LostInGCProcess
11-02 03:13 PM
What happens in case of people who obtain GC through marriage and then due to some reason have to divorse? Do they have to stay married for a certain period of time?? :D:D If so how much would that be?
I think, it is 2 years.
I think, it is 2 years.
wallpaper a line wedding dresses with
beppenyc
03-16 04:23 PM
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49296
Millions of illegals to become citizens?
Kennedy-McCain immigration reform bill likely to pass Senate committee after recess
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: March 16, 2006
5:00 p.m. Eastern
� 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
A bill that would give millions of illegal aliens in the United States the opportunity to earn citizenship is closer to becoming law today as members of the Senate Judiciary Committee signaled likely passage of a proposal by Sens. Edward Kenney, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz.
Though a committee vote will not be held until after a week-long congressional recess, likely March 27, committee members appeared ready to back the Kennedy-McCain bill.
"The votes are there," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.
Congress is working to pass a reform bill that includes enforcement, a policy on dealing with illegals already in the country and a guest-worker program pushed by President Bush.
Under the legislation, illegal aliens in the United States would obtain six-year nonimmigrant visas under which they could work in the country and travel outside the country. The aliens would have to pay a $1,000 fine and undergo background checks.
After six years, the aliens would be able to meet certain requirements and then apply for a green card, or permanent residency.
Besides voting on the bill after the recess, committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said the panel also would vote on a bill by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., that would give illegal aliens up to five years to leave the U.S. After returning home, they could then apply to return, either as temporary workers or for permanent residency.
"Our intention is not to strand anyone outside the country," Kyl said, according to an AP report. But he asserted the McCain-Kennedy plan would give an illegal alien allowed to stay and work in the country a "huge advantage" over a person having to wait for years in his or her own country for a green card.
The McCain-Kennedy bill would start off with offering 400,000 of the new visas.
Two years ago, Bush proposed a guest-worker program that has been criticized by immigration-reform advocates as nothing more than an amnesty program for foreigners who entered the United States illegally.
Kennedy disputed the amnesty charge: "There is no moving to the front of the line, there is no free ticket. This is not amnesty."
Majority Leader Bill Frist has threatened to bring his own immigration bill to the floor of the Senate March 27 if the committee has not approved one.
Millions of illegals to become citizens?
Kennedy-McCain immigration reform bill likely to pass Senate committee after recess
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: March 16, 2006
5:00 p.m. Eastern
� 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
A bill that would give millions of illegal aliens in the United States the opportunity to earn citizenship is closer to becoming law today as members of the Senate Judiciary Committee signaled likely passage of a proposal by Sens. Edward Kenney, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz.
Though a committee vote will not be held until after a week-long congressional recess, likely March 27, committee members appeared ready to back the Kennedy-McCain bill.
"The votes are there," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.
Congress is working to pass a reform bill that includes enforcement, a policy on dealing with illegals already in the country and a guest-worker program pushed by President Bush.
Under the legislation, illegal aliens in the United States would obtain six-year nonimmigrant visas under which they could work in the country and travel outside the country. The aliens would have to pay a $1,000 fine and undergo background checks.
After six years, the aliens would be able to meet certain requirements and then apply for a green card, or permanent residency.
Besides voting on the bill after the recess, committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said the panel also would vote on a bill by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., that would give illegal aliens up to five years to leave the U.S. After returning home, they could then apply to return, either as temporary workers or for permanent residency.
"Our intention is not to strand anyone outside the country," Kyl said, according to an AP report. But he asserted the McCain-Kennedy plan would give an illegal alien allowed to stay and work in the country a "huge advantage" over a person having to wait for years in his or her own country for a green card.
The McCain-Kennedy bill would start off with offering 400,000 of the new visas.
Two years ago, Bush proposed a guest-worker program that has been criticized by immigration-reform advocates as nothing more than an amnesty program for foreigners who entered the United States illegally.
Kennedy disputed the amnesty charge: "There is no moving to the front of the line, there is no free ticket. This is not amnesty."
