diptam
01-14 12:35 PM
Within a week of receiving the RFE, USCIS approved my EB3 I-140. It was going beyond limit - 20 months for a process which typically takes 6-8 months !! The last 8 months was most painful - I was been played like a Ping pong ball between NSC,Ombudsman,Congressman Ed Markey's office,My lawyer, My employer and Senator John Kerry's office.
But the at the end of it i would say - Senator John kerry's office really helped. Nebraska touched my case after receiving letter from them only. Congressman Ed Markey's office tried to help and said positive things but probably they don't have that much influence to shake the "laziest of the lazy" USCIS staffs.
My company sent the RFE (dated 12/9/08) reply yesterday 1/7/09 and today they received the package. Within 2 hrs my case status changed to "RFE response received and case resumed"
Lets see how fast USCIS adjudicates now. Just thought of sharing this milestone of my 20 month old I-140 Journey.
But the at the end of it i would say - Senator John kerry's office really helped. Nebraska touched my case after receiving letter from them only. Congressman Ed Markey's office tried to help and said positive things but probably they don't have that much influence to shake the "laziest of the lazy" USCIS staffs.
My company sent the RFE (dated 12/9/08) reply yesterday 1/7/09 and today they received the package. Within 2 hrs my case status changed to "RFE response received and case resumed"
Lets see how fast USCIS adjudicates now. Just thought of sharing this milestone of my 20 month old I-140 Journey.
wallpaper Lea Michele and Dianna Argon
ItIsNotFunny
03-12 04:53 PM
No LUDs. I had not checked my case status in the last 4 months and then I just received this email.
Heartly congratulations! You are my ray of hope!
Heartly congratulations! You are my ray of hope!
Milind123
09-13 03:25 PM
Order Details - Sep 13, 2007 12:40 PM GMT-07:00
Google Order #949176417011663
Thank you for transforming me from :( to :D
I will post my contribution shortly.
Google Order #949176417011663
Thank you for transforming me from :( to :D
I will post my contribution shortly.
2011 Lea Michele, GQ Magazine
ragz4u
03-16 09:06 AM
I just spoke with a CapitolHearings rep and she said she is going to get the technical team in charge of this to look into it
Hopefully it should start soon
They have not heard back from the technical team that does the relaying of live feeds. I'll bug them again in a few minutes
Hopefully it should start soon
They have not heard back from the technical team that does the relaying of live feeds. I'll bug them again in a few minutes
more...
mirage
08-04 03:24 PM
I would request everybody to send out the mails ASAP. This will certainly help....
----------------
Pani, I was not able to upload the word doc. Can you make a word document from this and upload it...
-------------------------------------------------------
To, 08/05/2008
Charles Oppenheim / Visa Section
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
From,
Your Name/Your Address/EB-3 India Applicant
Priority Date: May 2003
Some City,
OK-2#####
Dear Sir/Madam,
Sub: Statistics on Employment Based AOS(Adjustment of Status) applications pending at USCIS under various categories
I am writing to you to express my sense of helplessness over the unpredictability of Visa Number allotment to various employment based category. I want to bring to your attention that it�s been nearly a �Decade� since we saw any meaningful Visa Date movement from year 2001 for EB-3 Green Card applicants from India.
It is important to know that despite of severe visa retrogression and random visa cutoff date movements, USICIS or DOS hasn�t released any official information on how many Adjustment of Status applications are pending at USCIS under various categories which leaves thousands of AOS(Adjustment of Status) applicants in complete darkness and dependent on guessing games by various Law firms.
A green card application requires enormous amount of efforts and money from the beneficiary and his/her employer. People who are waiting for 7-8 years now would have had already spent average $15,000-$20,000, in maintaining their statuses and keep the Green Card process going on. Being stuck in a green card process keeps us bonded with 1 employer, job type etc.
We need to know if there is any light at the end of the tunnel. We need to know for how long we have to live our life in limbo. If there is hope than we need to be patient and plan to live like that for another 1-2 years. But if there�s no light at the end of the tunnel than we need to move on with our careers and other family commitments. Only your office and USCIS can help us by releasing statistics on the number and categories of applications pending with USCIS people waiting in this category can plan their lives accordingly.
