priderock
05-08 11:41 AM
Atleast home countries recognize our potential.
That is why it is called "Mother Land".
But in this story it looks like the locals are a little bit suspicious of returnees.
"Starting a company isn't an option for most of the 20-something haigui. Some end up unemployed and are known as haidai, "seaweed"." :(
That is why it is called "Mother Land".
But in this story it looks like the locals are a little bit suspicious of returnees.
"Starting a company isn't an option for most of the 20-something haigui. Some end up unemployed and are known as haidai, "seaweed"." :(
wallpaper valentine flowers roses - love
sabbygirl99
03-28 04:42 PM
:D ....an immigration lawyer (anna baker in Rajiv S Khanna's office):
Question # 1:
From me:
I am currently on a work visa (H1) and I know that I can maintain it even if I work part-time. I want to go back to school as a full time student. I just want to check that I can maintain a legal status as a part-time worker and a full-time student. What are my options?
From Anna:
According to Mr. Khanna it should not be a problem if you hold a part-time H-1 and enroll in fulltime studies while being on H-1. You should further discuss the university's requirements with the foreign student office at the school. You cannot hold both F-1 and H-1 status.
Question # 2:
From me:
I wanted to know whether going to school full time and working part time on an H1 would jeopardize my green card application. It is currently pending at the Philly Backlog Center.
From Anna:
According to Mr. Khanna it should not have an effect.
:D ....an admissions officer of one of the schools:
It is possible to study while in H-1 status, however, it usually is not the primary purpose for being in the U.S. I have had two students who have done this, one was a PhD who only had one semester of coursework before beginning the dissertation phase and has since applied for and received permanent residency. The other student was on H-1B, was getting married to a U.S. citizen and applying for permanent residency as well, so neither case would really apply to you.
I sometimes advise students against remaining in H-1 status unless there is a compelling reason to do so. If you do remain in that status you are required to still be working for your employer, which can be difficult due to the demands of the degree program here at XXXXX. XXXXX is a full-time program, so you would not be permitted to do the program on a part-time basis in order to allow for your work commitments. Also, there is a 6 year limit on H-1's. Technically, study in H-1B should be incidental to your primary purpose for being in the U.S.
Again, if you and your employer determine that you will remain in H-1B status please let me know, otherwise we must process a change of status for you to F-1 or if you are planning on leaving the U.S. during the summer, we can process and initial status I-20 for you and you will be required to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate, before returning to being the program at XXXXX.
:D ....From another admissions officer. [She keeps saying the same thing no matter how many times I ask her...I'm about to ask her for a Yes/No answer as politely as I can :) ]
You can attend school on an H-1b if school is incidental to your H-1b status
Hope this helps shed some light for you.
Question # 1:
From me:
I am currently on a work visa (H1) and I know that I can maintain it even if I work part-time. I want to go back to school as a full time student. I just want to check that I can maintain a legal status as a part-time worker and a full-time student. What are my options?
From Anna:
According to Mr. Khanna it should not be a problem if you hold a part-time H-1 and enroll in fulltime studies while being on H-1. You should further discuss the university's requirements with the foreign student office at the school. You cannot hold both F-1 and H-1 status.
Question # 2:
From me:
I wanted to know whether going to school full time and working part time on an H1 would jeopardize my green card application. It is currently pending at the Philly Backlog Center.
From Anna:
According to Mr. Khanna it should not have an effect.
:D ....an admissions officer of one of the schools:
It is possible to study while in H-1 status, however, it usually is not the primary purpose for being in the U.S. I have had two students who have done this, one was a PhD who only had one semester of coursework before beginning the dissertation phase and has since applied for and received permanent residency. The other student was on H-1B, was getting married to a U.S. citizen and applying for permanent residency as well, so neither case would really apply to you.
I sometimes advise students against remaining in H-1 status unless there is a compelling reason to do so. If you do remain in that status you are required to still be working for your employer, which can be difficult due to the demands of the degree program here at XXXXX. XXXXX is a full-time program, so you would not be permitted to do the program on a part-time basis in order to allow for your work commitments. Also, there is a 6 year limit on H-1's. Technically, study in H-1B should be incidental to your primary purpose for being in the U.S.
