teachamerica07
01-30 08:11 AM
Your priority date is 07 , Eb3 I . How can your daughter's 485 be approved by USCIS?
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shana04
08-09 12:55 PM
1. How do you know that we are not approving 2004 cases? Just that you didn't got your approval doesn't mean that we are not approving 2004 cases.
2. There are not that many 2004 cases, so we are approving 2005 and 2006 cases.
3. We divided cases into 3 boxes : 2004, 2005, 2006. It must be a case that IO's assigned to 2006 are working faster and efficiently.
4. We received so many 2006 I-485 applications on 07/02/2007. We are just processing by Receive Date.
5. We made a policy to approve I-485 cases bases on I-140 approval dates. Since we have many cases with old I-140 approval cases that happened to be with earlier priority dates, we are approving them now.
6. There are so many FBI name check hits on 2004 cases. All name hits will be processed later.
7. Oops... we sorted all cases that can be approved, by descending order. Sorry!
8. Time and again we want to approve that we can do anything we want.
9. All EB2 perm cases are really frustrated EB3 cases that have an older EB3 priority dates. We just wanted to be fair to them.
10. Yikes! Dog ate all 2004 cases.
11. Ding, these 2003, 2004 and Early 2005 boxes are under these 2006 boxes that we are too lazy to pick them up.
2. There are not that many 2004 cases, so we are approving 2005 and 2006 cases.
3. We divided cases into 3 boxes : 2004, 2005, 2006. It must be a case that IO's assigned to 2006 are working faster and efficiently.
4. We received so many 2006 I-485 applications on 07/02/2007. We are just processing by Receive Date.
5. We made a policy to approve I-485 cases bases on I-140 approval dates. Since we have many cases with old I-140 approval cases that happened to be with earlier priority dates, we are approving them now.
6. There are so many FBI name check hits on 2004 cases. All name hits will be processed later.
7. Oops... we sorted all cases that can be approved, by descending order. Sorry!
8. Time and again we want to approve that we can do anything we want.
9. All EB2 perm cases are really frustrated EB3 cases that have an older EB3 priority dates. We just wanted to be fair to them.
10. Yikes! Dog ate all 2004 cases.
11. Ding, these 2003, 2004 and Early 2005 boxes are under these 2006 boxes that we are too lazy to pick them up.
amalshe
08-24 03:23 PM
Hi guys,
I know J Barrett has been a star of this forum for a while.
I just wanted to check if anyone in a similar situation as mine as received any update on their 485.
140 approved from TSC in May 2006; LUD on 7/28
485 received at NSC on July 2, 2007
485 received and Signed for by J Barrett at 10:25 AM
Thanks.
I know J Barrett has been a star of this forum for a while.
I just wanted to check if anyone in a similar situation as mine as received any update on their 485.
140 approved from TSC in May 2006; LUD on 7/28
485 received at NSC on July 2, 2007
485 received and Signed for by J Barrett at 10:25 AM
Thanks.
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das0
03-09 12:59 PM
Hi,
Currently i am working for a for-profit company on F1-OPT until April-07 (when my OPT expires)
This company will file H1B for me on April 1st for start date of Oct 1st and consequently, i will be out of job for 5 months (May-Sept).
Previously the company said that they will put be on Leave of Absense (LOA) for this 5 month gap until my H1b start-date kicks off on Oct 1st but now,
they are telling me that i will be terminated at April but will be hired again on Oct 1st and they will not put me on LOA.
1. Is there any way i can protect my job as they are terminating me now and then promising me to re-hire again on Oct 1st?
2. Should i ask for a job offer later stating a new hire date of Oct 1st?
3. Anything i am missing here? -- concerned that they first told me i will be on LOA but now telling me i will be terminated and again re-hired.
Note: The company is paying for both atorney and H1b fees and for this 5 month gap, i will be on H4, so no need to leave US.
Will appreciate any feedback on my 3 questions/concerns above - than ks.
Currently i am working for a for-profit company on F1-OPT until April-07 (when my OPT expires)
This company will file H1B for me on April 1st for start date of Oct 1st and consequently, i will be out of job for 5 months (May-Sept).
