leo2606
11-13 09:45 PM
First thing Draft a strong letter to DOL about this guy, send an email to your old employer and tell him if he doesn't respond with in X mount of time you are going to complain to DOL.Ask him to look at the attched complain which you will be sending to DOL.
Hi Guys,
My previous employer has withheld my salary without any reaon..even though i gave app notice, abided with policies and had no bond or anything.
He is not paying my final paycheck since quite a few months and when i call earlier he used to say he will pay but now started like dont call me i will give when i have time......
If i complain to DOL wether i have to fill WH4 or state DOL wahe and Hour form...and would this processs has any effect on GC processing when i start or any repuircussions...as for proof of non payment of salary i have all timesshetss, refernce letters and His mails also
Please Sugest
Hi Guys,
My previous employer has withheld my salary without any reaon..even though i gave app notice, abided with policies and had no bond or anything.
He is not paying my final paycheck since quite a few months and when i call earlier he used to say he will pay but now started like dont call me i will give when i have time......
If i complain to DOL wether i have to fill WH4 or state DOL wahe and Hour form...and would this processs has any effect on GC processing when i start or any repuircussions...as for proof of non payment of salary i have all timesshetss, refernce letters and His mails also
Please Sugest
wallpaper Couple Base 2 by ~Noemi--Bases
2003doc
07-17 06:01 PM
the best thing he could do is get married ASAP may be tomorrow and file I 485 for him and his wife together otherwise he will be in very bad situation. If in OCt his PD is current he will get stuck as he can not sponsor wife for a long time. and if there is severe retrogession than he will not be able to bring his wife to US unless hisnon-immigrant visa is still valid( still his wife would be in danger of being out of status)....So act NOW
Hi,
This is for a good friend of mine. He is going to get married in dec 2007. He has already applied for 140 premium processing. There is a opportunity to apply for 485 by end of this month and he has asked me for advice on this matter. His labor has PD March 2005(got cleared).
My request to all IV members is to give me some advice that I can pass on to him.
Please help !
Hi,
This is for a good friend of mine. He is going to get married in dec 2007. He has already applied for 140 premium processing. There is a opportunity to apply for 485 by end of this month and he has asked me for advice on this matter. His labor has PD March 2005(got cleared).
My request to all IV members is to give me some advice that I can pass on to him.
Please help !
ghost
06-22 03:25 PM
Before this thread spirals into a controversial discussion, I'd like to clarify that some members may be desperate to see the results but they have to understand that it will take time. So be patient and please stop writing accusing posts, even if you mean it in a lighter vein. It will do no good to any of us.
Any one who understands how american politics work should realize that we are in a conundrum and the best way to get out of this is to recruit more members to represent us.
Now dont waste time posting useless messages like this one:p on this forum and divert your energy towards recruiting new members.
Mods, if possible, please delete the un-related messages from this post. Thanks!
Any one who understands how american politics work should realize that we are in a conundrum and the best way to get out of this is to recruit more members to represent us.
Now dont waste time posting useless messages like this one:p on this forum and divert your energy towards recruiting new members.
Mods, if possible, please delete the un-related messages from this post. Thanks!
2011 Manga amp; Anime / Digital Media
morchu
04-23 09:28 PM
"date of actual move"
I understand the 10-day rule, but when does the clock start?
The date of lease starting or the date of actual move.....ideally these shouldnt be too far apart, but in my case they will be, hence the confusion.
LT
I understand the 10-day rule, but when does the clock start?
The date of lease starting or the date of actual move.....ideally these shouldnt be too far apart, but in my case they will be, hence the confusion.
LT
more...
nosightofgc
11-02 12:13 PM
What was the status on USCIS online system when you got an RFE? The reason I am asking is today my status changed to "Document Mailed to the Applicant". Not sure whether this is an approval or RFE. Of course will know in few days.
