gcdreamer05
08-12 06:01 PM
hello all,
Lets say you are a citizen here or your son is a citizen becasue he was born here.
Then you decide to go back and he starts studing with the PIO, I guess that works till he gets to college(Govt colleges are NRI quota right?)
Then when he want to work there dose he have to get a VISA like us comming here to work ?
I ask this becasue a friend of mine said a major IT company in India said that such a person cannot work in India without a VISA and they are not sponsering any visa's now.
so when he tried to come to the US, it seems that he had to pay for all his education as an NRI would have paid.
also if you reject the US citizenship and US is not going to give you any visa..ever !
Sorry i dont have an answer for your question, but reading this i was very surprised because there used to be some forward emails going on, saying after 10 years, all angrezi's will be standing in queue outside indian consulate waiting for harra patta....... some kind of mail like that, looks like it is becoming a reality :)
Lets say you are a citizen here or your son is a citizen becasue he was born here.
Then you decide to go back and he starts studing with the PIO, I guess that works till he gets to college(Govt colleges are NRI quota right?)
Then when he want to work there dose he have to get a VISA like us comming here to work ?
I ask this becasue a friend of mine said a major IT company in India said that such a person cannot work in India without a VISA and they are not sponsering any visa's now.
so when he tried to come to the US, it seems that he had to pay for all his education as an NRI would have paid.
also if you reject the US citizenship and US is not going to give you any visa..ever !
Sorry i dont have an answer for your question, but reading this i was very surprised because there used to be some forward emails going on, saying after 10 years, all angrezi's will be standing in queue outside indian consulate waiting for harra patta....... some kind of mail like that, looks like it is becoming a reality :)
wallpaper Disney Pixar CARS: On Ice!
redcard
12-19 12:10 AM
Hi All,
One of my friend is in a bad situation, I am posting on behalf of him,
Thanks in Advance
AJ
My Friend, My Friend' Friend and Friend.. and the story goes on. I am sure you Friend has access to net and can express himself... ask him to post here and I am sure he will get ton's of first hand advise..
One of my friend is in a bad situation, I am posting on behalf of him,
Thanks in Advance
AJ
My Friend, My Friend' Friend and Friend.. and the story goes on. I am sure you Friend has access to net and can express himself... ask him to post here and I am sure he will get ton's of first hand advise..
milind70
04-01 05:58 PM
Folks,
I checked my status online today (4/1/2008) and this is what it says:
"On December 13, 2007, the post office returned the notice we last sent you on this case I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS as undeliverable. This may have serious effects on processing this case. Please call 1-800-375-5283 to update your mailing address for this notice to be re-sent."
I had subscribed to email notification, but I didn't get any email in december :confused: . It has been 3.5 months since that notice.. So I am little tensed.
My Situation:
PD - Feb-2005
Labor - Approved
I-140 - Approved
I-485 - Address mistake, filed the address correction on 9/18/2008 and got the confirmation in the mail that the address was changed.
I immediately called the number listed and opened a SR for this. The CSR said he cannot look at my file to see what address is listed. I am not sure how I can get to a Level 2 IO ?
So I am not sure, what notice was sent and where ? Is there anything else I can do ? Will InfoPass help ?
I am thinking that it might be the FP appointment but I am not sure.
-Bipin
I and my wife had applied online for our EADs in Nov2007 , we got our EAD RN in a week time but in Jan i got FP notice for EAD and Jan 19 2008 my EAD got approved and mailed as per the online status , but when i checked for my wifes status it said notice returned undeliverable . My wife wrote to to the service centre with copies of her 485 FP, EAD RN which had the same address as well as a copy of the EAD application showing the same address as well as to the local Post Office as to why this was returned as undeliverable when all the other notices were fine . We did fedex these applications overnight and two days the online status changed as card approved and she got her EAD on Jan 30th or so.
I would suggest if this is a mistake of USPS who have returned the notice even though the address is correct write to USCIS with copies of earlier notices with the same address and request them to resend and to USPS asking as to why the notice was returned as underlivered where as earlier other notices were delivered.
