The situation in the House is so messed up we should be grateful they don't have a Bill yet!
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/polit...on-plan/64771/
http://blogs.rollcall.com/goppers/ho...deport-option/
What purpose is served by this pointless touch-back to their home countries?
I agree. Its pointless. Besides, how in the world are they going to calculate back taxes ? One could very well claim to be under the 50K (or whatever) annual salary and not be subject to taxes. So there's no reason to not go that route.Quote:
Originally Posted by gs1968
The aim is to kill the bill. Self deportation will never fly. I just hope Boehner has the stones to circumvent this noise and get down to real business.
I do not see anything wrong here. There are giving 2 options. One would be to pay penalties as the senate plan says or second option is to return to the home country and apply through new legal channel which is supposed be broader and easier. So, I feel it is providing more than what senate plan is proposing.Quote:
Originally Posted by gs1968
In my case, I got my MS in 2004 then changed jobs and applied in 2008 which was then bulk rejected by DOL then reapplied in 2011. That's loss of 2.5 years of priority date & not being able to qualify for the STEM MS category because of reasons that only DOL & Senate understands.Quote:
Originally Posted by vizcard
This is right. In addtion to the 3rd choice of status quo to stay put as illegal without any action.
There should not be an issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rupen86
The "touchback" is actually pretty significant:Quote:
Originally Posted by bvsamrat
1. DOS and not DHS would process the application. They have more manpower.
2. DOS decisions cannot be reviewed by courts (doctrine of consular non-reviewability).
3. If DOS denies the application, no further action is needed - the immigrant is already outside the US. No need to start removal proceedings.
It actually makes a lot of sense to me.
Reality check -
If an illegal is working here and has a steady stream of income, why in the world would they go back home (ie self deport), apply through the legal immigration channel and risk getting rejected? There is no upside for that individual at all.
In theory the touchback makes sense but the reality of it is a small fraction (if any) would choose this route. The only purpose I can see of adding this will be make conservative republicans ok the bill with "self deportation" included
I don't understand your need to use the term "self deportation". This is nothing more than consular processing.Quote:
Originally Posted by vizcard
Currently, those who EWI need to do CP anyway. I agree than making either/or makes it unlikely many would go through CP. Just keep the current law, but make the waivers available to more people.
The proposed upside is avoid the long wait to a GC and the (presumably) heavy fees.
To vizcard
None of this will come about and will be nixed in conference if it comes to that.
We had covered this news item a few days ago but is worth repeating just to try and make sense of the last paragraph
"We can do a lot and I just hope that if we get to the point where there are some issues that seem insurmountable, let’s go ahead and try to practice doing things together so we can get some things done,” Cantor said."
I don't think even he can make sense of what he just said!
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/r...140103261.html
Quote:
"Conservatism has always been about reforming government and solving problems, and that's why the conservative movement should lead on immigration reform," he wrote. "The immigration-reform bill in the Senate is a solid starting point for solving this problem, and I believe it can be made even better as Congress begins to actively work on it in committee next week. But defeating it without offering an alternative cannot be the conservative position on immigration reform. That would leave the issue entirely in the hands of President Obama and leave in place the disastrous status quo."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...9420W920130503
Some movement on the House side although we have seen this before. I think the House Group feels it has to introduce a Bill before the Senate passes its version so they are not pressurized to accept the Senate Bill as their working basis
Hi I am new to this site so bear with Me please. I read an article and is was basically saying that the President can use his power to legalize the 11 million undocumented immigrants even if it fails to pass in the senate or in the House. Can he use that same power to pass comprehensive immigration reform?
He cannot use executive powers to pass legislation. Thats the fundamental reason of the different branches of govt. Current immigration laws are exactly that - laws. They can only be changed by Congress.Quote:
Originally Posted by beebin
He can legalize them but can't put them on a path to citizenship. Also if he did legalize them, you can take it in writing that Democrats will suffer in elections.
The President can use "prosecutorial discretion" to grant deferred action, on a large scale if he wants. But that does not give anyone a green card or a road to citizenship.Quote:
Originally Posted by beebin
I think the president might defer most deportations (apart from felons) but he cannot give EAD's to all illegals like he did for dreamers.I don't think the democrats in congress or even obama seriously wants immigration to be passed as it will be like a carrot they can use for latino vote , thats why he and leahy wants gay marriage recognistion part of CIR which only makes it much tougher to pass in house , moreover black caucus wanst diversity visas part of the bill which again republicans don't like.Quote:
Originally Posted by justvisiting
in general when 2 parties have to agree on a huge bill, its safe to say that the odds of bill dying is much higher than passing,
"The guest worker provisions will be one of the more contentious issues the Senate Judiciary Committee faces when it considers changes to the legislation in its "markup" next week."Quote:
Originally Posted by gs1968
What is a "markup" of bill? Seems like a good news to have it potentially come out next week... some action hopefully!
