vjkypally
11-15 08:09 PM
After all the detailed analysis I was also looking for some ideasiol_joh:
Ridiculing ideas presented by others and NOT suggesting any alternatives hardly lends any credibility to your post.
what is your "sound long term strategy (12-18 months)"??
Ridiculing ideas presented by others and NOT suggesting any alternatives hardly lends any credibility to your post.
what is your "sound long term strategy (12-18 months)"??
wallpaper 22 Ridiculous Baby Pictures
irock
07-14 01:08 PM
I'm also EB2, BEC, PD Aug-2004. Still waiting from my GC.
Are we assuming that all the BEC (Backlog Elimination Center) EB2's have already gotten their GCs..?
Are we assuming that all the BEC (Backlog Elimination Center) EB2's have already gotten their GCs..?
desi3933
07-19 05:14 PM
Hi,
1. I am on L1 with current company A(with current i-94 expiring in Nov 2007). I got my H1 approval this year from consultant B and they got the I-797B. This document shows the validity from Nov 2007-2010. But I have heard people get something called I-797A which has a new I-94 attached to it and in my case it is not.
Here are my questions.
1. Can I start working for consultant B from Oct 1.(after quitting the company A with L1).?
2. What should I do since I have current I-94 only till Nov 15th 2007 and if I ask my current company A to extend it they wont do because I want to leave them as early as possible before Oct 1st.
3. Can my consultant file for the change of STATUS from L1 to H1B(the approval for which I have already received from USCIS) and then in that case it will have new I-94 attached.
4. Another suggestions what should I be doing so that I can start working on H1 after Oct1st here and then whenever I go back to India, after 4 or 5 months I will have the Visa stamped.
Thanks in advance.
Re-enter USA with H1 visa stamp.
___________________
Not a legal advice.
1. I am on L1 with current company A(with current i-94 expiring in Nov 2007). I got my H1 approval this year from consultant B and they got the I-797B. This document shows the validity from Nov 2007-2010. But I have heard people get something called I-797A which has a new I-94 attached to it and in my case it is not.
Here are my questions.
1. Can I start working for consultant B from Oct 1.(after quitting the company A with L1).?
2. What should I do since I have current I-94 only till Nov 15th 2007 and if I ask my current company A to extend it they wont do because I want to leave them as early as possible before Oct 1st.
3. Can my consultant file for the change of STATUS from L1 to H1B(the approval for which I have already received from USCIS) and then in that case it will have new I-94 attached.
4. Another suggestions what should I be doing so that I can start working on H1 after Oct1st here and then whenever I go back to India, after 4 or 5 months I will have the Visa stamped.
Thanks in advance.
Re-enter USA with H1 visa stamp.
___________________
Not a legal advice.
2011 Give Babies Drugs
walking_dude
10-15 09:53 AM
Mea Culpa. I'm the culprit here :).
I requested for the meeting close to weekend. It turned out some other new chapters were also in the same boat. Core put us together in the same call, which helped, as our issues are more or less the same. Timing was inconvenient for cagedcactus due to personal reasons. Yet he participated (which we should appreciate). Some veterans also nearly-missed the call as everything got finalized a few hours before it.
Regarding nearby states, we can try to accomodate Indiana (IN) and Ohio (OH), and my be Wisconsin (WI), the states that border Michigan, that is if they already don't have an active chapter.
I missed it, not aware of it, not sure why. I am glad to see this chapter grow. There was a time where we were searching for folks with torchlights. Thanks to Chintu, walking_dude, cagedcactus, bestin and all others who are now making this happen.
I have a very close friend in Michigan, and asked him to join, but he talks about all hardships, about his HR manager, about his company, about his lawyer, about everything except IV stuff. I am sure there are many more people here doing the same thing. We have to motivate folks to come forward. We cannot afford to have people who are inactive.
Good luck to you all, try to merge folks from nearby states if they are still not organized until they get organized.