Majority Leader Bill Frist has threatened to bring his own immigration bill to the floor of the Senate March 27 if the committee has not approved one.
Better_Days
04-29 01:36 PM
I was wondering if someone will mention F-22.
First of all, F-22 is not for sale. Period. There is no such thing as a close ally as far as F-22 is concerned. Even the Israelis got a curt NO when they wanted to buy it.
Second, IAF does not want the F-22. It is US$ 150 Million a piece which makes it almost twice as expensive as any of the planes being considered. Also, if you look at the IAF's area of operation: F-22 is an overkill. None of the neighboring countries and this includes China has capabilities that will necessitate something like F-22 to deal with.
First of all, F-22 is not for sale. Period. There is no such thing as a close ally as far as F-22 is concerned. Even the Israelis got a curt NO when they wanted to buy it.
Second, IAF does not want the F-22. It is US$ 150 Million a piece which makes it almost twice as expensive as any of the planes being considered. Also, if you look at the IAF's area of operation: F-22 is an overkill. None of the neighboring countries and this includes China has capabilities that will necessitate something like F-22 to deal with.
2011 wedding dress with sleeves HOT
reddymjm
05-15 04:12 PM
This guy manhandled his wife and was in the jail for one day. Read his previous post in this forum. Why you are so compassanate for a women beater. ?. Now he want to marry another women. Who knows he will do same thing to her also?. Munna Bhai read his post and comment. IV is for good cause; not for people with criminal behaviour.
Good catch.
Good catch.
more...
ivbabu
01-04 01:59 PM
You can bring UP TO 4 spouses on H4 visa. That's why it is called H4. Similarly on F2, you can only bring 2 spouses, Ah...students do not make that kind of money to support more than 2 spouses. USCIS thinks so much about us.
I am just talking out of my A**.
kumar1 & gc_chahiye: your posts made me laugh for more than 10 min. You guys made my day short. I cannot forget this thread at least till this weekend. We need threads like this to easeoff stereotype life and stress
I am just talking out of my A**.
kumar1 & gc_chahiye: your posts made me laugh for more than 10 min. You guys made my day short. I cannot forget this thread at least till this weekend. We need threads like this to easeoff stereotype life and stress
rameshk75
02-13 12:11 PM
Here is my scenario:
My first H1 was approved in 2004. But i came here in June 2005. Will my 6 year count starts from June '05 OR Oct '04 ? Pls suggest.
Thanks
My first H1 was approved in 2004. But i came here in June 2005. Will my 6 year count starts from June '05 OR Oct '04 ? Pls suggest.
Thanks
more...
DSLStart
04-29 01:42 PM
Pakistan had the F series jet fighters since the last many decades. The Americans were offering the advanced version to India and Pakistan. Pakistan is much ahead of India in maintaining log sheets of it with rich experience of 30-plus years. The type of relationship that exists between the US and Pakistan Air Force what is the guarantee that our system won't be leaked to Pakistan's system? If that happens, India's advantage would vanish.
Quick Chain of events .
India rejected both Boeing and Lockheed Martin's proposal of fighters . I am not debating the reasons or the merits of this decision if this was right or wrong . I am just discussing the potential repercussions this has had so far and might have .
'Exclusion of US firms from IAF jet deal a setback for ties' (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/exclusion-of-us-firms-from-iaf-jet-deal-a-setback.../783401/)
1) The issue is so serious that Tim Roemer , US Ambassador to India submitted his resignation immediately since he was on the hook for making this deal work .This shows the measure of disappointment they had.
2) India was seeking US assurances in security a Permanent Security council seat , which looks far fetched now .
4) Pentagon , Whitehouse and the DoD very upset that deal fell through . This sentiment will certainly percolate to the USCIS and the State department and might embolden Anti Immigration senators whose measures will get more support in the house and senate.
5) Prosecution of companies entangled in cases like Infosys might find more support and favor with the Govt.
