jkays94
05-30 10:10 PM
Keep in mind the consequences of the new bill. Any I-140s filed after May 21 (or 15 depends where you are reading) will be invalidated. If I was you and my PD is current, I would take the risk and hang in there, get I-485 filed and bite the bullet for 6 months or 1 year (again depending on how the bill turns out)
senthil1
09-12 11:29 AM
There is no doubt Obama admin is trying selective protectionist measures not only in immigration but also in trade.
The Rubber Meets The Road - Forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/12/china-imports-tires-business-washington-tariff.html)
Will it good for world? No. Will it good for America? Yes for short term. But long term it is bad for USA according to economists. But generally USA reverses the protectionist measures when economy rebounds and there is huge demand for US labor. So USA is not losing that much. Is it a fair or correct? If you compare with other countries may be it is correct. China is manipulating its currency for their convenience. That is a huge protectionist measure. When it comes to welfare of the country every country does unfair things. USA is not exception but still much better than most countries in the world.
AILA Leadership Has Just Posted the Following:
Today's guest blogger is William Stock (http://www.klaskolaw.com/our-team.php?action=view&id=3), member of AILA's Board of Governors and partner in the law firm Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer
Employers who rely on foreign nationals to provide needed expertise in their workforce - from technical programmers to biochemists to wind turbine engineers - should take notice of three troubling trends which are becoming clearer as the discussion about employment-based immigration reform gets drowned out by the ongoing debate about comprehensive immigration reform.
The first trend is captured in this blog post (http://www.klaskolaw.com/our-team.php?action=view&id=3) by Vivek Wadhwa, a professor at Duke University who has studied high-tech entrepreneurship extensively. Current backlogs in the employment-based immigration categories trap foreign workers in the original job for which they were sponsored, meaning their companies cannot promote them to positions where their experience and skills can best be used. Nor can the workers take the initiative to start their own companies - while a small company may be able to sponsor one of its owners as an H-1B, a green card is much less likely in that situation. Wadhwa points out that eliminating the green card backlog (a major part of which consists of cases trapped by bureaucratic delays that should have been approved in past years� quotas, which do not carry over from year to year) would free an enormous amount of human capital to innovate and create the next generation of companies that will drive economic growth in the US.
More troubling, a combination of the green card quotas (which tie foreign nationals to one specific job) and rules for terminated H-1B workers (described in detail here (http://www.klaskolaw.com/articles.php?action=view&id=8)) are driving away the most talented foreign graduates of our universities. Recent surveys and profiles of foreign nationals in the US - particularly Indian engineers in Silicon Valley (http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/home-where-brain) - have highlighted an increase in the number of H-1B who are opting to return home, either from necessity or because the Indian economy now offers them opportunities to start or manage companies that the U.S. can�t match because of their visa situation. While opponents of high-tech immigration love to argue that H-1B visas allow tech workers to come to the US and learn skills that they can use back home, the fact is that most tech workers would prefer to use those skills in the US - and that immigrants are a key part of the Silicon Valley start-up community (given how many start-ups have at least one immigrant founder).
The most troubling trend, however, will not be immediate in its impact. For the first time in five years, US graduate programs reported a drop (http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/aug2009/bs20090820_960342.htm) in the number of international applications to their programs and the number of accepted applicants who chose to come to their programs. These students are the best and brightest from their countries, and when they choose to go to other countries rather than the US, we lose out not only on the tuition dollars they would have spent (at rates higher than out-of-state students pay), but also on their talents for companies in the US.
While these trends are troubling, they are not irreversible. What it will take, however, is a rational reform of our employment-based immigration system to recognize the contributions these immigrants make, and the national interest in providing a welcome mat to them.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/186823568153827945-8233644330835442863?l=ailaleadership.blogspot.com
More... (http://ailaleadership.blogspot.com/2009/09/americas-shrinking-immigration.html)
The Rubber Meets The Road - Forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/12/china-imports-tires-business-washington-tariff.html)
Will it good for world? No. Will it good for America? Yes for short term. But long term it is bad for USA according to economists. But generally USA reverses the protectionist measures when economy rebounds and there is huge demand for US labor. So USA is not losing that much. Is it a fair or correct? If you compare with other countries may be it is correct. China is manipulating its currency for their convenience. That is a huge protectionist measure. When it comes to welfare of the country every country does unfair things. USA is not exception but still much better than most countries in the world.