I requested for the meeting close to weekend. It turned out some other new chapters were also in the same boat. Core put us together in the same call, which helped, as our issues are more or less the same. Timing was inconvenient for cagedcactus due to personal reasons. Yet he participated (which we should appreciate). Some veterans also nearly-missed the call as everything got finalized a few hours before it.
Regarding nearby states, we can try to accomodate Indiana (IN) and Ohio (OH), and my be Wisconsin (WI), the states that border Michigan, that is if they already don't have an active chapter.
I missed it, not aware of it, not sure why. I am glad to see this chapter grow. There was a time where we were searching for folks with torchlights. Thanks to Chintu, walking_dude, cagedcactus, bestin and all others who are now making this happen.
I have a very close friend in Michigan, and asked him to join, but he talks about all hardships, about his HR manager, about his company, about his lawyer, about everything except IV stuff. I am sure there are many more people here doing the same thing. We have to motivate folks to come forward. We cannot afford to have people who are inactive.
Good luck to you all, try to merge folks from nearby states if they are still not organized until they get organized.
more...
webm
06-04 12:28 PM
hey eb3_nepa
One quick question....if the spouse is on H4, working on EAD and then travels outside and comes back in using her H4....can she then still use her EAD.....??
Yes fill the I-9 form and again can continue work on EAD..but better use AP at POE if she already used EAD before..
my 2 cents..
One quick question....if the spouse is on H4, working on EAD and then travels outside and comes back in using her H4....can she then still use her EAD.....??
Yes fill the I-9 form and again can continue work on EAD..but better use AP at POE if she already used EAD before..
my 2 cents..
chanduv23
07-09 07:22 AM
She is yet to file for my 485 and I have been following up constantly. No responses or very rare response. But she was prompt before I gave the check and documents.
more...
spam
02-12 01:11 AM
I have sent letters for wife and I to WH. And will get few more through friends. What is the significance of sending the copies to IV ?
2010 hot Really Funny Babies really
kate123
05-19 03:04 PM
Transaction ID: 84N21462WP6981944
Donated 50$ towards the event.
Thanks a lot for all your help.
Kiran.
Donated 50$ towards the event.
Thanks a lot for all your help.
Kiran.
more...
immique
03-24 10:17 PM
I also heard a lot of different things from some of my friends not sure if all of them are true or not. I have heard that people who did Labor substitution or converted from EB3 to EB2 are getting unusually high number of RFEs compared to others. Also DOL seems to be tightening up and scrutinizing EB2 applications vigorously(this is hear say don't take my word for this). Personally the one fact that I can vouch for from my experience with my family and vast circle of friends that did apply for Green cards is that people with a straight forward EB2 application had much higher chances of getting approved even with a later priorty date. I know four friends with a PD of June 2005 EB2(and many more with earlier PDs) from one retrogressed country who got green cards during that 1 month in July 2007 when all the dates were current. But I also have several friends who are either EB3 to EB2 conversion or EB3 with much earlier PDs (2002/2003) who unfortunately are still waiting for their I 485 approval even with an earlier PDs(most of them even did PERM Labor with transfer of PD or EB3 to EB2). many of them are still replying for RFE for one or the other issue. Does having a complicated application with EB3 to EB2 transfers/ Labor substitution delay the processing or lead to more scrutiny from USCIS? I don't know. I would like to know more from the other friends in the forum who have received RFE recently regarding their experiences. Also any straight forward EB2 filers who got RFEs please post your experience.
hair very funny pictures of abies.
sc3
09-14 11:38 AM
Oh...Comm'On you seems completely sold onto typical propaganda now.
