Humhongekamyab
05-21 12:46 PM
The example he has given is a special case. The guy needs H1, because his son was out of status. Something is missing in the case. The child came to US 10 years back on B2 and stayed on B2 forever without extending or changing the status???
We need H1 only when we are not married or we have not filed I-485 for the dependants.
I agree. This was a special case and the attorney initially filling the 485 should have caught this error.
We need H1 only when we are not married or we have not filed I-485 for the dependants.
I agree. This was a special case and the attorney initially filling the 485 should have caught this error.
wallpaper marlin, dory, and oscar!
snathan
08-18 06:39 PM
Some people did mistakes in the past and tried to correct it. If they are successful in correcting the mistake legally, then you should feel happy about it and wish them success.
At least don't wish them bad luck....
This is stupid. I am not wishing good luck or bad luck to anyone. We are trying to explain the rule and its consequences. Its up to them to take it or not. Moreover I am not a fan of people who applied H1 through some desi consulting (most of them with fake experience), sitting on bench without any project and put everyone in the bad light, giving ammo to the antis. Do you know how many house wives put eight-ten years fake experience when they dont even know the difference between USB port or ether net port. Its not a mistake...its called greed. Well I am not here to fight with you...but thats the fact.
At least don't wish them bad luck....
This is stupid. I am not wishing good luck or bad luck to anyone. We are trying to explain the rule and its consequences. Its up to them to take it or not. Moreover I am not a fan of people who applied H1 through some desi consulting (most of them with fake experience), sitting on bench without any project and put everyone in the bad light, giving ammo to the antis. Do you know how many house wives put eight-ten years fake experience when they dont even know the difference between USB port or ether net port. Its not a mistake...its called greed. Well I am not here to fight with you...but thats the fact.
marlon2006
06-13 02:49 PM
Hi Renata,
I am from Brazil as well. My PD is April 2002. This cut-off date is making my professional life miserable. My wife questions on whether it is worthed the wait or we should just go to the South in Brazil and enjoy professional freedom there.
I hope that the potential unused visas from EB2 World can get transferred to EB3 World in October. Also, who knows perhaps the visa numbers on October 2006 can make our dates advance to 2002 ? Let's see, but in this process, nothing is certain. The only thing that it seems certain is that USCIS/DOS made a remark that advancement in cut-off dates should slow down or even retrogress further this Summer. Gloom scenario.
Hi camberiu,
my PD is November 2001 and we are hoping that next bulletin will get us there. Keeping our fingers crossed. I am from Europe and my husband from Brazil (on H4 and probably the only unemployed software engineer!!!!!) We cannot wait to file and get his EAD! Good luck!
Renata
I am from Brazil as well. My PD is April 2002. This cut-off date is making my professional life miserable. My wife questions on whether it is worthed the wait or we should just go to the South in Brazil and enjoy professional freedom there.
I hope that the potential unused visas from EB2 World can get transferred to EB3 World in October. Also, who knows perhaps the visa numbers on October 2006 can make our dates advance to 2002 ? Let's see, but in this process, nothing is certain. The only thing that it seems certain is that USCIS/DOS made a remark that advancement in cut-off dates should slow down or even retrogress further this Summer. Gloom scenario.
Hi camberiu,
my PD is November 2001 and we are hoping that next bulletin will get us there. Keeping our fingers crossed. I am from Europe and my husband from Brazil (on H4 and probably the only unemployed software engineer!!!!!) We cannot wait to file and get his EAD! Good luck!
Renata
2011 Try to remember when you were
lrindy
09-27 08:33 AM
Hi All,
I received the I-485 reciept notice yesterday from my lawyer (see below for my info), but the alien number on I-485 is different from the number on my approved I-140. My I-140 has a number starting with A099, but my I-485 reciept notice has a number starting with A088. Someone in this forum mentioned that A099 is for the primary applicant and A088 is for the dependant. I am the primary applicant for I-485, so if it is true, I should get A099, not A088. I am not sure if I can have two different alien numbers or if this is a mistake by USCIS. Is anyone in the same situation?
I am sorry if this issue is discussed previously (I couldn't find the related thread). I would greatly appreciate your input.
Thank you very much.
