DesiGuy
08-17 10:01 AM
hi guys,
my first post at IV.
I got tired of waiting for my GC and so moved to UK last year on HSMP. After end of 11 months being in UK on HSMP, i filed for extension and received a 4 year "Resident Permit" in 2 weeks.
So in another 3.5 yrs, will be filing for 'Permanent Residency' and after another 1 year for Citizenship. :)
Here's another forum which i used and is VERY useful if anyone wants to move.
http://immigrationboards.com/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=631bece76663f12559e81641d0886c80
From my OWN experience:
The PROS
- Simple straight forward process :)
- definate timeline on residence permit/permanent residency/citizenship
- spouse gets same level of rights i.e.wife can work & study with any probs
- family eligible for NHS (even if u dont have a job)
- 1 month leave is standard; worst employers give only 4 weeks :p
- kids have fun, get 'british' education (including school uniforms) and most of all, my kids GK has expanded vastly (knows and hear more abt rest of the world)
- trips to Europe easy and inexpensive (weekend drive to paris is 2.5 hrs and approx 300GBP for family of 4 ;) )
- excellent public transport system
- India is only 8 hrs flight and timezone difference only 5 hrs.
- get to watch and 'play' cricket
- my british friends love "curry" and eat more 'spicier' then mine
- having a pint during lunch is 'normal'
The CONS:
- VERY expensive place; u make and u spend, have fun but not much savings
- JOB market is LOUSY - not easy to get a job
- Jobs are not as high paying compared to USA, plus u are expected to do more (bit like india)
- smaller houses, cars, roads, etc
- no real burgers or tacos
- after some time u start missing USA
Again, finding a job is very difficult and it does not pay as much as in US. But its not impossible either, i got one ;)
Cheers
my first post at IV.
I got tired of waiting for my GC and so moved to UK last year on HSMP. After end of 11 months being in UK on HSMP, i filed for extension and received a 4 year "Resident Permit" in 2 weeks.
So in another 3.5 yrs, will be filing for 'Permanent Residency' and after another 1 year for Citizenship. :)
Here's another forum which i used and is VERY useful if anyone wants to move.
http://immigrationboards.com/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=631bece76663f12559e81641d0886c80
From my OWN experience:
The PROS
- Simple straight forward process :)
- definate timeline on residence permit/permanent residency/citizenship
- spouse gets same level of rights i.e.wife can work & study with any probs
- family eligible for NHS (even if u dont have a job)
- 1 month leave is standard; worst employers give only 4 weeks :p
- kids have fun, get 'british' education (including school uniforms) and most of all, my kids GK has expanded vastly (knows and hear more abt rest of the world)
- trips to Europe easy and inexpensive (weekend drive to paris is 2.5 hrs and approx 300GBP for family of 4 ;) )
- excellent public transport system
- India is only 8 hrs flight and timezone difference only 5 hrs.
- get to watch and 'play' cricket
- my british friends love "curry" and eat more 'spicier' then mine
- having a pint during lunch is 'normal'
The CONS:
- VERY expensive place; u make and u spend, have fun but not much savings
- JOB market is LOUSY - not easy to get a job
- Jobs are not as high paying compared to USA, plus u are expected to do more (bit like india)
- smaller houses, cars, roads, etc
- no real burgers or tacos
- after some time u start missing USA
Again, finding a job is very difficult and it does not pay as much as in US. But its not impossible either, i got one ;)
Cheers
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fran5477
02-19 11:24 AM
I am curious to know on what basis was your case approved? maybe it was USCIS mistake? Like I wrote before we sent my case twice with the bright colored paper and to a supervisor and twice they said it had the incorrect fees (originally) and then that there where no numbers available and to wait to PD to be current.
What I heard is that only if THEY make a mistake the 485 gets approved. Also if the check bounces, other than that I have been there and done that and nothing.
What I heard is that only if THEY make a mistake the 485 gets approved. Also if the check bounces, other than that I have been there and done that and nothing.
uumapathi
09-29 01:31 PM
I was wondering what one would see in the online case status if an RFE/NOID is issued. Anyone has any text that would appear on the Case status application?
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nb_des
04-15 02:59 PM
Yes, if my LC will get approved in the iterim, I might be safe, but with no time left on the H1-B, and with the reduction of salary that will be applied very soon, I don''t think this is going to happen. Unless, as you said, I won't be lucky enough to get approved really soon.