It worked for us , we did not get into the hassle of calling Customer Support and taking infopass and going to Local office as these are pretty cumbersome and time consuming. It did cost us 14 dollars for express mail via USPS but apart from that it was fine and it worked. Hope our experience helps
I checked my status online today (4/1/2008) and this is what it says:
"On December 13, 2007, the post office returned the notice we last sent you on this case I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS as undeliverable. This may have serious effects on processing this case. Please call 1-800-375-5283 to update your mailing address for this notice to be re-sent."
I had subscribed to email notification, but I didn't get any email in december :confused: . It has been 3.5 months since that notice.. So I am little tensed.
My Situation:
PD - Feb-2005
Labor - Approved
I-140 - Approved
I-485 - Address mistake, filed the address correction on 9/18/2008 and got the confirmation in the mail that the address was changed.
I immediately called the number listed and opened a SR for this. The CSR said he cannot look at my file to see what address is listed. I am not sure how I can get to a Level 2 IO ?
So I am not sure, what notice was sent and where ? Is there anything else I can do ? Will InfoPass help ?
I am thinking that it might be the FP appointment but I am not sure.
-Bipin
I and my wife had applied online for our EADs in Nov2007 , we got our EAD RN in a week time but in Jan i got FP notice for EAD and Jan 19 2008 my EAD got approved and mailed as per the online status , but when i checked for my wifes status it said notice returned undeliverable . My wife wrote to to the service centre with copies of her 485 FP, EAD RN which had the same address as well as a copy of the EAD application showing the same address as well as to the local Post Office as to why this was returned as undeliverable when all the other notices were fine . We did fedex these applications overnight and two days the online status changed as card approved and she got her EAD on Jan 30th or so.
I would suggest if this is a mistake of USPS who have returned the notice even though the address is correct write to USCIS with copies of earlier notices with the same address and request them to resend and to USPS asking as to why the notice was returned as underlivered where as earlier other notices were delivered.
It worked for us , we did not get into the hassle of calling Customer Support and taking infopass and going to Local office as these are pretty cumbersome and time consuming. It did cost us 14 dollars for express mail via USPS but apart from that it was fine and it worked. Hope our experience helps
2011 hot Disney Pixar Cars Flo#39;s
nath
06-07 05:56 PM
Good luck everybody who are able to make it for DC campaign. Rest of IV members will be with you guys in spirit. :)
Hi, I am planning to join tomorrow, please let me know, whats tomorrow schedule and where to come and meet.
Hi, I am planning to join tomorrow, please let me know, whats tomorrow schedule and where to come and meet.
more...
amsh
08-22 04:01 PM
Hi there,
Mine is EB3 India; priority date is Jan, 2007 and 485 filed in July, 2007 filters. I am holding 3 years of bachlers and 1 year diploma plus 10 years of professional experience. I do not see any progress in EB3 for another couple of years and thinking convert my petition from EB3 - EB2 but got few questions as follow; by the way I am on EAD now, no more H1B - so my situation is do or die :) I would not say die because this is not only the world for us.
Note: Still I am working for the same sponsered employer.
1. If I file new petition with EB2 based on my old EB3 priority date with same employer, what happens to my EB3 application processing? will that get effected in any way?
-both applications are independent of each other
2. What happens to my EB3 processing if my EB2 got rejected for some reason?
----it remains valid
3. If I get m 140 approved with my new EB2 filing; what kind of risks I have porting EB3 485 to EB2 file?
---No risk
4. What all the requirements filing EB2 for converting from EB3?
------5 years of progressive experience or post graduate degree and the job for which you are working for requires that .
I would really appreciate your answers.
Thanks,
Matt.
