pankajkakkar
08-08 12:17 PM
Stuck for years
In the debate over illegal immigration, don't forget the many legal immigrants waiting for their turn.
by Pankaj Kakkar
Legislators in Congress are as divided over the issue of illegal immigration as Americans are. Opinions are strong, debate is passionate, and no end is in sight. Proponents of quick reform, from both sides of the divide, stress the urgency of the issue and the need for a solution soon. In this debate, however, the plight of legal immigrants is forgotten.
The path to legally acquiring US residency and eventual citizenship is long and unnecessarily complicated, yet many deserving immigrants attempt it every year. Legal immigrants are roughly divided into two categories - family based immigrants and employment based immigrants. These immigrants face years of waiting due to anachronistic laws, discriminatory quotas, onerous bureaucratic hurdles and paper files needlessly being pushed through the system. They also face mounting legal and other tangible and intangible costs. Through all this, they work hard, pay their taxes, and live upright, lawful lives. It is in the interest of the United States as a whole, and Americans individually, to expedite the immigration process for both employment based and family based immigrants.
The benefits are easier to see for employment based immigration. This category has attracted the best researchers and entrepreneurs of the world for the last half century. Immigrants from this category have started companies that employ hundreds of thousands of Americans (with some of these companies featured in the Fortune 500 list). Others have done research and invented technologies that have earned them the highest awards in their fields, such as the Nobel Prize. Even those who haven't been as successful have been an indispensable part of America's economic growth and progress, especially in technology, over the last half century. In my country of birth, India, the phenomenon of the best minds leaving for the US was called the "brain drain" - it isn't hard to see that India's "brain drain" is but America's "brain gain".
Family based immigrants also benefit the US, although in less economically tangible ways. The best minds of the world, immigrating to the US through the first category, would be most comfortable and most productive in an environment where they're close to their family. These family members themselves contribute to American society by being productive, law abiding, and patriotic citizens.
Typical legal immigrants have to wait 5-10 years, and some family based immigrants as long as 20-25 years, before they can even get a Green Card, after which another 5 year wait for acquiring citizenship ensues. These long waits have already persuaded several potential immigrants, many of whom could have been founders of Fortune 500 companies or Nobel Prize winners themselves, to go back to their countries of origin. Quite a few have also immigrated or are considering immigrating to countries where immigration laws are friendlier and less bureaucratic, such as Canada, Ireland and the U.K. While legal immigrants benefit the United States greatly, America does them, and herself, a disservice by making them suffer through an interminable immigration process and countless bureaucratic hurdles. America can and should do right by them.
Congressman Shadegg (R-AZ) has introduced a bill, called the SKIL (Securing Knowledge, Innovation and Leadership) Act, in the House of Representatives. This bill, which has 9 Republican co-sponsors, including Congressman Mike Pence (R-CO), a leader on the issue of immigration, will significantly ameliorate the wait times and hurdles that legal immigrants face, while also benefiting the American economy by making sure that the technology leaders of tomorrow innovate and invent in the United States, and not elsewhere in the world. A similar bill has already passed the Senate. The House should consider it soon, and pass it as well.
=================
Added by pappu
Published on oct 02, 2006
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?p=27239#post27239
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=71b07f51db4b780d19530 b364b3d6b9f
news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=71b07f51db4b780d19530 b364b3d6b9f
In the debate over illegal immigration, don't forget the many legal immigrants waiting for their turn.
by Pankaj Kakkar
Legislators in Congress are as divided over the issue of illegal immigration as Americans are. Opinions are strong, debate is passionate, and no end is in sight. Proponents of quick reform, from both sides of the divide, stress the urgency of the issue and the need for a solution soon. In this debate, however, the plight of legal immigrants is forgotten.
The path to legally acquiring US residency and eventual citizenship is long and unnecessarily complicated, yet many deserving immigrants attempt it every year. Legal immigrants are roughly divided into two categories - family based immigrants and employment based immigrants. These immigrants face years of waiting due to anachronistic laws, discriminatory quotas, onerous bureaucratic hurdles and paper files needlessly being pushed through the system. They also face mounting legal and other tangible and intangible costs. Through all this, they work hard, pay their taxes, and live upright, lawful lives. It is in the interest of the United States as a whole, and Americans individually, to expedite the immigration process for both employment based and family based immigrants.
