sankap
07-05 03:28 PM
http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB118359095890657571.html
Reversal Frustrates Green-Card Applicants
By MIRIAM JORDAN
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: July 5, 2007
The U.S. government's surprise offer, then abrupt reversal, of an opportunity for thousands of skilled foreign workers to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. highlights the problems of the overtaxed immigration system and the frenzy that results from a rare chance to apply for a green card.
The scramble has put tens of thousands of workers and their families in limbo after many of them and their employers spent thousands of dollars in hopes of securing permanent residency. It may result in a class-action lawsuit against the government by frustrated applicants.
The problem began June 12 when the government seemed to open the door for thousands of foreign workers and their families to end the long wait to apply for a green card. That is when the State Department published a Visa Bulletin, which is a monthly notice closely watched by immigration attorneys and their clients because it determines who is eligible to file a green-card application the next month. The June bulletin announced that practically all skilled foreign workers who had been previously deemed eligible for an employer-sponsored visa could now take the final step of applying for a green card.
By law, the U.S. can issue about 140,000 employment-based green cards each year. Last year, the government fell short by about 10,000, despite the long waiting list; leftover visas can't be rolled over to the next year. The June announcement aimed to prevent the visa slot from going to waste, according to a State Department spokeswoman.
[Green-Card Limbo]
The announcement was greeted with a mix of jubilation and panic by thousands of engineers, lab scientists and other high-skilled foreigners who had waited years for their place in line. Working ahead of a July 2 date for filing the application, intending immigrants rushed to gather documents, complete paperwork and obtain medical exams. Many of their dependents -- such as children enrolled in college overseas -- boarded planes for the U.S. to meet a requirement that all family members be present at the time of filing.
"The bulletin created a land rush among legal immigrants desperate to finalize their green-card applications," said Steve Miller, a Seattle-based immigration attorney and head of the state chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Then, on July 2, the State Department issued an "update" that reversed the previous bulletin. It stated, effective immediately, there would be no further authorizations for employment-based cases. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which processes the applications, said it would instead simply process existing applications to meet this year's quota. "We already had sufficient applications pending without new applicants," an agency spokesman said.
Mike Aytes, head of domestic operations for the USCIS, said all 147,141 employment-based green cards have now been issued for the year. "We are very sympathetic to the fact that people really had expectations � Folks spent a lot of time and effort, but it turned out they couldn't file, after all," he said.
In the July 2 announcement, USCIS said it was "rejecting applications" to secure green cards, and the agency spokesman said it would return the paperwork of all the applicants. New cases will be entertained again in the government's next fiscal year, starting Oct. 1. However, applicants must wait their turn again, which might not happen for years.
News of the revocation of the previously announced bulletin dashed the hopes of thousands of foreign workers, many of them currently on an H-1B professional visa normally valid for up to six years. These workers face the possibility of being forced to return home if their visa expires before they get the chance to apply for a green card.
"My employer and I spent tens of thousands of dollars preparing for the day when we could file for our Change in Status application, only to have the [government] pull the rug out from under us," said Lawrence LeBlanc, a Canadian executive at AES Corp. in Arlington, Virginia. "We were devastated to hear this unprecedented news. We're not sure how we're going to tell our children."
Because there are more employer-based applicants for immigrant visas than are available each year, people wait each month to see whether they have gotten to the front of the line. Often people wait years for the green light to apply, especially if they come from countries like India and China.
The June 12 announcement set off a stampede to government-approved doctors, because green-card applicants must pass medical exams. Apurva Pratap, a Seattle-based senior manager for a multinational corporation, said he and his wife traveled 40 miles for a medical exam after they couldn't secure an appointment in town. To fulfill a requirement for a vaccination, they waited eight hours in a line that snaked around a mobile unit in Tacoma. Mr. Pratap, a native of India, has been in the U.S. since 1999.
A spokeswoman for the American Immigration Lawyers Association said it has called for a congressional investigation. An affiliated organization is expected to take legal action via a class-action lawsuit. "This is an example of how badly our immigration system is broken," says Kathleen Walker, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Write to Miriam Jordan at miriam.jordan@wsj.com1
Reversal Frustrates Green-Card Applicants
By MIRIAM JORDAN
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: July 5, 2007
The U.S. government's surprise offer, then abrupt reversal, of an opportunity for thousands of skilled foreign workers to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. highlights the problems of the overtaxed immigration system and the frenzy that results from a rare chance to apply for a green card.
