gsc999
05-22 11:59 AM
I had the same issue last year. Per their website
(https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/Home.aspx) September 2006 dates are current, November may not be current yet. You will have to keep checking. The rules were being changed for the visa appointment procedures last Nov/ December. If you have already paid the HDFC fee you should also have free 15 minute telephone time to ask such questions from their agent in India or you might want to call them directly at the phone number below.
I am unsure about a single vs two appointments for you and your husband. Please confirm. It would be safer to direct such questions at the Embassy than at this forum because of the constant changes in the rules.
Below are the helpline numbers when calling from outside India:
If you are calling from outside India, please call us at +91 44 4231 6767
Our agents respond to phone calls between 0800-1600 Monday through Friday excluding all-India holidays observed by the US missions.
E-mailed queries are responded to Monday through Friday, within two working days.
(https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/Home.aspx) September 2006 dates are current, November may not be current yet. You will have to keep checking. The rules were being changed for the visa appointment procedures last Nov/ December. If you have already paid the HDFC fee you should also have free 15 minute telephone time to ask such questions from their agent in India or you might want to call them directly at the phone number below.
I am unsure about a single vs two appointments for you and your husband. Please confirm. It would be safer to direct such questions at the Embassy than at this forum because of the constant changes in the rules.
Below are the helpline numbers when calling from outside India:
If you are calling from outside India, please call us at +91 44 4231 6767
Our agents respond to phone calls between 0800-1600 Monday through Friday excluding all-India holidays observed by the US missions.
E-mailed queries are responded to Monday through Friday, within two working days.
pictures of angels fighting demons. pictures of angels fighting demons. Arch angel fighting demon; Arch angel fighting demon. Stridder44. May 2, 04:02 AM
Anders �stberg
October 7th, 2005, 02:14 AM
My experience is that even with the "1/focal length" rule (or maybe it should be "1/(focal length x crop factor)") is a bit optimistic with these long tele shots. Maybe it can work if you have really good technique and a sturdy tripod but I like to use a much shorter shutter time if possible.
pictures of angels fighting demons. Angels And Demons (2009) Movie
frostrated
08-27 02:18 PM
It is possible if the job description is different. And, you can use your EB3 date, provided your EB3 140 is approved.
pictures of angels fighting demons. Angels and Demons - The War
morchu
05-04 02:42 PM
No the H1B doesn't become INVALID.
You just may not be eligible for another extension.
All:
What happens to an H1B (based on 3 year extension derived from approved I-140 & pending I-485 with dates not being current). Does I-485 denial result in the H1B also being invalid?
You just may not be eligible for another extension.
All:
What happens to an H1B (based on 3 year extension derived from approved I-140 & pending I-485 with dates not being current). Does I-485 denial result in the H1B also being invalid?
more...
pictures of angels fighting demons. pictures of angels fighting demons.
addsf345
11-21 02:45 PM
It is mentioned in my LC approval, the job code is: 15-1032 Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software
However my new job is 15-1053.00, and not 15-1032
Can this jeopardise my pending AC-21? :confused:
However my new job is 15-1053.00, and not 15-1032
Can this jeopardise my pending AC-21? :confused:
pictures of angels fighting demons. Pictures Of Angels Fighting Demons. Arch angel fighting demon; Arch angel fighting demon. dudeabiding. May 5, 08:53 AM
vin13
10-08 11:44 AM
I am in the similar situation too...but I got time till Jan
Does anyone know how long it takes to get AP aprroved.
Does anyone know how long it takes to get AP aprroved.
more...
pictures of angels fighting demons. Related tags: children angels
Kalloo dada
03-26 03:21 PM
I am not sure how these questions will help? Maybe it will proove that we are high skilled and highly paid members who cannot even contribute $20!!
Indians dont want to pay, they want everything free or cheap.
FYI--I am also an Indian.
Indians dont want to pay, they want everything free or cheap.
