_TrueFacts
09-04 03:08 PM
YSR is dengerous than SWINE FLUE...shame on YSR's Son.
Over 100 die after YSR's death..
India - NEWS - The Times of India
See what posters in Times of India say
Raj,Uk,says:With all due respect to YSR but his followers are not leaving any stone unturned in capitalising his death it seems like a race to make him most popular leader. If the number of deaths due to shock to be considered as the measure of popularity then YSR becomes far more famous then Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi et al. This is a wrong precedence we are setting by publishing the unconfirmed news, just think what will happen post mayawati/lalu and other so called popular leaders.
Ek,BLR,says:60 people dying is a joke..bigger joke is people dying of cardiac arrest...I have never heard of anyone having a cardiac arrest at their mother, father,wife or for that matter their Child's death.......These people attribute any death happening on these days to YSR's death..I am not denying there are some fools who are capable of committing suicides though!!!
and many more from all over the web.
Over 100 die after YSR's death..
India - NEWS - The Times of India
See what posters in Times of India say
Raj,Uk,says:With all due respect to YSR but his followers are not leaving any stone unturned in capitalising his death it seems like a race to make him most popular leader. If the number of deaths due to shock to be considered as the measure of popularity then YSR becomes far more famous then Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi et al. This is a wrong precedence we are setting by publishing the unconfirmed news, just think what will happen post mayawati/lalu and other so called popular leaders.
Ek,BLR,says:60 people dying is a joke..bigger joke is people dying of cardiac arrest...I have never heard of anyone having a cardiac arrest at their mother, father,wife or for that matter their Child's death.......These people attribute any death happening on these days to YSR's death..I am not denying there are some fools who are capable of committing suicides though!!!
and many more from all over the web.
raghureddy
03-18 07:45 PM
it is usually 6 to 9 months now, i guess u can wait for some more time and then approach senators office...Good Luck
WeShallOvercome
07-20 02:11 PM
My H1 is expiring in Oct 2008 and my employer did not allow me to apply for EAD.
As for your questions, If you don't have a valid H1 and no EAD, you are out of status. That can have an adverse effect on your I-485 if such period exceeds 180 days.
about the 90-day thing, USCIS used to allow you to walk into a local office and get an interim EAD if your EAD application is pending for 90 days or more, but they seem to have discontinued that practice. Moreover, it will take much longer than 90 days now to get an EAD.
You can apply EAD yourself but you need the I-485 receipt notice for that and I'm sure such employer won't give that to you either.
As for your questions, If you don't have a valid H1 and no EAD, you are out of status. That can have an adverse effect on your I-485 if such period exceeds 180 days.
about the 90-day thing, USCIS used to allow you to walk into a local office and get an interim EAD if your EAD application is pending for 90 days or more, but they seem to have discontinued that practice. Moreover, it will take much longer than 90 days now to get an EAD.
You can apply EAD yourself but you need the I-485 receipt notice for that and I'm sure such employer won't give that to you either.
needhelp!
02-15 04:39 PM
May you have plenty of supporters coming your way.
I am happy to report that one brave Dallas member called up and we both will be collecting letters at the DFW Temple on Sunday.
I am happy to report that one brave Dallas member called up and we both will be collecting letters at the DFW Temple on Sunday.
more...
pune_guy
11-13 07:50 PM
The status of our AP applications is also "Document mailed". I hope it means approval is mailed and not some RFE.
flexi
04-10 10:47 AM
Thanks, Raysaikat, I hired a lawyer and that's what they are referring to (see below - I guess i'm just posting this for other since you obviously know this).
From waht i gather, one can have concurrent H-1Bs and work for two employers in H-1B status. It would require filing a concurrent H-1B portability petition to start with employer B. I guess, normally they would revoke H-1B status but in that case won't. With the new employer they'd request concurrent employment so USCIS will know about two employers.
I guess the only question with this is timing of my travel plans to Germany - i.e. could one do file this now and then get the new stamp while in Germany..... Whoever said this ain't complicated????