Question is how/if there will be a backlash against India / Indian's get back at us at least in the short term .Increased scrutiny and visa denials , PoE Harassment , GC audits etc.
Will the US take a Tit-for-Tat reaction on this issue is what remains to be seen.
Quick Chain of events .
India rejected both Boeing and Lockheed Martin's proposal of fighters . I am not debating the reasons or the merits of this decision if this was right or wrong . I am just discussing the potential repercussions this has had so far and might have .
'Exclusion of US firms from IAF jet deal a setback for ties' (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/exclusion-of-us-firms-from-iaf-jet-deal-a-setback.../783401/)
1) The issue is so serious that Tim Roemer , US Ambassador to India submitted his resignation immediately since he was on the hook for making this deal work .This shows the measure of disappointment they had.
2) India was seeking US assurances in security a Permanent Security council seat , which looks far fetched now .
4) Pentagon , Whitehouse and the DoD very upset that deal fell through . This sentiment will certainly percolate to the USCIS and the State department and might embolden Anti Immigration senators whose measures will get more support in the house and senate.
5) Prosecution of companies entangled in cases like Infosys might find more support and favor with the Govt.
Question is how/if there will be a backlash against India / Indian's get back at us at least in the short term .Increased scrutiny and visa denials , PoE Harassment , GC audits etc.
Will the US take a Tit-for-Tat reaction on this issue is what remains to be seen.
2010 Latest Wedding Dress Fashion –
nixstor
09-01 10:39 AM
It is not true that Many people have to wait 10+ years to get gc. May be some people might wait for 10 years because of frequent change of jobs , layoffs and also ignorance of green card processing. Most of the time EB2 waiting time is 2 to 3 years. Indian EB3 is in worst situation but only for past 2 years and before that everything was current. For that also most waiting persons filed I 485 because of July VB issue. In my opinion EB3 PD will be backdated up to 5 years.
Also there is no legistrative activity in Congress about any immigration issue. Always skil bill comes in limelight when congress is in Session. But everyone knows that skil bill is asking too much in H1b and immigration numbers because of exemptions and it will be very difficult task. But no one in pro immigrant community is ready to compromise on numbers. When Congress tries to curb the abuse of H1b even pro immigrants are opposing the bills without any suggestion of any alternatives. If some bill comes for only GC that too moderate increase in numbers that will have bright chance of passing in congress.
You should not expect any rally will produce meaningful reform. It has to be proved that additional immigrant and H1b numbers will produce more jobs and it should not create unemployment in americans.Just sufferings of gc waiters is not enough. My opinion is Rally will be used to show strength of IV and may educate public and Congress. But anti immigrants also doing Similar Campaign(not big rallies) by negative points of immigration. The same congress till the end of 2008 and I doubt they will consider any immigration issue till new congress comes in 2009 that is not too far from now. But it is always good to try all the time.
Before any reform comes most IV members may get GC.
This has been talked over and over. If you feel that the wait times are not INDEFINITE, great. Please go ahead, lean back and relax. If you know everything about whats going to happen, why even bother about Immigration issues or IV? Its not about showing off muscle. Wake up! Its about different people from different categories and countries stuck in a totally capricious system. Its about the system, arcane and antique law. Its not about any one particular person's PD, his/her category/country. There are people who are in EB2 with PD's 2002 and have not got their GC yet. Dream on and Smoke what ever you want.
Also there is no legistrative activity in Congress about any immigration issue. Always skil bill comes in limelight when congress is in Session. But everyone knows that skil bill is asking too much in H1b and immigration numbers because of exemptions and it will be very difficult task. But no one in pro immigrant community is ready to compromise on numbers. When Congress tries to curb the abuse of H1b even pro immigrants are opposing the bills without any suggestion of any alternatives. If some bill comes for only GC that too moderate increase in numbers that will have bright chance of passing in congress.
