whitecollarslave
01-14 01:43 PM
I posted the following question for the Nevada Presidential debate. I urge all of you, specially if you are from Nevada, to ask a similar question.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22574335
http://www.januarydebate.com
"Illegal immigration has been a topic of heated debate and has received much needed attention during this election. Many of you have taken a strong position on one side or the other of this issue while ignoring the problems of aspiring legal immigrants. In the midst of all the hype and bickering about ILLEGAL immigration, there is a group of people, often forgotten and ignored, who are caught up in a bureaucratic mess and stuck in a limbo, patiently waiting on the path to LEGAL immigration. This is a group of high skilled workers, most of whom have advanced degrees in medicine, engineering and science from Universities in the US. These people have worked hard, paid taxes and waited their turn, many for a decade, without the end anywhere near sight because of a system that is hopelessly broken and inefficient. I am one of those people. I have been here legally for 10 years and still years away from the realizing the dream of immigrant status.
As the President of the United States how do you intend to address the problems faced by future Americans already living and working LEGALLY in the United States?"
For the skeptics-
I know the chances of including such a question are really slim, specially with the sponsors they have. However, if a lot of us ask similar questions, maybe they might bring it up.
Also, one might argue that even if they pose the question its not like all the backlogs are going to be eliminated. Thats not the expectation here. The idea behind this is to create an awareness and start people/media talking about problems of legal immigration.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22574335
http://www.januarydebate.com
"Illegal immigration has been a topic of heated debate and has received much needed attention during this election. Many of you have taken a strong position on one side or the other of this issue while ignoring the problems of aspiring legal immigrants. In the midst of all the hype and bickering about ILLEGAL immigration, there is a group of people, often forgotten and ignored, who are caught up in a bureaucratic mess and stuck in a limbo, patiently waiting on the path to LEGAL immigration. This is a group of high skilled workers, most of whom have advanced degrees in medicine, engineering and science from Universities in the US. These people have worked hard, paid taxes and waited their turn, many for a decade, without the end anywhere near sight because of a system that is hopelessly broken and inefficient. I am one of those people. I have been here legally for 10 years and still years away from the realizing the dream of immigrant status.
As the President of the United States how do you intend to address the problems faced by future Americans already living and working LEGALLY in the United States?"
For the skeptics-
I know the chances of including such a question are really slim, specially with the sponsors they have. However, if a lot of us ask similar questions, maybe they might bring it up.
Also, one might argue that even if they pose the question its not like all the backlogs are going to be eliminated. Thats not the expectation here. The idea behind this is to create an awareness and start people/media talking about problems of legal immigration.
wallpaper tattoo URBAN INK,RICK ROSS
axyl
05-17 06:57 PM
Does one need to be physically present in US in order to file I-485 application? I had already booked my travel to India on May 25th before I came to know that the my Priority Dates had become current. Will I need to be in US till I get the filing receipt? I was curious on how would UCSIS know that I'm out of country on the day of filing?
Thanks
Thanks
leo2606
11-22 07:43 PM
I support kumar1 openion.
Buddy sledge_hammer this is the mess mortgage companies created, they need to face it.fanie's and fadie's caused this mess and they to need face it ? Do you think the individual should sit in that home and hit on their head with the 'sledgehammer' when they are in this mess? I would say get the f**k out of that house and lead peaceful life.
Sledge_hammer, use the thing in your screen name on your head to make your thoughts work correctly. Hey don't get me started.
sledge_hammer - You call me fool, I think you are a #1 "you know what"! And, I am not even going to reply...so write whatever you want to write.
Buddy sledge_hammer this is the mess mortgage companies created, they need to face it.fanie's and fadie's caused this mess and they to need face it ? Do you think the individual should sit in that home and hit on their head with the 'sledgehammer' when they are in this mess? I would say get the f**k out of that house and lead peaceful life.
Sledge_hammer, use the thing in your screen name on your head to make your thoughts work correctly. Hey don't get me started.
sledge_hammer - You call me fool, I think you are a #1 "you know what"! And, I am not even going to reply...so write whatever you want to write.