FYI--I am also an Indian.
pictures of angels fighting demons. Angels fighting demons no idea
TO BE OR NO TO BE
10-21 04:19 PM
I am thinking of switching the company and look for new job. I am not sure how this will work when I am on EAD and not expecting my GC to come soon as my priority date (EB3) is March 2005.
Possibly the new job will not be 100% aligned with the job desc that was put during the LC.
Do any one can help me guide what are my options?
I am not a Lawyer, just advising based on my knowledge / experience:
You can certainly change job (Since you have EAD, I am assuming here that you have approved I-140 and filed for I-485 for more than 180 days). AC-21 (its a law) allows you to port your job when you have approved I-140 and I-485 is filed for more than 180 days.
The job has to be "same or similar" need not be same. The word "same or similar" is not defined in the law, but you can use O*Net classification. The O*Net classification is the code under which your labor petition was filed. Then use O*net website to see the proposed job you are looking at is similar to the O*Net classification your labor was filed for. Its little bit confusing how to use O*Net but if you Google AC-21 you will find enough literature / articles posted by lawyers. Better yet, one of the IV member have wrote whole blog on that (you would have to find that, as I don't remember).
The new job don't need to be restricted within geographic area where your original labor was filed for (you can work anywhere in the USA).
The new employer is not required to prove ability to pay.
There is no upword salary restriction, but if the pay difference is significant then USCIS may take a look at it in detail just to verify that the new job falls within "same or similar" category.
You will have to find a good lawyer (you can do yourself as well) to write AC-21 letter to USCIS. I have seen people suggesting that you don't have to do that, USCIS may never get that into your file. If they you don't send AC-21 letter or it never gets to your file, they will send you RFE to prove that you still have "same or similar" job offer. They may also send you NOID or deny your case, but you can file motion to reopen (obviously using a qualified attorney) and they will most probably approve your case.
And finally, your existing employer can't revoke your approved I-140 (if its over 180 days).
Hopefully this is helpful!
Possibly the new job will not be 100% aligned with the job desc that was put during the LC.
Do any one can help me guide what are my options?
I am not a Lawyer, just advising based on my knowledge / experience:
You can certainly change job (Since you have EAD, I am assuming here that you have approved I-140 and filed for I-485 for more than 180 days). AC-21 (its a law) allows you to port your job when you have approved I-140 and I-485 is filed for more than 180 days.
The job has to be "same or similar" need not be same. The word "same or similar" is not defined in the law, but you can use O*Net classification. The O*Net classification is the code under which your labor petition was filed. Then use O*net website to see the proposed job you are looking at is similar to the O*Net classification your labor was filed for. Its little bit confusing how to use O*Net but if you Google AC-21 you will find enough literature / articles posted by lawyers. Better yet, one of the IV member have wrote whole blog on that (you would have to find that, as I don't remember).
The new job don't need to be restricted within geographic area where your original labor was filed for (you can work anywhere in the USA).
The new employer is not required to prove ability to pay.
There is no upword salary restriction, but if the pay difference is significant then USCIS may take a look at it in detail just to verify that the new job falls within "same or similar" category.
You will have to find a good lawyer (you can do yourself as well) to write AC-21 letter to USCIS. I have seen people suggesting that you don't have to do that, USCIS may never get that into your file. If they you don't send AC-21 letter or it never gets to your file, they will send you RFE to prove that you still have "same or similar" job offer. They may also send you NOID or deny your case, but you can file motion to reopen (obviously using a qualified attorney) and they will most probably approve your case.
And finally, your existing employer can't revoke your approved I-140 (if its over 180 days).
Hopefully this is helpful!
more...
pictures of angels fighting demons. Angels fighting demons no idea
gimme_GC2006
07-31 06:15 PM
thank you..I hope everything goes well. Hopefully will get greened this time :)
pictures of angels fighting demons. pictures of angels fighting demons. to angels fighting demons,; to angels fighting demons,. DeaconGraves. May 5, 12:49 PM
calvinhobbes
01-22 06:30 PM
Thank You IV core group for the great work you guys are doing. We are always with you and we support you.
