gc4me
03-29 09:38 PM
Looks like murthy.com is correct after all. Already filled I-140 with sub LC will not be affected.
Read this text.
*Substitution--Substitution of alien beneficiaries will be
prohibited as of the effective date of a final rule resulting from this
NPRM and that prohibition will apply to all pending permanent labor
certification applications and to approved certifications not yet filed
with DHS, whether the application was filed under the prior or current
regulation. This regulatory change would not affect substitutions
approved prior to the final rule's effective date.
Good catch!
Read this text.
*Substitution--Substitution of alien beneficiaries will be
prohibited as of the effective date of a final rule resulting from this
NPRM and that prohibition will apply to all pending permanent labor
certification applications and to approved certifications not yet filed
with DHS, whether the application was filed under the prior or current
regulation. This regulatory change would not affect substitutions
approved prior to the final rule's effective date.
Good catch!
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vamsi_poondla
05-13 10:21 AM
Tamil problem is true, relevant and has to be solved within the framework of SL Constitution with all moderate SL Tamil parties sitting across the table.
If Tamil issue == LTTE, no Indian would support (and a significant majority of SL Tamils themselves will not support). Every single LTTE member has to be brought to the court if possible or they should perish in the war. However noble their intention was, their means is called Terrorism, which any civil person should oppose. Now don't draw any arguments about Black July or Sinhalese Only policy of 1960s. I know that and that is what is reflected in the paragraph 1 above.
And dont get hyper if you see TN politicians making ruffle. They already proved that they have no brain. Just want your votes and they know how to provoke. Otherwise offensive started long back and with the same arms approved by Indian Cabinet in which many TN parties are members of.
If Tamil issue == LTTE, no Indian would support (and a significant majority of SL Tamils themselves will not support). Every single LTTE member has to be brought to the court if possible or they should perish in the war. However noble their intention was, their means is called Terrorism, which any civil person should oppose. Now don't draw any arguments about Black July or Sinhalese Only policy of 1960s. I know that and that is what is reflected in the paragraph 1 above.
And dont get hyper if you see TN politicians making ruffle. They already proved that they have no brain. Just want your votes and they know how to provoke. Otherwise offensive started long back and with the same arms approved by Indian Cabinet in which many TN parties are members of.
Macaca
07-04 12:17 PM
having family members like spouses and children fly in to the U.S. to be able to apply for a green card.
Please verify (with URL) that applicant + dependents have to be in US in order to apply!
Please verify (with URL) that applicant + dependents have to be in US in order to apply!
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saketh555
09-15 06:08 PM
I guess the priority dates for EB2 will hoover around 2nd Q of 2005. I came to this assumption after seeing mass approvals of 04 applications, looks like they are cleaning all 04 applications:rolleyes:.
Can't really guess EB3, not even GOD.
Can't really guess EB3, not even GOD.
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msp1976
02-13 03:30 PM
Originally; I had interpreted the paragraph to mean if the total visas by category i.e, total visas in eb1 are unused then a country can go over 7% limit in that category (horiziontal spillover).
However; the law is determining total as total visas for all EB categories as a whole. Therefore, there has to be unused visas from the 140,000 for a country to go over 7%.
I interpreted that as allowing a country to go over the overall 7% limit in the total EB categories.....Which conforms to what USCIS did in 2005....USCIS allowed much larger than 7% from India that year...and they were within law...( Of course that can be litigated against if someone raises an objection ......)
So if my interpretation applies and after reform there are 290K total visas available then there is a decent chance of EB2/EB3 India China to at least come to 2005 PD levels if not current...
However; the law is determining total as total visas for all EB categories as a whole. Therefore, there has to be unused visas from the 140,000 for a country to go over 7%.
I interpreted that as allowing a country to go over the overall 7% limit in the total EB categories.....Which conforms to what USCIS did in 2005....USCIS allowed much larger than 7% from India that year...and they were within law...( Of course that can be litigated against if someone raises an objection ......)
So if my interpretation applies and after reform there are 290K total visas available then there is a decent chance of EB2/EB3 India China to at least come to 2005 PD levels if not current...
alterego
12-14 01:33 PM
Think of lobbying as polite negotiation.
Think of Supreme court case as picking a fist fight, in which we are badly out numbered.
Once you have started a fist fight it is much harder to negotiate, especially from a loosing position.