2011 Now I saw Rick Ross tattoo#39;ed
Lasantha
01-31 09:19 AM
So is this mess happening in the Indain consulates only? Or is it more widespread?
more...
jaihind
06-29 06:20 PM
Clearly the USCIS and the DOS have absolutely no clue as to how to manage the visa regime.
On top of that these smart asses think they are answerable to none - since this is just a matter of 'to be' immigrants.
Now the class action suit proposed by AILF will surely shock them from their oblivion and bring them down to REAL world.
All said and done...anyway the gates will open in Oct 2007 !!! Guys and Gals...go enjoy your week end !!!
On top of that these smart asses think they are answerable to none - since this is just a matter of 'to be' immigrants.
Now the class action suit proposed by AILF will surely shock them from their oblivion and bring them down to REAL world.
All said and done...anyway the gates will open in Oct 2007 !!! Guys and Gals...go enjoy your week end !!!
addsf345
09-24 06:42 PM
Hows ALLVOI compared to vonage and lingo?
Do they offer unlimited india plan? I never heard of it.
I know teleblend offers unlimited india plan for 49.99 per month. This is almost double to vonage.
Do they offer unlimited india plan? I never heard of it.
I know teleblend offers unlimited india plan for 49.99 per month. This is almost double to vonage.
more...
optimystic
03-24 03:43 PM
-------------------------------------
Based on the criteria above I dont see how it is illegal to ask what type of work authorization one has, and if EAD , how long it is valid. It may be illegal to disqualify a candidate who has EAD with validity for the required amount of time. But I sure can ask about the details within legal limits, can't I?
-------------------------------------
It is illegal... On I-9 it clearly says that an employer can not deny employment because of an expiry date on a valid work authorization document. This makes sense, since the employer does not have any authority to check for this candidate's ability to renew the authorization, neither the candidate is obligated to share that information. Per DHS & DOL once you have valid EAD, you are good to go! I am curious though who should be responsible for educating these employers!:confused:
Good to know. As to who should be responsible to educate the employers....there's no doubt in my mind ! It should be us - prospective employees - applying for job. If we don't raise the issue, then who else will do it for us !!!
People can follow a polite plan of action for such questions...
- Be aware of the law
- Be prepared to respond back politely - giving the bare minimum info that would be sufficient
- Point politely to the law during interviews if pressed hard to divulge details.
- If you see the interview going no where, without having to divulge the details, then at that point its a matter of consience....If you had EAD with enough validity, and you think/guess, that the employer is only concerned with people with soon expiring EADs, and if you want the job bad, then may be you can give it a shot and divulge your details. But as much as possible one should shirk the issue politely until you pass the interview process and they are ready to hire... Divulging at that point is beneficial since you know if you get rejected at the point, it was purely because of EAD issue and can take them for a task. If you divulged too early then they could hide behind other reasons for not hiring you.....(unless the employer is CapitolOne, and the HR guy sends out an email blatantly providing proof of discrimination and leaving themselves at your mercy to be sued :) )
Based on the criteria above I dont see how it is illegal to ask what type of work authorization one has, and if EAD , how long it is valid. It may be illegal to disqualify a candidate who has EAD with validity for the required amount of time. But I sure can ask about the details within legal limits, can't I?
-------------------------------------
It is illegal... On I-9 it clearly says that an employer can not deny employment because of an expiry date on a valid work authorization document. This makes sense, since the employer does not have any authority to check for this candidate's ability to renew the authorization, neither the candidate is obligated to share that information. Per DHS & DOL once you have valid EAD, you are good to go! I am curious though who should be responsible for educating these employers!:confused:
Good to know. As to who should be responsible to educate the employers....there's no doubt in my mind ! It should be us - prospective employees - applying for job. If we don't raise the issue, then who else will do it for us !!!
People can follow a polite plan of action for such questions...
- Be aware of the law
- Be prepared to respond back politely - giving the bare minimum info that would be sufficient
- Point politely to the law during interviews if pressed hard to divulge details.