-------------------------------------------------------------
EB1 ROW
PD: 08/2006
140: approved in 06/2007 (NSC)
485 (self and spouse): RD: 07/06/2007; RN: 09/12/07 (NSC)
765 (self and spouse): RD: 07/06/2007; RN: 09/12/07 (NSC)
131 (self and spouse): RD: 07/06/2007; RN: 09/12/07 (NSC)
FP notice recieved on 09/24/07
FP appointment (self and spouse): 10/16/07
Don't worry about it. When you go to FP appointment point this out to IO. You are correct "usually" 099 for primary & 088 for dependents. The "A" number is assigned at I-140 approval; that is "usually" the number you have on your receipts & GC when issued.("A" number is Alien Registration number and NOT the actual visa. The "A" number will be assigned to a visa once you get approved for GC.) There have been a few people on various threads have this happen to them. Just let the IO at FP know and they will help you OR speak to your lawyer about it. Note: Some applicants actually end up with a different "A" number on GC approval all together. So don't sweat it!
Cheers,
LRIndy. I am not a lawyer always consult one before making a decision.
I received the I-485 reciept notice yesterday from my lawyer (see below for my info), but the alien number on I-485 is different from the number on my approved I-140. My I-140 has a number starting with A099, but my I-485 reciept notice has a number starting with A088. Someone in this forum mentioned that A099 is for the primary applicant and A088 is for the dependant. I am the primary applicant for I-485, so if it is true, I should get A099, not A088. I am not sure if I can have two different alien numbers or if this is a mistake by USCIS. Is anyone in the same situation?
I am sorry if this issue is discussed previously (I couldn't find the related thread). I would greatly appreciate your input.
Thank you very much.
-------------------------------------------------------------
EB1 ROW
PD: 08/2006
140: approved in 06/2007 (NSC)
485 (self and spouse): RD: 07/06/2007; RN: 09/12/07 (NSC)
765 (self and spouse): RD: 07/06/2007; RN: 09/12/07 (NSC)
131 (self and spouse): RD: 07/06/2007; RN: 09/12/07 (NSC)
FP notice recieved on 09/24/07
FP appointment (self and spouse): 10/16/07
Don't worry about it. When you go to FP appointment point this out to IO. You are correct "usually" 099 for primary & 088 for dependents. The "A" number is assigned at I-140 approval; that is "usually" the number you have on your receipts & GC when issued.("A" number is Alien Registration number and NOT the actual visa. The "A" number will be assigned to a visa once you get approved for GC.) There have been a few people on various threads have this happen to them. Just let the IO at FP know and they will help you OR speak to your lawyer about it. Note: Some applicants actually end up with a different "A" number on GC approval all together. So don't sweat it!
Cheers,
LRIndy. I am not a lawyer always consult one before making a decision.
more...
fatboysam
02-01 08:50 AM
Congrats
watzgc
09-18 05:41 PM
That is not true. Once you have EAD on hand, you can chose to work using your EAD. I-140 pending or approval has nothing to do with working on EAD. The risk is, if his I-140 is not approved, then it would automatically trigger a NOID for I-485 and his EAD becomes invalid....thats the risk factor. But one can work if one has EAD.
yes, thats what i heard from attorney this afternoon. thanks LostinGCprocess.
yes, thats what i heard from attorney this afternoon. thanks LostinGCprocess.
more...
md2003
08-15 09:40 AM
I am from India having masters in engineering and i have 9 years IT experience. Ofcourse my Lawyer filed in EB3 (in 2003) thinking that PD will be current in future. Now i140 cleared in EB3 . What next? Since i am in consulting company i don't have any problem sticking to company. Only problem is maintaining status. As long as i am in job no problem. Who knows market will be like this. I am just re thinking to go for EB2 filing. But not sure how many were able to clear Eb2 in PERM.How much salary required ? (My company located in Detroit).
2010 Squirt, Marlin and Dory are
jungalee43
02-17 09:14 PM
We need to do something to make him change his mind or at least soften his stand. It should not be anything sarcastic. I think flower campaign will have element of being sarcastic or even being critical.
It should be something simple and humble. May be a meeting of IL members with his staff and then if we get an opening, meeting with Sen. Durbin himself.
This can be followed by something like letter campaign on the lines of admin fix campaign.
It should be something simple and humble. May be a meeting of IL members with his staff and then if we get an opening, meeting with Sen. Durbin himself.