This is exactly correct. It is not the question of right or wrong here. That is what gets folks so upset on this thread, they feel since their viewpoint s right then.......... Most neutral observers like mbartosik can see this as unjust and there may be many in the US as well, however certainly not the majority. However, there are many ways in which this could backfire. One example is the recently seen debate over illegal immigration and the turn in public sentiment. Truth be told, if someone did something wrong 12 yrs ago(crossed the fence), now is married to a US citizen and has 3 US children, what do you do with them? What about the 3yr old who was brought to the USA by their parents and knows no other system? Perhaps a few years ago joe public would have given them a pass, no more, the debate has become so nasty that positions have been hardened to the point that reason does not prevail. Another reason has something to do with the perceived sense of entitlement Americans sensed in the illegal immigrant community(of course fanned by Lou Dobbs and his ilk). These are complex issues and generally you will get a lot further appealing to someones sense of fairness than explaining how you are entitled to something and will take it from them if it is not given to you.
Think of Supreme court case as picking a fist fight, in which we are badly out numbered.
Once you have started a fist fight it is much harder to negotiate, especially from a loosing position.
This is exactly correct. It is not the question of right or wrong here. That is what gets folks so upset on this thread, they feel since their viewpoint s right then.......... Most neutral observers like mbartosik can see this as unjust and there may be many in the US as well, however certainly not the majority. However, there are many ways in which this could backfire. One example is the recently seen debate over illegal immigration and the turn in public sentiment. Truth be told, if someone did something wrong 12 yrs ago(crossed the fence), now is married to a US citizen and has 3 US children, what do you do with them? What about the 3yr old who was brought to the USA by their parents and knows no other system? Perhaps a few years ago joe public would have given them a pass, no more, the debate has become so nasty that positions have been hardened to the point that reason does not prevail. Another reason has something to do with the perceived sense of entitlement Americans sensed in the illegal immigrant community(of course fanned by Lou Dobbs and his ilk). These are complex issues and generally you will get a lot further appealing to someones sense of fairness than explaining how you are entitled to something and will take it from them if it is not given to you.
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maximus777
08-17 10:31 AM
This is a country of law. If your name is flagged by any reason, no matter who you are, you are going to send for secondary investigation. There are thousands of peoples pulled for secondary investigation everyday. Are they all Khan? SRK, you lost your credibility on this issue.
In 2002, then President Bush's two teenager twin daughters were charged for producing fake ID to buy beer in the Texas bar. Instead of supporting daughter, President apologize.
In Baltimore, where I live, charged Micheal Phelps (winner of 8 gold medals in last Olympic) for having accident with expired Driving License.
When India will come out of "Celebrity worship"?
The VIP culture and the sense of entitlement in India is sickening :mad: I would understand if George Fernandes had raised a fuss since he was travelling as a diplomat, but SRK is pure dung!! FFS, he is there only to promote his movie - like some one mentioned here, the world doesnt come to an end if he is delayed by an hour or if the movie flops or doesnt even see the light of day.
In 2002, then President Bush's two teenager twin daughters were charged for producing fake ID to buy beer in the Texas bar. Instead of supporting daughter, President apologize.
In Baltimore, where I live, charged Micheal Phelps (winner of 8 gold medals in last Olympic) for having accident with expired Driving License.
When India will come out of "Celebrity worship"?
The VIP culture and the sense of entitlement in India is sickening :mad: I would understand if George Fernandes had raised a fuss since he was travelling as a diplomat, but SRK is pure dung!! FFS, he is there only to promote his movie - like some one mentioned here, the world doesnt come to an end if he is delayed by an hour or if the movie flops or doesnt even see the light of day.
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poorslumdog
08-19 12:22 AM
Originally Posted by vinzen
sorry, I love preaching.
by the way I was referring to "the guy who thinks americans think he is a slumdog...." not you or everyone. But then again you think that I think that you lead a life lower than average. If you think you agreed with me, instead of calling it obvious being defensive and, just agree with me. OK? And get that chip off your shoulder as well.
well i think we have solved all our immigration issues, i waish if we all concetrate our efforts on solving our issue, if we all try we have chances of succeeding ...if am surprised that we all are stuck in backlog and only 2-3 % take participate in real issues...not sure what is rest of us waiting for?