Again your LC approval has no direct connection with what you are being paid currently. LC is for future job so I find it unlikely that DOL will factor your current salary in any way. They may consider your employer's ability to pay the stated salary on LC based on their finacial situation but your current pay stub should not matter.
Does that answer your question?
Again your LC approval has no direct connection with what you are being paid currently. LC is for future job so I find it unlikely that DOL will factor your current salary in any way. They may consider your employer's ability to pay the stated salary on LC based on their finacial situation but your current pay stub should not matter.
Does that answer your question?
more...
Green.Tech
08-06 12:53 PM
In my particular case, when i signed the contract, the employer agreed to pay for my GC process. But as usual, My employer also did not follow the contract and when my labor was approved, he asked me to pay for the Labor and take care of GC application fees hence forth. I was kind of surprised and did argue with my employer. But Employer gave me an option to leave his company and move to a diff company if needed. But since the labor was approved and the current project was going fine, i thought of sticking with the company and agreed on paying the GC fees.
I dont know if we can really go and harass our employer to re-imburse the GC expenses as they know what they are doing and what are the consequences if they go back on their words..I think they know pretty well about all the loopholes in this immigration process.
I am sorry to learn that your employer backed down on its contract. Thanks for your input.
I dont know if we can really go and harass our employer to re-imburse the GC expenses as they know what they are doing and what are the consequences if they go back on their words..I think they know pretty well about all the loopholes in this immigration process.
I am sorry to learn that your employer backed down on its contract. Thanks for your input.
needhelp!
03-24 12:18 PM
Windows Media: http://wamu.org/audio/wamu.asx
Real Audio: http://wamu.org/audio/wamu.ram
MP3: http://wamu.org/audio/wamu.m3u
Guests:
Robert Hoffman, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, Oracle
Ron Hira, Assistant Professor, Public Policy, Rochester Institute of Technology; Author, "Outsourcing America: What's Behind Our National Crisis and How We Can Reclaim American Jobs"
Mark Bartosik, Software Engineer; Member, Immigration Voice
Real Audio: http://wamu.org/audio/wamu.ram
MP3: http://wamu.org/audio/wamu.m3u
Guests:
Robert Hoffman, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, Oracle
Ron Hira, Assistant Professor, Public Policy, Rochester Institute of Technology; Author, "Outsourcing America: What's Behind Our National Crisis and How We Can Reclaim American Jobs"
Mark Bartosik, Software Engineer; Member, Immigration Voice
more...
BMS1
08-21 10:24 PM
Congrats. on getting out of the queue!
Was your a physician HPSA NIW or another type of NIW?
No my NIW area was engineering (technology - data security)
Was your a physician HPSA NIW or another type of NIW?
No my NIW area was engineering (technology - data security)
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buehler
07-13 03:38 PM
The software has an AI program that determines how likely you are to get a GC based on the info that you gave while registering and shows the square accordingly. So if you have
one green sqaure you will get it in 4-6 years
two green squares means 2-4 years
one red square means that your name is stuck in FBI name check and could take 6-8 years
two red squares means your deportation hearing is coming up any time now
three red squares means you are a most wanted criminal :D :D
Actually the square colors are determined by the judgment calls made fellow members. You can make this call by clicking on the weight scale image above each post. Now if only you would give me a favorable vote for explaining this in detail.:)
one green sqaure you will get it in 4-6 years
two green squares means 2-4 years
one red square means that your name is stuck in FBI name check and could take 6-8 years
two red squares means your deportation hearing is coming up any time now
three red squares means you are a most wanted criminal :D :D
Actually the square colors are determined by the judgment calls made fellow members. You can make this call by clicking on the weight scale image above each post. Now if only you would give me a favorable vote for explaining this in detail.:)
more...
senthil1
06-11 10:47 PM
1. Legally speaking he has to leave immeditely. But INS is not inhuman in those cases. If he finds a job within a few weeks he should be ok unless his previous company cancels H1b.
2. At least he has to get some H1B before his previous company cancels H1b. for transfering H1b.
3. If his previous company does not cancel H1b he can stay some time may be 1 or 2 months(But he will be out of status not overstay). If his company cancels H1b then that will be overstay then he has to leave the country. Best thing is find a consulting company and file H1b transfer before previous company cancels H1b. If that is not possible he can switch to F1 if he gets admission in University.