Lets just keep the Rep and Dem propaganda lines aside. You and me are non-citizens without a vote so we can afford to be on the sideline and have an impartial opinion. Now with that attitude think about the two contenders. I liked some aspects in both, McCain seemed like a great guy with a great story (POW et al) I liked the way he initially backed CIR even though most of his party men opposed it; I liked the way he started supporting Bush when everyone else in the world is hating him and gave the support for troop increase. But of late his campaign has become sleaziest...all lies. They took one vote of Obama out of context and say that his only contribution to education is sex education in KG. They showed Obama as the reason for increasing gas prices etc. Even I can see how idiotic these claims are and McCain is still supporting them. Then his whole equation with Bush - he is using his connections for fund raising and accepting his support but publicly acts as if he is running against Bush. This whole republican propaganda machine projecting Palin as next best thing in US politics is laughable. She does not have any experience and whatever little experience she has - she seems to have abused it. Well she does look good and seems to have fired up their cadre - that is good enough for them. Of all McCain's shortcomings - his choice of VP is most horrible - its a purely political choice. Nobody is complaining about women voting her (actually none of women's organizations vote her as her extreme right wing opinions) - the problem is republicans wants people to stop thinking about ISSUES and think who is reposible for this state and think about who is better to solve them - they just want people to think about pigs, lipstick, moose, sex, kindergarten, etc and vote enmasse to Palin (note they gave up on McCain already that is why this sensationalism on a VP).
Obama side - yes he is inexperienced (and infact I liked Hillary during primaries) but atleast he is running a very honorable campaign and convention. He is atleast talking about issues. The notion that journalists are light on him so .... over ... and so primary time theme. If there is a Palin like issue on him (say he is involved in firing someone; or exaggerating facts about her opposition to bridge to nowhere; or even about family with a teen-aged pregnant daughter) the press would have been on fire just like when Rev.Wright was an issue. So dont say that press is light on him. About the race - you may not see everything open in our offices but yes his race is a main reason why he is still backward in polls if Obama with same policies and same charisma and same experience level and background is a white guy he would have run away with this election already. Whether we like it or not race is a factor and it works both ways. The thing that I dont like about Obama is the fact that dems are still didnt close this thing - the state of economy, an illogical war, an all-time low popularity of incumbent president who belong to other party - still thing is not closed. I truly think that it would have been different if Hillary is the nominee.
About whether community organization is a reason enough to become president - on the same token we can ask - whether crashing your plane in a war is reason enough to become president. Ofcourse not - both of them have enough strengths to came to this point than being onetime organizer or onetime POW. As someone in the sidelines - I like them to see to run this campaign in a honoroble way and discuss real issues rather than rake up silly/idiotic/dumb/fake issues. Both initially seemed promise in running campaigns in that way but of late McCain/palin went off the line and its slowly becoming a mug-slinging match. In that respect I started liking Obama more.
On immigration related issues - especially EB related issues - I think none of them can make a difference. We need something to be done in congress and personally I think that probability of something happening next year is very low (that is why HR5882 is so important for us - its right time and if we miss it we have to wait for another couple years maybe).
I was Dem leaning too, and I liked Hillary. But Obama has in no way been running the honorable campaign. He is using others to do his dirty job, if you think otherwise, you too have been sold on the propaganda of the left.
when obama made a sexist remark, what did the press do? Nothing. Let us see what happens if his opposition makes a even a hint of racist remark. I am sure then that the republican campaign will be pounded by every media outlet in the country.
Again, not to say I like republican ideology, I am very left leaning in my thoughts and actions. However at this time, I see that majority of the left is leaning towards Obama just for the sake of leaning towards left, and not on the merits of candidacy. And such thing is bad for everyone concerned (even the world, because like it on not, what happens in USA doesn't just stay in USA) -- Obama has already demonstrated that he is nothing but a political opportunist. His comments on Israel (I liked his statement, but not his intention) and the eventual recanting, and among many other examples, shows that he is just unqualified to be the President.
And for the records, McCain in not running for the job just based on the fact that he was shot down. He has considerable amount of experience working in the Senate and knowledge of world issues, and American issues too.
