Kama Of Kingstone

Hi Folks,

What is the fastest and perhaps a little economic way to get documents over to chennai (Tamil Nadu) or Calicut (Kerala) from here in San Jose, ca.

USPS has this service called Express Mail ($27.95) or Priority Mail ($12.95)
I guess USPS is claiming 6-10 days (guess no gurantee) to india.

Other couriers seems to be $70+ (FedEx, UPS, DHL)..

Anyone has had good luck with USPS ? or do you suggest the couriers mentioned above ?

Need to get docs for an interview for parents on Feb 26th in Chennai...

Thanks in Advance for your reply !!

USPS is cheap and best...


There is one more thing even cheaper...

put it in a water tight bottle and throw it to the pacific ocean...and pray it will reach chennai.:D

If you do not inform USCIS there is considerable risk you will be taking if your I-140 gets revoked and subsequent RFE do not get into your hands in time.

You will have to write a simple letter stating your intent to change employer and support it with your offer letter and pending I-485 receipt. Usually, the offer letters from employers don't go into details of job duties in such cases you'll get a RFE to obtain a letter from your current employer stating your job duties. You can respond to that RFE and be rest assured that it will go into USCIS system and forget worrying about I-140 revocation for rest of your life or for that matter changing employers.

If you think your lawyer can play foul with your green card prospects. This is the right time to submit AC21 with a new G-28 so the new lawyer will get all future correspondence from USCIS otherwise you'll have to go through whole lot of trouble to get a copy of the RFE and respond to it on time.

I hope this helps and good luck on your green card pursuit...

here is a brief account of my, and my spouse's, arduous but successful journey toward the coveted green cards. i hope this account helps you somehow.

(note: what you read below is all of what i am willing to share. i have spent a lot of time in typing it. i will not have the time or inclination for any elaborations or explanations!)

1. landed in the united states on f-1 visa -- september 2000.

2. arrested on misdemeanor shoplifting charge after prank went awry -- june 2001; judge dropped charge in july 2001 and also sealed and expunged the record.

3. changed from f-1 to h-1b upon accepting job offer from employer A, via about two months of c.p.t. in september 2003 (never used o.p.t.)

4. obtained labor certification in may 2004, and approval of i-140 (via eb-2) in march 2005, both via employer A. (priority date was, hence, may 2004).

5. got married in home country in june 2006; spouse landed in the united states on h-4 in november 2006.

6. graduated with advanced degree (and high academic honors) in december 2006.

7. transferred h-1b from employer A to employer B in september 2007; abandoned employer A's i-140 approval.

8. spouse, who had been on h-4 since november 2006, changed to f-1 in september 2007 to pursue advanced degree; spouse graduated in may 2009.

9. arrested in april 2008 for driving while visually impaired; convicted and punished by judge with three-month driving probation and fine.

10. obtained new labor certification in march 2008 and obtained new i-140 approval (again via eb-2) in september 2008; both via employer B.

11. mailed i-485s for self and spouse in october 2008; did not realize while mailing that the priority date had recently retrogressed (had no attorney assistance); but uscis accepted petitions, cashed checks, and processed the i-485s by sending self and spouse biometric appointments and an r.f.e. (for spouse).

12. transferred h-1b again, from employer B to employer C, in june 2009, more than 180 days after i-485s had been pending; spouse simultaneously applied for change of status from f-1 to h-4.

13. self and spouse invited for i-485 interviews in october 2009 based on self's i-140 approval obtained through employer B; i-485 petitions denied because priority date had not been current when filed; self and spouse shocked and in near-panic! self began to consider restarting green card process from i-140 stage, this time via eb-1.

14. h-1b extended in december 2010 for a year, via employer C's petition; at time of extension approval, self's original six years on h-1b had elapsed.

15. re-filed i-485s in january 2010, this time with attorney's help (mainly to write cover letter).

16. self and spouse invited for i-485 interviews again in june 2010, based on second i-485 petitions (based on self's i-140 approval obtained via employer B, even though at this time self was with employer C with previously denied -- for a technicality -- i-485s); i-485 petitions approved at the interview -- jai siyaram!

17. self and spouse received approval notices and "card production ordered" emails, all dated 13 days after interview.

18. received green cards and "welcome to the united states" fliers, both in july 2010, 29 days after i-485 interviews -- jai shri krishna!

notes in conclusion:

1. the green card process via employment, from h-1b through i-485, with possible multiple approvals/denials of each, is daunting due to the time and expense involved (including possible cost of attorney)

2. uscis's emphasis on technicalities can be frustrating; in our experience, approval of a i-485 is ultimately a discretion exercised by a single reviewing officer.