AILA Leadership Has Just Posted the Following:
Today's guest blogger is William Stock (http://www.klaskolaw.com/our-team.php?action=view&id=3), member of AILA's Board of Governors and partner in the law firm Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer
Employers who rely on foreign nationals to provide needed expertise in their workforce - from technical programmers to biochemists to wind turbine engineers - should take notice of three troubling trends which are becoming clearer as the discussion about employment-based immigration reform gets drowned out by the ongoing debate about comprehensive immigration reform.
The first trend is captured in this blog post (http://www.klaskolaw.com/our-team.php?action=view&id=3) by Vivek Wadhwa, a professor at Duke University who has studied high-tech entrepreneurship extensively. Current backlogs in the employment-based immigration categories trap foreign workers in the original job for which they were sponsored, meaning their companies cannot promote them to positions where their experience and skills can best be used. Nor can the workers take the initiative to start their own companies - while a small company may be able to sponsor one of its owners as an H-1B, a green card is much less likely in that situation. Wadhwa points out that eliminating the green card backlog (a major part of which consists of cases trapped by bureaucratic delays that should have been approved in past years� quotas, which do not carry over from year to year) would free an enormous amount of human capital to innovate and create the next generation of companies that will drive economic growth in the US.
More troubling, a combination of the green card quotas (which tie foreign nationals to one specific job) and rules for terminated H-1B workers (described in detail here (http://www.klaskolaw.com/articles.php?action=view&id=8)) are driving away the most talented foreign graduates of our universities. Recent surveys and profiles of foreign nationals in the US - particularly Indian engineers in Silicon Valley (http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/home-where-brain) - have highlighted an increase in the number of H-1B who are opting to return home, either from necessity or because the Indian economy now offers them opportunities to start or manage companies that the U.S. can�t match because of their visa situation. While opponents of high-tech immigration love to argue that H-1B visas allow tech workers to come to the US and learn skills that they can use back home, the fact is that most tech workers would prefer to use those skills in the US - and that immigrants are a key part of the Silicon Valley start-up community (given how many start-ups have at least one immigrant founder).
The most troubling trend, however, will not be immediate in its impact. For the first time in five years, US graduate programs reported a drop (http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/aug2009/bs20090820_960342.htm) in the number of international applications to their programs and the number of accepted applicants who chose to come to their programs. These students are the best and brightest from their countries, and when they choose to go to other countries rather than the US, we lose out not only on the tuition dollars they would have spent (at rates higher than out-of-state students pay), but also on their talents for companies in the US.
While these trends are troubling, they are not irreversible. What it will take, however, is a rational reform of our employment-based immigration system to recognize the contributions these immigrants make, and the national interest in providing a welcome mat to them.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/186823568153827945-8233644330835442863?l=ailaleadership.blogspot.com
More... (http://ailaleadership.blogspot.com/2009/09/americas-shrinking-immigration.html)
insbaby
08-15 12:32 PM
Non-compete is based on a state law. Consult a Virginia employment attorney. Generally non-compete doesn't have teeth, because every one has got a right to work and practice your profession/make living.
Everyone has got right to work and practice their profession/make living, but not with the end client written in the contract, within the given period of time. Surely thats not life long, but there must be a period for 6 months, 12 months etc.
Everyone has got right to work and practice their profession/make living, but not with the end client written in the contract, within the given period of time. Surely thats not life long, but there must be a period for 6 months, 12 months etc.
freedom2007
10-22 04:26 PM
Yup completely agree with Frostrated..
