inskrish
11-05 10:07 AM
Coming soon..Rated R, for SCARY IMAGES....will make EVERYONE cry!!
Playing on a computer screen near you!!!.....
'V-I-S-A B-U-L-L-E-T-I-N...DECEMBER 2009"
*Disclaimer: Can cause serious mental distress, suicidal thougths, depression, excessive alcohol consumption. Not recommended for EB-XI/C, EB-3 ROW.Country of birth restrictions apply.
Unfortunately, that's the reality for most of us:-)
Playing on a computer screen near you!!!.....
'V-I-S-A B-U-L-L-E-T-I-N...DECEMBER 2009"
*Disclaimer: Can cause serious mental distress, suicidal thougths, depression, excessive alcohol consumption. Not recommended for EB-XI/C, EB-3 ROW.Country of birth restrictions apply.
Unfortunately, that's the reality for most of us:-)
wallpaper natalie portman bald head.
lazycis
01-26 09:07 PM
Nice story :) I had a clause in my first contract that I had to work for a company at least for 6 months or I will have to reimburse all H1B-related expenses. Well, I left the company and when the company's president called me, just told him to get lost. Never heard from him again. Looking back, I should've sued the company because it did not pay me full salary for the first month while I was on the "bench" (searching for a contract). Well, I am just too lazy :)
vasu009
02-10 06:51 PM
> *** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***
>
> The last processing action taken on your case
>
> Receipt Number: LINxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
>
> Current Status: This case has been sent to another office for processing because it has jurisdiction over the case.
>
> On February 10, 2009, we transferred this I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS to our NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER location for processing because they now have jurisdiction over the case. We sent you a notice of this transfer. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done. This case has been sent to our NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.
>
> If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.
>
> *Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.
> *** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
>
> The last processing action taken on your case
>
> Receipt Number: LINxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
>
> Current Status: This case has been sent to another office for processing because it has jurisdiction over the case.
>
> On February 10, 2009, we transferred this I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS to our NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER location for processing because they now have jurisdiction over the case. We sent you a notice of this transfer. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done. This case has been sent to our NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.
>
> If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.
>
> *Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.
> *** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
2011 natalie portman shaved head
NH123
05-15 12:02 PM
Case Rejected because of Incorrect Fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am asking this question in this thread as i dont know how to start new thread.
Hi
My spouse's employer had applied for H1 this year and he got a receipt number. But the check has not been encashed. Now when I checked the status in website it says the following:
------------
Application Type: I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER
Current Status: Case Rejected because of Incorrect Fee
On April 30, 2008, we determined that this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER was not properly filed because you submitted incorrect fee. Therefore, we have rejected your case and returned it to you with all supporting materials, along with the fee. Please follow the instructions on the notice to submit the case with correct fee.
------------
Employer is yet to get the documents back. He checked his records and says there is no mistake from their side including fee...
The question here is:
1. what does case rejection means? - Is it end of it or can it be reapplied with correct fee/ other supporting docs, it at all thats the case
2. If there is no mistake from employer side in filing,and if it is a kind of adminstrative mistake from USCIS side, can it be resubmitted?
I am confused...
Appreciate your inputs
Thanks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am asking this question in this thread as i dont know how to start new thread.
Hi
My spouse's employer had applied for H1 this year and he got a receipt number. But the check has not been encashed. Now when I checked the status in website it says the following:
------------
Application Type: I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER
Current Status: Case Rejected because of Incorrect Fee
On April 30, 2008, we determined that this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER was not properly filed because you submitted incorrect fee. Therefore, we have rejected your case and returned it to you with all supporting materials, along with the fee. Please follow the instructions on the notice to submit the case with correct fee.
------------
Employer is yet to get the documents back. He checked his records and says there is no mistake from their side including fee...
The question here is:
1. what does case rejection means? - Is it end of it or can it be reapplied with correct fee/ other supporting docs, it at all thats the case
2. If there is no mistake from employer side in filing,and if it is a kind of adminstrative mistake from USCIS side, can it be resubmitted?
I am confused...
Appreciate your inputs
Thanks
more...
jonty_11
08-22 01:43 PM
It would help if Masters is only counted from the Acredited Univs...
nrk
10-30 03:55 PM
Yeah rb_248, relieved now.
