Kama Of Kingstone

If the hosung markets turned down like the NASDAQ 5 yrs ago, and brought down the whole economy with it, then as a result of the ensuing economic recession you lost one, two or all 3 of your jobs and ended up in negative equity, could not find a new job sponsoring H1b due to the deep recession and your greencard is nowhere in the near future. Would you still feel as secure and happy? I am not sure what country you are from, but would you make a salary close to what you are making here?

Security my friend, thats what a green card brings. I applaud you on your courage and bravery in just taking a chance and doing all these things, you will likely be fine and get your green card eventually but taking risks can bring consequences as well. Many people are more risk averse than you.

A GC is going to make finding a job a lot easier & is going to make you feel much more secure than a H1 is a fallacy in my opinion. I think, if you currently have a H1 job, you have proved your worthiness in the job market. In fact, you are probably better off than a GC holder, since you are forced to be on your toes to maintain and update your skill set for fear of the difficulty in finding another H1 job.

I have plenty of (EB) GC friends around me who got their GCs through their job through the 1996-2000 .com boom, but now have trouble finding their 1st right job, post the GC. They missed out on the 2002-2005 housing boom, all the time while I, on a H1 was reaping the fruits of taking the risk and getting in while still waiting out on my GC.

Besides, in a global economy US jobs themselves are far less secure than during any other times in modern day history, so even a US citizenship is not going to make one feel secure with regards to employment.

What is going to make you feel secure ultimately is being well qualified & well skilled. For people with the right qualifications and skills there will always be a H1 job (or for that matter a well paid job no matter what the geography) out there. In my opinion, having the right skills and qualifications is one's security, and that�s what I have always banked on while moving so forward on a H1.

Hey brother,

I am not trying to question your intent just trying to get some knowledge of facts. However your reasoning suggests that there are numbers available to overflow from EB2 World to EB2 India. What if there are just enough numbers to keep EB2 World rolling. I will be interesting in learning more about how these allocations work. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Are you talking about EB3-I? If not, ignore this post...

EB3-I dates are in Oct 01, there are no cases to approve, what will they approve?
What makes you think they are processing EB2-I more? Same logic applies here. Wait for the next bulletin, if you are EB3-I in 02 you'll get what is long overdue?

If thats the case then why don't they move the PD forward. EB3-I is stuck in 2001 since last 3 years and its not moving forward at all. How can we get some help here, ombudsman?

bump

Requested all my friends to fax..

Well, you are missing the most important point - Illegal immigrant's probably don't care about the future of the country's educational direction. Family based immigrants don't care either. However WE are EB immigrants and we value education and that is exactly what we demonstrate by doing this. We should not be looking to fund hundreds of thousands of student's college education - heck even the mighty US government cannot do that. We are not a political organization. The way this will go out in the media is - these guys could have used the money to lobby with senators or other congressmen, instead, they choose to use it for a good cause. This is highly symbolic. And the key here is to involve the first lady. The moment you involve the first lady, it become apolitical.

Oh, and btw, we are not buying our way into a GC. Nowhere did I mention that. We, EB immigrants value education and hence want to donate for an educational charity/cause. We don't expect a GC by doing this - this is highly symbolic; however if the Obama administration takes up CIR this year and we start this campaign and this happens to go to the first lady and gain media attention at the right time, perhaps the administration would include legal immigration in the CIR which would have otherwise not been included.

Timing is critical to this. If we gain media attention a few weeks before CIR comes up for debate, we might have Legal, EB Immigration included into it. And CIR this year is our only chance and hope and if EB immigration is not considered parts of CIR, then we might as well kiss our GCs good bye.
Hey - I am just pointing out how it can be played in the media to make the eb community look really bad. Do we seriously think the media and common man will believe that we are suddenly doing this out of the goodness of our hearts and a genuine concern for educational system in us - most people will see it as a well timed publicity stunt to influence decision making in our favor.

OH no, I'm scared to go look. But I'll do it anyways :(


!!

Grrrr your first post and you messed it up. It says it's still on the June 18 update. This is July.

Here is what you do if the bill passes without amendments:

Get some sun-tan. Wear a baseball cap. Put in jeans with oil stains and bad quality collarless t-shirt. Grow an untrimmed mustache. Lose the dress shoes and wear cheap jogging shoes.