Thanks
Thanks
GCFISH
08-31 09:21 AM
Please do not spread a bad word about Indian companies. Infact 90% of us are working for Indian companies and we very much know we can not go with others due to the fact that experience or openness or waterver the reasons I don't like to mention here. I hope you can understand my request. Thanks.
more...
injrav
07-27 02:53 PM
1. university of illionis springfield
Department of Computer Science (http://csc.uis.edu/information/gadmissions.html)
I think TOEFL is mandatory but not sure about GRE
2. bridge water state college MASACHUESETTES
School of Graduate Studies : School of Graduate Studies : Bridgewater State College (http://www.bridgew.edu/SoGS/graduate.cfm)
mean while let me explore the colleges which you shared with me
Department of Computer Science (http://csc.uis.edu/information/gadmissions.html)
I think TOEFL is mandatory but not sure about GRE
2. bridge water state college MASACHUESETTES
School of Graduate Studies : School of Graduate Studies : Bridgewater State College (http://www.bridgew.edu/SoGS/graduate.cfm)
mean while let me explore the colleges which you shared with me
2010 anime couples base. kawaii
mohican
02-18 06:17 PM
raj 1998-i hope u realize that ur question/comment is not in synch with the theme for this thread. Please ensure that you post your questions/comment on the appropriate thread so as to be able to get some kind of response.
more...
Anders �stberg
March 6th, 2004, 08:43 AM
Went back to get sharper pictures, here's some edits:
Top floor, looking down:
http://www.interimlocation.com/fretNoMore/photo/10D/pictures/misc/pmbstairwell/pmbstairstop_2713.jpg
Mid level, looking down:
http://www.interimlocation.com/fretNoMore/photo/10D/pictures/misc/pmbstairwell/pmbstairwellmid_2716.jpg
Bottom floor, looking up:
http://www.interimlocation.com/fretNoMore/photo/10D/pictures/misc/pmbstairwell/pmbstairsup_2718.jpg
Bottom floor, looking up, reversed:
http://www.interimlocation.com/fretNoMore/photo/10D/pictures/misc/pmbstairwell/pmbstairsupreversed_2718.jpg
Top floor, looking down:
http://www.interimlocation.com/fretNoMore/photo/10D/pictures/misc/pmbstairwell/pmbstairstop_2713.jpg
Mid level, looking down:
http://www.interimlocation.com/fretNoMore/photo/10D/pictures/misc/pmbstairwell/pmbstairwellmid_2716.jpg
Bottom floor, looking up:
http://www.interimlocation.com/fretNoMore/photo/10D/pictures/misc/pmbstairwell/pmbstairsup_2718.jpg
Bottom floor, looking up, reversed:
http://www.interimlocation.com/fretNoMore/photo/10D/pictures/misc/pmbstairwell/pmbstairsupreversed_2718.jpg
hair anime couples base.
n4nature
02-05 12:37 PM
Actually I am from one of those "hate times" of 2001-recession and then since I was not one of those so called (by you) "hate groups", was able to manage into development eventually.
So from now on please refrain from vomiting your frustrations online and rather talk to the people whom you dislike and may be they could help you.
Sorry for your thinking but thanks for your post though!
So from now on please refrain from vomiting your frustrations online and rather talk to the people whom you dislike and may be they could help you.
Sorry for your thinking but thanks for your post though!
more...
gg_ny
08-23 01:02 PM
When is the Senate meeting and is it scheduled to take up the skil bill this year??...
When can it take it up next year??...
Could you please give some dates???.
I don't want to sound cynical but restate and emphasize what I have shared with the group over past few months. Everytime, around a deadline or around something we think as a cure, we build up hope, hype, leading to hysterical exchanges of postings, name callings, subsequent regrets , pre-mature back-pattings and in the end, enormous amount of disappointment.
I wish we could avoid this over SKIL Bill. The trend which many of us do not want to see is that the bill is just a decoy to satisfy industry-backed hard-currency donor stakeholders. The underlying mood among the majority of the members of Congress is not to seen as someone who gives even an inch **for** immigration. Any member who is seen as supporting openly for immigration on the floor would be a red herring or someone wearing a bull's eye while walking by a shooting range. This is the fact and any amount of new forum topics, name callings, challenging admin members etc. will not change the reality. Anybody familiar with the currents of democratic politics would know to expect no improvements - but only noises- over contentious issues 70 days before a critical nation-wide election. This is true for US of Americal, India or any other democratic country.