Previously the company said that they will put be on Leave of Absense (LOA) for this 5 month gap until my H1b start-date kicks off on Oct 1st but now,
they are telling me that i will be terminated at April but will be hired again on Oct 1st and they will not put me on LOA.
1. Is there any way i can protect my job as they are terminating me now and then promising me to re-hire again on Oct 1st?
2. Should i ask for a job offer later stating a new hire date of Oct 1st?
3. Anything i am missing here? -- concerned that they first told me i will be on LOA but now telling me i will be terminated and again re-hired.
Note: The company is paying for both atorney and H1b fees and for this 5 month gap, i will be on H4, so no need to leave US.
Will appreciate any feedback on my 3 questions/concerns above - than ks.
more...
mdipi0
11-17 09:52 PM
hey, i just found out i have this account?
pankajkakkar
10-23 01:50 AM
Hi all,
The WA state chapter will meet on Oct 31st from 6:30 - 7:30 PM at the Fairwood Library in Renton, WA. Here are directions to the library: http://www.kcls.org/fairwood/directions.cfm. We will meet in Meeting Room A.
This is your chance to get to know fellow WA state chapter members of IV! If you didn't go to the rally, for whatever reason, this is how you can get involved at a local level. Do come, introduce yourselves, and meet everyone else.
Thanks,
The WA state chapter will meet on Oct 31st from 6:30 - 7:30 PM at the Fairwood Library in Renton, WA. Here are directions to the library: http://www.kcls.org/fairwood/directions.cfm. We will meet in Meeting Room A.
This is your chance to get to know fellow WA state chapter members of IV! If you didn't go to the rally, for whatever reason, this is how you can get involved at a local level. Do come, introduce yourselves, and meet everyone else.
Thanks,
more...
raj3078
07-27 12:40 PM
I left it blank and specifically asked my attorney if i can leave it blank , he said its ok .
If it is filled, it is okay, not filled, still it is okay... Its probably more important for East Asian countries who do not work in English such as Korea or China. For the places which works in English, its no big deal...
Please note that the form is intended to help Law Agencis in USA such as FBI/CIA to find authenticate the info provided by you. They might contact your home country cops to find out more about you. In case where home country cop may not know English, they would want to know native lang name so that Home Country cop can read it....Most places can read-write English now a days....So this is not an issue....
I think this is somewhat legacy requirement which was important 40 years back but not anymore
If it is filled, it is okay, not filled, still it is okay... Its probably more important for East Asian countries who do not work in English such as Korea or China. For the places which works in English, its no big deal...
Please note that the form is intended to help Law Agencis in USA such as FBI/CIA to find authenticate the info provided by you. They might contact your home country cops to find out more about you. In case where home country cop may not know English, they would want to know native lang name so that Home Country cop can read it....Most places can read-write English now a days....So this is not an issue....
I think this is somewhat legacy requirement which was important 40 years back but not anymore
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jonty_11
07-05 04:31 PM
labor Substitution ....Heloooo!!!!
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logiclife
02-04 01:29 PM
Its very unlikely that the body/staff of USCIS that is currently processing 485 and doing a really pathetic job of approving 140,000 I-485 files a year today is going to be assigned the job of processing 11 million illegals.
If that were to happen, those illegals would die of old age before being processing by the USCIS.
They would setup another office, actually many office to process these illegals, 11 million. That is most likely to happen. Besides, they would not be eating away from EB greencard quota. There simply isnt enough in there to do that. And I am sure lawmakers are not going to point 11 million people to eat out of a quota of 140,000 a year. That would take 70 years to process just illlegals. Do you think congress would pass an immigration reform bill that solves this problem of 11 million current illegals in 70 years?
--logiclife.
If that were to happen, those illegals would die of old age before being processing by the USCIS.