That sounds like good news. You must be relieved.
That sounds like good news. You must be relieved.
more...
unseenguy
06-16 11:30 PM
I support this campaign and will act upon any action item.One quick question, is the visa revalidation only for people who already hold H1 visa stamp on passport or COS from F1-H1 also falls in the same category?
It does not fall in that category
It does not fall in that category
2010 2011 amazing Natalie Portman
Jaime
08-31 05:23 PM
no jaime, there are excuses:
i did not get a receipt, without that how can i think of GC?
i filed 485. now why should i care?
(top two!)
my work, my family, my dog, my birthday, my fears, my laziness, my apathy, my cynicism and my belief that others are working- why should i?
there are motivated members who cannot come for genuine reasons. we are trying to help them where we can- and they are helping others where they can. but they are far outnumbered by the "this is a forum if you don't want tracking why don't you close it" crowd. and the "who are you to ask me" crowd and " participation is voluntary, don't spam me" crowd- you know the drill.
apparently many have forgotten or never bothered to find out that IV is a grassroots organization that aims to end all retrogression. and they have a distaste for education too. after all they are "highly skilled" :confused:
Paskal, you are right! Yet there are also thousands of concerned members, and others who don't yet know of IV. Also, any of the people that you mentioned can have a change of heart. People are essentially good if they see the goals and reasons clearly. Let's encourage them, and go for it! Over 10,000!!!
i did not get a receipt, without that how can i think of GC?
i filed 485. now why should i care?
(top two!)
my work, my family, my dog, my birthday, my fears, my laziness, my apathy, my cynicism and my belief that others are working- why should i?
there are motivated members who cannot come for genuine reasons. we are trying to help them where we can- and they are helping others where they can. but they are far outnumbered by the "this is a forum if you don't want tracking why don't you close it" crowd. and the "who are you to ask me" crowd and " participation is voluntary, don't spam me" crowd- you know the drill.
apparently many have forgotten or never bothered to find out that IV is a grassroots organization that aims to end all retrogression. and they have a distaste for education too. after all they are "highly skilled" :confused:
Paskal, you are right! Yet there are also thousands of concerned members, and others who don't yet know of IV. Also, any of the people that you mentioned can have a change of heart. People are essentially good if they see the goals and reasons clearly. Let's encourage them, and go for it! Over 10,000!!!
more...
mhb
07-06 06:57 PM
Has the program aired on CST? It starts in minutes in EST. Let me know, if it has not been aired today.
please, go to http://www.wandtv.com/
please, go to http://www.wandtv.com/
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sanjose
07-13 03:26 PM
congratulations..truly inspirational.. how did you acquire such phenominal emotional stamina?
more...
mihird
09-14 11:04 PM
hm... So why are you here, in Immigrationvoice ???
I too like everyone else on this board am in this seemingly endless EB queue (6th year in the GC wait). I was just trying to send a message to folks out there that carve your life based on what you want to do, and if you can do what you want to do, just take it a bit easy and don't miss out on the fun things in life while this wait persists.
I have gotten to the 2 houses and 2 jobs all the time while being on a H1 is because I never put my life on hold because of the GC wait. Just had faith in my qualifications and skills, and the confidence to be able to find a H1 job in case of a job loss.
Sure enough, I had a job loss last year and here I am - back on my feet in 2 months - found another H1 job and am making more money than the previous job. Only thing, is my PD got reset and the wait will get even longer...it is still not going to stop me from moving forward...I have more plans for the next 2 years including possibly starting a business with a US citizen partner. Am currently looking into the possibility of filing a 3rd concurrent H1 for that.
Moral of the story, don't put your life on hold because of the GC wait....GC is not in our hands...why worry so much about something on which we have very little control over. Too bad, this government doesn't care about this massive highly skilled workforce and are treating us so bad. That shouldn't stop us from living life at our terms (for the most part of it).
What we can control is our destiny and as long as we worry about that and give that a proper direction...GC or no GC...doesn't matter so much..
I too like everyone else on this board am in this seemingly endless EB queue (6th year in the GC wait). I was just trying to send a message to folks out there that carve your life based on what you want to do, and if you can do what you want to do, just take it a bit easy and don't miss out on the fun things in life while this wait persists.
