menimmigration
07-19 09:48 AM
Hello IV Members,
I have a question about my Wife status(H4) here in United States, My I-485 (EB3/PD DEC 2003) got approved on July 16'th and my lawyer says they have applied my wife I-485 application on July 17'th after USCIS released rescinded July 2'nd bulletin.
My I-485 was applied before our marriage,Can anybody please share some thoughts on my wife status(H4) at present??.
Any help on getting more information will be greatly appreciated..My lawyer says she should be fine.please share your experiences.
Thanks.
I have a question about my Wife status(H4) here in United States, My I-485 (EB3/PD DEC 2003) got approved on July 16'th and my lawyer says they have applied my wife I-485 application on July 17'th after USCIS released rescinded July 2'nd bulletin.
My I-485 was applied before our marriage,Can anybody please share some thoughts on my wife status(H4) at present??.
Any help on getting more information will be greatly appreciated..My lawyer says she should be fine.please share your experiences.
Thanks.
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sobers
05-31 03:46 PM
Clearly IV-QGA has a long ways to go before it an be featured in the 'big league'. Despite its short existence, its commendable what IV-QGA has been able to accomplish.
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National Immigration Forum: Angela Kelley, Christina DeConcini, Lynn Tramonte
The Forum, the leading pro-immigrant advocacy group, has just expanded its lobbying arm by adding DeConcini, who was formerly with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network. The Forum “brings together strange bedfellows,” Kelley, its deputy director, said. She said groups that normally have little in common, such as the Chamber of Commerce, organized labor and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, join to work toward a “rational, constructive immigration policy.” Tramonte is the Forum’s senior policy communications associate.
Federation of American Immigration Reform (FAIR): Paul Egan, Brian Bilbray
Egan is the group’s director for government relations. FAIR is seeking a moratorium on most immigration to give the country time to develop a comprehensive reform strategy. Former Rep. Bilbray (R-Calif.) is on FAIR’s board of advisers and runs the group’s congressional task force. One lobbyist said Bilbray’s “incredible access” to the House of Representatives has helped FAIR in its work on immigration reform.
* Bilbray is competing in a special election on June 6 to replace Duke Cunningham. If this guys wins, it will surely galvanize the Anti-Immigration forces in Congress and on the Hill.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/50thdistrict/20060327-9999-1n6bilbray.html
McCains cancels appearance at fundraiser:
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,197579,00.html
NumbersUSA.com: Rosemary Jenks, James Edwards
Jenks is the in-house lobbyist for the group. She said that while NumbersUSA originally was involved in the impact of immigration on the labor market, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, “made it clear we also need to look at security.” Edwards, who is with Olive, Edwards & Brinkman, also said that immigration is currently seen “through the lens of security.” A legislative director for former Rep. Ed Bryant (R-Tenn.), Edwards worked on immigration issues when lawmakers passed immigration reform in the 104th Congress. At the time, Bryant was a member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Claims Subcommittee. Edwards also co-wrote The Congressional Politics of Immigration Reform, published in 1998.
Agricultural Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR): Monte Lake, Craig Regelbrugge, Sharon Hughes
This ad hoc coalition includes more than 100 organizations with a “substantial labor need,” said co-chairman Regelbrugge, who is also the senior director of government relations for the American Nursery & Landscape Association. The group wants to ensure that agriculture employers have access to a seasonal work force to make certain the country has a “safe and secure food supply.” While individual members of the coalition pitch in, ACIR is also relying on some outside help. Lake is a partner with McGuiness Norris & Williams. The former deputy attorney general of California said that before the 2001 terrorist attacks, the group was close to achieving its goal of helping to reform immigration in a way that allowed access to seasonal workers while instituting a system of “earned immigration.” Hughes is the executive vice president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers and a key component in coordinating ACIR’s grassroots campaign.
United to Secure America: William Crosby, Wright Andrews
In the first half of this year, the group spent more than $600,000 in lobbying fees, including $180,000 each to Butera & Andrews, Podesta Mattoon and Timothy R Rupli & Associates. The group advocates boosting national security through allowing what it calls a “manageable number” of immigrants and non-immigrant visitors. One source praised the access of Crosby, a former GOP chief counsel on the House Rules Committee and 27-year Hill veteran who now works for the Livingston Group, as especially valuable.