They would setup another office, actually many office to process these illegals, 11 million. That is most likely to happen. Besides, they would not be eating away from EB greencard quota. There simply isnt enough in there to do that. And I am sure lawmakers are not going to point 11 million people to eat out of a quota of 140,000 a year. That would take 70 years to process just illlegals. Do you think congress would pass an immigration reform bill that solves this problem of 11 million current illegals in 70 years?
--logiclife.
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gveerab
09-12 05:19 PM
Last month I filed using E-file system and got the AP within a month, I am very happy with E-file system. I used for both EAD and AP. Some people said we need to give fingerprints, if we file using e-file. But I didn't receive finger print notice.
Below are the answers for your questions
1) AP is a permission to travel, if you are not planning to travel plans need not renew. But it's good idea to renew, for emergency purpose. You need not worry about expiry date, it's not a Visa. EAD also same, I applied after my first EAD expired and got the new EAD.
2) I am not sure about your second question, but if you use e-file,system will take care for u.
3) You need not enter Attorney's name, you need to enter your name in self filing section. All the future communication including approval and receipt will come to you.
Thanks,
Veera
Hi,
I am applying for AP Renewal for myself and my wife. Can someone please send me the information on the following.
1. AP is expiring on September 20th. Can I file even after the expiry of the AP?
2. I am in AL.So, I need to be sending the application to Texas Service Center. But I am confused on where to send the documents? I will be sending by FedEx or UPS?
3. When I prepare the documents, do I enter Part 9, Signature of person preparing the form, if other than the application?
4. Last year our attorney filed the application and I have a copy of that application. I see "Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative" form. I am sure I dont have to file that now but do I need to do anything so that I get the receipt/approval notices instead of going to the Attorney Office?
Thank you.
Below are the answers for your questions
1) AP is a permission to travel, if you are not planning to travel plans need not renew. But it's good idea to renew, for emergency purpose. You need not worry about expiry date, it's not a Visa. EAD also same, I applied after my first EAD expired and got the new EAD.
2) I am not sure about your second question, but if you use e-file,system will take care for u.
3) You need not enter Attorney's name, you need to enter your name in self filing section. All the future communication including approval and receipt will come to you.
Thanks,
Veera
Hi,
I am applying for AP Renewal for myself and my wife. Can someone please send me the information on the following.
1. AP is expiring on September 20th. Can I file even after the expiry of the AP?
2. I am in AL.So, I need to be sending the application to Texas Service Center. But I am confused on where to send the documents? I will be sending by FedEx or UPS?
3. When I prepare the documents, do I enter Part 9, Signature of person preparing the form, if other than the application?
4. Last year our attorney filed the application and I have a copy of that application. I see "Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative" form. I am sure I dont have to file that now but do I need to do anything so that I get the receipt/approval notices instead of going to the Attorney Office?
Thank you.
more...
venky08
06-24 03:39 PM
thanks ArkBird, desi3933, cvk90, gc_lover for your replies...i will talk to my lawyer on Monday...and go with his advice...
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rajuram
01-25 06:46 PM
The Senate and the house may be passing the tax refund bill soon (due to slowing economy). There is lot of pressure on the government to act soon.
Can we get them to attach atleast one of our provisions with these bills - the most important and non controversial being recapture of unused visa numbers.
Just a suggestion................I know there is no dearth of suggestions.
Can we get them to attach atleast one of our provisions with these bills - the most important and non controversial being recapture of unused visa numbers.
Just a suggestion................I know there is no dearth of suggestions.
more...
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ita
12-08 03:32 PM
When you are with the same company that files your GC (not Ac21) is it fine if the amount on W2 (for each year) is less than the amount mentioned on the LC. Is there a safe zone bracket . Since GC is for future job I was wondering if it is a must that the W2 should reflect the amount that is more or at least same as the amount on the LC.
Thank you.
Thank you.
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nb_des
09-20 04:04 PM
Even I don't see it. Seems like they have removed it.
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mattresscoil
10-15 02:24 PM
Hello,
I am currently working as full time and planning to move to consulting. I have the below questions
(i) I know its a bit risky to move to consulting right now compared to Fulltime, but still i See the H1 petetions for most of consutling companies are getting approved.
