TheOmbudsman
07-21 01:04 PM
Well,that's fine then. Let's see how posts you will get saying how to find good jobs in Canada. Bye.
All I can say is that everyone has their personal reasons for the decisions they make. This thread is information exchange thread for those who are looking to move to Canada. This isn't about why one should go one place vs another.
I welcome you to start another thread where ppl can debate whether they should move to India or consider moving elsewhere. In fact, I will be happy to discuss the options there. But I request ppl to not divert the focus of this thread.
All I can say is that everyone has their personal reasons for the decisions they make. This thread is information exchange thread for those who are looking to move to Canada. This isn't about why one should go one place vs another.
I welcome you to start another thread where ppl can debate whether they should move to India or consider moving elsewhere. In fact, I will be happy to discuss the options there. But I request ppl to not divert the focus of this thread.
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go_guy123
09-14 03:58 PM
we have close to 200 votes... I never imagined the % will so much higer..... around 80%...
Thanks again.
Those 80% who bought homes, a whole lot of them have been able to survive because of the July 2007 fiasco. Without EAD it would have been a totally different ballgame.
Also a lot bought home in pre-credit crisis era when 5% down etc was available. But now 10% or if not more is the norm. So you will have a lot to lose if you default or leave country.
A friend of mine who got GC in end-2006 was discussing with me in 2008 whether to buy or not (he did not buy at that time...I don't know now in 2009 whether he has bought or not). The reason is that just because one has GC does not mean one has to commit stupidity when prices were plunging.
One needs to weigh all options. I see no GC in the horizon for EB2/3-India for non-EAD people. The political equation is stacked against EB2/.
House prices wont recover for many many years. The early 90s correction took a decade to recover.
If you are not on EAD and your pd is in 2006 or later, then it makes no sense to buy a house financially (though it is a ok time if you have EAD/GC but can wait more).
Thanks again.
Those 80% who bought homes, a whole lot of them have been able to survive because of the July 2007 fiasco. Without EAD it would have been a totally different ballgame.
Also a lot bought home in pre-credit crisis era when 5% down etc was available. But now 10% or if not more is the norm. So you will have a lot to lose if you default or leave country.
A friend of mine who got GC in end-2006 was discussing with me in 2008 whether to buy or not (he did not buy at that time...I don't know now in 2009 whether he has bought or not). The reason is that just because one has GC does not mean one has to commit stupidity when prices were plunging.
One needs to weigh all options. I see no GC in the horizon for EB2/3-India for non-EAD people. The political equation is stacked against EB2/.
House prices wont recover for many many years. The early 90s correction took a decade to recover.
If you are not on EAD and your pd is in 2006 or later, then it makes no sense to buy a house financially (though it is a ok time if you have EAD/GC but can wait more).
gcdesirer
08-26 03:19 PM
Even if its multiplied by 100 we should be ok, if the USCIS does a good of not waisting visas by doing their best in the month of Sep. Say we have 6500 * 2 .25 (Family) = 15000people waiting from EB2 2004. Looking at the spillover numbers from last year, we might be lucky enough. Just trying to be optimistic for the next 35 days.
We received our 2nd biometric appointment notice for Sep 11th. Our Notice date is Sep 19th 2007. Just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for something good. :)
Forgot to mention "Good luck with your GC in Sep..
We received our 2nd biometric appointment notice for Sep 11th. Our Notice date is Sep 19th 2007. Just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for something good. :)
Forgot to mention "Good luck with your GC in Sep..
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sbabunle
04-09 05:58 PM
Alisa
Best post so far on this thread :D
I will never go back. I'll stay legal as long as I could.
And then I'll stay illegal and make mone :D :D :D
babu
You can't get more than 10K people to sign up to IV.
And you can't get more than 300 people to sign up for $20 per month.
What makes you think you can convince 20-30K people to move with you?
:)
Best post so far on this thread :D
I will never go back. I'll stay legal as long as I could.
And then I'll stay illegal and make mone :D :D :D
babu
You can't get more than 10K people to sign up to IV.
And you can't get more than 300 people to sign up for $20 per month.
What makes you think you can convince 20-30K people to move with you?
:)
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gc_vsc
01-16 06:32 PM
I contributed $150.00. Is there a way how far behind we are from $100K. Thanks folks I appreciate the initiative taken by the hi-tech legal immigration community.
I was wondering if we can involve http://www.competeamerica.org they are also fighting for our cause.
Finally a proposal just for legal immigration
http://www.governor.state.mn.us/Tpaw_View_Article.asp?artid=1697
I was wondering if we can involve http://www.competeamerica.org they are also fighting for our cause.
Finally a proposal just for legal immigration
http://www.governor.state.mn.us/Tpaw_View_Article.asp?artid=1697
jsb
01-16 08:18 AM
Yes, I agree - my experience has been the same. The customer service representative insisted the receive date was whatever showed up in the online status, even though it was ~45 days after the receipt date printed on my receipt notice.