Again, if you and your employer determine that you will remain in H-1B status please let me know, otherwise we must process a change of status for you to F-1 or if you are planning on leaving the U.S. during the summer, we can process and initial status I-20 for you and you will be required to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate, before returning to being the program at XXXXX.
:D ....From another admissions officer. [She keeps saying the same thing no matter how many times I ask her...I'm about to ask her for a Yes/No answer as politely as I can :) ]
You can attend school on an H-1b if school is incidental to your H-1b status
Hope this helps shed some light for you.
cnag
03-24 03:07 PM
Thanks for the news vinabath. You know what?
Indian cricket team won the world cup last night. They beat West Indies.
Congratulate Kapil, Srikanth, Ravi shastri, Gavaskar, Mohindar Amarnath and other team members.
Refugee_New, I consider this the mother of all jokes. After a long time, I had a good hearty laugh reading your post. Thanks buddy!!!
Indian cricket team won the world cup last night. They beat West Indies.
Congratulate Kapil, Srikanth, Ravi shastri, Gavaskar, Mohindar Amarnath and other team members.
Refugee_New, I consider this the mother of all jokes. After a long time, I had a good hearty laugh reading your post. Thanks buddy!!!
2011 Roses Wallpapers
seekerofpeace
09-09 10:16 AM
Gimmegreen,
I received same email as you did....just "Approval notice sent" and that too for me nothing so far for my wife....
I was wondering that the difference between..."approval notice sent" and "welcome/CPO email" is that the former is still far from getting the card and needs some actions and more stress test done before the actual cards and the latter is all clear...
Also my case was "Texas original" though it moved to CSC and back....I think different centers are sending different emails...." a WAC case...
Will keep my finger crossed...just worried that my wife may miss the boat this time too...she was a dependent and our files must have moved together....Her status is still the old one "Case transfered to the center which has jurisdiction"
SoP
I received same email as you did....just "Approval notice sent" and that too for me nothing so far for my wife....
I was wondering that the difference between..."approval notice sent" and "welcome/CPO email" is that the former is still far from getting the card and needs some actions and more stress test done before the actual cards and the latter is all clear...
Also my case was "Texas original" though it moved to CSC and back....I think different centers are sending different emails...." a WAC case...
Will keep my finger crossed...just worried that my wife may miss the boat this time too...she was a dependent and our files must have moved together....Her status is still the old one "Case transfered to the center which has jurisdiction"
SoP
more...
days_go_by
09-11 10:59 AM
After reading this, I was not sure whether that 140K included the Labour backlogs. I know the BECs have been a lot more active lately and have been pumping out approvals/denials more rapidly.
If infact 140K backlogs do include them, then perhaps that would be a good thing, since atleast then we can perhaps begin to get our arms around this and understand how long our waits will actually be.
One thing is for sure they have definitely stepped up the speed of things at the USCIS with other filings after retrogression hit.
-----------
This is just USCIS backlogs, DOL is a separate agency and the labor backlogs do not count in this.
If infact 140K backlogs do include them, then perhaps that would be a good thing, since atleast then we can perhaps begin to get our arms around this and understand how long our waits will actually be.
One thing is for sure they have definitely stepped up the speed of things at the USCIS with other filings after retrogression hit.
-----------
This is just USCIS backlogs, DOL is a separate agency and the labor backlogs do not count in this.
pointlesswait
08-01 03:17 PM
just send one thank you card and some flowers..to the senator on behalf of IV!
signed by 20000 forum members....
i dont think calling and thanking him is a good idea!
signed by 20000 forum members....
i dont think calling and thanking him is a good idea!
more...
newuser
07-17 11:02 PM
I used to watch CNN for any news update and visit CNN.com atleast 10 times a day. Not anymore. I didn't visit the website for the last two days and I am sending e-mails to all my friends to stop watching CNN and all the products that endrosed Lou Dobbs show.
I am getting my info from www.nytimes.com now and watching msnbc on cable.
I am getting my info from www.nytimes.com now and watching msnbc on cable.