Go to the nearest USCIS office (after this bill passes) and say that you have been working off-books illegally at a nearby restaurant since 5 years and now you would like to apply for Z visa.

They will give you a probationary that will work like an EAD card (maybe better quality than EAD with it being tamper proof and wear proof). In the meantime, once the borders are closed and certain benchmarks are met, you will get Z visa with Advanced parole to replace your probationary card. With that advanced parole you can travel outside and come back in guaranteed (Guaranteed return due to AP). When outside you can file for GC, visit your parents and relatives, spend a few days in vacation and come back with full freedom to work anywhere without LCA restrictions and enjoy the Z visa that you can renew on your own (no need for employer sponsor).

They will give GC to all Z visa applicants within 5 years thru supplemental increase in GC (based on survey done by DHS). The annual cap will be total Z visa holders divided by 20%. If there are 11 million illegals who end up getting Z visa, the annual cap will be 2.2 million.

That 2.2 million beats the hell out of the 140,000 we have today for legal skilled immigrants or the 90,000 we will have with this new bill.

Advantages:

1. No need to comply to speciality occupation. Work in any line of work.
2. No need to get labor cert for GC.
3. No need to depend on employer for temp visas like H1B and GC sponsorship.
4. More travel flexibility due to advanced parole that comes with Z visa.

.


My employer cancelled my H1 visa for the period of 7 months in the year 2005without my knowledge. At that period I was working in a Gas Station. After a hectic bargaining my employer once again renewed by H1 (till now I do not know how he did it) and right now I am legal doing my software job. My perm which was applied in Feb 2006 was approved and my I-140 is pending.

My question is whether I am eligible to apply for 'Z' Visa??

Feb 15, 2006

Today, four members of IV met with 3 staffers from Dianne Feinstein’s office in San Francisco.
Two constituent services representatives, who deal with immigration problems on a daily basis (helping people with labor cert, I-140, I-485, security check etc problems) and one assistant field representative who interfaces with the Senator’s staff in DC on a whole host of issues.

We spent 1.5 hours with them. We went through our presentation, answering questions and giving examples all the way. Then we spent some time talking about how they could help us, suggestions about what IV should do, and how we could work with them. All in all it was an excellent meeting – they were riveted through out – asked lots of questions and were very supportive.

TAKEAWAYS

1.Getting the Word Out to Lawmakers

• They all said they learned a lot from our presentation – the people who deal with immigration problems on a nitty gritty daily level didn’t know the big picture on legal immigration, and the field representative didn’t know anything about the particular problems of legal EB immigrants.
• The field representative said she had had three meeting with immigration related groups that day already, and that the Senator’s staff has been hearing about immigration a lot BUT this was the first time she was hearing about legal skilled immigrants!!
• They thought our goals were reasonable and that they would be supportive. They thought we should reach out to as many other lawmakers as possible

BOTTOM LINE: Do you want favorable legislation not to pass simply because people didn’t know about our problems??? No! We need to get the word out.

2.Content

• They repeatedly said they were impressed with our presentation (go check it out).
• They liked the fact that we had an easy to read table which showed which of the current bills addressed some of our goals.
• They liked the fact that we printed and bound two copies of the presentation to give them.
• We also gave them copies of our tri-fold brochure
• We also gave them a number tabbed, bound copy of the following

-Must Read Documents on Legal Skilled Immigration

a) CIS Ombudsman's Report:
http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/CIS_AnnualReport_2005.pdf

b) GAO Report on Backlogs at USCIS
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0620.pdf

c) Exec Summary of NAS Rising Above a Gathering Storm
http://fermat.nap.edu/catalog/11463.html

d) How Visa Date Cutoffs Are Established from July 2000 Bulletin
http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/ERC/visa_bulletin/2000-07bulletin.html

e) President’s Economic Report: Chapter 2: Skills for the U.S. Workforce.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/ch2-erp06.pdf

3.Action Items
• We decided to keep in touch – I will follow up on the feedback they get from the Senator’s DC staffers.
• They wanted to know more about how our meetings with other lawmakers are going.
• I offered to act as source of facts and examples for their office on these issues – since I have read the relevant documents and data carefully.
• They suggested that we keep reaching out to members of the House – especially those who are in states without a lot of tech sector firms – those are the people who are least likely to know about our existence, let alone our problems.

