glus
08-01 10:18 AM
My wife's current H4 is valid till Nov. She got her H1 also approved from Oct'2007. She checked the status this morning only on USCIS.
I'm applying for I-485 and adding her as spouse. Should I file for her advance parole and put her status as H4 in it? What happens to to her H1 approval, if advanced parole gets approved also. Will she loose her H1 status?
any ideas??
Put her status as H4. She is in H4 until October 2007 (assuming you asked for change of status and change of status was also approved.) No, she will not loose her H1, as H1 is a "dual intent" visa.
I'm applying for I-485 and adding her as spouse. Should I file for her advance parole and put her status as H4 in it? What happens to to her H1 approval, if advanced parole gets approved also. Will she loose her H1 status?
any ideas??
Put her status as H4. She is in H4 until October 2007 (assuming you asked for change of status and change of status was also approved.) No, she will not loose her H1, as H1 is a "dual intent" visa.
wallpaper Mapas de Durango
freetospeak
07-18 07:17 PM
Even my case is similar. I requested my attorney to file my EAD and AP along with I-485 at the same time. But they did not apply for EAD and AP and but instead just filed I-485. Now they are saying they can't file for my EAD and AP until they get the I-485 receipt notice. What a mess??? Now I've pay lots of amount for EAD and AP. By the way my attroney is Murthy Law Firm. I bet yours would be the same
andy garcia
07-17 10:26 PM
I-140 was from TSC; I filed on July 2..but the employment letter was addressed to NSC. Will that be a problem?
You are OK. This is taken from the 485 instructions.
File all employment-based AOS applications at the following address:
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87485
Lincoln, NE 68501-7485
This includes an employment-based Form I-485 filed concurrently with a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, and an employment-based Form I-485 filed based on a pending or an approved Form I-140. To facilitate acceptance and processing of Form I-485 when Form I-140 has already been approved, submit a copy of the I-140 approval notice.
You are OK. This is taken from the 485 instructions.
File all employment-based AOS applications at the following address:
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87485
Lincoln, NE 68501-7485
This includes an employment-based Form I-485 filed concurrently with a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, and an employment-based Form I-485 filed based on a pending or an approved Form I-140. To facilitate acceptance and processing of Form I-485 when Form I-140 has already been approved, submit a copy of the I-140 approval notice.
2011 Map Durango
eager_immi
02-09 12:09 PM
Ok, since immigration is taking a back seat because of the IRAQ war, please explain how does it make him a wonderful president? He is responsible for so many lives bc of the war. If he did not spend billions of tax payer money on iraq, when there were no weapons of mass distruction and/or saddam was not an imminent danger to the united states, don't you think we would have better use of our tax payer's dollars.
Just beacuse he is pro immigration does not make him the best president (he cannot pass the bill on his own u know, eventhough "he is the decider"). What is the point he can be pro immigration for all people care but his republican party is not too thrilled with him and will not pass an amnesty bill. What has he done for the enviornment? He believes that there is nothing called global warming. So please just because he is pro-illegals, pro free trade does not qualify him as the best president.
Bush is for immigration reform.
I see people disliking him, but to be fair to him, that man had some very good ideas when he became the president. He was unlucky that 9-11 happened when he was just 9 months into presidency and inexperienced, but his response was good, and it was wrong for him to go into Iraq as the reasons were all wrong. That was a huge mistake, probably in-expereince, wrong advisors, oil lobby, and some of the fear from 9-11, all contributed to that decision.
Overall, he has done more in terms of changing things, and has started debates on more controversial issues than anyone before. He has done more for the world trade, es[ecially countries like India, China and Brazil. He has gone beyond racial and gender factors, as reflected in choice of his staff and advisors.
Debates have to be started before anything happens and sometime it takes years, even after the presidency is over.