Guys, harden yourselves. IF and a big IF, something could happen, it should happen only with the new congress in place. That gives you a timeline starting from late December 2006. Add in a month or two at least for the matter to soak into among the new members, committees reorganized, scope of the issues redefined, proposed bills rewritten based on the current political climate.
I would bet on spring of 2007 and you may start praying that the issue gets settled positively before Thanksgiving of 2007 as after that would be, roughly, the start time for next Big election cycle. Just before you shoot emails criticizing me or my posting, please note that my visa number is retrogressed too and I have no ulterior motives to make this posting.
When can it take it up next year??...
Could you please give some dates???.
I don't want to sound cynical but restate and emphasize what I have shared with the group over past few months. Everytime, around a deadline or around something we think as a cure, we build up hope, hype, leading to hysterical exchanges of postings, name callings, subsequent regrets , pre-mature back-pattings and in the end, enormous amount of disappointment.
I wish we could avoid this over SKIL Bill. The trend which many of us do not want to see is that the bill is just a decoy to satisfy industry-backed hard-currency donor stakeholders. The underlying mood among the majority of the members of Congress is not to seen as someone who gives even an inch **for** immigration. Any member who is seen as supporting openly for immigration on the floor would be a red herring or someone wearing a bull's eye while walking by a shooting range. This is the fact and any amount of new forum topics, name callings, challenging admin members etc. will not change the reality. Anybody familiar with the currents of democratic politics would know to expect no improvements - but only noises- over contentious issues 70 days before a critical nation-wide election. This is true for US of Americal, India or any other democratic country.
Guys, harden yourselves. IF and a big IF, something could happen, it should happen only with the new congress in place. That gives you a timeline starting from late December 2006. Add in a month or two at least for the matter to soak into among the new members, committees reorganized, scope of the issues redefined, proposed bills rewritten based on the current political climate.
I would bet on spring of 2007 and you may start praying that the issue gets settled positively before Thanksgiving of 2007 as after that would be, roughly, the start time for next Big election cycle. Just before you shoot emails criticizing me or my posting, please note that my visa number is retrogressed too and I have no ulterior motives to make this posting.
hot Anime Couple Base R U Ok by
loudobbs
09-25 01:09 PM
My PD is Aug 2003 EB2 so it is current now..
How do I check if name check has cleared??
Having 3 days left for your date to be current does not mean much if you are thinking of getting your GC on oct 1. Not everyone gets the GC as soon as the dates get current. Ask people whose dates became current in June. Have you also checked if your name check is cleared?
How do I check if name check has cleared??
Having 3 days left for your date to be current does not mean much if you are thinking of getting your GC on oct 1. Not everyone gets the GC as soon as the dates get current. Ask people whose dates became current in June. Have you also checked if your name check is cleared?
more...
house hairstyles anime couples
meridiani.planum
07-10 09:22 PM
inline...
Hi,
My friend has this scenario and want expert advise from IV members.
- On L1 for 3 1/2 years and H1 for 2 years 3 months. About to complete 6
years in 3 months.
- Filed Labor (approved. PD Aug 2004 EB3), I140 (applied in May 2007) and
I485 (July fiasco)
- I140 still pending
Question:
1. Does L1 period is counted for H1 extention?
-- yes, time in both L1 and H1 counts together towards those 6 years. Its the time in L2/H4 that was decoupled a year or so ago.
2. Can he do H1 transfer using AC21 without I140 approval?
As 6 years are going to be expired?
yes, he will get a one year extension since his LC is atleast one yaer old.
3. What if the old employer revokes his I140 now? His GC process is invalid?
yes, the GC process ends right there. If he has transferred his H1 in the meantime and got an extension, the USCIS position so far has been that the extension remains valid, even though the underlying LC/I-140 are gone. The law itself is somewhat unclear, but till now the USCIS has not come back and revoked anyone's H1 extension (that I know of) because the underlying I\-140/LC are gone.
4. If we leave about GC, Can he do H1 transfer atleast?
yes he can, but he will need to start another labor ASAP from new employer to get any extension past this one year. He will also lose his old PD and will have a 2008/2009 PD.
He will also need a copy of his labor certificate to be able to file a transfer+extension.