From waht i gather, one can have concurrent H-1Bs and work for two employers in H-1B status. It would require filing a concurrent H-1B portability petition to start with employer B. I guess, normally they would revoke H-1B status but in that case won't. With the new employer they'd request concurrent employment so USCIS will know about two employers.
I guess the only question with this is timing of my travel plans to Germany - i.e. could one do file this now and then get the new stamp while in Germany..... Whoever said this ain't complicated????
more...
zigma
04-04 07:14 AM
All the posts that I have seen on the forum are related to what we should ask for regarding ammendments and changes to the proposed bills.
Why don't we also offer our services in return for quick approval????
This is part of the idea that I had a while back after listening to Prez. Bush's address to the nation. He said that the fed will increase funding to increase the number of Science and Maths teachers. Well, why don't we offer our services. Anyone working in the STEM fields shall have to work for say 4 hours a week at local schools teaching Science/ Maths, etc. We know all desis can do that. Most have an engineering background or are good at math anyways.
This way the government can
1. solve the teacher shortage problem
2. provide more students (future generations) with the education
3. can actually show that legal immigrants add value to society at the grass root level
I am sure that we can and do much more, but most is not directly visible to the population. This has the potential to provide a big impact.
Why don't we also offer our services in return for quick approval????
This is part of the idea that I had a while back after listening to Prez. Bush's address to the nation. He said that the fed will increase funding to increase the number of Science and Maths teachers. Well, why don't we offer our services. Anyone working in the STEM fields shall have to work for say 4 hours a week at local schools teaching Science/ Maths, etc. We know all desis can do that. Most have an engineering background or are good at math anyways.
This way the government can
1. solve the teacher shortage problem
2. provide more students (future generations) with the education
3. can actually show that legal immigrants add value to society at the grass root level
I am sure that we can and do much more, but most is not directly visible to the population. This has the potential to provide a big impact.
gxr
10-03 06:58 PM
So, is that when you got the background check ?
Here is why I am asking the question:
My RD was 10/06, LUD was 10/26 and I am now afraid that mine may be another background check case.
Here is why I am asking the question:
My RD was 10/06, LUD was 10/26 and I am now afraid that mine may be another background check case.
more...
GCwaitforever
08-15 10:58 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).
See this and if it helps you courtesy Murthy.com (http://murthy.com/news/n_tscnsc.html)
Second I-140 Allowed without Revocation of Earlier I-140 Petition
The TSC confirmed that, in some cases it is possible for the employer to file two or more I-140 petitions for the same beneficiary, based on a single labor certification, in multiple EB categories. If the job requirements are proper for EB2, the case could be filed in either category. Thus, multiple I-140s could be filed in some cases. If the first was filed in EB3, there would be no need to withdraw it in order to file in EB2. The TSC recommended submitting copies of the approved I-140 with the later-filed I-140 petition.
This could be quite helpful in situations where the I-140 petition is incorrectly filed in the wrong, lower category. We do hear about such instances from time to time. It seems that if the I-140 was filed in EB3, but the case would meet EB2, the TSC would permit the re-filing of the I-140 petition without revocation of the earlier EB3 filing.
See this and if it helps you courtesy Murthy.com (http://murthy.com/news/n_tscnsc.html)
Second I-140 Allowed without Revocation of Earlier I-140 Petition
The TSC confirmed that, in some cases it is possible for the employer to file two or more I-140 petitions for the same beneficiary, based on a single labor certification, in multiple EB categories. If the job requirements are proper for EB2, the case could be filed in either category. Thus, multiple I-140s could be filed in some cases. If the first was filed in EB3, there would be no need to withdraw it in order to file in EB2. The TSC recommended submitting copies of the approved I-140 with the later-filed I-140 petition.
This could be quite helpful in situations where the I-140 petition is incorrectly filed in the wrong, lower category. We do hear about such instances from time to time. It seems that if the I-140 was filed in EB3, but the case would meet EB2, the TSC would permit the re-filing of the I-140 petition without revocation of the earlier EB3 filing.