It's easy to blame him for everything as he is the face we see. I am not a Bush supporter, but actually a huge Clinton fan, but I think we tend to be overly unfair to the man. He has an office that comes with blames, sometimes decisions are not easy and you could go wrong either way. I think he tends to err on side of doing more than less, while Clinton was opposite and kept things stable, but also didnot start changes or lay grounds for change to take place.
As a president I think he has probably done more, or sets things in motion, more than Clinton did. Sometimes things need changing, and initial in-stability goes with the change.
Just beacuse he is pro immigration does not make him the best president (he cannot pass the bill on his own u know, eventhough "he is the decider"). What is the point he can be pro immigration for all people care but his republican party is not too thrilled with him and will not pass an amnesty bill. What has he done for the enviornment? He believes that there is nothing called global warming. So please just because he is pro-illegals, pro free trade does not qualify him as the best president.
Bush is for immigration reform.
I see people disliking him, but to be fair to him, that man had some very good ideas when he became the president. He was unlucky that 9-11 happened when he was just 9 months into presidency and inexperienced, but his response was good, and it was wrong for him to go into Iraq as the reasons were all wrong. That was a huge mistake, probably in-expereince, wrong advisors, oil lobby, and some of the fear from 9-11, all contributed to that decision.
Overall, he has done more in terms of changing things, and has started debates on more controversial issues than anyone before. He has done more for the world trade, es[ecially countries like India, China and Brazil. He has gone beyond racial and gender factors, as reflected in choice of his staff and advisors.
Debates have to be started before anything happens and sometime it takes years, even after the presidency is over.
It's easy to blame him for everything as he is the face we see. I am not a Bush supporter, but actually a huge Clinton fan, but I think we tend to be overly unfair to the man. He has an office that comes with blames, sometimes decisions are not easy and you could go wrong either way. I think he tends to err on side of doing more than less, while Clinton was opposite and kept things stable, but also didnot start changes or lay grounds for change to take place.
As a president I think he has probably done more, or sets things in motion, more than Clinton did. Sometimes things need changing, and initial in-stability goes with the change.
more...
Sath thesmilingstar
02-24 02:29 PM
If you've used an AP to re-enter the country ..based on I-485 filing, you can apply for FAFSA.
well,i dont know what is AP can you please tell me what it is..??
well,i dont know what is AP can you please tell me what it is..??
ddanait
02-11 01:03 PM
How does one access donor forum? I ahve donated some sum and I am a registered member
more...
pappu
04-15 05:34 PM
All members are requested to be careful what you post on the forum. Senior members are requested to be vigilant and inform the moderators if you find any post that maybe offensive or from anti immigrants.
This member is not a genuine IV member. No profile information has been given and a fake email id is given.
We will check such members with incomplete profile and point them out on the forum. To avoid such embarresment, please update your profiles with full information.
Bye Bye abby17 and abby from our forums.
This member is not a genuine IV member. No profile information has been given and a fake email id is given.
We will check such members with incomplete profile and point them out on the forum. To avoid such embarresment, please update your profiles with full information.
Bye Bye abby17 and abby from our forums.
2010 The Guadalupe River under
excogitator
11-23 03:34 AM
All the Best Everyone!!! :)
more...
invincibleasian
01-31 12:28 PM
guys please quit all this begging. If yu guys need help do your research or contact an immigration attorney!
hair PARROQUIA MARIA DE GUADALUPE,
alterego
04-12 08:39 PM
Thanks all. I called my lawyer, and she mentioned that there have been specific cases of the Neb Service Center rejecting I485 applications for internists while they are doing fellowships. I guess my plan would be to find a 'full time' position working a couple of nights a week in the same city where I am working as a fellow, and use that as proof of ongoing full time internist work.
I am not sure if they need just a letter, or a w2s also. I guess 'full time' is a very arbitrary word, and can be applied to more than 28-32 hrs a week, which is very easily doable.