Lets just keep the Rep and Dem propaganda lines aside. You and me are non-citizens without a vote so we can afford to be on the sideline and have an impartial opinion. Now with that attitude think about the two contenders. I liked some aspects in both, McCain seemed like a great guy with a great story (POW et al) I liked the way he initially backed CIR even though most of his party men opposed it; I liked the way he started supporting Bush when everyone else in the world is hating him and gave the support for troop increase. But of late his campaign has become sleaziest...all lies. They took one vote of Obama out of context and say that his only contribution to education is sex education in KG. They showed Obama as the reason for increasing gas prices etc. Even I can see how idiotic these claims are and McCain is still supporting them. Then his whole equation with Bush - he is using his connections for fund raising and accepting his support but publicly acts as if he is running against Bush. This whole republican propaganda machine projecting Palin as next best thing in US politics is laughable. She does not have any experience and whatever little experience she has - she seems to have abused it. Well she does look good and seems to have fired up their cadre - that is good enough for them. Of all McCain's shortcomings - his choice of VP is most horrible - its a purely political choice. Nobody is complaining about women voting her (actually none of women's organizations vote her as her extreme right wing opinions) - the problem is republicans wants people to stop thinking about ISSUES and think who is reposible for this state and think about who is better to solve them - they just want people to think about pigs, lipstick, moose, sex, kindergarten, etc and vote enmasse to Palin (note they gave up on McCain already that is why this sensationalism on a VP).
Obama side - yes he is inexperienced (and infact I liked Hillary during primaries) but atleast he is running a very honorable campaign and convention. He is atleast talking about issues. The notion that journalists are light on him so .... over ... and so primary time theme. If there is a Palin like issue on him (say he is involved in firing someone; or exaggerating facts about her opposition to bridge to nowhere; or even about family with a teen-aged pregnant daughter) the press would have been on fire just like when Rev.Wright was an issue. So dont say that press is light on him. About the race - you may not see everything open in our offices but yes his race is a main reason why he is still backward in polls if Obama with same policies and same charisma and same experience level and background is a white guy he would have run away with this election already. Whether we like it or not race is a factor and it works both ways. The thing that I dont like about Obama is the fact that dems are still didnt close this thing - the state of economy, an illogical war, an all-time low popularity of incumbent president who belong to other party - still thing is not closed. I truly think that it would have been different if Hillary is the nominee.
About whether community organization is a reason enough to become president - on the same token we can ask - whether crashing your plane in a war is reason enough to become president. Ofcourse not - both of them have enough strengths to came to this point than being onetime organizer or onetime POW. As someone in the sidelines - I like them to see to run this campaign in a honoroble way and discuss real issues rather than rake up silly/idiotic/dumb/fake issues. Both initially seemed promise in running campaigns in that way but of late McCain/palin went off the line and its slowly becoming a mug-slinging match. In that respect I started liking Obama more.
On immigration related issues - especially EB related issues - I think none of them can make a difference. We need something to be done in congress and personally I think that probability of something happening next year is very low (that is why HR5882 is so important for us - its right time and if we miss it we have to wait for another couple years maybe).
I was Dem leaning too, and I liked Hillary. But Obama has in no way been running the honorable campaign. He is using others to do his dirty job, if you think otherwise, you too have been sold on the propaganda of the left.
when obama made a sexist remark, what did the press do? Nothing. Let us see what happens if his opposition makes a even a hint of racist remark. I am sure then that the republican campaign will be pounded by every media outlet in the country.
Again, not to say I like republican ideology, I am very left leaning in my thoughts and actions. However at this time, I see that majority of the left is leaning towards Obama just for the sake of leaning towards left, and not on the merits of candidacy. And such thing is bad for everyone concerned (even the world, because like it on not, what happens in USA doesn't just stay in USA) -- Obama has already demonstrated that he is nothing but a political opportunist. His comments on Israel (I liked his statement, but not his intention) and the eventual recanting, and among many other examples, shows that he is just unqualified to be the President.