4. Recent paystub is needed to transfer H1b. If recent paystub is not there then it is INS dicretion to give H1b transfer
Those answers may not be accurate but may give some idea
Hi,
One of my friends got fired from a company and the company made him to sign a document that he was resigning. This guy somehow signed it so that he could get his salary. The employer eventually paid him the salary after signing the resignation document.
Few questions about his H1B visa.
1. How many days can he legally stay in the US before he finds one more job gets new H1B.
2. Can he transfer his H1B visa to a new company or does he need to apply for a new H1B visa (which is within the cap)?
3. Incase if he doesn't find a job within the legally permitted time, what are his options apart from going back?
4. Will he have any problem when he tries to transfer his H1B after the legally permitted time?
I would really appreciate if anyone can please help me with this questions.
Thank you very much!
2. At least he has to get some H1B before his previous company cancels H1b. for transfering H1b.
3. If his previous company does not cancel H1b he can stay some time may be 1 or 2 months(But he will be out of status not overstay). If his company cancels H1b then that will be overstay then he has to leave the country. Best thing is find a consulting company and file H1b transfer before previous company cancels H1b. If that is not possible he can switch to F1 if he gets admission in University.
4. Recent paystub is needed to transfer H1b. If recent paystub is not there then it is INS dicretion to give H1b transfer
Those answers may not be accurate but may give some idea
Hi,
One of my friends got fired from a company and the company made him to sign a document that he was resigning. This guy somehow signed it so that he could get his salary. The employer eventually paid him the salary after signing the resignation document.
Few questions about his H1B visa.
1. How many days can he legally stay in the US before he finds one more job gets new H1B.
2. Can he transfer his H1B visa to a new company or does he need to apply for a new H1B visa (which is within the cap)?
3. Incase if he doesn't find a job within the legally permitted time, what are his options apart from going back?
4. Will he have any problem when he tries to transfer his H1B after the legally permitted time?
I would really appreciate if anyone can please help me with this questions.
Thank you very much!
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BharatPremi
10-19 01:40 PM
LC Salary:- $85,000
LC Location:- New York
New Job Salary:- $74,000
New job Title and Job duties are same.
Is it advisable to invoke AC21 when new job salary is less than original LC salary but more than prevailing wage of new location.
As per Aytes memo there should not be substantial salary difference. Has anyone invoked AC21 when new job salary is less than LC salary.
I've consulted few immigration laywer and the opinion differs.
Experts.... Please help
My opinion not legal advise: One can join other employer after 180 days from the 485 Receipt date with same or high salary than prevailing wage,keeping job description and Job code similar to use AC21. If you feel you are following this then you will be fine otherwise doomed.
Only confusion remains is this: When you filed LC with current employer at that time prevailing wage was 85K so
your "LC Salary" is 85K. Now say after 5 years seeing the economic condition of the
overall job market if DOL has made prevailing wage say for an example "$74K" for the
same job code now then what? In this case should your AC21 be denied or accepted? If
some expert can guide us, we would highly appreciate for this scenario.
Notes:
1) Remuneration, bonus etc do not fit the definition of "wage". So I would negotiate 20K higher job with wage equal
to current wage and 20k bonus if I can.
2) Geographic location should not matter while changing the employer.
LC Location:- New York
New Job Salary:- $74,000
New job Title and Job duties are same.
Is it advisable to invoke AC21 when new job salary is less than original LC salary but more than prevailing wage of new location.
As per Aytes memo there should not be substantial salary difference. Has anyone invoked AC21 when new job salary is less than LC salary.
I've consulted few immigration laywer and the opinion differs.
Experts.... Please help
My opinion not legal advise: One can join other employer after 180 days from the 485 Receipt date with same or high salary than prevailing wage,keeping job description and Job code similar to use AC21. If you feel you are following this then you will be fine otherwise doomed.
Only confusion remains is this: When you filed LC with current employer at that time prevailing wage was 85K so
your "LC Salary" is 85K. Now say after 5 years seeing the economic condition of the
overall job market if DOL has made prevailing wage say for an example "$74K" for the
same job code now then what? In this case should your AC21 be denied or accepted? If
some expert can guide us, we would highly appreciate for this scenario.
