caydee
07-09 11:16 AM
A news article from San Jose Mercury News...........
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6331029?nclick_check=1
(apologies for posting this here. I couldnt find the link to News Article Thread - 3. Moderators please move this to the right thread)
IMMIGRATION REFORM'S COLLAPSE GETS FIRMS LOOKING ABROAD
By Frank Davies
MediaNews Washington Bureau
Article Launched: 07/09/2007 01:29:41 AM PDT
WASHINGTON - Reeling from the collapse of a massive immigration bill, major tech firms plan to press for more visas and green cards for foreign workers - one element of the failed legislation - but admit they face political resistance and an uncertain future.
"We face a serious problem this year, Congress knows that, and we just have to keep pushing," said Robert Hoffman, an Oracle lobbyist. He said restrictive caps on H-1B and L visas for skilled workers and the long waiting time for green cards for some were limiting companies' growth and sending some jobs overseas.
But Ralph Hellmann, who lobbied on the Senate bill for the Information Technology Industry trade group, sounded an upbeat note. He said a separate measure increasing visas and green cards "is probably a better product now that we don't have to ride on a compre hensive bill."
Hoffman, who co-chairs Compete America, a coalition of businesses seeking immigration reform, said he hopes to meet with key congressional leaders on the issue, including Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., sponsor of the failed Senate bill, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the San Jose Democrat who chairs the immigration subcommittee in the House.
"We'll have to see what's in the realm of the doable, whether it's long-term or a stop-gap," Hoffman said.
Lofgren sounded a note of caution Friday, saying progress on any component of the comprehensive bill may be difficult.
"We're in an assessment phase right now, and I don't know what can proceed - that's up to a very diverse group of people in the House and Senate," she said. Other provisions of the failed immigration bill have champions who now see an opening for separate legislation.
Taking separate action
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said the shortage in farm labor is a crisis that means her "ag jobs" proposal for more foreign workers "should be moved before any other immigration-related legislation."
She said she will work with Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, a co-sponsor, and industry and farmworker groups to push soon for that bill.
Lofgren said "there's a compelling case for the Dream Act," another part of the comprehensive bill that would allow some children of illegal immigrants to achieve legal status and make it easier to enter college or the military.
Several South Bay students last week launched a fast to show their support for the Dream Act, and they demonstrated Tuesday in front of Lofgren's San Jose office.
Immigration hard-liners who oppose any legalization process for undocumented workers said the failure of the Senate bill shows the need to improve border security and workplace enforcement.
Rep. Brian Bilbray, a San Diego Republican who chairs the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said a congressional consensus exists to pursue those goals this year.
Workforce in jeopardy
Meanwhile, thousands of highly skilled visa-holders who filed paperwork last month for green cards had a more immediate problem this week. Because of a dispute between the State Department and Immigration Services, and a huge backlog of applications, they were told no more green cards are available this year.
Large employers, including some in the tech sector, were told this year by the Bush administration to help pass the overall bill to secure some of their key goals. Those include almost doubling the number of H-1B visas to 115,000 a year, exempting 40,000 people with higher degrees from any restrictions, and speeding up the employer-based green card system for workers already here.
With the demise of the bill and uncertainty over future immigration, some California companies may shift operations to other countries, Lofgren said. Microsoft announced plans Thursday to open a software development center in Vancouver, British Columbia, which would "allow the company to recruit and retain highly skilled people affected by the immigration issues in the U.S."
In 2006, Microsoft secured 3,117 H-1B visas for its workers - the third-highest total - according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Lou Gellos, a Microsoft spokesman, said immigration uncertainty was "an issue, but not the defining reason" for opening the Canada center.
Criticism has also mounted over abuses and fraud in the H-1B visa system.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., citing government surveys, said that "job shops" and other brokers were misusing the system to bypass U.S. workers, bring in foreign workers for substandard wages, and outsource some jobs.
"Our immigration policy should seek to complement our U.S. workforce, not replace it," Durbin said last month during the Senate debate.
System left in limbo
After behind-the-scenes negotiations, tech companies acceded to some of the proposals from Durbin and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to improve oversight and enforcement of the H-1B program by the Department of Labor. All companies would have to pledge to seek U.S. workers first for openings, and if an employer's visa-holders who are paid entry-level wages exceeded 30 percent of its workforce, a Labor Department audit would be automatic.
That agreement is now in limbo. If a serious push for an increase in visas makes progress, Durbin would want to include his proposals, an aide said.