Me too in Same situation had Masters degree but in 2003 we thought Category wont matter much as dates were current..Hmm look what it got us into now for EB3's
Me too in Same situation had Masters degree but in 2003 we thought Category wont matter much as dates were current..Hmm look what it got us into now for EB3's
more...
nonimmi
05-30 02:52 PM
I haven't come here for a while and don't know what's happening here. Several weeks ago, we said we would be happy if congresses pass CIR. How come we don't want CIR to be passed now?
Gotta clear backlog Ma' :D
Gotta clear backlog Ma' :D
waitingnwaiting
05-09 09:30 AM
I wanted to share my success story of getting I-485s re-opened with the help of IV last week. Let me start with the end result first and those interested in details could read further!
Synopsis
After 4 months wait since the wrongful denial of our 485s, I contacted Immigration Voice (IV) core team for help on April 25, 2011 as a last resort. On the next day morning (April 26th), I received a phone call from USCIS Headquarters in D.C. and the officer informed that Service Center approved my MTR and reopened 485s, and I should receive system updates in a day. At the end of the day, I got email updates confirming re-opening of 485s. It was an incredible moment in my life to receive a call from USCIS about my case. I am very grateful to the IV leadership and its deep relationships within USCIS and DHS. Prior to contacting IV, I filed an expedite request with USCIS, contacted Ombudsman, and contacted my Senator as well. I received standard responses but no positive result. Adding fuel to the fire, my EAD was due to expire in July 2011.
At the end, even though I never anticipated issues with my 485, I was very happy to see that my active participation with IV’s advocacy efforts over the last few years opened up several options for me to seek help.
Prologue
During the middle of last year my attorney moved their offices and we filed a new G-28 for address change. After couple of months of this address change, during early Nov’2010 USCIS apparently sent a NOID asking for AC21 employment letter to the old address of the attorney. USCIS did not send text or email even though both me and my attorney subscribed to the notifications. USCIS did not even send a copy of this notice to me. After 30 days of original notice, USCIS updated their system that their mail was returned. This was the first time we came to know about the outstanding notice from USCIS. We immediately contacted USCIS and requested for a copy of NOID. In the meantime, 33 days elapsed, and USCIS promptly denied I-485s of me and my family. I have been working on EAD and it was due to expire in July 2011.
Life after denials
I requested my company for AC21 letter and after receiving the employment letter, my attorney filed I-290B MTR around the end of Dec’2011. I continued to work as usual using my EAD. After couple of months of waiting, I requested USCIS to expedite. Their response was to wait 30 days. Nothing happened. Then, I simultaneously contacted my Senator’s office and Ombudsman. I promptly received responses that they would look into this and I should expect a response from USCIS within 15 days. Based on these responses, I should have received approval by the first week of April. Again, nothing happened until the 3rd week of April. I was becoming wary of my EAD expiry and applying for renewal within 90 days of expiry.
IV’s Advocacy Days in D.C.
I have been a donor for the last few years and actively participated in advocacy days of 2010 and 2011. During this year’s advocacy event, I met IV core team and explained my case. Based on their advice, I waited to see if USCIS responds by mid of April. After long wait and exhausting all options, I requested help from IV. As I mentioned, within 24 hours, I got the approval of MTR and our status was restored!
Though not everyone gets into this kind of trouble, it is very heartening to note that there is someone (IV) behind us to help when in need.
Final Request to Readers:
As someone who associated with IV for the last few years and after going through this ordeal with USCIS, I recommend all those waiting in line or waiting to be in line (for GC) to start associating with IV. No matter how little time or money you could afford to work with IV, every minute and every cent is well worth it! Please Get Involved with IV! Thanks.
Do you get confirmation of G28?
Synopsis
After 4 months wait since the wrongful denial of our 485s, I contacted Immigration Voice (IV) core team for help on April 25, 2011 as a last resort. On the next day morning (April 26th), I received a phone call from USCIS Headquarters in D.C. and the officer informed that Service Center approved my MTR and reopened 485s, and I should receive system updates in a day. At the end of the day, I got email updates confirming re-opening of 485s. It was an incredible moment in my life to receive a call from USCIS about my case. I am very grateful to the IV leadership and its deep relationships within USCIS and DHS. Prior to contacting IV, I filed an expedite request with USCIS, contacted Ombudsman, and contacted my Senator as well. I received standard responses but no positive result. Adding fuel to the fire, my EAD was due to expire in July 2011.