And for the records, McCain in not running for the job just based on the fact that he was shot down. He has considerable amount of experience working in the Senate and knowledge of world issues, and American issues too.
more...
santb1975
02-18 12:20 PM
it got too cold so we had to go home. We got around 19 letters signed yesterday after our So.Cal meetup
hot I think what really made me
chanduv23
10-04 04:13 PM
Also in Detroit India
http://www.detroitindia.com/fpdb/Discussion/ImmigrationGowda/Discussdetail.asp?Id=341
Flyers are ready - we can post flyers
http://www.detroitindia.com/fpdb/Discussion/ImmigrationGowda/Discussdetail.asp?Id=341
Flyers are ready - we can post flyers
more...
house Funny Baby Pictures: When
stucklabor
03-17 08:35 PM
Appu, what abt labor cert? Does this advanced degree-holder still have to go thru labor cert? If yes, then the person with advanced degree but no experience has no advantage.
Here's the summary from Sen Frist's website:
So if you would have qualified for the F-4 visa if this bill had been in effect at the time of your graduation and you have secured employment in the US, you can adjust your status.
Plus, Section 406 says: if you have been employed for 3 years, then a visa number will be immediately available to you. Otherwise, Section 405 still says you have to wait till a visa number is available.
Here's the summary from Sen Frist's website:
So if you would have qualified for the F-4 visa if this bill had been in effect at the time of your graduation and you have secured employment in the US, you can adjust your status.
Plus, Section 406 says: if you have been employed for 3 years, then a visa number will be immediately available to you. Otherwise, Section 405 still says you have to wait till a visa number is available.
tattoo really funny sight .. just
bobopotato
06-08 02:57 PM
Maybe this is a "grand scheme" to get people like us who are complaining about the current system to realize that our current system really rocks! (from what really bad nightmares it could be instead)!
more...
pictures really funny pictures of abies. Really funny headshape
spicy_guy
05-17 06:03 PM
Done.
I think its a good idea to post this link to some other active immigration forums so we can grab some more interested interested prospective immigrants.
I think its a good idea to post this link to some other active immigration forums so we can grab some more interested interested prospective immigrants.
dresses Real Benjamin Button Case
needhelp!
02-10 12:28 AM
abhijitp & h4_hoping :)
I am also hoping for some tomorrow at a class.
Will update the letter counts on Monday. Buzz has it that IV has received ~1700 letters in the P O Box.
I am also hoping for some tomorrow at a class.
Will update the letter counts on Monday. Buzz has it that IV has received ~1700 letters in the P O Box.
more...
makeup house Funny Baby Picture funny
days_go_by
07-20 04:23 PM
Can someone confirm if you can maintain accounts in the US after you leave. That sounds very dumb. I want US to keep my money and they don't want it?
I understand that after Patriot Act you can't open accounts in US without SSN but I think you should be able to keep your account because that SSN is assigned to you forever.
---
I am not sure about effect of patriot act, but some of my friends who left in 2002 era still have accounts here. Another friend left for Banglore but his 401K is still here.
I understand that after Patriot Act you can't open accounts in US without SSN but I think you should be able to keep your account because that SSN is assigned to you forever.
---
I am not sure about effect of patriot act, but some of my friends who left in 2002 era still have accounts here. Another friend left for Banglore but his 401K is still here.
girlfriend It#39;s a really funny shirt with
smuggymba
07-22 11:43 AM
I speak Hindi and have 8-9 friends from south india..telegu, tamil and kannadiga........we have been hanging out for years now and we haven't faced any problems....2-3 ppl in our group don't know hindi well and they try to learn it.
I have learned a few telugu and tamil words........I find calling the attitude of hindi ppl rude is a bad omen. If you don't like hindi, why do u like british language english.
I'm surprised when ppl say they hate hindi (which many indians speak) but talk to the foreign clients in their language with a smirk on their face. Take it easy friends. Cool down.
I have learned a few telugu and tamil words........I find calling the attitude of hindi ppl rude is a bad omen. If you don't like hindi, why do u like british language english.