Hi Matt
Mine is EB3 India; priority date is Jan, 2007 and 485 filed in July, 2007 filters. I am holding 3 years of bachlers and 1 year diploma plus 10 years of professional experience. I do not see any progress in EB3 for another couple of years and thinking convert my petition from EB3 - EB2 but got few questions as follow; by the way I am on EAD now, no more H1B - so my situation is do or die :) I would not say die because this is not only the world for us.
Note: Still I am working for the same sponsered employer.
1. If I file new petition with EB2 based on my old EB3 priority date with same employer, what happens to my EB3 application processing? will that get effected in any way?
-both applications are independent of each other
2. What happens to my EB3 processing if my EB2 got rejected for some reason?
----it remains valid
3. If I get m 140 approved with my new EB2 filing; what kind of risks I have porting EB3 485 to EB2 file?
---No risk
4. What all the requirements filing EB2 for converting from EB3?
------5 years of progressive experience or post graduate degree and the job for which you are working for requires that .
I would really appreciate your answers.
Thanks,
Matt.
Hi Matt
skarthy
08-12 05:54 PM
hello all,
Lets say you are a citizen here or your son is a citizen becasue he was born here.
Then you decide to go back and he starts studing with the PIO, I guess that works till he gets to college(Govt colleges are NRI quota right?)
Then when he want to work there dose he have to get a VISA like us comming here to work ?
I ask this becasue a friend of mine said a major IT company in India said that such a person cannot work in India without a VISA and they are not sponsering any visa's now.
so when he tried to come to the US, it seems that he had to pay for all his education as an NRI would have paid.
also if you reject the US citizenship and US is not going to give you any visa..ever !
Lets say you are a citizen here or your son is a citizen becasue he was born here.
Then you decide to go back and he starts studing with the PIO, I guess that works till he gets to college(Govt colleges are NRI quota right?)
Then when he want to work there dose he have to get a VISA like us comming here to work ?
I ask this becasue a friend of mine said a major IT company in India said that such a person cannot work in India without a VISA and they are not sponsering any visa's now.
so when he tried to come to the US, it seems that he had to pay for all his education as an NRI would have paid.
also if you reject the US citizenship and US is not going to give you any visa..ever !
more...
sam_hoosier
12-11 02:50 PM
guys,
I have hired as an "Auditor" in 2002, which is also the title of my position in my LC. If I use AC21 for AUdit manager, which is considered to be in the same occupational classification, will it be a problem? My salary will probably be double of what is on the LC application.... your thoughts are appreciated..
I heard that a major change in salary with regards to AC21 can be a problem..and the the title "manager" will always excite IOs ...for RFEs...
Did you check the job code for Auditor vs. Audit Manager ? 2x salary differential could be a problem.
You should consult a lawyer.
I have hired as an "Auditor" in 2002, which is also the title of my position in my LC. If I use AC21 for AUdit manager, which is considered to be in the same occupational classification, will it be a problem? My salary will probably be double of what is on the LC application.... your thoughts are appreciated..
I heard that a major change in salary with regards to AC21 can be a problem..and the the title "manager" will always excite IOs ...for RFEs...
Did you check the job code for Auditor vs. Audit Manager ? 2x salary differential could be a problem.
You should consult a lawyer.
2010 Cars Picture
Springflower
08-30 04:56 PM
Contratulations babu !
--------------------------------------------------------------
Contributed $50. Signed up for $50/month recurring contribution.
PD: March 2004 (EB3 - India)
Labor approved: Jan 2006
I-140 approved: Feb 2006 (NSC)
I-485/EAD/AP applied: July 6th, 2007 (NSC)
Checks cashed: ?
Receipts received: ?
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dear friends
I'm very excited to say that I got my green card approved. Thank you for all of your support.
My status change will not change a bit of my support to IV. I will continue to contribute what I contribute now, until we are sucessful. I'm not successful, until everyone of you is not successful in pursuing your green card. I hope and pray that my stand will motivate non contributing friends to contribute.
Friends and folks, we did not have any organization to support ourselves. So far we had to take anything shoved upon us. But the emergence of IV changed all that. Contribute and support IV. Because IV is our voice!!!
thanks
babu
--------------------------------------------------------------
Contributed $50. Signed up for $50/month recurring contribution.
