Rockford
07-17 02:39 PM
And this is from Greg himself:
The American Immigration Lawyers Association is now telling members not to expect an announcement today. It is not clear why USCIS has delayed an announcement, but I will report as I learn more....
The American Immigration Lawyers Association is now telling members not to expect an announcement today. It is not clear why USCIS has delayed an announcement, but I will report as I learn more....
wallpaper Ice-T#39;s rump-tastic wife, Coco
eb3India
02-21 11:08 AM
who really cares what they put up on those stupdi dates,
they can make up anything and call the that as a law, no body to question them, not checks and balances
they can make up anything and call the that as a law, no body to question them, not checks and balances
gapala
04-22 10:59 PM
Thanks every one for your inputs. I been swinging on tis for a while now and after seeing your inputs, I made up my mind not to pursue this.
I am surprised this company is still doing what its doing considering USCIS scrutiny these days. Good to know that we are not supposed to pay for H-1 as prospective employees. And I def dont want to lose my 700 or 800USD for lawer in case the CAP reaches its limit in the next few days.
Thanks again.
I am glad, member's comments helped you. All said and done. What is the right thing to do now? Expose "this company" as you call them..
Why don't you post the name of company as you already posted the state and city they operate from, and name of the person with whom you have been going back and forth as you said in your post? That will help everybody including the authorities to take them to task if they are doing anything illegal..
I am surprised this company is still doing what its doing considering USCIS scrutiny these days. Good to know that we are not supposed to pay for H-1 as prospective employees. And I def dont want to lose my 700 or 800USD for lawer in case the CAP reaches its limit in the next few days.
Thanks again.
I am glad, member's comments helped you. All said and done. What is the right thing to do now? Expose "this company" as you call them..
Why don't you post the name of company as you already posted the state and city they operate from, and name of the person with whom you have been going back and forth as you said in your post? That will help everybody including the authorities to take them to task if they are doing anything illegal..
2011 girlfriend Ice T
Rajeev
11-26 02:54 PM
Thanks - amits, iamgsprabhu, kartikiran, MunnaBhai, Rajeev, srinivas_o, SubaM99 - for your pledge of support. I also request you guys to post the contribution you plan to make ( except amits who has pleadge a contribution of $100 through PM to me).
Others, please come forward to pledge your support. Please post the amount of monetary contribution you intend to make for the rally, and then vote 'Yes' on the poll.
I will contribute $100. I am also planning to attend the rally.
Others, please come forward to pledge your support. Please post the amount of monetary contribution you intend to make for the rally, and then vote 'Yes' on the poll.
I will contribute $100. I am also planning to attend the rally.
more...
Canuck
02-03 01:50 AM
People,
The country listed here is country of citizenship. We all know though that GCs are granted based on country of birth. Thus, there may be even more people charged to India than listed. Conversely, you may have a couple of Indian citizens who were not born in India that will fall in the ROW category...
The country listed here is country of citizenship. We all know though that GCs are granted based on country of birth. Thus, there may be even more people charged to India than listed. Conversely, you may have a couple of Indian citizens who were not born in India that will fall in the ROW category...
mrdelhiite
08-07 10:57 AM
Though its not mentioned it is good file I-134. You are not eligible for I-864.
Yes u are right about I-864. Any employement based green card like ours ( EB2/EB3) should not file it. Here is the text from the I864 form -->
Employment-based preference immigrants in cases onlywhen a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relativefiled the immigrant visa petition or such relative has asignificant ownership interest (five percent or more) in theentity that filed the petition.
Thanks a ton for your help guys. :-)
-M
Yes u are right about I-864. Any employement based green card like ours ( EB2/EB3) should not file it. Here is the text from the I864 form -->
Employment-based preference immigrants in cases onlywhen a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relativefiled the immigrant visa petition or such relative has asignificant ownership interest (five percent or more) in theentity that filed the petition.
Thanks a ton for your help guys. :-)
-M
more...
trueguy
12-11 01:43 AM
In a testimony to the House Judiciary Committee back in Apr/May 08, the USCIS clearly stated that it had changed its policy regarding which applications would be adjudicated first.
As I remember, USCIS stated that it was now following a policy where cases that had a possibility of getting a visa number in the near future were adjudicated first. It said that this change in policy was made in order to reduce waste of immigrant visas.