2010 Apr. Download
when
12-06 01:21 PM
Thank You crystal
more...
panky72
09-17 05:09 PM
there was a thread before which I am unable to find..abt a guy who was told that Ap is only for emergency travel...someone had quoted a law from INS taht said otherwise...I want to keep a copy of the law handy in case I find an eccentric IO at POE...
Anyone has a link to that legislation..?
its probably this thread
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21334
Anyone has a link to that legislation..?
its probably this thread
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21334
hair Pink Roses
ras
05-23 10:29 AM
Is EAD to H1 a complicated process? If so what could be the reasons.
I still have 1.5 years on H1. I posted earlier but didn't get a clear idea.
I still have 1.5 years on H1. I posted earlier but didn't get a clear idea.
more...
kevinkris
04-17 08:22 PM
Even if you transferred you can still work for old company and keep on working there without joining new company.
That's what i believe. Please consult attorney for confirmation
guys have a question for u..
i'm invoking Ac21 and joining new employer.. but new employer is telling me that they dont want me to take any steps untill the H1 transfer is approved and in hand, and I have to give 2 weeks notice to my current employer after the approval..
now the question is that, after the approval will I be eligible to work for my older company for those 2 weeks since the H1 is already approved/transfered to the new employer?? has anyone faced such situation??...
That's what i believe. Please consult attorney for confirmation
guys have a question for u..
i'm invoking Ac21 and joining new employer.. but new employer is telling me that they dont want me to take any steps untill the H1 transfer is approved and in hand, and I have to give 2 weeks notice to my current employer after the approval..
now the question is that, after the approval will I be eligible to work for my older company for those 2 weeks since the H1 is already approved/transfered to the new employer?? has anyone faced such situation??...
hot Valentines Flowers amp; Roses
needhelp!
08-30 05:33 PM
As IV grows up, we should have a hall of fame for folks like you who have shown continued support to the cause. I am here now because I am affected, but to be here after its all said and done, is greatness.
more...
house flowers wallpapers roses.
rock
03-14 06:01 PM
Is there any way we can track that I-140 is either revoked or not by the old employer?
tattoo flowers wallpapers roses.
seahawks
09-18 09:23 AM
Why dont we take voting for name change and see what % of members will opt for the change.
not in favour. IV has established an identity with all the hard work from the founders, they are people like you and me who are putting their valuable time. Changing the name now will only add to confusion in the minds of all thousands of people who are involved or talked to from contributions, to news letter articles, appearing on news channels, to talking to law makers and so on. It will take extra efforts to say this " the newly called ... which used to be IV... ". In my opinoin IV is fine, just add a phrase below, as "legal aliens for immigration reform" or something like that.
not in favour. IV has established an identity with all the hard work from the founders, they are people like you and me who are putting their valuable time. Changing the name now will only add to confusion in the minds of all thousands of people who are involved or talked to from contributions, to news letter articles, appearing on news channels, to talking to law makers and so on. It will take extra efforts to say this " the newly called ... which used to be IV... ". In my opinoin IV is fine, just add a phrase below, as "legal aliens for immigration reform" or something like that.
more...
pictures Roses wallpapers
msyedy
01-12 06:57 PM
I understand this topic has been discussed ad nauseam, so I'm not raising this issue per se. I do not know where we stand on the likelihood of this provision getting passed by Feb 15th, but I do know that the Core group must be trying their best to get some provisions along these lines.
But just in case the "AOS without current PD" is seen as too big a change by the law makers or its sponsors in the undustry, I think it might be worthwhile to consider some of its watered-down alternatives. The law makers themselves may have a perception of this provision "creating a log jam at the AOS stage", not unlike the (mis)perception of some of IV members themselves!
Some alternatives are:
(a) Ability to file I-485 if the I-140 has been approved for X years, or if the I-140 has been pending for Y years (this is similar the provision of the ability to file H1 extensions beyond 6 years if a labor is pending). The advantage of this provision is that this will sound familiar with an already existing law; and will let the floodgates to AOS slowly and in a more controlled manner.
