Sachin_Stock
06-14 03:53 PM
I had applied for I-140 in march 2007 in regular processing (not premium). its in nebraska center which i think is taking quite a long time. should i hurry this up by upgrading to premium and then apply for 485?? i dont want to wait cuz who knows those 485 dates might retrogress in a couple of months.
i wud highly appreciate any recommendations/suggestions.
thanks
i wud highly appreciate any recommendations/suggestions.
thanks
wallpaper arcelona fc 2011 team photo.
pmpforgc
02-13 09:51 AM
Hi
though most part of Sch-A is doctors and Nurses it also covers under its Categorey II EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY PROFESSIONALS in ARTS AND SCIENCES. So some of the PhDs, Scientists and academics are also covered under Sch-A.
I think to oppose Sch-A s effort or H-1 B is counter productive to the IV's goal as both of these categorey include wide ranging support from Health as well as Tech Industry. More over Labor Department have already accepted by giving BALANKET APPROVAL TO SCH-A that THEY ARE THE SHORTAGE OCCUPATIONS. so there is established precedent for that.
We should focus more on PACE, SKILL or OTHER education or energy bills and try to accomodate over concerns and points in those rather than focusing on CIR, which is most likely to be in discussions only till PRESIDENT for 2009 take over his tenure. No body wants to touch it, they just want to get hispanic votes so will tell that they want to do this but will not do it as it takes away several moderate conservative votes.
Due to involvement of US EDUCATED WORKFORCE as well as BACKING from ACADEMIC, TECH and OTHER lobies SKIL is more favorable option compare to CIR.
though most part of Sch-A is doctors and Nurses it also covers under its Categorey II EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY PROFESSIONALS in ARTS AND SCIENCES. So some of the PhDs, Scientists and academics are also covered under Sch-A.
I think to oppose Sch-A s effort or H-1 B is counter productive to the IV's goal as both of these categorey include wide ranging support from Health as well as Tech Industry. More over Labor Department have already accepted by giving BALANKET APPROVAL TO SCH-A that THEY ARE THE SHORTAGE OCCUPATIONS. so there is established precedent for that.
We should focus more on PACE, SKILL or OTHER education or energy bills and try to accomodate over concerns and points in those rather than focusing on CIR, which is most likely to be in discussions only till PRESIDENT for 2009 take over his tenure. No body wants to touch it, they just want to get hispanic votes so will tell that they want to do this but will not do it as it takes away several moderate conservative votes.
Due to involvement of US EDUCATED WORKFORCE as well as BACKING from ACADEMIC, TECH and OTHER lobies SKIL is more favorable option compare to CIR.
virtual55
06-13 07:41 PM
Thanks Aman and Thanks to all core team for your efforts.
2011 BARCELONA FC TEAM PHOTO 2011
xbohdpukc
03-19 10:08 AM
I see usage if "STEM degree" in most of this thread - conversations .... Would like to understand more on what STEM mean. Can anyone 2 line brief when u get a moment to spare. thanks.
science, technology, engineering, math
I am still wondering who came up with this abbreviation :)
science, technology, engineering, math
I am still wondering who came up with this abbreviation :)
more...
hsingh82
08-09 11:16 AM
yes these are very relevant qs.....will someone from canada pls advice abt these especially the cost of living, property and savings....
I have never lived in Canda but married to a Candian citizen so I am writing this with her help and with my limited knowledge. I don't think 50K per year is enough, you may survive but living standard won't be as good, say, compared to Texas (if you are in CA then its different comparison). You pay more taxes, high insurance premiums, clothes are expensive etc. everything is higher. As per my bro-in-law, the sale price of houses in Houston is less that the cost of building house in Toronto (he is a financial consultant in Toronto). I heard socially Canada is better than US and have nicer people.
Heathcare is free (not dental, vision etc.) but you eventually pay more taxes for that so if you are planning to bring your parents this could be good but for healthy young family basically you pay more taxes for health of others. Healthcare can be compared to US but not as good because there is cap on doctor's income (300K??) and many good doctors move to US.
TN is defnitely good and hopefully it will remain for canadian citizens and can be renewed with no cap for maximum years but but your dependents can not work with your TN visa.
I, myself, have applied for Canadian PR and should get it soon but that's just as stand by and won't move there unless I have to.
I have never lived in Canda but married to a Candian citizen so I am writing this with her help and with my limited knowledge. I don't think 50K per year is enough, you may survive but living standard won't be as good, say, compared to Texas (if you are in CA then its different comparison). You pay more taxes, high insurance premiums, clothes are expensive etc. everything is higher. As per my bro-in-law, the sale price of houses in Houston is less that the cost of building house in Toronto (he is a financial consultant in Toronto). I heard socially Canada is better than US and have nicer people.