The problem with this approach is that:
- It is not FIFO
- EB2-I/C and EB3 not only continue to remain retrogressed, but retrogression worsens.
Here is how:
Since EB2-I/EB3-I categories are already retrogressed, the I-485 applications in this category will be shelved until it appears that a visa number may become available in the foreseeable future.
So, USCIS puts most of these cases in cold storage while it adjudicates and approves the EB2ROW applications as it receives them on a continuous basis.
When time comes to roll over excess EB2 ROW numbers, two things happen:
- Already substantial use of EB2ROW numbers make few numbers available for roll over
- Limited adjudication of Eb2-I/C and EB3 cases make a very small pool of pre-adjudicated applications. USCIS requests DOS to move dates so that it has access to a larger pool for cherry picking.
The result is that VB dates move forward by leaps and bounds and cases are approved haphazardly with PDs all over the map. When the excess numbers are used up, the dates for EB2-I/C and EB3 retrogress back to previous cutoff dates because there are still a lot of old cases that have not even been brought out of cold storage. The EB2ROW dates are again current because USCIS has adjudicated and approved EB2ROW cases throughout the year- so no backlog there.
If USCIS followed FIFO, then the following would happen:
- USCIS would be adjudicating old EB2I/C and EB3 cases right now, and not the recently received EB2ROW cases.
- This would reduce the number of pre-adjudicated EB2ROW cases and hence lower the demand in the EB2ROW category.
- When time would come to roll over numbers not used by EB2ROW:
- A large pool number of excess visas would be available
- A large pool of pre-adjudicated EB2-I/C and EB3 cases with old PDs would be available that could be readily assigned visa numbers.
As a result, old cases would be assigned visa numbers and backlog would be reduced.
Unfortunately, USCIS has confused its process of adjudicating cases (which is FIFO) with its effort to enforce the country quota. The country limits come into picture only when cases ready for adjudication are to be assigned visa numbers. The process of adjudication should still be FIFO, and not determined by the country quota.
Very good points. I can't agree with you any more.
The question is how do we raise it as an issue so USCIS follow FIFO.
As I remember, USCIS stated that it was now following a policy where cases that had a possibility of getting a visa number in the near future were adjudicated first. It said that this change in policy was made in order to reduce waste of immigrant visas.
The problem with this approach is that:
- It is not FIFO
- EB2-I/C and EB3 not only continue to remain retrogressed, but retrogression worsens.
Here is how:
Since EB2-I/EB3-I categories are already retrogressed, the I-485 applications in this category will be shelved until it appears that a visa number may become available in the foreseeable future.
So, USCIS puts most of these cases in cold storage while it adjudicates and approves the EB2ROW applications as it receives them on a continuous basis.
When time comes to roll over excess EB2 ROW numbers, two things happen:
- Already substantial use of EB2ROW numbers make few numbers available for roll over
- Limited adjudication of Eb2-I/C and EB3 cases make a very small pool of pre-adjudicated applications. USCIS requests DOS to move dates so that it has access to a larger pool for cherry picking.
The result is that VB dates move forward by leaps and bounds and cases are approved haphazardly with PDs all over the map. When the excess numbers are used up, the dates for EB2-I/C and EB3 retrogress back to previous cutoff dates because there are still a lot of old cases that have not even been brought out of cold storage. The EB2ROW dates are again current because USCIS has adjudicated and approved EB2ROW cases throughout the year- so no backlog there.
If USCIS followed FIFO, then the following would happen:
- USCIS would be adjudicating old EB2I/C and EB3 cases right now, and not the recently received EB2ROW cases.
- This would reduce the number of pre-adjudicated EB2ROW cases and hence lower the demand in the EB2ROW category.
- When time would come to roll over numbers not used by EB2ROW:
- A large pool number of excess visas would be available
- A large pool of pre-adjudicated EB2-I/C and EB3 cases with old PDs would be available that could be readily assigned visa numbers.
As a result, old cases would be assigned visa numbers and backlog would be reduced.
Unfortunately, USCIS has confused its process of adjudicating cases (which is FIFO) with its effort to enforce the country quota. The country limits come into picture only when cases ready for adjudication are to be assigned visa numbers. The process of adjudication should still be FIFO, and not determined by the country quota.
Very good points. I can't agree with you any more.
The question is how do we raise it as an issue so USCIS follow FIFO.