Notes:
1) Remuneration, bonus etc do not fit the definition of "wage". So I would negotiate 20K higher job with wage equal
to current wage and 20k bonus if I can.
2) Geographic location should not matter while changing the employer.
more...
BhanuPriya
01-13 07:27 PM
Hi All,
Thanks for your patience. I was busy yesterday and I would like to provide you all proper information what I sent to FOIA. Here is the information I got from my folders.
1) You need to fill the form G-639 to get the I-140 documents.
2) Provide as much Information as possible about your case. Some of you doesn't have the Receipt Number, they may also fill the form G-639 and provide any other information you have. (Ex: Provide with thorough description of your case in a separate paper.)
3) After filling the form, Notarise it (Your bank will do it)
4) Attach all the documents with this form and send it to:
USCIS National Record Center
FOIA Division
PO Box: 648010
Lee Summit, MO 64064 - 5570
5) There is no fee to submit this form. You will receive a receipt# within a week how they will process your request.
6) There is no way your Employer/Lawyer know about it. Its in between you and FOIA Division.
I feel myself proud to provide all these details to you since I know how difficult to stay with a blody sucking parasite Employer. I spent lot of sleepless nights and I decided to fight with bad/rogue Employers.
Please keep in touch if you have any other details.
Bhanu
Thanks for your patience. I was busy yesterday and I would like to provide you all proper information what I sent to FOIA. Here is the information I got from my folders.
1) You need to fill the form G-639 to get the I-140 documents.
2) Provide as much Information as possible about your case. Some of you doesn't have the Receipt Number, they may also fill the form G-639 and provide any other information you have. (Ex: Provide with thorough description of your case in a separate paper.)
3) After filling the form, Notarise it (Your bank will do it)
4) Attach all the documents with this form and send it to:
USCIS National Record Center
FOIA Division
PO Box: 648010
Lee Summit, MO 64064 - 5570
5) There is no fee to submit this form. You will receive a receipt# within a week how they will process your request.
6) There is no way your Employer/Lawyer know about it. Its in between you and FOIA Division.
I feel myself proud to provide all these details to you since I know how difficult to stay with a blody sucking parasite Employer. I spent lot of sleepless nights and I decided to fight with bad/rogue Employers.
Please keep in touch if you have any other details.
Bhanu
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rheoretro
09-25 04:51 PM
No one has ever been denied mortgage because their green card is pending, all other things (credit record, finances etc) being equal...that would constitute housing discrimintaion...
Just a thought, especially in response to those (and there are some on this forum) who feel discriminated in this country and compare their situation to that of exploited laborers in some podunk land...
Just a thought, especially in response to those (and there are some on this forum) who feel discriminated in this country and compare their situation to that of exploited laborers in some podunk land...
more...
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fortune50
07-17 10:52 PM
You are OK. This is taken from the 485 instructions.
File all employment-based AOS applications at the following address:
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87485
Lincoln, NE 68501-7485
This includes an employment-based Form I-485 filed concurrently with a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, and an employment-based Form I-485 filed based on a pending or an approved Form I-140. To facilitate acceptance and processing of Form I-485 when Form I-140 has already been approved, submit a copy of the I-140 approval notice.
what does this mean ? did I file to wrong Service Center?:(
File all employment-based AOS applications at the following address:
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87485
Lincoln, NE 68501-7485
This includes an employment-based Form I-485 filed concurrently with a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, and an employment-based Form I-485 filed based on a pending or an approved Form I-140. To facilitate acceptance and processing of Form I-485 when Form I-140 has already been approved, submit a copy of the I-140 approval notice.
what does this mean ? did I file to wrong Service Center?:(
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texcan
09-10 10:15 AM
Nothing surprising here. I have yet to hear about one desi employer who has not exploited H1b. The system is set up to favor the employer. Employees hardly have a choice. Those in favor of increasing the quota should also lobby for complete portability without any penalty to keep the system fair.
Deb
Contrib $600 so far + $300 for rally
EB2 India PD 03/05
I140 09/07
I485 07/07
Friends,
I must say, not all employers exploit people on H1b.
My take is it depends on the business ethics of company owner.
I have been with my current employer since last 6 years, no problems. Some of my friends have mentioned great things about their employers as well.
In all with stories heard, it will be good idea to create a rating or forum of such employers. let people vent off some steam and may warn others from getting into issues.