I have gotten to the 2 houses and 2 jobs all the time while being on a H1 is because I never put my life on hold because of the GC wait. Just had faith in my qualifications and skills, and the confidence to be able to find a H1 job in case of a job loss.
Sure enough, I had a job loss last year and here I am - back on my feet in 2 months - found another H1 job and am making more money than the previous job. Only thing, is my PD got reset and the wait will get even longer...it is still not going to stop me from moving forward...I have more plans for the next 2 years including possibly starting a business with a US citizen partner. Am currently looking into the possibility of filing a 3rd concurrent H1 for that.
Moral of the story, don't put your life on hold because of the GC wait....GC is not in our hands...why worry so much about something on which we have very little control over. Too bad, this government doesn't care about this massive highly skilled workforce and are treating us so bad. That shouldn't stop us from living life at our terms (for the most part of it).
What we can control is our destiny and as long as we worry about that and give that a proper direction...GC or no GC...doesn't matter so much..
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RajWantsGC
05-12 05:10 PM
Thanks Chandu. Did the same. Got I485 reopended as it is USCIS error (Filing Fee Not enclosed.) Got I797c for both of us saying that I485 reopened.
software7,
would you please let me know in detail how you approached congress men and senators?
How did you get their addresses and contact numbers? I am also in the similar situation.
software7,
would you please let me know in detail how you approached congress men and senators?
How did you get their addresses and contact numbers? I am also in the similar situation.
more...
house girlfriend Tags: ald, Natalie
amitga
12-28 09:23 PM
Can somebody tell in simpe words.
Is the country quota is still soft quota or it is now rigid 7% irrespective of the fact that visa numbers of other countries are unused.
Is the country quota is still soft quota or it is now rigid 7% irrespective of the fact that visa numbers of other countries are unused.
tattoo Why ask why?
pady
08-20 09:07 PM
I agree that labor belongs to the company, but I paid all the fee for the same. They can always use that, but they are not supposed to screw up me In this case, they didn't talk to me and told me that my 485 was applied, which turned out to be a lie.
more...
pictures Natalie Portman:
GCInThisLife
06-02 12:16 AM
Well.. it didn't turn out to be a major issue after all. At least for us. Both my self and my wife got approved in May. The first LUD since FP was on the day we were approved.
I do understand that 'not working' immediately after getting H1B is a problem and considered out of status and in addition you can also work while SSN is pending. However, most employers do not know about work with out SSN (pending) and according to some lawyers, we may be able to fight for this.
As I investigated further, there are so many people in the similar situation esp. spouses, i.e., getting on payroll a little late etc. Many of them for genuine reasons (though you will find fault with those reasons) and fell into unknowingly. However, most of them got GCs with out any problem.
The trick may be to put forward the documentation in such a way that it will not raise any flag. You require to submit Paystubs, w2s, tax returns only for primary applicant as supporting documentation I134 (affidavit) to prove that the dependent is not public charge. You need to make sure that information entered in the any forms (I485, Bio, I-134 etc) agree with supporting documentation such as I94, I797, PP/Visa or any documentation you included. If information do not match, it may raise a flag and IO may ask for more information. So do not get overexcited and submit only what is asked. YOU SHOULDN'T LIE. JUST SUBMIT ONLY WHAT IS ASKED.
I do understand the forms are useful, but I honestly feel that it is unnecessary stress. As I mentioned I was never been under so much stress as I was when folks pointed that we may not get GCs. I didn't sleep for couple days.. And stopped visiting this forum. Later my wife made me realize that family life is most important as long as we are together, country of residence does not matter. When our son was born last month, I truly felt 'damn GC'.. funnily got approved in the same week :).
There are few people who are truly helpful, but most come to forms just for kicks and show of their knowledge and talk/act like lawyers. My suggestion is DON'T HURT PEOPLE WHO COME FOR HELP. Esp, when there is something negative, don't try to prove and re-prove your point or satisfy your ego with logical answers or internet search results etc. This will hurt the person 'in trouble' even more. Just imagine your self in similar situation, then you will realize that most people get into situations unknowingly and probably unaware of till some one like you points out. Try to offer some suggestions if you can or stay away. If you want kicks, have a drink and watch a game or something. THANKS FOR READING THIS.