I am sure both the ids are same person...:D
sorry, I love preaching.
by the way I was referring to "the guy who thinks americans think he is a slumdog...." not you or everyone. But then again you think that I think that you lead a life lower than average. If you think you agreed with me, instead of calling it obvious being defensive and, just agree with me. OK? And get that chip off your shoulder as well.
well i think we have solved all our immigration issues, i waish if we all concetrate our efforts on solving our issue, if we all try we have chances of succeeding ...if am surprised that we all are stuck in backlog and only 2-3 % take participate in real issues...not sure what is rest of us waiting for?
I am sure both the ids are same person...:D
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mihird
10-09 04:24 PM
what if both husband & wife get jobs and come here on TN vsia, then how does TD visa apply because both are working? is that possible for both to work in US without one getting into this TD tangle?
db
You won't get into the TD tangle similar to not getting into the H4 tangle if both are qualified, intending to work and qualify for their respective TNs..
db
You won't get into the TD tangle similar to not getting into the H4 tangle if both are qualified, intending to work and qualify for their respective TNs..
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gcfriend65
06-26 01:53 PM
The assessment is correct. The Visa Bulletin is published by the 15th. of every month by DOS. So, by July 15, whatever number of applications, USCIS receives, they have to count them and send the numbers to DOS. DOS then have to do their math and come up with August 2007 numbers, but August 2007 Visa Bulletin has to be published by July 15. Therefore, they mentioned as a footnote in the Visa Bulletin that DOS will retrogress numbers in September 2007. I again quote below:
E. EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA AVAILABILITY DURING THE COMING MONTHS
All Employment Preference categories except for Third �Other Workers� have been made �Current� for July. This has been done in an effort to generate increased demand by Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) for adjustment of status cases, and to maximize number use under the annual numerical limit. However, all readers should be alert to the possibility that not all Employment preferences will remain Current for the remainder of the fiscal year. Should the rate of demand for numbers be very heavy in the coming months, it could become necessary to retrogress some cut-off dates for September, most likely for China-mainland born and India, but also possibly for Mexico and Philippines. Severe cut-off date retrogressions are likely to occur early in FY-2008.
Reference:DOS website.
I agree with you. To bring the dates back USCIS would have to accept application for atleast next 2 weeks. Then, they will have to open and count all the application based on country. After that, they will calculate Aug/mid-July retrogression date. It does not sound like they will do it in mid-july, but for august they can do whatever they want in their visa bulletien.
This is jusy my assessment. I didn't get this from anywhere.
E. EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA AVAILABILITY DURING THE COMING MONTHS
All Employment Preference categories except for Third �Other Workers� have been made �Current� for July. This has been done in an effort to generate increased demand by Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) for adjustment of status cases, and to maximize number use under the annual numerical limit. However, all readers should be alert to the possibility that not all Employment preferences will remain Current for the remainder of the fiscal year. Should the rate of demand for numbers be very heavy in the coming months, it could become necessary to retrogress some cut-off dates for September, most likely for China-mainland born and India, but also possibly for Mexico and Philippines. Severe cut-off date retrogressions are likely to occur early in FY-2008.
Reference:DOS website.
I agree with you. To bring the dates back USCIS would have to accept application for atleast next 2 weeks. Then, they will have to open and count all the application based on country. After that, they will calculate Aug/mid-July retrogression date. It does not sound like they will do it in mid-july, but for august they can do whatever they want in their visa bulletien.
This is jusy my assessment. I didn't get this from anywhere.
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John333
07-26 05:20 AM
Dear Attorney,
I have an approved H1B petition, but was given 221(g) during consular interview due to lack of license to practice my proffession in US. They instructed me to submit the license within one year to stamp the H1B visa.
Now I am comming to US on a Visitors visa to write the licensing exam and to get licenced.
I am aware of the aware of possibility of changing status from Visitors visa to H1B after getting licence without leaving US, since I already have an approved
H1B.
But I came to know that USCIS will take around 90 days to approve status change from Visitors visa to H1B.
Kindly clarify whether I can start working for my H1B employer immediately after filing status change with USCIS, or do I need to wait till the approval, to start working.
Also do I need to include 221(g) I received after my H1B consulate interveiw for the status change application.
Thank you very much in advance.
I have an approved H1B petition, but was given 221(g) during consular interview due to lack of license to practice my proffession in US. They instructed me to submit the license within one year to stamp the H1B visa.
Now I am comming to US on a Visitors visa to write the licensing exam and to get licenced.
I am aware of the aware of possibility of changing status from Visitors visa to H1B after getting licence without leaving US, since I already have an approved
H1B.
But I came to know that USCIS will take around 90 days to approve status change from Visitors visa to H1B.