Do you think is it OK to move to consulting from Full time?
(ii)As client letter is mandatory these dayz, whats the best approach to apply for transfer? Like e finding the project and proceed for premium processing
Thanks
sshrika:
I think you are positioned well with a full time position and income.
Here is what I would suggest. Continue with your full time job and on the side start looking for a job and make sure that you get hold of good consulting company(ies). If they find you a position, they will/may file for the H1B Xfer. Once the H1b exfer is complete, you can go an join them.
This is all easy said than done. You will have to find a position where the client is willing to wait for your H1B approval and etc. Since you are already on an H1B all you need is a receipt number for the new H1B, but it is getting tricky with denials these days. You dont want to leave your existing full time job and join the consulting company only to realise that the H1B xfer did not go through.
Best wishes
Mattresscoil!!
I am currently working as full time and planning to move to consulting. I have the below questions
(i) I know its a bit risky to move to consulting right now compared to Fulltime, but still i See the H1 petetions for most of consutling companies are getting approved.
Do you think is it OK to move to consulting from Full time?
(ii)As client letter is mandatory these dayz, whats the best approach to apply for transfer? Like e finding the project and proceed for premium processing
Thanks
sshrika:
I think you are positioned well with a full time position and income.
Here is what I would suggest. Continue with your full time job and on the side start looking for a job and make sure that you get hold of good consulting company(ies). If they find you a position, they will/may file for the H1B Xfer. Once the H1b exfer is complete, you can go an join them.
This is all easy said than done. You will have to find a position where the client is willing to wait for your H1B approval and etc. Since you are already on an H1B all you need is a receipt number for the new H1B, but it is getting tricky with denials these days. You dont want to leave your existing full time job and join the consulting company only to realise that the H1B xfer did not go through.
Best wishes
Mattresscoil!!
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marcus12
01-26 05:17 PM
Hello Guys help me out
I have been in USA from last 3 years on student visa. I was first in 1 university and finished my Masters there and than moved to other university for 2nd master
Between the gap of transferring the school I started a small business online which went off good and is still going on. the beauty of business is that its everything online so it does not matter if I stay in USA or not.
Real problem is here: I just got engaged and getting married in June. So my wish is to bring my wife here for few months, show her around and than go back permanently.
University in which I am doing 2nd MS is not accredited and giving me hard time by saying that they will drop me off if I dont concentrate. Now I cannot go to school and attend classes because I have to handle the business.
Now I am thinking of leaving USA in April and leave the school too from between. These will give the end to student visa and the fees which I am paying every semester. Than I am thinking to apply back as a visitor visa in August which I will get for 10 years.
I dont want to stay here in USA just want to come from time to time as I like it here. My question is should I continue school and bring my wife on dependent visa or should I leave the school and apply for tourist visa again?
I see more changes in 2nd one because consulate can also understand that I didnt wanted to stay in USA even when my student visa was valid so why I will overstay on Tourist visa. Also I have good balance and good properties In India by my name. I am the only son to my parents
So I dont see any reason to get rejected?. But please give your suggestion
I have been in USA from last 3 years on student visa. I was first in 1 university and finished my Masters there and than moved to other university for 2nd master
Between the gap of transferring the school I started a small business online which went off good and is still going on. the beauty of business is that its everything online so it does not matter if I stay in USA or not.
Real problem is here: I just got engaged and getting married in June. So my wish is to bring my wife here for few months, show her around and than go back permanently.
University in which I am doing 2nd MS is not accredited and giving me hard time by saying that they will drop me off if I dont concentrate. Now I cannot go to school and attend classes because I have to handle the business.
Now I am thinking of leaving USA in April and leave the school too from between. These will give the end to student visa and the fees which I am paying every semester. Than I am thinking to apply back as a visitor visa in August which I will get for 10 years.
I dont want to stay here in USA just want to come from time to time as I like it here. My question is should I continue school and bring my wife on dependent visa or should I leave the school and apply for tourist visa again?
