Mike Tyson Tattoos

Thanks so much man! Actually I was all set for Sept 13 but have a work appointment on Sept 18, yet I am even thinking of cancelling that to attend. I don't care how expensive it is. This is historic, just like Martin Luther King's Civil Rights movement! We can make history! It's an investment in our future!

You voted earlier as a sponsor at
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12441

It seems you contributed to the common IV fund since you didn't hear from us in time on that thread. Sorry to hear that!

If you are willing to help with even $50 more, it is more than welcome at this time, as there are people waiting for 50% airfare sponsorships and there aren't enough sponsors.
Please consider.
Anyways, thanks for all your support for the rally!

I don't think 15-20% drop in 5 years is speculative at least not in California. CNN Money actually predicts a 31% drop in prices in East Bay of SF Bay Area! This is probably the worst time to get into housing market, at least in CA.

But I agree with quality of life issue. Even the most luxurious apartment does not compare with a house. Having a backyard and a garage are the biggest and the best things that apartments do not have. Also, having your own house gives you a sense of belonging. Renting a house won't give you the same feeling. Also, I know more than one friend who used to rent a house but had to move out because the landlord decided to sell when the lease was over.

So apartment doesn't offer the same lifestyle and renting a home might make you move every few years involuntarily. Best thing to so for those in CA itching to live in a house would be to rent a house that the owner is very unlikely to attempt selling. Any ideas on how to determine what houses are actually just rental property and and not really targeted for sale?


I agree with some of your points. However each one of us is in a different situation and have different ways of dealing with situations. If you are happy with your current situation including renting, that's well and good for you.

However taking a generalized view of the entire US housing industry and expecting 15-20% drop in 5 years is highly speculative. Such speculation maybe true for some housing markets like California, Arizona, Florida and the East Coast. However its not true for the mid-west where prices have been more stable. Besides job loss can occur even if one is on a GC. Nothing is permanent in this country. You always need mobility and that's the reason you have several professionals living in one city and working in another. Its not the end of the world loosing your job one city. There are always alternatives like the one just described.

I strongly advocate looking at your current situation before thinking about buying a home. The lifestyle and quality of life experienced by living in a home is unmatched even by living in the most luxurious apartment. The security from owning a home comes from knowing your have your own place and mortgages payments you make help you in increasing your equity in the home which can be utilized in the long-run to start a business or investment in other things.

Can you please explain in detail what the RFE was about? What was it that USCIS did not like about your photos?

Thanks!

Dude, You are looking at not getting a RFE based on the pics. Not that picture people or JCPenny takes great pics and make u look like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise.
:D :p
I got 2 RFE's for pictures only. Those are the only 2 RFE's till date for me.
I had real bad experience with digital pics. But there are many people who didnt have any issues. So it is all your luck.

If you have RFE, it sets u back by 2 months for the approval.

Just my 2 cents.....

The lawyer's office are overwhelmed with applications that they need to address. People are worried whether their respective attorney's will file the papers in time. Keeping that situation is perspective, I dont think this initiative is feasible at all, even if it makes sense to a few...

Any one in the same boat?

Congratulations!!!

Dear IV folks,

After a long long 7 years I finally received my Green Card y'day.
If not anything... this process does forcefully teach patience, hope, anger mgnt & gives a new understanding of terms UNFAIR & UNJUST.
My app did experience all the delays ..Backlog centers, company change, date portability, NameCheck..
For expediting Namecheck & Serv. ticket I had written/fax/calls to almost everyone in govt. White House, First Lady, DHS Dir, TSC Dir, USCIS Dir, Senator...
Not sure if anything worked, but finally 180 day rule might have helped.

Finally ...it's a great sense of relief.
I was desperately needing it now as I wanted MBA loan & change of field etc.

Special thanks to pappu,logiclife,berkeleybee,Googler ...you guys are the lighthouses in this long tempest.
It's amazing that someone whom you don't know & have never met, inspire & guide so many others.

All the very best to everyone & I hope everyone gets their GC in a FAIR order - FIFO -.

God bless you all.

-------------------------
IND
140 - Dec 2001 (EB3) BEC
140 - Aug 2005 (EB2) PERM
485 - May 2007

I am more curious to know if you can use the EAD in conjunction with the H1B (working 2 jobs 1 on H1B and one on EAD).

This question was explictly asked by AILA to CIS in one of their monthly calls and CIS said they would get back on this. In other words, at that time, their position on this was not even clear to them.

This is why we see conflicting opinions on this topic from different attorneys. Some say the H-1 is gone and some say it is not.

Personally, I think it is possible to use both simultaneously and I think some people are already doing it.

When is this going for voting?

That is already the law. But this law has been proved to be virtually impossible to enforce. The only practical solution is to deny H1-B's to consulting firms (at least for the positions that require the employee to work at the client location).

All this consultant bashing aside...and while 70% are indeed crooks....there are a lot of Fortune 100 and 500 companies where the entire IT staff is on H1B visas through these same firms.....I wonder who will handle operations if this is banned outright.....there is a reason it is still being allowed despite the abuse....