This can be followed by something like letter campaign on the lines of admin fix campaign.
more...
saro28
11-07 05:52 AM
agc2005: I am sending in the card and new photos along with the application today to TSC. According to USCIS Service rep, I don't need to attach the fees. Now I need to find the address where to send.
hair Dory (Finding Nemo)
Lucky7
12-04 08:24 AM
I am a Commercial/Industrial Architect and have allready had to turn down 2 jobs this year making double what i make here in hicksville Fresno CA due to the fact that i do not have a green card.
As far as the investor visa,i have looked into this too with my attorney and i am not elligible,even though i have the funds,due to the fact that my previous attorney did not file my papers on time in 2000 and therfore had to refile under 245i in 2001 and i am paying the price along with 30 other clients of the crooked attorney who ran away to another state.
My earnings this yr were above your guys fugures but Uncle Sam takes a very large chunk due to being single,no real estate in my name and no tax write offs.
As far as the investor visa,i have looked into this too with my attorney and i am not elligible,even though i have the funds,due to the fact that my previous attorney did not file my papers on time in 2000 and therfore had to refile under 245i in 2001 and i am paying the price along with 30 other clients of the crooked attorney who ran away to another state.
My earnings this yr were above your guys fugures but Uncle Sam takes a very large chunk due to being single,no real estate in my name and no tax write offs.
more...
roseball
10-15 12:50 PM
My wife attended for H4 stamping at Hyderabad consulate yesterday, 10/13/09. The consulate officer was asking for my current visa copy even though my wife gave my H1B extension approval copy with valid I-94.
Here is the immigration status so far:
1. Current H1 valid from Oct 09-Sep 11 with I-94
2. Earlier changed from L1 to H1 in April 2007. Then traveled to India using AP as I filed for 485 in Aug 07.
3. Had L1 visa stamping in Jan 2006.
So my old passport has L1 visa and new passport has AP stamp. Now I am thinking to answer the US Consulate Hyderabad explaining my current status - that I have a approved H1 petition but no visa stamping.
Please let me know your suggestions!!! Is there any chance that the visa can be rejected and revoked.
Now my last option is to apply for AP for my wife while she is in India.
Can I apply for AP when she is in India?
Thanks
You can tell the US Consulate that you dont have a H1 Visa Stamped in the Passport. I dont think the Consular Officer will revoke your H1 over that, unless there is any fraud involved. Unfortunately, you cannot file AP while your wife is outside US.
Here is the immigration status so far:
1. Current H1 valid from Oct 09-Sep 11 with I-94
2. Earlier changed from L1 to H1 in April 2007. Then traveled to India using AP as I filed for 485 in Aug 07.
3. Had L1 visa stamping in Jan 2006.
So my old passport has L1 visa and new passport has AP stamp. Now I am thinking to answer the US Consulate Hyderabad explaining my current status - that I have a approved H1 petition but no visa stamping.
Please let me know your suggestions!!! Is there any chance that the visa can be rejected and revoked.
Now my last option is to apply for AP for my wife while she is in India.
Can I apply for AP when she is in India?
Thanks
You can tell the US Consulate that you dont have a H1 Visa Stamped in the Passport. I dont think the Consular Officer will revoke your H1 over that, unless there is any fraud involved. Unfortunately, you cannot file AP while your wife is outside US.
hot Finding Nemo Easter Egg - Dory
nozerd
01-15 11:02 AM
If you are not that serious about Canada and are cool with being rejected dont take the test. If they were ok with passing you anyways they wouldnt have specifically asked you to take it.
IELTS is more widely accepted and has more centers in the US than the other test.
IELTS is more widely accepted and has more centers in the US than the other test.
more...
house Nemoquot; dory and nemo.
ajay
02-10 10:14 AM
US experience won't count much unless you are from fortune 500 company. These days anyone even with Aptech certificate can get a chance to come and work in USA on L visa for short assignments. So if your experience is in a desi consulting firm, I do not think your resume will be attractive.
The figures shown are all looking good for experienced people in good companies. But it is not easy to get jobs as senior people in top companies. Also remember you have to work much more than you work here. You also have to work on Saturdays in a lot of companies. If your clients are in USA you may also need work in the night too to interact with your people in USA. Also remember in small companies you rarely get to do cutting edge world class work or new idea or planning. You will hardly learn or get special trainings.