At this stage the only thing between him and AC-21 freedom is that I-140 getting approved. So unless you know the I-140 is going to be denied, I would advise him to try his best to stay on with this employer until the I-140 is approved
Hi,
My friend has this scenario and want expert advise from IV members.
- On L1 for 3 1/2 years and H1 for 2 years 3 months. About to complete 6
years in 3 months.
- Filed Labor (approved. PD Aug 2004 EB3), I140 (applied in May 2007) and
I485 (July fiasco)
- I140 still pending
Question:
1. Does L1 period is counted for H1 extention?
-- yes, time in both L1 and H1 counts together towards those 6 years. Its the time in L2/H4 that was decoupled a year or so ago.
2. Can he do H1 transfer using AC21 without I140 approval?
As 6 years are going to be expired?
yes, he will get a one year extension since his LC is atleast one yaer old.
3. What if the old employer revokes his I140 now? His GC process is invalid?
yes, the GC process ends right there. If he has transferred his H1 in the meantime and got an extension, the USCIS position so far has been that the extension remains valid, even though the underlying LC/I-140 are gone. The law itself is somewhat unclear, but till now the USCIS has not come back and revoked anyone's H1 extension (that I know of) because the underlying I\-140/LC are gone.
4. If we leave about GC, Can he do H1 transfer atleast?
yes he can, but he will need to start another labor ASAP from new employer to get any extension past this one year. He will also lose his old PD and will have a 2008/2009 PD.
He will also need a copy of his labor certificate to be able to file a transfer+extension.
At this stage the only thing between him and AC-21 freedom is that I-140 getting approved. So unless you know the I-140 is going to be denied, I would advise him to try his best to stay on with this employer until the I-140 is approved
tattoo Anime Couples Base. anime
illusions
04-29 01:03 PM
How to know there is already a case against the employer?
perhaps this will help.
http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/immigration/H1BWillfulViolator.htm
perhaps this will help.
http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/immigration/H1BWillfulViolator.htm
more...
pictures anime couples with quotes.
ItIsNotFunny
09-23 11:25 AM
http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/calendar.html
dresses anime couples base.
travis
01-27 12:05 PM
Random Circle with Blendmode may not be the coolest but it is the prettiest.
more...
makeup anime base
satyasaich
07-03 02:16 PM
It's true that one has to mention about 485, select a choice between consular processing vs processing with in USA. this is usually done while applying for 140.
However, one can always make an amendment (to either approved 140 or 140 in pending ) to change the choice
by doing so, one has to wait for a bit longer time. (but, what difference it makes in these days of retrogression?)
I heard Changes must be made in I140 to do Consular processing from I485
However, one can always make an amendment (to either approved 140 or 140 in pending ) to change the choice
by doing so, one has to wait for a bit longer time. (but, what difference it makes in these days of retrogression?)
I heard Changes must be made in I140 to do Consular processing from I485
girlfriend anime couples base.
gc_bulgaria
10-18 06:03 PM
10/18/2007: Senate Passed FBI Background Checks Improvement Amendment to CJS FY 2008 Appropriations Bill
* A small good news coming out of the Hill, helping to pull achey teeth out of a large number of immigrants who have been suffering from namechecks related backlogs.The Senate has approved an amendment by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., to improve oversight of the FBI National Name Check Program, which faces a substantial backlog. The program is used to run background checks on people applying for immigration benefits or seeking employment with the U.S. government, among many other purposes. Levin�s provision, which was included as an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations Bill, would require the FBI to report to Congress every year regarding progress made in improving the FBI�s system of processing background checks and automating investigative files. Thanks to the reader who offered the valuable information. For the amendment sponsor's announcement, please click here.
* Readers, please start contacting your Congressional delegation to support this bill through the Conference process!!!!!!!
* BRAVO!:)
* A small good news coming out of the Hill, helping to pull achey teeth out of a large number of immigrants who have been suffering from namechecks related backlogs.The Senate has approved an amendment by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., to improve oversight of the FBI National Name Check Program, which faces a substantial backlog. The program is used to run background checks on people applying for immigration benefits or seeking employment with the U.S. government, among many other purposes. Levin�s provision, which was included as an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations Bill, would require the FBI to report to Congress every year regarding progress made in improving the FBI�s system of processing background checks and automating investigative files. Thanks to the reader who offered the valuable information. For the amendment sponsor's announcement, please click here.