Hoffman said tech representatives would agree to more enforcement "that is not punitive."
Lofgren, who represents tech executives and workers, said she could support "reforms and changes" in the visa system.
"It needs a good review - I've never thought that just increasing the numbers was in the cards," she said.
Contact Frank Davies at fdavies@mercurynews.com or (202) 662-8921.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6331029?nclick_check=1
(apologies for posting this here. I couldnt find the link to News Article Thread - 3. Moderators please move this to the right thread)
IMMIGRATION REFORM'S COLLAPSE GETS FIRMS LOOKING ABROAD
By Frank Davies
MediaNews Washington Bureau
Article Launched: 07/09/2007 01:29:41 AM PDT
WASHINGTON - Reeling from the collapse of a massive immigration bill, major tech firms plan to press for more visas and green cards for foreign workers - one element of the failed legislation - but admit they face political resistance and an uncertain future.
"We face a serious problem this year, Congress knows that, and we just have to keep pushing," said Robert Hoffman, an Oracle lobbyist. He said restrictive caps on H-1B and L visas for skilled workers and the long waiting time for green cards for some were limiting companies' growth and sending some jobs overseas.
But Ralph Hellmann, who lobbied on the Senate bill for the Information Technology Industry trade group, sounded an upbeat note. He said a separate measure increasing visas and green cards "is probably a better product now that we don't have to ride on a compre hensive bill."
Hoffman, who co-chairs Compete America, a coalition of businesses seeking immigration reform, said he hopes to meet with key congressional leaders on the issue, including Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., sponsor of the failed Senate bill, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the San Jose Democrat who chairs the immigration subcommittee in the House.
"We'll have to see what's in the realm of the doable, whether it's long-term or a stop-gap," Hoffman said.
Lofgren sounded a note of caution Friday, saying progress on any component of the comprehensive bill may be difficult.
"We're in an assessment phase right now, and I don't know what can proceed - that's up to a very diverse group of people in the House and Senate," she said. Other provisions of the failed immigration bill have champions who now see an opening for separate legislation.
Taking separate action
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said the shortage in farm labor is a crisis that means her "ag jobs" proposal for more foreign workers "should be moved before any other immigration-related legislation."
She said she will work with Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, a co-sponsor, and industry and farmworker groups to push soon for that bill.
Lofgren said "there's a compelling case for the Dream Act," another part of the comprehensive bill that would allow some children of illegal immigrants to achieve legal status and make it easier to enter college or the military.
Several South Bay students last week launched a fast to show their support for the Dream Act, and they demonstrated Tuesday in front of Lofgren's San Jose office.
Immigration hard-liners who oppose any legalization process for undocumented workers said the failure of the Senate bill shows the need to improve border security and workplace enforcement.
Rep. Brian Bilbray, a San Diego Republican who chairs the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said a congressional consensus exists to pursue those goals this year.
Workforce in jeopardy
Meanwhile, thousands of highly skilled visa-holders who filed paperwork last month for green cards had a more immediate problem this week. Because of a dispute between the State Department and Immigration Services, and a huge backlog of applications, they were told no more green cards are available this year.
Large employers, including some in the tech sector, were told this year by the Bush administration to help pass the overall bill to secure some of their key goals. Those include almost doubling the number of H-1B visas to 115,000 a year, exempting 40,000 people with higher degrees from any restrictions, and speeding up the employer-based green card system for workers already here.
With the demise of the bill and uncertainty over future immigration, some California companies may shift operations to other countries, Lofgren said. Microsoft announced plans Thursday to open a software development center in Vancouver, British Columbia, which would "allow the company to recruit and retain highly skilled people affected by the immigration issues in the U.S."
In 2006, Microsoft secured 3,117 H-1B visas for its workers - the third-highest total - according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Lou Gellos, a Microsoft spokesman, said immigration uncertainty was "an issue, but not the defining reason" for opening the Canada center.
Criticism has also mounted over abuses and fraud in the H-1B visa system.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., citing government surveys, said that "job shops" and other brokers were misusing the system to bypass U.S. workers, bring in foreign workers for substandard wages, and outsource some jobs.
"Our immigration policy should seek to complement our U.S. workforce, not replace it," Durbin said last month during the Senate debate.
