funny
10-08 12:51 PM
http://www.bestsyndication.com/?q=tough-days-ahead-indian-real-estate-market
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IamWithImmiVoice
01-10 05:15 AM
I have been a member of IV for a long time. I think my only contribution is when I contributed a few times for some of the efforts. I come to this forum maybe once in a quarter just hoping to see some good news on the immigration side. I see nothing, feel bad about it and leave without doing anything. Every time I leave thinking that I should start contributing instead of being a useless lurker, but somehow that thought is the end.
My mistake and I apologize to the regular contributors here.
Anyways I am going to contribute now. I have set up a reminder in my calender for every other day to visit IV and discuss with other members about the next approach to take. I am also looking to contribute whether it be writing letters or taking part in rallies or speaking to lawyers about the spillover.
Again I apologize and I am looking forward to our next step towards ending our immigration woes.
My mistake and I apologize to the regular contributors here.
Anyways I am going to contribute now. I have set up a reminder in my calender for every other day to visit IV and discuss with other members about the next approach to take. I am also looking to contribute whether it be writing letters or taking part in rallies or speaking to lawyers about the spillover.
Again I apologize and I am looking forward to our next step towards ending our immigration woes.
p1234
10-02 11:34 PM
Guys,
Please refrain from fighting on EB3 and EB2 issue. We all know how difficult retrogression has been to every one here. As some one has already said, If interfiling was so easy and every one was fortunate enough to file another Labor/140, EB-2 would have been in 2002 or along with EB-3. AFAIK, Interfiling is some thing the law allows and as long as one does what the system allows and is not gaming the system, its perfectly fine. Don't rub salt on others wounds. Do what you can to improve the system. IMO, the backward movement was a knee jerk reaction to the false demand, shown by USCIS with a huge movement in PD. As you may know, this is purely demand and supply based DOS will move dates forward as soon as they realize that there is not much demand. DOS keeps track of all visa number requests and approvals based on PD's. The problem is DOS just does not know how many applications are pending per country per category to stop the back and forth movement of dates and make the date movement strictly forward. DOS clearly made this a requirement in OCT 08 bulletin and lets see what happens in the next few months. 2nd Q will be key as the over flow will start to trickle based on demand in EB-1+EB-4+EB-5
Your point is taken, no more flames after this.
Please refrain from fighting on EB3 and EB2 issue. We all know how difficult retrogression has been to every one here. As some one has already said, If interfiling was so easy and every one was fortunate enough to file another Labor/140, EB-2 would have been in 2002 or along with EB-3. AFAIK, Interfiling is some thing the law allows and as long as one does what the system allows and is not gaming the system, its perfectly fine. Don't rub salt on others wounds. Do what you can to improve the system. IMO, the backward movement was a knee jerk reaction to the false demand, shown by USCIS with a huge movement in PD. As you may know, this is purely demand and supply based DOS will move dates forward as soon as they realize that there is not much demand. DOS keeps track of all visa number requests and approvals based on PD's. The problem is DOS just does not know how many applications are pending per country per category to stop the back and forth movement of dates and make the date movement strictly forward. DOS clearly made this a requirement in OCT 08 bulletin and lets see what happens in the next few months. 2nd Q will be key as the over flow will start to trickle based on demand in EB-1+EB-4+EB-5
Your point is taken, no more flames after this.
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StuckInTheMuck
05-03 12:17 AM
If we had stayed back in india, we don't have have to do any of these.:rolleyes::confused: . After GC also no freedom. As one of my american co-worker was telling, In America only the statue of liberty has the freedom.
The mistaken notion "GC = freedom" seems so pervasive that I am also tempted to take a whack at this much maligned equation. Lot of anguish can be spared by keeping our expectation from this 3" X 2" plastic somewhat grounded in reality. There is no denying that having GC makes life easier than before, specifically by opening up more job/career opportunities. But these have nothing to do with the constitutional freedom that you presumably allude to with your Statue of Liberty analogy (I should say though, as a metaphor this quote of your colleague is pretty lame). Not only GC does not give us the right to vote, it cannot even protect us from deportation risk on relatively minor legal grounds (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/12/us/12naturalize.html?_r=1). It is perhaps wise to remind ourselves that GC is a privilege (http://www.wr.org/media/pdf/immigrationassistance/permanentresident.pdf), not a right.