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): Judith Golub, Marshall Fitz
Golub is the senior director of advocacy and public affairs for the 9,000-member group and Fitz is the associate director. AILA aims to educate Congress and the public about the benefits of an immigration policy that allows refugees and workers to enter the country.
=========
National Immigration Forum: Angela Kelley, Christina DeConcini, Lynn Tramonte
The Forum, the leading pro-immigrant advocacy group, has just expanded its lobbying arm by adding DeConcini, who was formerly with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network. The Forum “brings together strange bedfellows,” Kelley, its deputy director, said. She said groups that normally have little in common, such as the Chamber of Commerce, organized labor and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, join to work toward a “rational, constructive immigration policy.” Tramonte is the Forum’s senior policy communications associate.
Federation of American Immigration Reform (FAIR): Paul Egan, Brian Bilbray
Egan is the group’s director for government relations. FAIR is seeking a moratorium on most immigration to give the country time to develop a comprehensive reform strategy. Former Rep. Bilbray (R-Calif.) is on FAIR’s board of advisers and runs the group’s congressional task force. One lobbyist said Bilbray’s “incredible access” to the House of Representatives has helped FAIR in its work on immigration reform.
* Bilbray is competing in a special election on June 6 to replace Duke Cunningham. If this guys wins, it will surely galvanize the Anti-Immigration forces in Congress and on the Hill.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/50thdistrict/20060327-9999-1n6bilbray.html
McCains cancels appearance at fundraiser:
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,197579,00.html
NumbersUSA.com: Rosemary Jenks, James Edwards
Jenks is the in-house lobbyist for the group. She said that while NumbersUSA originally was involved in the impact of immigration on the labor market, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, “made it clear we also need to look at security.” Edwards, who is with Olive, Edwards & Brinkman, also said that immigration is currently seen “through the lens of security.” A legislative director for former Rep. Ed Bryant (R-Tenn.), Edwards worked on immigration issues when lawmakers passed immigration reform in the 104th Congress. At the time, Bryant was a member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Claims Subcommittee. Edwards also co-wrote The Congressional Politics of Immigration Reform, published in 1998.
Agricultural Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR): Monte Lake, Craig Regelbrugge, Sharon Hughes
This ad hoc coalition includes more than 100 organizations with a “substantial labor need,” said co-chairman Regelbrugge, who is also the senior director of government relations for the American Nursery & Landscape Association. The group wants to ensure that agriculture employers have access to a seasonal work force to make certain the country has a “safe and secure food supply.” While individual members of the coalition pitch in, ACIR is also relying on some outside help. Lake is a partner with McGuiness Norris & Williams. The former deputy attorney general of California said that before the 2001 terrorist attacks, the group was close to achieving its goal of helping to reform immigration in a way that allowed access to seasonal workers while instituting a system of “earned immigration.” Hughes is the executive vice president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers and a key component in coordinating ACIR’s grassroots campaign.
United to Secure America: William Crosby, Wright Andrews
In the first half of this year, the group spent more than $600,000 in lobbying fees, including $180,000 each to Butera & Andrews, Podesta Mattoon and Timothy R Rupli & Associates. The group advocates boosting national security through allowing what it calls a “manageable number” of immigrants and non-immigrant visitors. One source praised the access of Crosby, a former GOP chief counsel on the House Rules Committee and 27-year Hill veteran who now works for the Livingston Group, as especially valuable.
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): Judith Golub, Marshall Fitz
Golub is the senior director of advocacy and public affairs for the 9,000-member group and Fitz is the associate director. AILA aims to educate Congress and the public about the benefits of an immigration policy that allows refugees and workers to enter the country.
waitin_toolong
08-01 10:00 AM
she has to go alone if you dont need a stamp.
filing for I-485 should not cause problems.
My advice do wait till you get the receipt.
filing for I-485 should not cause problems.