Btw, I have a question about background/namecheck. I remember reading someplace (official) that fingerprints are valid for a period of 15 months. Now imagine this - at the end of that period, you are fingerprinted again, and while the background/namecheck is in progress the "annual lottery" period opens up in Jul/Aug/Sept. Is that file skipped again since background check is pending?
Regardless of what laws USCIS vouches for, I believe this is what happened during last year "lottery season" in Aug/Sept. My background check was completed and entered in the system mid-Aug., while the USCIS ran out of visa numbers a week or two later.
Anything is possible my friend. We are only trying to understand (from remote) what may be happening. No one there really has any well defined method to manage cases. Their annual report tells how many cases were processed, and how many visas were given away. There is nothing to vouch on this report if it was done in any genuine and sensible sequence. Monthly published processing dates, as we all know, are approximate. They are not updated regularly as no one really knows how to determine those dates (Extremes "no one before this date is pending" and "at least one case with this date has been processed, may differ by several months/years?).
Btw, I have a question about background/namecheck. I remember reading someplace (official) that fingerprints are valid for a period of 15 months. Now imagine this - at the end of that period, you are fingerprinted again, and while the background/namecheck is in progress the "annual lottery" period opens up in Jul/Aug/Sept. Is that file skipped again since background check is pending?
Regardless of what laws USCIS vouches for, I believe this is what happened during last year "lottery season" in Aug/Sept. My background check was completed and entered in the system mid-Aug., while the USCIS ran out of visa numbers a week or two later.
Anything is possible my friend. We are only trying to understand (from remote) what may be happening. No one there really has any well defined method to manage cases. Their annual report tells how many cases were processed, and how many visas were given away. There is nothing to vouch on this report if it was done in any genuine and sensible sequence. Monthly published processing dates, as we all know, are approximate. They are not updated regularly as no one really knows how to determine those dates (Extremes "no one before this date is pending" and "at least one case with this date has been processed, may differ by several months/years?).
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slammer
01-13 12:40 PM
It's here guys :
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_4417.html
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_4417.html
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wandmaker
06-12 08:55 PM
Most of the IVans have given good suggestions though no one is a pro on domestic violence case. We are not in stone age - Personally, I dont like any kind of violence against women including the people who does. I think you should get a good attorney, prove that you are innocent and move on.
Guys! Stop responding to this thread and make this disappear.
Guys! Stop responding to this thread and make this disappear.
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alkg
08-03 01:54 PM
I agree with you. Next week we will see the bulletin and then some people will be elated if their predictions come right and some will be disapointed. Again in 20 days we will start a new thread for Oct bulletin and FY 2010. I guess it is just that we are keeping alive our hopes.
Very true!
Very true!
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gcdesirer
08-26 03:17 PM
Even if its multiplied by 100 we should be ok, if the USCIS does a good of not waisting visas by doing their best in the month of Sep. Say we have 6500 * 2 .25 (Family) = 15000people waiting from EB2 2004. Looking at the spillover numbers from last year, we might be lucky enough. Just trying to be optimistic for the next 35 days.
We received our 2nd biometric appointment notice for Sep 11th. Our Notice date is Sep 19th 2007. Just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for something good. :)
=================================================
Quick set of related questions. Pardon my ignorance. Is this second biometric appointment a "must have"? how does it work? Myself and my husband have got had our first Fingerprint appointment long back. how does that part of the system work? When will the second one be due?
We received our 2nd biometric appointment notice for Sep 11th. Our Notice date is Sep 19th 2007. Just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for something good. :)
=================================================
Quick set of related questions. Pardon my ignorance. Is this second biometric appointment a "must have"? how does it work? Myself and my husband have got had our first Fingerprint appointment long back. how does that part of the system work? When will the second one be due?
more...
Almond
02-07 03:43 PM
Sorry to hear that your 485 is denied....
My question to all the gurus here...I wonder what happens to EAD and AP after you appeal 485 denial?
I know that if your 485 gets denied then EAD and AP are void but lets say OP files 485 MTR(motion to reopen), does he have to reapply for EAD and AP or does that get reinstated based on the reciept he gets on 485 MTR?
Should the person stop working till he gets 485 MTR receipt or till he reapplies for new EAD and gets the approval?
Just curoius to know as these days denials seems to be the trend at USCIS and it would be helpful for all those who rely on EAD only and not sure what to do when there is a 485 denials for what ever reason.
FYI...I am still maintaining my H1 and also have a EAD but plan to switch to EAD only and not renew my H1 this year.
You do NOT have to apply for another EAD. You're safe to go back to work as soon as you receive your MTR receipt. I am sure most people work even while they're waiting for the MTR to be received by uscis though but shhh. I have never heard of a case where the uscis wanted to make sure the person didn't work while they were waiting for their MTR receipt to be sent out. Can you imagine them doing that to someone after their own officer denied the case in error resulting in an individual having to pay 500 bucks to reopen the case? Slap after slap in the face.