Here is the other thing I do not get. What is so hard to do in the list that raises such heckles of hair loss, back-in-good-ole-days-life-was-better, and whatnot? It is all about doing little day-to-day things such as maintaining documents (that you would do anyway), or carrying PR card in your (already bloated) wallet, and other mostly mundane stuff. I do not find this such a tortuous existence, despite being a lazy bum myself.
The mistaken notion "GC = freedom" seems so pervasive that I am also tempted to take a whack at this much maligned equation. Lot of anguish can be spared by keeping our expectation from this 3" X 2" plastic somewhat grounded in reality. There is no denying that having GC makes life easier than before, specifically by opening up more job/career opportunities. But these have nothing to do with the constitutional freedom that you presumably allude to with your Statue of Liberty analogy (I should say though, as a metaphor this quote of your colleague is pretty lame). Not only GC does not give us the right to vote, it cannot even protect us from deportation risk on relatively minor legal grounds (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/12/us/12naturalize.html?_r=1). It is perhaps wise to remind ourselves that GC is a privilege (http://www.wr.org/media/pdf/immigrationassistance/permanentresident.pdf), not a right.
Here is the other thing I do not get. What is so hard to do in the list that raises such heckles of hair loss, back-in-good-ole-days-life-was-better, and whatnot? It is all about doing little day-to-day things such as maintaining documents (that you would do anyway), or carrying PR card in your (already bloated) wallet, and other mostly mundane stuff. I do not find this such a tortuous existence, despite being a lazy bum myself.
more...
santb1975
06-02 07:17 PM
Keep calling
Called all of them, updated poll:)
Called all of them, updated poll:)
legal_alien_007
07-24 08:17 PM
dear mr. "audience",
one more "highly skilled" immigrant thinks she/he is "audience".... "audience"!!!! nice
life is going waste in gc backlog but .... "audience", oh and someone forgot to ask, while you are watching this movie titled 'my life is being wasted in gc backlog'.... would you like to get some popcorn and coke with it..... why? because that's what "audience" do..... they enjoy the game and movie when someone else is doing something..... but the "audience" sit on the sidelines and watch
you seem to very much enjoy this movie 'my life is being wasted in gc backlog'? with your kind of star cast it has got to be a grammy winner... thank you mr. "audience" for the wonderful performance.... time for you to speak out your garmmy winner speech, and don't forget to thank all the people on that list.... aila aila aila aila aila aila, and btw, and whom are we forgetting, did you miss out aila
I 'm not sure if you are trying to be funny or sarcastic, but you fail miserably at both.
one more "highly skilled" immigrant thinks she/he is "audience".... "audience"!!!! nice
life is going waste in gc backlog but .... "audience", oh and someone forgot to ask, while you are watching this movie titled 'my life is being wasted in gc backlog'.... would you like to get some popcorn and coke with it..... why? because that's what "audience" do..... they enjoy the game and movie when someone else is doing something..... but the "audience" sit on the sidelines and watch
you seem to very much enjoy this movie 'my life is being wasted in gc backlog'? with your kind of star cast it has got to be a grammy winner... thank you mr. "audience" for the wonderful performance.... time for you to speak out your garmmy winner speech, and don't forget to thank all the people on that list.... aila aila aila aila aila aila, and btw, and whom are we forgetting, did you miss out aila
I 'm not sure if you are trying to be funny or sarcastic, but you fail miserably at both.
more...
Brightsider
07-24 02:53 PM
Let me give this a shot:
Brightsider/Raji,
Going by your id registration date, I am presuming you are new to this site and do not know the history of what transpired over the last few years. There are hundreds of threads/discussions/posts where these arguments have been made and answered. We (all of us) are seeing increased interest in solving our EB-GC problems because of hopeless retrogression and a ray of hope in terms of CIR. Just because one shows new interest, you cannot expect immediate consolation and agreement on what you say/propose.
There were numerous times when members felt a specific campaign and/or item needs to be pursued. Serious discussions happened and eventually the advice of core which gets its info from various sources supported or not. There is nothing to stop you or I from pursuing an option.