You should not expect any rally will produce meaningful reform. It has to be proved that additional immigrant and H1b numbers will produce more jobs and it should not create unemployment in americans.Just sufferings of gc waiters is not enough. My opinion is Rally will be used to show strength of IV and may educate public and Congress. But anti immigrants also doing Similar Campaign(not big rallies) by negative points of immigration. The same congress till the end of 2008 and I doubt they will consider any immigration issue till new congress comes in 2009 that is not too far from now. But it is always good to try all the time.
Before any reform comes most IV members may get GC.
This has been talked over and over. If you feel that the wait times are not INDEFINITE, great. Please go ahead, lean back and relax. If you know everything about whats going to happen, why even bother about Immigration issues or IV? Its not about showing off muscle. Wake up! Its about different people from different categories and countries stuck in a totally capricious system. Its about the system, arcane and antique law. Its not about any one particular person's PD, his/her category/country. There are people who are in EB2 with PD's 2002 and have not got their GC yet. Dream on and Smoke what ever you want.
more...
485Mbe4001
12-12 03:42 PM
isnt a visa number assigned when they apply for 485?
good point in item 4. When i talk to people from other countries about visa issues and IV they just look at the processing dates for 485 and think that GC will be approved in 6 months.
Please remember that even if BEC clears the application with 2001 priority dates. These people still need to:
1) Apply for I140
2) Have I-140 Approved
3) Apply for I-485 only if their priority date is current
4) Complete various I-485 tasks like fingerprinting, BACKGROUND CHECKS (this is a huge one and unless you are lucky you can get stranded for anywhere between 6 months to 3 years)
5) Now after completing 1 - 4 above you can expect that they will apply a visa number to the application
good point in item 4. When i talk to people from other countries about visa issues and IV they just look at the processing dates for 485 and think that GC will be approved in 6 months.
Please remember that even if BEC clears the application with 2001 priority dates. These people still need to:
1) Apply for I140
2) Have I-140 Approved
3) Apply for I-485 only if their priority date is current
4) Complete various I-485 tasks like fingerprinting, BACKGROUND CHECKS (this is a huge one and unless you are lucky you can get stranded for anywhere between 6 months to 3 years)
5) Now after completing 1 - 4 above you can expect that they will apply a visa number to the application
hair wedding dress with sleeves
sorcerer666
04-29 02:20 PM
WOW --Right from relationship between coutries tot he pros and cons of war planes we are discussing here.We have people with nice political knowledge per se Ministers and Kings who can analyze how just 11 billion (bully)dollar deal can affect the Green card processing and we have Generals and colonels who knows which fghter plane is good for which country.
But still we are able to manage only around 200 for the advocasy event and large amount of donataions which barely met the expenses. what a pity ;)
hmm...,
1). what makes you think that these kings, generals and colonel's didn't contribute to the event?
2). What's your point?? close down this forum??
But still we are able to manage only around 200 for the advocasy event and large amount of donataions which barely met the expenses. what a pity ;)
hmm...,
1). what makes you think that these kings, generals and colonel's didn't contribute to the event?
2). What's your point?? close down this forum??
more...
gcstudent
08-12 03:39 PM
In my opinion all this 5 months, 6 months rule applies only if you have not waited at any step. Like in EB1 where you can go thru the whole process in an year.. However if they made you stick to the same employer , same position for 10 yrs (maan i.e 1/4th of your working life!!) you can always have a strong argument even if USCIS decides to do something. I think those who got "freedom" , you have worried enough.. now it is the time to "go out" and enjoy!!
hot Wedding Gown With Short Sleeve
adibhatla
01-12 11:49 AM
�Permit to re-enter (valid for two years. This document guarantees the holder�s return only if his stay outside the USA has not exceeded two years),
Can't this be construed as AP doc.??
Can't this be construed as AP doc.??
more...
house modest wedding dress
Macaca
09-21 06:37 PM
Don't judge each day by
the harvest you reap, but
by the seeds you plant
Robert Louis Stevenson
Lawmakers decide to bring an issue for consideration and then vote on the bill. Immigration issues usually start in the immigration sub-committee, then go to Judiciary committee and are finally voted by all members. There are 535 lawmakers (100 Senators + 435 House members).