* Readers, please start contacting your Congressional delegation to support this bill through the Conference process!!!!!!!
* BRAVO!:)
hairstyles Add to Favourites
calboy78
07-27 03:30 PM
EAD is only required if you want to work and you don't have any other document which will allow you to work (e.g. a valid un-expired H1)
Cheers :)
Hi,
My I-140/I-485 are pending. I had also applied for my EAD card which I received promptly. The EAD card will expire in October, 2008. You know, at least until the I-140 gets approved, I don't need the EAD card. Can I just let it expire and renew it when I need it? Or will it be a separate application when I try to renew an expired EAD.
Thanks.
Cheers :)
Hi,
My I-140/I-485 are pending. I had also applied for my EAD card which I received promptly. The EAD card will expire in October, 2008. You know, at least until the I-140 gets approved, I don't need the EAD card. Can I just let it expire and renew it when I need it? Or will it be a separate application when I try to renew an expired EAD.
Thanks.
vallabhu
10-24 12:50 PM
Talk to a lawyer I think if you have approved GC you dont to wait for Priority date You have to add her within 6 months.
jags_e
08-30 02:58 PM
There is a main article on the reverse brain drain in EE Times and it mentions the IV's September 18 rally too.
The link is http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=314X3PTACJUWMQSNDLOSK HSCJUNN2JVN;?articleID=201802703
EE Times: Latest News
Green-card red tape sends valuable engineers packing
Disenchanted with life in immigration limbo, San Antonio resident Praveen Arumbakkam is abandoning his American dream and returning to his native India.
A senior programmer at a fast-growing IT company, Arumbakkam volunteered for the Red Cross in Texas after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. He worked on disaster recovery management software to locate displaced persons, track donations and organize aid distribution.
He had hoped to start a nonprofit disaster recovery management solutions company in the United States, but now he's decided he doesn't want to wait any longer for his green card.
When professionals such as Arumbakkam give up on the States, it creates serious economic consequences, said Vivek Wadhwa, lead author of a study on the subject released last week.
"We've set the stage here for a massive reverse brain drain," said Wadhwa, Wertheim Fellow at Harvard Law School's Labor and Worklife Program.
By the end of fiscal 2006, half a million foreign nationals living in the U.S. were waiting for employment-based green cards, according to the study, released by the nonprofit Kauffman Foundation. Titled "Intellectual Property, the Immigration Backlog, and a Reverse Brain-Drain," the study was based on research by Duke, Harvard and New York University. If spouses and children are included, the number exceeds 1 million.
The study looked at the three main types of employment-based green cards, which cover skill-based immigrants and their immediate families. Including pros- pective immigrants awaiting U.S. legal permanent resident status but living abroad, the numbers hit almost 600,000 in the first group and almost 1.2 million in the second.
The number of available green cards in the three categories totals approximately 120,000. "If there are over a million persons in line for 120,000 visas a year, then we have already mortgaged almost nine years' worth of employment visas," said study author Guillermina Jasso, an NYU sociology professor.
The report also notes that foreign nationals were listed as inventors or co-inventors on 25.6 percent of the international-patent app-lications filed from the United States in 2006, up from 7.6 percent in 1998.
U.S. companies bring in many highly skilled foreigners on temporary visas and train them in U.S. business practices, noted Wadhwa, an executive in residence at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering. Those workers are then forced to leave, and "they become our competitors. That's as stupid as it gets," he said. "How can this country be so dumb as to bring people in on temporary visas, train them in our way of doing business and then send them back to compete with us?"
Many in the engineering profession argue that American tech employers take advantage of the work visa system for their own benefit. They state that though there is plenty of American engineering talent available, employers use the programs to hire cheaper foreign labor.
And others counter the concern that large numbers of foreign residents will depart America. Most immigrants who have waited years for green cards will remain firm in their resolve, given the time and effort they have already invested, believes Norm Matloff, a computer science professor at the University of California at Davis. "People are here because they want to be here," he said. "They place a high value on immigrating."