The scramble has put tens of thousands of workers and their families in limbo after many of them and their employers spent thousands of dollars in hopes of securing permanent residency. It may result in a class-action lawsuit against the government by frustrated applicants.
The problem began June 12 when the government seemed to open the door for thousands of foreign workers and their families to end the long wait to apply for a green card. That is when the State Department published a Visa Bulletin, which is a monthly notice closely watched by immigration attorneys and their clients because it determines who is eligible to file a green-card application the next month. The June bulletin announced that practically all skilled foreign workers who had been previously deemed eligible for an employer-sponsored visa could now take the final step of applying for a green card.
By law, the U.S. can issue about 140,000 employment-based green cards each year. Last year, the government fell short by about 10,000, despite the long waiting list; leftover visas can't be rolled over to the next year. The June announcement aimed to prevent the visa slot from going to waste, according to a State Department spokeswoman.
[Green-Card Limbo]
The announcement was greeted with a mix of jubilation and panic by thousands of engineers, lab scientists and other high-skilled foreigners who had waited years for their place in line. Working ahead of a July 2 date for filing the application, intending immigrants rushed to gather documents, complete paperwork and obtain medical exams. Many of their dependents -- such as children enrolled in college overseas -- boarded planes for the U.S. to meet a requirement that all family members be present at the time of filing.
"The bulletin created a land rush among legal immigrants desperate to finalize their green-card applications," said Steve Miller, a Seattle-based immigration attorney and head of the state chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Then, on July 2, the State Department issued an "update" that reversed the previous bulletin. It stated, effective immediately, there would be no further authorizations for employment-based cases. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which processes the applications, said it would instead simply process existing applications to meet this year's quota. "We already had sufficient applications pending without new applicants," an agency spokesman said.
Mike Aytes, head of domestic operations for the USCIS, said all 147,141 employment-based green cards have now been issued for the year. "We are very sympathetic to the fact that people really had expectations � Folks spent a lot of time and effort, but it turned out they couldn't file, after all," he said.
In the July 2 announcement, USCIS said it was "rejecting applications" to secure green cards, and the agency spokesman said it would return the paperwork of all the applicants. New cases will be entertained again in the government's next fiscal year, starting Oct. 1. However, applicants must wait their turn again, which might not happen for years.
News of the revocation of the previously announced bulletin dashed the hopes of thousands of foreign workers, many of them currently on an H-1B professional visa normally valid for up to six years. These workers face the possibility of being forced to return home if their visa expires before they get the chance to apply for a green card.
"My employer and I spent tens of thousands of dollars preparing for the day when we could file for our Change in Status application, only to have the [government] pull the rug out from under us," said Lawrence LeBlanc, a Canadian executive at AES Corp. in Arlington, Virginia. "We were devastated to hear this unprecedented news. We're not sure how we're going to tell our children."
Because there are more employer-based applicants for immigrant visas than are available each year, people wait each month to see whether they have gotten to the front of the line. Often people wait years for the green light to apply, especially if they come from countries like India and China.
The June 12 announcement set off a stampede to government-approved doctors, because green-card applicants must pass medical exams. Apurva Pratap, a Seattle-based senior manager for a multinational corporation, said he and his wife traveled 40 miles for a medical exam after they couldn't secure an appointment in town. To fulfill a requirement for a vaccination, they waited eight hours in a line that snaked around a mobile unit in Tacoma. Mr. Pratap, a native of India, has been in the U.S. since 1999.
A spokeswoman for the American Immigration Lawyers Association said it has called for a congressional investigation. An affiliated organization is expected to take legal action via a class-action lawsuit. "This is an example of how badly our immigration system is broken," says Kathleen Walker, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Write to Miriam Jordan at miriam.jordan@wsj.com1
wallpaper American 10 Dollar Bill Actual
insbaby
12-05 05:26 PM
I bet they won't let a VB programmer in!!!
VSS2007
06-25 10:10 PM
Hi,
I am also in the same boat. Looking forward to here some reply.
Hi,
I have posted the same issue in another thread but i did not get any response So I'm changing the title and reposting.
I have been working for my current employer from last 4 years.I have good relations with my employer.I have 140 approved and my 485 is pending for more than 180 days.Now I want to join any new employer using my EAD.But I don't want to invoke AC 21.If my dates are current again and if i get any RFE I will submit the offer letter from my old employer.