Most lawmaker offices have a staffer to handle immigration issues.
IV set up 150 lawmaker meetings. A staffer was appraised of EB immigration problems, solutions to prblems and requests for solutions. The staffer gave a business card for future contact. You contact staffer to discuss additional issues, request to bring EB issues for consideration, request lawmaker's vote when bill is being voted, ...
Ideally, IV would like to set up at least one meeting with every lawmaker and more meetings with some lawmakers (members of immigration subcommitee, ...). Due to limited participation, IV could set up only ~150 lawmaker meetings.
the harvest you reap, but
by the seeds you plant
Robert Louis Stevenson
Lawmakers decide to bring an issue for consideration and then vote on the bill. Immigration issues usually start in the immigration sub-committee, then go to Judiciary committee and are finally voted by all members. There are 535 lawmakers (100 Senators + 435 House members).
Most lawmaker offices have a staffer to handle immigration issues.
IV set up 150 lawmaker meetings. A staffer was appraised of EB immigration problems, solutions to prblems and requests for solutions. The staffer gave a business card for future contact. You contact staffer to discuss additional issues, request to bring EB issues for consideration, request lawmaker's vote when bill is being voted, ...
Ideally, IV would like to set up at least one meeting with every lawmaker and more meetings with some lawmakers (members of immigration subcommitee, ...). Due to limited participation, IV could set up only ~150 lawmaker meetings.
tattoo wedding dresses with sleeves
ilikekilo
04-19 03:44 PM
I will be sending the following note to my senator and have already posted it to WhiteHouse.gov. I urge all those screwed by the ongoing retrogression to do the same.
"I am writing to inform you of how the country based quotas imposed on Employment Based green cards are unfair and totally illogical. When I immigrated to the US, I believed that this country was a meritocracy where you were judged based on your abilities and qualities. These country based quotas reward people depending on where they or their ancestors were born. This causes people from India and China to wait over a decade to get a green card whereas someone from another country with similar or lesser abilities can obtain permanent residence in half that time.
Since these EB category based green cards are awarded for professional skills, imposing a country based quota just does not make any sense. I urge you to work with Congress and change this discriminatory policy and reinforce that America is truly a society that celebrates meritocracy."
welcome to IV and thanks for your post. Please join our collective efforts starting with sending your lawyer an email to contact IV if they are interested for their banner display. Additionally you could consider contributing to IV, thus becoming a donor and get more updates as well and participate in our attempt to address burning issues we have that affect almost all immigrants like you and me.
any questions just ask someone might try answer...
also please take a moment to update your profile as well as that data will help us all
"I am writing to inform you of how the country based quotas imposed on Employment Based green cards are unfair and totally illogical. When I immigrated to the US, I believed that this country was a meritocracy where you were judged based on your abilities and qualities. These country based quotas reward people depending on where they or their ancestors were born. This causes people from India and China to wait over a decade to get a green card whereas someone from another country with similar or lesser abilities can obtain permanent residence in half that time.
Since these EB category based green cards are awarded for professional skills, imposing a country based quota just does not make any sense. I urge you to work with Congress and change this discriminatory policy and reinforce that America is truly a society that celebrates meritocracy."
welcome to IV and thanks for your post. Please join our collective efforts starting with sending your lawyer an email to contact IV if they are interested for their banner display. Additionally you could consider contributing to IV, thus becoming a donor and get more updates as well and participate in our attempt to address burning issues we have that affect almost all immigrants like you and me.
any questions just ask someone might try answer...
also please take a moment to update your profile as well as that data will help us all
more...
pictures Engraving wedding dress sleeve
krishna-AP
11-16 10:29 PM
I am planning to move India permanently this year end,
What is the procedure to file Tax from India? Please give your suggestion as I do not want to live any more. Please give your valueable input. I do not know how to start new thread in this forum.