PD: March 2004 (EB3 - India)
Labor approved: Jan 2006
I-140 approved: Feb 2006 (NSC)
I-485/EAD/AP applied: July 6th, 2007 (NSC)
Checks cashed: ?
Receipts received: ?
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dear friends
I'm very excited to say that I got my green card approved. Thank you for all of your support.
My status change will not change a bit of my support to IV. I will continue to contribute what I contribute now, until we are sucessful. I'm not successful, until everyone of you is not successful in pursuing your green card. I hope and pray that my stand will motivate non contributing friends to contribute.
Friends and folks, we did not have any organization to support ourselves. So far we had to take anything shoved upon us. But the emergence of IV changed all that. Contribute and support IV. Because IV is our voice!!!
thanks
babu
more...
Pineapple
04-27 07:56 AM
read this:
Congressional Dems Say No Immigration Bill Anytime Soon - The Gaggle Blog - Newsweek.com (http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2010/04/26/congressional-dems-say-no-immigration-bill-anytime-soon.aspx?hpid=topnews)
Congressional Dems Say No Immigration Bill Anytime Soon - The Gaggle Blog - Newsweek.com (http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2010/04/26/congressional-dems-say-no-immigration-bill-anytime-soon.aspx?hpid=topnews)
hair Disney CARS Spinout Lightning
copsmart
02-20 09:06 PM
First of all, her employer will be in trouble sooner or later, for keeping her on bench and not paying.
I don�t think she is accumulating any out-of-status days, because she is still working for the employer. However, it is illegal to employ someone without pay on H1.
Aren�t you aware of the recent raids and arrests?
Best bet is to get her back on H4 ASAP or ask her to leave the country and come back on H4, whichever you think can be done fast.
Members,
I need some help to act in right direction.
In Oct -2008 my wife got H1B. She was on H4 before that. The employer is still searching client for her to start work. She has got no pay, as practically she never started work. She still have valid-H4 VISa till sept-2009.
1) What is her current status H1B or H4?
2) how long can she wait to search job, assuming if she does not get job in next 2-3 months, how long will be H1B status Valid.
3) If she travels to india, will she has to get H1B stamped or she can re-enter on H4.
4) What are the options to get her back on H4. I have to file my extension in sept-2009.
Feedbacks, as highly appreciated.
~cheers
I don�t think she is accumulating any out-of-status days, because she is still working for the employer. However, it is illegal to employ someone without pay on H1.
Aren�t you aware of the recent raids and arrests?
Best bet is to get her back on H4 ASAP or ask her to leave the country and come back on H4, whichever you think can be done fast.
Members,
I need some help to act in right direction.
In Oct -2008 my wife got H1B. She was on H4 before that. The employer is still searching client for her to start work. She has got no pay, as practically she never started work. She still have valid-H4 VISa till sept-2009.
1) What is her current status H1B or H4?
2) how long can she wait to search job, assuming if she does not get job in next 2-3 months, how long will be H1B status Valid.
3) If she travels to india, will she has to get H1B stamped or she can re-enter on H4.
4) What are the options to get her back on H4. I have to file my extension in sept-2009.
Feedbacks, as highly appreciated.
~cheers
more...
vivaforever
07-17 07:01 PM
Immigration Voice is healthy and kicking. No flowers Please. Contribute instead !
I personally know some individuals who read IV and never registered/contributed. Please encourage those bystanders around you to be part of this movement.
I personally know some individuals who read IV and never registered/contributed. Please encourage those bystanders around you to be part of this movement.
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gconmymind
11-05 03:50 AM
Situation - During the month of July, I filed my 485 when all categories were current. Got my receipt too. Missed wife's application because her papers were not ready. Now priority dates have retrogressed again.
Saving grace - Our H1/H4 are in order with many long years left on them.