The benefits are easier to see for employment based immigration. This category has attracted the best researchers and entrepreneurs of the world for the last half century. Immigrants from this category have started companies that employ hundreds of thousands of Americans (with some of these companies featured in the Fortune 500 list). Others have done research and invented technologies that have earned them the highest awards in their fields, such as the Nobel Prize. Even those who haven't been as successful have been an indispensable part of America's economic growth and progress, especially in technology, over the last half century. In my country of birth, India, the phenomenon of the best minds leaving for the US was called the "brain drain" - it isn't hard to see that India's "brain drain" is but America's "brain gain".
Family based immigrants also benefit the US, although in less economically tangible ways. The best minds of the world, immigrating to the US through the first category, would be most comfortable and most productive in an environment where they're close to their family. These family members themselves contribute to American society by being productive, law abiding, and patriotic citizens.
Typical legal immigrants have to wait 5-10 years, and some family based immigrants as long as 20-25 years, before they can even get a Green Card, after which another 5 year wait for acquiring citizenship ensues. These long waits have already persuaded several potential immigrants, many of whom could have been founders of Fortune 500 companies or Nobel Prize winners themselves, to go back to their countries of origin. Quite a few have also immigrated or are considering immigrating to countries where immigration laws are friendlier and less bureaucratic, such as Canada, Ireland and the U.K. While legal immigrants benefit the United States greatly, America does them, and herself, a disservice by making them suffer through an interminable immigration process and countless bureaucratic hurdles. America can and should do right by them.
Congressman Shadegg (R-AZ) has introduced a bill, called the SKIL (Securing Knowledge, Innovation and Leadership) Act, in the House of Representatives. This bill, which has 9 Republican co-sponsors, including Congressman Mike Pence (R-CO), a leader on the issue of immigration, will significantly ameliorate the wait times and hurdles that legal immigrants face, while also benefiting the American economy by making sure that the technology leaders of tomorrow innovate and invent in the United States, and not elsewhere in the world. A similar bill has already passed the Senate. The House should consider it soon, and pass it as well.
=================
Added by pappu
Published on oct 02, 2006
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?p=27239#post27239
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=71b07f51db4b780d19530 b364b3d6b9f
news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=71b07f51db4b780d19530 b364b3d6b9f
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ronhira
07-06 03:21 PM
what is this suppose to mean, should I be scared
ronhira,
Your post was reported a vulgar by another member. We do not encourage vulgar indecent language on the forum. You have left us with no other choice but to verify you, or else we will be left with no other choice to ban you from IV website. Please send us a phone number to reach you, or call us at 202/386-6250. If we do not hear from you in next hour, we will be forced to ban you.
We value our message and do not allow others to use IV website to harm our goal.
Please contact us immediately.
IV team
ronhira,
Your post was reported a vulgar by another member. We do not encourage vulgar indecent language on the forum. You have left us with no other choice but to verify you, or else we will be left with no other choice to ban you from IV website. Please send us a phone number to reach you, or call us at 202/386-6250. If we do not hear from you in next hour, we will be forced to ban you.
We value our message and do not allow others to use IV website to harm our goal.
Please contact us immediately.
IV team
texcan
09-12 10:13 PM
I was hoping to get people to start their monthly contribution, but it seems people are more inclined to make one time contribution. So I have added this to the start of the thread.
>>For every $100 one time contribution by first time contributors I will match $25.00. <<
So people with their fingers on the trigger, who don't want to commit long term, here is your chance. Please allow me to help you squeeze the trigger and fire your first shot.
I already have Struggle and green_world. Just need 2 new first time $100 contributors to make my next $100 contribution.
Committments in life do make people nervous, but in this case i am surprised
what else will it take.
Come on guys, this is best deal of century. Make some contribution.
Once again, Great going Milind
Hats off to you friend.
>>For every $100 one time contribution by first time contributors I will match $25.00. <<
So people with their fingers on the trigger, who don't want to commit long term, here is your chance. Please allow me to help you squeeze the trigger and fire your first shot.
I already have Struggle and green_world. Just need 2 new first time $100 contributors to make my next $100 contribution.
Committments in life do make people nervous, but in this case i am surprised
what else will it take.
Come on guys, this is best deal of century. Make some contribution.
Once again, Great going Milind
Hats off to you friend.
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indio0617
03-09 11:13 AM
Senator Specter: Again calling on all Senators who are not in other commitees to turn up in this meeting
more...