Deb
Contrib $600 so far + $300 for rally
EB2 India PD 03/05
I140 09/07
I485 07/07
Friends,
I must say, not all employers exploit people on H1b.
My take is it depends on the business ethics of company owner.
I have been with my current employer since last 6 years, no problems. Some of my friends have mentioned great things about their employers as well.
In all with stories heard, it will be good idea to create a rating or forum of such employers. let people vent off some steam and may warn others from getting into issues.
more...
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gc_chahiye
07-20 06:18 PM
My PD is Nov 2004, I got 140 approved. Im not filing 485 now as im unmarried.
Any ideas when can be the date current again(for my PD atleast)?
EB2 or EB3? If EB2 then based on data someone posted here earlier, there is a good chance of you becoming current in the next 12-18 months.
Any ideas when can be the date current again(for my PD atleast)?
EB2 or EB3? If EB2 then based on data someone posted here earlier, there is a good chance of you becoming current in the next 12-18 months.
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pappu
08-08 03:59 PM
IV is organizing nationwide calls for its members that are taking part in the August 2009 action item. These calls will be providing our strategy and tips to everyone for the upcoming congressional visits. It is very important for everyone taking part in the action item to attend these calls.
==================================
Call 1:
Tuesday August 11, 8 PM EST
Call 2
Wednesday August 12, 9 PM EST
==========================
Note:The call-in codes will be posted on the state chapter yahoo/google groups. Please contact your state chapter leader. If you do not have a chapter, you can contact your nearest state chapter.http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=52. The chapter leader will verify you and provide this info.
Thanks
Team IV
==================================
Call 1:
Tuesday August 11, 8 PM EST
Call 2
Wednesday August 12, 9 PM EST
==========================
Note:The call-in codes will be posted on the state chapter yahoo/google groups. Please contact your state chapter leader. If you do not have a chapter, you can contact your nearest state chapter.http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=52. The chapter leader will verify you and provide this info.
Thanks
Team IV
more...
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RollingStone12
04-23 06:05 PM
Friends,
I will be relocating to Houston soon. I am new to the area. I would really appreciate if you can give your inputs on good neighborhoods, cost of living, etc.
Thanks,
nmdial
Welcome TX Chappter...
I will be relocating to Houston soon. I am new to the area. I would really appreciate if you can give your inputs on good neighborhoods, cost of living, etc.
Thanks,
nmdial
Welcome TX Chappter...
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keerthi
04-03 11:01 AM
I work as a software engineer in India and the US branch of my company has filed a L1-B petition by September 2008. The petition got denied by Nov 18, 2008 stating that I don't possess "specialized knowledge". Knowing that I am the only person who possesses knowledge of one of the company's product, we filed an appeal to re-consider by Dec 18, 2008.
The USCIS moved the case to AAO by Feb 9, 2009. After which there is no status change. The status of the case as reported by the USCIS web site is:
Application Type: I290B, NOTICE OF APPEAL TO THE COMMISSIONER
Current Status: Appeal/Motion/Certification sent to Administrative Appeals Office for review.
Two months have passed by and I don't know how much more time it is going to take. Can someone please tell me how long this process is going to take?
Should we just withdraw this appeal and re-file again? In the meantime can I opt a B1 and work there a few months until the L1-B is approved?
The USCIS moved the case to AAO by Feb 9, 2009. After which there is no status change. The status of the case as reported by the USCIS web site is:
Application Type: I290B, NOTICE OF APPEAL TO THE COMMISSIONER
Current Status: Appeal/Motion/Certification sent to Administrative Appeals Office for review.
Two months have passed by and I don't know how much more time it is going to take. Can someone please tell me how long this process is going to take?
Should we just withdraw this appeal and re-file again? In the meantime can I opt a B1 and work there a few months until the L1-B is approved?
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perm2gc
12-22 06:08 PM
Efren Hernandez III, Director of the Business and Trade Services Branch at INS in Washington, D.C. announced in late December 2001 that the INS does not recognize or provide any "grace period" for maintaining status after employment termination. Mr. Hernandez explained this strict interpretation by reasoning that there is no difference between H1B holders and other non-immigrants, like students, to justify a stay in the U.S. beyond the explicit purpose of their admission. Mr. Hernandez admits that this may cause hardship to some terminated or laid off H1B workers, but believes that the INS position is legally justified.