Question - Can I file my wife 485 now as a dependent, even though "my" PD is not current yet. The core point is that, does the concept of PD applies to the dependent 485 applications too?
I am in almost the same boat, with the exception that my receipts have not arrived yet!! :mad:
Only saving grace is that I am EB2 and my priority date is May '04, so hoping the bulletin to be current for me in a few months so I can file for my wife..keeping my fingers crossed...
Saving grace - Our H1/H4 are in order with many long years left on them.
Question - Can I file my wife 485 now as a dependent, even though "my" PD is not current yet. The core point is that, does the concept of PD applies to the dependent 485 applications too?
I am in almost the same boat, with the exception that my receipts have not arrived yet!! :mad:
Only saving grace is that I am EB2 and my priority date is May '04, so hoping the bulletin to be current for me in a few months so I can file for my wife..keeping my fingers crossed...
more...
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cfan666666
06-27 03:23 PM
I will send my I-485, I-131 and I-765 to this address:
IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION SERVICE
TEXAS SERVICE CENTER
PO BOX 851488 - DEPT A
MESQUITE TX 75185-1488
It's the address on my I-140 approval notice. Have called USCIS, the answer said you can send you I-485 to the address on you I-140 approval notice.
Good luck
IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION SERVICE
TEXAS SERVICE CENTER
PO BOX 851488 - DEPT A
MESQUITE TX 75185-1488
It's the address on my I-140 approval notice. Have called USCIS, the answer said you can send you I-485 to the address on you I-140 approval notice.
Good luck
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chprav
11-05 10:28 AM
Finally I got mail from USCIS on 11/04 saying my AP is approved. But the message says it is approved on 10/17. I didn't know why they took so many days to update the status? Is it normal?
Application Type: I131, APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT
Current Status: Approval notice sent.
On October 17, 2007, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I131 APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.
Application Type: I131, APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT
Current Status: Approval notice sent.
On October 17, 2007, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I131 APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.
more...
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singhsa3
04-30 05:35 PM
Point well taken, mades some changes
You are ignoring dependents (1.2/applicant) and name-check cases in your calculation.
You are ignoring dependents (1.2/applicant) and name-check cases in your calculation.
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satishbsk
07-08 05:38 PM
They took 20 k tilll last month and no match.
____________________
contributed $260 so far
____________________
contributed $260 so far
more...
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dealsnet
01-14 08:45 AM
Usually one week, if everything is fine.
once the file has been assigned to an officer and the dates are current? I am just curious.
Just the file being assigned to an officer does not mean adjudication soon.:)
once the file has been assigned to an officer and the dates are current? I am just curious.
Just the file being assigned to an officer does not mean adjudication soon.:)
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sledge_hammer
12-03 04:59 PM
Per the exerpt below, the spouse and children of a legal alien are eligible for benefits, and it will NOT effect the GC process of the primary applicant -
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/public_cqa.pdf
Q21: If a member of an alien's family is receiving or has received public benefits, but the individual alien hasn’t, will INS or State hold this against the alien for public charge purposes?
A21: In most cases, no. As a general rule, receipt of benefits by a member of an alien’s family is not attributed to the alien who is applying to INS or State for admission or to INS for adjustment of status to determine whether he or she is likely to become a public charge. The only time this general rule would not apply would be if the family were reliant on their family member’s cash public benefits as its sole means of support.
In particular, alien parents do not have to worry that the INS or State will consider them to be public charges if they enroll their children in programs for which they are eligible, unless these are cash programs which provide the sole financial support for the family. This is true whether the children are U.S. citizens or non-citizens.
If a parent enrolls in TANF for cash benefits for the “child only,” this could be used by INS or State for a public charge determination concerning the parent if this cash is the sole support for the family. However, if there are other sources of support or a parent is working, then the cash assistance would not represent the family's sole source of support.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/public_cqa.pdf
Q21: If a member of an alien's family is receiving or has received public benefits, but the individual alien hasn’t, will INS or State hold this against the alien for public charge purposes?