My advice do wait till you get the receipt.
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seahawks
06-29 08:59 PM
nixstorI don't have any input on that, my attorney told me he is busy, he has other applications that flood his office, even if he writes a letter, the wont do anything in USCIS, go for FP and explain to them the situation. He also said I should have looked at it! bummer
more...
mrajatish
04-02 01:01 PM
Friends,
I know we have very good slides on high skilled immigrant's contributed to American economy and why they are necessary. One of the questions we are going to have to answer while presenting to our employer next week is
1. In the long run, How does America benefit from giving you and me GC?
2. In the short run, why should an employer care to fight for your GC?
Please treat this as a very serious effort to collect positive data points for an extremely important presentation to one of the leading proponents of high skilled immigration - if we have enough data points, this person might testify in Congress/Senate for us.
Core IV folks, please help us in this effort if you have pointers.
Thanks,
Raj
I know we have very good slides on high skilled immigrant's contributed to American economy and why they are necessary. One of the questions we are going to have to answer while presenting to our employer next week is
1. In the long run, How does America benefit from giving you and me GC?
2. In the short run, why should an employer care to fight for your GC?
Please treat this as a very serious effort to collect positive data points for an extremely important presentation to one of the leading proponents of high skilled immigration - if we have enough data points, this person might testify in Congress/Senate for us.
Core IV folks, please help us in this effort if you have pointers.
Thanks,
Raj
santb1975
02-16 12:27 AM
^^
more...
santb1975
02-15 10:28 PM
^^^
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cox
October 23rd, 2005, 08:59 AM
Hi Michael, nice shots. It's easy to see that you brought the discipline and hard work of your nature work to the studio. What was your lighting setup? Flash? strobes?...
Thanks, Kevin. I'm somewhat embarassed, as I did not use any lighting setup, so your attribution of hard work is, I fear, a little misplaced. I have this house with full floor-to-ceiling windows, and was using natural morning light, diffused by the fog that has hung over the bay for the last week in the AM. I used the camera's meter, either spot or center weighted, with manual bracketing when I thought that was insufficient, as was the case with the wreath & red roses.
...I would be interested in knowing the shooting parameters of these shots, what lenses used, etc...
I was using the 1DMII, and three lenses; the 50mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2.8 Macro, and my newly purchased 16-35mm f/2.8L. Most important was the Manfrotto tripod that allows nearly infinite positioning flexibility. As I said before, I made a cheesy PVC pipe frame and welders clips to hang backgrounds (<10 min fabrication time, <$10). All cases used low f stops, 2-6, & long exposures at low ISO for better quality. I was using the low f stops to help hide the imprefections in the background and give the soft focus effect the customer is looking for.
Good luck! I'm off to the Islands for a week.
I hope islands far from caribbean hurricanes!!
Thanks for the input, all. I suppose that I ought to look at getting some lights... Since I was using natural light, we (customer & I) didn't finish yesterday, and I will have to do the last pieces today (about 2 dozen total). That will also allow me to go over contact sheets with her.
Thanks, Kevin. I'm somewhat embarassed, as I did not use any lighting setup, so your attribution of hard work is, I fear, a little misplaced. I have this house with full floor-to-ceiling windows, and was using natural morning light, diffused by the fog that has hung over the bay for the last week in the AM. I used the camera's meter, either spot or center weighted, with manual bracketing when I thought that was insufficient, as was the case with the wreath & red roses.
...I would be interested in knowing the shooting parameters of these shots, what lenses used, etc...
I was using the 1DMII, and three lenses; the 50mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2.8 Macro, and my newly purchased 16-35mm f/2.8L. Most important was the Manfrotto tripod that allows nearly infinite positioning flexibility. As I said before, I made a cheesy PVC pipe frame and welders clips to hang backgrounds (<10 min fabrication time, <$10). All cases used low f stops, 2-6, & long exposures at low ISO for better quality. I was using the low f stops to help hide the imprefections in the background and give the soft focus effect the customer is looking for.
Good luck! I'm off to the Islands for a week.
I hope islands far from caribbean hurricanes!!