Heathcare is free (not dental, vision etc.) but you eventually pay more taxes for that so if you are planning to bring your parents this could be good but for healthy young family basically you pay more taxes for health of others. Healthcare can be compared to US but not as good because there is cap on doctor's income (300K??) and many good doctors move to US.
TN is defnitely good and hopefully it will remain for canadian citizens and can be renewed with no cap for maximum years but but your dependents can not work with your TN visa.
I, myself, have applied for Canadian PR and should get it soon but that's just as stand by and won't move there unless I have to.
pa_arora
07-15 05:47 PM
I already mentioned in my previous posts (multiple posts with same matter for people like you and me, see it and understand it well) how we are getting more than 50k visas just for EB2 India. I am giving it here again the visa allotments for 2006 and 2007 years when theres vertical fallouts. Now its changed to horizontal fall outs.
Due to this as many of us think its not the EB3 India which is losing, but its EB3 ROW.
Class --------------------------------------> 2006 | 2007
Total Employment-based Approvals ----------> 159,081 | 162,176
EB1 ---------------------------------------> 36,960 | 26,697
EB2 ---------------------------------------> 21,911 | 44,162
EB3 ---------------------------------------> 89,922 | 85,030
Fourth:-------------------------------------> 9,539 | 5,481
Fifth (investors) ----------------------------> 749 | 806
See the Total Employment Based Visa approvals for 2006 and 2007 159,081 and 162,176. But there are only 140,000 visas in EB category. The rest of the visas came from Family Based visas which are not used for the previous fiscal year. The share for each category: Each EB1, EB2 and EB3 should get 1/3 of 140,000 = 46,666. But due to the less demand in EB1 and EB2 ROW all the visas falling to EB3 ROW due to the Vertical falling.
EB1 ROW --> EB2 ROW --> EB3 ROW.
EB1 INDIA --> EB2 INDIA --> EB3 INDIA.
As theres not much demand for EB1 ROW and EB2 ROW, all the unused visas are going to fall to EB3 ROW. So from this time its going to be like Horizotal fall out like below.
EB1 ROW/EB1 INDIA --> EB2 ROW/ EB2India/ EB2China-->EB3ROW/EB3 INDIA.
So this time to fall any VISAS into EB3 ROW they have to pass through EB2 India/EB2 China. So this makes EB3 ROW dates would retrogress due to the decrease in visa numbers availabilty.
As I said each category would have 46,666. So EB1 and EB2 together will have around 93,332 visas. But in EB1+EB2 in 2006 about 50,000 visas approved and in 2007 about 70,000 visas approved. So for 2008 also asume the demand for EB1 and EB2 is 70,000. But the availability of VISAS are 93,332 as said above + unused family visas which come around 19,000+.
So for this 2008 fiscal year for EB2 India and China the total visa numbers availla ble are
(93,332 +19,000) - 70,000 = 42,332.
So around 42 thousand + 9,800 (regular 7% of 140k) = around 52k Visas Just for India , because EB2 China was already Jan 2006 a year back. And I dont think it would take any considerable share in this 50k other than its regular 9,800 visas.
Get me back if you have any doubts.
Hi vldrao
I see ur predictions coming true, but with a big BUT, the flow "EB1 ROW/EB1 INDIA --> EB2 ROW/ EB2India/ EB2China-->EB3ROW/EB3 INDIA." may be a make-shift approach just to use up leftover visas for this year. This is not a published rule anywhere. So how can u be so certain based on Ron Gotcher or how can he be so certain that this gonna be the approach going forward.
If u made this prediction based on the above rule, then where did u get the news that the visa flow will be changed from vertical to horisontal???? Or was it just a fluke????
We have being diched by USCIS/DOS so many times that i believe such move "too good to be true". It seems like this VB is also like the July07 where everybody when current with the difference that only EB2 IC are forwarded.
Due to this as many of us think its not the EB3 India which is losing, but its EB3 ROW.
Class --------------------------------------> 2006 | 2007
Total Employment-based Approvals ----------> 159,081 | 162,176
EB1 ---------------------------------------> 36,960 | 26,697
EB2 ---------------------------------------> 21,911 | 44,162
EB3 ---------------------------------------> 89,922 | 85,030
Fourth:-------------------------------------> 9,539 | 5,481
Fifth (investors) ----------------------------> 749 | 806
See the Total Employment Based Visa approvals for 2006 and 2007 159,081 and 162,176. But there are only 140,000 visas in EB category. The rest of the visas came from Family Based visas which are not used for the previous fiscal year. The share for each category: Each EB1, EB2 and EB3 should get 1/3 of 140,000 = 46,666. But due to the less demand in EB1 and EB2 ROW all the visas falling to EB3 ROW due to the Vertical falling.