Libra
09-10 03:32 PM
thanks raminmd and miy_maqbool for your contributions.
saileshdude
09-10 10:43 AM
I think these guys are just playing with our minds. They know how many applications are pending. At least they have a estimate and idea.
Now they will sit on these pending applications until the end of year and then suddenly move dates 2-3 years ahead and approve some GCs. Few will be happy and most of us will be disappointed.
Now they will sit on these pending applications until the end of year and then suddenly move dates 2-3 years ahead and approve some GCs. Few will be happy and most of us will be disappointed.
more...
GCBy3000
07-06 04:49 PM
What does this statement mean?
http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/ReceiptingTimes06Jul07.pdf
per existing policies and procedures, requests for Premium Processing Service will continue to be processed within 15 days. USCIS wishes to assure all customers that the original received date (the date which the document is date stamped) will be honored and recorded on the receipt notice. This date will appear in the "Received Date" box on Form I-797, Notice of Action. The received date is different from the "Notice Date", which also appears on Form I-797. The Notice Date is the date the receipt notice was actually generated.
Why USCIS suddenly did this press release? Something fishy?
http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/ReceiptingTimes06Jul07.pdf
per existing policies and procedures, requests for Premium Processing Service will continue to be processed within 15 days. USCIS wishes to assure all customers that the original received date (the date which the document is date stamped) will be honored and recorded on the receipt notice. This date will appear in the "Received Date" box on Form I-797, Notice of Action. The received date is different from the "Notice Date", which also appears on Form I-797. The Notice Date is the date the receipt notice was actually generated.
Why USCIS suddenly did this press release? Something fishy?
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frostrated
07-06 11:25 AM
It is true that a lot of the members signed up just so that they can follow the happenings, and maybe post an immediate question that they might have. We may have a huge membership base, but without any action from such a base can make any plan from the core a failure. What we need to do is to energize the baselevel members. The senate is comprised of senators from our respective states, and the house has reps from each state. We have individual state chapeters for IV. I think the Core will need to plan out a strategy to help the state chapters approach their senators and house reps, while the core concentrates on contacting the DoJ committees. Meeting a few senators here and there will not help. We need to contact ALL the senators and apprise them of the situations. Rather than have a different message sent to each senator, the core will need to define an agenda, and the communication needed. The state chapters will need to take that and follow up with their respective senators and reps, without diluting any of the messages. Having the core meet all the senators is not proper, we need to pitch in too. Unless we work as a team, nothing that the core has planned will work.
I was/am a member in immigration.com where all the talk of starting this forum happened. I have interacted with the core on many occassions before, and I was also one of the first to join this community. But work and family pressures prompted me to stay away, and in the meantime, my handle and password were forgotten. I had to resign up, and what I find today is that there is no understanding between the members. Be thankful that this forum was set up, and contribute positively in any way you can. Without your support, the core cant do it all. Lets stop worring about donations and membership fees. We are all intelligent, and highly paid. We have the brains to talk to senators and house reps. Lets move forward to get at least piecemeal legislations passed. Lets not wait for CIR. CIR is not going to happen, so dont believe in it.
I was/am a member in immigration.com where all the talk of starting this forum happened. I have interacted with the core on many occassions before, and I was also one of the first to join this community. But work and family pressures prompted me to stay away, and in the meantime, my handle and password were forgotten. I had to resign up, and what I find today is that there is no understanding between the members. Be thankful that this forum was set up, and contribute positively in any way you can. Without your support, the core cant do it all. Lets stop worring about donations and membership fees. We are all intelligent, and highly paid. We have the brains to talk to senators and house reps. Lets move forward to get at least piecemeal legislations passed. Lets not wait for CIR. CIR is not going to happen, so dont believe in it.
more...
mdmd10
07-24 04:03 PM
After all sardarji can make a joke:D
Please refrain from making comments like that! You have no right to stereotype folks. Please remain objective in the discussions.
Please refrain from making comments like that! You have no right to stereotype folks. Please remain objective in the discussions.
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offohh
08-02 05:21 PM
This link which is giving prediction for Oct, 2007 looks totally off to me.
if you see his EB3 predictions he is saying it will be close to to Jan 2007.
Where in Jan 2007 EB3 China was Aug 2002 not April 2005.
Don't know what is the reasoning behind these predictions.
if you see his EB3 predictions he is saying it will be close to to Jan 2007.