I for many months did not understand the rationale and the way the system/politics function in this country. I still do not understand. BUT I do understand certain basic things:
1. How laws are crafted: the process, the resources involved and other technical matters.
2. Lobbying and advocacy: What role they play when dealing with lawmaking. Go read about the healthcare bill and what is happening in the Congress, lobbying, interest groups, associations, ordinary citizens, PACs, non-partisan groups. you might get a taste of what this is all about.
3. Systems: USCIS, DOL, Homeland Security etc
4. Politics: The main parties involved (Dems, Republicans). Who reacts to what and what their core values are. What is left, middle, right. who is where.
5. How national and state politics matter.
I am going to generalize here a bit: A lot of members who get their info from CNN or Google Reader or other 'mainstream' media sources might get either a black or white version of news/happenings. I quickly realized there are numerous shades of gray when dealing with Washington DC. How politics of left, middle and right come into play, which Senator or representative votes which way and why, etc. Listening to a press conference and reading an article on CNN does not give one insight into politics. These are the 'backend' intelligence which I trust core to know and advice us. I do not expect them to reveal their sources nor specific tactics. Most often than not, there is a rational explanation.
In this specific case, my take is: AILA with all their nobel intentions are in the 'business' of making money from folks like us and our employers. There are many shades here and it is not all black or white as it may seem. Like a member pointed out, AILA does not represent just EB or legal immigration. There are other things involved which may be detrimental to us (you do not want to be bracketed in the same category as illegals or want amnesty as an example). Apart from this, timing is critical.
One of the most important parties apart from Lawmakers is our opponents. Anti-immigrants who wants to know tactics, strategy: who we are calling, whom we are faxing, whom we are meeting, how we work, etc. They doggedly follow and couteract many items. For every fax/call/email you send there might be a counter reply from anti-immigrants. When core suggests confidentiality and secrecy, those I believe are not some magic/secret cloakish things but a matter of pragmatic reality. That is the world we are in and to be successful, we have to deal with those realities.
Giving out updated information is not as simple as it seems. These are steps which can be easily retraced and antis can quickly use those steps and backstab us, crippling our efforts. Updated information == tactics. My last point is about: Donors Vs Non-donors. Do you know that you need not be a donor to volunteer ? Try getting in touch with folks at IV. There is a lot you can do and you seem to be the right person whom we need on our side. I urge you to contact IV.
Thanks Qasleuth,
I was resigned to seeing a lot of ire directed my way, and was pleasantly surprised to read your lenghty and reasoned reply. And the important thing was that you were able to get your point across without antagonizing or making me feel stupid and low.
You are bang on target with your observations and explanations. Having been reading IV threads for over three-four years, (or is it five, I lose count), I have always found it to be a great resource. It is only of late that I have been posting concerns and suggestions. So I have been witness to attacks of tunnel rats and others and also aware of their rants and ruses. I saw the advocacy effort of July 2007, and the tremendous synergies generated by IV. The short point is that IV is not new to me, although the converse is true.
Now on the issue of AILA template, your reasoning is candid and well argued. I agree that when I first suggested that we use the AILA template I had not fully considered all the issues that you highlighted. It is a different matter that I have no regrets for having done so, for reasons that I find appropriate. I am sure you have no quarrel with that, having said that each of us is entitled to our opinions and pathways.
Thanks once again, got to go to a meeting.......will catch up later.
Brightsider/Raji,
Going by your id registration date, I am presuming you are new to this site and do not know the history of what transpired over the last few years. There are hundreds of threads/discussions/posts where these arguments have been made and answered. We (all of us) are seeing increased interest in solving our EB-GC problems because of hopeless retrogression and a ray of hope in terms of CIR. Just because one shows new interest, you cannot expect immediate consolation and agreement on what you say/propose.
There were numerous times when members felt a specific campaign and/or item needs to be pursued. Serious discussions happened and eventually the advice of core which gets its info from various sources supported or not. There is nothing to stop you or I from pursuing an option.
I for many months did not understand the rationale and the way the system/politics function in this country. I still do not understand. BUT I do understand certain basic things:
1. How laws are crafted: the process, the resources involved and other technical matters.
2. Lobbying and advocacy: What role they play when dealing with lawmaking. Go read about the healthcare bill and what is happening in the Congress, lobbying, interest groups, associations, ordinary citizens, PACs, non-partisan groups. you might get a taste of what this is all about.