My question to all the gurus here...I wonder what happens to EAD and AP after you appeal 485 denial?
I know that if your 485 gets denied then EAD and AP are void but lets say OP files 485 MTR(motion to reopen), does he have to reapply for EAD and AP or does that get reinstated based on the reciept he gets on 485 MTR?
Should the person stop working till he gets 485 MTR receipt or till he reapplies for new EAD and gets the approval?
Just curoius to know as these days denials seems to be the trend at USCIS and it would be helpful for all those who rely on EAD only and not sure what to do when there is a 485 denials for what ever reason.
FYI...I am still maintaining my H1 and also have a EAD but plan to switch to EAD only and not renew my H1 this year.
You do NOT have to apply for another EAD. You're safe to go back to work as soon as you receive your MTR receipt. I am sure most people work even while they're waiting for the MTR to be received by uscis though but shhh. I have never heard of a case where the uscis wanted to make sure the person didn't work while they were waiting for their MTR receipt to be sent out. Can you imagine them doing that to someone after their own officer denied the case in error resulting in an individual having to pay 500 bucks to reopen the case? Slap after slap in the face.
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yabadaba
08-01 01:14 PM
You can't generalize. If your kids are smart they can get into better colleges like IITs etc. I think you are confusing the issue about adaptability with good future prospects.
Wait a second. If you are not adaptable to the new environment, it becomes a rat race.If the situation is not conducive, your smartness aint gonna help. I think thats what the OP clearly meant. Its not easy for a kid who is in 8th grade in US to snugly fit into Indian System. Coming to the IIT's, Have you ever compared the total number of seats available in IIT's to the accepted numbers from IVY leagues and other big schools. In India, you have to be the best among the best to get into IIT's. You have to be best here and oh yeah.. You dont have to lose some of the smartness to reservations. But I agree with you that parents should let children pursue their own interests rather than thinking about him/her being a doc/eng.
What is your point? Madhuri just said that when kids are 8-9 years old it is easier for them to adapt to the canadian system rather than the indian system. No one said that the indian system is not up to the standard.
Having studied in every single indian board system, state, cbse and icse along with primary education the london board (o/a level), I have some experience with regards to adaptability-> It sucks. I have a abcd friend who moved from US to india while in the 6th grade and she regrets those two years of her life. If you have kids in school over here please think 3 times before u shuttle them back and forth.
Wait a second. If you are not adaptable to the new environment, it becomes a rat race.If the situation is not conducive, your smartness aint gonna help. I think thats what the OP clearly meant. Its not easy for a kid who is in 8th grade in US to snugly fit into Indian System. Coming to the IIT's, Have you ever compared the total number of seats available in IIT's to the accepted numbers from IVY leagues and other big schools. In India, you have to be the best among the best to get into IIT's. You have to be best here and oh yeah.. You dont have to lose some of the smartness to reservations. But I agree with you that parents should let children pursue their own interests rather than thinking about him/her being a doc/eng.
What is your point? Madhuri just said that when kids are 8-9 years old it is easier for them to adapt to the canadian system rather than the indian system. No one said that the indian system is not up to the standard.
Having studied in every single indian board system, state, cbse and icse along with primary education the london board (o/a level), I have some experience with regards to adaptability-> It sucks. I have a abcd friend who moved from US to india while in the 6th grade and she regrets those two years of her life. If you have kids in school over here please think 3 times before u shuttle them back and forth.
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ronhira
05-29 02:05 PM
First of all, you dont have a binary choice in the matter such as either you learn 50,000 words and their spellings or go smoke dope. There is a middle ground here.
Secondly, why do I see in company after company, especially in the knowledge industry that a straight A student, like your Kavya here, working for a manager who had been a B- student who in turn works for an executive who was a C- student ?
Get educated ... that's fine. But dont get over-educated such that you are a cripple who cannot think outside the box. Too much education, too many straight As, too many spellings will make you incapable of thinking outside the box, taking risks. Anyways, that's my belief and my opinion and everyone is free to raise their kids in whatever way they deem fit. I for one, would never ask my 2 children to participate in any spelling bee contest.
As far as your desi company thoughts go, it has nothing to do with spelling bee topic. However, let me tell you this. By being holier than thou and telling other people "I got a degree from here and you dumb asses have never been to an American college, so get lost you idiot, this job here is mine..." does not help anyone. Also, no desi companies put a gun to the head of anyone - Indian educated or US educated - to work for them. And let me remind you, there is AN ENTIRE GENERATION of US educated US masters degree holders who had no job after graduating and have been to a desi company to get trained on the real-world software applications. I am sure you know some people yourself, just as I know some people in that situation. If the US masters degree made them super-duper smart, then they would not be knocking doors of desi companies for education after graduating.