I see more changes in 2nd one because consulate can also understand that I didnt wanted to stay in USA even when my student visa was valid so why I will overstay on Tourist visa. Also I have good balance and good properties In India by my name. I am the only son to my parents
So I dont see any reason to get rejected?. But please give your suggestion
more...
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texasguy
06-15 08:58 AM
Hi All,
Will we run into any problems for GC replacement since we do not have a photocopy of our GCs? We have photocopies of the approval notices. We know our alien number and SRC numbers since they are the same as listed when we apply for 485. We are hoping to get our passport stamped after we get our passports.
We are hoping to show our tax records as additional proof.
Thanks for all your help.
Will we run into any problems for GC replacement since we do not have a photocopy of our GCs? We have photocopies of the approval notices. We know our alien number and SRC numbers since they are the same as listed when we apply for 485. We are hoping to get our passport stamped after we get our passports.
We are hoping to show our tax records as additional proof.
Thanks for all your help.
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andy.jones110
10-11 10:32 PM
Hi srinivas72,
1.Do you got your Visa Transferred?
2.H1B Extension, I94 Expired, H1B transfer before H1B extension. When can I start working with new employer ..after getting receipt or after getting approval.?
Thanks in advance.
1.Do you got your Visa Transferred?
2.H1B Extension, I94 Expired, H1B transfer before H1B extension. When can I start working with new employer ..after getting receipt or after getting approval.?
Thanks in advance.
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ivamember
01-25 04:55 PM
I am in a distress please help me. I attended the US consulate for a new H1B Visa. The visa was refused under 221(g). The reason mentioned for the refusal was:
Your petitioner does not appear to be either able or willing to provide qualifying employment in the United States in accordance with appropriate laws and regulations.
VO mentioned the documents will be sent back to USCIS. Pretty much kept all the documents like I-797, I 129, petition documents, certificates, client agreement, etc.
They mentioned the candidate profile is good but they have doubts about the employer. As far as I know and through my research the employer is good and have all the necessary documents correct. There is nothing wrong in the documentation and every thing is as per stipulated guidelines.
The employer has a good employeee strength and I had good feed back from other employees as well. I am pretty sure the employer is in a position to employ and provide the salary. I do not know on what basis the USCIS has come to conclusion that the employer is not qualified. Only few days back there were two visas granted for the same employer.
Please advise me what to do next. I need to do things urgently as I do not have enough time left (only few months ) on the H1 B Validity.
1. Do I need to send a mail to Consulate asking the specific reasons for denial?
2. Do I need to write to the senator or some one about this?
3. Do I need to consult an attorney about and re-request for a review of the petition?
4. Do I need to ask the employer anything specific.
I have been banking on this opportunity for the last two years and had planned everything hoping everything will go smooth. I am in a distress. Please advise me the next steps urgently so I dont loose the opportunity.
Your petitioner does not appear to be either able or willing to provide qualifying employment in the United States in accordance with appropriate laws and regulations.
VO mentioned the documents will be sent back to USCIS. Pretty much kept all the documents like I-797, I 129, petition documents, certificates, client agreement, etc.
They mentioned the candidate profile is good but they have doubts about the employer. As far as I know and through my research the employer is good and have all the necessary documents correct. There is nothing wrong in the documentation and every thing is as per stipulated guidelines.
The employer has a good employeee strength and I had good feed back from other employees as well. I am pretty sure the employer is in a position to employ and provide the salary. I do not know on what basis the USCIS has come to conclusion that the employer is not qualified. Only few days back there were two visas granted for the same employer.
Please advise me what to do next. I need to do things urgently as I do not have enough time left (only few months ) on the H1 B Validity.
1. Do I need to send a mail to Consulate asking the specific reasons for denial?
2. Do I need to write to the senator or some one about this?
3. Do I need to consult an attorney about and re-request for a review of the petition?
4. Do I need to ask the employer anything specific.
I have been banking on this opportunity for the last two years and had planned everything hoping everything will go smooth. I am in a distress. Please advise me the next steps urgently so I dont loose the opportunity.
pdakwala
04-29 12:00 AM
Thanks for your continuous support.