What is the procedure to file Tax from India? Please give your suggestion as I do not want to live any more. Please give your valueable input. I do not know how to start new thread in this forum.
dresses More wedding dresses with
gauravster
05-18 04:42 PM
getting a seperate quota for Masters from US has some teeth. The Congress passed a legislation for additional 20K visas for people with US masters. To match things up with the EB visas, there is need for additional numbers. We can thus argue for an there needs to be additional numbers for EB masters quota.
I think this might resonate with the congress. Unless everyone is just waiting for something big.
I think this might resonate with the congress. Unless everyone is just waiting for something big.
more...
makeup Lace Short Wedding Dress
desighee
07-25 04:47 PM
Take a chill pill.
GC is an american dream and like any american dream it is just a dream that remains a dream for most of the ordinary people.Even if you get a gc it wouldn't make u a millionare.
Instead think about starting some good business and forever get out the clutches of the "law of ordinary people" which states that if you are a reqular person u'll continue to be so in any society untill you die and will find some way to make your life miserable.Hence if not GC tomorrow u'll complain about money and later missing India etc etc
GC is an american dream and like any american dream it is just a dream that remains a dream for most of the ordinary people.Even if you get a gc it wouldn't make u a millionare.
Instead think about starting some good business and forever get out the clutches of the "law of ordinary people" which states that if you are a reqular person u'll continue to be so in any society untill you die and will find some way to make your life miserable.Hence if not GC tomorrow u'll complain about money and later missing India etc etc
girlfriend ivory wedding dress for
jai_immigration
09-19 08:07 PM
Anna35,
So you only want results without any effort from you, you have not answered how you have helped us, did you attend the rally, or sponsor money. I took the opportunity and travelled and participate in the rally for a common cause. Look at your self and ask your self these questions, and see how you can change and help IV by contributing.
So you only want results without any effort from you, you have not answered how you have helped us, did you attend the rally, or sponsor money. I took the opportunity and travelled and participate in the rally for a common cause. Look at your self and ask your self these questions, and see how you can change and help IV by contributing.
hairstyles Latest Wedding Dress Fashion –
dixie
12-04 09:44 PM
Personally, if I am not going to get a GC, I would much prefer loosing 20-25% of the PPF and have some chance of recovering the remainder from the "babus" than loosing all of it to the US government that considers me ineligible for benefits that I have already paid for in full. Its a positive sign that the Indian govt, whatever its vested interest may be, has at least considered taking up this issue.
Lets not nitpick on corruption and nepotism in our home countries. Its no secreat that it exists here as well - except that it goes by different names such as premium processing, amnesty etc and the whole thing is more streamlined and marketed with a positive spin on it.Nobody has experienced that more than us. And yeah, I am being cynical here.
Lets not nitpick on corruption and nepotism in our home countries. Its no secreat that it exists here as well - except that it goes by different names such as premium processing, amnesty etc and the whole thing is more streamlined and marketed with a positive spin on it.Nobody has experienced that more than us. And yeah, I am being cynical here.
aadimanav
05-14 08:56 PM
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=government&articleId=9085658&taxonomyId=13&intsrc=kc_top
May 14, 2008 (Computerworld) Efforts to increase the H-1B cap have been stuck in a legislative swamp, but U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) has introduced three bills in the last few weeks to help foreign nationals already working in the U.S. to obtain permanent residency. She announced her latest legislative effort late Wednesday.
Fixing the permanent residency, or green card employment-based, visa program has been a top legislative goal of high-tech industry proponents, on par with their efforts to raise the H-1B cap.
And Lofgren, who heads the U.S. House Subcommittee on Immigration, is in the position to move legislation to the head of the class. But it remains to be seen whether she can jump over the legislative stalemate created by lawmakers who want comprehensive immigration reform or nothing at all.
Lofgren's latest bill, HR 6039, which is not yet available online, will exempt graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science and tech -- the so called STEM degrees (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) -- from the annual 140,000 limit on these permanent residency visas. The bill was officially introduced yesterday.