Where in Jan 2007 EB3 China was Aug 2002 not April 2005.
Don't know what is the reasoning behind these predictions.
more...
Green.Tech
06-06 09:35 AM
...and contribute....
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raysaikat
01-08 05:33 PM
and why, pray, does your esteemed school keep accepting students from these so called "sub-standard" colleges in india? i would say 5-7 years of observed emperical evidence calls for some substantial action on your and your school's part in black-listing these institutions........so, either:
1. you are blowing smoke through eveyone's a** here or
2. the school is greedy for tuition fees - proving an earlier contention made in this thread about it being all about money....
P.S - i am not from one of these schools so no personal stake!
For 2. However, it is not really about greed, but necessity.
1. you are blowing smoke through eveyone's a** here or
2. the school is greedy for tuition fees - proving an earlier contention made in this thread about it being all about money....
P.S - i am not from one of these schools so no personal stake!
For 2. However, it is not really about greed, but necessity.
more...
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nashim
08-11 04:35 PM
Is it Rumors or True?
If it is true then really its very good news and we can see 140 approvals soon.
If it is true then really its very good news and we can see 140 approvals soon.
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vjkypally
07-20 01:51 PM
And what makes all of you think that future applicants will come only from these 4 countries, they could come from Timbuktu fora ll you care and use up their fair share in EB category and you may not have the visas that you hope would be unused visas. Then what?????????
more...
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aerady
05-09 08:52 PM
Thanks for your reply. Infact I talked to the manager(Supervisor) at two DMV locations in Houston TX. First one only told me about this rule. At second place, since I insisted they showed me the rule in writing. I also expressed my frustration asking what kind of rule is this? They just washed hands saying they didn't make the rule and put the blame on texas legislature and parliament! Anyways will try your written rejection letter option.
Suprised to read that you were able to make it in texas. Does your DL has Temporary Visitor Status Expies <Date> stamp on it?
Suprised to read that you were able to make it in texas. Does your DL has Temporary Visitor Status Expies <Date> stamp on it?
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knnmbd
04-26 12:39 PM
Guys ,
We have to stick to immigration reform..
Let's not get into the medicare/social security/income tax issues.
That would open a complete new front on which the immigration refrom opponents can attack you...
Our organization has to steer clear of the landmine issues like Medicare, Social Security reform. Those issues have sank many political careers in washington...These issues are tar pits..swamps...
We are threading a needle here...the thicker your thread gets..the less likely it would get through the needle hole..
We have to maintain focus and not get carried away.
Guys,
I agree with msp1976 on this. We need to focus on only the retrogression issue; everything else is great for time pass till the 27th when the SJC reconvenes.
We have to stick to immigration reform..
Let's not get into the medicare/social security/income tax issues.
That would open a complete new front on which the immigration refrom opponents can attack you...
Our organization has to steer clear of the landmine issues like Medicare, Social Security reform. Those issues have sank many political careers in washington...These issues are tar pits..swamps...
We are threading a needle here...the thicker your thread gets..the less likely it would get through the needle hole..
We have to maintain focus and not get carried away.
Guys,
I agree with msp1976 on this. We need to focus on only the retrogression issue; everything else is great for time pass till the 27th when the SJC reconvenes.
more...
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diptam
09-01 03:02 PM
1. Yes yes yes
2. Yes
3. No
All Desi employers?
2. Yes
3. No
All Desi employers?
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stldude
07-06 02:56 PM
Anything we can do to get through without having to spend sleepless nights till Oct'.......
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Jeniya2006feb27INDIA
11-07 01:33 AM
This is what i had read one of the blog sites i visit
The Bridge Amendment that we all had such high hopes for last week has failed to survive conference. This is an enormous setback to our effort.
All is not lost however, there is still a chance for the amendment to be offered in one of the forthcoming budget bills, including a likely omnibus at years end.
You Can check out the Site
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/
SA 3404 to HR 3043 is the one which is failed to survive the Senet
SA 3404 to HR 3043, seeks to amend the forthcoming Labor Health and Human Services appropriations bill, by recapturing 61,000 unused visas for Schedule A workers and their derivative family members.
And the Second one is
SA 3442, is also offered as an amendment to HR 3403. SA 3442 is a much more comprehensive amendment that seeks to recapture visas for not just Schedule A workers and their derivative family members, but also for conventional EB workers.