It will be a great help if DOS or USCIS could tell us about the number of AOS application pending at USCIS along with their Categories(EB-3, EB-2, EB-1) and chargeable country.
We have been waiting for a decade and continue to wait would it be reasonable to request you for some guidance with regards to the Visa allotment. I request your office to provide some statistics on home many Adjustment of Status applications are pending at USCIS.
We understand that you work with in the limits of the law as set by the Congress and are limited by various constraints that are beyond your agency realm of work. We appreciate your hard work and sincerely thank you for all the hard work.
God Bless America!
Thank you for you attention,
(Your Name OR EB-3 India Applicant )
Priority Date: April 02
Category: EB-3
Member ImmigrationVoice.Org
Copy Sent to
Honorable Secretary of State
Dr. Condoleezza Rice
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Honorable Director, USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20529
Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman
Department of Homeland Security
Attention: Case Problems
Mail Stop 1225
Washington, D.C. 20528-1225
Senator John Cornyn
Chairman - United States Senate Judiciary subCommittee on
Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship
517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-2934
Fax: 202-228-2856
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
Chairwoman - United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship,
Refugees, Border Security, and International Law
102 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone (202) 225-3072
----------------
Pani, I was not able to upload the word doc. Can you make a word document from this and upload it...
-------------------------------------------------------
To, 08/05/2008
Charles Oppenheim / Visa Section
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
From,
Your Name/Your Address/EB-3 India Applicant
Priority Date: May 2003
Some City,
OK-2#####
Dear Sir/Madam,
Sub: Statistics on Employment Based AOS(Adjustment of Status) applications pending at USCIS under various categories
I am writing to you to express my sense of helplessness over the unpredictability of Visa Number allotment to various employment based category. I want to bring to your attention that it�s been nearly a �Decade� since we saw any meaningful Visa Date movement from year 2001 for EB-3 Green Card applicants from India.
It is important to know that despite of severe visa retrogression and random visa cutoff date movements, USICIS or DOS hasn�t released any official information on how many Adjustment of Status applications are pending at USCIS under various categories which leaves thousands of AOS(Adjustment of Status) applicants in complete darkness and dependent on guessing games by various Law firms.
A green card application requires enormous amount of efforts and money from the beneficiary and his/her employer. People who are waiting for 7-8 years now would have had already spent average $15,000-$20,000, in maintaining their statuses and keep the Green Card process going on. Being stuck in a green card process keeps us bonded with 1 employer, job type etc.
We need to know if there is any light at the end of the tunnel. We need to know for how long we have to live our life in limbo. If there is hope than we need to be patient and plan to live like that for another 1-2 years. But if there�s no light at the end of the tunnel than we need to move on with our careers and other family commitments. Only your office and USCIS can help us by releasing statistics on the number and categories of applications pending with USCIS people waiting in this category can plan their lives accordingly.
It will be a great help if DOS or USCIS could tell us about the number of AOS application pending at USCIS along with their Categories(EB-3, EB-2, EB-1) and chargeable country.
We have been waiting for a decade and continue to wait would it be reasonable to request you for some guidance with regards to the Visa allotment. I request your office to provide some statistics on home many Adjustment of Status applications are pending at USCIS.
We understand that you work with in the limits of the law as set by the Congress and are limited by various constraints that are beyond your agency realm of work. We appreciate your hard work and sincerely thank you for all the hard work.
God Bless America!
Thank you for you attention,
(Your Name OR EB-3 India Applicant )
Priority Date: April 02
Category: EB-3
Member ImmigrationVoice.Org
Copy Sent to
Honorable Secretary of State
Dr. Condoleezza Rice
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Honorable Director, USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20529
Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman
Department of Homeland Security
Attention: Case Problems
Mail Stop 1225
Washington, D.C. 20528-1225
Senator John Cornyn
Chairman - United States Senate Judiciary subCommittee on
Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship
517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-2934
Fax: 202-228-2856
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
Chairwoman - United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship,
Refugees, Border Security, and International Law
102 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone (202) 225-3072
bobzibub
07-18 05:20 PM
For the ROW category, the manual seems to indicate that they have a general date (such as in the Visa Bulletin) but I would expect that they have many visa counts for each country..... Anyone have a quick synopsis of how they handle that?
I'm Canada btw....