BOTTOM LINE: I will keep in touch with all three, sharing talking points and getting feedback.

4. Lessons for future meetings with lawmakers/ Lessons for other states
• Do not be intimidated by the idea of initiating a meeting with the staffers of lawmaker – they do this all the time, and are friendly, easy to talk to, it is their job to listen to you– just put yourselves in the mindset of someone telling a story to a friendly audience.
• Get organized, print and bind copies of the presentation and additional docs listed above to give to them.
• Do a dry run of the talk, so that you build a narrative patter to go with the slides – this worked really well in this meeting.
• Whenever possible use examples from the experience of the IV members present to illustrate the point in the slide – for example when we were doing the I-485 Life with and Without Slide, we used Ollie and Neha’s experiences with layoffs and partner not being able to work
• Ask how you can follow up with them, what they would like you to do
• Write to thank them for their time and reiterate your basic points



So people from other states – come on lets go!

count is 366 and going strong...!
Have sent to a few colleagues and friends as well..

Good luck to all!

I am going to DC to participate in the Rally and meet Lawmakers. I know atleast half a dozen others from California who are going to DC. I think is your only chance to get your voice heard in the corridors of power.

i agree...you bet i would accept substituted labor, heck i would even bid for one if it it was legal to do so. to each his own, i would do anything to get out of the hell hole legally...talk to your lawyer and go for it, it will save you a lots of time and headache. Make sure its all legal and the documentation is in order. there is nothing to hush up, thousands have done this and are doing it. People like me will feel bad and jump up and down, simply because we did not get that chance to do the same..good luck.

gmatch,

speak to a lawyer and stop responding to people on this thread!! everyone pontificates. all the people who are screaming from their rooftops here about ethics etc., would readily accept an offer of reusing a previously unused LC if their employer gave them the option.

just my 2 cents.

Yeah if the restriction was for non immigrants none of their "special" buddies from gulf states like UAE, Saudi, Kuwait etc would be able to visit.

Many of those " special buddies" would have diplomatic passports, hence no inspection at the POE

But i think you can not practice polygamy or bring multiple spouse to the US on non immigrant visa

"Long Journey. Finally GC
by J2GC
Hi Guys,
After a long journey of more than Sixteen years in this country, I finally received my GC.
In short, I came in 1993 on J-1 for my training which took six years, followed by one year on O-1 visa and then J-1 waiver for three and half years in underserved area. Then applied for labor certification in Oct, 2003 EB2, through university, which was approved and then retrogressed. Applied Schedule IIA, approved but also got retrogressed. Got AILA liaison and Senetor involved.
Applied for EB1 and NIW in July 2008.
My lawyer was very much involved in the whole process, was very helpful at every step, and wrote letters to USCIS.
Finally, GC came in April, 2009 and received the cards one week later. My PD Oct 2003.
During these time, I actually had no problmes at my job or my my wife's job. Brought a house four years ago.
The main problems were:
Daughter and son could not apply to state colleges/ medical colleges. (daughter going to med school next month)
Got stuck in India for renew of H-1 for 2 months!!! (worst time of my life, with my wife and kids in US) I tied every thing from writing letters to calling Ambasador. Not effective.
Could not go to certain occasions, like death of very close family members, weddings etc.
However, I kept my cool and prayed and got lot of support from Immigration voice.
As a small token of appreciation, I am donating $500 .(and will keep on supporting)
We all are going to get GC, some sooner some later. Just keep on doing you job.
Thanks you all for all the information and support.
J2GC (J-1 visa to GC)"

Congrats and Best Wishes ( Its a Loooooooooooooooooooooooong Journey)

Hi,

I am joining new job using AC21 provision coming monday. My new employer does not provide medical insurance for the first month. I am eligible for after I complete 1 month.

So my question is: till the time I get medical coverage from new employer (approx. 20 - 30 days), can I invoke COBRA? I heard that one can not invoke COBRA if he or she is employed (only meant for un-employement) is this true?

Also, should I call my current insurance company for COBRA now, or I can wait if I really need to visit a doctor? is there a grace period for this? Because there is a possiblity that I may never would have to visit a doctor for next 20-30 days, but who knows!

Appreciate your answers.

Firstly, COBRA has pretty much nothing to do with AC21.

COBRA is a law related to job loss or job change to an employer who doesnt offer insurance or job change to a new employer who offers insurance only after a certain time (like one month or so).