Although the INS' strict interpretation of the law may have legal justification, the result to others seems harsh and unreasonable, considering the fact that the lay off or termination is completely beyond the control of the H1B worker. This strict INS position may also appear to be contrary to the purpose of allowing H1B workers admission to the U.S. since they helped to fill a critical need in our economy when the U.S. was suffering acute shortages of qualified, skilled workers. Perhaps, it would be more fair if the INS were to allow a reasonable grace period, perhaps 60 days, as mentioned in the June 19, 2001 INS Memo.
H1B workers should not be equated to other non-immigrants. For example, H1Bs can be distinguished from students. Students, in most cases, have exclusive control over whether they can maintain their status. Generally they determine whether they remain in school and satisfy the purpose of their admission to the U.S. If they choose not to remain in school, or they do not maintain certain passing grades or do not have sufficient funds, then they are no longer considered to be students maintaining their status and should return to their home countries. On the other hand, H1B workers enter the U.S. to engage in professional employment based on the needs of U.S. employers. They do not have exclusive control over whether they are laid off.
Although we are in a soft economy with massive employee cutbacks in a variety of fields, many of these H1B workers are able to find new employment within reasonable timeframes. Some companies, at least, are in need of these workers. Salaries have dropped in many cases and recruitment of workers from outside the U.S. has significantly slowed; but, to a large extent, the need for these existing workers remains. It would benefit U.S. companies and suit the purpose of the H1B visa program to allow a reasonable grace period for these laid-off H1B workers to seek new employment within a realistic time frame.
Adding to the woes of H1B workers, Mr. Hernandez addressed the issue of extensions of stay following brief status lapses. In short, the regulations require that an individual be in status at the time an extension of status is requested. Failure to maintain status will result in the H1B petition being granted, if appropriate, without an extension of stay. No I-94 card will be attached to the approval notice. Instead, the beneficiary will be directed to obtain a visa at a U.S. consulate in a foreign country and, only afterward, will return to lawful H1B status by re-entering the U.S. Although INS has a regulation that allows the Service to overlook brief lapses in status, extraordinary circumstances are required. Mr. Hernandez stated that even very short lapses in status are not justified in the context of terminated H1B workers, absent extraordinary circumstances.
Mr. Hernandez specifically negated the existence of a ten-day grace period following employment termination. There are ten-day grace periods allowed in three other instances. These are (a) the H1B worker can be admitted to the U.S. up to 10 days prior to the validity of his/her petition; (b) the H1B worker has a ten-day grace period following the expiration of the period of admission; and (c) in the case of denials of extensions, the H1B worker is given up to ten days to depart the U.S. Unfortunately, termination of employment is not covered by any of these exceptions. Some find it hard to see why a terminated H1B worker should be treated any differently from the H1B worker whose period of H1B admission has expired. There is far less warning and predictability in cases of layoffs or of other terminations.
Rumors are also circulating about a 30-day grace period should INS deny an H1B petition or extension of status and require the person to depart the U.S. There is also a 60-day time frame, proposed by the INS itself in the June 19, 2001 Memo, analyzing the American Competitiveness in the Twenty First Century Act (AC21). In this memo, the INS discussed the law allowing a person to be eligible for H1B extensions beyond 6 years if the person previously held either H1B status or had an H1B visa. The INS surmised that the law envisioned that one who previously held H1B status should be entitled, possibly up to 60 days, to the benefits of that section of AC21. Efren Hernandez clarified that none of these grace periods applies in the case of an H1B worker who is terminated or laid off
Although the INS' strict interpretation of the law may have legal justification, the result to others seems harsh and unreasonable, considering the fact that the lay off or termination is completely beyond the control of the H1B worker. This strict INS position may also appear to be contrary to the purpose of allowing H1B workers admission to the U.S. since they helped to fill a critical need in our economy when the U.S. was suffering acute shortages of qualified, skilled workers. Perhaps, it would be more fair if the INS were to allow a reasonable grace period, perhaps 60 days, as mentioned in the June 19, 2001 INS Memo.
H1B workers should not be equated to other non-immigrants. For example, H1Bs can be distinguished from students. Students, in most cases, have exclusive control over whether they can maintain their status. Generally they determine whether they remain in school and satisfy the purpose of their admission to the U.S. If they choose not to remain in school, or they do not maintain certain passing grades or do not have sufficient funds, then they are no longer considered to be students maintaining their status and should return to their home countries. On the other hand, H1B workers enter the U.S. to engage in professional employment based on the needs of U.S. employers. They do not have exclusive control over whether they are laid off.