I'm Canada btw....
more...
nixstor
04-30 03:16 PM
Who is this rep from Chicago? Is that Guiterrez. Ripping apart King's argument.
2010 glee gq. Lea Michele and
lonedesi
08-05 11:16 AM
Don't we need the consent of the petitioner (employer)? Please see the line item # 15.
Yes, you will need the consent of your I-140 petitioner (employer) to send this form. So there is no point in sending the form, if you cannot get your employer to sign it. Basically, its an employer petition and hence Ombudsman's office their consent to assist you.
Yes, you will need the consent of your I-140 petitioner (employer) to send this form. So there is no point in sending the form, if you cannot get your employer to sign it. Basically, its an employer petition and hence Ombudsman's office their consent to assist you.
more...
onemorecame
07-24 12:14 PM
I think I have been very lucky so far. I don't think USCIS processes based on anything concrete, I think it's a little random. Or maybe I am just lucky.
I applied for PERM in Sep 2006 - EB3 - India.
I got approved for PERM in Mar 2007.
I applied for I-140 and I-485 concurrently in Jun 2007.
I-140 got approved July 20, 2007 and on July 23, 2007 I received all 4 receipts for I-140, I-485, EAD and AP. So my approval came before my receipt. I live in California so everything went to Nebraksa.
Lawyers emailed saying they also received the EAD card yesterday July 23, 2007.
Now I have to wait for only AP and Adjustment. And I still have 5 years left on my H1-B (2 years on this visa and then another extension).
So I say, anything is possible. I wake up every morning and pray to USCIS because they made my life better :) :) :)
how did you applied in i-485 on June 2007? or you applied on July 2nd?
I applied for PERM in Sep 2006 - EB3 - India.
I got approved for PERM in Mar 2007.
I applied for I-140 and I-485 concurrently in Jun 2007.
I-140 got approved July 20, 2007 and on July 23, 2007 I received all 4 receipts for I-140, I-485, EAD and AP. So my approval came before my receipt. I live in California so everything went to Nebraksa.
Lawyers emailed saying they also received the EAD card yesterday July 23, 2007.
Now I have to wait for only AP and Adjustment. And I still have 5 years left on my H1-B (2 years on this visa and then another extension).
So I say, anything is possible. I wake up every morning and pray to USCIS because they made my life better :) :) :)
how did you applied in i-485 on June 2007? or you applied on July 2nd?
hair lea michele gq pics.
reedandbamboo
09-13 07:38 PM
The USCIS!!!
more...
austingc
04-28 01:56 PM
its generally the case, where these loan officers doesn't understand the Immigration process.
I also had to go thru it. I would suggest to give them a copy of I-140 approval. that is an approved doc, than a pending I-485.
Good part is, the Underwriters generally know about the immigration process and would take 1-140 approval doc as a valid doc.
Dont worry, your loan will be approved.
Dont worry. I mortgaged through BOA and everything went well with my AOS and I am closing next week.
I also had to go thru it. I would suggest to give them a copy of I-140 approval. that is an approved doc, than a pending I-485.
Good part is, the Underwriters generally know about the immigration process and would take 1-140 approval doc as a valid doc.
Dont worry, your loan will be approved.
Dont worry. I mortgaged through BOA and everything went well with my AOS and I am closing next week.
hot agron lea michele jenna
qualified_trash
05-31 04:41 PM
Did get solved by Andrew Wiles in in the mid-nineties. To read about the history and drama behind this theorem, I suggest reading 'Fermat's Enigma' by Simon Singh. So I guess if that can be solved, PBEC could find a way out for all of us.
thanks for the pointer!! I was aware that Wiles proved it but there was a flaw in his work. was not aware of the subsequent proof.
anyone at PBEC listening??
thanks for the pointer!! I was aware that Wiles proved it but there was a flaw in his work. was not aware of the subsequent proof.
anyone at PBEC listening??
more...
house Lea Michele
hpandey
07-11 11:15 AM
CIR is the Worst thing on the planet for the legals.