Who says that we will not succeed in removing the current retrogression.
Who says that IV can not achieve anything.
When you do some thing from the heart you can't go wrong. IV members are contributing second, third, fourth and some even fifth time. This shows the confidence level. Keep it up. You all have made us proud immigrants.
Thanks to all those who have contributed.
Who says that we will not succeed in removing the current retrogression.
Who says that IV can not achieve anything.
When you do some thing from the heart you can't go wrong. IV members are contributing second, third, fourth and some even fifth time. This shows the confidence level. Keep it up. You all have made us proud immigrants.
Thanks to all those who have contributed.
Blog Feeds
02-05 06:40 PM
AILA Leadership Has Just Posted the Following:
By Eleanor Pelta, AILA First Vice President
H-1B workers certainly seem to be under fire these days on many fronts. A new memo issued by USCIS on the employer-employee relationship imposes new extra-regulatory regulations on the types of activities in which H-1B workers can engage as well as the types of enterprises that can petition for H-1B workers. The memo targets the consulting industry directly, deftly slips in a new concept that seems to prohibit H-1B petitions for employer-owners of businesses, and will surely constitute an open invitation to the Service Centers to hit H-1B petitioners with a new slew of kitchen-sink RFE's. On another front, USCIS continues to make unannounced H-1B site visits, often repeatedly to the same employer. Apart from the "in-terrorem" impact of such visits, I personally cannot see the utility of three different visits to the same employer, particularly after the first one or two visits show that the employer is fully compliant.
But USCIS isn't the only agency that is rigorously targeting H-1B's. An AILA member recently reported that CBP pulled newly-arrived Indian nationals holding H-1B visas out of an immigration inspection line and reportedly placed them in Expedited Removal. The legal basis of those actions is still unclear. However, the tactic is too close to racial profiling for my own comfort.
Finally, recent H-1B "skirmishes" include various U.S. consular posts in India issuing "pink letters" that are, simply put, consular "RFE's" appearing to question the bona fides of the H-1B and requesting information on a host of truly repetitive and/or irrelevant topics. Much of the information that is routinely requested on a pink letter is already in the copy of the H-1B visa petition. Some of the letters request payroll information for all employees of the sponsoring company, a ridiculous request in most instances, particularly for major multi-national companies. One of the most frustrating actions we are seeing from consular officers in this context is the checking off or highlighting of every single category of additional information on the form letter, whether directly applicable or not, in effect a "paper wall" that must be overcome before an applicant can have the H-1B visa issued. Very discouraging to both employer and employee.
How have we come to a point in time where the H-1B category in and of itself is so disdained and mistrusted? Of course I'm aware that instances of fraud have cast this category in a bad light. But I think that vehemence of the administrative attack on the H-1B category is so disproportionate to the actual statistics about fraud. And interestingly, the disproportionate heavy-handed administrative reaction comes not from the agency specifically tasked with H-1B enforcement�the Department of Labor�but from CIS, CBP and State. Sometimes I just have to shake my head and ask myself what makes people so darn angry about a visa category that, at bottom, is designed to bring in relatively tiny number of really smart people to work in U.S. businesses of any size. It has to be a reaction against something else.
Yes, a great number of IT consultants come to the US on H-1B's. It is important to remember that so many of these individuals are extremely well-educated, capable people, working in an industry in which there are a large number of high profile players. And arguably, the high profile consulting companies have the most at stake if they do not focus on compliance, as they are the easiest enforcement target and they need their business model to work in the U.S. in order to survive. Some people may not like the business model, although arguably IT consulting companies provide needed services that allow US businesses, such as banks and insurance companies to focus on their own core strengths. Like it or not, though, this business model is perfectly legal under current law, and the agencies that enforce our immigration laws have no business trying to eviscerate it by policy or a pattern of discretionary actions.