Grass is always green on the other side
I was reading this thread and found something that I haven't found here also. In US also I haven't found any companies give much exposure to consultants for world class work or new idea or planning. I also haven't found any companies that provide special training to the consultants.
Fortune 500 companies may be an exception though from the above.
What I feel is it all depends on the individual how much of exposure one can get regardless where s/he is working. Technology is seamless and it is available from anywhere.
The figures shown are all looking good for experienced people in good companies. But it is not easy to get jobs as senior people in top companies. Also remember you have to work much more than you work here. You also have to work on Saturdays in a lot of companies. If your clients are in USA you may also need work in the night too to interact with your people in USA. Also remember in small companies you rarely get to do cutting edge world class work or new idea or planning. You will hardly learn or get special trainings.
Grass is always green on the other side
I was reading this thread and found something that I haven't found here also. In US also I haven't found any companies give much exposure to consultants for world class work or new idea or planning. I also haven't found any companies that provide special training to the consultants.
Fortune 500 companies may be an exception though from the above.
What I feel is it all depends on the individual how much of exposure one can get regardless where s/he is working. Technology is seamless and it is available from anywhere.
tattoo dory and nemo. NEMO DORY
kondur_007
03-16 01:13 PM
can someone please give me some advices about this situation?
I'm in US since Aug 2006 with F1 visa (and F2 my spouse).
Nothing changed in 2007, and I didn't leave US at all.
Then in June 2008, my visa status changed to H1B (and H4 for spouse).
I am also receiving tuition waiver as employment benefits (I got the 1098T form for that).
Spouse does not have ITIN and never filed any returns in US. By the way, is there a problem I didn't request an ITIN for my spouse by now? should F2 always have an ITIN even if spouse has never had any income of any sort?
I have always filed 1040NR-EZ (for 2006 and 2007) but didn't claim spouse these 2 years (while on F2)
My question is whether I have substantial presence in US after 3 years or not, and which form should I file. How about spouse's (with no ITIN) tax forms? Thank you.
You are "dual status alien" for the purpose of tax filing. I came across same thing when I switched from F1 to H1.
This is one situation, where you ideally "have to Itemized" (and this is true for India and it depends on Treaty with every country, it is different for lot of coutries).
My sincere advise, just go to H and R block and get it done (this was the only year when I had my taxes done through H and R block). From the next year you will be "resident alien" and should be able to file using turbotax by yourself.
Good Luck.
I'm in US since Aug 2006 with F1 visa (and F2 my spouse).
Nothing changed in 2007, and I didn't leave US at all.
Then in June 2008, my visa status changed to H1B (and H4 for spouse).
I am also receiving tuition waiver as employment benefits (I got the 1098T form for that).
Spouse does not have ITIN and never filed any returns in US. By the way, is there a problem I didn't request an ITIN for my spouse by now? should F2 always have an ITIN even if spouse has never had any income of any sort?
I have always filed 1040NR-EZ (for 2006 and 2007) but didn't claim spouse these 2 years (while on F2)
My question is whether I have substantial presence in US after 3 years or not, and which form should I file. How about spouse's (with no ITIN) tax forms? Thank you.
You are "dual status alien" for the purpose of tax filing. I came across same thing when I switched from F1 to H1.
This is one situation, where you ideally "have to Itemized" (and this is true for India and it depends on Treaty with every country, it is different for lot of coutries).
My sincere advise, just go to H and R block and get it done (this was the only year when I had my taxes done through H and R block). From the next year you will be "resident alien" and should be able to file using turbotax by yourself.
Good Luck.
more...
pictures Our beautiful queen, Dory,
mammoy2k
11-12 05:56 PM
I wouldappreciate if any of you could shed light on the following scenario:
If485 i spending for over six months and someone switched the job using AC21 for a position which would require extended stay [upto 2-3 years] outside the US. Would it any way impact the GC process? Given that priority date is 2007, it is unlikely(?) that 485 would be adjusted in that time.
Thanks
If485 i spending for over six months and someone switched the job using AC21 for a position which would require extended stay [upto 2-3 years] outside the US. Would it any way impact the GC process? Given that priority date is 2007, it is unlikely(?) that 485 would be adjusted in that time.