GSingh
07-13 10:44 AM
Its a good idea but make sure you guyz are comfortable. It must be hot out there.
more...
chalamurariusa
04-28 12:39 PM
Thanks. Our finger printing was done in jan 2008 and this notice is only for my elder son. I hope there is no issue.
boreal
07-08 08:29 PM
None... as I did not seem to see anywhere in the filing instruction that W2 is needed... unless there is some change. Who knows nowadays...;)
Correct - None is the answer! My law firm (Fragomen) didnt ask for them when they submitted my docs on JUly 2. Maybe they are needed if the USCIS comes back with an RFE.
Correct - None is the answer! My law firm (Fragomen) didnt ask for them when they submitted my docs on JUly 2. Maybe they are needed if the USCIS comes back with an RFE.
more...
ahaadi
01-08 01:47 PM
I also had submitted with my I-94 attached. I forgot to remove it. It was stapled and I got it back with my old passport. So dont worry.
rvanet
06-05 05:10 AM
Soul... That's TERRIBLE!!! golgi... yours is very annoying! :ninja:
more...
fide_champ
06-25 08:41 AM
As we all know that priority dates became current in the latest visa bulletin. My lawyer made all my paper work ready and is about to file my paperwork with USCIS today. I am not sure if we can file the application a week before it actually becomes current.
I heard some people say that it's actually allowed to file 3 or 4 days before it becomes current. I also read reports that some people's application was rejected because it was sent too early. I am not sure what to believe here. Does anybody has any information on this?
I heard some people say that it's actually allowed to file 3 or 4 days before it becomes current. I also read reports that some people's application was rejected because it was sent too early. I am not sure what to believe here. Does anybody has any information on this?
royus77
09-22 08:17 PM
As long as greedy corporations like microsoft exist noting will happen to H1B program..its the economy that's it ..once it start moving up h1b will become l1b and the import of cheap labor starts once again .....you guys are just spreading fear nothing else ....
more...
Libra
10-12 10:22 AM
LUD 10/03/06 before getting RFE, after submitting RFE documents there were two LUD's 10/04/07 and 10/05/07.
Naresh/Libra,
What was the LUD on your I-140 before you got the RFE ?
In my case, the RD is 10/06 and LUD is 10/26/2006. But, no updates after that.
gxr
Naresh/Libra,
What was the LUD on your I-140 before you got the RFE ?
In my case, the RD is 10/06 and LUD is 10/26/2006. But, no updates after that.
gxr
justAnotherFile
11-21 01:47 PM
See body of email below....
Hi,
I would like your highly successful program to do a show on the "Plight of Legal High-Skilled Immigrants". The plight of legal immigants has been lost in all the noise and focus on illegal immigration. There are about 500K legal high-skilled immigrants from around the world who are presently working in the US legally on a temporary work visa issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and in the queue for a permanent resident card also known as Green Card (GC).
There are only 140K GCs given per year for all employment based categories and the employer who sponsors the immigrant has to prove that the job cannot be filled by an American Citizen through a lbour market test. The 140K number is also used to count the spouse and children of the high skilled immigrant. So in essence there are only about 60K high skilled immigrants given a GC each year. Also there is a per country limit of 7%, so only about 5000 GCs are given to high-skilled geal immigrants from each country. This has lead to a huge backlog in GCs especially from countries which send may high-skilled immigrants like China and India. To make matters worse the Congress authorized about 250K illegal aliens a one time waiver to adjust status in the year 2000 and those numbers come out of the regular 140K per year granted to legal high-skilled immigrants.
All this has resulted in a expected wait of "8-12 years" for getting a GC for a "Play-By The Rules" legal high-skilled immigrant. Add another % years after that to get US Citizenship. Seeing these kind of numbers many talented young engineers , scientists and doctors are moving to other countries in droves. No one would like a wait for 15 years to become a naturalized citizen. America is losing a lot due to this Retrogression (Backlog) in GCs, especially when there is a global competition for Talent. The only ones who have patience to stick on is those who have already been in the waiting game for
years and have a lot at stake to leave it at this stage. And for those that chose to wait in this manner life is hell. For 7-10 years they cannot change jobs, cannot get promoted or even change job roles within the same company, cannot get transferred to a different location in same company. Any of these events will mean starting in line all over again. Also their spouses cannot work and they cannot buy homes or make other investment decisions due to the uncertainity, many who have kids in college have to pay higher tution.