At the end, even though I never anticipated issues with my 485, I was very happy to see that my active participation with IV’s advocacy efforts over the last few years opened up several options for me to seek help.
Prologue
During the middle of last year my attorney moved their offices and we filed a new G-28 for address change. After couple of months of this address change, during early Nov’2010 USCIS apparently sent a NOID asking for AC21 employment letter to the old address of the attorney. USCIS did not send text or email even though both me and my attorney subscribed to the notifications. USCIS did not even send a copy of this notice to me. After 30 days of original notice, USCIS updated their system that their mail was returned. This was the first time we came to know about the outstanding notice from USCIS. We immediately contacted USCIS and requested for a copy of NOID. In the meantime, 33 days elapsed, and USCIS promptly denied I-485s of me and my family. I have been working on EAD and it was due to expire in July 2011.
Life after denials
I requested my company for AC21 letter and after receiving the employment letter, my attorney filed I-290B MTR around the end of Dec’2011. I continued to work as usual using my EAD. After couple of months of waiting, I requested USCIS to expedite. Their response was to wait 30 days. Nothing happened. Then, I simultaneously contacted my Senator’s office and Ombudsman. I promptly received responses that they would look into this and I should expect a response from USCIS within 15 days. Based on these responses, I should have received approval by the first week of April. Again, nothing happened until the 3rd week of April. I was becoming wary of my EAD expiry and applying for renewal within 90 days of expiry.
IV’s Advocacy Days in D.C.
I have been a donor for the last few years and actively participated in advocacy days of 2010 and 2011. During this year’s advocacy event, I met IV core team and explained my case. Based on their advice, I waited to see if USCIS responds by mid of April. After long wait and exhausting all options, I requested help from IV. As I mentioned, within 24 hours, I got the approval of MTR and our status was restored!
Though not everyone gets into this kind of trouble, it is very heartening to note that there is someone (IV) behind us to help when in need.
Final Request to Readers:
As someone who associated with IV for the last few years and after going through this ordeal with USCIS, I recommend all those waiting in line or waiting to be in line (for GC) to start associating with IV. No matter how little time or money you could afford to work with IV, every minute and every cent is well worth it! Please Get Involved with IV! Thanks.
Do you get confirmation of G28?
more...
lecter
December 21st, 2007, 06:35 AM
Interesting post.
the new 5D will eat everything that currently exists I am guessing (Apart from my 1Ds3.. hehe)
Rob
the new 5D will eat everything that currently exists I am guessing (Apart from my 1Ds3.. hehe)
Rob
Can2004
03-14 10:54 AM
Hi everyone,
I have a related question. I am a canadian citizen now and am still maintaining an H1b. My H1b stamp had expired in 2007 though.
I had applied for AP in january but its still pending at NSC.
Now I have to go to India for my brother's marriage.
My question to you all is-Since I am still on H1B (and If am not wrong, canadian citizens do not require H1B stamps)-- will it be ok if I travel without an AP.
Thanks
I have a related question. I am a canadian citizen now and am still maintaining an H1b. My H1b stamp had expired in 2007 though.
I had applied for AP in january but its still pending at NSC.
Now I have to go to India for my brother's marriage.
My question to you all is-Since I am still on H1B (and If am not wrong, canadian citizens do not require H1B stamps)-- will it be ok if I travel without an AP.
Thanks
more...
whitecollarslave
02-10 01:05 PM
All the tactics used by groups opposing EB immigration and in particular H-1B visas center around one central theme - foreign (H-1B) workers are cheap labor. While they may have identified specific cases, it is not representative of the entire EB (and H-1B) community. Most of us are paid much more than higher end of prevailing wage, plus 10-20K in immigration costs. Many of us are physicians with NIW and working in medically under served areas.