Girish - CIR was meant to help the illegals not us folk. I hope we never have to see CIR again . It would just mean millions more ahead in line whereas we who have been waiting for years will be sent to the dustbin.:mad:
Girish - CIR was meant to help the illegals not us folk. I hope we never have to see CIR again . It would just mean millions more ahead in line whereas we who have been waiting for years will be sent to the dustbin.:mad:
tattoo GQ Magazine - November 2010
pitha
07-19 04:09 PM
Guys please enroll for recurring contributions. Its for our own good. Please dont sit under the misconception that since we applied for 485 and we get EAD we might be ok. you are not safe until you have the green card in your hand. durbin, grasley, ron hira are out there to get you, I wont be surprised if they come after EAD once they are done with H1. Please contribute to IV so that we can work on the next leg on the process, be it SKIL or visa number recapture or whatever comes but to do that IV needs money, please contribute so that we can build on the momentum. Junior members, news members you are the new blood please come forward and contribute. To existing members please think about increasing the recurring contribution amount.
more...
pictures Photo: Lea Michele Gq
p1234
09-13 06:46 PM
I want everybody to get their GCs. but now interfiling/porting is hurting out position in the queue.
If you are not aware, a good bunch of EB3s are now trying to interfile & port their PDs which are between 2001 - 2005 to EB2.
This will potentially put tens of thousands of people in the EB2 queue before most people in EB2 who are waiting.
These people were not eligible for EB2 when they filed their own labor.. so they should NOT BE ALLOWED TO PORT THEIR OLD PDs. Sure EB3 can Interfile .. but you will get a new PD ... the date you interfile.
If we just keep looking... there will be a huge retrogression in EB2. And its not like these EB3 people will get through with the interfiling/porting. Most of them will be issued RFEs. Their labor apps will be audited and their primary EB3 apps will be cancelled. Infact, 85% of interfiling will never successfully make it through. And its not like it will help the EB3 brothers. That queue will still be long... because they are not going to withdraw their EB3 apps.
Also, while they will not succeed in interfiling/porting, they still will have their apps with USCIS and USCIS will sit on them before eventually issuing NOID. Sad part is they will count these when giving numbers to DOS for setting visa bulletins.
This PD porting is the last "not so ethical & legal" thing after labor substitution.. that we need to Put a cork on.
If we don't act now... then we can all expect to stay in AOS for the next 5 years. This holds for both EB2 and EB3.
I want everybody to get their GCs. I also am OK with the wait.
But anything that threatens my position in the queue is not acceptable.
Are you July 07 filer who got the EAD out of turn? I bet you are.
And if you are, keep your loud mouth shut! Before you pontificate, look at people and others like you who got in and created a mess!
If you are not aware, a good bunch of EB3s are now trying to interfile & port their PDs which are between 2001 - 2005 to EB2.
This will potentially put tens of thousands of people in the EB2 queue before most people in EB2 who are waiting.
These people were not eligible for EB2 when they filed their own labor.. so they should NOT BE ALLOWED TO PORT THEIR OLD PDs. Sure EB3 can Interfile .. but you will get a new PD ... the date you interfile.
If we just keep looking... there will be a huge retrogression in EB2. And its not like these EB3 people will get through with the interfiling/porting. Most of them will be issued RFEs. Their labor apps will be audited and their primary EB3 apps will be cancelled. Infact, 85% of interfiling will never successfully make it through. And its not like it will help the EB3 brothers. That queue will still be long... because they are not going to withdraw their EB3 apps.
Also, while they will not succeed in interfiling/porting, they still will have their apps with USCIS and USCIS will sit on them before eventually issuing NOID. Sad part is they will count these when giving numbers to DOS for setting visa bulletins.
This PD porting is the last "not so ethical & legal" thing after labor substitution.. that we need to Put a cork on.
If we don't act now... then we can all expect to stay in AOS for the next 5 years. This holds for both EB2 and EB3.
I want everybody to get their GCs. I also am OK with the wait.
But anything that threatens my position in the queue is not acceptable.
Are you July 07 filer who got the EAD out of turn? I bet you are.
And if you are, keep your loud mouth shut! Before you pontificate, look at people and others like you who got in and created a mess!
dresses lea-michele-gq2
BEETU
08-02 05:18 PM
Sirkondoji,
Good job and thank you from my heart if this is going to be true. Please find me one more thing, where can i have info for my wife and son's I 94 going to get it, my H1B extension approved on 28th April 2007. Please.