A21: In most cases, no. As a general rule, receipt of benefits by a member of an alien’s family is not attributed to the alien who is applying to INS or State for admission or to INS for adjustment of status to determine whether he or she is likely to become a public charge. The only time this general rule would not apply would be if the family were reliant on their family member’s cash public benefits as its sole means of support.
In particular, alien parents do not have to worry that the INS or State will consider them to be public charges if they enroll their children in programs for which they are eligible, unless these are cash programs which provide the sole financial support for the family. This is true whether the children are U.S. citizens or non-citizens.
If a parent enrolls in TANF for cash benefits for the “child only,” this could be used by INS or State for a public charge determination concerning the parent if this cash is the sole support for the family. However, if there are other sources of support or a parent is working, then the cash assistance would not represent the family's sole source of support.
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sam_hoosier
06-25 12:59 PM
I called AAA. They said its free for Premium members only. I'm Plus member and price is $25 for 6 photos.
Yep, thats what I paid ;) And while its true that we are spending a lot of money on our GC process, saving a few dollars here or there always helps.
I hope the members who are indifferent towards saving money on photographs are actively contributing to the IV cause.:p
Yep, thats what I paid ;) And while its true that we are spending a lot of money on our GC process, saving a few dollars here or there always helps.
I hope the members who are indifferent towards saving money on photographs are actively contributing to the IV cause.:p
jsb
05-18 12:18 AM
Could someone having experience with self EAD renewal, please provide, application form #, documents needed for EAD renewal, and fee. I would like to do it myself.
dupedinjuly
07-10 02:48 PM
http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,680197801,00.html
Workers feeling cheated by green-card reversal
By Deborah Bulkeley
Deseret Morning News
A surprise government announcement that there were plenty of employer-sponsored green cards available raised Mehul Kapadia's hopes that his wait for permanent residency was finally over.
But then, a sudden announcement that no new green cards will be issued for highly skilled workers until fall has Kapadia wondering if he'll ever find stability in America.
The State Department announced last month that employment visa numbers were available for all people seeking employer-sponsored green cards, except unskilled workers.
Applicants often wait years for those numbers. Kapadia, an Ogden software engineer originally from India, says he's been in line since Dec. 16, 2003.
For now, he's a legal worker with a temporary visa. So, when he saw he could apply for the green card number, Kapadia underwent the required medical exam and submitted his documentation July 2, the first day it could be submitted.
Then, that same day, the State Department issued an update stating that "sudden backlog reduction efforts by Citizenship and Immigration Services during the past month have resulted in the use of almost 60,000 employment numbers." The department called the backlog reduction an "unexpected action" and said employment visa numbers would be available again Oct. 1.
CIS had been working since May to reduce a backlog in applications it already has on file, said Bill Wright, spokesman for the agency.
"There's a numerical limitation of roughly 147,000 visas available (annually)," he said. "Once we met that numerical limitation, we requested that the State Department post a brand new, revised bulletin that anything after that is no longer eligible."
The State Department had originally posted the bulletin to ensure that all available visas for the fiscal year would be issued, said Steve Royster, State Department spokesman for consular affairs. Last year, he said, roughly 10,000 such visas weren't issued.
"Processing visas on file with CIS is going to benefit all the applicants in the pool, and this will ensure the entire allotment of visas for 2007 will be used," he said.
But Kapadia now says he feels cheated by two federal agencies that said one thing one day and another the next.
"Nobody knows what happened," he said. "This was kind of a big rejection and sense of being let down, but for what? We still can't comprehend why they acted in this extraordinary manner."
Kapadia isn't alone. Tens of thousands of people who work in the United States under employment visas and their families were affected by the change, said Crystal Williams, associate director for programs at the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
"There are people who flew to the United States so they could apply and had their families fly back. They paid attorney fees," Williams said.
AILA's sister organization, the American Immigration Law Foundation, is considering a lawsuit against the two federal agencies, Williams said.