EB2
PD: May.2004
Name Check pending.

Can you please let us know the URL for the latest name check FAQ posted today.

http://boards.immigrationportal.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=17312&d=1204204596


Questions & Answers
BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY UPDATE
Q1. What applications are affected by this policy change?
A1. Applications included in this policy are:
• I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
• I-601, Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility;
• I-687, Application for Status as a Temporary Resident Under Section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act; and
• I-698, Application to Adjust from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of Public Law 99-603).

Q2. How has USCIS changed its national security requirements?
A2. USCIS has not changed its background check policies for naturalization applications. Recently, the agency did modify its existing guidance for certain applications (see above) where the immigration laws allow for the detention and removal of individuals if actionable information from a FBI name check response is received after approval. No application for lawful permanent residence will be approved until a definitive FBI fingerprint check and Interagency Border Inspection Services (IBIS) check are completed and resolved favorably. (Please refer to the USCIS Immigration Security Checks fact sheet on the USCIS website for more information.)

Q3. How has USCIS changed its adjudications requirements?
A3. For these forms, including applications for lawful permanent residence, USCIS will adjudicate the application based on all required evidence outlined in applicable law and regulation if the application is otherwise approvable, outside of normal processing times, and the FBI name check request has been pending for more than 180 days.
(more)

Q4. What happens if USCIS later receives adverse information from an FBI name check?
A4. In the unlikely event that Department of Homeland Security, (DHS) receives actionable adverse information from the FBI name check after the application is adjudicated, DHS may detain the applicant and initiate removal proceedings.
Q5. Why is this policy being implemented?

A5. This policy change responds to a 2005 DHS Inspector General recommendation that USCIS better align its background check screening policies with those of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Q6. Is this policy consistent with the national security priorities of USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security?
A6. Yes. Applications for lawful permanent residence will not be approved until a definitive FBI fingerprint check and Interagency Border Inspection Services (IBIS) check are completed and resolved favorably. In addition, in the unlikely event that DHS receives actionable adverse information after the application is approved, removal proceedings may be initiated.

Q7. How many applications for lawful permanent residence are immediately affected by this policy change?
A7. USCIS is aware of approximately 47,000 applications for permanent residence (I-485) cases that are otherwise approvable but have an FBI name check pending. A portion of these cases are both outside normal processing times and have an FBI name check that has been pending for more than 180 days. These cases will be subject to processing under the new policy. USCIS anticipates the majority of the cases that can now be adjudicated will be processed by mid-March 2008.

Q8. Does this policy change affect naturalization applications?
A8. No. There is no change in the requirement that FBI name check, FBI fingerprint and Interagency Border Inspection Services (IBIS) check results be obtained and resolved prior to the adjudication of an Application for Naturalization (N-400).

Q9. How long will it take for USCIS to work through the cases affected by the policy change?
A9. USCIS has begun identifying cases affected by this policy modification in each field office and service center. Each office will evaluate the pending cases and will adjust their workload accordingly. USCIS anticipates the majority of the cases subject to this policy modification will be processed by mid-March 2008. We recommend customers wait until March 10 before inquiring about their cases. This will allow each office sufficient time to identify and adjudicate pending cases.
(more)

Q10. The memorandum identifies I-485, I-601, I-687 and I-698 forms. Is there a plan to include other forms, specifically nonimmigrant and naturalization, in this policy?
A10. No.

Q11. Should customers contact USCIS through the 1-800 customer service number or make an INFOPASS appointment to visit their local office if their case is outside of normal processing times and they believe their application meets the criteria of this new policy?
A11. For pending applications outside of normal processing times, we recommend that customers wait until March 10, 2008, before inquiring about cases affected by this policy modification. This will allow each office sufficient time to identify and adjudicate the relevant pending cases. If no action is taken by mid-March, we recommend inquiring with the USCIS customer service line at 1-800-375-5283. This procedure is for customers who have been previously informed that their case is pending due to the FBI name check. (Cases that are still pending within the processing times will be completed when the related adjudication actions are completed.)

Q12. Will USCIS automatically notify an applicant to appear at an Application Support Center, (ASC) if his or her fingerprints have expired?
A12. Applicants will be notified through an appointment notice if new or updated fingerprint checks are needed.
– USCIS –

I know before you start blaming me for this thread, as it is of no use, I would like to point out that most of you must be experiencing the same thing. I didn't care much for Visa bulletin until it became current for EB2 two weeks back. As the time progress, I am doing all sorts of things, like checking USCIS case status, and checking everything that can possibly give me some information. I know that it is waste of time, I know it is not good for health, I know that I will get GC when time comes, but still, my mind is tricking me to think about it. I checked all these forums until 2A.M last night. I am not having enough sleep. I am waiting for a opportunity to get rid of my desi employer. I am really getting frustrated (I am not saying that I have been waiting for GC approval desperately). I just want to share my frustration and what I have been going through. I know I am in a better position than most of other people whose priority date is not even current. I wish they never dangled a carrot in front of me. I am not sure if they disappoint me next month, but I am still keeping my hopes. Hopefully, I would get over this and have enough sleep from today.