3. overall, applicant and any spouse/kids (a) must have maintained legal status throughout the h1b through i-485 process, and (b) must never have been convicted of felonious assault or moral turpitude.

4. in the end, applicant would find that the immigration system works, slow though it is because of congressional quotas and a somewhat slothful or myopic uscis.

5. i offer my best wishes to all that are reading this, regardless of citizenship. as a proud (and relieved!) new permanent resident of the united states, i say to you, "good luck and an advance welcome!"

reminder: what you read above is all of what i am willing to share. i spent a lot of time in typing it. i won't have the time or inclination for elaborations or explanations but, most sincerely, i wish you well!

THe questions to Obama is gaining steam, IV needs to tell everyone to vote so that our questions will be highly ranked

see this
Obama to take YouTube questions on State of the Union speech - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/01/26/obama.youth.outreach/index.html)

Another law suit

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/01117/pr-green-card.html

My PD is current. Still I am not discontinuing my 50.00 per month contribution that I have been doing since january.

Great Thank YOU, Guys like you have no match!!! :)

Here is the scenario.

If 6 months has been completed after your I-485 is filed then you can port out your process. You can either file AC21 or not. But to work for another company you need EAD. Now here you have mentioned that you have been working for Company B. What is your status with Company B? I guess, H1B.

If the company B can file for an AC21 at the earliest, that is the best option you have with you.

Just in case, if your I-485 is less than 6 months, situation becomes little sticky. Though the law or rule does not say anything specific, USCIS has been little lenient with the lay off and other situations recently.

So once Company A gets winds up, you can claim the process by stating that the company went out of business. There are cases where this was approved recently. Earlier there were exemptions at all.

You all need the co-operation from Company A on this. If they report to USCIS that you guys never joined there or made the company lose money, then none of the process will not stand as per law.

I personally know a unique situation, even after the company reported against the employee, the USCIS issued Green Card.

It all depends on the knowledge of the Officer who takes the case. Basically it is roll of the dice.

Do not take chances. Do it in the legal way as much as possible.

Good Luck to all of you

Imagine if everyone uses bold font:mad:

can you please give me the link? I searched Murthy's site, but could not find the link.
Today I called the uscis help line, they said the AP will be invalid if resident status is approved and I need to take "return resident visa" for my kid by contacting at the chennai consulate. I am going to call the chennai consulate tonight and let me see what they say.

Any suggestions?

Correct me if I my understanding is wrong. We legals are not getting any action because law makers want to do a comprehensive reform instead of a piece meal legislations. If the CIR is not a possibility, is there not a good chance to push for reforms for legals on a piece meal basis ? Stuff like visa recapture, removing country cap, filing for 485 when dates are not current and all ?

You can find the answer here:

Right.

But Mr Gutierrez thinks otherwise. Hispanic Democrats know very well that if Legals get any reprieve, then the fate of undocumented provisions is for sure dead. That's why all legal provisions have been held hostage.

Unfortunately, legal immigration doesnot have any representation in the senate to work for our interests.

Suprisingly, majority of the Americans favor legal immigration over undocumented, and any legal provisions will have public support. A few senators are playing dirty politics and holding thousands of legalites ransom. If CIR fails, I would hope/pray these Hispanic Democrats don't get elected in mid-term so that we can move forward

Back in the old days when there weren't as many IV members, people thought twice before giving a red dot to anyone. Now it has become kind of a fashion. You can get a red dot for asking questions someone thinks has already been asked or for asking simple questions which someone thinks that you should know or if you doesn't agree with someone's viewpoint etc etc. You might get a red dot if someone doesn't like your handle :D

After someone presented a data of how many visas were allocated to India in past five years, I made a comment that India has in fact gotten far more visas than the allowed 7% in past few years. That was just an observation from the data presented yet I ended up with about 200 disapprovals and 2 red dots. I didn't say that India shouldn't have gotten those visas or if it was fair/unfair to anyone else but lot of people just hated the comment.

It just shows how intolerant IVians have become to other people's point of view. I am sure I'll get a red dot for this too :D

I guess there are some anti-immigrants on the forum who is determined to discourage members by giving red dots. I see too many people receiving red dots for no reason now a days.

Solution. just ignore them.

Admins/Core members,

Please take necessary steps to discourage this red-dot festival !

High-tech industry in their favor... that don't sound correct? is it?
Supporters of the bill included President Bush, the United States Chamber of Commerce, the high-tech industry, the Roman Catholic Church, many Hispanic organizations, farmers, restaurants, hotels and the construction industry.

Did you contact the SSN department in person or called them.? Its better to go in person and get hold of the supervisor.