- If you see the interview going no where, without having to divulge the details, then at that point its a matter of consience....If you had EAD with enough validity, and you think/guess, that the employer is only concerned with people with soon expiring EADs, and if you want the job bad, then may be you can give it a shot and divulge your details. But as much as possible one should shirk the issue politely until you pass the interview process and they are ready to hire... Divulging at that point is beneficial since you know if you get rejected at the point, it was purely because of EAD issue and can take them for a task. If you divulged too early then they could hide behind other reasons for not hiring you.....(unless the employer is CapitolOne, and the HR guy sends out an email blatantly providing proof of discrimination and leaving themselves at your mercy to be sued :) )
2010 It looks like Rick Ross has
Marphad
11-21 03:15 PM
we finally have "100", can we take it to 200?
GCCovet
Who are 2 idiots said No?
GCCovet
Who are 2 idiots said No?
more...
nitinba
06-29 05:04 PM
Now that it seems quite probable AOS will all be rejected filed in July I am wondering for how long will medical exams results be valid, so say after 1 yr if my PD is current can I use the medical exams report I got today?
hair Rick Ross “John”.
appas123
08-16 12:06 PM
We received the snail mail welcome notice today after receiving the email ADIT stuff last Tuesday (August 10). That makes it five business days. On the notice it says that we should receive our permanent resident card within three weeks. Anybody who actually received it within three weeks?
more...
MeraNaamJoker
08-19 01:50 PM
got the actual cards today.
CPO email: 08/06 (online case status: Card/Document Production)
approval notice email: 12 hrs later (online case status: Decision)
soft LUD: 08/09
approval notice snail mail: 08/13
"green" card: 08/19
Congratulations!!!
CPO email: 08/06 (online case status: Card/Document Production)
approval notice email: 12 hrs later (online case status: Decision)
soft LUD: 08/09
approval notice snail mail: 08/13
"green" card: 08/19
Congratulations!!!
hot rick ross tattoos meaning.
nitkad
06-18 01:25 PM
Hi,
Both, me and my wife have approved I-140 through two seperate consulting companies.
Can we apply for I-485 individually and add the other as dependant at the same time?
Thanks
Nitin
Both, me and my wife have approved I-140 through two seperate consulting companies.
Can we apply for I-485 individually and add the other as dependant at the same time?
Thanks
Nitin
more...
house rick ross tattoos on his hand.
pamposh
06-28 11:09 AM
Do we send the 485 forms for dependents and petitioner in the same envelope or different?
Do we send one check for applicable fees for both?
what should be answer to question for dependent and petitioner? PART 2: applicant information I am applying for an adjustment to permanent resident status because:
Do we send one check for applicable fees for both?
what should be answer to question for dependent and petitioner? PART 2: applicant information I am applying for an adjustment to permanent resident status because:
tattoo Tags: Rick Ross Tattoos
bayarea07
09-12 09:04 PM
Hello all,
Will it make sense to put the posters for this campaigns in local grocery stores and mandirs over the weekend, so as to create more awareness.
Will it make sense to put the posters for this campaigns in local grocery stores and mandirs over the weekend, so as to create more awareness.
more...
pictures tattoo Rick ross to the
mheggade
09-10 12:18 PM
Hello,
Yesterday evening me and my wife received our welcome email ...Obviously it was great news.
I wish Good Luck to all the members still waiting.
My GC info is below.
Center :NSC
PD: April 21 2006
ND:sep 07 2007
RD:July 02 2007
Changed job twice on EAD. Never used AC21.
never did SR/infopass.
FP total 3 times for my wife , only once for me.
USCIS Email
Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production
Yesterday evening me and my wife received our welcome email ...Obviously it was great news.
I wish Good Luck to all the members still waiting.
My GC info is below.
Center :NSC
PD: April 21 2006
ND:sep 07 2007
RD:July 02 2007
Changed job twice on EAD. Never used AC21.
never did SR/infopass.
FP total 3 times for my wife , only once for me.