I'm surprised when ppl say they hate hindi (which many indians speak) but talk to the foreign clients in their language with a smirk on their face. Take it easy friends. Cool down.
hairstyles But abies are good reasons
mhtanim
09-12 07:23 PM
I am not a lawyer, but this is what my understanding: if your I-485 was is pending for at least 180 days and your I-140 was approved at the time when you used AC21, you should be safe. In this scenario, even if the ex-employer revokes your I-140, you should be fine and if USCIS has denied your I-485 based on this, you should be able to fight it.
USCIS usually won't deny a I-485 unless the applicant was out of status at some point of time. Sometimes, the attorney messes up the application somewhere and that causes denial. But again, as someone has mentioned, USCIS is suppose to issue NOID before denying it. If they haven't done so, this gives you an additional material to fight the denial.
I would suggest that you wait for the denial notice and see what it says. If it sounds complicated or you think the USCIS has made a mistake, get a reputable attorney and file a MTR.
USCIS usually won't deny a I-485 unless the applicant was out of status at some point of time. Sometimes, the attorney messes up the application somewhere and that causes denial. But again, as someone has mentioned, USCIS is suppose to issue NOID before denying it. If they haven't done so, this gives you an additional material to fight the denial.
I would suggest that you wait for the denial notice and see what it says. If it sounds complicated or you think the USCIS has made a mistake, get a reputable attorney and file a MTR.
IfYouSeekAmy
08-20 10:14 AM
I used David Cohen at Canada Immigration - Information on Immigration to Canada (http://www.canadavisa.com/)
They did a good job. My only complaint with they kept changing the paralegal that was handling my case like 3 times during the whole process. Otherwise no problmems.
First thanks to those who put there first hand experience in this thread, it made me think again. And now I am deciding to cross the border and go north, after 9+ years in US on H1b.
Could someone please refer a Do-it-yourself kit that they have used and/or immigration consultant?
I contacted one consultant, they email almost every week and when I called/emailed them saying I am ready to pursue there has been no response from other side yet.
It will be great help for me if you could refer a kit or a consultant.
Looking forward to join H1->Canada community :D
Thanks
H1bslave
They did a good job. My only complaint with they kept changing the paralegal that was handling my case like 3 times during the whole process. Otherwise no problmems.
First thanks to those who put there first hand experience in this thread, it made me think again. And now I am deciding to cross the border and go north, after 9+ years in US on H1b.
Could someone please refer a Do-it-yourself kit that they have used and/or immigration consultant?
I contacted one consultant, they email almost every week and when I called/emailed them saying I am ready to pursue there has been no response from other side yet.
It will be great help for me if you could refer a kit or a consultant.
Looking forward to join H1->Canada community :D
Thanks
H1bslave
columban
06-09 01:04 AM
All,
I have been a passive follower on IV for few weeks now. I read the news clippings that people had posted where there was some Gautam Aggarwal who felt the point system was good. I see a press release from him that I saw floating around some mailing list.
Quite honestly even though lots of us disagree with him, he does make a very valid point. IV should consider clubbing US educated people such that 2 separate quotas can be created. Instead of banishing him as an elitist look at his point he is making by just marketing how the country is using the educated. Using a well respected university name is no different than talking about how we legals pay taxes etc. Just because we are educated and better of that the illegals as an argument is no less than elitism in that sense. I happened to go through gautamagg's post after the Guitrezz rally - read his message again sans tone. He makes a point. This CIR bill could have been good for us if we approached it positively looking at US educated people as a group too. Also his statement on the AP report about MPS being good is not totally incorrect in an environment where both EB and MPS may exist - if we can get that i.e. EB and MPS keeps both sides happy and we should fight for that. I emailed gautamagg and he did mention that the AP report cut out that part of his statement and told me to verify that with the reporter if I wished to. I think we guys need to be less passionate before we throw stones at others. IV is definitely doing a great job but people should share opinions openly on strategy - we are all humans and we may have missed an important aspect at IV - most IV folks seem to be non-US educated consultants and therefore disagree with Gautam. We really are 2 diff groups who want the same result with better partnership. My 2 cents. His press release:
For Immediate Press Release: May 28, 2007
“Grand Bargain” Immigration Bill creates issues for International Students in Economics, Finance and Business
Mountain View, CA – May 28, 2007 – The US Senate is actively debating the proposed “Bi-partisan Grand Bargain” Immigration Reform bill. While the bill does have many provisions to attract educated people from outside the US, it also creates restrictions for people with an economics/ finance background.