How about we stand in silent, peaceful protest against the H-1B ban to show that the common perception of H-1B workers is not all correct. I suggest we do this either in front of the Capitol on the day when the House-Senate joint committee is considering the bill or on the day when President Obama signs the bill in front of the White House. Our goal will be simple - we will try to pass on one message - We are not cheap labor. The way we do this -
Each of us will create a poster with our 2008 W-2 blown up that shows the income (100k+), show that we are paying all taxes (Medicare, SS, etc.). We can scratch off employer name, address, etc.
We can wear white strips around our lips to symbolize our protest to be silent, peaceful.
We can have some flyers ready with relevant information.
These are just some preliminary ideas. I am sure others here will have much better ideas to get our point across - We are not cheap labor.
I know skeptics and nay sayers tell me that this is useless, etc. etc. I have two things to day about that - First, if we don't do anything we don't gain anything anyways. Second, I do not expect the Congress to change anything just based on any protest like this. What this will do is that it will plant a seed of a forgotten concept that foreign workers like you and me are not cheap. I feel confident that we can find somebody to report this.
Anybody up for it? Even if 10 of us are ready I think we should do it. Timing this right is important. We have to move swiftly.
How about we stand in silent, peaceful protest against the H-1B ban to show that the common perception of H-1B workers is not all correct. I suggest we do this either in front of the Capitol on the day when the House-Senate joint committee is considering the bill or on the day when President Obama signs the bill in front of the White House. Our goal will be simple - we will try to pass on one message - We are not cheap labor. The way we do this -
Each of us will create a poster with our 2008 W-2 blown up that shows the income (100k+), show that we are paying all taxes (Medicare, SS, etc.). We can scratch off employer name, address, etc.
We can wear white strips around our lips to symbolize our protest to be silent, peaceful.
We can have some flyers ready with relevant information.
These are just some preliminary ideas. I am sure others here will have much better ideas to get our point across - We are not cheap labor.
I know skeptics and nay sayers tell me that this is useless, etc. etc. I have two things to day about that - First, if we don't do anything we don't gain anything anyways. Second, I do not expect the Congress to change anything just based on any protest like this. What this will do is that it will plant a seed of a forgotten concept that foreign workers like you and me are not cheap. I feel confident that we can find somebody to report this.
Anybody up for it? Even if 10 of us are ready I think we should do it. Timing this right is important. We have to move swiftly.
jasmin45
03-14 09:34 AM
Most of the american students (not all) does not develop the attitude and key qualities required for Higher education in science and technology. As per my observation, lot of them seems to have high ambition, which is good, but no focus on means to achieve it.
Overall development of personality and physique is good but the psychological preparedness to tackle the technical and scientific problem is lacking at a high degree. This can be attributed to the basic education system where the focus is on external physical and social development and hence they have good qualities for marketing but majority of the folks fail to realize that and instead of finetunning the strengths the lack of focus keep then working on other aspects during entire teen years. This is where they need direction from education specialists.
This is in contrast to what we see in south east asian countries where the focus is not on external and physical development but on cultivation of attitude and psychological preparedness which turns the students into science and technology much more than sports and fashion.
Even now their standard set for 3rd grade and 5th graders are way too low compared to Asian and European 1st & 2nd grades. Whole number to fractions transition does not take 2 grades. But understandably so, sudden changes in education standards will be harder on kids in immediate generation as the base is not set. Next gen will benefit.
There are pros and cons in both the system but the key is what is needed for the economy. Right now it is science and techno graduates in US and their system does not support it. It is hard to make that shift but If they can successfully put it together, in next 20 years you will see a fair amount of science and technology graduates in US which will include US born kids generation of immigrant population.
Overall development of personality and physique is good but the psychological preparedness to tackle the technical and scientific problem is lacking at a high degree. This can be attributed to the basic education system where the focus is on external physical and social development and hence they have good qualities for marketing but majority of the folks fail to realize that and instead of finetunning the strengths the lack of focus keep then working on other aspects during entire teen years. This is where they need direction from education specialists.