Do this: Be happy with what you already have and expect (don�t worry) more good things in life. Just compare with somebody who doesn't even have food, clothes, shelter, health care, etc... in their lives.

You are VERY fortunate to make it to US and living a decent life than most of the Indians.

Cheer up....

EB3-I is a lost hope, i dont think there will be any movement for next 2-3 years. Year 2001, 2002 and 2003 had 185K H1Bs and even if we assume 100K being used by India and all of them applied for GC -(half of them in EB3 to be optimistic). The number would be 50K/year just primary applicants. So, to advance from 2002 with 50K applicants would take---you can guess. There are only ~4000 visas/year for EB3 India.

Yeah I can understand... Well certain things defy logic.... Hope is all life is about :)
I am not trying to sound preachy.... com'on man we do go to casinos even knowing that the probability of winning is acute...

sent fax #10

As far as I know, n2b you are home free!

To he who handed over $7K.....

If you have good documentation of this... then there are some fees that employers are not allowed to pass on to employee (either in part or in whole).

These include things like H1B processing fees.
They might include labor certification fees (required for GC).

Now unless the 50% specifically identifies which fees, I would take it to mean 50% of all. If your were charged for 50% of something that it is illegal to charge for then Department of Labor may pursue both on your behalf and in the public interest. By pursue, I mean get your money back (or some of it) and fine or worse to employer.

So find out what documents you have and where your local dept of labor is, and go and pay the friendly staff a visit.

I know someone that was done out of a few thousand in unpaid overtime. They got his money back for him, even though he only went to them years after, but he had pay slips showing hours worked and money paid. They handled it all for him.

Thank you so much and really appreciate for giving me an idea on how to approach.. I will look into my folders and see what all proof I have in order to defend myself...I know the fact that all my emails communications and shared documents, payslips are still in place and will for sure find something out of it...

Fellas,

Found this news clipping on an Indian newspaper Today. Below is the Link to the news Article and what it says.It's naive to conclude its gonna happen overnight but the issue of getting back our Social security is catching up!!

New Delhi, Dec. 4: India and the United States will discuss the issue of a totalisation agreement next week to allow Indians working in America to avail of social security benefits that they pay while working in the United States. Visiting US secretary, US under-secretary for international trade, Franklin L. Lavin said, United States and India are trying to reach a closure on the matter and the United States will be taking up the matter next week.

Speaking at a function, held in the capital on Monday by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mr Lavin, who is heading the largest-ever US delegation to India of 250 companies, also revealed that the United States has approved the opening of a consulate in Hyderabad to encourage business with the State.

Noting that the US was looking at various ways to make business with India easier, Mr Lavin said, the idea was to have an independent economic relation. �We have consistently said that companies have to be serious about doing business with India on a standalone basis. It is not a question of whether to invest in India or Brazil or China, but a necessity. We want to make it easier to do business with India,� Mr Lavin said.

On the Doha round of talks of the World Trade Organisation, Mr Lavin said, �We can expect an outcome if Brussels, New Delhi and we, each show our willingness to take things forward.� He also said that several initiatives have resulted in greater Indo-US business cooperation.

These include the Open Skies Agreement in civil aviation, as a result of which passenger traffic has increased 60 per cent in the last one year, reduction of tariffs on industrial goods, a raise in investment caps in retail by India and efforts to liberalise entry of foreign education institutes. Mr Lavin, however, pointed out that there are a number of challenges facing India-US business ties.

Link:
http://www.deccan.com/Nation/NationalNews.asp#Hyderabad%20to%20get%20US%20consu late%20soon

Lou Dobbs does not care about legal high skilled immigrants he no longer refers to H1bs as H1bs but rather as "cheap foreign labor". His wife is Mexican-American but he does not hesistate to attack Mexico and any vulnerable immigrant group, for that, he makes over $6m a year for his rhetoric, he has even gone as far as being linked to hate groups and supremacist organizations. Media matters is an organization that exposes Lou Dobbs' lies, next time Lou Dobbs or Fox (the channel) attacks legal high skilled immigrants and does so using falsehoods, it would not be out of order for IV members to contact Media Matters and set out the truth.

Media Matters' Lou Dobbs section:
http://mediamatters.org/issues_topics/shows/loudobbstonight

Here is a recent attack on undocumented "DREAM act" students exposed by Media Matters:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200707060009?f=h_latest

rajakannan , since you started the thread and you called for this, please tell us the plan and strategy. What do you think will be the best option so we can spread the word?

For NSC
--------


I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)] March 26, 2007


Thanks, Laborday! They're on the same time unfortunately:(

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qP79UslTUr8

Please take a moment to view it, and post your comments. Should we not try to make this one of the most watched videos?