EB1 ROW --> EB2 ROW --> EB3 ROW.
EB1 INDIA --> EB2 INDIA --> EB3 INDIA.
As theres not much demand for EB1 ROW and EB2 ROW, all the unused visas are going to fall to EB3 ROW. So from this time its going to be like Horizotal fall out like below.
EB1 ROW/EB1 INDIA --> EB2 ROW/ EB2India/ EB2China-->EB3ROW/EB3 INDIA.
So this time to fall any VISAS into EB3 ROW they have to pass through EB2 India/EB2 China. So this makes EB3 ROW dates would retrogress due to the decrease in visa numbers availabilty.
As I said each category would have 46,666. So EB1 and EB2 together will have around 93,332 visas. But in EB1+EB2 in 2006 about 50,000 visas approved and in 2007 about 70,000 visas approved. So for 2008 also asume the demand for EB1 and EB2 is 70,000. But the availability of VISAS are 93,332 as said above + unused family visas which come around 19,000+.
So for this 2008 fiscal year for EB2 India and China the total visa numbers availla ble are
(93,332 +19,000) - 70,000 = 42,332.
So around 42 thousand + 9,800 (regular 7% of 140k) = around 52k Visas Just for India , because EB2 China was already Jan 2006 a year back. And I dont think it would take any considerable share in this 50k other than its regular 9,800 visas.
Get me back if you have any doubts.
Hi vldrao
I see ur predictions coming true, but with a big BUT, the flow "EB1 ROW/EB1 INDIA --> EB2 ROW/ EB2India/ EB2China-->EB3ROW/EB3 INDIA." may be a make-shift approach just to use up leftover visas for this year. This is not a published rule anywhere. So how can u be so certain based on Ron Gotcher or how can he be so certain that this gonna be the approach going forward.
If u made this prediction based on the above rule, then where did u get the news that the visa flow will be changed from vertical to horisontal???? Or was it just a fluke????
We have being diched by USCIS/DOS so many times that i believe such move "too good to be true". It seems like this VB is also like the July07 where everybody when current with the difference that only EB2 IC are forwarded.
more...
Horace Jones
07-22 04:32 PM
I had something similar happen to me once. You should definitely file a complaint, and you might be surprised with the results. Here is some more information about filing a complaint: Where do you file a complaint against the US embassy? Is it in a federal court? or somewhere else? - Yahoo! Answers (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091128091457AA2iR4k)
2010 arcelona fc 2011 team.
sbabunle
12-10 02:03 PM
Shut up you junkie..
RSVPing and then not coming is very professional?
Logiclife,
IV is a voluntary organisation. You can request people to volunteer, but cannot force them or scold them for not volunteering. This is not professional. They might have their reasons and the right to work their way. I agree with your frustration when people who signed to turn up do not show up. But I feel this is not the way to express it.
Ram
RSVPing and then not coming is very professional?
Logiclife,
IV is a voluntary organisation. You can request people to volunteer, but cannot force them or scold them for not volunteering. This is not professional. They might have their reasons and the right to work their way. I agree with your frustration when people who signed to turn up do not show up. But I feel this is not the way to express it.
Ram
more...
cagedcactus
10-10 12:38 PM
There are many here (on IV forums) who question if Lobbying and Grassroots efforts really works. It they didn't, we wouldn't be here!
Read the following article on early Indian Immigrants and their miserable conditions before 1946. How they overcame the racist/xenophobic labor groups opposition through lobbying and grassroots efforts and became citizens.
http://www.sikhspectrum.com/082006/citizen.htm
Read the article, become motivated, join MI chapter. Together we shall prevail
True stuff...
Those who question the lobbying and efforts are not really questioning it. They are actually saying that lets do nothing and let system figure it out itself. well, cant blame them. But we will move forward. We will do everything we can at local level to make sure that we are heard.
Read the following article on early Indian Immigrants and their miserable conditions before 1946. How they overcame the racist/xenophobic labor groups opposition through lobbying and grassroots efforts and became citizens.
http://www.sikhspectrum.com/082006/citizen.htm
Read the article, become motivated, join MI chapter. Together we shall prevail
True stuff...