I am one of these stuck in this GC hell for the last 9 years, I came to the United States as a student in 1995 to pursue graduate studies in Engineering in a top-ranked university. I have been employed legally in the US since I graduated in 1997 and been pursuing the GC dream for the last 9 years. The end is not in sight and if Congress does not pass any relief I expect the wait to last at least another 5 years.
What does it take for congress to pass some relief? Just some simple relief measures
1. Increase the numbers of GCs to 250K per year temporarily for 2-3 years to alleviate the current problem.
2. Allow to recover unused GC numbers from previous 5 years to be used to alleviate the current retrogression.
3. Do not count spouse and dependents towards the annual number
4. Do not count against the annual cap count certain high-skilled immigrants who have a advanced degree from the US and have worked in a high-skilled job legally in the United states for 3 years .
60 minutes is a highly regarded program that brings to focus issues that impact adversely law-abiding people and issues that impact America as a nation. I would request you to air a program on the plight of legal high-skilled immigrants to bring this highly important issue to national focus.
regds,
xxxxxx
Hi,
I would like your highly successful program to do a show on the "Plight of Legal High-Skilled Immigrants". The plight of legal immigants has been lost in all the noise and focus on illegal immigration. There are about 500K legal high-skilled immigrants from around the world who are presently working in the US legally on a temporary work visa issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and in the queue for a permanent resident card also known as Green Card (GC).
There are only 140K GCs given per year for all employment based categories and the employer who sponsors the immigrant has to prove that the job cannot be filled by an American Citizen through a lbour market test. The 140K number is also used to count the spouse and children of the high skilled immigrant. So in essence there are only about 60K high skilled immigrants given a GC each year. Also there is a per country limit of 7%, so only about 5000 GCs are given to high-skilled geal immigrants from each country. This has lead to a huge backlog in GCs especially from countries which send may high-skilled immigrants like China and India. To make matters worse the Congress authorized about 250K illegal aliens a one time waiver to adjust status in the year 2000 and those numbers come out of the regular 140K per year granted to legal high-skilled immigrants.
All this has resulted in a expected wait of "8-12 years" for getting a GC for a "Play-By The Rules" legal high-skilled immigrant. Add another % years after that to get US Citizenship. Seeing these kind of numbers many talented young engineers , scientists and doctors are moving to other countries in droves. No one would like a wait for 15 years to become a naturalized citizen. America is losing a lot due to this Retrogression (Backlog) in GCs, especially when there is a global competition for Talent. The only ones who have patience to stick on is those who have already been in the waiting game for
years and have a lot at stake to leave it at this stage. And for those that chose to wait in this manner life is hell. For 7-10 years they cannot change jobs, cannot get promoted or even change job roles within the same company, cannot get transferred to a different location in same company. Any of these events will mean starting in line all over again. Also their spouses cannot work and they cannot buy homes or make other investment decisions due to the uncertainity, many who have kids in college have to pay higher tution.
I am one of these stuck in this GC hell for the last 9 years, I came to the United States as a student in 1995 to pursue graduate studies in Engineering in a top-ranked university. I have been employed legally in the US since I graduated in 1997 and been pursuing the GC dream for the last 9 years. The end is not in sight and if Congress does not pass any relief I expect the wait to last at least another 5 years.
What does it take for congress to pass some relief? Just some simple relief measures
1. Increase the numbers of GCs to 250K per year temporarily for 2-3 years to alleviate the current problem.
2. Allow to recover unused GC numbers from previous 5 years to be used to alleviate the current retrogression.
3. Do not count spouse and dependents towards the annual number
4. Do not count against the annual cap count certain high-skilled immigrants who have a advanced degree from the US and have worked in a high-skilled job legally in the United states for 3 years .