But while Arumbakkam wants to be here, he has had enough of waiting. And his story is typical of those foreign-born tech professionals who return home.
In July 2001, the then 27-year-old Arumbakkam arrived on a student visa to get his master's in information technology at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. He has a bachelor's degree from the highly ranked University of Madras in southern India.
Arumbakkam said he "pretty much loved the society and the infrastructure for advanced education" in the States. In the post-Sept. 11 climate toward foreigners, however, he found it difficult to get work. After sending out countless resumes, he took an internship in Baltimore, followed by a job in Michigan.
That post didn't bring him any closer to his goal of permanent residency, however. He next took a job in San Antonio and insisted his employer secure him a green card. About that time, the government established an "application backlog elimination" center. "My application went straight into this chasm. I don't know what happened after that," he said. "That was pretty much a blow."
In 2005, he landed his current job, where he's happy with the work environment and the salary. His employer applied for a green card when the government rolled out an online system that was supposed to streamline the process.
But since then, with two applications in the works, Arumbakkam has been waiting-and waiting. In the meantime, his work status can't change, meaning no pay raises or promotions.
Page 2 of 2
Arumbakkam knows plenty of others in the same boat. In early 2006, he ran across Immigration Voice, a nonprofit national group that supports changes in immigration law affecting highly skilled workers. The 22,000-member organization includes professionals in a wide range of fields, from engineers and doctors to architects. Many have families, and all are stuck in the legal process.
"I heard horror stories," said Arumbakkam. One is the tale of a quality assurance engineer employed by a midsized consulting firm in Oklahoma working with Fortune 50 companies. The Indian engineer was hired at a salary that was 30 percent lower than he expected. This was in exchange for the promise that his employer would file a green card application. He was told the money would go to attorneys' fees.
For four years, the engineer asked about his application and was repeatedly told it was coming along. The employer blamed the slow progress on the law firm. In fact, the employer had never filed the application. Finally, the engineer found other work and restarted his efforts to obtain permanent residence.
In another case, a senior strategic projects manager who has an engineering background and is working for a Fortune 100 company has been waiting 13 years for his green card, Arumbakkam said.
That manager, also Indian, applied for permanent residency in Canada at the same time he applied for it in the States. After 18 months, Canada offered it to him and his family. His wife and children moved to Vancouver, B.C., where he visits regularly while waiting for a change in his U.S. residency status.
Indians in the United States often have too much trust in their employers and lack knowledge of resources that could help them understand their immigration options, Arumbakkam said. He plans to attend an Immigration Voice rally in Washington on Sept. 18 to urge congressional action on immigration.
But he isn't optimistic. "I just feel that I'm getting pushed further down as far as my career is concerned," he said.
...................
The link is http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=314X3PTACJUWMQSNDLOSK HSCJUNN2JVN;?articleID=201802703
EE Times: Latest News
Green-card red tape sends valuable engineers packing
Disenchanted with life in immigration limbo, San Antonio resident Praveen Arumbakkam is abandoning his American dream and returning to his native India.
A senior programmer at a fast-growing IT company, Arumbakkam volunteered for the Red Cross in Texas after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. He worked on disaster recovery management software to locate displaced persons, track donations and organize aid distribution.
He had hoped to start a nonprofit disaster recovery management solutions company in the United States, but now he's decided he doesn't want to wait any longer for his green card.
When professionals such as Arumbakkam give up on the States, it creates serious economic consequences, said Vivek Wadhwa, lead author of a study on the subject released last week.
"We've set the stage here for a massive reverse brain drain," said Wadhwa, Wertheim Fellow at Harvard Law School's Labor and Worklife Program.
By the end of fiscal 2006, half a million foreign nationals living in the U.S. were waiting for employment-based green cards, according to the study, released by the nonprofit Kauffman Foundation. Titled "Intellectual Property, the Immigration Backlog, and a Reverse Brain-Drain," the study was based on research by Duke, Harvard and New York University. If spouses and children are included, the number exceeds 1 million.