(b) Ability to file I-485 if the PD is within N years of the published PD in the Visa Bulletin. For example, assuming N = 2 years, India EB3 with PD 5/11/03 and India EB2 01/08/05 can file. Again this has the advantage of a more controlled entry via the Visa Bulletin, but at least it'll start clearing the queue and people can get their EAD, FBI name check, while waiting for the visa numbers to be available.
(c) If an Labor has been approved for X years
(d) If the alien has been on H1 for Y years
or a combination of any of the above
Please understand that I whole heartedly support the "AOS without current PD" provision; it's just that it would be wise to be ready with some alternatives should the need arise.
Why are you making it more complicated. People here want to get things done faster and relief for everyone.
According to your statement .(New formulas). people with I-140 approved for x years can file I-485 and so on......
If we are fighting for something nice, why not fight and say that we need everyone to be able to file I-485 like it was earlier. Reducing jam in USCIS is not a simple issue.By decreasing the number of I-485 filing the amount of time cannot be accuratly estimated that would take it to clear a case. USCIS can increase filling fees which they are thinking of doing to handle the current log jam they have, so I think we stick to and follow IV core.
But just in case the "AOS without current PD" is seen as too big a change by the law makers or its sponsors in the undustry, I think it might be worthwhile to consider some of its watered-down alternatives. The law makers themselves may have a perception of this provision "creating a log jam at the AOS stage", not unlike the (mis)perception of some of IV members themselves!
Some alternatives are:
(a) Ability to file I-485 if the I-140 has been approved for X years, or if the I-140 has been pending for Y years (this is similar the provision of the ability to file H1 extensions beyond 6 years if a labor is pending). The advantage of this provision is that this will sound familiar with an already existing law; and will let the floodgates to AOS slowly and in a more controlled manner.
(b) Ability to file I-485 if the PD is within N years of the published PD in the Visa Bulletin. For example, assuming N = 2 years, India EB3 with PD 5/11/03 and India EB2 01/08/05 can file. Again this has the advantage of a more controlled entry via the Visa Bulletin, but at least it'll start clearing the queue and people can get their EAD, FBI name check, while waiting for the visa numbers to be available.
(c) If an Labor has been approved for X years
(d) If the alien has been on H1 for Y years
or a combination of any of the above
Please understand that I whole heartedly support the "AOS without current PD" provision; it's just that it would be wise to be ready with some alternatives should the need arise.
Why are you making it more complicated. People here want to get things done faster and relief for everyone.
According to your statement .(New formulas). people with I-140 approved for x years can file I-485 and so on......
If we are fighting for something nice, why not fight and say that we need everyone to be able to file I-485 like it was earlier. Reducing jam in USCIS is not a simple issue.By decreasing the number of I-485 filing the amount of time cannot be accuratly estimated that would take it to clear a case. USCIS can increase filling fees which they are thinking of doing to handle the current log jam they have, so I think we stick to and follow IV core.
dresses Rose Flowers Wallpapers
drona
10-03 11:26 AM
gctoget, I have sent you an email.
paskal, thanks for your efforts to activate all state chapters. We really appreciate it.
paskal, thanks for your efforts to activate all state chapters. We really appreciate it.
more...
makeup with roses, dahlias,
ujjwal_p
08-21 03:45 PM
check out r2iclubforums.com . your questions regarding r2i and some which you haven't even thought about (but should) are answered there. all the best.
girlfriend flowers wallpapers roses.
cloud 9
08-01 11:22 AM
is it allowed to download these?
You can use following Firefox addon for youtube video downloads:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/13990/
You can use following Firefox addon for youtube video downloads:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/13990/
hairstyles flowers wallpapers roses.
zvezdast
07-03 10:47 AM
Congrats!! Does worldwide = ROW? If it is maybe that's why I-485 was approved so fast?
I am from Bosnia, so yes I guess it's ROW (rest of the world).
I whish you all the best resolution of this crisis. Trully. I really feel your pain and the pain of many of my friends who are affected by this.
I know when I first came on this site, it was devastating to read about so much negative stuff, so many cases in a limbo for years. I wanted to read som positive stories too. So, I hope that cases like mine give some people hope.
I am from Bosnia, so yes I guess it's ROW (rest of the world).