Full time would be the standard definition of 40 hrs per week. It is clearly defined in the J1 waiver regulations for physicians and will likely be extended to the labor based applications as well since adjudicators are very familiar with the J1 waiver and NIW physician cases. Ultimately you have to decide whether the risk is worth it. W-2s as well as paystubs, as well as employers letters attesting to the scope of, and the full time nature of the work are often requested.
I am not sure if they need just a letter, or a w2s also. I guess 'full time' is a very arbitrary word, and can be applied to more than 28-32 hrs a week, which is very easily doable.
Full time would be the standard definition of 40 hrs per week. It is clearly defined in the J1 waiver regulations for physicians and will likely be extended to the labor based applications as well since adjudicators are very familiar with the J1 waiver and NIW physician cases. Ultimately you have to decide whether the risk is worth it. W-2s as well as paystubs, as well as employers letters attesting to the scope of, and the full time nature of the work are often requested.
more...
i4u
12-22 10:07 AM
permfiling have you got your gc? approved and waiting for the card?
Trying to figure out if all the eb2 05 filers are cleared.
Trying to figure out if all the eb2 05 filers are cleared.
hot Tepehuanes Durango Mexico
gcaspi
01-23 03:50 PM
Can someone tell me how the dates get opened by embassy..
like they open slots for a month ...Like for the month of march do they open dates in Feb last week and we can make apts only for March something like that.
Thanks in advance.
like they open slots for a month ...Like for the month of march do they open dates in Feb last week and we can make apts only for March something like that.
Thanks in advance.
more...
house guadalupe victoria durango
BigMouth
12-11 07:43 AM
guys, do u see any issues/problems on Landing Canada while pending 485 and coming back on AP.
I have my valid H1b renewed but visa expired on my passport and my spouse has valid AP. I heard that there is a problem on US immigration process if you have Canadian PR during your 485 pending?? IS anybody gone thourgh in this situation???
I have my valid H1b renewed but visa expired on my passport and my spouse has valid AP. I heard that there is a problem on US immigration process if you have Canadian PR during your 485 pending?? IS anybody gone thourgh in this situation???
tattoo Primaria: Escuela Guadalupe
jliechty
June 6th, 2005, 07:07 PM
Would the 20D or D1MkII have greater tolerances i.e. wider range algorithms in the camera?
Not noticeably... I'd almost say that there would be no difference at all between the 350D and 20D, but don't own both (let alone either) so I can't say for sure. In theory, the 1DmkII should have slightly more DR due to its larger photosites, but I can't remember anything from the reviews to make a positive statement on this.
Not noticeably... I'd almost say that there would be no difference at all between the 350D and 20D, but don't own both (let alone either) so I can't say for sure. In theory, the 1DmkII should have slightly more DR due to its larger photosites, but I can't remember anything from the reviews to make a positive statement on this.
more...
pictures Mexico
Nabeel
10-25 10:05 AM
Hi guys,
My 8th year extension was filed on June 14th. I have not heard from them since. Lawyer says he has contacted USCIS on Oct 3rd and has not heard back yet either. He has asked me to wait for one month before initiating any further communication with them. Does anyone know how long h1 processing is taking these days? I live in Texas. Now, if I want to transfer this to Premium processing:
a) is it possible to transfer now?
b) how long will the transfer take?
Thanks a lot for your advice/information :)
What is your existing H1 Expiry date ? I applied my 7th year extension on July 30 and got my H1 approved on Oct 17th. As per my lawyer, USCIS work on extension cases based on your existing H1 Expiry. His statement looks valid to me since my H1 was expiring on 24th of Oct and I got my approval on 17th. My attorney also applied some other H1 cases around same time when he filed my case but he is still receiving approval on these cases one by one because other cases are little far from their H1 expiry.
Nabeel
My 8th year extension was filed on June 14th. I have not heard from them since. Lawyer says he has contacted USCIS on Oct 3rd and has not heard back yet either. He has asked me to wait for one month before initiating any further communication with them. Does anyone know how long h1 processing is taking these days? I live in Texas. Now, if I want to transfer this to Premium processing:
a) is it possible to transfer now?
b) how long will the transfer take?