Those who question the lobbying and efforts are not really questioning it. They are actually saying that lets do nothing and let system figure it out itself. well, cant blame them. But we will move forward. We will do everything we can at local level to make sure that we are heard.
hair arcelona fc 2011 team.
gapala
03-20 08:29 PM
So in this case if I work for EMP A and apply for a h1b thru EMP B as soon as the MEP B's petition is approved I lose the approved peition with EMP A ??? I know the answer but want to see your take....... (No. as your scenario is quote, Emp B applied for a H1B (assume new filing). Emp A H1B is also valid as long as one of them is your primary sponsor with full time job. If Emp B transfers an approved H1B for Emp A, then Emp A as a sponsor cease to exist. Emp B becomes the new sponsor. Hence any work done for Emp A will be unauthorized.)
To answer your question Yes nuthing gets transfered. again Really? Every time its a new h1b there is no transfer of anything. You can have 2 or more valid approved petition from different employers (I agree, only if they both are new seperate H1B filings by 2 sponsors) but you can use only one at a time. Here you go again... (You can use as many as you want as long as you have a primary fulltime job with primary sponsor. other H1B's can be parttime jobs at the same time)
Pay - They are liable and USCIS can question them. All they will have to do is show that this employee (OP) was no show never joined the company so basically agree with you here.
What can I say to you?
To answer your question Yes nuthing gets transfered. again Really? Every time its a new h1b there is no transfer of anything. You can have 2 or more valid approved petition from different employers (I agree, only if they both are new seperate H1B filings by 2 sponsors) but you can use only one at a time. Here you go again... (You can use as many as you want as long as you have a primary fulltime job with primary sponsor. other H1B's can be parttime jobs at the same time)
Pay - They are liable and USCIS can question them. All they will have to do is show that this employee (OP) was no show never joined the company so basically agree with you here.
What can I say to you?
more...
NolaIndian32
04-30 11:03 AM
Just contibuted another $100, Receipt Number: 1735-7394-6342-4534
Thanks Amit_sp.
Lets get this number to $10,000 by today.
When we reach $9,900 - I will make a $100 contribution to get us to $10,000!!
Lets go IV!!!
Thanks Amit_sp.
Lets get this number to $10,000 by today.
When we reach $9,900 - I will make a $100 contribution to get us to $10,000!!
Lets go IV!!!
hot arcelona fc 2011 team photo.
kc_p21
12-10 03:31 PM
Why don't you shut up? along with Logiclife?
Bill O' Rielly does it too. And he is a successful professional. So I guess it is ok to ask someone to shut up.
Bill O' Rielly does it too. And he is a successful professional. So I guess it is ok to ask someone to shut up.
more...
house Team: Barcelona FC
Kaper
05-21 11:34 AM
We are in the same boat, and I came across this forum via google as well. We are Canadians living in Texas - my husband has a SSN (H1B) and my daughters and I have ITIN's (H4). This is blatant discrimination and is infuriating to me.
I am happy to join the group to get something done. I will keep my eyes on the board for further action.
Thanks to everyone who is spearheading this.
I am happy to join the group to get something done. I will keep my eyes on the board for further action.
Thanks to everyone who is spearheading this.
tattoo arcelona fc 2011 squad.
VSS2007
06-30 05:57 PM
Hi neerajkandhari,
Can you tell me how many days took to get your physical renewed card by mail from "Card production ordered" date?
I got my card today
the old ead was expiring on sept 2008
the new is expiring on sept 2009
Thanks
Can you tell me how many days took to get your physical renewed card by mail from "Card production ordered" date?
I got my card today
the old ead was expiring on sept 2008
the new is expiring on sept 2009
Thanks
more...
pictures Team: Barcelona FC
sunny1000
09-22 11:32 PM
I guess the cat is out of the bag. Yes, I got my greencard a few weeks ago. Yes, my PD is early 2004.
There are 2 current theories why:-
1. I'm very vocal in the media and lawmakers about the problem, and something made this happen (as my co-workers say "they gave it to you to shut you up")
2. I was a lucky one that was assigned a visa number in early June (when I applied for AOS) - it was approved when my PD was not current.
I'm not going anywhere, nothing has changed with the current policy. It is still broken. If for no other reason, the bizarre circumstances around my GC highlight more unpredictability and uncertainty in the whole process. I hadn't mentioned it before since it really isn't a big deal in the big picture.
First of all, congrats and hope you celebrated with Champagne! :):) I appreciate your dedication to this cause. I am sure others do too...
There are 2 current theories why:-
1. I'm very vocal in the media and lawmakers about the problem, and something made this happen (as my co-workers say "they gave it to you to shut you up")
2. I was a lucky one that was assigned a visa number in early June (when I applied for AOS) - it was approved when my PD was not current.