I whish you all the best resolution of this crisis. Trully. I really feel your pain and the pain of many of my friends who are affected by this.
I know when I first came on this site, it was devastating to read about so much negative stuff, so many cases in a limbo for years. I wanted to read som positive stories too. So, I hope that cases like mine give some people hope.
cpolisetti
03-31 03:56 PM
She was also available for Q&A earlier today on Washington Post. I am quoting one question and answer in particular. Probably she can help in more visibilty of our voice?
Here is the link for todays Q&A:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/03/30/DI2006033001345.html
Question from Washington, D.C.: Thank you for your informative article on a topic that needs more attention.
I'm trying to get an sense of the scope of the problem from the perspective of an H-1B visa holder. Just how long does it typically take professionals from India and China/Taiwan to get a green card through their employer these days? What disinsentives are there for employers, other than the risk that the green card may not be approved and their employee will have to return to their home country?
Answer from S. Mitra Kalita: Absent from much of this debate are the voices of H-1B holders themselves and I thank you for your question. I talked to someone who wouldn't allow himself to be quoted by name (so I did not use him in today's story) but this particular individual's story is one I hear often: He has been here for nine years, first on a student visa, then an H-1B. His employer applied for his green card in 2002 and he has been waiting four years because it is tied up in the backlog for labor certification. He said he is giving it six more months and if it doesn't come through, he's heading back to India. This stage is the one that a lot of observers agree where a worker risks being exploited. They are beholden to the employer because of the green card sponsorship (an H-1B visa can travel with a worker from one company to another, however) and cannot get promoted because that is technically a change in job classification -- and would require a new application. On the other hand, a lot of companies say that they know once someone gets a green card, they are out the door because suddenly they can start a company, go work for someone else, get promoted... Anyway, I could go on and on with background on this but instead I will post a story I did last summer on the green card backlog. Hang on.
Todays article:
Most See Visa Program as Severely Flawed
By S. Mitra Kalita
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 31, 2006; D01
Somewhere in the debate over immigration and the future of illegal workers, another, less-publicized fight is being waged over those who toil in air-conditioned offices, earn up to six-figure salaries and spend their days programming and punching code.
They are foreign workers who arrive on H-1B visas, mostly young men from India and China tapped for skilled jobs such as software engineers and systems analysts. Unlike seasonal guest workers who stay for about 10 months, H-1B workers stay as long as six years. By then, they must obtain a green card or go back home.
Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony for and against expanding the H-1B program. This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation that would increase the H-1B cap to 115,000 from 65,000 and allow some foreign students to bypass the program altogether and immediately get sponsored for green cards, which allow immigrants to be permanent residents, free to live and work in the United States.
But underlying the arguments is a belief, even among the workers themselves, that the current H-1B program is severely flawed.
Opponents say the highly skilled foreign workers compete with and depress the wages of native-born Americans.
Supporters say foreign workers stimulate the economy, create more opportunities for their U.S. counterparts and prevent jobs from being outsourced overseas. The problem, they say, is the cumbersome process: Immigrants often spend six years as guest workers and then wait for green card sponsorship and approval.
At the House committee hearing yesterday, Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, a nonprofit research group, spoke in favor of raising the cap. Still, he said in an interview, the H-1B visa is far from ideal. "What you want to have is a system where people can get hired directly on green cards in 30 to 60 days," he said.
Economists seem divided on whether highly skilled immigrants depress wages for U.S. workers. In 2003, a study for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found no effect on salaries, with an average income for both H-1B and American computer programmers of $55,000.
Still, the study by Madeline Zavodny, now an economics professor at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga., concluded "that unemployment was higher as a result of these H-1B workers."
In a working paper released this week, Harvard University economist George J. Borjas studied the wages of foreigners and native-born Americans with doctorates, concluding that the foreigners lowered the wages of competing workers by 3 to 4 percent. He said he suspected that his conclusion also measured the effects of H-1B visas.
"If there is a demand for engineers and no foreigners to take those jobs, salaries would shoot through the roof and make that very attractive for Americans," Borjas said.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-USA says H-1B salaries are lower. "Those who are here on H-1B visas are being worked as indentured servants. They are being paid $13,000 less in the engineering and science worlds," said Ralph W. Wyndrum Jr., president of the advocacy group for technical professionals, which favors green-card-based immigration, but only for exceptional candidates.