"We've gone back now about 25 years and have never found a situation in which a bulletin was revised after the first of the month," she said.
Neither Royster nor Wright would comment on potential litigation. Wright suggested that anyone who filed an application on July 2 contact their local CIS office to find out the status.
The fee to apply for a green card increases July 30 from $395 to $1,010, including a fingerprinting fee.
Kapadia says he isn't worried about the fee hike so much as the freedom he'd receive with permanent residency. He'd be able to travel internationally without restrictions, and establish residency to study for a master's degree. He and his wife would be able to remain in the country if he loses his job, and they'd eventually be able to apply for citizenship.
"It's kind of a golden cage we are in. We are free, we are in America, but we are stopped from doing anything," he said. "I am looking for the American dream, but it is looking like more of a mirage."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributing: The Associated Press
E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com
Workers feeling cheated by green-card reversal
By Deborah Bulkeley
Deseret Morning News
A surprise government announcement that there were plenty of employer-sponsored green cards available raised Mehul Kapadia's hopes that his wait for permanent residency was finally over.
But then, a sudden announcement that no new green cards will be issued for highly skilled workers until fall has Kapadia wondering if he'll ever find stability in America.
The State Department announced last month that employment visa numbers were available for all people seeking employer-sponsored green cards, except unskilled workers.
Applicants often wait years for those numbers. Kapadia, an Ogden software engineer originally from India, says he's been in line since Dec. 16, 2003.
For now, he's a legal worker with a temporary visa. So, when he saw he could apply for the green card number, Kapadia underwent the required medical exam and submitted his documentation July 2, the first day it could be submitted.
Then, that same day, the State Department issued an update stating that "sudden backlog reduction efforts by Citizenship and Immigration Services during the past month have resulted in the use of almost 60,000 employment numbers." The department called the backlog reduction an "unexpected action" and said employment visa numbers would be available again Oct. 1.
CIS had been working since May to reduce a backlog in applications it already has on file, said Bill Wright, spokesman for the agency.
"There's a numerical limitation of roughly 147,000 visas available (annually)," he said. "Once we met that numerical limitation, we requested that the State Department post a brand new, revised bulletin that anything after that is no longer eligible."
The State Department had originally posted the bulletin to ensure that all available visas for the fiscal year would be issued, said Steve Royster, State Department spokesman for consular affairs. Last year, he said, roughly 10,000 such visas weren't issued.
"Processing visas on file with CIS is going to benefit all the applicants in the pool, and this will ensure the entire allotment of visas for 2007 will be used," he said.
But Kapadia now says he feels cheated by two federal agencies that said one thing one day and another the next.
"Nobody knows what happened," he said. "This was kind of a big rejection and sense of being let down, but for what? We still can't comprehend why they acted in this extraordinary manner."
Kapadia isn't alone. Tens of thousands of people who work in the United States under employment visas and their families were affected by the change, said Crystal Williams, associate director for programs at the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
"There are people who flew to the United States so they could apply and had their families fly back. They paid attorney fees," Williams said.
AILA's sister organization, the American Immigration Law Foundation, is considering a lawsuit against the two federal agencies, Williams said.
"We've gone back now about 25 years and have never found a situation in which a bulletin was revised after the first of the month," she said.
Neither Royster nor Wright would comment on potential litigation. Wright suggested that anyone who filed an application on July 2 contact their local CIS office to find out the status.
The fee to apply for a green card increases July 30 from $395 to $1,010, including a fingerprinting fee.
Kapadia says he isn't worried about the fee hike so much as the freedom he'd receive with permanent residency. He'd be able to travel internationally without restrictions, and establish residency to study for a master's degree. He and his wife would be able to remain in the country if he loses his job, and they'd eventually be able to apply for citizenship.
"It's kind of a golden cage we are in. We are free, we are in America, but we are stopped from doing anything," he said. "I am looking for the American dream, but it is looking like more of a mirage."
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Contributing: The Associated Press
E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com
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