USCIS Email
Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production
dresses RICK ROSS WAS ARRESTED FOR
ss777
09-12 11:15 AM
There is popular agreement among the folks that filing multiple I-485 is fine (if one sees a need) but file only one set of EAD/AP. My concern here is relating to which I-485 to choose for filing EAD/AP. Wisdom says choose the one with I-140 that is approved or whichever has greater possibility of approval. Say, I have both I-140's Pending and file EAD/AP with one of them. In case this 140 gets denied what is the fate of EAD/AP that is Approved. Will these become obsolete even if the status of applicant is AoS as a result of other 485?
If the second 140(**) gets Approved before the 140(*) on which EAD/AP is currently filed/Approved, can I renew/Start filing EAD/AP on the approved 140(**)
Can you please share your thoughts
If the second 140(**) gets Approved before the 140(*) on which EAD/AP is currently filed/Approved, can I renew/Start filing EAD/AP on the approved 140(**)
Can you please share your thoughts
more...
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sapota
01-24 03:24 PM
of England with your rebuke. It is a privilege to set foot into the Royal terminals of the London airport. The Imperial crown demands an apology and shall impose a tax of 50 pounds for this puerile behaviour.
girlfriend Rick Ross amp; Jim Jones
javadeveloper
01-09 04:06 PM
We have it in about us page if you scroll down
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=47
Immigration Voice Achievements
1. September 18, 2007
1. DC Rally: Thousands of high-skilled immigrants march in the US Capital!
2. Lobby day: IV volunteers attend close to 125 meetings with lawmakers� offices to lobby for congressional intervention
3. Paid Advertisement in the Roll Call- the newspaper that covers the Capitol Hill
4. Media coverage: New York Times, Washington Post, Yahoo, BBC, OC Register, Business Week
5.
2. July 2007 Visa bulletin reversal
1. IV breaks the good news!
2. Flower campaign
i. USCIS takes note of the flower campaign
ii. Media coverage: Business Week, Reuters, Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, Others, Video coverage
3. San Jose Rally
i. Media coverage: Business Week
3. CIR 2006: Manager's amendment
1. IV lobbies to ensure that this amendment contains favorable provisions for high-skilled immigrants
2. The amendment was PASSED, although the bill itself did not survive
4. Access to lawmakers
1. IV is in close contact with Hon. Rep. Zoe Lofgren�s office on several issues related to Employment Based Immigration
2. IV closely worked with Hon. Rep. Zoe Lofgren who played an instrumental role in bringing about reversal of July Visa Bulletin
5. Contact with USCIS. IV was the first one to bring news of the July 2007 Visa Bulletin reversal
6. IV Spokesperson invited to conference at top US University
7. Only organization FOR high-skilled immigrants BY high skilled immigrants
1. Most visited site by high-skilled immigrants in the
2. Number of registered members has risen from 50 to 25000 in less than 2 years! The following are approximate figures:
i. 1/2006: 60
ii. 2/2006: 600
iii. 7/2006: 4500
iv. 1/2007: 7500
v. 7/2007: 15000
vi. 8/2007: 20000
vii. 11/2007: 25000
I may be wrong but we should have achieved more than this ... Let us know what we have to do to make this happen
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=47
Immigration Voice Achievements
1. September 18, 2007
1. DC Rally: Thousands of high-skilled immigrants march in the US Capital!
2. Lobby day: IV volunteers attend close to 125 meetings with lawmakers� offices to lobby for congressional intervention
3. Paid Advertisement in the Roll Call- the newspaper that covers the Capitol Hill
4. Media coverage: New York Times, Washington Post, Yahoo, BBC, OC Register, Business Week
5.