The study looked at the three main types of employment-based green cards, which cover skill-based immigrants and their immediate families. Including pros- pective immigrants awaiting U.S. legal permanent resident status but living abroad, the numbers hit almost 600,000 in the first group and almost 1.2 million in the second.
The number of available green cards in the three categories totals approximately 120,000. "If there are over a million persons in line for 120,000 visas a year, then we have already mortgaged almost nine years' worth of employment visas," said study author Guillermina Jasso, an NYU sociology professor.
The report also notes that foreign nationals were listed as inventors or co-inventors on 25.6 percent of the international-patent app-lications filed from the United States in 2006, up from 7.6 percent in 1998.
U.S. companies bring in many highly skilled foreigners on temporary visas and train them in U.S. business practices, noted Wadhwa, an executive in residence at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering. Those workers are then forced to leave, and "they become our competitors. That's as stupid as it gets," he said. "How can this country be so dumb as to bring people in on temporary visas, train them in our way of doing business and then send them back to compete with us?"
Many in the engineering profession argue that American tech employers take advantage of the work visa system for their own benefit. They state that though there is plenty of American engineering talent available, employers use the programs to hire cheaper foreign labor.
And others counter the concern that large numbers of foreign residents will depart America. Most immigrants who have waited years for green cards will remain firm in their resolve, given the time and effort they have already invested, believes Norm Matloff, a computer science professor at the University of California at Davis. "People are here because they want to be here," he said. "They place a high value on immigrating."
But while Arumbakkam wants to be here, he has had enough of waiting. And his story is typical of those foreign-born tech professionals who return home.
In July 2001, the then 27-year-old Arumbakkam arrived on a student visa to get his master's in information technology at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. He has a bachelor's degree from the highly ranked University of Madras in southern India.
Arumbakkam said he "pretty much loved the society and the infrastructure for advanced education" in the States. In the post-Sept. 11 climate toward foreigners, however, he found it difficult to get work. After sending out countless resumes, he took an internship in Baltimore, followed by a job in Michigan.
That post didn't bring him any closer to his goal of permanent residency, however. He next took a job in San Antonio and insisted his employer secure him a green card. About that time, the government established an "application backlog elimination" center. "My application went straight into this chasm. I don't know what happened after that," he said. "That was pretty much a blow."
In 2005, he landed his current job, where he's happy with the work environment and the salary. His employer applied for a green card when the government rolled out an online system that was supposed to streamline the process.
But since then, with two applications in the works, Arumbakkam has been waiting-and waiting. In the meantime, his work status can't change, meaning no pay raises or promotions.
Page 2 of 2
Arumbakkam knows plenty of others in the same boat. In early 2006, he ran across Immigration Voice, a nonprofit national group that supports changes in immigration law affecting highly skilled workers. The 22,000-member organization includes professionals in a wide range of fields, from engineers and doctors to architects. Many have families, and all are stuck in the legal process.
"I heard horror stories," said Arumbakkam. One is the tale of a quality assurance engineer employed by a midsized consulting firm in Oklahoma working with Fortune 50 companies. The Indian engineer was hired at a salary that was 30 percent lower than he expected. This was in exchange for the promise that his employer would file a green card application. He was told the money would go to attorneys' fees.
For four years, the engineer asked about his application and was repeatedly told it was coming along. The employer blamed the slow progress on the law firm. In fact, the employer had never filed the application. Finally, the engineer found other work and restarted his efforts to obtain permanent residence.
In another case, a senior strategic projects manager who has an engineering background and is working for a Fortune 100 company has been waiting 13 years for his green card, Arumbakkam said.
That manager, also Indian, applied for permanent residency in Canada at the same time he applied for it in the States. After 18 months, Canada offered it to him and his family. His wife and children moved to Vancouver, B.C., where he visits regularly while waiting for a change in his U.S. residency status.
Indians in the United States often have too much trust in their employers and lack knowledge of resources that could help them understand their immigration options, Arumbakkam said. He plans to attend an Immigration Voice rally in Washington on Sept. 18 to urge congressional action on immigration.
But he isn't optimistic. "I just feel that I'm getting pushed further down as far as my career is concerned," he said.
...................
0 comments:
Post a Comment