Kindly clarify whether I can start working for my H1B employer immediately after filing status change with USCIS, or do I need to wait till the approval, to start working.
Also do I need to include 221(g) I received after my H1B consulate interveiw for the status change application.
Thank you very much in advance.
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Lasantha
09-06 02:39 PM
We applied for canadian immigration in 2002 but didn't have to provide the IELTS results. Things might have changed since then.
I guess it all depend on the CO and how well you present your case in your application. If you provide enough evidence to show your fluency in the language they might accept them. But it's always a good idea to be prepared and do the test anyway. That was what I did.
I guess it all depend on the CO and how well you present your case in your application. If you provide enough evidence to show your fluency in the language they might accept them. But it's always a good idea to be prepared and do the test anyway. That was what I did.
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alterego
10-04 05:50 PM
I have seen all sorts of posting on both this forum as well as others supporting the process of labour substitution.
This issue needs careful analysis. Just as a knife can be used for a useful purpose of slicing bread, but also for the criminal purpose of committing homicide, so can the LC be used by the employer to truly get a desperately needed skilled employee or to sell it to the highest bidder.
In the former case it is appropriate whoever the beneficiary and however recently he has arrived. In the latter scenario it is neither fair nor appropriate.
Much of the problem as I see it here is on the basis of the basic abuse in the system. In my view this provision in the immigration law leads to more abuse on the part of employers, lawyers and opportunist immigrants. All this to the detriment of fair minded law abiding immigrants.
I have wrestled with this issue a lot. In my situation, I am in a situation of relative comfort. I have an approved 140 in a very stable job with pending 485s for me and my wife albeit with very recent PDs which I am not about to see become current for years in the current scenario.
My wife is in an area of quite good demand where there are all sorts of substitute labours floating about. Technically, I could have her take the gamble with the security and back up my situation provides.
Yet I have not done so (to date). Yet I am not foolish enough to make any long term bets either. I am an idealist but also a realist. I have much to gain or potentially lose by the scrapping of this provision. Hence I consider myself neutral and able to take a neutral view on this issue.
My feeling is this thing is wrong as it currently stands. Yet I will not promise not to use it if the powers that be are stupid enough to let is stand as it is currently stated.
That is my best asssessment of this situation.
This issue needs careful analysis. Just as a knife can be used for a useful purpose of slicing bread, but also for the criminal purpose of committing homicide, so can the LC be used by the employer to truly get a desperately needed skilled employee or to sell it to the highest bidder.
In the former case it is appropriate whoever the beneficiary and however recently he has arrived. In the latter scenario it is neither fair nor appropriate.
Much of the problem as I see it here is on the basis of the basic abuse in the system. In my view this provision in the immigration law leads to more abuse on the part of employers, lawyers and opportunist immigrants. All this to the detriment of fair minded law abiding immigrants.
I have wrestled with this issue a lot. In my situation, I am in a situation of relative comfort. I have an approved 140 in a very stable job with pending 485s for me and my wife albeit with very recent PDs which I am not about to see become current for years in the current scenario.
My wife is in an area of quite good demand where there are all sorts of substitute labours floating about. Technically, I could have her take the gamble with the security and back up my situation provides.
Yet I have not done so (to date). Yet I am not foolish enough to make any long term bets either. I am an idealist but also a realist. I have much to gain or potentially lose by the scrapping of this provision. Hence I consider myself neutral and able to take a neutral view on this issue.
My feeling is this thing is wrong as it currently stands. Yet I will not promise not to use it if the powers that be are stupid enough to let is stand as it is currently stated.
That is my best asssessment of this situation.
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gc_chahiye
06-28 08:21 PM
Read this memo:
http://bibdaily.com/pdfs/6-21-07%20AILA%20memo%20to%20Atyes%20&%20Neufeld.pdf
USCIS has indeed broken the law by doing what it did this month.
It has gone against what they used to do in the past, and they have not published this new policy in a place where stakeholders have a say (or atleast get to know in advance that the policy is changing). Valid complaints. But I dont think AILA is saying they broke the law. And thats scary.
http://bibdaily.com/pdfs/6-21-07%20AILA%20memo%20to%20Atyes%20&%20Neufeld.pdf
USCIS has indeed broken the law by doing what it did this month.
It has gone against what they used to do in the past, and they have not published this new policy in a place where stakeholders have a say (or atleast get to know in advance that the policy is changing). Valid complaints. But I dont think AILA is saying they broke the law. And thats scary.