2. July 2007 Visa bulletin reversal
1. IV breaks the good news!
2. Flower campaign
i. USCIS takes note of the flower campaign
ii. Media coverage: Business Week, Reuters, Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, Others, Video coverage
3. San Jose Rally
i. Media coverage: Business Week
3. CIR 2006: Manager's amendment
1. IV lobbies to ensure that this amendment contains favorable provisions for high-skilled immigrants
2. The amendment was PASSED, although the bill itself did not survive
4. Access to lawmakers
1. IV is in close contact with Hon. Rep. Zoe Lofgren�s office on several issues related to Employment Based Immigration
2. IV closely worked with Hon. Rep. Zoe Lofgren who played an instrumental role in bringing about reversal of July Visa Bulletin
5. Contact with USCIS. IV was the first one to bring news of the July 2007 Visa Bulletin reversal
6. IV Spokesperson invited to conference at top US University
7. Only organization FOR high-skilled immigrants BY high skilled immigrants
1. Most visited site by high-skilled immigrants in the
2. Number of registered members has risen from 50 to 25000 in less than 2 years! The following are approximate figures:
i. 1/2006: 60
ii. 2/2006: 600
iii. 7/2006: 4500
iv. 1/2007: 7500
v. 7/2007: 15000
vi. 8/2007: 20000
vii. 11/2007: 25000
I may be wrong but we should have achieved more than this ... Let us know what we have to do to make this happen
hairstyles rick ross tattoos meaning.
bestofall
09-30 05:52 PM
Guys
please report your Approvals in this thread . wish you luck for EB2 / EB3 guys whose PD s are current in October 2009
“If you think IV as an organization, IV’s leadership team and many members who donated their time and money were in anyways helpful in your GC journey, please consider making a “Thank You” donation to IV. Also, keep visiting IV and support your fellow immigrants stuck in this GC queue” __________________
please report your Approvals in this thread . wish you luck for EB2 / EB3 guys whose PD s are current in October 2009
“If you think IV as an organization, IV’s leadership team and many members who donated their time and money were in anyways helpful in your GC journey, please consider making a “Thank You” donation to IV. Also, keep visiting IV and support your fellow immigrants stuck in this GC queue” __________________
addsf345
01-13 03:56 PM
Looks like Obmudsman office have acknowledged the problem. Just read this on their site
......
However, the Ombudsman understands that USCIS may deny the Form I-485 in cases of portability (the ability to change jobs) before first issuing a Notice of Intent to Deny in certain limited circumstances. These include, for example, where the beneficiary is ineligible for the benefits of the Form I-485 by statute, or the Form I-140 is withdrawn before the Form I-485 was pending for 180 days........
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1221837986181.shtm
Once again a big Thank You to all of the volunteers behind this campaign.
Good News! Thank you for sharing. This shows that if we are united, we can have our complaints heard. Those who started this thread, pursued, promoted and participated, you all ROCK!
A BIG THANKYOU!
......
However, the Ombudsman understands that USCIS may deny the Form I-485 in cases of portability (the ability to change jobs) before first issuing a Notice of Intent to Deny in certain limited circumstances. These include, for example, where the beneficiary is ineligible for the benefits of the Form I-485 by statute, or the Form I-140 is withdrawn before the Form I-485 was pending for 180 days........
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1221837986181.shtm
Once again a big Thank You to all of the volunteers behind this campaign.
Good News! Thank you for sharing. This shows that if we are united, we can have our complaints heard. Those who started this thread, pursued, promoted and participated, you all ROCK!
A BIG THANKYOU!
sakthikams
04-25 02:32 PM
from http://www.dhs.gov/journal/leadership
below is the extract from above link...
Addressing Employment-Based Visa Wait Times
There have been a lot of comments and questions received from readers about employment-based petitions and related applications for adjustment to lawful permanent residence.
This is a complicated subject, so I want to provide a little background. Becoming a permanent resident based on employment can require a number of steps, including obtaining a labor certification from the Department of Labor, receiving approval on a petition for alien worker from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (Form I-140) and obtaining an immigrant visa from the Department of State or being granted adjustment of status from USCIS. In addition, by law there are numerical limits on the number of people who can immigrate to the U.S. each year in most categories. You can see a more detailed explanation about the employment-based visa application process online.
Some readers have asked about the volume of employment applications and delays that have occurred in employment-based visa petition and adjustment application processing in late 2007 and early 2008. There were a number of factors that affected USCIS' handling of these cases during that time. Employers filed more than 234,000 petitions to sponsor foreign workers (Form I-140) as the Department of Labor cleared a large backlog of labor certification applications and implemented new regulations. Adjustment-of-status application filings also soared to nearly 300,000. We attribute the increase in adjustment application filings to a couple things. First, customers' anticipation of USCIS' filing fee increase in July 2007. Second, a unique opportunity for workers and their families to file adjustment applications based on the visa availability date announced in the July 2007 Immigrant Visa Bulletin. Many of these availability dates have since reverted, creating a backlog of adjustment applications that cannot be adjudicated until a visa becomes available.