I am no fan of desi companies, everyone here knows that. But don't preach a holier than thou sermon to everyone who doesn't have a US degree. Because your US degree isn't worth a bucket of warm spit when it comes to getting a job.
I guess you are speaking like Tom Peters. But in the end, it all depends on where one wants to be and what is the world view of someone. If one thinks that just because someone is a manager over others, that makes that someone better and more successful than others, and if most B- students manage A+ students (which is fuzzy maths), yes, in that case it maybe that its better to get a B- grade than A+, and there is no need to go to business school either. If the world view and the objective is not just to become a manager or make 100K instead of 120K, but actually do something worthwhile in every stage of your life, rather than just having an objective of becoming a manager, maybe its about learning a language and words, then why not. Strong vocabulary is the first stage to clear expression and clear expression is the corner stone of a successful and satisfying career, including bring a manager. I don't see anything wrong with learning more words, or loving parents or obedient children. Everyone has a different age in their life when we revolt against the environment, just to break free. Its not necessary that one must continue to revolt an entire lifetime to be creative or be better than others. Bill Gates or Steve jobs never wanted to become just managers, they wanted to re-invent the future. College dropouts, but successful. But how many Gates and Jobs do we have? I guess there is no clear definition of success and different people gauge success differently, but most people, more so in this crowd on this forum, relate success to level of education/university (US masters or Bachelors from India), and title at work place. But maybe the key is not how others gauge your success, but how you gauge yourself. Maybe you have set your eyes on squeezing most number of lemons or maybe being fastest eater of a water melon, or climbing on top of rhinoceros back, whatever it is, if you have done it and you feel satisfied, you will see yourself as successful. So whatever is the definition of success, whatever is anybody's opinion or world-view, the fact is, these kids did well with the goal they had set for themselves. And if that is how they feel satisfied with their hard work, they are successful. The fact that there were so many other contestants wanting to prove that they were better than others, and they weren't, makes it a recognizable achievement. Its that simple.
Secondly, why do I see in company after company, especially in the knowledge industry that a straight A student, like your Kavya here, working for a manager who had been a B- student who in turn works for an executive who was a C- student ?
Get educated ... that's fine. But dont get over-educated such that you are a cripple who cannot think outside the box. Too much education, too many straight As, too many spellings will make you incapable of thinking outside the box, taking risks. Anyways, that's my belief and my opinion and everyone is free to raise their kids in whatever way they deem fit. I for one, would never ask my 2 children to participate in any spelling bee contest.
As far as your desi company thoughts go, it has nothing to do with spelling bee topic. However, let me tell you this. By being holier than thou and telling other people "I got a degree from here and you dumb asses have never been to an American college, so get lost you idiot, this job here is mine..." does not help anyone. Also, no desi companies put a gun to the head of anyone - Indian educated or US educated - to work for them. And let me remind you, there is AN ENTIRE GENERATION of US educated US masters degree holders who had no job after graduating and have been to a desi company to get trained on the real-world software applications. I am sure you know some people yourself, just as I know some people in that situation. If the US masters degree made them super-duper smart, then they would not be knocking doors of desi companies for education after graduating.
I am no fan of desi companies, everyone here knows that. But don't preach a holier than thou sermon to everyone who doesn't have a US degree. Because your US degree isn't worth a bucket of warm spit when it comes to getting a job.
I guess you are speaking like Tom Peters. But in the end, it all depends on where one wants to be and what is the world view of someone. If one thinks that just because someone is a manager over others, that makes that someone better and more successful than others, and if most B- students manage A+ students (which is fuzzy maths), yes, in that case it maybe that its better to get a B- grade than A+, and there is no need to go to business school either. If the world view and the objective is not just to become a manager or make 100K instead of 120K, but actually do something worthwhile in every stage of your life, rather than just having an objective of becoming a manager, maybe its about learning a language and words, then why not. Strong vocabulary is the first stage to clear expression and clear expression is the corner stone of a successful and satisfying career, including bring a manager. I don't see anything wrong with learning more words, or loving parents or obedient children. Everyone has a different age in their life when we revolt against the environment, just to break free. Its not necessary that one must continue to revolt an entire lifetime to be creative or be better than others. Bill Gates or Steve jobs never wanted to become just managers, they wanted to re-invent the future. College dropouts, but successful. But how many Gates and Jobs do we have? I guess there is no clear definition of success and different people gauge success differently, but most people, more so in this crowd on this forum, relate success to level of education/university (US masters or Bachelors from India), and title at work place. But maybe the key is not how others gauge your success, but how you gauge yourself. Maybe you have set your eyes on squeezing most number of lemons or maybe being fastest eater of a water melon, or climbing on top of rhinoceros back, whatever it is, if you have done it and you feel satisfied, you will see yourself as successful. So whatever is the definition of success, whatever is anybody's opinion or world-view, the fact is, these kids did well with the goal they had set for themselves. And if that is how they feel satisfied with their hard work, they are successful. The fact that there were so many other contestants wanting to prove that they were better than others, and they weren't, makes it a recognizable achievement. Its that simple.