Thanks for the input, all. I suppose that I ought to look at getting some lights... Since I was using natural light, we (customer & I) didn't finish yesterday, and I will have to do the last pieces today (about 2 dozen total). That will also allow me to go over contact sheets with her.
more...
jvs_annapurna
04-12 03:13 PM
Ya, it is my first extension
sent RFE asking that Client letter on the original letter head.
which I couldnt get, but sent the vendor letter stating my duties and date from which started working etc even the copy of the client badge with photo on it is attached in reply to RFE.
But Its denied thats is not enough to prove that you are working at that client place and location. and it seems the employer i.e my h1 company is just token employer.
but I know the clock started from 31st march am in out of status.
will i able wipe out out of status as it effect in future ?
does MTR works or do I need to the appeal ?
What are chances of my transfer ?
Please gurus advise?
Thanks
jvs
sent RFE asking that Client letter on the original letter head.
which I couldnt get, but sent the vendor letter stating my duties and date from which started working etc even the copy of the client badge with photo on it is attached in reply to RFE.
But Its denied thats is not enough to prove that you are working at that client place and location. and it seems the employer i.e my h1 company is just token employer.
but I know the clock started from 31st march am in out of status.
will i able wipe out out of status as it effect in future ?
does MTR works or do I need to the appeal ?
What are chances of my transfer ?
Please gurus advise?
Thanks
jvs
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jamesbond007
05-21 01:05 PM
Question to Carl:
Can a H1 be applied for the father now? (If he has I140 approved, would this new H1 be cap exempt?) There by all his family can avail the dependent H4 and be together?
Can a H1 be applied for the father now? (If he has I140 approved, would this new H1 be cap exempt?) There by all his family can avail the dependent H4 and be together?
more...
Mount Soche
09-04 10:23 PM
Don't know much about how long medical tests are valid for but for sure the test has changed. I medical took a test last year for the employer sponsored green card and just took another medical test in August for another green card petition and my doctor told me that they're much stricter with the TB section.
I saw the form and it is totally different. They're asking for more detail.
I had to take another vaccine, which wasn't required last year.
Folks,
Due to the priority data transfer issue my I-485 application was rejected in June'08 (submitted based on June'08 visa bulletin).
As part of my application necessary medical exam tests were conducted in May'08. If I were to submit my application today based on the new visa bulletin do you think I need to take all medical exams again and re-submit? Won't the first set of medical exams have any validity?
Also, on the forums there is a talk about medical forms being changed? Can anyone confirm?
Thanks in advance for all your responses.
I saw the form and it is totally different. They're asking for more detail.
I had to take another vaccine, which wasn't required last year.
Folks,
Due to the priority data transfer issue my I-485 application was rejected in June'08 (submitted based on June'08 visa bulletin).
As part of my application necessary medical exam tests were conducted in May'08. If I were to submit my application today based on the new visa bulletin do you think I need to take all medical exams again and re-submit? Won't the first set of medical exams have any validity?
Also, on the forums there is a talk about medical forms being changed? Can anyone confirm?
Thanks in advance for all your responses.
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gapala
04-22 10:59 PM
Thanks every one for your inputs. I been swinging on tis for a while now and after seeing your inputs, I made up my mind not to pursue this.
I am surprised this company is still doing what its doing considering USCIS scrutiny these days. Good to know that we are not supposed to pay for H-1 as prospective employees. And I def dont want to lose my 700 or 800USD for lawer in case the CAP reaches its limit in the next few days.
Thanks again.
I am glad, member's comments helped you. All said and done. What is the right thing to do now? Expose "this company" as you call them..
Why don't you post the name of company as you already posted the state and city they operate from, and name of the person with whom you have been going back and forth as you said in your post? That will help everybody including the authorities to take them to task if they are doing anything illegal..
I am surprised this company is still doing what its doing considering USCIS scrutiny these days. Good to know that we are not supposed to pay for H-1 as prospective employees. And I def dont want to lose my 700 or 800USD for lawer in case the CAP reaches its limit in the next few days.
Thanks again.