One of the proposals is to introduce an additional visa category for people coming to the US for graduate study. Though the proposed F-4 visa category is welcome by the international students’ community, it is unfavorable for people with a non-technical background or for people with a technical background who would like to gain additional skills outside of technology to be successful entrepreneurs. The proposed category, called the F-4 students visa, allows international students two major provisions that the existing student visa, the F-1, is restrictive in:
1. F-4 students do not have to prove a non-immigration intent. Unlike F-1 visa applicants, students coming on an F-4 visa will have the ability to have a “dual intent” at the time of applying for their visa, while entering the Unites States, or while maintaining their F-4 status in the US. Such students can have a pending Green Card (GC) application or can apply for one while on F-4 status. This is in contrast to the existing F-1 category in which a previous or current intent to immigrate to the United States negatively impacts a persons ability to obtain an F-1 visa.
2. Under the F-4 visa, instead of 12-months the students will have up to 24-months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) available after graduation. The larger time window will help students evaluate employment options while staying agnostic of visa issues.
The bill restricts the F-4 visa to people who would attend advanced degrees in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Such limitation to STEM alone would negatively impact the inflow of international students to other graduate programs such as Finance, Economics, and Business. In today’s dynamic global economies, technology and business work together. Over a third of the MBA class in top US schools such as Wharton, Stanford, Harvard, and Cornell comes from a technology background. Restricting these provisions to STEM degrees alone will result in a severe shortage of highly skilled international students coming to the US for an MBA due to an advantage the STEM degree holders will have over them. This will impede the abilities of many “technologists” to obtain business and finance education and will reverse the positive trend in places such as the Silicon Valley where many engineers turn into successful entrepreneurs creating wealth and job opportunities for many Americans and add to America’s competitive edge.
While the Senate has shown foresight by introducing the F-4 visa that helps in retaining people with advanced education from the US, it remains a very myopic solution to the problem it intends to address. Next week, the Senate comes back from recess to discuss amendments to this bill, this press release appeals to the Senate to consider enhancing the provisions of the F-4 as well.
Note: Hundreds of people are affected by this already. With a Masters in Computer Science from Cornell University, 7-years of technology experience in the Silicon Valley, and after paying over $ 150,000 in taxes, Gautam, issuer of this Press release, may be unable to join his MBA class at The Wharton School this year. Because he had once started his Green Card process and established an “intent to immigrate”, it is difficult for him to reverse the process and obtain a students visa. Over 3-4 years of processing wait times has resulted in many people such as him to give-up their applications in lieu of additional education. But, their past intent looms over their very uncertain future: 22 of them have connected with each other and pray that their Indian Gods stay happy with them on the day of their student-visa interviews in India and that reason and common sense prevail.
###
Contact:
Gautam Aggarwal
I have been a passive follower on IV for few weeks now. I read the news clippings that people had posted where there was some Gautam Aggarwal who felt the point system was good. I see a press release from him that I saw floating around some mailing list.