My case is I'm using EAD after 140 is approved and 485 is pending more than 180 days and joining a new employer.As GC is future employment I can always say that I will join my old employer when ever i get a GC.This way I can avoid AC 21. Also If my employer doesn't give me the offer letter I can still manage to get it from any Consulting firm with same job title and same salary.
Can any one suggest me on this?
Thanks
h12gc
I am also in the same boat. Looking forward to here some reply.
Hi,
I have posted the same issue in another thread but i did not get any response So I'm changing the title and reposting.
I have been working for my current employer from last 4 years.I have good relations with my employer.I have 140 approved and my 485 is pending for more than 180 days.Now I want to join any new employer using my EAD.But I don't want to invoke AC 21.If my dates are current again and if i get any RFE I will submit the offer letter from my old employer.
My case is I'm using EAD after 140 is approved and 485 is pending more than 180 days and joining a new employer.As GC is future employment I can always say that I will join my old employer when ever i get a GC.This way I can avoid AC 21. Also If my employer doesn't give me the offer letter I can still manage to get it from any Consulting firm with same job title and same salary.
Can any one suggest me on this?
Thanks
h12gc
2011 20 dollar bill back side,
lazycis
01-24 08:20 PM
If the cort orders them to find a number, they will find one despite the "U".
more...
calgirl
08-12 06:19 PM
Were these approved at NSC or TSC?
Both are following this rule would be encouraging..
Source:
http://www..com/discussion-forums/i485-1/172162219/
Posted by willcrack (74) 1 hour 51 minutes ago
OK...now guys, strictly speaking the memo does not say anything about "conditional" GC...in legal speak. Just that they could revoke it if the person is considered inadmissable after the Name Check results come back. "Conditional GC" per se has the support of the actual statute only for Married to citizen, EB5 investment GC's etc.
And now for those who feel that USCIS is not approving cases whose NC's are pending, I know 2 of my friends and I whose NC's were pending when the file was with the officer (and approved in a week) and in my case NC was pending even at 6:30pm eastern (when I called the second level IIO at the NCSC) the day before I got the CPO e-mail (next day at 9am).
I have also seen several cases where people have called/went to Infopass after they got the GC to find out whether the NC was cleared....and it was pending !
so this should throw away all apprehensions about the 180+ rule not being implemented out of the window...
Both are following this rule would be encouraging..
Source:
http://www..com/discussion-forums/i485-1/172162219/
Posted by willcrack (74) 1 hour 51 minutes ago
OK...now guys, strictly speaking the memo does not say anything about "conditional" GC...in legal speak. Just that they could revoke it if the person is considered inadmissable after the Name Check results come back. "Conditional GC" per se has the support of the actual statute only for Married to citizen, EB5 investment GC's etc.
And now for those who feel that USCIS is not approving cases whose NC's are pending, I know 2 of my friends and I whose NC's were pending when the file was with the officer (and approved in a week) and in my case NC was pending even at 6:30pm eastern (when I called the second level IIO at the NCSC) the day before I got the CPO e-mail (next day at 9am).
I have also seen several cases where people have called/went to Infopass after they got the GC to find out whether the NC was cleared....and it was pending !
so this should throw away all apprehensions about the 180+ rule not being implemented out of the window...
GC_ki_daud
03-13 03:21 PM
Any body ..Any good suggestion/Advise
more...
tiredofh1bfraud
10-20 09:41 PM
does anyone know delasoft inc. from chicago? do they delay payments or any other issues with this (prospective) employer?
2010 dollar bill back side. old 100
AllVNeedGcPc
12-07 10:28 PM
... one on the cover letter of LC approval on top left, with job code and other details
and other, on first page of original LC, bottom left, on the oval blue ink stamp that they put along with PD, LC officers signature and job code
and other, on first page of original LC, bottom left, on the oval blue ink stamp that they put along with PD, LC officers signature and job code
more...
SK2007
04-02 01:15 PM
I think getting salary regulary but salary slip after three or more months is common scenario in industry (deleberate attempt by employers, so that H1B transfer can't be filed). I have faced this music, my kid facing it and I am sure many people facing this.
I was lucky to go about it, USCIS did not ask at the time of transfer. Need to get idea, how others have handled it. Does bank statement work in this case?
Do you know who is processing your pay checks, is it ADP? can you get a copy from them. I always carry latest pay stubs while travelling, come up with some execuse and try to get the paystubs. You can always fight and get the situation resolved, but that is your choice.
I once had a bad experience with a travel agent, It was hard for me to get my tickets from them, until I called the local TV networks. Once they received a call from the TV network, they issued my tickets in hours. In your case, it is going to be your call on how much you want to fight to get the situation resolved.