Thank you so much once again!!
Thank you so much once again!!
more...
pictures of angels fighting demons. pictures of angels fighting demons. Fighting demons reminds me of
Mahatma
07-28 09:16 AM
This is a sort of repeat post for me BUT for the sake of forward movement, I am supporting this motion forward.
Those who received Green should contribute as much as possible. Sometimes, splitting contribution to recurring (instalment) payments works wonder. This is called small is beautiful in India and Kaizen in Japan. According to this philosophy, if you make 5 phone calls everyday with consistency, you could make numerous calls over a period of time. However, if you try to make 100 calls a day, it does not go much farther.
Material contribution (money) is important to sustain IV (keeping website up and running, maintenance and other overheads) in this corporate country.
However, intellectual contribution is very important as well. For some reason if monetary contribution could not be made, one could contribute by knowledge-sharing. Rational and analytical thoughts, balanced ideas and responsible opinions are a huge asset and let us make IV knowlede-driven, smart and sharp organization.
Bottomline: Contribute by thoughts, donations and best still, both.
Remember: We are knowledge workers and we can do things smartly and practically.
Go Ivians!!
Those who received Green should contribute as much as possible. Sometimes, splitting contribution to recurring (instalment) payments works wonder. This is called small is beautiful in India and Kaizen in Japan. According to this philosophy, if you make 5 phone calls everyday with consistency, you could make numerous calls over a period of time. However, if you try to make 100 calls a day, it does not go much farther.
Material contribution (money) is important to sustain IV (keeping website up and running, maintenance and other overheads) in this corporate country.
However, intellectual contribution is very important as well. For some reason if monetary contribution could not be made, one could contribute by knowledge-sharing. Rational and analytical thoughts, balanced ideas and responsible opinions are a huge asset and let us make IV knowlede-driven, smart and sharp organization.
Bottomline: Contribute by thoughts, donations and best still, both.
Remember: We are knowledge workers and we can do things smartly and practically.
Go Ivians!!
pictures of angels fighting demons. Demons and angels are fighting
ronhira
04-17 05:10 PM
Obviously it will fail...but at least we will do away with these "comprehensive" things and
focus on piecemeal.
they will not "do away" with comprehensive..... if it fails this year they will bring it up again next year and next..... there is no room for piecemeal...... if there were.... they would do it after cir failed in 2006, but they didn't..... they could do after cir failed in 2007, but again they didn't...... or they could do piecemeal in 2008, 9 or 10..... the fact they didn't .... it just tells us that we ought to learn something here..... there is nothing called piecemeal & there will never be anything called piecemeal in this leg of immigration reform, other than our own fantasy world.... so get over it...... there is only 1 way to do it.... cir
lets start the undocumented bashing party now......
focus on piecemeal.
they will not "do away" with comprehensive..... if it fails this year they will bring it up again next year and next..... there is no room for piecemeal...... if there were.... they would do it after cir failed in 2006, but they didn't..... they could do after cir failed in 2007, but again they didn't...... or they could do piecemeal in 2008, 9 or 10..... the fact they didn't .... it just tells us that we ought to learn something here..... there is nothing called piecemeal & there will never be anything called piecemeal in this leg of immigration reform, other than our own fantasy world.... so get over it...... there is only 1 way to do it.... cir
lets start the undocumented bashing party now......
more...
pictures of angels fighting demons. Angels have been mentioned in
TomPlate
11-28 03:02 PM
Actually I have opened up a ticket to resolve the issue. Some how the variable is false and not generating the email. Now assigned to the programmer group.
pictures of angels fighting demons. VA - 00.db-Angels and Demons
immi_seeker
09-27 11:57 AM
Hello All, Pardon me if I'm bringing up the question that's already been answered, but couldn't find any answer anywhere in the forum.
I just received my FP notice today but my wife hasn't received any. I'll wait few more days certainly before calling USCIS, but has anybody come across this situation? We had mailed all the applications together at NSC and have Receipt Notices.