Thanks a lot for your advice/information :)
What is your existing H1 Expiry date ? I applied my 7th year extension on July 30 and got my H1 approved on Oct 17th. As per my lawyer, USCIS work on extension cases based on your existing H1 Expiry. His statement looks valid to me since my H1 was expiring on 24th of Oct and I got my approval on 17th. My attorney also applied some other H1 cases around same time when he filed my case but he is still receiving approval on these cases one by one because other cases are little far from their H1 expiry.
Nabeel
dresses Suchil, Durango, Mexico
jkays94
04-18 07:49 AM
The McCain-Kennedy bill is what had the EB provisions in the first place long before Frist or Martinez-Hagel put their bills. Senator Kennedy has been fighting for immigrants rights for almost 40 years (longer than someone of us have been alive) including legal immigration. His own brother President John F. Kennedy wrote a book called - We are a nation of immigrants.
I am sorry but with all due respect to Sen Kennedy he could address the rally of bunch of illegals waiving Mexican Flag and demanding their "RIGHTS" in Spanish. We have sent faxes in English to Senetor Kennedy requesting to support Bill that will provide relief to Legal immigrant communites but still nothing specific to our cause.
Please let us refrain from making conclusions as to who was at the rally, there were many legal immigrants and citizens at the DC rally of many nationalities and backgrounds, it was covered live on CSPAN twice for its entire 4 hr duration -- CSPAN as you know is funded by US public funds and would not cover an event dominated by illegals. The US constitution guarantees constitutional freedoms and rights to all who are within its borders and that would include the right to assembly and freedom of speech. FYI, there are 43 million Hispanic-Americans in the US. The DC rally had just as many American flags as many other rallies around the country on April 10. Senator Kennedy has done a lot for legal immigrants, but lets face it, with no CIR, there will be no separate bill for legal immigrants, we would have to rely on ammendments to other bills and those ammendments would be subject to the fate of sections 8001 and 8002 of S1932. CIR originated in the Senate through McCain-Kennedy, the EB number provisions were in this bill, so lets give credit where its due and not say that nothing has been done for legal immigrants by the Senator.
I am sorry but with all due respect to Sen Kennedy he could address the rally of bunch of illegals waiving Mexican Flag and demanding their "RIGHTS" in Spanish. We have sent faxes in English to Senetor Kennedy requesting to support Bill that will provide relief to Legal immigrant communites but still nothing specific to our cause.
Please let us refrain from making conclusions as to who was at the rally, there were many legal immigrants and citizens at the DC rally of many nationalities and backgrounds, it was covered live on CSPAN twice for its entire 4 hr duration -- CSPAN as you know is funded by US public funds and would not cover an event dominated by illegals. The US constitution guarantees constitutional freedoms and rights to all who are within its borders and that would include the right to assembly and freedom of speech. FYI, there are 43 million Hispanic-Americans in the US. The DC rally had just as many American flags as many other rallies around the country on April 10. Senator Kennedy has done a lot for legal immigrants, but lets face it, with no CIR, there will be no separate bill for legal immigrants, we would have to rely on ammendments to other bills and those ammendments would be subject to the fate of sections 8001 and 8002 of S1932. CIR originated in the Senate through McCain-Kennedy, the EB number provisions were in this bill, so lets give credit where its due and not say that nothing has been done for legal immigrants by the Senator.
more...
makeup GUADALUPE VICTORIA(PRIMER
grupak
03-24 12:44 PM
Windows Media: http://wamu.org/audio/wamu.asx
Real Audio: http://wamu.org/audio/wamu.ram
MP3: http://wamu.org/audio/wamu.m3u
Mark Bartosik, Software Engineer; Member, Immigration Voice
Good interview Mark!