I think the previous author is right. From the time you lose/resign from previous job, you have 60 days to fill out the COBRA paperwork. Do that as soon as possible, dont wait for 60 days.

Basics : Basically, what COBRA does is allow you to continue your health insurance (as-is without any changes, you cannot change deductibles or switch from HMO to PPO or vice-versa, whatever you had on last day of work, that would continue) at your own expense and the insurance would now be only between you and the insurance company. Your previous employer would be out of the picture. This can continue until 18 months.

Sometimes there is a third party company that will process the paperwork for your cobra and deal with insurance company. This third party company or service provider is usually retained and hired by your previous employer so that they dont have to deal with COBRA paperwork. Just like many employers outsource payroll paperwork to ADP or Paychex etc. So in that case, you would by asked by your previous employer to contact this service provider who will hook you up on COBRA coverage with existing benefits with your insurance provider.

You would be paying the entire premium amount every month. Basically, it can come down to about 1000-1400 dollars a month for a family of 3-4. Amount depends on state and also on your coverage quality.


Payments : Insurance companies are VERY VERY strict about the timeliness of the payment of insurance. If you are late one time, they will yank your insurance. So if you need COBRA be very very prompt about sending the payments.

Alternative work-arounds (Having it both ways) :):) : Here is what some people do. COBRA payments dont begin until about 45-60 days after you stop working for previous employer. So you have 45 - 60 days until you can get on board with your new employer's coverage.

So for 45 to 60 days, if you get COBRA, and you dont see a doctor, you just spend 1000-2000 dollars for nothing. ON the other hand, if you dont enroll and you are in a car wreck, you will be bankrupt for a long long time to come.

But there is a middle ground. Send in the paper-work and fill out all forms to enroll in COBRA. That way, you are formally enrolled in COBRA. However, before the first premium payment is due, (45-60 days later), you might be already on board with new insurance with new employer. So at that time, if you are already with new insurance and then your first payment is due, just dont send the payment. They will cancel the COBRA immediately. But then you have nothing to lose as you didnt need any coverage in intermediate 45-60 days and now you are already with new insurance.

On the flip side, if you actually need coverage (Doctor appt, surgery, etc) during 45-60 days while you are waiting for new insurance, then please send the first (and probably second payment if neccesary) for COBRA so that you are continously covered and your claims are not denied.

This is totally legal and I was advised to do this by my current company's HR. She said "Wing it". To paraphrase her, if you dont need coverage, then dont send payment and let them cancel. If you need coverage, then send them payment so that you are covered while you needed doctor/hospital. It works. No one likes to send a check of 1000-1500 dollars to insurance company for one month COBRA insurance if you end up not needing any benefits at all during that month. Right?

Links on COBRA :

DOL website info : http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm

http://judiciary.house.gov/schedule.aspx

Well done

Not related to this thread but I did not want to open a new thread for this question..

As you can see I am EB2-I (info above) and am waiting in line for my turn but I am just wondering if L1 route to GC is quicker? If so then how?

Not that I am trying to do it because I can not :) but I know someone who just got his GC via L1 in matter of months and here we all EB guys are waiting..

Thanks.

my experience with california DMV - renewed via mail. Paid 28$, got a new plastic card which is valid for next 5 years.

how long ago was this?

thanks.

Guys,
I know ROW country may not like this thread, but look at EB-3 India or China, put yourself in our shoes and than you may realize how unfair this country is. In this unprecedented financial turmoil, I feel there are very remote chances for CIR or any package which increase immigration etc would pass, I am taking this initiative to gather as many people I can and go to washington. Again this is not an IV effort. If you are with me , you can spare some time or few days in Washington, please PM me. our sole agenda is bring a 2 line bill to remove country quota...

Instead of asking for removing, perhaps asking for making it in ratio of country sizes might be more palatable. Note that Nepal has same numeric quota as China. I don't know how you can influence or initiate such changes, though.

Can you back date your marriage during marriage registration?

Dude,

A difficult option though since ur marriage is already scheduled...

Maybe she can apply for F-1 visa first, then get married...Let her come to US on F-1 and then get married here in local county...But it's tedious and lengthy process though, apart from the heartburn ur gonna give to many back home by postponing ur already fixed marriage...

Best way to deal with the situation is talk to an immigration lawyer...