Does InfoPass come to any help here?
Please suggest.
Me and my wife recieved our FP notcies 4 days apart. i would say wait for a week before calling USCIS, but make sure you call before your appt itself. Also you can check with your attorney whether they have recieved the FP notice
I just received my FP notice today but my wife hasn't received any. I'll wait few more days certainly before calling USCIS, but has anybody come across this situation? We had mailed all the applications together at NSC and have Receipt Notices.
Does InfoPass come to any help here?
Please suggest.
Me and my wife recieved our FP notcies 4 days apart. i would say wait for a week before calling USCIS, but make sure you call before your appt itself. Also you can check with your attorney whether they have recieved the FP notice
more...
pictures of angels fighting demons. demons and angels fighting
iv4gc
07-29 02:15 PM
permfiling,
A lot folks want to use AC21 but lawyers suggest not actually filing AC21.
So if I take the AC21 approach, but not file AC21 itself (I know this sounds a bit off kilter) wouldn't I be just fine (assuming of course job profiles from Company A & B are a comparable)?
I believe this is the tack Company B lawyer is suggesting.
Here's something I read on another lawyers website w.r.t. AC21:
1. Since GC is for future job you can use AC21 with a new employer if job profile is same. You do not ever, in past/present or future, have to work for the sponsor company.
2. AC21 notification to USCIS is not a MUST requirement. There is an 'expectation' that USCIS will be informed.
Thanks,
A lot folks want to use AC21 but lawyers suggest not actually filing AC21.
So if I take the AC21 approach, but not file AC21 itself (I know this sounds a bit off kilter) wouldn't I be just fine (assuming of course job profiles from Company A & B are a comparable)?
I believe this is the tack Company B lawyer is suggesting.
Here's something I read on another lawyers website w.r.t. AC21:
1. Since GC is for future job you can use AC21 with a new employer if job profile is same. You do not ever, in past/present or future, have to work for the sponsor company.
2. AC21 notification to USCIS is not a MUST requirement. There is an 'expectation' that USCIS will be informed.
Thanks,
pictures of angels fighting demons. pictures of angels fighting demons. Likes: fighting demons, flying; Likes: fighting demons, flying. Sydde. Mar 11, 08:43 PM. I#39;m not going for 100% US-made.
vikki76
07-19 03:49 PM
Translate yourself and get it approved by a friend/colleague who knows your written native language and English.
Theory behind translation service is this- It is an open document, so whoever translating can not lie. If I translate incorrectly from Marathi, 100 other Marathi speakers or a Marathi literati can easily point that out.
Something like our public key , private key encryption :-) :)
Theory behind translation service is this- It is an open document, so whoever translating can not lie. If I translate incorrectly from Marathi, 100 other Marathi speakers or a Marathi literati can easily point that out.
Something like our public key , private key encryption :-) :)
more...
pictures of angels fighting demons. pictures of angels fighting demons. Angels amp; Demons – great novel,; Angels amp; Demons – great novel,. Di9it8. Oct 26, 03:32 AM
Googler
01-14 06:34 PM
Cut and paste for me by my attorney:
Some Observations from DOS on India EB-2 Unavailability
Cite as "AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 08011461 (posted Jan. 14, 2008)"
On January 10, 2007, AILA Liaison contacted Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting at the State Department, to speak about the announcement of India EB-2 visa unavailability in the February 2008 Visa Bulletin. By early November, indications were that USCIS demand for India EB-2 visa numbers would place significant pressure on the overall annual limitation, leading to the decision to roll back the priority date for India EB-2 for December 2007 to 01JAN02, and for January 2008 to 01JAN00. Even with those significant retrogressions, USCIS requested almost 300 India EB-2 for December. (As an indication of the rate of demand and how close to the quarterly and annual limits usage is, the USCIS requested three India EB-2 numbers for January, all with dates prior to 01 JAN 00.) There is some possibility that India EB-2 could again become available if it appears that the demand for India EB-1 will not exceed the annual limit, but, that determination will not be able to be made until the second half of the fiscal year.