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ksrk
12-31 04:56 PM
Please ignore if it has already been posted. This article looks interesting considering the current economic and immigration situation
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123051100709638419.html
This is absolutely ridiculous! What would Canada want to do with those northern states anyways?
But seriously - this is just random ramblings being lapped up as sensational news in the Russian state media (even if that were true)!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123051100709638419.html
This is absolutely ridiculous! What would Canada want to do with those northern states anyways?
But seriously - this is just random ramblings being lapped up as sensational news in the Russian state media (even if that were true)!
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kumsoft
07-19 01:15 PM
EB2/ Delivered July 2nd @ 8:02AM to NSC
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apt7
05-24 01:51 PM
If such a bill is implemented we all should knock the doors of judiciary department. Each is department is independent of itself.
Bad for consulting companies (no H1B; may lose job)
Bad for physicians (no H1B for medical residents; no provisions for NIW...terrible)
Bad for H1b transfers and extensions (severe restrictive provisions on H1B)
AC 21 repealed (disastrous)
Bad for pending I 140 .... left in limbo
Bad for pending LC .... left in complete limbo
Bad for retrogressed.... backlog will increase phenomenally 'cos of decreased visa numbers
This bill is a massive attack on us; we should put all our efforts to oppose and kill the bill. There is little chance that we can get amendments to reverse the potential damage that this bill can do... that is disaster for us.
Bad for consulting companies (no H1B; may lose job)
Bad for physicians (no H1B for medical residents; no provisions for NIW...terrible)
Bad for H1b transfers and extensions (severe restrictive provisions on H1B)
AC 21 repealed (disastrous)
Bad for pending I 140 .... left in limbo
Bad for pending LC .... left in complete limbo
Bad for retrogressed.... backlog will increase phenomenally 'cos of decreased visa numbers
This bill is a massive attack on us; we should put all our efforts to oppose and kill the bill. There is little chance that we can get amendments to reverse the potential damage that this bill can do... that is disaster for us.
more...
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alterego
10-12 06:40 AM
Is there anyone here that truly believes that the legislators will not pass something before the end of the year to recapture the remaining 50K visas left for recapture for schedule A? If yes then this whole argument is kind of null and void. They are not going to leave nurses and PTs high and dry, not with the kind of shortages looming.
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immidude
06-28 02:12 PM
i need big help with my 140 filed in Premium Processing
and i did not get my receipt to file 485
applied it on Jun 20 2007 (this month)
any way i can get some copy of the receipt to file 485?
and i did not get my receipt to file 485
applied it on Jun 20 2007 (this month)
any way i can get some copy of the receipt to file 485?
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engineer
02-28 07:06 PM
This is the article my wife wrote for her class assignment. thought to share..
Spouses and Dependents of Legal US Immigrants Should Be Granted Work Visas
America is known to be the land of immigrants. Immigrants have been a part of American history. There is a lot of debate going on these days on the issue of illegal immigration in various social and political circles. But we also have a fairly large number of legal entrants in America who are officially documented residents. Spouses and dependents of many of these legal U.S. residents are not granted work visas, inherently. Instead they are issued H4 or dependent visas. H4 visa type allows dependents to stay in United States as long as their spouses are legally employed in any organization within the U.S., but they cannot obtain jobs as per the current labor laws. This is a sheer waste of talent for many who migrate to the land of opportunities with a desire to live the American dream. Not granting work permits to the spouses of H1-B work visa holders, makes them feel financially dependent and estranged. Many of these immigrant spouses are highly-qualified professionals with marketable skills but cannot obtain a job, by law, despite being in U.S. legally. By all fairness, dependent spouses should be granted work authorization for the sake of their social, economic and emotional well-being.
According to the U.S Department of state, �The Immigration and Nationality Act provide several categories of nonimmigrant visas for a person who wishes to work temporarily in the United States. Some of these categories include H1-B (person in a specialty occupation), H2-A (temporary or seasonal agricultural workers), L (intra-company transferees), F-1 (students with demonstrated intent to return to home country upon completion of undertaken program) and Q-1 (participants in an international cultural exchange program) visas. With the exception of "Q-1 Cultural Exchange Visitors," a person who has received a visa as the spouse or child of a temporary worker may not accept employment, in the United States� ("Temporary Workers"). Dependents of non immigrant visa holders on H-4, F-2(spouses of student visa holders), and TD (spouses of citizens of Canada and Mexico), visas are directly affected by this law. According to a survey by NADISA (Network of Advocates of Dependent Spouses of America), �Most of these dependent spouses are immigrant women who do not have a penny to their name except by the grace of their husbands. These are some highly educated, well-experienced, motivated young women who are ready to support themselves, but cannot, by law, get a job despite being in the U.S. legally� (Shah).
