Discussion On The Politics of Immigration Reform (Comprehensive Or Otherwise)

[rupen86]

seems, house will also unveil its proposal this or next week.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...90Q0EV20130128

[pakkpk]

Sen. Schumer provides timeline (Spring or Summer) on the CIR. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...gration-video/

[abcx13]

Good find. The outline seems to be on the expected line though much work is left for future negotiations. They will have to do serious work in reforming current immigration system especially EB immigration where backlog stretches already to a decade. If they are going to add millions in existing line, without extraordinary reforms in the current system, people can not get green card in their lifetime.

I read somewhere that they were pretty explicit that all illegals will be behind the legals in line.

[rupen86]

I read somewhere that they were pretty explicit that all illegals will be behind the legals in line.

yes, it was specified. By that token, we can hope that they are planning to reform EB immigration in real way apart from talking point of STEM.

[rupen86]

good article on STEM green cards.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blog...versities.html

[pakkpk]

A good article on NPR about the challanges for CIR. http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolit...political-risk

[rupen86]

A good article on NPR about the challanges for CIR. http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolit...political-risk

Rather than conservative Republicans, I think liberal democrats and Obama might put the deal in jeopardy. People will be closely watching on Obama's speech today.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...5ee_story.html

[bvsamrat]

If we add 11 m in the GC Q, does this mean any fresh Legal GC applicants will be behind the just applied Illegals. IMHO-Unless they increase the annual quota, nothing may improve. On the otherhand by increasing annual quota all problems may disappear for legal GC applicants

yes, it was specified. By that token, we can hope that they are planning to reform EB immigration in real way apart from talking point of STEM.

[skpanda]

The pessimist in me does not have any hopes on CIR. Also as we have see last year piecemeal legislations (like HR3012) for EB category is out of question.

I will just wait 2/3 year for my turn to get green card and get out of this mess. If it is beyond that time frame it would be a good idea to ignore green card and just focus on ones career (in US or wherever).

Note: Personally I am against a CIR that gives 'amnesty' to 11 million illegal immigrations. This will only encourage more illegal immigration. It is human pshycology. I agree with an article (and Mitt Romney in primaries) that said, by making it difficult for illegal immigrants to get job here will help and they will self deport. You can call me a heartless person without sympathy. I do not want to get into the arguments of why i am like this. This is my personal opinion.

Rather than conservative Republicans, I think liberal democrats and Obama might put the deal in jeopardy. People will be closely watching on Obama's speech today.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...5ee_story.html

[skpanda]

If we add 11 m in the GC Q, does this mean any fresh Legal GC applicants will be behind the just applied Illegals. IMHO-Unless they increase the annual quota, nothing may improve. On the otherhand by increasing annual quota all problems may disappear for legal GC applicants

Although I am against CIR that gives amnesty to these 11 m illegal immigrants, if it were to pass, it would be best to have 2 separate Qs. One for existing and future Legal Immigrants. Other for Illegal Immigrants (existing 11m). This 2nd Q will start getting Green cards only after the existing Q in the 1st. After that point both Q's go their own ways.

[rupen86]

Although I am against CIR that gives amnesty to these 11 m illegal immigrants, if it were to pass, it would be best to have 2 separate Qs. One for existing and future Legal Immigrants. Other for Illegal Immigrants (existing 11m). This 2nd Q will start getting Green cards only after the existing Q in the 1st. After that point both Q's go their own ways.

illegal agenda has more political power. If both queues are separate, changes will be made in such a way that illegal queue will move faster and legal immigration problems will remain as they are currently. By making illegals part of the existing queue, there would be focus on clearing existing people from the queue. This is about politics and no one cares what is right thing to do. But in whatever is happening, we should look out for our interests.

[qbloguser]

I mean it is all politics. Period. This whole discussion is happening because one group got more votes and another one didn't get any from this group in last election.

I am a legal immigrant here.

Legal immigrants started what 10 million different petitions? Did you see any result? No? What about HR3012? Another legal group fought hard against it. At least they (illegals) are united for this and speaking in one language and not trying to undermine each other. We legals should learn something from them, at least.

Ok, so if this is happening because of illegal immigrants (remember they are also immigrants), I would personally send 10 thank you card to them because I got my green card because of the efforts by them.

P.S.: Legals will get GCs because if govt does not do that it will be a kind of "moral-hazard".

Although I am against CIR that gives amnesty to these 11 m illegal immigrants, if it were to pass, it would be best to have 2 separate Qs. One for existing and future Legal Immigrants. Other for Illegal Immigrants (existing 11m). This 2nd Q will start getting Green cards only after the existing Q in the 1st. After that point both Q's go their own ways.

[sreddy]

Not sure it this is going to have anything for us, but i feel worh watching to see what he as to say.

WHAT: President Obama on Immigration (You can watch the remarks live, starting at 2:55 PM EST.)

WHEN: January 29, 2:55 PM EST

WHERE: WhiteHouse.gov/Live

[mailmvr]

Any idea/comments from Gurus if CIR is implemented, how is it going to impact EB2 movement.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/29/us...html?hpw&_r=1&

[qesehmk]

In reality illegal Q will be part of family Q --- only with a backseat preference.