System left in limbo
After behind-the-scenes negotiations, tech companies acceded to some of the proposals from Durbin and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to improve oversight and enforcement of the H-1B program by the Department of Labor. All companies would have to pledge to seek U.S. workers first for openings, and if an employer's visa-holders who are paid entry-level wages exceeded 30 percent of its workforce, a Labor Department audit would be automatic.
That agreement is now in limbo. If a serious push for an increase in visas makes progress, Durbin would want to include his proposals, an aide said.
Hoffman said tech representatives would agree to more enforcement "that is not punitive."
Lofgren, who represents tech executives and workers, said she could support "reforms and changes" in the visa system.
"It needs a good review - I've never thought that just increasing the numbers was in the cards," she said.
Contact Frank Davies at fdavies@mercurynews.com or (202) 662-8921.
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kannan
02-03 07:49 PM
Count me too. I am from NSC to CSC, my case is still in CA only.I don't know what is happening. I have opned 2 SR's also. I am a july 2 nd filer.
desi3933
01-30 02:12 PM
Stop spreading wrong information desi!!
I suggest, go ahead and let me know which point you think is not correct.
I have been in this country and dealt with immigration issues for more than 10 years now. Please feel free to look at my old post, and let me know if you find anything incorrect/wrong in any past posts.
I am a US citizen now and I post details to help my would be-immigrant friends.
I suggest, go ahead and let me know which point you think is not correct.
I have been in this country and dealt with immigration issues for more than 10 years now. Please feel free to look at my old post, and let me know if you find anything incorrect/wrong in any past posts.
I am a US citizen now and I post details to help my would be-immigrant friends.
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guy03062
07-05 02:13 AM
My 485 application reached NSC on July 2nd at 10:25 am.
by FEDEX.
by FEDEX.
more...
syzygy
07-07 12:54 PM
Yes the core problem is visa numbers. We have been fooled to believe for few days we all are safe and GC retrogression is over without even realizing someone was taking us for nice roller coaster ride.
When DOS doesnt have a Immigrant Visa available , its just not available.
DOS made it effective 2nd ,
"Effective Monday July 2, 2007 there will be no further authorizations in response to requests for Employment-based preference cases. All numbers available to these categories under the FY-2007 annual numerical limitation have been made available. "
USCIS by law cant accept any applications effective 2nd.
People whoes H1B applications were accepted on first day and then were rejected , Can they have done something?
Sir , we are screwed, thats doesnt mean a law is broken
We need the legislature intervention to make the limit higher.
When DOS doesnt have a Immigrant Visa available , its just not available.
DOS made it effective 2nd ,
"Effective Monday July 2, 2007 there will be no further authorizations in response to requests for Employment-based preference cases. All numbers available to these categories under the FY-2007 annual numerical limitation have been made available. "
USCIS by law cant accept any applications effective 2nd.
People whoes H1B applications were accepted on first day and then were rejected , Can they have done something?
Sir , we are screwed, thats doesnt mean a law is broken
We need the legislature intervention to make the limit higher.
rtarar
05-20 08:22 AM
I am a July 2nd Filer, and have not gone through FP till now.
I e filed on 11th May for EAD /AP renewal for myself and spouse.
LUD on 14 th May. Receipt notices received 16 th may.
Got FP notice only for myself on 19 th May.
(Still waiting for spouse's FP notice)
-R
I e filed on 11th May for EAD /AP renewal for myself and spouse.
LUD on 14 th May. Receipt notices received 16 th may.
Got FP notice only for myself on 19 th May.
(Still waiting for spouse's FP notice)
-R
more...
iptel
12-10 10:13 PM
Beleive it or not I found this posting in http://www.steinreport.com/
My 8 selfish American colleagues almost costed our company a $1.8 million project, simply because they could not cancel their preplanned trip to Bahamas. They went on their trip despite being warned 8 months in advance by our boss about a possible tough period during the critical design review of the project by the customer during the month of December.
My 5 hardworking H1B employees helped us out with the project resource planning,allocation layouts, financial statements, project planning and estimation analysis. 3 of them cancelled their trip to their home country just to save our business.
My boss is absolutely incensed and is going to fire these workers once they come back from their vacation.
Agreed that they are not expected to work more than 40 hours per week but during tough times their should be a certain sense of committment and solidarity towards your employer which was clearly lacking in my American colleagues.
According to my boss the current generation of American college graduates is the laziest he has ever seen and clearly ill equipped to handle tough job assignments during a time of crisis. He is lobbying very hard to get the SKIL bill passed and increase access for American businesses to global talent.