3. Systems: USCIS, DOL, Homeland Security etc
4. Politics: The main parties involved (Dems, Republicans). Who reacts to what and what their core values are. What is left, middle, right. who is where.
5. How national and state politics matter.
I am going to generalize here a bit: A lot of members who get their info from CNN or Google Reader or other 'mainstream' media sources might get either a black or white version of news/happenings. I quickly realized there are numerous shades of gray when dealing with Washington DC. How politics of left, middle and right come into play, which Senator or representative votes which way and why, etc. Listening to a press conference and reading an article on CNN does not give one insight into politics. These are the 'backend' intelligence which I trust core to know and advice us. I do not expect them to reveal their sources nor specific tactics. Most often than not, there is a rational explanation.
In this specific case, my take is: AILA with all their nobel intentions are in the 'business' of making money from folks like us and our employers. There are many shades here and it is not all black or white as it may seem. Like a member pointed out, AILA does not represent just EB or legal immigration. There are other things involved which may be detrimental to us (you do not want to be bracketed in the same category as illegals or want amnesty as an example). Apart from this, timing is critical.
One of the most important parties apart from Lawmakers is our opponents. Anti-immigrants who wants to know tactics, strategy: who we are calling, whom we are faxing, whom we are meeting, how we work, etc. They doggedly follow and couteract many items. For every fax/call/email you send there might be a counter reply from anti-immigrants. When core suggests confidentiality and secrecy, those I believe are not some magic/secret cloakish things but a matter of pragmatic reality. That is the world we are in and to be successful, we have to deal with those realities.
Giving out updated information is not as simple as it seems. These are steps which can be easily retraced and antis can quickly use those steps and backstab us, crippling our efforts. Updated information == tactics. My last point is about: Donors Vs Non-donors. Do you know that you need not be a donor to volunteer ? Try getting in touch with folks at IV. There is a lot you can do and you seem to be the right person whom we need on our side. I urge you to contact IV.
Thanks Qasleuth,
I was resigned to seeing a lot of ire directed my way, and was pleasantly surprised to read your lenghty and reasoned reply. And the important thing was that you were able to get your point across without antagonizing or making me feel stupid and low.
You are bang on target with your observations and explanations. Having been reading IV threads for over three-four years, (or is it five, I lose count), I have always found it to be a great resource. It is only of late that I have been posting concerns and suggestions. So I have been witness to attacks of tunnel rats and others and also aware of their rants and ruses. I saw the advocacy effort of July 2007, and the tremendous synergies generated by IV. The short point is that IV is not new to me, although the converse is true.
Now on the issue of AILA template, your reasoning is candid and well argued. I agree that when I first suggested that we use the AILA template I had not fully considered all the issues that you highlighted. It is a different matter that I have no regrets for having done so, for reasons that I find appropriate. I am sure you have no quarrel with that, having said that each of us is entitled to our opinions and pathways.
Thanks once again, got to go to a meeting.......will catch up later.
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richshi
04-26 07:42 PM
Just registered as volunteer. Will send a check of $100 first thing tomorrow.
I will go to Wenxuecity ( a chinese portal) to introduce this great organization and ask people to donate money.
I will go to Wenxuecity ( a chinese portal) to introduce this great organization and ask people to donate money.
more...
kdprasad
07-11 11:22 AM
I think one very serious point in favor of filing now is if you do not file, and the lawsuit is successful in about a year and a half as they say and your PD hasn't become current by then, it puts everyone who filed in July ahead of you and this might cause the USCIS to retrogress visa numbers to such an extent that it would take ten years for your PD to get current again. Would this be a correct assessment?
Where did you get the information that it would take a year and half. Is it just a guess!!!
Where did you get the information that it would take a year and half. Is it just a guess!!!
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md_alien
03-13 09:47 AM
Thanks OP for mining out this information. Thats the advantage of being in a forum, members are looking around at all places for information and sharing it with others. Keep up the good work.
more...
gc_lover
04-19 08:02 AM
logiclife, ragz4u,
All things considered, do you think it will be a good idea to call up the members to remind them that IV needs contribution?
If you think so, then we can form a group of, say, 10 people and each of them would call 200 members nudging them about contribution.
I will volunteer to be on the group.
You mean members who have not contributed anything so far, right?
All things considered, do you think it will be a good idea to call up the members to remind them that IV needs contribution?