2010 Coco#39;s Day at the Beach
seeking_GC
07-11 10:56 PM
This is beginning to look more and more like a organized and deliberate attempt to block people from filing for AOS.If the mysterious "knowledgeable official" quoted on the website can be summoned in court- that would be game over for the USCIS right there......
http://www.usimmlaw.com/current_information.htm
Copying the contents of the website below :
Visa numbers WERE available July 2nd!!
We have confirmed with a knowledgeable official in the Department of State Visa Office that USCIS was requesting visa numbers on Sunday July 1st, and Monday morning July 2nd - and that visa numbers were still being issued as late as the morning of July 2nd!
In fact, close to 30,000 visa numbers were requested and issued in July - through the morning of July 2nd. And we believe that many - if not most - of the requests made in the first two days of July were for applicants whose priority dates were not current in June!
So how can USCIS refuse to accept I-485 filings received BEFORE the State Department issued its notice that all visa numbers had been used???? We have not yet confirmed the return of any I-485s filed in July. But we do know that applications were reaching the USCIS before the State Department announcement - and while the USCIS was frantically working to use up the entire year's allocation.
USCIS did not use all visa numbers before July 2nd.
Did USCIS actually use the visa numbers it requested????
Historically, the USCIS doesn't request a visa number from the Department of State until it is ready to grant the adjustment of status application. US Consuls overseas request visa numbers the month before they intend to issue the immigrant visa. This is the reason why consuls return about ten percent of the visa numbers requested - and why USCIS does not generally return any numbers.
In fact, in making allocations of visa numbers, the Department of State factors in an expected return rate for consuls - but not for the USCIS. And the USCIS - before this June - used about 85% of the total immigrant visa numbers available.
However, already this month, the USCIS has been returning visa numbers. This confirms our earlier suspicion that the only way the USCIS could request 68,000 visa numbers in a matter of weeks was to request them in advance of adjudicating cases.
We believe USCIS exhausted the visa numbers by simply requesting them - not by using them. If so, and for reasons we will post shortly, we believe that over 30,000 visa numbers requested by USCIS will go unused - and will be wasted this year!
http://www.usimmlaw.com/current_information.htm
Copying the contents of the website below :
Visa numbers WERE available July 2nd!!
We have confirmed with a knowledgeable official in the Department of State Visa Office that USCIS was requesting visa numbers on Sunday July 1st, and Monday morning July 2nd - and that visa numbers were still being issued as late as the morning of July 2nd!
In fact, close to 30,000 visa numbers were requested and issued in July - through the morning of July 2nd. And we believe that many - if not most - of the requests made in the first two days of July were for applicants whose priority dates were not current in June!
So how can USCIS refuse to accept I-485 filings received BEFORE the State Department issued its notice that all visa numbers had been used???? We have not yet confirmed the return of any I-485s filed in July. But we do know that applications were reaching the USCIS before the State Department announcement - and while the USCIS was frantically working to use up the entire year's allocation.
USCIS did not use all visa numbers before July 2nd.
Did USCIS actually use the visa numbers it requested????
Historically, the USCIS doesn't request a visa number from the Department of State until it is ready to grant the adjustment of status application. US Consuls overseas request visa numbers the month before they intend to issue the immigrant visa. This is the reason why consuls return about ten percent of the visa numbers requested - and why USCIS does not generally return any numbers.
In fact, in making allocations of visa numbers, the Department of State factors in an expected return rate for consuls - but not for the USCIS. And the USCIS - before this June - used about 85% of the total immigrant visa numbers available.
However, already this month, the USCIS has been returning visa numbers. This confirms our earlier suspicion that the only way the USCIS could request 68,000 visa numbers in a matter of weeks was to request them in advance of adjudicating cases.
We believe USCIS exhausted the visa numbers by simply requesting them - not by using them. If so, and for reasons we will post shortly, we believe that over 30,000 visa numbers requested by USCIS will go unused - and will be wasted this year!
more...
aknynd
05-21 01:12 PM
how to start a new thread?
hair Ice –T Beats Driving Charges
eb3India
02-21 11:08 AM
who really cares what they put up on those stupdi dates,
they can make up anything and call the that as a law, no body to question them, not checks and balances
they can make up anything and call the that as a law, no body to question them, not checks and balances
more...
dilbert_cal
04-27 12:37 PM
for_gc
PDs are typically recaptured at I-140 stage. Since your EB2 140 is already approved, you cannot use this process.