The inability to work in the U.S. on H-4 visa status creates a handicap for career minded women. It puts them at a disadvantage of losing several years of professional work experience. Mehreen Arshad, a graduate in commerce from Bangalore, India and an MBA degree holder from a top U.S. business school is one of the victims of this highly unfair labor law. She is on H-4 visa status for the past 8 years. She says, �This never-ending wait for getting work authorization has ruined my entire career. We are in process of getting Green Card (permanent residency status and work permit) for the past 8 years. Despite having an MBA from a U.S business school, I have been denied jobs several times because of my H4 status. Employers tend to prefer Green Card holders over dependent visa holders. Many organizations clearly state in their job ads that only citizens or green card holders can apply. This truly is a waste of talented workforce and expresses social inequality and discrimination towards legal immigrants.�
With the rising costs of living, education and healthcare in America, not allowing the spouses of immigrants to work is practically like incapacitating them. Every member of the family needs to contribute to sustain financial stability. In a family where one person works and the rest are dependent on one source of income, it sometimes gets hard to make both the ends meet. Dependents of immigrant workers should be granted work visas or they atleast should be allowed to do temporary or seasonal jobs so that they can contribute towards family income to improve the standard of living.
Dependent spouses often get the feeling of being financially controlled by their husbands. Since they are not the providers or bread winners for the family, dependent spouses are often kept out of the decision making process. They cannot make important decisions in life like buying property, starting a family or business because of the financial instability.
In addition to the social and economic setbacks, spouses on H-4 often get the feeling of being alienated. Without work authorization, spouses feel that they are trapped in households and domestic life. Without getting a chance to work and ever being exposed to the local community, it becomes difficult for spouses to understand American culture and fit in well.
Apart from obtaining work permits, dependent spouses are also not issued social security numbers and in many states they cannot even get a driver�s license. Due to all these restrictions, a lot of women on dependent spouse visa status become victims of abuse and domestic violence. �Without the ability to earn money independently from their abuser, battered dependent spouses are not financially secure to protest the abuse, leave the marriage if necessary, or even buy a ticket to return to their home country. Batterers use their financial control to keep victims submissive and often prevent them from staying in status or converting to another status. Without work authorization and the ability to determine their own futures once legally in our borders, many become vulnerable to domestic violence. Once victims, battered dependent spouses find they have no more protections than undocumented immigrants� (Shah).
�In 2002, President Bush signed into law a bill which allows dependent spouses of L (intra-company transferees) and E-3 (citizens of Australia) work visa holders to obtain work authorization. No legislative reason is given for not extending this basic right to H-4 visa holders� (Shah). The current law prohibiting spouses to work on H4 status does not make sense to many because L and E work visas are exactly the same in nature as H-1B work visa, so it is hard to understand why spouses of H1-B work visa holders are still being restrained from obtaining jobs in United States?
Anti-immigrants argue that there is a need to protect the U.S. labor market, so dependents of legal immigrants should not be allowed to work. But in case there is a demonstrated shortage of labor in any particular field of work and an individual meets the eligibility criteria, why should he or she be denied a job on the basis of visa status? There is a demonstrated shortage of workforce in professions like Teaching and Nursing in America. �In May 2005, the National Commission on Nursing Workforce for Long-Term Care released Act Now for Your Tomorrow report which found that there are nearly 100,000 vacant nursing positions in long-term care facilities on any given day�( Rosseter). According to National Education Association, �Not only are America's schools experiencing a shortage of teachers, the growth of ethnic and minority student enrollment is creating a critical need for minority teachers to provide positive role models for the students�("Great Teachers"). With the established need of workforce in teaching and nursing areas, dependent spouses meeting the eligibility criteria can be effectively employed in these professions.
There is also a demonstrated shortage of skilled workers in Engineering and I.T related fields. Few days back Bill Gates, the chairman of Microsoft Corporation commented that there�s an insufficient amount of skilled people in the U.S. labor pool. "Gates argued that, "If the demand is there, why have the regulation at all?" In a statement, Mr. Gates was quoted as saying, "Anybody who's got good computer science training, they are not out there unemployed. We're just not seeing an available labor pool." He further added, "The whole idea of the H1B visa thing is, don't let too many smart people into the country". (Murthy) One way to get around this shortage of skilled workers could be granting work permits to the highly skilled I.T professionals who are already in the U.S. as the spouses of H-1B visa holders.
In view of the above arguments it is imperative that these highly skilled legal immigrant spouses should be granted the right to work for their socio-economic welfare. Work authorization will not only provide financial independence to these women but will also give them the right to determine their own future in case they are trapped in abusive relationships. Also, these immigrant spouses can be prove to be incredibly resourceful in areas of work where there is already shortage of labor. This would indeed be a multifaceted beneficial pursuit, as not only it would support needs of the dependent spouses in terms of their financial well-being but at the end of the day, it is the national interest and economy enjoying the boost from further skilled input.