EB based Q never had any illegals anyway... If they do - it is immediately called out as fraud and removed from Q.

illegal agenda has more political power. If both queues are separate, changes will be made in such a way that illegal queue will move faster and legal immigration problems will remain as they are currently. By making illegals part of the existing queue, there would be focus on clearing existing people from the queue. This is about politics and no one cares what is right thing to do. But in whatever is happening, we should look out for our interests.

[bvsamrat]

Let us wait for the blue print and see. In any case combining 11m with legals applicants would only be eye wash without increasing quota. But who knows, an alternmate definion of GC may happen, where who ever eligible will become GC holder. No quota limit at all? But a job/tax status for a minimum duration(2-3 years)

illegal agenda has more political power. If both queues are separate, changes will be made in such a way that illegal queue will move faster and legal immigration problems will remain as they are currently. By making illegals part of the existing queue, there would be focus on clearing existing people from the queue. This is about politics and no one cares what is right thing to do. But in whatever is happening, we should look out for our interests.

[rupen86]

In reality illegal Q will be part of family Q --- only with a backseat preference.

EB based Q never had any illegals anyway... If they do - it is immediately called out as fraud and removed from Q.

They can become part of family Q if they have any family to sponsor. If they are working and not having family here to sponsor, they would have to be added to EB Q

[rupen86]

From Oh Law firm

Mccain says so called "hi-tech" bill can be included in CIR

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-va...rehensive-plan

[rupen86]

Obama's proposal on CIR. His version is somewhat more liberal that it is not contingent on border security, but his plan also includes illegals to go at the back of the line and no separate line except for 'DREAMERS'.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...0a3_story.html

Obama's plan has drawn criticism from Rubio. Rubio won't support the bill if border security is removed from the bill and if he does not support the bill, that might be the end of it.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013...-new-overhaul/

[pakkpk]

I am not sure but in 2000-2001 period, illegals were allowed to file in EB3 (Those who were working in small businesses like stores etc.) That was the reason of the backlog in labor certification. In those days LC was paper based and at state level.

In reality illegal Q will be part of family Q --- only with a backseat preference.

EB based Q never had any illegals anyway... If they do - it is immediately called out as fraud and removed from Q.

[rupen86]

The Rubio/Hatch bill is introduced. This bill actually does not seem as bad as we were discussing. It seems to have many good things.


From oh law firm,

01/29/2013: Summary of Senate Bi-Partisan Bill of "Immigration Innovation Act of 2013" with Nick Name of "I-Squared Act of 2013"

The bill which is introduced in the Senate today will be made available soon but here is the sponsor's summary of the bill:
Employment-Based Nonimmigrant H-1B Visas
Increase H-1B cap from 65,000 to 115,000
Establish a market-based H-1B escalator, so that the cap can adjust ¡V up or down ¡V to the demands of the economy (includes a 300,000 ceiling on the ability of the escalator to move)
o If the cap is hit in the first 45 days when petitions may be filed, an additional 20,000 H-1B visas will be made available immediately.
o If the cap is hit in the first 60 days when petitions may be filed, an additional 15,000 H-1B visas will be made available immediately.
o If the cap is hit in the first 90 days when petitions may be filed, an additional 10,000 H-1B visas will be made available immediately.
o If the cap is hit during the 185-day period ending on the 275th day on which petitions may be filed, and additional 5,000 H-1B will be made available immediately.
Uncap the existing U.S. advanced degree exemption (currently limited to 20,000 per year)
Authorize employment for dependent spouses of H-1B visa holder
Increase portability of high skilled foreign workers by:
o Removing impediments and costs of changing employers;
o Establishing a clear transition period for foreign workers as they change jobs; and,
o Restoring visa revalidation for E, H, L, O, and P nonimmigrant visa categories
Student Visas
Allow dual intent for foreign students at U.S. colleges and universities to provide the certainty they need to ensure their future in the United States
Immigrant Visas and Green Cards
Enable the recapture of green card numbers that were approved by Congress in previous years but were not used
Exempt certain categories of persons from the employment-based green card cap:
o Dependents of employment-based immigrant visa recipients
o U.S. STEM advance degree holders
o Persons with extraordinary ability
o Outstanding professors and researchers
Provide for the roll-over of unused employment-based immigrant visa numbers to the following fiscal year so future visas are not lost due to bureaucratic delays
Eliminate annual per-country limits for employment based visa petitioners
U.S. STEM Education & Worker Retraining Initiative
Reform fees on H-1B visas and employment-based green cards; use money from these fees to fund a grant program to promote STEM education and worker retraining to be administered by the states
Please stay tuned for the full text of the bill.

[seahawks2012]

Summary of Immigration Innovation (I-Squared) Act of 2013:

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_22...ore?source=pkg

[seahawks2012]

More on Reuters:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...0AY7NZ20130129

[mailmvr]

Red the below section which will impact EB2/EB3 visas
http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/...inglePage=true


-Cut Red Tape for Employers.

The proposal also eliminates the backlog for employment-sponsored immigration by eliminating annual country caps and adding additional visas to the system. Outdated legal immigration programs are reformed to meet current and future demands by exempting certain categories from annual visa limitations.

[rupen86]

Will Obama kill or save immigration reform ?

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blog...r-kill-it.html