I was lucky to go about it, USCIS did not ask at the time of transfer. Need to get idea, how others have handled it. Does bank statement work in this case?
Do you know who is processing your pay checks, is it ADP? can you get a copy from them. I always carry latest pay stubs while travelling, come up with some execuse and try to get the paystubs. You can always fight and get the situation resolved, but that is your choice.
I once had a bad experience with a travel agent, It was hard for me to get my tickets from them, until I called the local TV networks. Once they received a call from the TV network, they issued my tickets in hours. In your case, it is going to be your call on how much you want to fight to get the situation resolved.
hair 20 dollar bill back and front.
HV000
04-07 10:39 AM
Just got it. Right now.Thanks guys.
Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
Current Status: Approval notice sent.
On April 7, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.
If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.
GOOD. Go get a massage!! :)
Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
Current Status: Approval notice sent.
On April 7, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.
If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.
GOOD. Go get a massage!! :)
more...
san3297
03-25 11:17 AM
You can get 1099 MISC on H1B and also include that in your tax returns. You need to file a separate form though. I have done this before and confirmed with my attny that there should be no issues with that. The only thing that is important is that the income must be of a passive type.
Income must be passive type meaning it should not exceed the income which iam getting on my present H1job or anything else which iam missing.
Income must be passive type meaning it should not exceed the income which iam getting on my present H1job or anything else which iam missing.
hot 20 dollar bill back side,
xu1
04-10 11:06 AM
I will send an email after work with details.. Can't use webbased mail right now at work.
more...
house 5 dollar bill back.
johnamit
08-13 09:58 AM
advantage I will have is I am guaranteed to stay till my 9th year H1 expires which still has 2+ yrs left, and at the same time take second job on EAD and travel on AP. If I choose to switch to EAD then if the 485 decision is against then I would have no option of staying here.
tattoo 20 dollar bill back side.
ttdam
11-05 06:03 PM
FP recd - 11/05
==========================================
I-1485/131/765 Sent to TSC on 08/03/07
(TSC -> VSC -> TSC). ND=10/12/07.
I-485 transferred to TSC on 10/17/07
EAD card ordered on 10/19 from VSC. Received 10/29
AP - RFE for clear copies of PP
FP - Recd 11/05
==========================================
I-1485/131/765 Sent to TSC on 08/03/07
(TSC -> VSC -> TSC). ND=10/12/07.
I-485 transferred to TSC on 10/17/07
EAD card ordered on 10/19 from VSC. Received 10/29
AP - RFE for clear copies of PP
FP - Recd 11/05
more...
pictures 20 dollar bill back side,
ns007
03-26 02:37 PM
Agreed.
Unfotunately, there is no way to poll more than one option.
More than Salary its location which matters.
50K in MS = 60K in TX = 80 K in CA = 90K NYC
Unfotunately, there is no way to poll more than one option.
More than Salary its location which matters.
50K in MS = 60K in TX = 80 K in CA = 90K NYC
dresses 20 dollar bill secrets. dollar
saibaba
12-05 12:55 AM
how wld I know abt all these codes..
do I need to ave access to my approved labour?..
my approved 140 doesn't have much details abt the proposed job instead it's is written as see labour for job requirements...
so where wld I get these codes?
do I need to ave access to my approved labour?..
my approved 140 doesn't have much details abt the proposed job instead it's is written as see labour for job requirements...
so where wld I get these codes?
more...
makeup canadian 20 dollar bill back.
rajeshalex
03-17 11:06 PM
This is normal. Preliminary processing means all documents are there and looks good. It doesnt mean it is complete. My wifes appln has been moved to MO with same message and I am the primary applicant. I got a mail yesterday saying my appln has been moved to a local office for interview.
So the above means nothing but it looks good.
So the above means nothing but it looks good.
girlfriend 20 dollar bills 1937 ack
Rb_newsletter
09-16 01:39 PM
Why even this discussion. there are many who no longer work for the sponsor even before getting the GC. What do you think happens if they find out? have you heard of anybody whose GC was affected?
because this will be a question when the candidate goes for citizenship. If candidate cannot convince the officer that his/her intention was to work with GC sponsor then citizenship may not be given.
because this will be a question when the candidate goes for citizenship. If candidate cannot convince the officer that his/her intention was to work with GC sponsor then citizenship may not be given.
hairstyles 20 Dollar Bill Picture the
nk2006
07-04 04:00 PM
Another possible example here: I heard a case where one labor led to TWO green cards. My understanding this is not possible and might have happened because of the rush USCIS was approving cases.