I am glad, member's comments helped you. All said and done. What is the right thing to do now? Expose "this company" as you call them..
Why don't you post the name of company as you already posted the state and city they operate from, and name of the person with whom you have been going back and forth as you said in your post? That will help everybody including the authorities to take them to task if they are doing anything illegal..
more...
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ash27
04-01 06:08 PM
At the time of adjudiciation, can we show permanent offer letter from any employer? For e.g. If 1 filed GC through Employer A. After receiving EAD, 1 switched to employer B. At the time of adjudiciation, can we use permanent offer letter from Employer C for Green Card.
Any information will be highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ashish
Any information will be highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ashish
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gauravster
12-03 09:25 AM
One more thing that you might look into is the vacations that you hae taken. Generally speaking, if you spend time outside the US, you can exclude that time from the H1B 6 year limit. So if you took an average of 2 week vacation every year, you could get about 12 additional weeks. So your H1B would expire closer to Dec end, instead of 30 Sep.
You might need to provide documentation to prove this though. The additional time might be valuable nevertheless.
You might need to provide documentation to prove this though. The additional time might be valuable nevertheless.
more...
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chessboard
12-08 03:14 AM
congratulation to all winner... especially to winner who use the "stargate" background and put the text only...
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obelix
03-02 11:28 AM
Hi All,
I just wanted to get a second opinion on my situation. I would really appreciate if you can share your thought.
I work for a typical consulting company but luckily has been working for the same client for 3yrs with a vendor in the middle. I've got paid all the time without any issue. My visa (H1B) is due to expire in Sept 2010. I have valid visa till that time.
I was just evaluating if I would be better off filing my extension in April (1st week) as I can do 6month ahead of the start date or should I wait. Another point to note is - I'm getting married in June so I need to visit India for about a month and coming back in July. So, I can start processing after that too.
My personal preference is to file for extension in April with Premium Processing and hopefully I get new valid I-797. Go for stamping while I'm India for another 3yrs and also have my wife get H4 visa. I think this would be an ideal situation for me.
Does anybody see any issue in the plan? What would you do if you are under similar situation?
I would really appreciate if you can share your insight or similar experience. I would be happy to share more information if needed.
Thanks,
I just wanted to get a second opinion on my situation. I would really appreciate if you can share your thought.
I work for a typical consulting company but luckily has been working for the same client for 3yrs with a vendor in the middle. I've got paid all the time without any issue. My visa (H1B) is due to expire in Sept 2010. I have valid visa till that time.
I was just evaluating if I would be better off filing my extension in April (1st week) as I can do 6month ahead of the start date or should I wait. Another point to note is - I'm getting married in June so I need to visit India for about a month and coming back in July. So, I can start processing after that too.
My personal preference is to file for extension in April with Premium Processing and hopefully I get new valid I-797. Go for stamping while I'm India for another 3yrs and also have my wife get H4 visa. I think this would be an ideal situation for me.
Does anybody see any issue in the plan? What would you do if you are under similar situation?
I would really appreciate if you can share your insight or similar experience. I would be happy to share more information if needed.
Thanks,
more...
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gctoget
09-10 06:08 PM
Placed a google order for $100
Google Order #570596617489866
Google Order #570596617489866
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girishvar
04-21 02:06 PM
There is no need to switch from H1 to L1. If you are eligible for EB1 multi national executive/manager green card you will get it independent of whether you are H1B or L1-A.
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arsh007
12-21 08:58 AM
Please let me know if Missouri members can participate on this conference. I am not aware if we have any local IV chapter in Missouri. Looking forward to your response.
govind440
08-30 07:05 AM
Hi
tanx for ur reply. I already quit the job since i could not bear him..any more nd his mental torture...I ma planing to give a compliant to DOL and wanna c if it can be helpful to me..Si i cnat record anymore i tohught of recording it but never really got a courage to do that. I will c if i cna sue him...
