIS was working harder than ever during the past 3-4 months to approve so many cases and hence I assume there is a genuine workload to clear all those cases.
Based on the approval trends, I think they have already allocated visas to the applicants who were current and started to approve as soon as the case has been looked into unlike what they used to follow of requesting visas after final verification.
Remember USCIS cannot give an excuse of not utilizing all the visas for the current year and blame on FBI name checks and all , as they had 3 sweet years to adjudicate the applications. And I guess they were under tremendous pressure to approve the cases by Sept 2010 month end.
Just my Honest Opinion.