But I believe there is another state at which you can recapture PD. i.e. @485 stage. You would need to talk to your lawyer - or search for it in immigration forums. If say EB2 dates are current for your EB3 PD , you can file 485 and with that application itself submit the EB3 140 approval AND ask for PD transfer. One of our lawyers had once commented you can port PD at either 140 or 485 stage - we never followed up on the 485 part as we all wanted to keep it safe and at 140 stage. Check with your lawyer and you still have a good chance.
PDs are typically recaptured at I-140 stage. Since your EB2 140 is already approved, you cannot use this process.
But I believe there is another state at which you can recapture PD. i.e. @485 stage. You would need to talk to your lawyer - or search for it in immigration forums. If say EB2 dates are current for your EB3 PD , you can file 485 and with that application itself submit the EB3 140 approval AND ask for PD transfer. One of our lawyers had once commented you can port PD at either 140 or 485 stage - we never followed up on the 485 part as we all wanted to keep it safe and at 140 stage. Check with your lawyer and you still have a good chance.
hot Tags: Coco, coco-t, ice loves
![mrs ice t coco. Coco [Photo: Getty Images]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t7VuM3zy9iLyWeRdH2mcyLiAZ5DVL9hr35dNhDgDupHy5MV5H_c5WS_t9-Xd7ICut0O4t17hhoug1leLf9C0lgVoFocwD6YkD8P6cG6uie-nR8xkk=s0-d "Coco [Photo: Getty Images]")
mpadapa
10-09 01:32 PM
IMHO.. Its better to resolve the out-of-status issues before U file for 485. Please consult a good attorney.
If things are cleared out, its a smooth sailing for U since U are from EB2 ROW. Since U are planning to marry, its better to marry and then file for 485. U donno sometimes USCIS goes into an approval frenzy, U might get U'r GC approved soon and thus U'r wife might have to wait for yrs to get GC. If U'r wife comes to US before U'r GC approval, its a different story as explained by glus.
If things are cleared out, its a smooth sailing for U since U are from EB2 ROW. Since U are planning to marry, its better to marry and then file for 485. U donno sometimes USCIS goes into an approval frenzy, U might get U'r GC approved soon and thus U'r wife might have to wait for yrs to get GC. If U'r wife comes to US before U'r GC approval, its a different story as explained by glus.
more...
house Coco
gemini23
07-17 02:23 PM
Excerpt from Gregs blog and comments :(
"Things are going SOUTH . No agreement and No relief.
Class action is the only option. USCIS just wanted to test the waters and now they don't want to settle. Every thing else is just rumor mill. Every one who claimed to know the insider info was just taken for a ride. Welcome to beltway politics 101."
OK. Now we have this new thread about the "comment" made some anonymous user "south" made on a blog by siskind, and siskind himself is looking at IV for new updates. Man, give us a break. That comment was not made by siskind, but it was made by some user on his blog.
Thanks, but keep moving.
"Things are going SOUTH . No agreement and No relief.
Class action is the only option. USCIS just wanted to test the waters and now they don't want to settle. Every thing else is just rumor mill. Every one who claimed to know the insider info was just taken for a ride. Welcome to beltway politics 101."
OK. Now we have this new thread about the "comment" made some anonymous user "south" made on a blog by siskind, and siskind himself is looking at IV for new updates. Man, give us a break. That comment was not made by siskind, but it was made by some user on his blog.
Thanks, but keep moving.
tattoo Nicole Austin Aka Coco
krishna_brc
06-30 11:01 PM
Hi,
I was hoping to get some help on my situation. I have I-140 approved, received EAD and AP. Also my H1B was also recently extended. I am expecting a promotion and also will have to change location to a different city with the same employer.
Would this require filing for AC21? Also would this require amendment to H1B visa?
Any help would be appreciated.
This is what i think -
From what you described it seems you are on H1.
So change of job title/description/location will not hurt your GC as long as you maintain your H1.
Your GC won't hurt as it is for future job which you are going to do when you get GC.
No need to invoke AC21.
If your GC is for your current job then the new job should be in same occupational code.