Try to record few of your conversations with him with a hidden camcorder and/or voice recorder, once you are sure you have enough evidence - talk to a good lawyer, also file for a h1b transfer and change job and once you get into your new job sue this old employer for mental agony and torture etc....... lawyer will manage this
tanx for ur reply. I already quit the job since i could not bear him..any more nd his mental torture...I ma planing to give a compliant to DOL and wanna c if it can be helpful to me..Si i cnat record anymore i tohught of recording it but never really got a courage to do that. I will c if i cna sue him...
Try to record few of your conversations with him with a hidden camcorder and/or voice recorder, once you are sure you have enough evidence - talk to a good lawyer, also file for a h1b transfer and change job and once you get into your new job sue this old employer for mental agony and torture etc....... lawyer will manage this
buddhaas
02-02 03:57 PM
Why Is H-1B A Dirty Word?
By Eleanor Pelta, AILA First Vice President
H-1B workers certainly seem to be under fire these days on many fronts. A new memo issued by USCIS on the employer-employee relationship imposes new extra-regulatory regulations on the types of activities in which H-1B workers can engage as well as the types of enterprises that can petition for H-1B workers. The memo targets the consulting industry directly, deftly slips in a new concept that seems to prohibit H-1B petitions for employer-owners of businesses, and will surely constitute an open invitation to the Service Centers to hit H-1B petitioners with a new slew of kitchen-sink RFE's. On another front, USCIS continues to make unannounced H-1B site visits, often repeatedly to the same employer. Apart from the "in-terrorem" impact of such visits, I personally cannot see the utility of three different visits to the same employer, particularly after the first one or two visits show that the employer is fully compliant.
But USCIS isn't the only agency that is rigorously targeting H-1B's. An AILA member recently reported that CBP pulled newly-arrived Indian nationals holding H-1B visas out of an immigration inspection line and reportedly placed them in Expedited Removal. The legal basis of those actions is still unclear. However, the tactic is too close to racial profiling for my own comfort.
Finally, recent H-1B "skirmishes" include various U.S. consular posts in India issuing "pink letters" that are, simply put, consular "RFE's" appearing to question the bona fides of the H-1B and requesting information on a host of truly repetitive and/or irrelevant topics. Much of the information that is routinely requested on a pink letter is already in the copy of the H-1B visa petition. Some of the letters request payroll information for all employees of the sponsoring company, a ridiculous request in most instances, particularly for major multi-national companies. One of the most frustrating actions we are seeing from consular officers in this context is the checking off or highlighting of every single category of additional information on the form letter, whether directly applicable or not, in effect a "paper wall" that must be overcome before an applicant can have the H-1B visa issued. Very discouraging to both employer and employee.
How have we come to a point in time where the H-1B category in and of itself is so disdained and mistrusted? Of course I'm aware that instances of fraud have cast this category in a bad light. But I think that vehemence of the administrative attack on the H-1B category is so disproportionate to the actual statistics about fraud. And interestingly, the disproportionate heavy-handed administrative reaction comes not from the agency specifically tasked with H-1B enforcement—the Department of Labor—but from CIS, CBP and State. Sometimes I just have to shake my head and ask myself what makes people so darn angry about a visa category that, at bottom, is designed to bring in relatively tiny number of really smart people to work in U.S. businesses of any size. It has to be a reaction against something else.
Yes, a great number of IT consultants come to the US on H-1B's. It is important to remember that so many of these individuals are extremely well-educated, capable people, working in an industry in which there are a large number of high profile players. And arguably, the high profile consulting companies have the most at stake if they do not focus on compliance, as they are the easiest enforcement target and they need their business model to work in the U.S. in order to survive. Some people may not like the business model, although arguably IT consulting companies provide needed services that allow US businesses, such as banks and insurance companies to focus on their own core strengths. Like it or not, though, this business model is perfectly legal under current law, and the agencies that enforce our immigration laws have no business trying to eviscerate it by policy or a pattern of discretionary actions.
It is true that some IT consulting companies' practices have been the focus of fraud investigations. But DOL has stringent rules in place to deal with the bad guys. Benching H-1B workers without pay, paying below the prevailing wage, sending H-1B workers on long-term assignments to a site not covered by an LCA—these are the practices we most often hear about, and every single one of these is a violation of an existing regulation that could be enforced by the Department of Labor. When an employer violates wage and hour rules, DOL investigates the practices and enforces the regulations against that employer. But no one shuts down an entire industry as a result.