My brother had the same issue, but after 2 weeks of waiting, he used to go to the local SSN opffice everyday and somehow was able to get hold of the supervisor. The Supervisor called him once they got the info in their system and also gave him the number. The actual card came after few days in mail. I would suggest you to contact the local SSA office Super/Admin and escalate your case saying you badly need the number to start working.

Thank you very much, I will try and get to the root of the issue. Thanks for you return posts. Now i understand that I have to fight it out.

One or two.

I didn't research all this. My good old INS doctor just gave only one. Anybody need doctor's details, PM me. This is only a free service. Nice elderly American
physician. Fees USD 200



lets take i got MMR for my primary just two days back...then how can the clinic give me another dose within 2 days?? they cant and they SHOULD NOT. Yes they can do one thing..ask the person to bring proof of next shot the following month.

Well i feel the blood report might say something of that sort...just guessing!!

Another one...
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-flbgreencard0718nbjul18,0,1655633.story?coll=sofla _tab01_layout
http://flprogressive.blogspot.com/2007/07/now-this-is-news.html

hey thanx for writing so much to help me :D hey another question.. when i make the rentangle .. do i use rectangle marquee tool or rectangle tool..? I am confused on that one cuz some tutes say.."click on your rectangle margquee tool to make a square and fill it in with blah blah" .. and based on my "Paint" experience I used rectangle tool :q:

Well i just sent a message to my lawyer and this is the reply i received.

"If her current H-1B has been counted against the cap before, she should be able to return to H-1B status without having to wait for the cap to reopen."

Pls comment:)

On I-797 from Y it doesn't have I-94 number on it anywhere. since its through consular processing.
In order to work with Y, i have to get stamped first then only pay stubbs are generated. This was the understanding, when owner of Y ,company Y Attorney and myself were in the conference call discussion.


Basically the H-1B with company Y required Change of Status (COS). I am not familiar with this type of situation - whether you can get change of status done in USA or not. If not I think this is a case, which requires Visa to be stamped in home country.

Could somebody throw more infromation on this? Thanks

hey njboy..thanks again for ur response.

Yes, i read about the I140 processing and EB3 goes first. But I already filed my I140 in June-06, can i still move that to PREMIUM PROCESSING? (I tried to find any rule/regulation on that...didn't see any). And how long does the PREMIUM Processing takes?

Looks like the average wait time at the Nebraska SC is 3-4 months, hmmm..should i spend that extra $1K? Maybe yes (if we are allowed to switch from regular to premium)...given the "efficiency" of the immigration processing in the US.

Thanks again

Sky

Hi Dhundhun,

Thanks for your response.
to your question:

.. It should be OK to take job with Y (assuming that you have I-797 from Y with I-94) and then getting Visa stamped when new passport arrives.

VenuK: I wish its that simple... On I-797 from Y it doesn't have I-94 number on it anywhere. since its through consular processing.
In order to work with Y, i have to get stamped first then only pay stubbs are generated. This was the understanding, when owner of Y ,company Y Attorney and myself were in the conference call discussion.

advices are always appreciated

Pls let me know...

With Thanks,
Venu

What is the result of appeal?
Based on the information provided on above post , I believe X is paying you in view of pending appeal.

Note that there is a risk in going to other countries for stamping due to PIMS related delay. You can search for thread from people who were stuck in Canada for few months but they were Canada landers and stay in canada wasn't an issue for them.

Its safe to go to your home country and get it stamped there. You are atleast safe to stay as long as PIMS takes to validate.

All the money you are sending to India, the Indian Gov't/Bank turns around and keeps right here in the good old USA. India now has over 300 billion of such green backs. Every country is doing the same. This is the reason that allows the US to remain financially robust. If this system does not maintain, and after the current shocks it is very much threatened in my view, then all will be gone, the almighty dollar we work for just might not be worth all the bother.

Unless there was clear USCIS error, No refunds. Details below.

DHS | USCIS Refunds: How is the Process Working for You?: Questions from CIS Ombudsman's Teleconference on January 31, 2008 (http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1226610826777.shtm)

6. EAD Application, Green Card – A caller filed for a replacement work authorization card. The next month the caller received a green card approval letter. The work authorization application was never adjudicated, but USCIS did not return the fee. How can this applicant get a refund?

•USCIS Response on April 30, 2008: The applicant will not be entitled to a refund. When an applicant or petitioner pays a filing fee on an application, he or she is seeking a decision from USCIS regarding the applicant or beneficiary's eligibility for the benefit(s) being sought. In general, USCIS does not refund a fee or application regardless of the decision on the application.

The implementation of the new fee schedule, effective July 30, 2007, prevents situations like this from happening. If you filed Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, on or after July 30, 2007, then no fee is required to file a request for employment authorization on Form I-765.