A few months ago, a customer indicated his frustration that while he can monitor the Visa Bulletin to see how it moves month to month, he still has no idea how many people are waiting in line with pending adjustment applications or how long it may be before USCIS can process and approve his application. We know this customer is not alone! In response to that customer's request, we are working to make this information available on our Web site.
I understand the importance of becoming a permanent resident. I also recognize workers may rightly want to take advantage of the limited provisions in current law that allow certain applicants to change employers without affecting their ability to adjust status. As a result, USCIS has taken the following steps:
USCIS has increased the emphasis on processing employment-based petitions. Our goal is to complete adjudication on the older I-140 petitions and to process newer petitions within our targeted processing time of four months. We are making progress toward this goal and anticipate reaching this goal by the end of September 2009.
USCIS is issuing employment authorization documents valid for two years, as needed.
USCIS is working with the State Department to make sure we use every available visa number. In 2007, we had more visas available in the family-based categories than were needed, so as permitted by law, we transferred those available family-based visas for use in the employment-based application process.
I recognize that this is a difficult and complex situation and USCIS is working hard to make improvements and to increase transparency in our processes.
Mike Aytes
Acting Deputy Director, USCIS
below is the extract from immigration-law.com
04/25/2009: On-Going USCIS Efforts to Reduce Backlog in Employment-Based Immigration Applications
Lately, I-140 and EB-485 applicants have been receiving envelopes from the Service Centers with their long-awaited approval notices, particularly those cases which were filed during and after the FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco period. Along with the development, information has been released by the stake-holder agencies of the Department of State and the USCIS indicating that there has been efforts on the part of the USCIS to eliminate employment-based immigation backlogs. In releasing the May 2009 Visa Bulletin, the State Department confirmed that the USCIS had been taking out EB visa numbers en masse exhausting all the EB-3 visa numbers available for the rest of FY 2009.
This report is consistent with the information released by the USCIS on its projected processing time to four months for the employment-based I-140 petitions and EB-485 applications by the end of FY 2009, which is September 30, 2009. The goal appears to have contributed to the exhaustion of annually allocated employment-based visa numbers so that no EB visa numbers be unused or wasted by the end of FY 2009. The commitment to this goal of the USCIS is reaffirmed by yesterday's release of Mr. Michael Ayte's report on the employment-based visa processing times in the Leadership Journal of the DHS. Considering a huge backlog and processing delays in the employment-based immigration petitions and 485 applications for almost two years as affected primarily by the FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco, the recent event that evolved in the USCIS processing time change is certainly a welcome news for waiters who have suffered from the past backlogs.
What have tirbuted to this change? The long-term strategy for reduction of processing times for immigration benefits applications appears to be launch of "Transformation Program" that intended to achieve reduction of processing times by turning current paper-based application and processing system into complete electronization system and process focusing on the concept of digital "account" databases within approximately a period of five years. However, this program has experienced a snag. However, lately the DHS disclosed its multi-billion dollar contract with the IBM for two programs. One is to convert all the existing files and date into digitazition and the other is to develop and implement electronic application and processing system. Reportedly, for this purpose, the IBM reenforced its operation in India and the work is underway. However, report indicates that the first phase appears to focus on the digitazation of existing database rather than implementation of electronic application and processing system. Overall, the goal of the contract appears to be completed in the next five years. It thus appears that the current efforts of elimination of backlogs within this fiscal year do not rely on the progress of this program. The big momentum was created by the Congress appropriating fund for USCIS human resources.