It is true that some IT consulting companies' practices have been the focus of fraud investigations. But DOL has stringent rules in place to deal with the bad guys. Benching H-1B workers without pay, paying below the prevailing wage, sending H-1B workers on long-term assignments to a site not covered by an LCA�these are the practices we most often hear about, and every single one of these is a violation of an existing regulation that could be enforced by the Department of Labor. When an employer violates wage and hour rules, DOL investigates the practices and enforces the regulations against that employer. But no one shuts down an entire industry as a result.
And the IT consulting industry is not the only user of the H-1B visa. Let's not forget how many other critical fields use H-1B workers. In my own career alone, I have seen H-1B petitions for nanoscientists, ornithologists, CEO's of significant not for profit organizations, teachers, applied mathematicians, risk analysts, professionals involved in pharmaceutical research and development, automotive designers, international legal experts, film editors, microimaging engineers. H-1B's are valuable to small and large businesses alike, arguably even more to that emerging business that needs one key expert to develop a new product or service and get the business off the ground.
The assault on H-1B's is not only offensive, it's dangerous. Here's why:
H-1B's create jobs�statistics show that 5 jobs are created in the U.S. for every H-1B worker hired. An administrative clamp-down in the program will hinder this job creation. And think about the valuable sharing of skills and expertise between H-1B workers and U.S. workers�this is lost when companies are discouraged from using the program.
The anti-H-1B assault dissuades large businesses from conducting research and development in the US, and encourages the relocation of those facilities in jurisdictions that are friendlier to foreign professionals.
The anti-H-1B assault chills the formation of small businesses in the US, particularly in emerging technologies. This will most certainly be one of the long-term results of USCIS' most recent memo.
The attack on H-1B's offends our friends and allies in the world. An example: Earlier this year India �one of the U.S.'s closest allies --announced new visa restrictions on foreign nationals working there. Surely the treatment of Indian national H-1B workers at the hands of our agencies involved in the immigration process would not have escaped the attention of the Indian government as they issued their own restrictions.
The increasing challenges in the H-1B program may have the effect of encouraging foreign students who were educated in the U.S. to seek permanent positions elsewhere.
Whatever the cause of the visceral reaction against H-1B workers might be�whether it stems from a fear that fraud will become more widespread or whether it is simply a broader reaction against foreign workers that often raises its head during any down economy �I sincerely hope that the agencies are able to gain some perspective on the program that allows them to treat legitimate H-1B employers and employees with the respect they deserve and to effectively enforce against those who are non-compliant, rather than casting a wide net and treating all H-1B users as abusers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/186823568153827945-7575642888668204601?l=ailaleadership.blogspot.com
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By Eleanor Pelta, AILA First Vice President
H-1B workers certainly seem to be under fire these days on many fronts. A new memo issued by USCIS on the employer-employee relationship imposes new extra-regulatory regulations on the types of activities in which H-1B workers can engage as well as the types of enterprises that can petition for H-1B workers. The memo targets the consulting industry directly, deftly slips in a new concept that seems to prohibit H-1B petitions for employer-owners of businesses, and will surely constitute an open invitation to the Service Centers to hit H-1B petitioners with a new slew of kitchen-sink RFE's. On another front, USCIS continues to make unannounced H-1B site visits, often repeatedly to the same employer. Apart from the "in-terrorem" impact of such visits, I personally cannot see the utility of three different visits to the same employer, particularly after the first one or two visits show that the employer is fully compliant.
But USCIS isn't the only agency that is rigorously targeting H-1B's. An AILA member recently reported that CBP pulled newly-arrived Indian nationals holding H-1B visas out of an immigration inspection line and reportedly placed them in Expedited Removal. The legal basis of those actions is still unclear. However, the tactic is too close to racial profiling for my own comfort.
Finally, recent H-1B "skirmishes" include various U.S. consular posts in India issuing "pink letters" that are, simply put, consular "RFE's" appearing to question the bona fides of the H-1B and requesting information on a host of truly repetitive and/or irrelevant topics. Much of the information that is routinely requested on a pink letter is already in the copy of the H-1B visa petition. Some of the letters request payroll information for all employees of the sponsoring company, a ridiculous request in most instances, particularly for major multi-national companies. One of the most frustrating actions we are seeing from consular officers in this context is the checking off or highlighting of every single category of additional information on the form letter, whether directly applicable or not, in effect a "paper wall" that must be overcome before an applicant can have the H-1B visa issued. Very discouraging to both employer and employee.