Spouses and Dependents of Legal US Immigrants Should Be Granted Work Visas
America is known to be the land of immigrants. Immigrants have been a part of American history. There is a lot of debate going on these days on the issue of illegal immigration in various social and political circles. But we also have a fairly large number of legal entrants in America who are officially documented residents. Spouses and dependents of many of these legal U.S. residents are not granted work visas, inherently. Instead they are issued H4 or dependent visas. H4 visa type allows dependents to stay in United States as long as their spouses are legally employed in any organization within the U.S., but they cannot obtain jobs as per the current labor laws. This is a sheer waste of talent for many who migrate to the land of opportunities with a desire to live the American dream. Not granting work permits to the spouses of H1-B work visa holders, makes them feel financially dependent and estranged. Many of these immigrant spouses are highly-qualified professionals with marketable skills but cannot obtain a job, by law, despite being in U.S. legally. By all fairness, dependent spouses should be granted work authorization for the sake of their social, economic and emotional well-being.
According to the U.S Department of state, �The Immigration and Nationality Act provide several categories of nonimmigrant visas for a person who wishes to work temporarily in the United States. Some of these categories include H1-B (person in a specialty occupation), H2-A (temporary or seasonal agricultural workers), L (intra-company transferees), F-1 (students with demonstrated intent to return to home country upon completion of undertaken program) and Q-1 (participants in an international cultural exchange program) visas. With the exception of "Q-1 Cultural Exchange Visitors," a person who has received a visa as the spouse or child of a temporary worker may not accept employment, in the United States� ("Temporary Workers"). Dependents of non immigrant visa holders on H-4, F-2(spouses of student visa holders), and TD (spouses of citizens of Canada and Mexico), visas are directly affected by this law. According to a survey by NADISA (Network of Advocates of Dependent Spouses of America), �Most of these dependent spouses are immigrant women who do not have a penny to their name except by the grace of their husbands. These are some highly educated, well-experienced, motivated young women who are ready to support themselves, but cannot, by law, get a job despite being in the U.S. legally� (Shah).
The inability to work in the U.S. on H-4 visa status creates a handicap for career minded women. It puts them at a disadvantage of losing several years of professional work experience. Mehreen Arshad, a graduate in commerce from Bangalore, India and an MBA degree holder from a top U.S. business school is one of the victims of this highly unfair labor law. She is on H-4 visa status for the past 8 years. She says, �This never-ending wait for getting work authorization has ruined my entire career. We are in process of getting Green Card (permanent residency status and work permit) for the past 8 years. Despite having an MBA from a U.S business school, I have been denied jobs several times because of my H4 status. Employers tend to prefer Green Card holders over dependent visa holders. Many organizations clearly state in their job ads that only citizens or green card holders can apply. This truly is a waste of talented workforce and expresses social inequality and discrimination towards legal immigrants.�
With the rising costs of living, education and healthcare in America, not allowing the spouses of immigrants to work is practically like incapacitating them. Every member of the family needs to contribute to sustain financial stability. In a family where one person works and the rest are dependent on one source of income, it sometimes gets hard to make both the ends meet. Dependents of immigrant workers should be granted work visas or they atleast should be allowed to do temporary or seasonal jobs so that they can contribute towards family income to improve the standard of living.
Dependent spouses often get the feeling of being financially controlled by their husbands. Since they are not the providers or bread winners for the family, dependent spouses are often kept out of the decision making process. They cannot make important decisions in life like buying property, starting a family or business because of the financial instability.
In addition to the social and economic setbacks, spouses on H-4 often get the feeling of being alienated. Without work authorization, spouses feel that they are trapped in households and domestic life. Without getting a chance to work and ever being exposed to the local community, it becomes difficult for spouses to understand American culture and fit in well.
Apart from obtaining work permits, dependent spouses are also not issued social security numbers and in many states they cannot even get a driver�s license. Due to all these restrictions, a lot of women on dependent spouse visa status become victims of abuse and domestic violence. �Without the ability to earn money independently from their abuser, battered dependent spouses are not financially secure to protest the abuse, leave the marriage if necessary, or even buy a ticket to return to their home country. Batterers use their financial control to keep victims submissive and often prevent them from staying in status or converting to another status. Without work authorization and the ability to determine their own futures once legally in our borders, many become vulnerable to domestic violence. Once victims, battered dependent spouses find they have no more protections than undocumented immigrants� (Shah).
�In 2002, President Bush signed into law a bill which allows dependent spouses of L (intra-company transferees) and E-3 (citizens of Australia) work visa holders to obtain work authorization. No legislative reason is given for not extending this basic right to H-4 visa holders� (Shah). The current law prohibiting spouses to work on H4 status does not make sense to many because L and E work visas are exactly the same in nature as H-1B work visa, so it is hard to understand why spouses of H1-B work visa holders are still being restrained from obtaining jobs in United States?