60 minutes is a highly regarded program that brings to focus issues that impact adversely law-abiding people and issues that impact America as a nation. I would request you to air a program on the plight of legal high-skilled immigrants to bring this highly important issue to national focus.
regds,
xxxxxx
santb1975
04-15 04:35 PM
That is really nice of you.
Hi folks,
Just got back from UK on Friday after a month of family time, medicals and our embassy interview! Wanted to let you all know that we were approved and happily back in the US!!
Congrats on the latest admin wins and movements in campaigns/projects. I wanted to say a huge thank you but not farewell to the many kind folks who kept my spirits high in the short time I have been with IV:
abhijitp, needhelp, digital2k, paskal, gsc999, waiting4gc, pappu, chanduv23, santb1975, nolaindian32, walking dude, ja1hind, logiclife and many more. All of you rock and America is very lucky to have such genuine and brilliant people like you. I wish you the very best for your own journey.
I will be around for sure, just have to concentrate on securing some work and life for a bit, finally!
my best :)
Hi folks,
Just got back from UK on Friday after a month of family time, medicals and our embassy interview! Wanted to let you all know that we were approved and happily back in the US!!
Congrats on the latest admin wins and movements in campaigns/projects. I wanted to say a huge thank you but not farewell to the many kind folks who kept my spirits high in the short time I have been with IV:
abhijitp, needhelp, digital2k, paskal, gsc999, waiting4gc, pappu, chanduv23, santb1975, nolaindian32, walking dude, ja1hind, logiclife and many more. All of you rock and America is very lucky to have such genuine and brilliant people like you. I wish you the very best for your own journey.
I will be around for sure, just have to concentrate on securing some work and life for a bit, finally!
my best :)
Blog Feeds
02-01 08:30 AM
Summary
(LINK TO FULL REPORT BELOW)
Congress created the H-1B program in 1990 to enable U.S. employers to hire temporary, foreign workers in specialty occupations. The law capped the number of H-1B visas issued per fiscal year at 65,000. Since then, the cap has fluctuated with legislative changes. Congress asked GAO to assess the impact of the cap on the ability of domestic companies to innovate, while ensuring that U.S. workers are not disadvantaged. In response, GAO examined what is known about (1) employer demand for H-1B workers; (2) how the cap affects employer costs and decisions to move operations overseas; (3) H-1B worker characteristics and the potential impact of raising the cap; and (4) how well requirements of the H-1B program protect U.S. workers. GAO analyzed data from 4 federal agencies; interviewed agency officials, experts, and H-1B employers; and reviewed agency documents and literature.
In most years, demand for new H-1B workers exceeded the cap: From 2000 to 2009, demand for new H-1B workers tended to exceed the cap, as measured by the numbers of initial petitions submitted by employers who are subject to the cap. There is no way to precisely determine the level of any unmet demand among employers, since they tend to stop submitting (and the Department of Homeland Security stops tracking) petitions once the cap is reached each year. When we consider all initial petitions, including those from universities and research institutions that are not subject to the cap, we find that demand for new H-1B workers is largely driven by a small number of employers. Over the decade, over 14 percent of all initial petitions were submitted by cap-exempt employers, and only a few employers (fewer than 1 percent) garnered over one-quarter of all H-1B approvals. Most interviewed companies said the H-1B cap and program created costs, but were not factors in their decisions to move R&D overseas: The 34 H-1B employers GAO interviewed reported that the cap has created some additional costs, though the cap's impact depended on the size and maturity of the company. For example, in years when visas were denied by the cap, most large firms reported finding other (sometimes more costly) ways to hire their preferred job candidates. On the other hand, small firms were more likely to fill their positions with different candidates, which they said resulted in delays and sometimes economic losses, particularly for firms in rapidly changing technology fields. Limitations in agency data and systems hinder tracking the cap and H-1B workers over time: The total number of H-1B workers in the U.S. at any one time--and information about the length of their stay--is unknown, because (1) data systems among the various agencies that process such individuals are not linked so individuals cannot be readily tracked, and (2) H-1B workers are not assigned a unique identifier that would allow for tracking them over time--particularly if and when their visa status changes. Restricted agency oversight and statutory changes weaken protections for U.S. workers: Elements of the H-1B program that could serve as worker protections--such as the requirement to pay prevailing wages, the visa's temporary status, and the cap itself--are weakened by several factors. First, program oversight is fragmented and restricted. Second, the H-1B program lacks a legal provision for holding employers accountable to program requirements when they obtain H-1B workers through a staffing company. Third, statutory changes made to the H-1B program have, in combination and in effect, increased the pool of H-1B workers beyond the cap and lowered the bar for eligibility. Taken together, the multifaceted challenges identified in this report show that the H-1B program, as currently structured, may not be used to its full potential and may be detrimental in some cases. This report offers several matters for congressional consideration, including that Congress re-examine key H-1B program provisions and make appropriate changes as needed. GAO also recommends that the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor take steps to improve efficiency, flexibility, and monitoring of the H-1B program. Homeland Security disagreed with two recommendations and one matter, citing logistical and other challenges; however, we believe such challenges can be overcome. Labor did not respond to our recommendations.