If you think so, then we can form a group of, say, 10 people and each of them would call 200 members nudging them about contribution.
I will volunteer to be on the group.
You mean members who have not contributed anything so far, right?
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rameshvaid
09-17 12:17 PM
6020 failed??
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gpr
01-19 08:46 AM
Count me in. I am not on H1 but we need to stop this in its tracks.
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sdrblr
09-15 01:05 PM
I sent it from my work email not yahoo or hotmail.
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Alabaman
09-13 01:24 PM
We all know this, but anyway I agree that this is our only hope.
I am willing to visit DC if I can help out in any way.
Looks like we can't expect only the core members to keep working.
qplearn
Yeah but the core members need to let us know where they are and what they are doing and then give directions as appropriate. This would prevent individual uncoordinated actions that might impede their on going moves... otherwise this forum would just be a mere venting platform and the message would not get out there.
I am willing to visit DC if I can help out in any way.
Looks like we can't expect only the core members to keep working.
qplearn
Yeah but the core members need to let us know where they are and what they are doing and then give directions as appropriate. This would prevent individual uncoordinated actions that might impede their on going moves... otherwise this forum would just be a mere venting platform and the message would not get out there.
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StuckInTheMuck
04-28 07:29 AM
Thanks InTheMoment and seahawks - your points have been added to the list.
more...
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va_labor2002
07-27 10:04 AM
If you have secure permanent job with a solid Company,it is better to buy a home. I have a well secured job and I bought the house back in 2002. Home prices were less in 2002 compare to 2006.
But, if you are a consultant or working for a small company ,it may be better to wait till you get GC. But remember one thing, even if you get GC or Citizenship,if you loose your job and have a big mortgage to pay off,you will be in big trouble to make the monthly payment. This is true for even US Citizens !
But, if you are optimistic and ready to take some risk,you may be making some Good amount of profit in the future ! I was very optimistic and took some risk in 2002 and now I am in a Safer Side ! Think about it
Buying a house is a risky proposition on H1 specially considering the fact that if one is laid-off and needs to relocate within a short-time then one may end up loosing money. Besides getting into the hasseles of home maintainence is trouble-some and expensive and probably not worth the time and effort if one is uncertain about their future in this country.
Having said that if an individual is good at taking calculated risks and has a secure job then rewards are truly exceptional. I would rather wait atleast till the time of filling I-485 before making any long-term investments in this country. I know lot of my friends are probably going to do the same.
Good luck.
But, if you are a consultant or working for a small company ,it may be better to wait till you get GC. But remember one thing, even if you get GC or Citizenship,if you loose your job and have a big mortgage to pay off,you will be in big trouble to make the monthly payment. This is true for even US Citizens !
But, if you are optimistic and ready to take some risk,you may be making some Good amount of profit in the future ! I was very optimistic and took some risk in 2002 and now I am in a Safer Side ! Think about it
Buying a house is a risky proposition on H1 specially considering the fact that if one is laid-off and needs to relocate within a short-time then one may end up loosing money. Besides getting into the hasseles of home maintainence is trouble-some and expensive and probably not worth the time and effort if one is uncertain about their future in this country.
Having said that if an individual is good at taking calculated risks and has a secure job then rewards are truly exceptional. I would rather wait atleast till the time of filling I-485 before making any long-term investments in this country. I know lot of my friends are probably going to do the same.
Good luck.
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petepatel
09-17 11:28 AM
Audio is on :)
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panky72
06-17 11:24 PM
I have talked to IMG sales rep, he said they won't cover for pre existing conditions. He also said that as far as his knowledge is concerned there is no company out there that covers pre existing conditions when I asked him about it.
My final assumption is that any insurance we buy anywhere, just covers illnesses that are developed after the coverage starts.
Any corrections??
India health network policy underwritten by AIG covers preexisting conditions for $20K for extra premium. It covers only acute exacerbations of preexisting conditions.
My final assumption is that any insurance we buy anywhere, just covers illnesses that are developed after the coverage starts.
Any corrections??