Please talk to your company HR and Attorney and clarify the issues which are more professional
Thanks,
Krishna
I was hoping to get some help on my situation. I have I-140 approved, received EAD and AP. Also my H1B was also recently extended. I am expecting a promotion and also will have to change location to a different city with the same employer.
Would this require filing for AC21? Also would this require amendment to H1B visa?
Any help would be appreciated.
This is what i think -
From what you described it seems you are on H1.
So change of job title/description/location will not hurt your GC as long as you maintain your H1.
Your GC won't hurt as it is for future job which you are going to do when you get GC.
No need to invoke AC21.
If your GC is for your current job then the new job should be in same occupational code.
Please talk to your company HR and Attorney and clarify the issues which are more professional
Thanks,
Krishna
more...
pictures Coco
chanduv23
09-30 10:38 AM
You should have it by end of the week or before middle of next week.
About 5 to 7 days- Usually this is what I noticed
LUD (Usually hard) - that says "we have sent letter......" - on that day the mail is prepared and sent to mail room.
It could be mailed out on that day or the next day.
domestic mail takes 3 days + 1 day buffer
Post office may deliver it next day +1
so 5 days min or 7 days max
About 5 to 7 days- Usually this is what I noticed
LUD (Usually hard) - that says "we have sent letter......" - on that day the mail is prepared and sent to mail room.
It could be mailed out on that day or the next day.
domestic mail takes 3 days + 1 day buffer
Post office may deliver it next day +1
so 5 days min or 7 days max
dresses Coco [Photo: Getty Images]
NKR
10-13 03:18 PM
I have ALWAYS gone in T-shirt and Jeans and never had a problem. They dont really care about your appearance, although it is a good idea to dress decently.Go in a Halloween costume. Am just kidding, any decent looking dress would be fine..
more...
makeup Ice T spotted out in NYC.
Raju
02-22 06:06 PM
Hello everyone,
I have a question abt the recent contributions. Of late i have seen a SHARP drop in contributions. Have we reached a plateau now, or are the contributions not updated live?
Also i have a question abt what the agreement is with QGA. Do they do nothing till we pay the $200k or do they do things in installments (like our immigration lawyers ;)). A lot of non members, but possibly potential contributors keep asking me abt the same. If the board can answer this question i would appreciate it. If you do not want to post that info on here, please send me a Private Message.
Why don't we sell some advertising space on immigrationvoice.org
I have a question abt the recent contributions. Of late i have seen a SHARP drop in contributions. Have we reached a plateau now, or are the contributions not updated live?
Also i have a question abt what the agreement is with QGA. Do they do nothing till we pay the $200k or do they do things in installments (like our immigration lawyers ;)). A lot of non members, but possibly potential contributors keep asking me abt the same. If the board can answer this question i would appreciate it. If you do not want to post that info on here, please send me a Private Message.
Why don't we sell some advertising space on immigrationvoice.org
girlfriend ice tea wife coco. Ice-T Wife
ChainReaction
02-15 09:06 AM
How about requesting a $1donation when a non-contributing member ask a question, or $5 dollars for ten posts.It is not much but will definitely bring some revenue.
We can have a forum like member only access...where the question can only be posted by payed members or by people who pay a small donation? The idea is that the amount requested is not much ,which anyone can afford, but the number of questions people ask on our forum will definitely generate some revenue.
We can start a volunteer thread as a pilot program to see what kind of response we get...what do Core and rest of the member think of it?
We can have a forum like member only access...where the question can only be posted by payed members or by people who pay a small donation? The idea is that the amount requested is not much ,which anyone can afford, but the number of questions people ask on our forum will definitely generate some revenue.
We can start a volunteer thread as a pilot program to see what kind of response we get...what do Core and rest of the member think of it?
hairstyles COCO (AKA MRS. ICE T)
pappu
06-15 09:19 AM
In the past few years, our members have seen their immigration petitions, at times, processed improperly or get denied for the wrong reasons. At Immigration Voice members have contacted us with various issues and we keep getting these requests even now.
We have noticed that some of these processing issues are repetitive and there seems to be a pattern to their occuring.
The most common issue we see all the time is when applicants ports his/her job through AC21 portability - an i 485 employment based petition getting denied immediately after employer revokes i 140. i 485 employment based petition must not be denied immediately if i 140 revoke happens after 180 days of filing i 485. This issue is very common and keeps happening and the only way this can now be resolved as of today is by filing for a Motion to Reopen.