gtThanks to the Congress action to give fund for hiring additional 2,000 resources, the USCIS recxruited and trained new hires who joined the USCIS field offices including Service Centers and local district and field offices, initially focusing on the job of elimination of huge naturalization applications. USCIS had been reporting that the hurdle for reduction of employment-based immigration cases was the mountain of naturalization applications that poured in around the time of FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco. Now, the naturalization application backlog is under control, inreased resources are becoming available for the employment-based immigration files. Another important factor that has contributed to the agency's recent move was the implementation name-check reduction agreement between the FBI and the DHS and the USCIS policy to complete adjudicaion of EB-485 applications when the FBI name check failed to complete within 180 days. The third factor that cannot be discounted nor minimized is the new DHS leadership's move and commitment for the elimination of the employment-based immigration case backlogs. As people may recall, the Secretary Napolitano of the DHS issued a directive to report the state of backlogs in the immigration benefit applications and the USCIS leaders plan for reduction or elimination of such backlogs. With all of the above developments combined, the employment-based immgrant community is continuously expected to witness the reduction of processing times, at least for a short term. However, long-term reduction or elimination of EB case processing backlog is likely to depend on success of the IBM contract digitization program of the USCIS. This needs continuing internal and external political support, and we hope that the Congress extends its strong support, particularly considering importance of the successful reengineering program to accomodate the potentially forthcoming avalanche and flood gate opening for case loads for the USCIS when the country passes the Comprehensive Immigration Reform legi
extract from http://www.dhs.gov/journal/leadership
Addressing Employment-Based Visa Wait Times
There have been a lot of comments and questions received from readers about employment-based petitions and related applications for adjustment to lawful permanent residence.
This is a complicated subject, so I want to provide a little background. Becoming a permanent resident based on employment can require a number of steps, including
Mike Aytes
Acting Deputy Director, USCIS
below is the extract from above link...
Addressing Employment-Based Visa Wait Times
There have been a lot of comments and questions received from readers about employment-based petitions and related applications for adjustment to lawful permanent residence.
This is a complicated subject, so I want to provide a little background. Becoming a permanent resident based on employment can require a number of steps, including obtaining a labor certification from the Department of Labor, receiving approval on a petition for alien worker from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (Form I-140) and obtaining an immigrant visa from the Department of State or being granted adjustment of status from USCIS. In addition, by law there are numerical limits on the number of people who can immigrate to the U.S. each year in most categories. You can see a more detailed explanation about the employment-based visa application process online.
Some readers have asked about the volume of employment applications and delays that have occurred in employment-based visa petition and adjustment application processing in late 2007 and early 2008. There were a number of factors that affected USCIS' handling of these cases during that time. Employers filed more than 234,000 petitions to sponsor foreign workers (Form I-140) as the Department of Labor cleared a large backlog of labor certification applications and implemented new regulations. Adjustment-of-status application filings also soared to nearly 300,000. We attribute the increase in adjustment application filings to a couple things. First, customers' anticipation of USCIS' filing fee increase in July 2007. Second, a unique opportunity for workers and their families to file adjustment applications based on the visa availability date announced in the July 2007 Immigrant Visa Bulletin. Many of these availability dates have since reverted, creating a backlog of adjustment applications that cannot be adjudicated until a visa becomes available.
A few months ago, a customer indicated his frustration that while he can monitor the Visa Bulletin to see how it moves month to month, he still has no idea how many people are waiting in line with pending adjustment applications or how long it may be before USCIS can process and approve his application. We know this customer is not alone! In response to that customer's request, we are working to make this information available on our Web site.
I understand the importance of becoming a permanent resident. I also recognize workers may rightly want to take advantage of the limited provisions in current law that allow certain applicants to change employers without affecting their ability to adjust status. As a result, USCIS has taken the following steps:
USCIS has increased the emphasis on processing employment-based petitions. Our goal is to complete adjudication on the older I-140 petitions and to process newer petitions within our targeted processing time of four months. We are making progress toward this goal and anticipate reaching this goal by the end of September 2009.
USCIS is issuing employment authorization documents valid for two years, as needed.
USCIS is working with the State Department to make sure we use every available visa number. In 2007, we had more visas available in the family-based categories than were needed, so as permitted by law, we transferred those available family-based visas for use in the employment-based application process.
I recognize that this is a difficult and complex situation and USCIS is working hard to make improvements and to increase transparency in our processes.