Thanks
Good job and thank you from my heart if this is going to be true. Please find me one more thing, where can i have info for my wife and son's I 94 going to get it, my H1B extension approved on 28th April 2007. Please.
Thanks
more...
makeup lea michele gq.
susie
07-15 11:30 AM
1 of 2 posts
Default No Protection for Nonimmigrant Children Because of the Age-Out Problem
No Protection for Nonimmigrant Children Because of the Age-Out Problem
The Impact US Immigration Laws on Children
The impact of US immigration laws on children generally is profound. This is due to the fact these laws are complex and are written substantially with adults in mind. Overall the immigrant laws try to balance various and sometimes competing aims including (but in no particular order):
* Improving the economy by providing access to skilled foreign workers and investors;
* Ensuring family unification, for citizens, permanent residents and nonimmigrant residents;
* Promoting diversity, such as through the lottery program; and
* Maintaining the security of the nation, through border controls, immigration checks etc.
This article focuses primarily on the issue of family reunification and looks at one specific area in which the US immigration system is failing; the rights of children. One of the intriguing aspects of US laws is the concept of age outs. This separates two categories of children; those under the age of 21 and those who have attained the age of 21.
For example, in relation to immigrant petitions where a family member is being sponsored, the petition may also apply to the spouse and children of the family member being sponsored, but only where the children are under 21 years of age. Unfortunately, immigrant visa processing can take many years depending on the category of sponsorship and, while the petition is pending, many children age out (turn 21 and are removed from the pending petition). This results in situations where siblings are split because the younger ones can immigrate by the time the petition is processed (because they are still under 21), but the older siblings cannot (because they turned 21 while the immigrant petition was pending). The Child Status Protection Act of 2002 aims to address this issue, but does not deal with all circumstances and is not always appropriately implemented causing many families to split.
Another example, and which this article focuses on, relates to nonimmigrant visa holders. Many nonimmigrant visa categories enable the foreign national (�alien�) visa holder to bring their family with them, including their spouse and children (who are under 21). A child could come to the USA, including when they are babies, be brought up in the USA but when they reach 21, unless they have another right to remain in the country, they are forced to go to their country of citizenship or any other country willing to invite them. However, they would have to leave their home and their family in the USA.
Children as Derivative Nonimmigrant Visa Holders with no Direct Path to Permanent Residency
US immigration laws enable many aliens to come to the USA for various purposes. This includes, but is not limited to:
* Investing in the USA, either directly through an E2 visa or through an expansion of a non-US business into the USA through an L1 visa (which enables intercompany transferees);
* Employment opportunities, so US employers could petition an alien on a nonimmigrant basis (for example H-1B (specialty occupations), H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore Free Trade Agreement) and H-1C (nurses)) or multinational businesses with US operations could transfer an alien to its operations in the USA through an L1 visa;
* Aliens with extraordinary ability or achievement through an O1 visa and other workers to assist in the performance of O1 workers through an O2 visa; and
* Religious workers through an R-1 visa.
The above examples are (non-exhaustive) examples of visas on which aliens enter and reside in the USA for a long-term basis. Such nonimmigrant visa holders may also bring their spouse and/or children with them as nonimmigrant holders. These visas for spouses and children are known as �derivative� visas and are valid for as long as the �principal� visa is valid. For example, if an H-1B employee loses their job without getting a new job, not only do they lose their visa status but so do the derivative visa holders.
At first glance this seems to be a reasonable state of affairs. However, there is a unique, but not uncommon, problem that results from �aging out,� i.e. where children who were under 21 come to the USA but lose their derivative visa status on their 21st birthday. They must leave the USA, in effect their home, unless they have another basis to stay home. They will also be split from their Parents and younger siblings who will be subject to same problem when they turn 21, unless of course they were born in the USA in which case they are US citizens (this right does not apply to the children of any person in the USA in the capacity of a foreign diplomat).
Jack, Mary and Sundeep
Consider this. Two children, Jack and Sundeep, come to the USA from the UK as children, because their respective parents are nonimmigrant visa holders. They have no choice in the matter because separation from their families is clearly not an option.