My 8 selfish American colleagues almost costed our company a $1.8 million project, simply because they could not cancel their preplanned trip to Bahamas. They went on their trip despite being warned 8 months in advance by our boss about a possible tough period during the critical design review of the project by the customer during the month of December.
My 5 hardworking H1B employees helped us out with the project resource planning,allocation layouts, financial statements, project planning and estimation analysis. 3 of them cancelled their trip to their home country just to save our business.
My boss is absolutely incensed and is going to fire these workers once they come back from their vacation.
Agreed that they are not expected to work more than 40 hours per week but during tough times their should be a certain sense of committment and solidarity towards your employer which was clearly lacking in my American colleagues.
According to my boss the current generation of American college graduates is the laziest he has ever seen and clearly ill equipped to handle tough job assignments during a time of crisis. He is lobbying very hard to get the SKIL bill passed and increase access for American businesses to global talent.
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indyanguy
03-25 08:57 PM
I am curious to know what's stopping the EB3s to port their dates to the EB2 category. I've been seriously considering this lately.
more...
vinabath
03-26 11:26 AM
see above
If China and India combined gets only 22K every year then all Visas will be wasted.
If China and India combined gets only 22K every year then all Visas will be wasted.
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leo4ever
02-20 09:00 PM
Your transaction ID for this payment is: 2ES10053VD0206641.
and also sent the email to IV.
I feel bad, i can not participate in the Advocacy days but i am spreading the word to all my friends.
-Leo
and also sent the email to IV.
I feel bad, i can not participate in the Advocacy days but i am spreading the word to all my friends.
-Leo
more...
jjava100
02-14 03:36 PM
Paypal transaction ID for this payment is: 29093004MH879794R.
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gc28262
06-28 01:04 PM
Do a search on Dice with Citizen as the keyword. You will find lot of openings with Citizen and GC only requirement.
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brb2
10-05 02:26 PM
If Democrats win CIR will be passed including relief for legals. But since USCIS will be deluged with (no surprise - no money to tackle the load) it will be an "unofficial retrogression" which Texas service center has always had. A lot of people with 01 and 02 priority dates were "current" for a long time, then it was incompetance and delays at TSC, later it was retrogression.
If republicans win (slim chance they will hold on to the majority in both house and senate assuming Foley scandal does not cause much more damage) then CIR is in the waste basket. Though Agjobs will come back because labor shortage is causing havoc on fruit farms and fruit is rotting on trees. Skill bill is guarenteed, but very little legalization for illegals.
Some people here seem to have a lot of hopes on the Democrats. But the proceedings of the CIR bill showed likes of senators from ND (which by no stretch of mind is affected by illegals!), CA (Diane), IL (Obama) how much they were against legal immigration. Other than Cornyn and to some extent Specter I did not see much sympathy for the legal immigrants. Even the Hispanics have realized Obama is against legalization and are now reconsidering support for him.
As to some ones request to remove posts critical of one or the other political party - as long as the discussion is civil, there is nothing wrong in analyzing the situation and predicting the future. If anything, those Democrats who are subtly anti-legal immigration will realize they are drawing new immigrants (who are traditionally democratic at least initially) in the arms of republicans.
If republicans win (slim chance they will hold on to the majority in both house and senate assuming Foley scandal does not cause much more damage) then CIR is in the waste basket. Though Agjobs will come back because labor shortage is causing havoc on fruit farms and fruit is rotting on trees. Skill bill is guarenteed, but very little legalization for illegals.
Some people here seem to have a lot of hopes on the Democrats. But the proceedings of the CIR bill showed likes of senators from ND (which by no stretch of mind is affected by illegals!), CA (Diane), IL (Obama) how much they were against legal immigration. Other than Cornyn and to some extent Specter I did not see much sympathy for the legal immigrants. Even the Hispanics have realized Obama is against legalization and are now reconsidering support for him.
As to some ones request to remove posts critical of one or the other political party - as long as the discussion is civil, there is nothing wrong in analyzing the situation and predicting the future. If anything, those Democrats who are subtly anti-legal immigration will realize they are drawing new immigrants (who are traditionally democratic at least initially) in the arms of republicans.
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Ashok
05-23 11:54 AM
Sent emails to 2+10 senators.
more...
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prakgc
12-26 02:04 PM
Dingudi.. sent you a PM ..