Other issues we have noticed are
- USCIS denies an i 485 petition because beneficiary did not answer a request for evidence - whereas in reality the beneficiary never received the RFE
- 485 was filed in Aug 2007, when the priority dates were indeed current (USCIS issued a memo explicitly stating this), but the adjudicating officer sometimes issues a denial stating that the dates were not current
and other similar issues.
In each of these cases, the USCIS should give the applicant the benefit of the doubt and issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), or maybe a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), but never a straight denial.
As most of our members know, Immigration Voice has been helping members (especially donor members) in getting their 485 denials reversed successfully. This is being achieved by helping affected members follow up on their Motion To Reconsider (MTR) applications with their representatives of Congress, the Ombudsman, and at times directly with the USCIS.
In the long drawn process especially the i 485 application can get reviewed more than a handful of times - during filing, during pre-adjudication, during transfers between service centers (if applicable), during interviews (if applicable), during adjudication, and quite possibly reviewed by a different officer each time
Difficulties faced by applicants who get wrongful 485 denials:
- When an AOS applicant gets their 485 denied, they are faced with a barrage of stressful questions and issues,
- Applicants have 30 days to file an MTR, which can be an expensive affair - filing fees + attorney fees
- Applicants using their EAD cards to work, may have to suspend employment and go on leave without pay until their MTR is accepted and the 485 reopened. Undue delays during this phase can put their jobs at risk.
- Travel becomes an issue, since there is a question of the Advance Parole travel document becoming invalid if the 485 was denied
- Pending EAD/AP renewal applications could be jeopardized due to the denial of the 485 which was the basis for those applications
- If an applicant is overseas when the 485 is denied, they may quite possibly have trouble getting back into the country
- Local law enforcement, department of Motor vehicles, and other government agencies may not recognize the applicant's legal status in the country for the period during which the 485 is denied, which has its own set of hassles
The list could go on, but you get the gist, a 485 denial is not a pretty situation, until it gets resolved.
That being said, IV would like to work with the USCIS in taking measures to correct their processing procedures and not repeating the same errors again and again, thus saving the applicants from having to go through all the trouble, and the USCIS from the additional burden of having to review even more applications.
Our intention is not to blame, point fingers, or take up a fight with anyone. We recognize that this might be a training issue, or an oversight on the agency's part, and would like to work with them to resolve this.
The first step towards this initiative is to collect information on such denials that may have happened in the past 12 -16 months (since Jan 2008). IV is looking to get in touch with members that have had issues due to service errors and successfully resolved, and even the ones that are currently going through this.
We do understand that the first thought that might come to your mind is whether you could face any repercussions for 'taking action against a government agency'. Please realize that you are not taking any action against anyone, you are in fact helping IV help the USCIS streamline and improve its processes, which any agency would be very welcoming of.
We request our members who have faced such issues or are facing such issues to
- post a brief of their issue on this thread - such a post may not need to have personal information but a description of the issue and if it was resolved what were the steps taken (optional)
and
- Email a detailed issue description with dates, chronology of events and other information and hurdles you faced with your name and a contact number to info@immigrationvoice.org with a subject line "USCIS service error" (mandatory)
Please note that ONLY real stories from non anonymous members are needed. Please do not send bogus stories anonymously
At a later stage IV may request few members to provide their case information along with privacy consent after its discussions with appropriate authorities.
By doing so, you will be first and foremost, helping yourselves (we have had more than one member contact us, where the 485 was wrongfully denied on more than one occasion - so a successful MTR is not necessarily a sign that there won't be any more denials until the 485 gets approved), and helping other fellow applicants from having to deal with this very stressful and unnecessary situation.
We would like to encourage members to come forward and help us with this initiative, and also spread the word around. Helping is as easy as sending IV an email and optionally sharing your story on the forum.
With the priority dates being the way they are, and the heavy pre-adjudication activity that is said to be happening, we have an aggressive time line for this initiative, and would like to collect all information by June 30th, 2009, at the latest.