Quite honestly even though lots of us disagree with him, he does make a very valid point. IV should consider clubbing US educated people such that 2 separate quotas can be created. Instead of banishing him as an elitist look at his point he is making by just marketing how the country is using the educated. Using a well respected university name is no different than talking about how we legals pay taxes etc. Just because we are educated and better of that the illegals as an argument is no less than elitism in that sense. I happened to go through gautamagg's post after the Guitrezz rally - read his message again sans tone. He makes a point. This CIR bill could have been good for us if we approached it positively looking at US educated people as a group too. Also his statement on the AP report about MPS being good is not totally incorrect in an environment where both EB and MPS may exist - if we can get that i.e. EB and MPS keeps both sides happy and we should fight for that. I emailed gautamagg and he did mention that the AP report cut out that part of his statement and told me to verify that with the reporter if I wished to. I think we guys need to be less passionate before we throw stones at others. IV is definitely doing a great job but people should share opinions openly on strategy - we are all humans and we may have missed an important aspect at IV - most IV folks seem to be non-US educated consultants and therefore disagree with Gautam. We really are 2 diff groups who want the same result with better partnership. My 2 cents. His press release:
For Immediate Press Release: May 28, 2007
“Grand Bargain” Immigration Bill creates issues for International Students in Economics, Finance and Business
Mountain View, CA – May 28, 2007 – The US Senate is actively debating the proposed “Bi-partisan Grand Bargain” Immigration Reform bill. While the bill does have many provisions to attract educated people from outside the US, it also creates restrictions for people with an economics/ finance background.
One of the proposals is to introduce an additional visa category for people coming to the US for graduate study. Though the proposed F-4 visa category is welcome by the international students’ community, it is unfavorable for people with a non-technical background or for people with a technical background who would like to gain additional skills outside of technology to be successful entrepreneurs. The proposed category, called the F-4 students visa, allows international students two major provisions that the existing student visa, the F-1, is restrictive in:
1. F-4 students do not have to prove a non-immigration intent. Unlike F-1 visa applicants, students coming on an F-4 visa will have the ability to have a “dual intent” at the time of applying for their visa, while entering the Unites States, or while maintaining their F-4 status in the US. Such students can have a pending Green Card (GC) application or can apply for one while on F-4 status. This is in contrast to the existing F-1 category in which a previous or current intent to immigrate to the United States negatively impacts a persons ability to obtain an F-1 visa.
2. Under the F-4 visa, instead of 12-months the students will have up to 24-months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) available after graduation. The larger time window will help students evaluate employment options while staying agnostic of visa issues.
The bill restricts the F-4 visa to people who would attend advanced degrees in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Such limitation to STEM alone would negatively impact the inflow of international students to other graduate programs such as Finance, Economics, and Business. In today’s dynamic global economies, technology and business work together. Over a third of the MBA class in top US schools such as Wharton, Stanford, Harvard, and Cornell comes from a technology background. Restricting these provisions to STEM degrees alone will result in a severe shortage of highly skilled international students coming to the US for an MBA due to an advantage the STEM degree holders will have over them. This will impede the abilities of many “technologists” to obtain business and finance education and will reverse the positive trend in places such as the Silicon Valley where many engineers turn into successful entrepreneurs creating wealth and job opportunities for many Americans and add to America’s competitive edge.
While the Senate has shown foresight by introducing the F-4 visa that helps in retaining people with advanced education from the US, it remains a very myopic solution to the problem it intends to address. Next week, the Senate comes back from recess to discuss amendments to this bill, this press release appeals to the Senate to consider enhancing the provisions of the F-4 as well.
Note: Hundreds of people are affected by this already. With a Masters in Computer Science from Cornell University, 7-years of technology experience in the Silicon Valley, and after paying over $ 150,000 in taxes, Gautam, issuer of this Press release, may be unable to join his MBA class at The Wharton School this year. Because he had once started his Green Card process and established an “intent to immigrate”, it is difficult for him to reverse the process and obtain a students visa. Over 3-4 years of processing wait times has resulted in many people such as him to give-up their applications in lieu of additional education. But, their past intent looms over their very uncertain future: 22 of them have connected with each other and pray that their Indian Gods stay happy with them on the day of their student-visa interviews in India and that reason and common sense prevail.
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Gautam Aggarwal
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