For China-mainland born EB-2, if demand remains as has been seen over the last couple of months, it is expected that the 01 JAN 03 cut-off date will hold, and it is likely that all numbers will be used within the current cut-off date.
Some Observations from DOS on India EB-2 Unavailability
Cite as "AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 08011461 (posted Jan. 14, 2008)"
On January 10, 2007, AILA Liaison contacted Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting at the State Department, to speak about the announcement of India EB-2 visa unavailability in the February 2008 Visa Bulletin. By early November, indications were that USCIS demand for India EB-2 visa numbers would place significant pressure on the overall annual limitation, leading to the decision to roll back the priority date for India EB-2 for December 2007 to 01JAN02, and for January 2008 to 01JAN00. Even with those significant retrogressions, USCIS requested almost 300 India EB-2 for December. (As an indication of the rate of demand and how close to the quarterly and annual limits usage is, the USCIS requested three India EB-2 numbers for January, all with dates prior to 01 JAN 00.) There is some possibility that India EB-2 could again become available if it appears that the demand for India EB-1 will not exceed the annual limit, but, that determination will not be able to be made until the second half of the fiscal year.
For China-mainland born EB-2, if demand remains as has been seen over the last couple of months, it is expected that the 01 JAN 03 cut-off date will hold, and it is likely that all numbers will be used within the current cut-off date.
pictures of angels fighting demons. pictures of angels fighting demons. Likes: fighting demons, flying; Likes: fighting demons, flying. Squadleader. Apr 8, 07:45 PM
theMan
11-10 01:32 PM
I am planning on changing to another company but I dont have the labor certification details. All I know is, it is Software Engineer and have salary details and some basic job requirements. My I-140 is approved. If I move to another company on EAD, and if I get an RFE, how can I provide the details of same/similar employment?
Thank you,
Per my lawyer, you can file FOIA, although it could take time. As long as you are moving to "similar" field, you should be fine.
Thank you,
Per my lawyer, you can file FOIA, although it could take time. As long as you are moving to "similar" field, you should be fine.
pictures of angels fighting demons. pictures of angels fighting demons. They fight demons, they like; They fight demons, they like. jamestraceur. Oct 25, 09:29 PM
gcisadawg
03-30 08:20 PM
If you apply for extnsion, please keep in mind your parents stays in US until you receive their approval extension. If they travel outside the while case pending and if they try to renter before case is approved, they will deny at POE and cancel and 10 Year multiple visa. Be very careful here.
I applied for an extension for my mother-in-law. It was approved several months after her I-94 expiration date. But she left to India two days before her I-94 expiration date. I even sent a letter asking them to cancel/withdraw my application. They didnt care and went ahead and approved. When it came, it was pretty much useless!
What I heard was, when you apply for an extension, the stay after I-94 expiration date is approved by US Attorney general for certain number of days. We didn't pursue that option since we thought that it could jeopardize her subsequent trip.
I applied for an extension for my mother-in-law. It was approved several months after her I-94 expiration date. But she left to India two days before her I-94 expiration date. I even sent a letter asking them to cancel/withdraw my application. They didnt care and went ahead and approved. When it came, it was pretty much useless!
What I heard was, when you apply for an extension, the stay after I-94 expiration date is approved by US Attorney general for certain number of days. We didn't pursue that option since we thought that it could jeopardize her subsequent trip.
Viktor
07-12 08:34 AM
Tancredo Announces 'Overdue' Immigration Reform
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200707/POL20070712b.html, By Nathan Burchfiel, CNSNews.com Staff Writer, July 12, 2007
(CNSNews.com) - Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) on Wednesday announced plans to introduce legislation that would overhaul the U.S. immigration system by placing tighter restrictions on legal immigration and increasing pressure on illegal immigrants currently in the country to leave.