India health network policy underwritten by AIG covers preexisting conditions for $20K for extra premium. It covers only acute exacerbations of preexisting conditions.
wantMyGC
07-14 07:27 PM
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jul2007/db20070713_687551.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index _businessweek+exclusives
The Gandhi Protests
Denied the permanent U.S. residency they'd been promised, high-skilled workers are taking to the streets in nonviolent protest
Engineers, computer programmers, and tech workers aren't known for outspoken collective action and political protest. But on July 14, up to 1,000 high-skilled, legal immigrants will gather in San Jose, Calif., to express their outrage at the U.S. government's failure to deliver on a promise to hasten the processing of their green-card applications. Many of these immigrants came to the U.S. from India on visas and have been stuck in what they say is an interminable wait for permanent residency and the freedoms it brings.
"We're stepping out to bring this issue to the attention of lawmakers and the public," says Ashish Sharma, 37, who has worked as a manager at a tech firm in Los Angeles for seven years, awaiting his green card. "The debate has been dominated by illegal immigration, but we want to put a spotlight on the hurdles we're facing as a hard-working and law-abiding group. It's time for corrective action."
Sharma says he spent $5,000 flying his wife and children to the U.S. from India to prepare green-card documents that the government originally said it would accept and then later decided not to accept. Tomorrow, he will drive more than five hours to San Jose to meet hundreds of others stuck in the green-card backlog who want to make a public statement about their frustrations.
Long Delays Spur Protests
The rally follows a symbolic action on July 10 in which hundreds of green-card applicants sent flowers to the director of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services in a show of peaceful protest reminiscent of Mohandas Gandhi's nonviolent campaign against British rule before India gained independence in 1947. The idea for both the flower sending and the rally emerged from Immigration Voice, a group that advocates for high-tech immigrants in the U.S. on visas.
The Gandhi protests, though grounded in years of frustration and anger, were sparked by recent events. On June 12, the U.S. State Dept. issued a bulletin promising it was ready to move hundreds of thousands of green-card applicants into the final phase of processing, known as the Adjustment of Status. Visa workers rushed to complete their Adjustment of Status applications for July 2, the first day they could be submitted. Applicants scrambled to gather signatures, birth certificates, and immunization records, many taking off work and rearranging travel plans. But at the beginning of July, the State Dept. retracted the bulletin, explaining the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services had already fulfilled its quota and would not accept further applications. The immigrant community exploded, with critics saying they are the victims of bureaucratic incompetence and a broken immigration policy.
The green-card backlog has emerged because of a mismatch between the number of visa holders and the number of green cards available to them each year. Tens of thousands of foreign workers enter the U.S. on work visas each year, and many apply for green cards. But current government rules limit the number of people who can be admitted to the U.S. from any particular country to 9,800. The result is that for larger countries, including India and China, the wait for permanent U.S. residency now stretches for years. As they wait, visa workers are required to maintain the same job and salary, or they are bumped back to the long queue. That leaves many of the most educated and talented immigrants feeling stuck, sometimes to the point of hopelessness (see BusinessWeek.com, 6/21/07, "One Easy Fix for Immigration").
Joining the Chorus
Many American companies are concerned about the government's immigration policies. Tech companies, including IBM (IBM), Motorola (MOT), Oracle (ORCL), eBay (EBAY), and Intel (INTC), have pressured Congress to allow in more skilled workers on temporary and permanent visas. Google (GOOG), with many immigrants at the company including one of the founders, sent one of its top executives to make the case in Washington (see BusinessWeek.com, 6/7/07, "Immigration: Google Makes Its Case"). Bill Gates, Microsoft's (MSFT) co-founder, also made the trip to Congress to argue for a change in policy (see BusinessWeek.com, 3/8/07, "Gates to Senate: More Visas").
Immigration Voice has for several years been a forum for visa workers awaiting green cards, but it is now becoming a critical organizing tool through its Web site, volunteer leadership, and increased lobbying efforts. Immigration Voice President Aman Kapoor says green-card applicants are busy organizing a series of rallies to take place across the country on one day next month.
"This is not the usual population to go into the streets and protest; it's a group that has remained quiet and follows the rules," says Kapoor. "But people have lost faith in the system, and we have reached a tipping point in terms of frustration. There's an understanding that more dramatic action is needed."