A friend of mine got 485 approval on June 29th. He was not expecting it to be approved for a specific reason: his company applied his GC using a pre-approved labor. The original labor was with a differnet person who left the company after his 485 was pending for six months (during retrogession time). That person later joined a company and eventually got his 485 approved. Meanwhile the company applied for the I140 withdrawal and simultaneously went ahead applying for I140 and 485 for my friend (he played along since nothing worse going to happen to anyone; and he had a complicated visa situation). They were not hopeful of approval but suddenly they saw the approval on June 29th.
Who knows how many more irregularities happened there during last two weeks.
A friend of mine got 485 approval on June 29th. He was not expecting it to be approved for a specific reason: his company applied his GC using a pre-approved labor. The original labor was with a differnet person who left the company after his 485 was pending for six months (during retrogession time). That person later joined a company and eventually got his 485 approved. Meanwhile the company applied for the I140 withdrawal and simultaneously went ahead applying for I140 and 485 for my friend (he played along since nothing worse going to happen to anyone; and he had a complicated visa situation). They were not hopeful of approval but suddenly they saw the approval on June 29th.
Who knows how many more irregularities happened there during last two weeks.
arnet
09-13 02:28 PM
Started this thread just to encourage us after oct bulletin:
We know that unless a bill is passed (SKIL), retrogression issue cant be solved. It is not an easier task to accomplish but a task that needs more courage and efforts. Each time when we see the visa bulletin with no movement in dates, we feel more depressed but we should always remember this, no matter how many times we fall or pushed back, our goal is to get up and move with more strength. Now everyone is going through tough phases of life in one way or the other. This is not new for us, we have dealt this type of problems before.
As people say: "good things will happen to those who wait". Our team efforts (in IV), our hard work and prayers will definitely move the mountains. All we need now is faith and patience so that we can put focussed efforts to pass this SKIL bill by end of this year. Soon we will find ways to achieve this.
We know that unless a bill is passed (SKIL), retrogression issue cant be solved. It is not an easier task to accomplish but a task that needs more courage and efforts. Each time when we see the visa bulletin with no movement in dates, we feel more depressed but we should always remember this, no matter how many times we fall or pushed back, our goal is to get up and move with more strength. Now everyone is going through tough phases of life in one way or the other. This is not new for us, we have dealt this type of problems before.
As people say: "good things will happen to those who wait". Our team efforts (in IV), our hard work and prayers will definitely move the mountains. All we need now is faith and patience so that we can put focussed efforts to pass this SKIL bill by end of this year. Soon we will find ways to achieve this.
gcgreen
10-08 02:37 PM
You do have to pay taxes on any dividends you earn. Your brokerage firm will send you an 1099 form at the end of the year detailing your income.
If you do sell stocks and otherwise have capital gains or losses to report, you will typically file a Schedule-D form along with your 1040.
To my knowledge, as long as you are a "passive" investor, there is no problem with investing. You cannot be an "active" investor when on H1-B, unless you have another H1-B that supports your "active" investment activities. Put simply, if you are buying stocks and holding on to them for a period of time before you sell, you are fine. But if you plan on becoming a day trader (very good time right now to make and lose money, with all this volatility) then you likely are an "active" investor.
I am not a lawyer, and the above is my common sense understanding.
One more additional question on this, say we open a trading account now and we buy shares in 2008 , but do not sell it yet (meaning no income was made in 2008), then will there be any impact or any additional filing to be made for 2008 tax returns, or how does stock trading relate to tax returns...
If you do sell stocks and otherwise have capital gains or losses to report, you will typically file a Schedule-D form along with your 1040.
To my knowledge, as long as you are a "passive" investor, there is no problem with investing. You cannot be an "active" investor when on H1-B, unless you have another H1-B that supports your "active" investment activities. Put simply, if you are buying stocks and holding on to them for a period of time before you sell, you are fine. But if you plan on becoming a day trader (very good time right now to make and lose money, with all this volatility) then you likely are an "active" investor.
I am not a lawyer, and the above is my common sense understanding.
One more additional question on this, say we open a trading account now and we buy shares in 2008 , but do not sell it yet (meaning no income was made in 2008), then will there be any impact or any additional filing to be made for 2008 tax returns, or how does stock trading relate to tax returns...
No comments:
Post a Comment