BYE BYE. Good luck to every one who is still waiting.
I do understand that 'not working' immediately after getting H1B is a problem and considered out of status and in addition you can also work while SSN is pending. However, most employers do not know about work with out SSN (pending) and according to some lawyers, we may be able to fight for this.
As I investigated further, there are so many people in the similar situation esp. spouses, i.e., getting on payroll a little late etc. Many of them for genuine reasons (though you will find fault with those reasons) and fell into unknowingly. However, most of them got GCs with out any problem.
The trick may be to put forward the documentation in such a way that it will not raise any flag. You require to submit Paystubs, w2s, tax returns only for primary applicant as supporting documentation I134 (affidavit) to prove that the dependent is not public charge. You need to make sure that information entered in the any forms (I485, Bio, I-134 etc) agree with supporting documentation such as I94, I797, PP/Visa or any documentation you included. If information do not match, it may raise a flag and IO may ask for more information. So do not get overexcited and submit only what is asked. YOU SHOULDN'T LIE. JUST SUBMIT ONLY WHAT IS ASKED.
I do understand the forms are useful, but I honestly feel that it is unnecessary stress. As I mentioned I was never been under so much stress as I was when folks pointed that we may not get GCs. I didn't sleep for couple days.. And stopped visiting this forum. Later my wife made me realize that family life is most important as long as we are together, country of residence does not matter. When our son was born last month, I truly felt 'damn GC'.. funnily got approved in the same week :).
There are few people who are truly helpful, but most come to forms just for kicks and show of their knowledge and talk/act like lawyers. My suggestion is DON'T HURT PEOPLE WHO COME FOR HELP. Esp, when there is something negative, don't try to prove and re-prove your point or satisfy your ego with logical answers or internet search results etc. This will hurt the person 'in trouble' even more. Just imagine your self in similar situation, then you will realize that most people get into situations unknowingly and probably unaware of till some one like you points out. Try to offer some suggestions if you can or stay away. If you want kicks, have a drink and watch a game or something. THANKS FOR READING THIS.
BYE BYE. Good luck to every one who is still waiting.
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shana04
01-04 03:35 PM
Poor Guy
more...
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sravani
05-22 04:25 PM
This Jan 1,2007 date is another Joke by this lawmakers. These undocumented workers came crossing the border without any port of entry evidence. How can they prove they came before or after that date.
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indigo10
01-25 12:28 PM
This is not an accredited university. It has SEVIS permission though.
Great news. What will be greater is that not only these "students", but the people who employ them, the people who run the "university", the ones who gave accreditation to this "university" should be all loaded in a ship and dropped-off on a hitherto uninhabited island in the south pacific, with a live stream of their life made available post drop-off.
They can all happily screw each other on the island.
BTW, let one of the right wing radio shows get a hold of this news, we will not hear the end of this. The next logical step will be Steve King professing an end to F1 visas.
Great news. What will be greater is that not only these "students", but the people who employ them, the people who run the "university", the ones who gave accreditation to this "university" should be all loaded in a ship and dropped-off on a hitherto uninhabited island in the south pacific, with a live stream of their life made available post drop-off.
They can all happily screw each other on the island.
BTW, let one of the right wing radio shows get a hold of this news, we will not hear the end of this. The next logical step will be Steve King professing an end to F1 visas.
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mpadapa
03-18 09:58 AM
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=231163&postcount=914
Thank you everyone for sending letters. We are now in Phase 2 of the campaign.
State chapter leaders have been informed of the update. Please get in touch with your state chapter groups for more regular updates on the Admin Fixes campaign. More updates will be given by the chapter leaders as we make progress in the Admin fixes campaign.
If you do not have a state chapter, please join a state chapter near your state.
Thank you everyone for sending letters. We are now in Phase 2 of the campaign.
State chapter leaders have been informed of the update. Please get in touch with your state chapter groups for more regular updates on the Admin Fixes campaign. More updates will be given by the chapter leaders as we make progress in the Admin fixes campaign.
If you do not have a state chapter, please join a state chapter near your state.
ItIsNotFunny
04-13 01:04 PM
I guess they are on their way to make ROW current in all categories. Good news for ROW, not encouraging news for India & China annddddddddd Mexico too!
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.
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