In a statement, Lofgren said that more than 50% of graudates with advanced degrees in science and engineering are foreign-born. "If we want our economy to continue competing in the global market, we have to retain these foreign students so they compete with us instead of against us in other countries. These men and women are the innovators of tomorrow, and we aren't the only ones looking to retain their talents. Increasingly, employers from Europe, Australia, Canada, and even China and India, are beating U.S. employers for valuable talent," said Lofgren.
That bill is closely tied to legislation introduced earlier this month by Lofgren, HR 5921. That bill seeks to eliminate the per-country caps on employment-based visas. The U.S. caps at 7% per country the number of employment-based visas issued to would-be visiting workers. "Because of this cap, a Chinese or Indian post-graduate at he top of his/her class at MIT may have to wait half a decade or more for a green card, much longer than a student from a less-populated country," said Lofgren, in a statement released when the legislation was announced.
Although much of the focus has been on the H-1B cap and its 85,000-visa quota, which includes the 20,000 set aside for holders of advanced degrees, high-tech industry proponents say the difficulty in getting permanent residency for their employees is as much a problem as getting H-1B visas.
Microsoft has about 4,000 employees for whom it is trying to gain permanent residency, said Jack Krumholtz, managing director of federal government affairs at Microsoft. They face long waits because of the green card backlog, suffering personal and professional frustrations along the way, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates testified.
"We only hire people that we think can contribute to our innovation and corporate bottom line over the long haul, so we move immediately to apply for green cards for you and your family members," said Krumholtz, who said Microsoft is supporting Lofgren's legislative effort.
The typical path for a tech worker is, first, work after graduation on a student visa -- a period that was recently extended by the Bush administration from a year to 29 months -- and then an H-1B visa until employment-based permanent residency can be achieved.
Other legislative steps taken by Lofgren include a bill that would take unused employment-based green cards and essentially roll them over for resuse in a subsequent year. That bill is HR 5882. There are Republican co-sponsors for each of these bills.
Lofgren's across-the-aisle backers of these bills include U.S. Reps. Chris Cannon (R-Utah), Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.) and Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).
Ron Hira, an assistant professor of public policy at the Rochester Institute of Technology, said he believes the U.S. can absorb more highly skilled, permanent immigrants with green cards "without significantly harming the American workforce. But we have to do it the right way."
Among the issues, says Hira, is the thorny question of "who are we going to grant employment-based permanent residence to?" Educational level attained (bachelor's, masters or Ph.D) and the academic area studied by potential residents are apt to be factors in that.
Hira said that one "significant problem" with the Lofgren bills "has to do with using exemptions as a way around tackling the decision of how many [to grant]," and he added the plan to "recapture" was a gimmick to get around the quota issue. Among the questions Congress should look at, says Hira, is the impact of the changes; he indicated, for instance, that the legislation may change incentives, prompting foreign nationals to seek degrees from any U.S. school they can because it will be seen as a path to permanent residency.
May 14, 2008 (Computerworld) Efforts to increase the H-1B cap have been stuck in a legislative swamp, but U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) has introduced three bills in the last few weeks to help foreign nationals already working in the U.S. to obtain permanent residency. She announced her latest legislative effort late Wednesday.
Fixing the permanent residency, or green card employment-based, visa program has been a top legislative goal of high-tech industry proponents, on par with their efforts to raise the H-1B cap.
And Lofgren, who heads the U.S. House Subcommittee on Immigration, is in the position to move legislation to the head of the class. But it remains to be seen whether she can jump over the legislative stalemate created by lawmakers who want comprehensive immigration reform or nothing at all.
Lofgren's latest bill, HR 6039, which is not yet available online, will exempt graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science and tech -- the so called STEM degrees (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) -- from the annual 140,000 limit on these permanent residency visas. The bill was officially introduced yesterday.