Real Audio: http://wamu.org/audio/wamu.ram
MP3: http://wamu.org/audio/wamu.m3u
Mark Bartosik, Software Engineer; Member, Immigration Voice
Good interview Mark!
girlfriend FYI - Guadalupe Victoria was
Ramba
03-15 11:18 AM
Filing 485 during visa unavailability, should not be the concern in this bill. Why our people are worrying about filing AOS when visa number unavailable? Man, this should not be our concern at all. Our main concern should be reinstating the AC21 provision that allow the oversubscribed countries to use excess visas in each EB category. Specter removed very important provision that eliminate per country limit in EB visas for oversubscribed countries. This is a big blow to India, China. It will stop all the benefits from this bill.
If the current form of specter bill passes, there is no benefit to any of us. If EB visa increased to 290K, excluding dependents from counting from FY 2001, recapturing unused visa from 2001 to 2005, and excluding EB1 (OR+EA) and EB2 (MS+3) from count, that drastically increase the visa numbers. The increase is unimaginable, and I feel that it will be about 4 to 5 times than current 140K numbers. If all the listed provisions appears in the final bill, the visa number will always be �current� for all countries for many years, provided AC21 (elimination of per country limit if demand is less than supply) reinstated. If this happens, no one needs to worry about filing AOS when visa number unavailable. That situation never arises.
If current form of Specter bill passes, all the new numbers created thro above listed provisions, will not give any benefit to India/China. DOS simply say per country limit is 10% only no matter what. Remember that, 10% is total of FB+EB numbers. (480000+290000). India and China FB numbers are also heavily backlogged. Therefore our main concern is to reinstate AC21 provision not filing AOS, and keep pressure to keep the listed provisions (EB visa increased to 290K, excluding dependents from counting from FY 2001, recapturing unused visa from 2001 to 2005, and excluding EB1 (OR+EA) and EB2 (MS+3)) in the final bill
If the current form of specter bill passes, there is no benefit to any of us. If EB visa increased to 290K, excluding dependents from counting from FY 2001, recapturing unused visa from 2001 to 2005, and excluding EB1 (OR+EA) and EB2 (MS+3) from count, that drastically increase the visa numbers. The increase is unimaginable, and I feel that it will be about 4 to 5 times than current 140K numbers. If all the listed provisions appears in the final bill, the visa number will always be �current� for all countries for many years, provided AC21 (elimination of per country limit if demand is less than supply) reinstated. If this happens, no one needs to worry about filing AOS when visa number unavailable. That situation never arises.
If current form of Specter bill passes, all the new numbers created thro above listed provisions, will not give any benefit to India/China. DOS simply say per country limit is 10% only no matter what. Remember that, 10% is total of FB+EB numbers. (480000+290000). India and China FB numbers are also heavily backlogged. Therefore our main concern is to reinstate AC21 provision not filing AOS, and keep pressure to keep the listed provisions (EB visa increased to 290K, excluding dependents from counting from FY 2001, recapturing unused visa from 2001 to 2005, and excluding EB1 (OR+EA) and EB2 (MS+3)) in the final bill
hairstyles Durango, Durango, Mexico
Jaime
09-04 10:40 AM
With 100,000 already gone, and with frustrations growing at a boiling point, the pressure being applied upon us will force us onto the path of least resistance. How long before we are all gone? If you are an American reading this, did you know that every other industralized country faces declining population? Do you really want the future population growth of the U.S>to come solely from illegal Salvadorean maids? Do you wnat the high-skilled people to move away to China and India and then see your quality of life deteriorate?
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/23/Business/US_faces_decline_in_s.shtml
U.S. faces decline in skilled workers
New study says the wait for a green card frustrates immigrants.
By Madhusmita Bora, Times Staff Writer
Published August 23, 2007
The only barrier stalling Arun Shanmugam's ascent in the corporate world is a small card that would proclaim him a permanent resident of the United States.