To seahawks
It refers to the process by which the Bill is debated/amendments made and text altered IN COMMITTEE before being reported to the entire Senate for deliberation of that chamber.It usually indicates the end of the Hearing phase in that chamber.Once the legislative language is finalized,a simple majority vote in Committee is enough to report the Bill to the Senate Floor-From the Senate Glossary
" markup - The process by which congressional committees and subcommittees debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation. "
A couple of news stories from this AM
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/0...ill-90945.html
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/0...-PjW88.twitter
The fond hope is 70+ votes but whether that will move the House is a different question.At the very least the positive energy on the Senate Bill should make the House produce its own Bill.The Simpson-Mazzoli Bill in 1986 gathered 69 Senate votes to put things in perspective and was passed in May 1985 but the House Bill and Conference report did not pass till the fall of 1986
My personaly opinion is that Boehner is going to play an extremely important role in the next 6 months .. more so than Rubio played in the last 6 months. Leahy and Goodlatte will have their 15 mins but I think Boehner will need to make the ultimate call to bring the Senate-passed bill to the floor. If he doesn't allow that, then it will be defeated or at the very least delayed. Then you'll have the Congressional elections next year and we'll be back to square 1 with need to go through most of the whole process.
If the Administration want they can fix the Legal immigration easily within a week.. see how USCIS changed the spillover interpretation and H1 Visa revalidation RFE stuffs without any intervention of Congress. Legal immigration has been made hostage for long, just to have the political ambitions acheived, and the cost of it is family sufferings, splitup, and what not Do I say anything more???. The Natures law will not spare the id***s who created this mess.Quote:
Originally Posted by vizcard
Guys ... as much as everybody's hope are high - my word of advice is - don't lose sight of your career and life.
We are already seeing politics being played with the issue - from both parties. Politicians live on issues. They don't live for solving issues. So both sides will try to keep it alive rather than solve it.
So don't pin your hopes too much on this bill and differ what you want to do in your life and career.
Quote:
Originally Posted by qesehmk
Completely agree. The Special Forces (either the Seals or the Rangers..not sure which) have a motto that is so perfect when it comes to living our day to day lives under this cloud of immigration - "Plan for the worst, hope for the best". Obviously worst case is nothing happens with CIR in which case the calculations on this forum will become your best source of directional guidance related to immigration. Best case is that CIR passes and everyone becomes current in the next year.
Also, I was given a piece of advice when I was much younger and I'll pass it on to this forum. "Worry about what you can control...You cannot do anything about the other stuff anyway" (other than pray if you are a religious person).
Q, you are right... no hope highs!! :-)... There is no career or good life without a GC.. it s only tiffin carrier! Politics is being played there also, but the only difference is office politics! of course, People who came on 2007, 2008 to this country have green card.. people from 2002 waits still for 485 approvals. There is only 5 % chance of passing this bill. No hopes from day 1! :-) People may think I am a pessimist of course not. As Q says, we need to look after our Welfare, rather than waiting for this bill with a begging bowl!Quote:
Originally Posted by qesehmk
IMO key to whether CIR bill will come to vote will be determined by GOP in party negotiations with house leadership. I assume, it might be already going on. If it is fruitful, passage in house is virtually guaranteed. As for Goodlatte, he was strongly against illegal immigration. The fact that he even agreed to discuss in committee itself is a big change for him. I speculate he will further change and bring the bill for vote.
immitime - step away from the ledge my friend. I sincerely hope you were being sarcastic in your post.Quote:
Originally Posted by immitime
There's no need for doom and gloom scenarios. I have recommended this to others. If your life sucks so much without a GC, then maybe you should consider going back to your home country. If you imagine your life will miraculously change with a GC, you are in for a rude shock.
From a day to day perspective for a young / middle-aged person, the only thing that changes with a GC is the sense of security (and a shorter line through customs). I don't want to undermine the sense of security aspect but you should really be focusing on the foundations of your life - family, health and job (in that order). You should take action to improve all those aspects. You can change jobs if you feel you are being victimized in your current job - albeit with some paperwork.