Thanks
dresses Kids Murals, childrens rooms,
letstalklc
11-06 01:39 PM
Whats up, guys!
FYI:
My employer got a letter today stating that my form ETA9089 has been certified. Finally, after about 13 months waiting.
I got audited on November 2007. I filed the petition on October 2007.
Good luck with all of you guys.
Thanks for the supports!
Congratulations...great news.....good luck for the next steps...
Is your perm is filed by Fragomen Law Firm?
My PD is Sep 5th 2007...still pending....dont know when it's gonna approve...
FYI:
My employer got a letter today stating that my form ETA9089 has been certified. Finally, after about 13 months waiting.
I got audited on November 2007. I filed the petition on October 2007.
Good luck with all of you guys.
Thanks for the supports!
Congratulations...great news.....good luck for the next steps...
Is your perm is filed by Fragomen Law Firm?
My PD is Sep 5th 2007...still pending....dont know when it's gonna approve...
more...
makeup dori, dori nemo, dori de nemo,
PierceG
05-31 05:06 PM
They're all very bad. Soul's is worst.
The music is great. I laughed and laughed.....
The music is great. I laughed and laughed.....
girlfriend with Nemo, Marlin, Dory,
vinayskadam
11-29 08:18 PM
Thanks for the Reply and I had called up the USCIS and they had asked me to send a letter for correcting the information. I have sent the letter now along with the supporting documents. Hope evverything goes fine.
hairstyles Dory, dory and nemo.
jasonalbany
07-04 12:28 PM
Access to Job Market in U.S. a Matter of Degrees
Foreign workers with high-tech skills are in demand, but visa quotas snarl the hiring process.
By Anna Gorman, Times Staff Writer
July 3, 2006
This spring, a U.S. high-tech company recruited British citizen Gareth Lloyd for a possible engineering job.
But before the Irvine office made its hiring decision, the number of available visas for skilled workers ran out, in a record time of less than two months.
Lloyd, who has degrees in applied physics and electrical and electronics engineering, found another job in Germany.
"I was a little bit incredulous," Lloyd, 34, said in a phone interview. "It seems arbitrary to put some kind of quota on this."
Much of the national debate on immigration has centered on undocumented workers who fill agriculture, construction and service jobs. But highly skilled foreign scientists, engineers and computer programmers recruited by U.S. companies to work here legally also have a lot at stake in the outcome. "The major focus for all the laws and all the bills has mainly been for illegal immigrants," said Swati Srivastava, an Indian software engineer who lives in Playa del Rey and is waiting for her green card. "We kind of get pushed to the sidelines."
The Senate's sweeping immigration bill that passed in May calls for increasing the number of H-1B visas, which are available for professional foreign workers, from 65,000 to 115,000 annually. Foreigners with certain advanced degrees would be exempt from the cap.
Despite President Bush's urging to increase such quotas, however, the House bill that passed late last year does not include any provisions for skilled-worker visas. And a conference committee, which would negotiate a compromise, has yet to be selected. U.S. companies complain that they are losing prospective employees to other countries because of a shortage of highly skilled and educated foreign workers. As a result, companies are either outsourcing science and engineering jobs or making do with fewer employees.
"There aren't enough U.S. citizens pursuing those types of degrees," said Jennifer Greeson, spokeswoman for Intel Corp. in Santa Clara, Calif., where about 5% of the company's U.S.-based employees are on H-1B visas. "U.S. companies being able to have access to talent, no matter where it originates, is key to our continued competitiveness."
But critics of the H-1B program argue that there are enough Americans qualified for the jobs. Companies just prefer to hire younger, less expensive workers from other countries, such as India and China, instead of more experienced American workers at higher salaries.
"The bottom line is cheap labor," said UC Davis computer-science professor Norman Matloff, who has studied the H-1B program.
The six-year visas are available to foreigners with at least a bachelor's degree. Firms must pay foreign workers the prevailing wage.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency begins accepting H-1B visa applications on April 1 each year. The agency received enough visas to hit the congressionally mandated cap of 65,000 at the end of May this year, compared with August in 2005 and October in 2004. Those who receive the visas can begin work Oct. 1, the start of the fiscal year.
There are also 20,000 additional visas available for foreign workers who earned a master's or higher-level degree in the U.S. The Citizenship and Immigration Services is still accepting applications for those visas.