Mike Aytes
Acting Deputy Director, USCIS
below is the extract from immigration-law.com
04/25/2009: On-Going USCIS Efforts to Reduce Backlog in Employment-Based Immigration Applications
Lately, I-140 and EB-485 applicants have been receiving envelopes from the Service Centers with their long-awaited approval notices, particularly those cases which were filed during and after the FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco period. Along with the development, information has been released by the stake-holder agencies of the Department of State and the USCIS indicating that there has been efforts on the part of the USCIS to eliminate employment-based immigation backlogs. In releasing the May 2009 Visa Bulletin, the State Department confirmed that the USCIS had been taking out EB visa numbers en masse exhausting all the EB-3 visa numbers available for the rest of FY 2009.
This report is consistent with the information released by the USCIS on its projected processing time to four months for the employment-based I-140 petitions and EB-485 applications by the end of FY 2009, which is September 30, 2009. The goal appears to have contributed to the exhaustion of annually allocated employment-based visa numbers so that no EB visa numbers be unused or wasted by the end of FY 2009. The commitment to this goal of the USCIS is reaffirmed by yesterday's release of Mr. Michael Ayte's report on the employment-based visa processing times in the Leadership Journal of the DHS. Considering a huge backlog and processing delays in the employment-based immigration petitions and 485 applications for almost two years as affected primarily by the FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco, the recent event that evolved in the USCIS processing time change is certainly a welcome news for waiters who have suffered from the past backlogs.
What have tirbuted to this change? The long-term strategy for reduction of processing times for immigration benefits applications appears to be launch of "Transformation Program" that intended to achieve reduction of processing times by turning current paper-based application and processing system into complete electronization system and process focusing on the concept of digital "account" databases within approximately a period of five years. However, this program has experienced a snag. However, lately the DHS disclosed its multi-billion dollar contract with the IBM for two programs. One is to convert all the existing files and date into digitazition and the other is to develop and implement electronic application and processing system. Reportedly, for this purpose, the IBM reenforced its operation in India and the work is underway. However, report indicates that the first phase appears to focus on the digitazation of existing database rather than implementation of electronic application and processing system. Overall, the goal of the contract appears to be completed in the next five years. It thus appears that the current efforts of elimination of backlogs within this fiscal year do not rely on the progress of this program. The big momentum was created by the Congress appropriating fund for USCIS human resources.
gtThanks to the Congress action to give fund for hiring additional 2,000 resources, the USCIS recxruited and trained new hires who joined the USCIS field offices including Service Centers and local district and field offices, initially focusing on the job of elimination of huge naturalization applications. USCIS had been reporting that the hurdle for reduction of employment-based immigration cases was the mountain of naturalization applications that poured in around the time of FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco. Now, the naturalization application backlog is under control, inreased resources are becoming available for the employment-based immigration files. Another important factor that has contributed to the agency's recent move was the implementation name-check reduction agreement between the FBI and the DHS and the USCIS policy to complete adjudicaion of EB-485 applications when the FBI name check failed to complete within 180 days. The third factor that cannot be discounted nor minimized is the new DHS leadership's move and commitment for the elimination of the employment-based immigration case backlogs. As people may recall, the Secretary Napolitano of the DHS issued a directive to report the state of backlogs in the immigration benefit applications and the USCIS leaders plan for reduction or elimination of such backlogs. With all of the above developments combined, the employment-based immgrant community is continuously expected to witness the reduction of processing times, at least for a short term. However, long-term reduction or elimination of EB case processing backlog is likely to depend on success of the IBM contract digitization program of the USCIS. This needs continuing internal and external political support, and we hope that the Congress extends its strong support, particularly considering importance of the successful reengineering program to accomodate the potentially forthcoming avalanche and flood gate opening for case loads for the USCIS when the country passes the Comprehensive Immigration Reform legi
extract from http://www.dhs.gov/journal/leadership
Addressing Employment-Based Visa Wait Times
There have been a lot of comments and questions received from readers about employment-based petitions and related applications for adjustment to lawful permanent residence.
This is a complicated subject, so I want to provide a little background. Becoming a permanent resident based on employment can require a number of steps, including
Mike Aytes
Acting Deputy Director, USCIS