In a statement, Lofgren said that more than 50% of graudates with advanced degrees in science and engineering are foreign-born. "If we want our economy to continue competing in the global market, we have to retain these foreign students so they compete with us instead of against us in other countries. These men and women are the innovators of tomorrow, and we aren't the only ones looking to retain their talents. Increasingly, employers from Europe, Australia, Canada, and even China and India, are beating U.S. employers for valuable talent," said Lofgren.
That bill is closely tied to legislation introduced earlier this month by Lofgren, HR 5921. That bill seeks to eliminate the per-country caps on employment-based visas. The U.S. caps at 7% per country the number of employment-based visas issued to would-be visiting workers. "Because of this cap, a Chinese or Indian post-graduate at he top of his/her class at MIT may have to wait half a decade or more for a green card, much longer than a student from a less-populated country," said Lofgren, in a statement released when the legislation was announced.
Although much of the focus has been on the H-1B cap and its 85,000-visa quota, which includes the 20,000 set aside for holders of advanced degrees, high-tech industry proponents say the difficulty in getting permanent residency for their employees is as much a problem as getting H-1B visas.
Microsoft has about 4,000 employees for whom it is trying to gain permanent residency, said Jack Krumholtz, managing director of federal government affairs at Microsoft. They face long waits because of the green card backlog, suffering personal and professional frustrations along the way, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates testified.
"We only hire people that we think can contribute to our innovation and corporate bottom line over the long haul, so we move immediately to apply for green cards for you and your family members," said Krumholtz, who said Microsoft is supporting Lofgren's legislative effort.
The typical path for a tech worker is, first, work after graduation on a student visa -- a period that was recently extended by the Bush administration from a year to 29 months -- and then an H-1B visa until employment-based permanent residency can be achieved.
Other legislative steps taken by Lofgren include a bill that would take unused employment-based green cards and essentially roll them over for resuse in a subsequent year. That bill is HR 5882. There are Republican co-sponsors for each of these bills.
Lofgren's across-the-aisle backers of these bills include U.S. Reps. Chris Cannon (R-Utah), Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.) and Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).
Ron Hira, an assistant professor of public policy at the Rochester Institute of Technology, said he believes the U.S. can absorb more highly skilled, permanent immigrants with green cards "without significantly harming the American workforce. But we have to do it the right way."
Among the issues, says Hira, is the thorny question of "who are we going to grant employment-based permanent residence to?" Educational level attained (bachelor's, masters or Ph.D) and the academic area studied by potential residents are apt to be factors in that.
Hira said that one "significant problem" with the Lofgren bills "has to do with using exemptions as a way around tackling the decision of how many [to grant]," and he added the plan to "recapture" was a gimmick to get around the quota issue. Among the questions Congress should look at, says Hira, is the impact of the changes; he indicated, for instance, that the legislation may change incentives, prompting foreign nationals to seek degrees from any U.S. school they can because it will be seen as a path to permanent residency.
babli2007
01-03 01:59 PM
Hi everyone, just had an AC-21 question which I was hoping you could help with.
I went to the OneNet link to get the job categories but wanted to get a second opinion.
My current role is computer systems analyst (business analyst) and i might move to a IT project managment role under AC21. There are definitely crossover similarities in both, of course the PM role has more of a leadership aspect to it.
The catagory in Onenet is 11-3021.00 Computer and Information Systems Managers for Project Managers; and 15-1051.00 Computer Systems Analysts for my current role. It shows they are indirectly related throught the Computer Programmer category i.e. 15-1021.00 Computer Programmers.
Is this acceptable for AC21? Please advise.
I went to the OneNet link to get the job categories but wanted to get a second opinion.
My current role is computer systems analyst (business analyst) and i might move to a IT project managment role under AC21. There are definitely crossover similarities in both, of course the PM role has more of a leadership aspect to it.
The catagory in Onenet is 11-3021.00 Computer and Information Systems Managers for Project Managers; and 15-1051.00 Computer Systems Analysts for my current role. It shows they are indirectly related throught the Computer Programmer category i.e. 15-1021.00 Computer Programmers.
Is this acceptable for AC21? Please advise.