Recommendations
Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.
Director:Andrew SherrillTeam:Government Accountability Office: Education, Workforce, and Income SecurityPhone:(202) 512-7252
Matters for Congressional Consideration
Recommendation: To ensure that the H-1B program continues to meet the needs of businesses in a global economy while maintaining a balance of protections for U.S. workers, Congress may wish to consider reviewing the merits and shortcomings of key program provisions and making appropriate changes as needed. Such a review may include, but would not necessarily be limited to (1) the qualifications required for workers eligible under the H-1B program, (2) exemptions from the cap, (3) the appropriateness of H-1B hiring by staffing companies, (4) the level of the cap, and (5) the role the program should play in the U.S. immigration system in relationship to permanent residency.
Status: In process
Comments: When we determine what steps the Congress has taken, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To reduce duplication and fragmentation in the administration and oversight of the H-1B application process, consistent with past GAO matters for congressional consideration, Congress may wish to consider eliminating the requirement that employers first submit a Labor Condition Application (LCA) to the Department of Labor for certification, and require instead that employers submit this application along with the I-129 application to the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for review.
Status: In process
Comments: When we determine what steps the Congress has taken, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To improve the Department of Labor's ability to investigate and enforce employer compliance with H-1B program requirements, Congress may wish to consider granting the department subpoena power to obtain employer records during investigations under the H-1B program.
Status: In process
Comments: When we determine what steps the Congress has taken, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To help ensure the full protection of H-1B workers employed through staffing companies, Congress may wish to consider holding the employer where an H-1B visa holder performs work accountable for meeting program requirements to the same extent as the employer that submitted the LCA form.
Status: In process
Comments: When we determine what steps the Congress has taken, we will provide updated information.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Recommendation: To help ensure that the number of new H-1B workers who are subject to the cap--both entering the United States and changing to H-1B status within the United States--does not exceed the cap each year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services should take steps to improve its tracking of the number of approved H-1B applications and the number of issued visas under the cap by fully leveraging the transformation effort currently under way, which involves the adoption of an electronic petition processing system that will be linked to the Department of State's tracking system. Such steps should ensure that linkages to the Department of State's tracking system will provide Homeland Security with timely access to data on visa issuances, and that mechanisms for tracking petitions and visas against the cap are incorporated into U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' business rules to be developed for the new electronic petition system.
Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security
Status: In process
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To address business concerns without undermining program integrity, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services should, to the extent permitted by its existing statutory authority, explore options for increasing the flexibility of the application process for H-1B employers, such as (1) allowing employers to rank their applications for visa candidates so that they can hire the best qualified worker for the jobs in highest need; (2) distributing the applications granted under the annual cap in allotments throughout the year (e.g. quarterly); and (3) establishing a system whereby businesses with a strong track-record of compliance with H-1B regulations may use a streamlined application process.
Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security
Status: In process
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To improve the transparency and oversight of the posting requirement on the Labor Condition Application (LCA), as part of its current oversight role, the Employment and Training Administration should develop and maintain a centralized Web site, accessible to the public, where businesses must post notice of the intent to hire H-1B workers. Such notices should continue to specify the job category and worksite location noted on the LCA and required by statute on current noncentralized postings.
Agency Affected: Department of Labor
Status: In process
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its investigations of employer compliance with H-1B requirements, the Employment and Training Administration should provide Labor's Wage and Hour Division searchable access to the LCA database.
Agency Affected: Department of Labor
Status: In process
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
VIEW FULL REPORT (http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d1126.pdf)
More... (http://ashwinsharma.com/2011/01/25/h-1b-visa-program-reforms-are-needed-to-minimize-the-risks-and-costs-of-current-program.aspx?ref=rss)
(LINK TO FULL REPORT BELOW)
Congress created the H-1B program in 1990 to enable U.S. employers to hire temporary, foreign workers in specialty occupations. The law capped the number of H-1B visas issued per fiscal year at 65,000. Since then, the cap has fluctuated with legislative changes. Congress asked GAO to assess the impact of the cap on the ability of domestic companies to innovate, while ensuring that U.S. workers are not disadvantaged. In response, GAO examined what is known about (1) employer demand for H-1B workers; (2) how the cap affects employer costs and decisions to move operations overseas; (3) H-1B worker characteristics and the potential impact of raising the cap; and (4) how well requirements of the H-1B program protect U.S. workers. GAO analyzed data from 4 federal agencies; interviewed agency officials, experts, and H-1B employers; and reviewed agency documents and literature.
In most years, demand for new H-1B workers exceeded the cap: From 2000 to 2009, demand for new H-1B workers tended to exceed the cap, as measured by the numbers of initial petitions submitted by employers who are subject to the cap. There is no way to precisely determine the level of any unmet demand among employers, since they tend to stop submitting (and the Department of Homeland Security stops tracking) petitions once the cap is reached each year. When we consider all initial petitions, including those from universities and research institutions that are not subject to the cap, we find that demand for new H-1B workers is largely driven by a small number of employers. Over the decade, over 14 percent of all initial petitions were submitted by cap-exempt employers, and only a few employers (fewer than 1 percent) garnered over one-quarter of all H-1B approvals. Most interviewed companies said the H-1B cap and program created costs, but were not factors in their decisions to move R&D overseas: The 34 H-1B employers GAO interviewed reported that the cap has created some additional costs, though the cap's impact depended on the size and maturity of the company. For example, in years when visas were denied by the cap, most large firms reported finding other (sometimes more costly) ways to hire their preferred job candidates. On the other hand, small firms were more likely to fill their positions with different candidates, which they said resulted in delays and sometimes economic losses, particularly for firms in rapidly changing technology fields. Limitations in agency data and systems hinder tracking the cap and H-1B workers over time: The total number of H-1B workers in the U.S. at any one time--and information about the length of their stay--is unknown, because (1) data systems among the various agencies that process such individuals are not linked so individuals cannot be readily tracked, and (2) H-1B workers are not assigned a unique identifier that would allow for tracking them over time--particularly if and when their visa status changes. Restricted agency oversight and statutory changes weaken protections for U.S. workers: Elements of the H-1B program that could serve as worker protections--such as the requirement to pay prevailing wages, the visa's temporary status, and the cap itself--are weakened by several factors. First, program oversight is fragmented and restricted. Second, the H-1B program lacks a legal provision for holding employers accountable to program requirements when they obtain H-1B workers through a staffing company. Third, statutory changes made to the H-1B program have, in combination and in effect, increased the pool of H-1B workers beyond the cap and lowered the bar for eligibility. Taken together, the multifaceted challenges identified in this report show that the H-1B program, as currently structured, may not be used to its full potential and may be detrimental in some cases. This report offers several matters for congressional consideration, including that Congress re-examine key H-1B program provisions and make appropriate changes as needed. GAO also recommends that the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor take steps to improve efficiency, flexibility, and monitoring of the H-1B program. Homeland Security disagreed with two recommendations and one matter, citing logistical and other challenges; however, we believe such challenges can be overcome. Labor did not respond to our recommendations.