GC will help to get you lot more good Jobs rather than being held with the same Job / skill for the last 10 years. I personally missed close to 7 opportunities in the last year or so., being the reason i don't have GC.
GC has lot more advantages but the "PATH TO GC" as you mentioned is more rude shock.
Quote:
Originally Posted by vizcard
I am optimistic, and the reason is the multitude of names outside congress that have voiced support for the bill as it stands (or at least the general principles): Grover Norquist, Bill Gates, Sean Hannity, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill O'Reilly, Fareed Zakaria, Rupert Murdock, Vivek Wadhwa. These are influential folk from both the left and the right. Except for the far left and the far right (i.e., unions, LGBT crowd, and anti-immigrants, each for their own reasons) no one really appears opposed to the Gang of 8 bill. So I am optimistic, cautiously optimistic, but optimistic nevertheless.
Vizcard,Quote:
Originally Posted by vizcard
As some wise man said.. "Truth Hurts" But that is the Truth.. May be some lucky ones like you are in good situation. I am happy for you. But GC gives lot more.. I was not sarcastic.. again Truth Hurts my dear friend.
Vizcard, I agree with what ton_vj said. I can't speak for the engineers or people in IT field but I can speak for physicians. I had 3 promotional offers last year and one of them was in hospital administration. My hospital got affiliated with a bigger health system and they were offering me administrative position but they could hire only green card holders and US citizens due to their internal policy so despite meeting all their qualifications, I could not accept the offer. They were willing to wait for maximum one year in hopes that I will have my GC (PD EB2I May, 2011) by that time but I am sure that I won't get my GC in 1 year so then they will hire somebody else. Also, if you try to move to a big city, one of the most common requirement for physician hiring in those big cities, is being a GC holder or a US citizen. Similarly, if you want to take up a job in a big University Hospital or an Academic Hospital, then being a GC holder and US citizen can be a huge huge advantage. I can tell you this from my own experience.Quote:
Originally Posted by vizcard
Physicians suffer even more in terms of obtaining fellowships after their residency training. When I applied for Gastroenterology fellowship, my application was rejected from most of the places and 9 out of 10 rejections had one common reason - "Sorry, we only take Green Card Holders or US citizens. No H1Bs." In fact, one interview invite I received from Houston, TX (by mistake) was cancelled because they realized that I was on visa during a 2nd look at my application.
My life dose not suck without a GC. I am very happy with my current job and have no complaints. I enjoy it fully and have no qualms about the salary, work schedule, life style or the place where I live. But I just wanted to say that GC does not only mean sense of security and short line in customs. Green Card can make a significant difference in terms of career opportunities one may get after being greened, especially for physicians and may be it holds true for other professions as well.
Appreciate your optimism. Thanks for the energiserQuote:
Originally Posted by Pedro Gonzales
I understand where you are coming from TJ and Jonty. Ofcourse there are limitations to the jobs one can accept. The same applies for me and I'm in management consulting. My only point is that if you have a stable situation, there is no need to whine and bitch and moan. Its unhealthy and moreoever there's nothing you can do about the GC backlogs. You have to be mature about it (and it seems like you are by your cogent and coherent responses). Almost everyone in the EB queue has decent jobs with decent income. It could be better but it could be a lot worse. Like I said earlier, if you feel your life is so terrible, going back is an option just as finding another job is or the good old "suck it up and stay put" option. Instead of spending time on forums, look for other jobs that will improve your situation. (BtW, when I say "you", its a general you ...not you specifically).
My PD is Aug 2008 so I've been waiting a loooong time myself (and I've been in the US since 1999). I have a great opportunity with my Firm to lead a small practice in Singapore....that'll be my fast track to making partner in the US. Making partner means a minimum of 2x increase in income overnight. Because of GC issues its very difficult for me to just accept that job but I refuse to whine about it because I cannot control my GC situation.
That is indeed the right attitude. While I do, and would guess the rest, would agree that life in US with GC is better than one without... it in no way implies that life in US on a visa is a pain or is without opportunity. I would, personally, infer that if an employer is not willing to take that burden and cost of processing my GC / facilitating transfer / refile etc.. then I am not just good enough. This has always served me well whenever I got rejected for any visa /gc related reasons and motivated me to put in more effort... I came here in 2001 and changed 3 jobs refiling my greencard everytime (latest being in 2009). If my situation needs me to change jobs or look for better opportunity I definitely would just get on it rather than giving myself excuses.Quote:
Originally Posted by vizcard
Everybody who is on the GC queue--- situation is almost the same. Everybody knows how to take care of their situation, and mature enough to understand that. Its always better to spend time for usefull stuff. Income is not everything in life, there are other parameters. Everything is General here not pointing any of our valuble forum members.