The green card, which isn't green in color, would help him snag the next best opportunity, launch his own company, and enjoy homestead tax rebates.
So, this year the Tampa software engineer joined a queue of more than 300,000 immigrants vying for the coveted card. But a severe backlog is forcing high-skilled workers to question their American dream.
On Wednesday, a Kansas-based private, nonpartisan foundation released a study warning that America could face a sizable reverse brain drain unless the government eases visa restrictions, increases the quota and speeds up the process. The Kauffman Foundation said that there are more than 1-million skilled immigrants including doctors, engineers, and scientists competing for the approximately 120,120 green cards issued each year.
The uncertainty of the process and the imbalance in the demand and supply could trigger a trend of highly trained immigrants returning to their country and moving elsewhere.
"It's the first time in American history that we are faced with the prospect of a reverse brain drain," said Vivek Wadhwa, Wertheim fellow with the Harvard Law School and a co-author of the study.
"There are so many business opportunities in Shanghai and Bangalore, why put up with all the immigration crap?"
Many of the green card applicants are on a six-year H-1 B visa. The non-immigrant work permit keeps them wedded to a single employer. Immigrants who have applied for a green card can continue working on an extended H-1 B visa until the card arrives. But they can't change employers, or start their own companies. Their wait time is open-ended, made longer by a Congress-mandated quota for the visas and severe backlogs in the system.
Frustrated with the system, in the last three to five years, 100,000 highly skilled Chinese and Indian immigrants have returned to their home country, Wadhwa said.
In a fiercely competitive global economy, this is the worst time for such an exodus, experts say.
"Our previous studies document that highly skilled workers accounted for one quarter of all successful high-tech start-ups in the last decade," said Robert Litan, vice president of research and policy at the Kauffman Foundation. "If we send a lot of these people back home, we will lose a disproportionate number of entrepreneurs."
And the ripple affects are already emerging in the Tampa Bay area.
"It's a huge problem," said Ray Weadock, CEO and president of Persystent Technologies. "The guys in Washington don't think much and their initial reaction is this will impact Cisco and Microsoft."
But smaller companies take a bigger hit, because they don't often have the capital to send jobs to where the labor is, Weadock said. Weadock's company, which employs Shanmugam, is toying with the idea of setting up a subsidiary in India.
Companies aren't the only ones chasing the labor market. Schools and universities are also jumping into the wagon. The population of international students in MBA programs across the country continues to dwindle, said Bob Forsythe, dean of the College of Business at University of South Florida.
"And the demand for American business schools to go deliver programs in other countries have increased," he said.
Harvard University and Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management are among a growing number of schools that have a presence in India. At USF, Forsythe's team is negotiating a venture in Romania.
The visa problems here have encouraged governments worldwide to ease visa restrictions in their countries and nab the high skilled workforce.
"There's a lot of mention of Canada," said Chandra Mitchell, an immigration attorney with Tampa-based Neil F. Lewis.
Amar Nayegandhi, a USF graduate and a contract employee with the U.S. Geological Survey, has been waiting for his green card since 2002.
He may soon give up, he said. The long wait has cost him job opportunities, forced upon him a commuter marriage and restricted his economic mobility. His H1-B visa runs out in February, and even though he can extend it and continue awaiting the green card, he's contemplating leaving the country.
"I have friends who have gone back simply frustrated with the setup," he said. "I am asking myself if this is really worth it."
Shanmugam of Persystent Technologies says he, too, will only wait for about a year before considering giving up his spot in the line and heading back to his native India.
"This is not the only place to be anymore," he said. "You can find better opportunities everywhere."
By the numbers
200,000: Employment-based applicants waiting for labor certification in 2006 - the first step in the U.S. immigration process.
50,132: Pending I-140 applications - the second step of the immigration process. That's seven times the total in 1996 of 6,743.