Anti-immigrants argue that there is a need to protect the U.S. labor market, so dependents of legal immigrants should not be allowed to work. But in case there is a demonstrated shortage of labor in any particular field of work and an individual meets the eligibility criteria, why should he or she be denied a job on the basis of visa status? There is a demonstrated shortage of workforce in professions like Teaching and Nursing in America. �In May 2005, the National Commission on Nursing Workforce for Long-Term Care released Act Now for Your Tomorrow report which found that there are nearly 100,000 vacant nursing positions in long-term care facilities on any given day�( Rosseter). According to National Education Association, �Not only are America's schools experiencing a shortage of teachers, the growth of ethnic and minority student enrollment is creating a critical need for minority teachers to provide positive role models for the students�("Great Teachers"). With the established need of workforce in teaching and nursing areas, dependent spouses meeting the eligibility criteria can be effectively employed in these professions.
There is also a demonstrated shortage of skilled workers in Engineering and I.T related fields. Few days back Bill Gates, the chairman of Microsoft Corporation commented that there�s an insufficient amount of skilled people in the U.S. labor pool. "Gates argued that, "If the demand is there, why have the regulation at all?" In a statement, Mr. Gates was quoted as saying, "Anybody who's got good computer science training, they are not out there unemployed. We're just not seeing an available labor pool." He further added, "The whole idea of the H1B visa thing is, don't let too many smart people into the country". (Murthy) One way to get around this shortage of skilled workers could be granting work permits to the highly skilled I.T professionals who are already in the U.S. as the spouses of H-1B visa holders.
In view of the above arguments it is imperative that these highly skilled legal immigrant spouses should be granted the right to work for their socio-economic welfare. Work authorization will not only provide financial independence to these women but will also give them the right to determine their own future in case they are trapped in abusive relationships. Also, these immigrant spouses can be prove to be incredibly resourceful in areas of work where there is already shortage of labor. This would indeed be a multifaceted beneficial pursuit, as not only it would support needs of the dependent spouses in terms of their financial well-being but at the end of the day, it is the national interest and economy enjoying the boost from further skilled input.
indianabacklog
10-24 09:47 AM
[QUOTE
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Indaianabacklog --- Why the he** dont you understand you are born in the damn country with Billion people? But if you are not, then yes its a surprise. But how are you ROW?
And also from my experience --- You got to keep poking the USCIS authorities for them to wake up and take your application to process.
QUOTE]
I do know where I come from, I am from the UK. My screen name is Indiana as in the state where I live. I also know my own priority date. Since my PD only became current in May that was the earliest I could apply so my processing time is not unusual. The ones who are getting approved within three months are the unusual cases.
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Indaianabacklog --- Why the he** dont you understand you are born in the damn country with Billion people? But if you are not, then yes its a surprise. But how are you ROW?
And also from my experience --- You got to keep poking the USCIS authorities for them to wake up and take your application to process.
QUOTE]
I do know where I come from, I am from the UK. My screen name is Indiana as in the state where I live. I also know my own priority date. Since my PD only became current in May that was the earliest I could apply so my processing time is not unusual. The ones who are getting approved within three months are the unusual cases.
payal_nag
06-18 12:50 PM
USCIS issues Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) in the following categories:
EAD: This document proves you are allowed to work in the United States.
Renewal EAD: You should apply for a renewal EAD six months before your original EAD expires.
Replacement EAD: This document replaces a lost, stolen, or mutilated EAD. A replacement EAD also replaces an EAD that was issued with incorrect information, such as a misspelled name.
Interim EAD: If USCIS does not approve or deny your EAD application within 90 days (within 30 days for an asylum applicant; note: asylum applicants are eligible to file for EADs only after waiting 150 days from the date they filed their properly completed original asylum applications), you may request an interim EAD document.
If the EAD app is not approved in 90 days, we can request an interim.Doesn't sound like a big problem then.......Am i missing something? Some folks said Interim EAD have been discontinued....but this on their official website???
EAD: This document proves you are allowed to work in the United States.
Renewal EAD: You should apply for a renewal EAD six months before your original EAD expires.
Replacement EAD: This document replaces a lost, stolen, or mutilated EAD. A replacement EAD also replaces an EAD that was issued with incorrect information, such as a misspelled name.
Interim EAD: If USCIS does not approve or deny your EAD application within 90 days (within 30 days for an asylum applicant; note: asylum applicants are eligible to file for EADs only after waiting 150 days from the date they filed their properly completed original asylum applications), you may request an interim EAD document.
If the EAD app is not approved in 90 days, we can request an interim.Doesn't sound like a big problem then.......Am i missing something? Some folks said Interim EAD have been discontinued....but this on their official website???
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