If its TSC then I do not think it will help at all. Whenever I talk to IO their only response if they are waiting for availability at local ASC.
So TSC people are out of luck.
If its TSC then I do not think it will help at all. Whenever I talk to IO their only response if they are waiting for availability at local ASC.
So TSC people are out of luck.
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greensignal
08-13 10:44 AM
Hi,
My employer filed my wife's and my EAD paper based application on Jul 25, 2008 (TSC Received Date). But I still haven't received the Receipt notices for the same.
Generally how long does take to get the receipt notices?
Please let me know if any has filed around same date and received the receipts?
Thank you!
My employer filed my wife's and my EAD paper based application on Jul 25, 2008 (TSC Received Date). But I still haven't received the Receipt notices for the same.
Generally how long does take to get the receipt notices?
Please let me know if any has filed around same date and received the receipts?
Thank you!
more...
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viswanadh73
11-18 02:19 PM
I am wondering none of these senators who responded as of now understand our request for adding the provision of recapturing unused visas. Please read below response from IOWA senator and not even one word about our request.
I appreciate you taking the time to share with me your views regarding S. 729, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. The views of my fellow Iowans are an essential component of my decision making process as a Member of Congress.
As you may know, Senator Richard Durbin introduced S. 729 on March 26, 2009. This legislation would allow unlawful immigrants who entered the U.S. as minors to gain eligibility for higher education benefits based on state residence, unless a U.S. citizen is eligible for the same benefits. S. 729 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. You will be interested to know that Congressman Howard Berman introduced H.R. 1751, the American Dream Act, on March 26, 2009, which would create a similar law. H.R. 1751 has been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary and the House Committee on Education and Labor. Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind should the full House consider this issue during the 111th Congress.
Our nation faces many challenges, and economic recovery is vital if we are to meet them. As a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I will continue building upon the job creation opportunities that I have delivered to the 3rd District in order to expand commerce, spur business development, and provide economic opportunity to all. I periodically provide electronic updates on issues I think my constituents might be interested in. If you would like to receive the E-newsletter, please sign up at my Web Site at Congressman Leonard Boswell : Home (http://boswell.house.gov). As always, please feel free to contact me or my office if ever you think we may be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Leonard L. Boswell
Member of Congress
I appreciate you taking the time to share with me your views regarding S. 729, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. The views of my fellow Iowans are an essential component of my decision making process as a Member of Congress.
As you may know, Senator Richard Durbin introduced S. 729 on March 26, 2009. This legislation would allow unlawful immigrants who entered the U.S. as minors to gain eligibility for higher education benefits based on state residence, unless a U.S. citizen is eligible for the same benefits. S. 729 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. You will be interested to know that Congressman Howard Berman introduced H.R. 1751, the American Dream Act, on March 26, 2009, which would create a similar law. H.R. 1751 has been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary and the House Committee on Education and Labor. Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind should the full House consider this issue during the 111th Congress.
Our nation faces many challenges, and economic recovery is vital if we are to meet them. As a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I will continue building upon the job creation opportunities that I have delivered to the 3rd District in order to expand commerce, spur business development, and provide economic opportunity to all. I periodically provide electronic updates on issues I think my constituents might be interested in. If you would like to receive the E-newsletter, please sign up at my Web Site at Congressman Leonard Boswell : Home (http://boswell.house.gov). As always, please feel free to contact me or my office if ever you think we may be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Leonard L. Boswell
Member of Congress
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raju123
07-11 10:08 AM
Good job Raju. Thanks a lot
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/ucf/orl-visas1107jul11,0,5061439.story
I am going to call the reporter and thank him again.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/ucf/orl-visas1107jul11,0,5061439.story
I am going to call the reporter and thank him again.
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rskanth
07-05 10:55 AM
Do we send the flowers individually or collectively? I am in either way.
vij
06-14 08:03 PM
Who are all still waiting for Receipt notices? please share your info
Here are my details
File on June 1 at NSC
I-140 approved by NSC
No Receipt notice
Checks not cashed yet,
Here are my details
File on June 1 at NSC
I-140 approved by NSC
No Receipt notice
Checks not cashed yet,
raju123
07-11 10:08 AM
Good job Raju. Thanks a lot
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/ucf/orl-visas1107jul11,0,5061439.story
I am going to call the reporter and thank him again.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/ucf/orl-visas1107jul11,0,5061439.story
I am going to call the reporter and thank him again.
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