Thank you,
Immigration Voice
Chanduv23 and other volunteer members have formed a team for this effort under IV's guidance to help resolve common problems people face with USCIS errors. We have so many threads on RFEs and denials etc. Lot of people contact IV when they need help and they have nowhere to go. Just because someone does not have an RFE or Denial in error does nor mean it will not happen in future. People get panicked and seek frantic help from IV when they get into such situations. We wish to help solve this issue through this action item. If you need more information or wish to speak with someone please message chanduv23/ santb1975/mpadapa/snathan/axp817
If anyone wants to work on any other ideas and efforts, they can also form a team and contact us. We will guide you. Do not sit, wait and critique. Join hands with others and tell us your ideas and discuss them with us. Send us an email and we will talk about it. If the idea can be feasible we will certainly make that an action item.
We have noticed that some of these processing issues are repetitive and there seems to be a pattern to their occuring.
The most common issue we see all the time is when applicants ports his/her job through AC21 portability - an i 485 employment based petition getting denied immediately after employer revokes i 140. i 485 employment based petition must not be denied immediately if i 140 revoke happens after 180 days of filing i 485. This issue is very common and keeps happening and the only way this can now be resolved as of today is by filing for a Motion to Reopen.
Other issues we have noticed are
- USCIS denies an i 485 petition because beneficiary did not answer a request for evidence - whereas in reality the beneficiary never received the RFE
- 485 was filed in Aug 2007, when the priority dates were indeed current (USCIS issued a memo explicitly stating this), but the adjudicating officer sometimes issues a denial stating that the dates were not current
and other similar issues.
In each of these cases, the USCIS should give the applicant the benefit of the doubt and issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), or maybe a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), but never a straight denial.
As most of our members know, Immigration Voice has been helping members (especially donor members) in getting their 485 denials reversed successfully. This is being achieved by helping affected members follow up on their Motion To Reconsider (MTR) applications with their representatives of Congress, the Ombudsman, and at times directly with the USCIS.
In the long drawn process especially the i 485 application can get reviewed more than a handful of times - during filing, during pre-adjudication, during transfers between service centers (if applicable), during interviews (if applicable), during adjudication, and quite possibly reviewed by a different officer each time
Difficulties faced by applicants who get wrongful 485 denials:
- When an AOS applicant gets their 485 denied, they are faced with a barrage of stressful questions and issues,
- Applicants have 30 days to file an MTR, which can be an expensive affair - filing fees + attorney fees
- Applicants using their EAD cards to work, may have to suspend employment and go on leave without pay until their MTR is accepted and the 485 reopened. Undue delays during this phase can put their jobs at risk.
- Travel becomes an issue, since there is a question of the Advance Parole travel document becoming invalid if the 485 was denied
- Pending EAD/AP renewal applications could be jeopardized due to the denial of the 485 which was the basis for those applications
- If an applicant is overseas when the 485 is denied, they may quite possibly have trouble getting back into the country
- Local law enforcement, department of Motor vehicles, and other government agencies may not recognize the applicant's legal status in the country for the period during which the 485 is denied, which has its own set of hassles
The list could go on, but you get the gist, a 485 denial is not a pretty situation, until it gets resolved.
That being said, IV would like to work with the USCIS in taking measures to correct their processing procedures and not repeating the same errors again and again, thus saving the applicants from having to go through all the trouble, and the USCIS from the additional burden of having to review even more applications.
Our intention is not to blame, point fingers, or take up a fight with anyone. We recognize that this might be a training issue, or an oversight on the agency's part, and would like to work with them to resolve this.
The first step towards this initiative is to collect information on such denials that may have happened in the past 12 -16 months (since Jan 2008). IV is looking to get in touch with members that have had issues due to service errors and successfully resolved, and even the ones that are currently going through this.
We do understand that the first thought that might come to your mind is whether you could face any repercussions for 'taking action against a government agency'. Please realize that you are not taking any action against anyone, you are in fact helping IV help the USCIS streamline and improve its processes, which any agency would be very welcoming of.
We request our members who have faced such issues or are facing such issues to
- post a brief of their issue on this thread - such a post may not need to have personal information but a description of the issue and if it was resolved what were the steps taken (optional)
and
- Email a detailed issue description with dates, chronology of events and other information and hurdles you faced with your name and a contact number to info@immigrationvoice.org with a subject line "USCIS service error" (mandatory)
Please note that ONLY real stories from non anonymous members are needed. Please do not send bogus stories anonymously
At a later stage IV may request few members to provide their case information along with privacy consent after its discussions with appropriate authorities.