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immique
07-16 11:20 PM
there are still atleast 20K visas left this year and atleast 85-90% of those will go to EB2 India. this should clear up a significant majority of the EB2 pending prior to 06/2006. As I mentioned before the numbers will be unavailable towards the end of September as all the visas are used up, but by this time most of the EB2 hat are current now will get their visas. the dates may go back slightly in October- probably to mid 2004 like you said, but it will not stay there for long. with all the Spill over, the dates will start moving rapidly in Nov/dec of this year itself and EB2 India will be current by this time next year. I agree wth your assertion that legislative fix is needed to increase the EB numbers and resolve the backlogs
According to there are 15 pages X 50 Eb-2 India I-485 is pending with priority date before 6/1/2006. If we assume 5% of Eb-2 India is registered with , total visas to be issued in EB-2 for India would be 19000 just upto June 1, 2006. Between June 1, 2006 to July 2007 this number simply more than double. Probably 50% of this 19000 Eb-2's may be processed upto September 30, 2008 leaving another 9500 visas compete for next year. Again 60% of Eb-2 485 is pending with NSC and 40% is pending with TSC. Therefore TSC people's share of I-485 will be more till September compared to NSC Eb-2 India.
My prediction is EB-2 India will start in October 2008 with April 2004 and in April 2009 it can go back to June 2006.
Any Legislative relief from congress will make the situation lot better.
According to there are 15 pages X 50 Eb-2 India I-485 is pending with priority date before 6/1/2006. If we assume 5% of Eb-2 India is registered with , total visas to be issued in EB-2 for India would be 19000 just upto June 1, 2006. Between June 1, 2006 to July 2007 this number simply more than double. Probably 50% of this 19000 Eb-2's may be processed upto September 30, 2008 leaving another 9500 visas compete for next year. Again 60% of Eb-2 485 is pending with NSC and 40% is pending with TSC. Therefore TSC people's share of I-485 will be more till September compared to NSC Eb-2 India.
My prediction is EB-2 India will start in October 2008 with April 2004 and in April 2009 it can go back to June 2006.
Any Legislative relief from congress will make the situation lot better.
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Legal
07-23 12:50 PM
Legal,
I hope you are right. But I am not convinced because there was a statement in USCIS testimony that they used up 65% of their target in first 5 months. So even if they used up just 30% in next 5 months, there will be very few Visas left over. If their target did not include the spill overs, then you are right. But in that case, a part of the spill over should also go to EB3. So EB3 should open up again. I am also EB2. So I hope you are right. But as of now, it appears that either there are not many visas left over or it can be that USCIS target was very low.
that EB3 quota has been used up for this fiscal and will re-open in October only. I assume you're wondering whether some FB spill over would go to EB3. If that's the case they wouldn't have announced EB3 quota is over.
I hope you are right. But I am not convinced because there was a statement in USCIS testimony that they used up 65% of their target in first 5 months. So even if they used up just 30% in next 5 months, there will be very few Visas left over. If their target did not include the spill overs, then you are right. But in that case, a part of the spill over should also go to EB3. So EB3 should open up again. I am also EB2. So I hope you are right. But as of now, it appears that either there are not many visas left over or it can be that USCIS target was very low.
that EB3 quota has been used up for this fiscal and will re-open in October only. I assume you're wondering whether some FB spill over would go to EB3. If that's the case they wouldn't have announced EB3 quota is over.
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nomi
09-29 12:26 PM
I also have to land before 03/2007.
New 3 years extension is valid till 10/2009. Visa Expired. I am from Pakistan. Where u from?
I am also from Pakistan too.
New 3 years extension is valid till 10/2009. Visa Expired. I am from Pakistan. Where u from?
I am also from Pakistan too.
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ashshef
10-21 01:55 PM
Looking at approval data, i see EB2-India approvals continuing with many recent approvals from Jan 2005. Leading me to believe that most of the application current will be approved by Nov 2009 and we should see +ve movement in EB2-India date to March 2005 in Dec 2009 Bulletin.
I'd be surprised to see that much movement before the Jan bulletin. If they do a quarterly spillover, I am hoping they'll move it to March at least.
Been working on H1 since mid-2000. Getting more and more anxious as the dates draw closer.
I'd be surprised to see that much movement before the Jan bulletin. If they do a quarterly spillover, I am hoping they'll move it to March at least.