And the IT consulting industry is not the only user of the H-1B visa. Let's not forget how many other critical fields use H-1B workers. In my own career alone, I have seen H-1B petitions for nanoscientists, ornithologists, CEO's of significant not for profit organizations, teachers, applied mathematicians, risk analysts, professionals involved in pharmaceutical research and development, automotive designers, international legal experts, film editors, microimaging engineers. H-1B's are valuable to small and large businesses alike, arguably even more to that emerging business that needs one key expert to develop a new product or service and get the business off the ground.
The assault on H-1B's is not only offensive, it's dangerous. Here's why:
* H-1B's create jobs—statistics show that 5 jobs are created in the U.S. for every H-1B worker hired. An administrative clamp-down in the program will hinder this job creation. And think about the valuable sharing of skills and expertise between H-1B workers and U.S. workers—this is lost when companies are discouraged from using the program.
* The anti-H-1B assault dissuades large businesses from conducting research and development in the US, and encourages the relocation of those facilities in jurisdictions that are friendlier to foreign professionals.
* The anti-H-1B assault chills the formation of small businesses in the US, particularly in emerging technologies. This will most certainly be one of the long-term results of USCIS' most recent memo.
* The attack on H-1B's offends our friends and allies in the world. An example: Earlier this year India –one of the U.S.'s closest allies --announced new visa restrictions on foreign nationals working there. Surely the treatment of Indian national H-1B workers at the hands of our agencies involved in the immigration process would not have escaped the attention of the Indian government as they issued their own restrictions.
* The increasing challenges in the H-1B program may have the effect of encouraging foreign students who were educated in the U.S. to seek permanent positions elsewhere.
Whatever the cause of the visceral reaction against H-1B workers might be—whether it stems from a fear that fraud will become more widespread or whether it is simply a broader reaction against foreign workers that often raises its head during any down economy –I sincerely hope that the agencies are able to gain some perspective on the program that allows them to treat legitimate H-1B employers and employees with the respect they deserve and to effectively enforce against those who are non-compliant, rather than casting a wide net and treating all H-1B users as abusers.
source link : http://ailaleadership.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-is-h-1b-dirty-word.html#comment-form
By Eleanor Pelta, AILA First Vice President
H-1B workers certainly seem to be under fire these days on many fronts. A new memo issued by USCIS on the employer-employee relationship imposes new extra-regulatory regulations on the types of activities in which H-1B workers can engage as well as the types of enterprises that can petition for H-1B workers. The memo targets the consulting industry directly, deftly slips in a new concept that seems to prohibit H-1B petitions for employer-owners of businesses, and will surely constitute an open invitation to the Service Centers to hit H-1B petitioners with a new slew of kitchen-sink RFE's. On another front, USCIS continues to make unannounced H-1B site visits, often repeatedly to the same employer. Apart from the "in-terrorem" impact of such visits, I personally cannot see the utility of three different visits to the same employer, particularly after the first one or two visits show that the employer is fully compliant.
But USCIS isn't the only agency that is rigorously targeting H-1B's. An AILA member recently reported that CBP pulled newly-arrived Indian nationals holding H-1B visas out of an immigration inspection line and reportedly placed them in Expedited Removal. The legal basis of those actions is still unclear. However, the tactic is too close to racial profiling for my own comfort.
Finally, recent H-1B "skirmishes" include various U.S. consular posts in India issuing "pink letters" that are, simply put, consular "RFE's" appearing to question the bona fides of the H-1B and requesting information on a host of truly repetitive and/or irrelevant topics. Much of the information that is routinely requested on a pink letter is already in the copy of the H-1B visa petition. Some of the letters request payroll information for all employees of the sponsoring company, a ridiculous request in most instances, particularly for major multi-national companies. One of the most frustrating actions we are seeing from consular officers in this context is the checking off or highlighting of every single category of additional information on the form letter, whether directly applicable or not, in effect a "paper wall" that must be overcome before an applicant can have the H-1B visa issued. Very discouraging to both employer and employee.