Jack lives in Detroit, Michigan and lived there ever since he arrived in the USA as a derivative visa holder during his kindergarten years. Sundeep lives in Long Island, New York and arrived in the USA as a derivative visa holder when he was 13. Jack and Sundeep both went to high school in their local areas. Jack went to a State funded school and Sundeep went to a privately-funded school. Both Jack and Sundeep have fully established their lives in the USA.
Jack remembers only his US life since he came at such a young age. He embraces his new life, develops friendships and fully integrates into US society by being schooled under the US system. He has an American accent since he was five. Culturally, he is American in every way. He loves his Pizza, hangs out with his school friends, and loves watching films and playing sports. He does very in school. He maintains a 4.0 GPA, is captain of the football team has been elected class President. He aspires to go to university. He wants in particular to go to the University of Michigan and play for the Michigan Wolverines. He is smart enough and good enough to do both.
Sundeep came to the USA much later. He has clear memories of his life in the UK. At first he found it very difficult to adjust to the new system. He had no friends and had to work hard to build friends. He loves soccer and was a West Ham supporter in the UK. He continues to be so. However, people aren�t into soccer in his school. However, by the time he turns 15, Sundeep has made a lot of effort to change. He is fully comfortable with the school system, has grown to understand and love basketball and football, and has made many friends. He is an above average student academically, but does not really have any aspirations to go to university.
Jack sees himself as American in every way. Sundeep also sees himself as an American but realizes and appreciates he has some differences giving him a unique US-UK-Indian cultural identity. Both fully support America in every way including singing the national anthem whenever the opportunity arises such as in school.
Jack also has younger sister, Mary. She was born in the USA and so has a constitutional (14th Amendment) based right to US citizenship. However both siblings have very different rights. When Jack turns 18 he can�t vote, but Mary can vote when she turns 18. Jack can�t join the military, but Mary can. It�s very strange how two people brought up in the same environment can be subject to very different treatment.
Limited Solutions to Aging Out
Adjustment to Permanent Residency Status
The age out problem can be partly circumvented in various but specific ways. However, this means children who have been in the USA for long periods before turning 21 can be subject to very different treatment, simply based on the type of visa their Parent(s) entered the USA on and the type of visa they currently hold.
For example L1 visa holders and employee visa holders may adjust their status to permanent residency. Their employer may later sponsor them for a new employment-based immigrant visa and once this is processed an employee may adjust, with his or her spouse and children (under 21) to permanent resident status.
Most E-2 visa holders do not have a basis to convert to permanent residency. One rare exception may be where the business expands to an investment value of $500,000 in low employment areas or $1million in all other areas and has 10 permanent employees comprised of US citizens and/or permanent residents. In these circumstances the E-2 visa holder may convert to permanent residency on the basis of an EB-5 application. How many businesses in the USA owned by foreign national meet these criteria? Very few! Another rare exception may be where an E-2 visa holder is a single parent and marries a US citizen so that they may apply for an immigrant visa with the children as derivatives. They have to wait for the visa to be processed by the USCIS, but once approved there is no further wait required with the National Visa Center.
However, the permanent residency solution is exceptional. They do not help the children whose parents remain in nonimmigrant status. Further, even where a Parent does become a permanent resident, it does not help children who already reached 21 before an immigrant petition is approved.
Default No Protection for Nonimmigrant Children Because of the Age-Out Problem
No Protection for Nonimmigrant Children Because of the Age-Out Problem
The Impact US Immigration Laws on Children
The impact of US immigration laws on children generally is profound. This is due to the fact these laws are complex and are written substantially with adults in mind. Overall the immigrant laws try to balance various and sometimes competing aims including (but in no particular order):
* Improving the economy by providing access to skilled foreign workers and investors;
* Ensuring family unification, for citizens, permanent residents and nonimmigrant residents;
* Promoting diversity, such as through the lottery program; and
* Maintaining the security of the nation, through border controls, immigration checks etc.
This article focuses primarily on the issue of family reunification and looks at one specific area in which the US immigration system is failing; the rights of children. One of the intriguing aspects of US laws is the concept of age outs. This separates two categories of children; those under the age of 21 and those who have attained the age of 21.