Been working on H1 since mid-2000. Getting more and more anxious as the dates draw closer.
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hopefulgc
02-14 03:38 PM
damn.. lazycis you are good... its a winning precedent.
would you be our lawyer (you have a few weeks to get the JD and clear the bar exam)
:)
---------------------------
Originally Posted by lazycis View Post
"Another aspect of the present misconduct relates to the agency's failure to fulfill a statutory duty. The INS has a statutory obligation to issue visas to qualified applicants to the full extent of the annual quota limits established by Congress. 6 The legislative history of the Immigration & Naturalization Act indicates that this duty has not been left to agency discretion, see S.Rep. No. 748, 89th Cong., 1st Sess. reprinted in (1965) U.S.Code Cong. & [*39] Ad.News, pp. 3328, 3337-38, but is obligatory upon the agency. "
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=223326&postcount=124
See the Judge ruling from Lazycis post regarding namecheck. USCIS has an obligation to use the numbers to the fullest extent.
would you be our lawyer (you have a few weeks to get the JD and clear the bar exam)
:)
---------------------------
Originally Posted by lazycis View Post
"Another aspect of the present misconduct relates to the agency's failure to fulfill a statutory duty. The INS has a statutory obligation to issue visas to qualified applicants to the full extent of the annual quota limits established by Congress. 6 The legislative history of the Immigration & Naturalization Act indicates that this duty has not been left to agency discretion, see S.Rep. No. 748, 89th Cong., 1st Sess. reprinted in (1965) U.S.Code Cong. & [*39] Ad.News, pp. 3328, 3337-38, but is obligatory upon the agency. "
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=223326&postcount=124
See the Judge ruling from Lazycis post regarding namecheck. USCIS has an obligation to use the numbers to the fullest extent.
Aah_GC
07-10 12:59 PM
ByeUsa,
Goodbye and hope you have a good time in Canada. I am very sure you will do well there - Canada respects its immigrants and you and your family will be welcomed there.
Keep us posted on how you are getting around there..
Peace.
Goodbye and hope you have a good time in Canada. I am very sure you will do well there - Canada respects its immigrants and you and your family will be welcomed there.
Keep us posted on how you are getting around there..
Peace.
nandakumar
05-28 09:47 PM
1. Employment-Based Visa Number Movement and Predictions
Many MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers closely track the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin each month. The most recent Visa Bulletin chart is always available on MurthyDotCom. Given the importance of the cutoff dates in the Visa Bulletin, attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm are often asked for predictions as to the movement of the cutoff dates. There is no better source for this information than Charles Oppenheim, Chief of Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting Division at DOS. Mr. Oppenheim was a guest speaker at a May 20, 2009 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) meeting, which was attended by most of our attorneys. Mr. Oppenheim�s explanations and visa number / Visa Bulletin expectations for the remainder of FY2009 and for FY2010 are explained below. Readers who are unfamiliar with the Visa Bulletin and the role visa numbers play in the permanent residence (commonly referred to as the �green card�) process should review some of the articles on this important topic that can be found on our website; among them, Priority Dates - How Do They Work?
Historical Background
Mr. Oppenheim discussed the historical background that led to the current unavailability of visa numbers, known as retrogression, for certain employment-based (EB) immigrant visa categories. Retrogression is not something new or unfamiliar in immigration law. Most EB numbers were current from July 2001 through January 2005 due to legislative that provided a temporary solution. This legislation authorized unused visa numbers from previous years to be put back into the system. Those additional numbers, along with the annual allotments, were sufficient to meet the demand until January 2005. Since January 2005, the supply of EB visa numbers has fallen short of the demand.
Current Trends in Visa Usage
Mr. Oppenheim stated that immigrant visa applications at U.S. consulates abroad are down seven percent from FY2008. India will use all the visa numbers that are available to its nationals this fiscal year. This is due, in part, to huge increases in the usage of EB4 and EB5 categories. Applicants from India have used twice the number of visas estimated for FY2009. Mr. Oppenheim stated that, because of the excess demand, further retrogression may occur over the summer months.
Predictions for Movement and Usage of EB Visa Numbers
Employment-Based, First Preference (EB1)
Mr. Oppenheim expects that all EB1 visa numbers will be used before the end of FY2009. This may result in the establishment of a cutoff date for the EB1 categories for India and China, beginning in August or September 2009. Usage in the EB1 worldwide category (listed as "all chargeability areas except those listed") is also higher than expected. This may lead to imposition of a cutoff date toward the end of FY2009.