The Gandhi Protests
Denied the permanent U.S. residency they'd been promised, high-skilled workers are taking to the streets in nonviolent protest
Engineers, computer programmers, and tech workers aren't known for outspoken collective action and political protest. But on July 14, up to 1,000 high-skilled, legal immigrants will gather in San Jose, Calif., to express their outrage at the U.S. government's failure to deliver on a promise to hasten the processing of their green-card applications. Many of these immigrants came to the U.S. from India on visas and have been stuck in what they say is an interminable wait for permanent residency and the freedoms it brings.
"We're stepping out to bring this issue to the attention of lawmakers and the public," says Ashish Sharma, 37, who has worked as a manager at a tech firm in Los Angeles for seven years, awaiting his green card. "The debate has been dominated by illegal immigration, but we want to put a spotlight on the hurdles we're facing as a hard-working and law-abiding group. It's time for corrective action."
Sharma says he spent $5,000 flying his wife and children to the U.S. from India to prepare green-card documents that the government originally said it would accept and then later decided not to accept. Tomorrow, he will drive more than five hours to San Jose to meet hundreds of others stuck in the green-card backlog who want to make a public statement about their frustrations.
Long Delays Spur Protests
The rally follows a symbolic action on July 10 in which hundreds of green-card applicants sent flowers to the director of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services in a show of peaceful protest reminiscent of Mohandas Gandhi's nonviolent campaign against British rule before India gained independence in 1947. The idea for both the flower sending and the rally emerged from Immigration Voice, a group that advocates for high-tech immigrants in the U.S. on visas.
The Gandhi protests, though grounded in years of frustration and anger, were sparked by recent events. On June 12, the U.S. State Dept. issued a bulletin promising it was ready to move hundreds of thousands of green-card applicants into the final phase of processing, known as the Adjustment of Status. Visa workers rushed to complete their Adjustment of Status applications for July 2, the first day they could be submitted. Applicants scrambled to gather signatures, birth certificates, and immunization records, many taking off work and rearranging travel plans. But at the beginning of July, the State Dept. retracted the bulletin, explaining the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services had already fulfilled its quota and would not accept further applications. The immigrant community exploded, with critics saying they are the victims of bureaucratic incompetence and a broken immigration policy.
The green-card backlog has emerged because of a mismatch between the number of visa holders and the number of green cards available to them each year. Tens of thousands of foreign workers enter the U.S. on work visas each year, and many apply for green cards. But current government rules limit the number of people who can be admitted to the U.S. from any particular country to 9,800. The result is that for larger countries, including India and China, the wait for permanent U.S. residency now stretches for years. As they wait, visa workers are required to maintain the same job and salary, or they are bumped back to the long queue. That leaves many of the most educated and talented immigrants feeling stuck, sometimes to the point of hopelessness (see BusinessWeek.com, 6/21/07, "One Easy Fix for Immigration").
Joining the Chorus
Many American companies are concerned about the government's immigration policies. Tech companies, including IBM (IBM), Motorola (MOT), Oracle (ORCL), eBay (EBAY), and Intel (INTC), have pressured Congress to allow in more skilled workers on temporary and permanent visas. Google (GOOG), with many immigrants at the company including one of the founders, sent one of its top executives to make the case in Washington (see BusinessWeek.com, 6/7/07, "Immigration: Google Makes Its Case"). Bill Gates, Microsoft's (MSFT) co-founder, also made the trip to Congress to argue for a change in policy (see BusinessWeek.com, 3/8/07, "Gates to Senate: More Visas").
Immigration Voice has for several years been a forum for visa workers awaiting green cards, but it is now becoming a critical organizing tool through its Web site, volunteer leadership, and increased lobbying efforts. Immigration Voice President Aman Kapoor says green-card applicants are busy organizing a series of rallies to take place across the country on one day next month.
"This is not the usual population to go into the streets and protest; it's a group that has remained quiet and follows the rules," says Kapoor. "But people have lost faith in the system, and we have reached a tipping point in terms of frustration. There's an understanding that more dramatic action is needed."
amitjoey
02-01 01:55 PM
What is IV's position on more H1Bs?
IV does not support, nor oppose H1-increase as far as I know, that is not on the agenda at all. IV was formed by and for EB -applicants to ease some of the hardships faced by the EB Community and to end the visa-number unavailability and retrogression.
IV does not support, nor oppose H1-increase as far as I know, that is not on the agenda at all. IV was formed by and for EB -applicants to ease some of the hardships faced by the EB Community and to end the visa-number unavailability and retrogression.
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