For example, in relation to immigrant petitions where a family member is being sponsored, the petition may also apply to the spouse and children of the family member being sponsored, but only where the children are under 21 years of age. Unfortunately, immigrant visa processing can take many years depending on the category of sponsorship and, while the petition is pending, many children age out (turn 21 and are removed from the pending petition). This results in situations where siblings are split because the younger ones can immigrate by the time the petition is processed (because they are still under 21), but the older siblings cannot (because they turned 21 while the immigrant petition was pending). The Child Status Protection Act of 2002 aims to address this issue, but does not deal with all circumstances and is not always appropriately implemented causing many families to split.
Another example, and which this article focuses on, relates to nonimmigrant visa holders. Many nonimmigrant visa categories enable the foreign national (�alien�) visa holder to bring their family with them, including their spouse and children (who are under 21). A child could come to the USA, including when they are babies, be brought up in the USA but when they reach 21, unless they have another right to remain in the country, they are forced to go to their country of citizenship or any other country willing to invite them. However, they would have to leave their home and their family in the USA.
Children as Derivative Nonimmigrant Visa Holders with no Direct Path to Permanent Residency
US immigration laws enable many aliens to come to the USA for various purposes. This includes, but is not limited to:
* Investing in the USA, either directly through an E2 visa or through an expansion of a non-US business into the USA through an L1 visa (which enables intercompany transferees);
* Employment opportunities, so US employers could petition an alien on a nonimmigrant basis (for example H-1B (specialty occupations), H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore Free Trade Agreement) and H-1C (nurses)) or multinational businesses with US operations could transfer an alien to its operations in the USA through an L1 visa;
* Aliens with extraordinary ability or achievement through an O1 visa and other workers to assist in the performance of O1 workers through an O2 visa; and
* Religious workers through an R-1 visa.
The above examples are (non-exhaustive) examples of visas on which aliens enter and reside in the USA for a long-term basis. Such nonimmigrant visa holders may also bring their spouse and/or children with them as nonimmigrant holders. These visas for spouses and children are known as �derivative� visas and are valid for as long as the �principal� visa is valid. For example, if an H-1B employee loses their job without getting a new job, not only do they lose their visa status but so do the derivative visa holders.
At first glance this seems to be a reasonable state of affairs. However, there is a unique, but not uncommon, problem that results from �aging out,� i.e. where children who were under 21 come to the USA but lose their derivative visa status on their 21st birthday. They must leave the USA, in effect their home, unless they have another basis to stay home. They will also be split from their Parents and younger siblings who will be subject to same problem when they turn 21, unless of course they were born in the USA in which case they are US citizens (this right does not apply to the children of any person in the USA in the capacity of a foreign diplomat).
Jack, Mary and Sundeep
Consider this. Two children, Jack and Sundeep, come to the USA from the UK as children, because their respective parents are nonimmigrant visa holders. They have no choice in the matter because separation from their families is clearly not an option.
Jack lives in Detroit, Michigan and lived there ever since he arrived in the USA as a derivative visa holder during his kindergarten years. Sundeep lives in Long Island, New York and arrived in the USA as a derivative visa holder when he was 13. Jack and Sundeep both went to high school in their local areas. Jack went to a State funded school and Sundeep went to a privately-funded school. Both Jack and Sundeep have fully established their lives in the USA.
Jack remembers only his US life since he came at such a young age. He embraces his new life, develops friendships and fully integrates into US society by being schooled under the US system. He has an American accent since he was five. Culturally, he is American in every way. He loves his Pizza, hangs out with his school friends, and loves watching films and playing sports. He does very in school. He maintains a 4.0 GPA, is captain of the football team has been elected class President. He aspires to go to university. He wants in particular to go to the University of Michigan and play for the Michigan Wolverines. He is smart enough and good enough to do both.
Sundeep came to the USA much later. He has clear memories of his life in the UK. At first he found it very difficult to adjust to the new system. He had no friends and had to work hard to build friends. He loves soccer and was a West Ham supporter in the UK. He continues to be so. However, people aren�t into soccer in his school. However, by the time he turns 15, Sundeep has made a lot of effort to change. He is fully comfortable with the school system, has grown to understand and love basketball and football, and has made many friends. He is an above average student academically, but does not really have any aspirations to go to university.
Jack sees himself as American in every way. Sundeep also sees himself as an American but realizes and appreciates he has some differences giving him a unique US-UK-Indian cultural identity. Both fully support America in every way including singing the national anthem whenever the opportunity arises such as in school.