Mr. Oppenheim explained that a trickling effect of unused visa numbers between EB categories has helped keep EB1 and EB2 categories current in prior years. However, due to the processing of a high number of applications, this trickling effect has already occurred, but is not expected to occur again in FY2009. Mr. Oppenheim attributed this to the hard work of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as well as that of the DOS, as they have succeeded in processing enough cases to likely use all available visa numbers from all categories for FY2009. He stated that the DOS and the USCIS are supposed to process enough cases to use the annual allotment of visa numbers and not leave any available visas unused and wasted in any fiscal year.
Employment-Based, Second Preference (EB2)
The EB2 category worldwide is also expected to be over-subscribed and will exhaust all allocated visa numbers before the end of FY2009. To date, Mr. Oppenheim estimates that 3,200 EB2 India visa numbers have been used in FY2009. The high usage in the EB1 category has prevented the usual trickle of visas to the EB2 category. Thus, China will experience the same EB2 retrogression as India in July 2009. The EB2 China cutoff date is expected to be set at January 1, 2000.
Employment-Based, Third Preference (EB3)
All EB3 categories are currently unavailable; all available visa numbers have been allocated. No change is expected to occur until the beginning of FY2010.
Employment-Based, Fourth Preference / Certain Religious Workers
There has been an unexpectedly heavy usage of visas in the EB4 categories for certain religious worker in FY2009. A cutoff date thus may be set in August or September 2009. Mr. Oppenheim stated that, if the Certain Religious Workers category becomes unavailable, applicants in the ministers category are not affected.
Visa Numbers for Indian Nationals
Mr. Oppenheim has set the cutoff date for EB2 India at January 1, 2000. According to current estimates, out of the approximately 200,000 I-485 applications currently pending with USCIS, 120,000 of them are chargeable to India, with the cases divided evenly between EB2 and EB3. This means that EB2 and EB3 India applicants count for 60 percent of the I-485 cases currently pending with the USCIS.
FY2010 Predictions by Charles Oppenheim of DOS
Mr. Oppenheim stated that he expects the EB3 worldwide category to have a cutoff date of March 1, 2003, beginning with the October 2009 Visa Bulletin. When asked about the potential cutoff dates for EB3 India, China, and Mexico, Mr. Oppenheim said that it would depend on the demand for these categories over the rest of FY2009.
Mr. Oppenheim estimated that there are currently 25,000 EB2 and EB3 cases from Indian nationals that have been reviewed and are only waiting for visa numbers for final processing. He stated that, due to the dramatic increase in employment-based filings, visa cutoff dates for FY2010 will be much more limited to ensure that there will be a steady supply of visa numbers available throughout the year. This will lead to earlier cutoff dates and may help prevent visa categories from becoming unavailable.
Conclusion
We at the Murthy Law Firm appreciate Mr. Oppenheim's commitment to addressing matters related to visa numbers and the Visa Bulletin. The continued shortage of employment-based visa numbers is a source of great frustration for many and Mr. Oppenheim's predictions do not assuage that feeling. It is better to have an understanding of the reality of the situation, however, than to operate in ignorance or with unrealistic expectations. Once again, the shortage of immigrant visa numbers underscores the need for legislation in this area to increase the numbers, change the counting of the numbers (from one per person to one per family), or to revamp the system entirely.
Many MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers closely track the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin each month. The most recent Visa Bulletin chart is always available on MurthyDotCom. Given the importance of the cutoff dates in the Visa Bulletin, attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm are often asked for predictions as to the movement of the cutoff dates. There is no better source for this information than Charles Oppenheim, Chief of Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting Division at DOS. Mr. Oppenheim was a guest speaker at a May 20, 2009 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) meeting, which was attended by most of our attorneys. Mr. Oppenheim�s explanations and visa number / Visa Bulletin expectations for the remainder of FY2009 and for FY2010 are explained below. Readers who are unfamiliar with the Visa Bulletin and the role visa numbers play in the permanent residence (commonly referred to as the �green card�) process should review some of the articles on this important topic that can be found on our website; among them, Priority Dates - How Do They Work?
Historical Background
Mr. Oppenheim discussed the historical background that led to the current unavailability of visa numbers, known as retrogression, for certain employment-based (EB) immigrant visa categories. Retrogression is not something new or unfamiliar in immigration law. Most EB numbers were current from July 2001 through January 2005 due to legislative that provided a temporary solution. This legislation authorized unused visa numbers from previous years to be put back into the system. Those additional numbers, along with the annual allotments, were sufficient to meet the demand until January 2005. Since January 2005, the supply of EB visa numbers has fallen short of the demand.