I'm not going anywhere, nothing has changed with the current policy. It is still broken. If for no other reason, the bizarre circumstances around my GC highlight more unpredictability and uncertainty in the whole process. I hadn't mentioned it before since it really isn't a big deal in the big picture.
First of all, congrats and hope you celebrated with Champagne! :):) I appreciate your dedication to this cause. I am sure others do too...
dresses hot arcelona fc 2011 team
GCcomesoon
10-05 12:50 PM
Hi
I like in Farmington hills area, I would like to join our chapter & any meetings related to our immigration group.
Thanks
GCcomesoon
Priority date - 05/2003
140 approved - 10/2006 from TSC
485,131,765 RD-6/04/2007 at TSC, notices received - 06/07/2007
CA, EB2
Wife's case returned due to some error,send it again & received on 06/17/2007 as per Fedex
Wife's case RD- 7/10/2007
LUD in my case - I131 - 7/10/07, approved - 7/24/07
LUD in my case - 1131,485,765, - 7/11/07
LUD in spouse's case - I131-7/11/07
EAD cleared for spouse - 08/20/07
FP for spouse - 08/08/07 , I rescheduled it.
FP scheduled - 10/03/07 - Done
AP approved for spouse - 09/12/07
Still waiting for my EAD & FP.
I like in Farmington hills area, I would like to join our chapter & any meetings related to our immigration group.
Thanks
GCcomesoon
Priority date - 05/2003
140 approved - 10/2006 from TSC
485,131,765 RD-6/04/2007 at TSC, notices received - 06/07/2007
CA, EB2
Wife's case returned due to some error,send it again & received on 06/17/2007 as per Fedex
Wife's case RD- 7/10/2007
LUD in my case - I131 - 7/10/07, approved - 7/24/07
LUD in my case - 1131,485,765, - 7/11/07
LUD in spouse's case - I131-7/11/07
EAD cleared for spouse - 08/20/07
FP for spouse - 08/08/07 , I rescheduled it.
FP scheduled - 10/03/07 - Done
AP approved for spouse - 09/12/07
Still waiting for my EAD & FP.
more...
makeup arcelona fc 2011 team photo.
GCBy3000
07-06 02:39 PM
Though your feelings are ok, the reality is different.
1. yes there are lot of capbale people through out the world earning less than what an average person earns in US. Why any country should provide visas to them if the country does not gain anything from it. Better to know the supply Vs demand concept.
2. Being a very capable person, you choose to be on H4. US did not force it on you. Everyone has the option of going back to their home country or wait here till they get what they desire. You weigh both the options and decide which suits you better. If you decide to stay on H4 for 4-5 years, then at somepoint for some reason you thought it is better than going back. So be practical.
As someone said, one should feel deserved to get GC and not beg for it. Again I am sorry for your status. My wife with CA and CPA and she is on H4 for 5 years now. I know how frustrating it will be. Worrying will not help much. Accept the reality and think calmly which way you want to go in your life down the line in next 5 years. Take actions now for that which may end up in leaving this counrty or staying with current status until you get GC. You have to make up your mind to live a peaceful life.
This GC process will throw anyone into depression.
Good luck.
1. yes there are lot of capbale people through out the world earning less than what an average person earns in US. Why any country should provide visas to them if the country does not gain anything from it. Better to know the supply Vs demand concept.
2. Being a very capable person, you choose to be on H4. US did not force it on you. Everyone has the option of going back to their home country or wait here till they get what they desire. You weigh both the options and decide which suits you better. If you decide to stay on H4 for 4-5 years, then at somepoint for some reason you thought it is better than going back. So be practical.
As someone said, one should feel deserved to get GC and not beg for it. Again I am sorry for your status. My wife with CA and CPA and she is on H4 for 5 years now. I know how frustrating it will be. Worrying will not help much. Accept the reality and think calmly which way you want to go in your life down the line in next 5 years. Take actions now for that which may end up in leaving this counrty or staying with current status until you get GC. You have to make up your mind to live a peaceful life.
This GC process will throw anyone into depression.
Good luck.
girlfriend arcelona fc 2011. arcelona fc
krishmunn
10-06 11:22 AM
An article of getting PIO card from India :)
www.outlookindia.com | The Papers Are In Order (http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?261306)
I am a Person of Indian Origin. I have a slate-grey passport-like document issued by the Indian government that says so. But I�m not really. I was not born or brought up here, and I do not have a single direct ancestor who, as far as I know, ever lived in India. I have become the proud possessor of a Persons of Indian Origin card because I am married to an Indian citizen.