Although we are in a soft economy with massive employee cutbacks in a variety of fields, many of these H1B workers are able to find new employment within reasonable timeframes. Some companies, at least, are in need of these workers. Salaries have dropped in many cases and recruitment of workers from outside the U.S. has significantly slowed; but, to a large extent, the need for these existing workers remains. It would benefit U.S. companies and suit the purpose of the H1B visa program to allow a reasonable grace period for these laid-off H1B workers to seek new employment within a realistic time frame.
Adding to the woes of H1B workers, Mr. Hernandez addressed the issue of extensions of stay following brief status lapses. In short, the regulations require that an individual be in status at the time an extension of status is requested. Failure to maintain status will result in the H1B petition being granted, if appropriate, without an extension of stay. No I-94 card will be attached to the approval notice. Instead, the beneficiary will be directed to obtain a visa at a U.S. consulate in a foreign country and, only afterward, will return to lawful H1B status by re-entering the U.S. Although INS has a regulation that allows the Service to overlook brief lapses in status, extraordinary circumstances are required. Mr. Hernandez stated that even very short lapses in status are not justified in the context of terminated H1B workers, absent extraordinary circumstances.
Mr. Hernandez specifically negated the existence of a ten-day grace period following employment termination. There are ten-day grace periods allowed in three other instances. These are (a) the H1B worker can be admitted to the U.S. up to 10 days prior to the validity of his/her petition; (b) the H1B worker has a ten-day grace period following the expiration of the period of admission; and (c) in the case of denials of extensions, the H1B worker is given up to ten days to depart the U.S. Unfortunately, termination of employment is not covered by any of these exceptions. Some find it hard to see why a terminated H1B worker should be treated any differently from the H1B worker whose period of H1B admission has expired. There is far less warning and predictability in cases of layoffs or of other terminations.
Rumors are also circulating about a 30-day grace period should INS deny an H1B petition or extension of status and require the person to depart the U.S. There is also a 60-day time frame, proposed by the INS itself in the June 19, 2001 Memo, analyzing the American Competitiveness in the Twenty First Century Act (AC21). In this memo, the INS discussed the law allowing a person to be eligible for H1B extensions beyond 6 years if the person previously held either H1B status or had an H1B visa. The INS surmised that the law envisioned that one who previously held H1B status should be entitled, possibly up to 60 days, to the benefits of that section of AC21. Efren Hernandez clarified that none of these grace periods applies in the case of an H1B worker who is terminated or laid off
gcfriend65
04-27 03:58 PM
Hagel Introduces Legislation to Deal with Illegal Immigrants Living in the U.S.
A new Senate Bill has been introduced.
U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) has introduced �The Immigrant Accountability Act of 2007.� The legislation would create a merit-based point system to deal with those living in the country illegally. Those who receive enough points would be put on a pathway to earn citizenship after 13 years. Under Hagel�s bill, no person here illegally would be able to jump in line ahead of someone who has applied for citizenship legally.
So, on the Illegal side we have:
Senate Bill: Hagel with The Immigrant Accountability Act of 2007
House Bill: Flake with the STRIVE
On the Legal and High-Tech side we have:
Senate Bill: Cornyn with SKIL Bill
House Bill: Shadegg with SKIL Bill
Senate Discussion: Last two weeks of May 2007.
Let the engines start.
A new Senate Bill has been introduced.
U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) has introduced �The Immigrant Accountability Act of 2007.� The legislation would create a merit-based point system to deal with those living in the country illegally. Those who receive enough points would be put on a pathway to earn citizenship after 13 years. Under Hagel�s bill, no person here illegally would be able to jump in line ahead of someone who has applied for citizenship legally.
So, on the Illegal side we have:
Senate Bill: Hagel with The Immigrant Accountability Act of 2007
House Bill: Flake with the STRIVE
On the Legal and High-Tech side we have:
Senate Bill: Cornyn with SKIL Bill
House Bill: Shadegg with SKIL Bill
Senate Discussion: Last two weeks of May 2007.
Let the engines start.
pappu
05-20 08:31 PM
Good post