Full article posted at http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4805&page=47
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200707/POL20070712b.html, By Nathan Burchfiel, CNSNews.com Staff Writer, July 12, 2007
(CNSNews.com) - Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) on Wednesday announced plans to introduce legislation that would overhaul the U.S. immigration system by placing tighter restrictions on legal immigration and increasing pressure on illegal immigrants currently in the country to leave.
Full article posted at http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4805&page=47
Blog Feeds
01-09 02:20 PM
AILA Leadership Has Just Posted the Following:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-lRWGChO18l3Pu-H-w4NMNQcl7i96zgJMzwWmbUj3bRLAXs3Qp9XoNXAK_4knw-Mob9ARFDiK6dEvAUaz-N9RrPYEya8x6gZaFgcxuS2VgCq3Qs8Ul-u3X7c48EsnhT4nxhx55URBQ8/s320/2010-01-07+international-business-industry-night.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-lRWGChO18l3Pu-H-w4NMNQcl7i96zgJMzwWmbUj3bRLAXs3Qp9XoNXAK_4knw-Mob9ARFDiK6dEvAUaz-N9RrPYEya8x6gZaFgcxuS2VgCq3Qs8Ul-u3X7c48EsnhT4nxhx55URBQ8/s1600-h/2010-01-07+international-business-industry-night.jpg)By Deborah Notkin, AILA Past President
Unfortunately, that's exactly what the Gutierrez bill is. While there are many excellent provisions on important components of immigration reform, especially family unity and legalization, the employment immigration provisions are overwhelmingly negative and geared to eliminate the employers from having any reasonable input on the specific types of foreign employees that are required in an evolving economy. The overarching provision is the establishment of a "Commission" that would determine U.S. immigration policy (numbers and categories) pertaining to temporary and permanent workers. A commission of seven "experts" would report to both houses of Congress annually the types and number of workers that could enter the U. S. Unless both houses of Congress acted to block them (a rarity in today's world), the Commission's "recommendations" would become the law of the land.
There are a number of reasons why substituting Congress with a commission is a bad idea. First, we don't have the statistical evidence available to make good measurements on an annual basis. Second, government commissions in DC overwhelmingly end up becoming unelected political entities, with their own agendas, often exceeding their original mission. Third, a politicized commission on such a controversial issue would be especially problematic because it would not be accountable directly to voters as are elected representatives. In a debate on the Commission concept that I attended in New York, proponents were struggling to find even a few examples of Beltway government commissions that worked and did not become politicized.
While the Gutierrez bill should be commended for including provisions requiring employers to take responsibility for utilizing ethical recruiters and providing a few exemptions from the employment based quota for certain types of professionals, it generally negates the legitimacy of corporate needs and lacks any concept of the global economy and the international, competitive personnel market.
Most egregious is the idea of bringing in a lesser skilled workforce through a sort of "hiring hall" lottery system that would eliminate employers entirely from the selection process. Foreign workers would be placed in a database and assigned to employers based on some computer's or bureaucrat's idea of a match. It reminds one of the unfortunate migrants who are day workers standing outside waiting to be randomly hired. Here, they can just stand in their own countries being assigned to an employer they may not have chosen if given the choice.
Additional provisions would eliminate the ability of employers to use entry level wages for entry level temporary workers. Forcing employers to pay foreign nationals more than their U.S. worker counterparts is totally absurd. Is this how we think America will benefit from the many foreign nationals who have just graduated from, among other fields, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathmatics, programs? And of course, the unworkable cap on H-1B temporary professional workers in a healthy economy is totally ignored, evidently to be left to the gang of seven commissioners.
It appears that Congressman Gutierrez put his heart and soul into legalization and family unity but left the employment provisions to be drafted by the most anti-employer parties in this debate. Much is borrowed from the Durbin-Grassley proposed H-1B and L-1B provisions and the Economic Policy Institute's piece on immigration, which starts out by labeling all employers using foreign workers as participants in indentured servitude.