I had lived in India, on and off, for ten years�and had been married to an Indian citizen for even longer.
Two men were seated at the edge of the sofa, looking more nervous than me. Shireen was questioning them.
Previously, my visas were renewed every six months. We now wanted to stay in India indefinitely and make our home in Delhi. I would have preferred dual citizenship�but that wasn�t, and still isn�t, available. PIO would be second best. But the actual card was not easy to come by. It involved a total of 17 visits to three separate ministries and five different offices. It took up at least four full days of my life. I was interviewed twice, the second time at home with my wife, Shireen. The first time was at the offices of the Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, in an unventilated, very public room brimming with non-Indians from every continent. I reached the head of the queue after two hours of eavesdropping on other people�s immigration problems. I was asked, among other more prosaic questions, to explain why I had married an Indian woman (�Love,� I said, monosyllabically), and then, with a leer and a twinkle, whether I had had many Indian girlfriends. �N-no�, I stuttered. My hesitant response did not reflect either uncertainty or mendacity on my part, but my surprise and my growing irritation with the questioner. The interview ended abruptly. He wrote �Refer for further enquiry� on my residence permit and said I would receive a home visit. �We need to be sure that marriages to Indian citizens are genuine.�
Several weeks later, one Friday afternoon around 5 pm, I received a phone call as I was pottering around the streets of central Delhi.
�He wanted a bribe, you idiot,� my friend said. �You�ll never get your card now; he�d have been happy with Rs 100.�
The investigators from the Home Ministry would be at my home at 5.30. As I rushed home, images of Mr and Mrs, a television programme of my UK childhood, flashed through my mind. A gormless husband would be placed in a soundproof booth, while his bright-as-a-button wife would stand on the stage. She would be asked semi-intimate questions about their life together: what was the first present she gave him when they were ? What colour nightclothes was she wearing yesterday? And so on. The husband was then released from the booth, and would invariably get the answers wrong, to his embarrassment and everyone else�s amusement. It was gentle viewing�a mild celebration of female omniscience and male autism. But now I was going to take part in a real-life version of Mr and Mrs, and my precious PIO card, and perhaps my right to stay in India, would depend on it. And, suddenly I could not, for the life of me, remember the colour of Shireen�s toothbrush, or the name of her favourite Hindi movie, or her shoe size. Fifteen years of marriage had been erased from my memory. I was sweating with nerves by the time I reached home.
Two men were seated on the edge of the sofa, looking even more nervous than me, untouched glasses of water in front of them. Shireen was questioning them about their professional qualifications�which were not very extensive. I gave her a self-conscious kiss on the cheek and sat down. At that point, our children burst in, a dancing duet of carefree excitement.
�What are these children?� asked the chief investigator.
�They�re ours.� Shireen responded with a slight chill in her voice.
�Children of both of you? They are very old.�
�Yes, both of us. They�re twelve and eleven.�
�How do you have children if you are just married?� I had not prepared for this baffling line of questioning�and was later reprimanded for just sitting there with my mouth open. Shireen, meanwhile, delivered a crushing blow.
�Ridiculous (sotto voce).... This is all totally ridiculous (out loud).... We�ve been married for fifteen years.�
I nodded eagerly.
The two men looked at each other, aghast, and then started scrabbling through the cardboard file they had brought with them. It became clear that they normally interviewed newly-married couples.
�Can we see your marriage certificate?� I showed it to them and was asked for a copy. I printed out a copy of the certificate, which was downloaded on my computer. They then got up and left�abruptly ending my brief cameo on Mr and Mrs�having promised a decision within two weeks.
The following evening, a Saturday, our cook, Pan Singh, said one of the men who had come yesterday was at the gate, asking for a lifafa, the Hindi word for envelope. I asked him to invite the man in. Pan Singh returned, a little sheepish, saying the man refused to come in, but just wanted a lifafa�with our marriage certificate. And so, slightly puzzled, I printed out another copy.
Later, I told a friend this story. �He wanted a bribe, you idiot. A lifafa is what you put the bribe in. You�ll never get your PIO card now, and he�d have been perfectly happy with 100 rupees.�
Three weeks later I went to the Foreigners� Regional Registration Office to hear the good news, and the bad. �Your application for a PIO has successfully passed the enquiry stage,� the official informed me without looking up. �But unfortunately, Mr Miller, all your documentation has gone astray and you will need to resubmit.� I looked heavenwards and brought my hand down rather heavily on the table. �I�m sorry. We�re not computerised yet, and some of our agents are a little careless.� It may have been my imagination, but I�m sure I detected the trace of a wink in her left eye. �Probably best to apply next time you�re in London,� she told me cheerfully. I walked away presuming, but unable to prove, that my papers had been deliberately lost.