125,421: Estimated applicants residing abroad who were waiting for permanent residency status.
100,000: Estimated number of highly skilled Chinese and Indian immigrants who have returned to their home country in recent years.
Highlights of Kauffman Foundation reports
- Foreign nationals are contributing to one out of four of all the global patents filed in the United States.
- One quarter of all tech companies nationwide and 52 percent of tech companies in the Silicon Valley were founded by immigrants.
- More than 1-million skilled workers and their families (scientists, doctors, engineers, Ph.D. researchers) are waiting for green cards. About 120,0000 green cards are issued each year with a 7 percent limit per country.
-Hundreds of thousands of skilled immigrant workers may get frustrated with the waiting process that could be 6 to 10 years and leave the United States. The reverse brain drain could be critical to Americans corporations and hurt the country's competitiveness in a global economy.
- Immigrant-founded companies produced $52-billion in revenues and employed 450,000 workers in 2006.
Madhusmita Bora can be reached at mbora@sptimes.com or (813) 225-3112.
[Last modified August 22, 2007, 23:19:43]
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/23/Business/US_faces_decline_in_s.shtml
U.S. faces decline in skilled workers
New study says the wait for a green card frustrates immigrants.
By Madhusmita Bora, Times Staff Writer
Published August 23, 2007
The only barrier stalling Arun Shanmugam's ascent in the corporate world is a small card that would proclaim him a permanent resident of the United States.
The green card, which isn't green in color, would help him snag the next best opportunity, launch his own company, and enjoy homestead tax rebates.
So, this year the Tampa software engineer joined a queue of more than 300,000 immigrants vying for the coveted card. But a severe backlog is forcing high-skilled workers to question their American dream.
On Wednesday, a Kansas-based private, nonpartisan foundation released a study warning that America could face a sizable reverse brain drain unless the government eases visa restrictions, increases the quota and speeds up the process. The Kauffman Foundation said that there are more than 1-million skilled immigrants including doctors, engineers, and scientists competing for the approximately 120,120 green cards issued each year.
The uncertainty of the process and the imbalance in the demand and supply could trigger a trend of highly trained immigrants returning to their country and moving elsewhere.
"It's the first time in American history that we are faced with the prospect of a reverse brain drain," said Vivek Wadhwa, Wertheim fellow with the Harvard Law School and a co-author of the study.
"There are so many business opportunities in Shanghai and Bangalore, why put up with all the immigration crap?"
Many of the green card applicants are on a six-year H-1 B visa. The non-immigrant work permit keeps them wedded to a single employer. Immigrants who have applied for a green card can continue working on an extended H-1 B visa until the card arrives. But they can't change employers, or start their own companies. Their wait time is open-ended, made longer by a Congress-mandated quota for the visas and severe backlogs in the system.
Frustrated with the system, in the last three to five years, 100,000 highly skilled Chinese and Indian immigrants have returned to their home country, Wadhwa said.
In a fiercely competitive global economy, this is the worst time for such an exodus, experts say.
"Our previous studies document that highly skilled workers accounted for one quarter of all successful high-tech start-ups in the last decade," said Robert Litan, vice president of research and policy at the Kauffman Foundation. "If we send a lot of these people back home, we will lose a disproportionate number of entrepreneurs."
And the ripple affects are already emerging in the Tampa Bay area.
"It's a huge problem," said Ray Weadock, CEO and president of Persystent Technologies. "The guys in Washington don't think much and their initial reaction is this will impact Cisco and Microsoft."
But smaller companies take a bigger hit, because they don't often have the capital to send jobs to where the labor is, Weadock said. Weadock's company, which employs Shanmugam, is toying with the idea of setting up a subsidiary in India.
Companies aren't the only ones chasing the labor market. Schools and universities are also jumping into the wagon. The population of international students in MBA programs across the country continues to dwindle, said Bob Forsythe, dean of the College of Business at University of South Florida.