I have only highlighted a few of the egregious provisions that promise to sink an otherwise good piece of legislation. And this does not serve anyone who sincerely wants to find a solution to the human tragedy faced by undocumented migrants in the United States.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/186823568153827945-4566215004987922662?l=ailaleadership.blogspot.com
More... (http://ailaleadership.blogspot.com/2010/01/gutierrez-billa-good-legalization-and.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-lRWGChO18l3Pu-H-w4NMNQcl7i96zgJMzwWmbUj3bRLAXs3Qp9XoNXAK_4knw-Mob9ARFDiK6dEvAUaz-N9RrPYEya8x6gZaFgcxuS2VgCq3Qs8Ul-u3X7c48EsnhT4nxhx55URBQ8/s320/2010-01-07+international-business-industry-night.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-lRWGChO18l3Pu-H-w4NMNQcl7i96zgJMzwWmbUj3bRLAXs3Qp9XoNXAK_4knw-Mob9ARFDiK6dEvAUaz-N9RrPYEya8x6gZaFgcxuS2VgCq3Qs8Ul-u3X7c48EsnhT4nxhx55URBQ8/s1600-h/2010-01-07+international-business-industry-night.jpg)By Deborah Notkin, AILA Past President
Unfortunately, that's exactly what the Gutierrez bill is. While there are many excellent provisions on important components of immigration reform, especially family unity and legalization, the employment immigration provisions are overwhelmingly negative and geared to eliminate the employers from having any reasonable input on the specific types of foreign employees that are required in an evolving economy. The overarching provision is the establishment of a "Commission" that would determine U.S. immigration policy (numbers and categories) pertaining to temporary and permanent workers. A commission of seven "experts" would report to both houses of Congress annually the types and number of workers that could enter the U. S. Unless both houses of Congress acted to block them (a rarity in today's world), the Commission's "recommendations" would become the law of the land.
There are a number of reasons why substituting Congress with a commission is a bad idea. First, we don't have the statistical evidence available to make good measurements on an annual basis. Second, government commissions in DC overwhelmingly end up becoming unelected political entities, with their own agendas, often exceeding their original mission. Third, a politicized commission on such a controversial issue would be especially problematic because it would not be accountable directly to voters as are elected representatives. In a debate on the Commission concept that I attended in New York, proponents were struggling to find even a few examples of Beltway government commissions that worked and did not become politicized.
While the Gutierrez bill should be commended for including provisions requiring employers to take responsibility for utilizing ethical recruiters and providing a few exemptions from the employment based quota for certain types of professionals, it generally negates the legitimacy of corporate needs and lacks any concept of the global economy and the international, competitive personnel market.
Most egregious is the idea of bringing in a lesser skilled workforce through a sort of "hiring hall" lottery system that would eliminate employers entirely from the selection process. Foreign workers would be placed in a database and assigned to employers based on some computer's or bureaucrat's idea of a match. It reminds one of the unfortunate migrants who are day workers standing outside waiting to be randomly hired. Here, they can just stand in their own countries being assigned to an employer they may not have chosen if given the choice.
Additional provisions would eliminate the ability of employers to use entry level wages for entry level temporary workers. Forcing employers to pay foreign nationals more than their U.S. worker counterparts is totally absurd. Is this how we think America will benefit from the many foreign nationals who have just graduated from, among other fields, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathmatics, programs? And of course, the unworkable cap on H-1B temporary professional workers in a healthy economy is totally ignored, evidently to be left to the gang of seven commissioners.
It appears that Congressman Gutierrez put his heart and soul into legalization and family unity but left the employment provisions to be drafted by the most anti-employer parties in this debate. Much is borrowed from the Durbin-Grassley proposed H-1B and L-1B provisions and the Economic Policy Institute's piece on immigration, which starts out by labeling all employers using foreign workers as participants in indentured servitude.
I have only highlighted a few of the egregious provisions that promise to sink an otherwise good piece of legislation. And this does not serve anyone who sincerely wants to find a solution to the human tragedy faced by undocumented migrants in the United States.
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