I took her advice. Three weeks after putting in my application to the Indian High Commission in London (no interview necessary), I had my precious PIO card�together with a 15-year visa, the right to buy property in India, and, to my amusement, the ability to join the diplomats� queue at immigration at Delhi airport. This is of no practical use, because I still have to wait just as long for my luggage, but I do get childishly gleeful as I saunter past the first-class passengers.
Except for the presumed bribary and loss of docs, I do not see anything unusual. USCIS do a lot more grilling before issuing a marriage based GC .
Think about the time consuming process and associated cost even for a EB GC. Well the cost is not bribe -- here they call it Attorney Fees.
www.outlookindia.com | The Papers Are In Order (http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?261306)
I am a Person of Indian Origin. I have a slate-grey passport-like document issued by the Indian government that says so. But I�m not really. I was not born or brought up here, and I do not have a single direct ancestor who, as far as I know, ever lived in India. I have become the proud possessor of a Persons of Indian Origin card because I am married to an Indian citizen.
I had lived in India, on and off, for ten years�and had been married to an Indian citizen for even longer.
Two men were seated at the edge of the sofa, looking more nervous than me. Shireen was questioning them.
Previously, my visas were renewed every six months. We now wanted to stay in India indefinitely and make our home in Delhi. I would have preferred dual citizenship�but that wasn�t, and still isn�t, available. PIO would be second best. But the actual card was not easy to come by. It involved a total of 17 visits to three separate ministries and five different offices. It took up at least four full days of my life. I was interviewed twice, the second time at home with my wife, Shireen. The first time was at the offices of the Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, in an unventilated, very public room brimming with non-Indians from every continent. I reached the head of the queue after two hours of eavesdropping on other people�s immigration problems. I was asked, among other more prosaic questions, to explain why I had married an Indian woman (�Love,� I said, monosyllabically), and then, with a leer and a twinkle, whether I had had many Indian girlfriends. �N-no�, I stuttered. My hesitant response did not reflect either uncertainty or mendacity on my part, but my surprise and my growing irritation with the questioner. The interview ended abruptly. He wrote �Refer for further enquiry� on my residence permit and said I would receive a home visit. �We need to be sure that marriages to Indian citizens are genuine.�
Several weeks later, one Friday afternoon around 5 pm, I received a phone call as I was pottering around the streets of central Delhi.
�He wanted a bribe, you idiot,� my friend said. �You�ll never get your card now; he�d have been happy with Rs 100.�
The investigators from the Home Ministry would be at my home at 5.30. As I rushed home, images of Mr and Mrs, a television programme of my UK childhood, flashed through my mind. A gormless husband would be placed in a soundproof booth, while his bright-as-a-button wife would stand on the stage. She would be asked semi-intimate questions about their life together: what was the first present she gave him when they were ? What colour nightclothes was she wearing yesterday? And so on. The husband was then released from the booth, and would invariably get the answers wrong, to his embarrassment and everyone else�s amusement. It was gentle viewing�a mild celebration of female omniscience and male autism. But now I was going to take part in a real-life version of Mr and Mrs, and my precious PIO card, and perhaps my right to stay in India, would depend on it. And, suddenly I could not, for the life of me, remember the colour of Shireen�s toothbrush, or the name of her favourite Hindi movie, or her shoe size. Fifteen years of marriage had been erased from my memory. I was sweating with nerves by the time I reached home.
Two men were seated on the edge of the sofa, looking even more nervous than me, untouched glasses of water in front of them. Shireen was questioning them about their professional qualifications�which were not very extensive. I gave her a self-conscious kiss on the cheek and sat down. At that point, our children burst in, a dancing duet of carefree excitement.
�What are these children?� asked the chief investigator.
�They�re ours.� Shireen responded with a slight chill in her voice.
�Children of both of you? They are very old.�
�Yes, both of us. They�re twelve and eleven.�
�How do you have children if you are just married?� I had not prepared for this baffling line of questioning�and was later reprimanded for just sitting there with my mouth open. Shireen, meanwhile, delivered a crushing blow.
�Ridiculous (sotto voce).... This is all totally ridiculous (out loud).... We�ve been married for fifteen years.�
I nodded eagerly.
The two men looked at each other, aghast, and then started scrabbling through the cardboard file they had brought with them. It became clear that they normally interviewed newly-married couples.
�Can we see your marriage certificate?� I showed it to them and was asked for a copy. I printed out a copy of the certificate, which was downloaded on my computer. They then got up and left�abruptly ending my brief cameo on Mr and Mrs�having promised a decision within two weeks.