"And the demand for American business schools to go deliver programs in other countries have increased," he said.
Harvard University and Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management are among a growing number of schools that have a presence in India. At USF, Forsythe's team is negotiating a venture in Romania.
The visa problems here have encouraged governments worldwide to ease visa restrictions in their countries and nab the high skilled workforce.
"There's a lot of mention of Canada," said Chandra Mitchell, an immigration attorney with Tampa-based Neil F. Lewis.
Amar Nayegandhi, a USF graduate and a contract employee with the U.S. Geological Survey, has been waiting for his green card since 2002.
He may soon give up, he said. The long wait has cost him job opportunities, forced upon him a commuter marriage and restricted his economic mobility. His H1-B visa runs out in February, and even though he can extend it and continue awaiting the green card, he's contemplating leaving the country.
"I have friends who have gone back simply frustrated with the setup," he said. "I am asking myself if this is really worth it."
Shanmugam of Persystent Technologies says he, too, will only wait for about a year before considering giving up his spot in the line and heading back to his native India.
"This is not the only place to be anymore," he said. "You can find better opportunities everywhere."
By the numbers
200,000: Employment-based applicants waiting for labor certification in 2006 - the first step in the U.S. immigration process.
50,132: Pending I-140 applications - the second step of the immigration process. That's seven times the total in 1996 of 6,743.
125,421: Estimated applicants residing abroad who were waiting for permanent residency status.
100,000: Estimated number of highly skilled Chinese and Indian immigrants who have returned to their home country in recent years.
Highlights of Kauffman Foundation reports
- Foreign nationals are contributing to one out of four of all the global patents filed in the United States.
- One quarter of all tech companies nationwide and 52 percent of tech companies in the Silicon Valley were founded by immigrants.
- More than 1-million skilled workers and their families (scientists, doctors, engineers, Ph.D. researchers) are waiting for green cards. About 120,0000 green cards are issued each year with a 7 percent limit per country.
-Hundreds of thousands of skilled immigrant workers may get frustrated with the waiting process that could be 6 to 10 years and leave the United States. The reverse brain drain could be critical to Americans corporations and hurt the country's competitiveness in a global economy.
- Immigrant-founded companies produced $52-billion in revenues and employed 450,000 workers in 2006.
Madhusmita Bora can be reached at mbora@sptimes.com or (813) 225-3112.
[Last modified August 22, 2007, 23:19:43]
WaitingGame
11-26 09:58 PM
Usually I get my Visa stamped in Chennai. I have enough info to survive in Chennai.
This time it is not going to help much as I am going to Mumbai. It is a pain from the first step. I finally got the appointment for 10th Dec. I have to have some body hand deliver documents there in India..Oh well..
I have the appointment at 9:30 AM and was planning to fly out of Mumbai Airport same day at 1:30 PM. Now it looks very ambitious! What do you think? :confused:
I have no idea about lodging near consulate. I tried my luck near the airport many times. It wasn't pretty.
Any recommendation on Hotels and area near consulate ? I am not going near Five star / Rs 10,000 per day.
I am looking at ~ Rs 2,000 for 7 hours..
Any help is appreciated..:)
This time it is not going to help much as I am going to Mumbai. It is a pain from the first step. I finally got the appointment for 10th Dec. I have to have some body hand deliver documents there in India..Oh well..
I have the appointment at 9:30 AM and was planning to fly out of Mumbai Airport same day at 1:30 PM. Now it looks very ambitious! What do you think? :confused:
I have no idea about lodging near consulate. I tried my luck near the airport many times. It wasn't pretty.
Any recommendation on Hotels and area near consulate ? I am not going near Five star / Rs 10,000 per day.
I am looking at ~ Rs 2,000 for 7 hours..
Any help is appreciated..:)
jonty_11
01-16 03:05 PM
FYI for others -
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/qual-3-1.html#IELT
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/qual-3-1.html#IELT
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