Current Trends in Visa Usage
Mr. Oppenheim stated that immigrant visa applications at U.S. consulates abroad are down seven percent from FY2008. India will use all the visa numbers that are available to its nationals this fiscal year. This is due, in part, to huge increases in the usage of EB4 and EB5 categories. Applicants from India have used twice the number of visas estimated for FY2009. Mr. Oppenheim stated that, because of the excess demand, further retrogression may occur over the summer months.
Predictions for Movement and Usage of EB Visa Numbers
Employment-Based, First Preference (EB1)
Mr. Oppenheim expects that all EB1 visa numbers will be used before the end of FY2009. This may result in the establishment of a cutoff date for the EB1 categories for India and China, beginning in August or September 2009. Usage in the EB1 worldwide category (listed as "all chargeability areas except those listed") is also higher than expected. This may lead to imposition of a cutoff date toward the end of FY2009.
Mr. Oppenheim explained that a trickling effect of unused visa numbers between EB categories has helped keep EB1 and EB2 categories current in prior years. However, due to the processing of a high number of applications, this trickling effect has already occurred, but is not expected to occur again in FY2009. Mr. Oppenheim attributed this to the hard work of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as well as that of the DOS, as they have succeeded in processing enough cases to likely use all available visa numbers from all categories for FY2009. He stated that the DOS and the USCIS are supposed to process enough cases to use the annual allotment of visa numbers and not leave any available visas unused and wasted in any fiscal year.
Employment-Based, Second Preference (EB2)
The EB2 category worldwide is also expected to be over-subscribed and will exhaust all allocated visa numbers before the end of FY2009. To date, Mr. Oppenheim estimates that 3,200 EB2 India visa numbers have been used in FY2009. The high usage in the EB1 category has prevented the usual trickle of visas to the EB2 category. Thus, China will experience the same EB2 retrogression as India in July 2009. The EB2 China cutoff date is expected to be set at January 1, 2000.
Employment-Based, Third Preference (EB3)
All EB3 categories are currently unavailable; all available visa numbers have been allocated. No change is expected to occur until the beginning of FY2010.
Employment-Based, Fourth Preference / Certain Religious Workers
There has been an unexpectedly heavy usage of visas in the EB4 categories for certain religious worker in FY2009. A cutoff date thus may be set in August or September 2009. Mr. Oppenheim stated that, if the Certain Religious Workers category becomes unavailable, applicants in the ministers category are not affected.
Visa Numbers for Indian Nationals
Mr. Oppenheim has set the cutoff date for EB2 India at January 1, 2000. According to current estimates, out of the approximately 200,000 I-485 applications currently pending with USCIS, 120,000 of them are chargeable to India, with the cases divided evenly between EB2 and EB3. This means that EB2 and EB3 India applicants count for 60 percent of the I-485 cases currently pending with the USCIS.
FY2010 Predictions by Charles Oppenheim of DOS
Mr. Oppenheim stated that he expects the EB3 worldwide category to have a cutoff date of March 1, 2003, beginning with the October 2009 Visa Bulletin. When asked about the potential cutoff dates for EB3 India, China, and Mexico, Mr. Oppenheim said that it would depend on the demand for these categories over the rest of FY2009.
Mr. Oppenheim estimated that there are currently 25,000 EB2 and EB3 cases from Indian nationals that have been reviewed and are only waiting for visa numbers for final processing. He stated that, due to the dramatic increase in employment-based filings, visa cutoff dates for FY2010 will be much more limited to ensure that there will be a steady supply of visa numbers available throughout the year. This will lead to earlier cutoff dates and may help prevent visa categories from becoming unavailable.
Conclusion
We at the Murthy Law Firm appreciate Mr. Oppenheim's commitment to addressing matters related to visa numbers and the Visa Bulletin. The continued shortage of employment-based visa numbers is a source of great frustration for many and Mr. Oppenheim's predictions do not assuage that feeling. It is better to have an understanding of the reality of the situation, however, than to operate in ignorance or with unrealistic expectations. Once again, the shortage of immigrant visa numbers underscores the need for legislation in this area to increase the numbers, change the counting of the numbers (from one per person to one per family), or to revamp the system entirely.