Because the H-1B cap is reached more quickly each year, many companies prepare their paperwork ahead of time so they can be at the front of the line. But they say it's often difficult to make hiring decisions six months before the start date.
Orange County immigration attorney Mitchell Wexler has a courier ready on the first day to take his clients' completed applications to Citizenship and Immigration Services.
"The whole white-collar business community is kind of crossing our fingers" that the number of visas is raised, Wexler said. Highly skilled foreign workers, he said, are "the best and brightest" and should be invited into the economy.
"If we can't get them," Wexler added, "they will go to a country that will accept them, and they will get jobs in Canada, Australia and England and will compete against us."
One of Wexler's clients, Massachusetts-based Skyworks Solutions, develops and manufactures integrated circuits for cellphones. Connie Williams, senior human resources specialist at the company's Irvine office, said her firm was effectively cut off from a foreign labor pool that included Lloyd of Britain when the government stopped accepting H-1B applications.
Williams said she worries that if Congress fails to pass reform legislation, the door will slam shut even earlier next year. The company has just over 2,000 U.S.-based employees, roughly 100 of whom have H-1B visas.
"We need these highly skilled, highly educated, highly qualified engineers," said Williams. "These people are a needle in a haystack."
Once foreigners have H-1B visas, they face another hurdle � becoming permanent legal residents. Applicants are often forced to wait years because there are only 140,000 employment-based green cards available annually. A backlog at Citizenship and Immigration Services adds to the delays.
Swati and Aradhana Srivastava, 34, both Indian software engineers working in the U.S. on H-1B visas, began the green card process with their employer in November 2001. Since then, the sisters said they have not been able to change jobs, positions or salaries.
They have taken film classes and are eager to pursue second careers in filmmaking but cannot do so until after they get their green cards. They also are reluctant to buy property or start a business. If they don't get their green cards by the time they finish film school, the sisters may return home.
"It's like living in a holding pattern continuously," said Swati Srivastava, 28, a member of Immigration Voice, a new grass-roots organization of skilled foreign workers pushing for immigration reform. The Internet-based group formed late last year and has about 5,000 members scattered around the country.
"We work in [the] U.S. legally in high-skilled jobs, but we still get penalized for playing by the rules," Immigration Voice co-founder Aman Kapoor said in an e-mail. "Since no one was working on our issues, we decided to organize."
Sandy Boyd, vice president of the National Assn. of Manufacturers, said there is an urgency to fixing the problems facing highly skilled foreign workers, whether they're seeking temporary or permanent legal status. The Senate's proposed immigration bill would increase the number of available employment-based green cards.
If compromise legislation cannot be reached on the broader issues, Boyd said, Congress should pass a separate, more narrow reform bill.
"This is not an issue that can be put off until comprehensive immigration reform is passed," Boyd said, "because once we lose these jobs, it's very difficult for them to come back."
But industry lobbyists arguing against increases in H-1B visas say the program hurts U.S. citizens by lowering wages and increasing job competition. They cite a recent report by the Government Accountability Office that says the program lacks sufficient oversight from the Department of Labor.
"We feel for the most part there are not shortages of U.S. engineers and computer scientists that have the skills these companies are looking for," said Chris McManes, spokesman for the U.S. sector of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. "If the cap is increased, that will further hamper the ability of a U.S. engineer to find a job."
David Huber, a network engineer in Chicago and U.S. citizen by birth, said he twice lost out on jobs to foreign workers. He was passed over for one job and replaced at another, he said. Huber, who testified before the House in March, said he could not find work for nearly three years, despite his education and experience. "Too many of us cannot find jobs because companies are turning to H-1B workers as a first choice," Huber said in written testimony to the House.
Swadha Sharma, who lives in Arcadia, said she is not trying to replace U.S. workers. Sharma earned an electronics engineering degree in India but has long dreamed of becoming a math teacher. So while her husband worked here on an H-1B visa, she earned her teaching credential at Cal Poly Pomona.
Sharma, 30, started applying for teaching jobs early this year, but she said only one of three interested districts was willing to sponsor her for an H-1B visa. And that offer, from a Los Angeles charter school, came after the visa cap had been reached. Sharma now plans to pursue a master's degree but said the U.S. is "missing out on a catch."