The following evening, a Saturday, our cook, Pan Singh, said one of the men who had come yesterday was at the gate, asking for a lifafa, the Hindi word for envelope. I asked him to invite the man in. Pan Singh returned, a little sheepish, saying the man refused to come in, but just wanted a lifafa�with our marriage certificate. And so, slightly puzzled, I printed out another copy.
Later, I told a friend this story. �He wanted a bribe, you idiot. A lifafa is what you put the bribe in. You�ll never get your PIO card now, and he�d have been perfectly happy with 100 rupees.�
Three weeks later I went to the Foreigners� Regional Registration Office to hear the good news, and the bad. �Your application for a PIO has successfully passed the enquiry stage,� the official informed me without looking up. �But unfortunately, Mr Miller, all your documentation has gone astray and you will need to resubmit.� I looked heavenwards and brought my hand down rather heavily on the table. �I�m sorry. We�re not computerised yet, and some of our agents are a little careless.� It may have been my imagination, but I�m sure I detected the trace of a wink in her left eye. �Probably best to apply next time you�re in London,� she told me cheerfully. I walked away presuming, but unable to prove, that my papers had been deliberately lost.
I took her advice. Three weeks after putting in my application to the Indian High Commission in London (no interview necessary), I had my precious PIO card�together with a 15-year visa, the right to buy property in India, and, to my amusement, the ability to join the diplomats� queue at immigration at Delhi airport. This is of no practical use, because I still have to wait just as long for my luggage, but I do get childishly gleeful as I saunter past the first-class passengers.
Except for the presumed bribary and loss of docs, I do not see anything unusual. USCIS do a lot more grilling before issuing a marriage based GC .
Think about the time consuming process and associated cost even for a EB GC. Well the cost is not bribe -- here they call it Attorney Fees.
hairstyles arcelona fc 2011 team. canfc
rssb
03-26 12:39 PM
People with EB3 applications should be allowed to port. But these should be EB3 applications which were genuinely applied and not substitute labor which opened during July 2007 fiasco.
Because a EB3 application with substitute labor in July 2007 has a priority date of 2002,2003,2004,2005 or even 2006. Where as a genuinely applied Eb2 prior to that, had the qualifications / job requirements before July 2007 and they are still waiting.
USCIS should realize their mistake in 2007, it encouraged a pay to play scheme, which is putting genuine people at great disadvantage.
Porting like any option was started with a good intention, but because of loop holes it has lost its meaning. There are people who landed in this country during the July 2007 fiasco, paid for the labor and have green cards in their hands now.
Or at least provide the same level of stringent requirements to port like (EB2-->EB1) . Technically a EB3 can port to EB1 also, but porting to EB2 is easier. That way Eb3's can consume Eb1 number and stop spill over to Eb2.
L1A is another one, where people qualify as global project managers with very minimal effort, could have less experience than a EB3 or in some cases they have reported to people in EB3 queue here from 2002 and are ahead of the EB3 within 6 months.
Because a EB3 application with substitute labor in July 2007 has a priority date of 2002,2003,2004,2005 or even 2006. Where as a genuinely applied Eb2 prior to that, had the qualifications / job requirements before July 2007 and they are still waiting.
USCIS should realize their mistake in 2007, it encouraged a pay to play scheme, which is putting genuine people at great disadvantage.
Porting like any option was started with a good intention, but because of loop holes it has lost its meaning. There are people who landed in this country during the July 2007 fiasco, paid for the labor and have green cards in their hands now.
Or at least provide the same level of stringent requirements to port like (EB2-->EB1) . Technically a EB3 can port to EB1 also, but porting to EB2 is easier. That way Eb3's can consume Eb1 number and stop spill over to Eb2.
L1A is another one, where people qualify as global project managers with very minimal effort, could have less experience than a EB3 or in some cases they have reported to people in EB3 queue here from 2002 and are ahead of the EB3 within 6 months.
Hope_GC
05-29 02:38 PM
Contributed : $100
Transaction ID: 3DE82463403438812
- Hope_GC
Transaction ID: 3DE82463403438812
- Hope_GC
waitnwatch
06-09 12:48 PM
Politics makes strange bedfellows and while anti-immigrants band together they donot have any additional support from other groups (I maybe wrong and IEEE and Programmers guild may be joining them). On the other hand we do have support from industry even though they primarily support H1B increase. Suffice it to say that we play a very important part because we are the grassroots part of the whole industry lobbying machine where the industry lobbyist can show that the affected parties are in support of what they are saying.
No comments:
Post a Comment