Wyndrum said the current system allows foreign skilled workers to "take jobs away from equally good American engineers and scientists." He based his statements about salary disparities on a December report by John Miano, a software engineer, who favors tighter immigration controls. Miano spoke at the House hearing and cited figures from the Occupational Employment Statistics program that show U.S. computer programmers earn an average $65,000 a year, compared with $52,000 for H-1B programmers.
"Is it really a guest-worker program since most people want to stay here? Miano said in an interview. "There is direct displacement of American workers."
Those who recruit and hire retort that a global economy mandates finding the best employees in the world, not just the United States. And because green-card caps are allocated equally among countries (India and China are backlogged, for example), the H-1B becomes the easiest way to hire foreigners.
It is not always easy. Last year, Razorsight Corp., a technology company with offices in Fairfax and Bangalore, India, tried to sponsor more H-1B visas -- but they already were exhausted for the year. Currently, the company has 12 H-1B workers on a U.S. staff of 100, earning $80,000 to $120,000 a year.
Charlie Thomas, Razorsight's chief executive, said the cap should be based on market demand. "It's absolutely essential for us to have access to a global talent," he said. "If your product isn't the best it can be with the best cost structure and development, then someone else will do it. And that someone else may not be a U.S.-based company."
Because H-1B holders can switch employers to sponsor their visas, some workers said they demand salary increases along the way. But once a company sponsors their green cards, workers say they don't expect to be promoted or given a raise.
Now some H-1B holders are watching to see how Congress treats the millions of immigrants who crossed the borders through stealthier means.
Sameer Chandra, 30, who lives in Fairfax and works as a systems analyst on an H-1B visa, said he is concerned that Congress might make it easier for immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally to get a green card than people like him. "What is the point of staying here legally?" he said.
His Houston-based company has sponsored his green card, and Chandra said he hopes it is processed quickly. If it is not, he said, he will return to India. "There's a lot of opportunities there in my country."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/03/30/DI2006033001345.html
Here is the link for todays Q&A:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/03/30/DI2006033001345.html
Question from Washington, D.C.: Thank you for your informative article on a topic that needs more attention.
I'm trying to get an sense of the scope of the problem from the perspective of an H-1B visa holder. Just how long does it typically take professionals from India and China/Taiwan to get a green card through their employer these days? What disinsentives are there for employers, other than the risk that the green card may not be approved and their employee will have to return to their home country?
Answer from S. Mitra Kalita: Absent from much of this debate are the voices of H-1B holders themselves and I thank you for your question. I talked to someone who wouldn't allow himself to be quoted by name (so I did not use him in today's story) but this particular individual's story is one I hear often: He has been here for nine years, first on a student visa, then an H-1B. His employer applied for his green card in 2002 and he has been waiting four years because it is tied up in the backlog for labor certification. He said he is giving it six more months and if it doesn't come through, he's heading back to India. This stage is the one that a lot of observers agree where a worker risks being exploited. They are beholden to the employer because of the green card sponsorship (an H-1B visa can travel with a worker from one company to another, however) and cannot get promoted because that is technically a change in job classification -- and would require a new application. On the other hand, a lot of companies say that they know once someone gets a green card, they are out the door because suddenly they can start a company, go work for someone else, get promoted... Anyway, I could go on and on with background on this but instead I will post a story I did last summer on the green card backlog. Hang on.
Todays article:
Most See Visa Program as Severely Flawed
By S. Mitra Kalita
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 31, 2006; D01
Somewhere in the debate over immigration and the future of illegal workers, another, less-publicized fight is being waged over those who toil in air-conditioned offices, earn up to six-figure salaries and spend their days programming and punching code.
They are foreign workers who arrive on H-1B visas, mostly young men from India and China tapped for skilled jobs such as software engineers and systems analysts. Unlike seasonal guest workers who stay for about 10 months, H-1B workers stay as long as six years. By then, they must obtain a green card or go back home.
Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony for and against expanding the H-1B program. This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation that would increase the H-1B cap to 115,000 from 65,000 and allow some foreign students to bypass the program altogether and immediately get sponsored for green cards, which allow immigrants to be permanent residents, free to live and work in the United States.
But underlying the arguments is a belief, even among the workers themselves, that the current H-1B program is severely flawed.
Opponents say the highly skilled foreign workers compete with and depress the wages of native-born Americans.
Supporters say foreign workers stimulate the economy, create more opportunities for their U.S. counterparts and prevent jobs from being outsourced overseas. The problem, they say, is the cumbersome process: Immigrants often spend six years as guest workers and then wait for green card sponsorship and approval.
At the House committee hearing yesterday, Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, a nonprofit research group, spoke in favor of raising the cap. Still, he said in an interview, the H-1B visa is far from ideal. "What you want to have is a system where people can get hired directly on green cards in 30 to 60 days," he said.
Economists seem divided on whether highly skilled immigrants depress wages for U.S. workers. In 2003, a study for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found no effect on salaries, with an average income for both H-1B and American computer programmers of $55,000.
Still, the study by Madeline Zavodny, now an economics professor at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga., concluded "that unemployment was higher as a result of these H-1B workers."
In a working paper released this week, Harvard University economist George J. Borjas studied the wages of foreigners and native-born Americans with doctorates, concluding that the foreigners lowered the wages of competing workers by 3 to 4 percent. He said he suspected that his conclusion also measured the effects of H-1B visas.
"If there is a demand for engineers and no foreigners to take those jobs, salaries would shoot through the roof and make that very attractive for Americans," Borjas said.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-USA says H-1B salaries are lower. "Those who are here on H-1B visas are being worked as indentured servants. They are being paid $13,000 less in the engineering and science worlds," said Ralph W. Wyndrum Jr., president of the advocacy group for technical professionals, which favors green-card-based immigration, but only for exceptional candidates.
Wyndrum said the current system allows foreign skilled workers to "take jobs away from equally good American engineers and scientists." He based his statements about salary disparities on a December report by John Miano, a software engineer, who favors tighter immigration controls. Miano spoke at the House hearing and cited figures from the Occupational Employment Statistics program that show U.S. computer programmers earn an average $65,000 a year, compared with $52,000 for H-1B programmers.
"Is it really a guest-worker program since most people want to stay here? Miano said in an interview. "There is direct displacement of American workers."
Those who recruit and hire retort that a global economy mandates finding the best employees in the world, not just the United States. And because green-card caps are allocated equally among countries (India and China are backlogged, for example), the H-1B becomes the easiest way to hire foreigners.
It is not always easy. Last year, Razorsight Corp., a technology company with offices in Fairfax and Bangalore, India, tried to sponsor more H-1B visas -- but they already were exhausted for the year. Currently, the company has 12 H-1B workers on a U.S. staff of 100, earning $80,000 to $120,000 a year.
Charlie Thomas, Razorsight's chief executive, said the cap should be based on market demand. "It's absolutely essential for us to have access to a global talent," he said. "If your product isn't the best it can be with the best cost structure and development, then someone else will do it. And that someone else may not be a U.S.-based company."
Because H-1B holders can switch employers to sponsor their visas, some workers said they demand salary increases along the way. But once a company sponsors their green cards, workers say they don't expect to be promoted or given a raise.
Now some H-1B holders are watching to see how Congress treats the millions of immigrants who crossed the borders through stealthier means.
Sameer Chandra, 30, who lives in Fairfax and works as a systems analyst on an H-1B visa, said he is concerned that Congress might make it easier for immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally to get a green card than people like him. "What is the point of staying here legally?" he said.
His Houston-based company has sponsored his green card, and Chandra said he hopes it is processed quickly. If it is not, he said, he will return to India. "There's a lot of opportunities there in my country."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/03/30/DI2006033001345.html
Pawankalyan
11-07 01:44 PM
I have applied 485 (both for me and wife on Aug 13th 2007) without submitting the medicals...still waiting for 485 receipts...
Just trying to figure out anybody on the same boat..
Just trying to figure out anybody on the same boat..
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