This is in contrast to what we see in south east asian countries where the focus is not on external and physical development but on cultivation of attitude and psychological preparedness which turns the students into science and technology much more than sports and fashion.
Even now their standard set for 3rd grade and 5th graders are way too low compared to Asian and European 1st & 2nd grades. Whole number to fractions transition does not take 2 grades. But understandably so, sudden changes in education standards will be harder on kids in immediate generation as the base is not set. Next gen will benefit.
There are pros and cons in both the system but the key is what is needed for the economy. Right now it is science and techno graduates in US and their system does not support it. It is hard to make that shift but If they can successfully put it together, in next 20 years you will see a fair amount of science and technology graduates in US which will include US born kids generation of immigrant population.
more...
java07
07-10 10:14 AM
I had sent my EAD application on last week Thursday through express mail and I recvd the same status first time. On Monday, the status changed to delivery confirmed when someone picked the notice I think. My checks are cashed today so you may have to wait for a day and it should be fine.
eastindia
04-20 08:59 AM
I am contacting them and will march with them. If undocumented get a bill, our bill will come automatically. We should be supporting them. If we support them they will also support us. With their support we can get our bill. If we try to do a rally for ourselves the so called educated people on H1B and EAD will not come. They will rather spend time driving in their nice car to Disney or eat out in a fancy restaurant. So I believe we need to side with undocumented and help them to help ourselves.
more...
ras
03-17 02:45 PM
We hear a lot about good credit.. but not a very good understanding of what it means
So is a score 670 considered to be good one? How much approx.. would be mortgage/month for $300K house. Ofcourse there are many factors but just to get a ball park free..
So is a score 670 considered to be good one? How much approx.. would be mortgage/month for $300K house. Ofcourse there are many factors but just to get a ball park free..
ronhira
10-05 09:34 PM
Neil, Hoffman, Greg, IIya, ,
we will all love you.... and thank you for showing us the light..... to make this world a better place.....
THANK YOU
we will all love you.... and thank you for showing us the light..... to make this world a better place.....
THANK YOU
more...
Pankaj
11-14 06:55 AM
where we should file a complain to DOL(state ot federal). Every state also has separate DOL e.g. VA has DOLI( department of labor and industry) but federal also has DOL(department of labor) where we should file such complain?
txh1b
08-17 05:39 PM
One looks like a PM position involving lot of admin stuff and the other sounds technical enough. May have problems using AC21.
more...
anuh1
04-05 01:33 PM
Thanks for the info. I also got mine PWD today. Just now attorney confirmed that.
piyushpan
04-07 05:05 PM
Yes i think so. You need a U.S degree for stamping.(H1)
My wife changed from H4 to F1. Do you know if she can get stamping in Canada for F1?
My wife changed from H4 to F1. Do you know if she can get stamping in Canada for F1?
satishku_2000
08-04 11:52 PM
Unless you want to get ready for boilerplate RFEs on the 140 dont go for premium processing. They just issue RFEs to make sure that case is "processed".
sweet_jungle
01-10 06:17 PM
What do you mean by
"Can an attorney force me to file AC-21 even if i dont want to?"
Are you asking if the attorney would file the change of employment letter?
Please clarify your question
What I am trying to say is if the attorney prefers Ac-21 filing without waiting for RFE, while I may want to wait for RFE if i am sure sponsoring employer wont withdraw 140, whose word will prevail?
"Can an attorney force me to file AC-21 even if i dont want to?"
Are you asking if the attorney would file the change of employment letter?
Please clarify your question
What I am trying to say is if the attorney prefers Ac-21 filing without waiting for RFE, while I may want to wait for RFE if i am sure sponsoring employer wont withdraw 140, whose word will prevail?
jamesingham
06-23 08:59 AM
No not yet. Attorney says I will get it in October of this year. He also said PERM is going to be no problem .. problem may arise when we apply for EB-2 140.
Yes, the responsibilities are 50% different than my previous job.
Yes, the responsibilities are 50% different than my previous job.