How have we come to a point in time where the H-1B category in and of itself is so disdained and mistrusted? Of course I'm aware that instances of fraud have cast this category in a bad light. But I think that vehemence of the administrative attack on the H-1B category is so disproportionate to the actual statistics about fraud. And interestingly, the disproportionate heavy-handed administrative reaction comes not from the agency specifically tasked with H-1B enforcement�the Department of Labor�but from CIS, CBP and State. Sometimes I just have to shake my head and ask myself what makes people so darn angry about a visa category that, at bottom, is designed to bring in relatively tiny number of really smart people to work in U.S. businesses of any size. It has to be a reaction against something else.
Yes, a great number of IT consultants come to the US on H-1B's. It is important to remember that so many of these individuals are extremely well-educated, capable people, working in an industry in which there are a large number of high profile players. And arguably, the high profile consulting companies have the most at stake if they do not focus on compliance, as they are the easiest enforcement target and they need their business model to work in the U.S. in order to survive. Some people may not like the business model, although arguably IT consulting companies provide needed services that allow US businesses, such as banks and insurance companies to focus on their own core strengths. Like it or not, though, this business model is perfectly legal under current law, and the agencies that enforce our immigration laws have no business trying to eviscerate it by policy or a pattern of discretionary actions.
It is true that some IT consulting companies' practices have been the focus of fraud investigations. But DOL has stringent rules in place to deal with the bad guys. Benching H-1B workers without pay, paying below the prevailing wage, sending H-1B workers on long-term assignments to a site not covered by an LCA�these are the practices we most often hear about, and every single one of these is a violation of an existing regulation that could be enforced by the Department of Labor. When an employer violates wage and hour rules, DOL investigates the practices and enforces the regulations against that employer. But no one shuts down an entire industry as a result.
And the IT consulting industry is not the only user of the H-1B visa. Let's not forget how many other critical fields use H-1B workers. In my own career alone, I have seen H-1B petitions for nanoscientists, ornithologists, CEO's of significant not for profit organizations, teachers, applied mathematicians, risk analysts, professionals involved in pharmaceutical research and development, automotive designers, international legal experts, film editors, microimaging engineers. H-1B's are valuable to small and large businesses alike, arguably even more to that emerging business that needs one key expert to develop a new product or service and get the business off the ground.
The assault on H-1B's is not only offensive, it's dangerous. Here's why:
H-1B's create jobs�statistics show that 5 jobs are created in the U.S. for every H-1B worker hired. An administrative clamp-down in the program will hinder this job creation. And think about the valuable sharing of skills and expertise between H-1B workers and U.S. workers�this is lost when companies are discouraged from using the program.
The anti-H-1B assault dissuades large businesses from conducting research and development in the US, and encourages the relocation of those facilities in jurisdictions that are friendlier to foreign professionals.
The anti-H-1B assault chills the formation of small businesses in the US, particularly in emerging technologies. This will most certainly be one of the long-term results of USCIS' most recent memo.
The attack on H-1B's offends our friends and allies in the world. An example: Earlier this year India �one of the U.S.'s closest allies --announced new visa restrictions on foreign nationals working there. Surely the treatment of Indian national H-1B workers at the hands of our agencies involved in the immigration process would not have escaped the attention of the Indian government as they issued their own restrictions.
The increasing challenges in the H-1B program may have the effect of encouraging foreign students who were educated in the U.S. to seek permanent positions elsewhere.
Whatever the cause of the visceral reaction against H-1B workers might be�whether it stems from a fear that fraud will become more widespread or whether it is simply a broader reaction against foreign workers that often raises its head during any down economy �I sincerely hope that the agencies are able to gain some perspective on the program that allows them to treat legitimate H-1B employers and employees with the respect they deserve and to effectively enforce against those who are non-compliant, rather than casting a wide net and treating all H-1B users as abusers.
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