"I am really qualified," she said. "Hopefully, I will be able to teach soon."
As for Lloyd, his plans to come to the United States are now on indefinite hold. He started his job in Germany but still laments the U.S. immigration system for limiting workers like himself from coming here.
"The H-1B scheme seems a little bit ridiculous," he said. "I would certainly be an asset to the American economy."
Foreign workers with high-tech skills are in demand, but visa quotas snarl the hiring process.
By Anna Gorman, Times Staff Writer
July 3, 2006
This spring, a U.S. high-tech company recruited British citizen Gareth Lloyd for a possible engineering job.
But before the Irvine office made its hiring decision, the number of available visas for skilled workers ran out, in a record time of less than two months.
Lloyd, who has degrees in applied physics and electrical and electronics engineering, found another job in Germany.
"I was a little bit incredulous," Lloyd, 34, said in a phone interview. "It seems arbitrary to put some kind of quota on this."
Much of the national debate on immigration has centered on undocumented workers who fill agriculture, construction and service jobs. But highly skilled foreign scientists, engineers and computer programmers recruited by U.S. companies to work here legally also have a lot at stake in the outcome. "The major focus for all the laws and all the bills has mainly been for illegal immigrants," said Swati Srivastava, an Indian software engineer who lives in Playa del Rey and is waiting for her green card. "We kind of get pushed to the sidelines."
The Senate's sweeping immigration bill that passed in May calls for increasing the number of H-1B visas, which are available for professional foreign workers, from 65,000 to 115,000 annually. Foreigners with certain advanced degrees would be exempt from the cap.
Despite President Bush's urging to increase such quotas, however, the House bill that passed late last year does not include any provisions for skilled-worker visas. And a conference committee, which would negotiate a compromise, has yet to be selected. U.S. companies complain that they are losing prospective employees to other countries because of a shortage of highly skilled and educated foreign workers. As a result, companies are either outsourcing science and engineering jobs or making do with fewer employees.
"There aren't enough U.S. citizens pursuing those types of degrees," said Jennifer Greeson, spokeswoman for Intel Corp. in Santa Clara, Calif., where about 5% of the company's U.S.-based employees are on H-1B visas. "U.S. companies being able to have access to talent, no matter where it originates, is key to our continued competitiveness."
But critics of the H-1B program argue that there are enough Americans qualified for the jobs. Companies just prefer to hire younger, less expensive workers from other countries, such as India and China, instead of more experienced American workers at higher salaries.
"The bottom line is cheap labor," said UC Davis computer-science professor Norman Matloff, who has studied the H-1B program.
The six-year visas are available to foreigners with at least a bachelor's degree. Firms must pay foreign workers the prevailing wage.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency begins accepting H-1B visa applications on April 1 each year. The agency received enough visas to hit the congressionally mandated cap of 65,000 at the end of May this year, compared with August in 2005 and October in 2004. Those who receive the visas can begin work Oct. 1, the start of the fiscal year.
There are also 20,000 additional visas available for foreign workers who earned a master's or higher-level degree in the U.S. The Citizenship and Immigration Services is still accepting applications for those visas.
Because the H-1B cap is reached more quickly each year, many companies prepare their paperwork ahead of time so they can be at the front of the line. But they say it's often difficult to make hiring decisions six months before the start date.
Orange County immigration attorney Mitchell Wexler has a courier ready on the first day to take his clients' completed applications to Citizenship and Immigration Services.
"The whole white-collar business community is kind of crossing our fingers" that the number of visas is raised, Wexler said. Highly skilled foreign workers, he said, are "the best and brightest" and should be invited into the economy.
"If we can't get them," Wexler added, "they will go to a country that will accept them, and they will get jobs in Canada, Australia and England and will compete against us."
One of Wexler's clients, Massachusetts-based Skyworks Solutions, develops and manufactures integrated circuits for cellphones. Connie Williams, senior human resources specialist at the company's Irvine office, said her firm was effectively cut off from a foreign labor pool that included Lloyd of Britain when the government stopped accepting H-1B applications.
Williams said she worries that if Congress fails to pass reform legislation, the door will slam shut even earlier next year. The company has just over 2,000 U.S.-based employees, roughly 100 of whom have H-1B visas.
"We need these highly skilled, highly educated, highly qualified engineers," said Williams. "These people are a needle in a haystack."