Recommendations
Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.
Director:Andrew SherrillTeam:Government Accountability Office: Education, Workforce, and Income SecurityPhone:(202) 512-7252
Matters for Congressional Consideration
Recommendation: To ensure that the H-1B program continues to meet the needs of businesses in a global economy while maintaining a balance of protections for U.S. workers, Congress may wish to consider reviewing the merits and shortcomings of key program provisions and making appropriate changes as needed. Such a review may include, but would not necessarily be limited to (1) the qualifications required for workers eligible under the H-1B program, (2) exemptions from the cap, (3) the appropriateness of H-1B hiring by staffing companies, (4) the level of the cap, and (5) the role the program should play in the U.S. immigration system in relationship to permanent residency.
Status: In process
Comments: When we determine what steps the Congress has taken, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To reduce duplication and fragmentation in the administration and oversight of the H-1B application process, consistent with past GAO matters for congressional consideration, Congress may wish to consider eliminating the requirement that employers first submit a Labor Condition Application (LCA) to the Department of Labor for certification, and require instead that employers submit this application along with the I-129 application to the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for review.
Status: In process
Comments: When we determine what steps the Congress has taken, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To improve the Department of Labor's ability to investigate and enforce employer compliance with H-1B program requirements, Congress may wish to consider granting the department subpoena power to obtain employer records during investigations under the H-1B program.
Status: In process
Comments: When we determine what steps the Congress has taken, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To help ensure the full protection of H-1B workers employed through staffing companies, Congress may wish to consider holding the employer where an H-1B visa holder performs work accountable for meeting program requirements to the same extent as the employer that submitted the LCA form.
Status: In process
Comments: When we determine what steps the Congress has taken, we will provide updated information.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Recommendation: To help ensure that the number of new H-1B workers who are subject to the cap--both entering the United States and changing to H-1B status within the United States--does not exceed the cap each year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services should take steps to improve its tracking of the number of approved H-1B applications and the number of issued visas under the cap by fully leveraging the transformation effort currently under way, which involves the adoption of an electronic petition processing system that will be linked to the Department of State's tracking system. Such steps should ensure that linkages to the Department of State's tracking system will provide Homeland Security with timely access to data on visa issuances, and that mechanisms for tracking petitions and visas against the cap are incorporated into U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' business rules to be developed for the new electronic petition system.
Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security
Status: In process
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To address business concerns without undermining program integrity, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services should, to the extent permitted by its existing statutory authority, explore options for increasing the flexibility of the application process for H-1B employers, such as (1) allowing employers to rank their applications for visa candidates so that they can hire the best qualified worker for the jobs in highest need; (2) distributing the applications granted under the annual cap in allotments throughout the year (e.g. quarterly); and (3) establishing a system whereby businesses with a strong track-record of compliance with H-1B regulations may use a streamlined application process.
Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security
Status: In process
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To improve the transparency and oversight of the posting requirement on the Labor Condition Application (LCA), as part of its current oversight role, the Employment and Training Administration should develop and maintain a centralized Web site, accessible to the public, where businesses must post notice of the intent to hire H-1B workers. Such notices should continue to specify the job category and worksite location noted on the LCA and required by statute on current noncentralized postings.
Agency Affected: Department of Labor
Status: In process
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its investigations of employer compliance with H-1B requirements, the Employment and Training Administration should provide Labor's Wage and Hour Division searchable access to the LCA database.
Agency Affected: Department of Labor
Status: In process
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
VIEW FULL REPORT (http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d1126.pdf)
More... (http://ashwinsharma.com/2011/01/25/h-1b-visa-program-reforms-are-needed-to-minimize-the-risks-and-costs-of-current-program.aspx?ref=rss)
paskal
12-27 04:43 PM
follow up call today
details are the SAME
10pm cst
we will try to keep to the point and keep it short
please attend
details are the SAME
10pm cst
we will try to keep to the point and keep it short
please attend