Jack also has younger sister, Mary. She was born in the USA and so has a constitutional (14th Amendment) based right to US citizenship. However both siblings have very different rights. When Jack turns 18 he can�t vote, but Mary can vote when she turns 18. Jack can�t join the military, but Mary can. It�s very strange how two people brought up in the same environment can be subject to very different treatment.
Limited Solutions to Aging Out
Adjustment to Permanent Residency Status
The age out problem can be partly circumvented in various but specific ways. However, this means children who have been in the USA for long periods before turning 21 can be subject to very different treatment, simply based on the type of visa their Parent(s) entered the USA on and the type of visa they currently hold.
For example L1 visa holders and employee visa holders may adjust their status to permanent residency. Their employer may later sponsor them for a new employment-based immigrant visa and once this is processed an employee may adjust, with his or her spouse and children (under 21) to permanent resident status.
Most E-2 visa holders do not have a basis to convert to permanent residency. One rare exception may be where the business expands to an investment value of $500,000 in low employment areas or $1million in all other areas and has 10 permanent employees comprised of US citizens and/or permanent residents. In these circumstances the E-2 visa holder may convert to permanent residency on the basis of an EB-5 application. How many businesses in the USA owned by foreign national meet these criteria? Very few! Another rare exception may be where an E-2 visa holder is a single parent and marries a US citizen so that they may apply for an immigrant visa with the children as derivatives. They have to wait for the visa to be processed by the USCIS, but once approved there is no further wait required with the National Visa Center.
However, the permanent residency solution is exceptional. They do not help the children whose parents remain in nonimmigrant status. Further, even where a Parent does become a permanent resident, it does not help children who already reached 21 before an immigrant petition is approved.
girlfriend Lea Michele and Diana Agron in
thomachan72
04-10 12:53 PM
min contribution required is $25 per month
Hi Pappu,
I just joined the 12 mth subscription of $25. Please enroll me into the donor forum. Thanks
Hi Pappu,
I just joined the 12 mth subscription of $25. Please enroll me into the donor forum. Thanks
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bajrangbali
06-11 04:26 PM
I get a big laugh when I read some of the posts mocking each other...
I have expressed my view/gameplan and even mentioned those who like can take anything out of it...
all those who are asking for donation..would you be happy if I donate a 1000$...why not make IV a paysite :D
Anyone who wants to get in have to pay at the gate :D so much for free-forum
I dont want to list here all the charities and social stuff I do just because a bunch of morons demand donation...hahaha sounds like ganesh festival donation demand :D
just know that we all do stuff in our lives oneway or other to give back to society...
And the losers who could get 15% investment and mock other who got more...please grow up...world is much bigger than your box
anyways..since you asked me try a simple investment in wellsfargo around march,april with 100K and figure out how much you get...as they say your attitude is, if you cant do it dont let other do it or just live in denial :)
other guy who was asking for investment advise, I will PM you this evening..goodluck my friend..
I have expressed my view/gameplan and even mentioned those who like can take anything out of it...
all those who are asking for donation..would you be happy if I donate a 1000$...why not make IV a paysite :D
Anyone who wants to get in have to pay at the gate :D so much for free-forum
I dont want to list here all the charities and social stuff I do just because a bunch of morons demand donation...hahaha sounds like ganesh festival donation demand :D
just know that we all do stuff in our lives oneway or other to give back to society...
And the losers who could get 15% investment and mock other who got more...please grow up...world is much bigger than your box
anyways..since you asked me try a simple investment in wellsfargo around march,april with 100K and figure out how much you get...as they say your attitude is, if you cant do it dont let other do it or just live in denial :)
other guy who was asking for investment advise, I will PM you this evening..goodluck my friend..
greencardvow
08-10 01:14 PM
I am also a July 2nd filer. No receipts. No checks cashed. I filed at Nebraska Service Center.
vine93
05-01 04:46 PM
No, he wasn't too specific.
Most of the answers were like We did some mistakes, we are taking new measures, new database , liking state Deptt to USCIS, making progress.
Lets see when that will show results.
Most of the answers were like We did some mistakes, we are taking new measures, new database , liking state Deptt to USCIS, making progress.
Lets see when that will show results.
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