Once foreigners have H-1B visas, they face another hurdle � becoming permanent legal residents. Applicants are often forced to wait years because there are only 140,000 employment-based green cards available annually. A backlog at Citizenship and Immigration Services adds to the delays.
Swati and Aradhana Srivastava, 34, both Indian software engineers working in the U.S. on H-1B visas, began the green card process with their employer in November 2001. Since then, the sisters said they have not been able to change jobs, positions or salaries.
They have taken film classes and are eager to pursue second careers in filmmaking but cannot do so until after they get their green cards. They also are reluctant to buy property or start a business. If they don't get their green cards by the time they finish film school, the sisters may return home.
"It's like living in a holding pattern continuously," said Swati Srivastava, 28, a member of Immigration Voice, a new grass-roots organization of skilled foreign workers pushing for immigration reform. The Internet-based group formed late last year and has about 5,000 members scattered around the country.
"We work in [the] U.S. legally in high-skilled jobs, but we still get penalized for playing by the rules," Immigration Voice co-founder Aman Kapoor said in an e-mail. "Since no one was working on our issues, we decided to organize."
Sandy Boyd, vice president of the National Assn. of Manufacturers, said there is an urgency to fixing the problems facing highly skilled foreign workers, whether they're seeking temporary or permanent legal status. The Senate's proposed immigration bill would increase the number of available employment-based green cards.
If compromise legislation cannot be reached on the broader issues, Boyd said, Congress should pass a separate, more narrow reform bill.
"This is not an issue that can be put off until comprehensive immigration reform is passed," Boyd said, "because once we lose these jobs, it's very difficult for them to come back."
But industry lobbyists arguing against increases in H-1B visas say the program hurts U.S. citizens by lowering wages and increasing job competition. They cite a recent report by the Government Accountability Office that says the program lacks sufficient oversight from the Department of Labor.
"We feel for the most part there are not shortages of U.S. engineers and computer scientists that have the skills these companies are looking for," said Chris McManes, spokesman for the U.S. sector of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. "If the cap is increased, that will further hamper the ability of a U.S. engineer to find a job."
David Huber, a network engineer in Chicago and U.S. citizen by birth, said he twice lost out on jobs to foreign workers. He was passed over for one job and replaced at another, he said. Huber, who testified before the House in March, said he could not find work for nearly three years, despite his education and experience. "Too many of us cannot find jobs because companies are turning to H-1B workers as a first choice," Huber said in written testimony to the House.
Swadha Sharma, who lives in Arcadia, said she is not trying to replace U.S. workers. Sharma earned an electronics engineering degree in India but has long dreamed of becoming a math teacher. So while her husband worked here on an H-1B visa, she earned her teaching credential at Cal Poly Pomona.
Sharma, 30, started applying for teaching jobs early this year, but she said only one of three interested districts was willing to sponsor her for an H-1B visa. And that offer, from a Los Angeles charter school, came after the visa cap had been reached. Sharma now plans to pursue a master's degree but said the U.S. is "missing out on a catch."
"I am really qualified," she said. "Hopefully, I will be able to teach soon."
As for Lloyd, his plans to come to the United States are now on indefinite hold. He started his job in Germany but still laments the U.S. immigration system for limiting workers like himself from coming here.
"The H-1B scheme seems a little bit ridiculous," he said. "I would certainly be an asset to the American economy."
redgreen
10-08 06:26 PM
Since H4 is a derivative visa depending upon an H1, as long as the H1 is valid you can be in that status also whether you use EAD or not. However you can not be in H1 and using EAD. You have to get a new H1 to be again in H1 after using EAD. Anyway how does it matter whether it is valid or not? It becomes a problem even for H1 visa holders, only when I-485 is rejected.
immi2006
10-09 07:11 PM
Otherwise it is a time waste...
I applied on 2nd July and got Receipts on 08/27/2007. Still waiting for the FP notice. There are lot of ppl in the same boat. Take it easy. I called USCIS last week and they opened Service Request for myself and mywife. Call USCIS and ask them to open SR.
I applied on 2nd July and got Receipts on 08/27/2007. Still waiting for the FP notice. There are lot of ppl in the same boat. Take it easy. I called USCIS last week and they opened Service Request for myself and mywife. Call USCIS and ask them to open SR.
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