Hope i had answered your query
The Bridge Amendment that we all had such high hopes for last week has failed to survive conference. This is an enormous setback to our effort.
All is not lost however, there is still a chance for the amendment to be offered in one of the forthcoming budget bills, including a likely omnibus at years end.
You Can check out the Site
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/
SA 3404 to HR 3043 is the one which is failed to survive the Senet
SA 3404 to HR 3043, seeks to amend the forthcoming Labor Health and Human Services appropriations bill, by recapturing 61,000 unused visas for Schedule A workers and their derivative family members.
And the Second one is
SA 3442, is also offered as an amendment to HR 3403. SA 3442 is a much more comprehensive amendment that seeks to recapture visas for not just Schedule A workers and their derivative family members, but also for conventional EB workers.
Hope i had answered your query
prem_goel
07-06 10:56 AM
I think the impetus required by IV will take time. Just 2 years ago, most of us got EADs/APs for themselves. It'll take time for the frustration to build up in those people who missed the boat. Their numbers are not many. It'll be a while before their numbers grow and they demand some kind of similar action from the US government.
PD_Dec2002
03-18 07:17 AM
Having said that, since we are non-resident aliens (i.e the ones without green card or US citizenship) will not get a stimulus package?
An overwhelming chunk of all of us are considered resident aliens from IRS's perpective so you are eligible. In fact, I would think every single one of us on this forum is a resident alien since we all fit IRS's definition of a "resident alien" as per their "substantial preference test". The following is copy-paste from IRS:
Topic 851 - Resident and Non–Resident Aliens
You are considered a resident alien if you met one of two tests for the calendar year.
The first test is the "green card test." If at any time during the calendar year you were a lawful permanent resident of the United States according to the immigration laws, and this status has not been rescinded or administratively or judicially determined to have been abandoned, you are considered to have met the green card test.
The second test is the "substantial presence test". For the purposes of this test, the term United Stated includes the following areas:
All 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The territorial waters of the United States.
The seabed and subsoil of those submarine areas that are adjacent to U.S. territorial waters and over which the United States has exclusive rights under international law to explore and exploit natural resources. The term does not include U.S. possessions and territories or U.S. airspace.
To meet the substantial presence test, you must have been physically present in the United States on at least 31 days during the current year, and 183 days during the 3 year period that includes the current year and the 2 years immediately before. To satisfy the 183 days requirement, count all of the days you were present in the current year, and one–third of the days you were present in the first year before the current year, and one–sixth of the days you were present in the second year before the current year. Do not count any day you were present in the United States as an "exempt individual" or commute from Canada or Mexico to work in the United States on more than 75% of the workdays during your working period.
For more information, see the IRS guidance: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc851.html
Regards,
Jayant
P.S.: Since taxes are inevitable, here's hoping we soon pass the first "green card test" as well. :)
An overwhelming chunk of all of us are considered resident aliens from IRS's perpective so you are eligible. In fact, I would think every single one of us on this forum is a resident alien since we all fit IRS's definition of a "resident alien" as per their "substantial preference test". The following is copy-paste from IRS:
Topic 851 - Resident and Non–Resident Aliens
You are considered a resident alien if you met one of two tests for the calendar year.
The first test is the "green card test." If at any time during the calendar year you were a lawful permanent resident of the United States according to the immigration laws, and this status has not been rescinded or administratively or judicially determined to have been abandoned, you are considered to have met the green card test.
The second test is the "substantial presence test". For the purposes of this test, the term United Stated includes the following areas:
All 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The territorial waters of the United States.
The seabed and subsoil of those submarine areas that are adjacent to U.S. territorial waters and over which the United States has exclusive rights under international law to explore and exploit natural resources. The term does not include U.S. possessions and territories or U.S. airspace.
To meet the substantial presence test, you must have been physically present in the United States on at least 31 days during the current year, and 183 days during the 3 year period that includes the current year and the 2 years immediately before. To satisfy the 183 days requirement, count all of the days you were present in the current year, and one–third of the days you were present in the first year before the current year, and one–sixth of the days you were present in the second year before the current year. Do not count any day you were present in the United States as an "exempt individual" or commute from Canada or Mexico to work in the United States on more than 75% of the workdays during your working period.
For more information, see the IRS guidance: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc851.html
Regards,
Jayant
P.S.: Since taxes are inevitable, here's hoping we soon pass the first "green card test" as well. :)
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