By doing so, you will be first and foremost, helping yourselves (we have had more than one member contact us, where the 485 was wrongfully denied on more than one occasion - so a successful MTR is not necessarily a sign that there won't be any more denials until the 485 gets approved), and helping other fellow applicants from having to deal with this very stressful and unnecessary situation.
We would like to encourage members to come forward and help us with this initiative, and also spread the word around. Helping is as easy as sending IV an email and optionally sharing your story on the forum.
With the priority dates being the way they are, and the heavy pre-adjudication activity that is said to be happening, we have an aggressive time line for this initiative, and would like to collect all information by June 30th, 2009, at the latest.
Thank you,
Immigration Voice
Chanduv23 and other volunteer members have formed a team for this effort under IV's guidance to help resolve common problems people face with USCIS errors. We have so many threads on RFEs and denials etc. Lot of people contact IV when they need help and they have nowhere to go. Just because someone does not have an RFE or Denial in error does nor mean it will not happen in future. People get panicked and seek frantic help from IV when they get into such situations. We wish to help solve this issue through this action item. If you need more information or wish to speak with someone please message chanduv23/ santb1975/mpadapa/snathan/axp817
If anyone wants to work on any other ideas and efforts, they can also form a team and contact us. We will guide you. Do not sit, wait and critique. Join hands with others and tell us your ideas and discuss them with us. Send us an email and we will talk about it. If the idea can be feasible we will certainly make that an action item.
LONGGCQUE
07-18 01:29 PM
ineedhelp,
Here are a few facts based on my first hand experience. I was employed with L&T Infotech for 5+ yrs and left them while in US on H1. Legally, they cannot do anything against you in US as bonds you signed were in Indian judicial limits and are not applicable in US. But yes, they can enforce it legally in India. I have heard and known cases wherein these Indian companies have taken employees to court. I am still following with my ex-company for settlement and they have a claim of 13-14K USD(they add interest on bond from the date you leave @ xx%). Get all papers from them before you part like detailed exp. letter etc, paystubs etc from GC perspective(if u r interested).
Read one of my posts of I140 issues that i am going thru. That will give you some idea of potential issues.
My advice - once you resign they will anyway take you to legal way in India...they will do this coz they have to follow there HR process and scare you and other people around you of repurcussions. Give them a resignation notice of 1-2 weeks and when they ask to stay a little longer to satisfy clients or knowledge transfer, then negotiate with them and get your paperwork etc. Decide on whats best in your future interests.
Good luck. It will work out well for you.
*** Not a lawyer advice ***
Here are a few facts based on my first hand experience. I was employed with L&T Infotech for 5+ yrs and left them while in US on H1. Legally, they cannot do anything against you in US as bonds you signed were in Indian judicial limits and are not applicable in US. But yes, they can enforce it legally in India. I have heard and known cases wherein these Indian companies have taken employees to court. I am still following with my ex-company for settlement and they have a claim of 13-14K USD(they add interest on bond from the date you leave @ xx%). Get all papers from them before you part like detailed exp. letter etc, paystubs etc from GC perspective(if u r interested).
Read one of my posts of I140 issues that i am going thru. That will give you some idea of potential issues.
My advice - once you resign they will anyway take you to legal way in India...they will do this coz they have to follow there HR process and scare you and other people around you of repurcussions. Give them a resignation notice of 1-2 weeks and when they ask to stay a little longer to satisfy clients or knowledge transfer, then negotiate with them and get your paperwork etc. Decide on whats best in your future interests.
Good luck. It will work out well for you.
*** Not a lawyer advice ***
mugwump
12-07 02:57 PM
Yes.
I think you can take classes (online or even regular in-class) as long as you maintian your primary H1B status - i.e. continue to work with the employer on the specified job/number of hours etc.
(note: I am not a lawyer)
If you are taking online classes, why would your status matter?? i understand you need to have legal status to take regular (in-class) courses, but dont really feel an online university would really care. when you can pretty much log in from any where in the world, why would they worry about you being here illegally?
just my opinion.
I think you can take classes (online or even regular in-class) as long as you maintian your primary H1B status - i.e. continue to work with the employer on the specified job/number of hours etc.
(note: I am not a lawyer)
If you are taking online classes, why would your status matter?? i understand you need to have legal status to take regular (in-class) courses, but dont really feel an online university would really care. when you can pretty much log in from any where in the world, why would they worry about you being here illegally?
just my opinion.