I completely agree. Mainly most of the Non -IT employers who are really not aware of the rules and regulations and leave to their attorney and play very safe by keeping you in same position.
Another important feature, if you are frequent international traveler, GC makes a quite difference and makes your travel easy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonty Rhodes
I agree in total with what you are saying here. I think we all agree that even though we don't have GCs yet, most of us have pretty decent lives so far after we went through the initial struggles and most of us are probably in decent positions as well. We also have options of either going back or "suck it up and stay put" and I agree with them as well. I wrote that paragraph, not to complain about not getting a GC quickly and being stuck in a backlog but mainly to highlight the fact that there are many other advantages of having a green card. Sometimes you feel like whining but then I am already past that phase now. I agree with you and what Q says, that "GC is not everything in life. Concentrate on career and try to advance it." Obviously, sometimes it may be difficult or may not be possible without GC but then if one is determined enough, he/she can still do it once they get their GC. I am gonna end my philosophy lecture here. Working night shifts this week. Gotta get back to work. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by vizcard
All along, I spent time just reading all the intelligent posts at this forum. I never spoke anything simply because I had nothing to offer to the conversations. Great forum with very intelligent posts. Keep up the awesome work folks!!
That being said, I have a different tone about GC: Without a fix to the system, I think GC wait will become an absolute waste of time. Many of us have left our homes, parents and close relatives to live in this country. Our spouses (many of whom are highly qualified) are stuck without a job on H4. You cant make major career changes without GC. You cant start a business without a GC because the risk of a business combined with risk of not getting a GC in time is way too high. Even with all the labor laws in place, there are companies that unethically take advantage of the immigration situation and such immigrants are no minority. There are many more issues and we all know them.
So the question is, given all the above issues, is the wait worth 4-5 year wait? Yes but its borderline. Is it worth a 7-8 year wait (which is basically a big chunk of my prime life)? For me, absolutely not! United States of America will do fine without a CIR but we will suffer and at some point, we need to draw the line and walk away. Just my 2 cents!
If this amendment is indeed included and passed, it would weaken the chance of passing the bill.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/01/politi...ex-immigration
Track all the amendments until this minute...Quote:
Originally Posted by rupen86
http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/legi...amendments.cfm
Good read for all of us.
An interesting new book that helps explain the role, struggles, and contributions of immigrants and minorities is “What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z: How to understand crazy American culture, people, government, business, language and more.” It paints a revealing picture of America for those who will benefit from a better understanding. Endorsed by ambassadors, educators, and editors, it also informs Americans who want to learn more about the U.S. and how we compare to other countries around the world on many issues.
As the book points out, immigrants and minorities are a major force in America, as the GOP recently discovered. Immigrants and the children they bear account for 60 percent of our nation’s population growth and own 11 percent of US businesses and are 60 percent more likely to start a new business than native-born Americans. They represent 17 percent of all new business owners (in some states more than 30 percent). Foreign-born business owners generate nearly one-quarter of all business income in California and nearly one-fifth in the states of New York, Florida, and New Jersey.
Legal immigrants number 850,000 each year; undocumented (illegal) immigrants are estimated to be half that number. They come to improve their lives and create a foundation of success for their children to build upon, as did the author’s grandparents when they landed at Ellis Island in 1899 after losing 2 children to disease on a cramped cattle car-like sailing from Europe. Many bring skills and a willingness to work hard to make their dreams a reality, something our founders did four hundred years ago. In describing America, chapter after chapter identifies “foreigners” who became successful in the US and contributed to our society. However, most struggle in their efforts and need guidance, be they in Anytown or Zenith, USA. Perhaps intelligent immigration reform, concerned Americans and books like this can extend a helping hand. http://www.AmericaAtoZ.com
Looks like Hatch has filed entire I-Squared Act as an amendment.Quote:
Originally Posted by immitime
To viz
I apologize that I was posting all day in the wrong thread-some more tweets
"And @SenatorSessions takes the lead, filing 49 amendments to the immigration bill. That tops the 24 filed by @SenOrrinHatch.
"Reviewing filed amendments. Shocking that @SenatorSessions @ChuckGrassley @SenOrrinHatch are loading up on anti-legalization amndmnts...
"Sessions said in a statement that he won't support the bill w/o his "modest" amendments, which essentially gut the bill…So guess he's a no