How have we come to a point in time where the H-1B category in and of itself is so disdained and mistrusted? Of course I'm aware that instances of fraud have cast this category in a bad light. But I think that vehemence of the administrative attack on the H-1B category is so disproportionate to the actual statistics about fraud. And interestingly, the disproportionate heavy-handed administrative reaction comes not from the agency specifically tasked with H-1B enforcement—the Department of Labor—but from CIS, CBP and State. Sometimes I just have to shake my head and ask myself what makes people so darn angry about a visa category that, at bottom, is designed to bring in relatively tiny number of really smart people to work in U.S. businesses of any size. It has to be a reaction against something else.
Yes, a great number of IT consultants come to the US on H-1B's. It is important to remember that so many of these individuals are extremely well-educated, capable people, working in an industry in which there are a large number of high profile players. And arguably, the high profile consulting companies have the most at stake if they do not focus on compliance, as they are the easiest enforcement target and they need their business model to work in the U.S. in order to survive. Some people may not like the business model, although arguably IT consulting companies provide needed services that allow US businesses, such as banks and insurance companies to focus on their own core strengths. Like it or not, though, this business model is perfectly legal under current law, and the agencies that enforce our immigration laws have no business trying to eviscerate it by policy or a pattern of discretionary actions.
It is true that some IT consulting companies' practices have been the focus of fraud investigations. But DOL has stringent rules in place to deal with the bad guys. Benching H-1B workers without pay, paying below the prevailing wage, sending H-1B workers on long-term assignments to a site not covered by an LCA—these are the practices we most often hear about, and every single one of these is a violation of an existing regulation that could be enforced by the Department of Labor. When an employer violates wage and hour rules, DOL investigates the practices and enforces the regulations against that employer. But no one shuts down an entire industry as a result.
And the IT consulting industry is not the only user of the H-1B visa. Let's not forget how many other critical fields use H-1B workers. In my own career alone, I have seen H-1B petitions for nanoscientists, ornithologists, CEO's of significant not for profit organizations, teachers, applied mathematicians, risk analysts, professionals involved in pharmaceutical research and development, automotive designers, international legal experts, film editors, microimaging engineers. H-1B's are valuable to small and large businesses alike, arguably even more to that emerging business that needs one key expert to develop a new product or service and get the business off the ground.
The assault on H-1B's is not only offensive, it's dangerous. Here's why:
* H-1B's create jobs—statistics show that 5 jobs are created in the U.S. for every H-1B worker hired. An administrative clamp-down in the program will hinder this job creation. And think about the valuable sharing of skills and expertise between H-1B workers and U.S. workers—this is lost when companies are discouraged from using the program.
* The anti-H-1B assault dissuades large businesses from conducting research and development in the US, and encourages the relocation of those facilities in jurisdictions that are friendlier to foreign professionals.
* The anti-H-1B assault chills the formation of small businesses in the US, particularly in emerging technologies. This will most certainly be one of the long-term results of USCIS' most recent memo.
* The attack on H-1B's offends our friends and allies in the world. An example: Earlier this year India –one of the U.S.'s closest allies --announced new visa restrictions on foreign nationals working there. Surely the treatment of Indian national H-1B workers at the hands of our agencies involved in the immigration process would not have escaped the attention of the Indian government as they issued their own restrictions.
* The increasing challenges in the H-1B program may have the effect of encouraging foreign students who were educated in the U.S. to seek permanent positions elsewhere.
Whatever the cause of the visceral reaction against H-1B workers might be—whether it stems from a fear that fraud will become more widespread or whether it is simply a broader reaction against foreign workers that often raises its head during any down economy –I sincerely hope that the agencies are able to gain some perspective on the program that allows them to treat legitimate H-1B employers and employees with the respect they deserve and to effectively enforce against those who are non-compliant, rather than casting a wide net and treating all H-1B users as abusers.
source link : http://ailaleadership.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-is-h-1b-dirty-word.html#comment-form
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