Discussion of Bills that remove the Per Country Limits - H.R.3012, H,R. 213

[Jonty Rhodes]

03/16/2012: Latest News on Sen. Grassley's Ongoing Negotiaion with Senator Brown for Compromise

CNN updates at 07:18 p.m. (EST) of 03/16/2012 as follows:
Beth Levine, communications director for Grassley said he has now extended an offer to move the Brown bill forward. "An up or down vote on Sen. Brown's Irish visa bill would be acceptable to Sen. Grassley with some modifications dealing with the skill level of those receiving an E3 visa, the current visa program the visas would be allotted from, and the inclusion of a sunset on the program," Levine wrote in an e-mail. "Sen. Grassley's staff is still discussing modifications with the sponsors of the bill."

It sounds that under the ongoing pressure, with the whole Republican party at stake in the Senate, not to mention Sen. Brown's own future, in the November election, they must be actively engazing in negotiation to find a break through at least within the Republican group. They are currently under a tremendous pressure. However, it is not clear whether this ongoing nego includes H.R. 3012. Additionally, it is unclear the compromise within the Senate Republican caucus can be acceptable to the Democrats, particularly Sen. Chuck Schumer. Please stay tuned.

http://www.immigration-law.com/

[gcq]

E3 going on its own is good for HR 3012. I suspect it is E3 that is holding down our bill. If it travels on its own and meets it destiny, HR 3012 will have a clearer path.

[longgcque]

What does it mean for HR3012 .... Is it still breathing ?

03/16/2012: Latest News on Sen. Grassley's Ongoing Negotiaion with Senator Brown for Compromise

CNN updates at 07:18 p.m. (EST) of 03/16/2012 as follows:
Beth Levine, communications director for Grassley said he has now extended an offer to move the Brown bill forward. "An up or down vote on Sen. Brown's Irish visa bill would be acceptable to Sen. Grassley with some modifications dealing with the skill level of those receiving an E3 visa, the current visa program the visas would be allotted from, and the inclusion of a sunset on the program," Levine wrote in an e-mail. "Sen. Grassley's staff is still discussing modifications with the sponsors of the bill."

It sounds that under the ongoing pressure, with the whole Republican party at stake in the Senate, not to mention Sen. Brown's own future, in the November election, they must be actively engazing in negotiation to find a break through at least within the Republican group. They are currently under a tremendous pressure. However, it is not clear whether this ongoing nego includes H.R. 3012. Additionally, it is unclear the compromise within the Senate Republican caucus can be acceptable to the Democrats, particularly Sen. Chuck Schumer. Please stay tuned.

http://www.immigration-law.com/

[Jonty Rhodes]

E3 going on its own is good for HR 3012. I suspect it is E3 that is holding down our bill. If it travels on its own and meets it destiny, HR 3012 will have a clearer path.

Not sure if Scott Brown's bill is tied with HR 3012 or not. There is some real confusion about that. But even if it is not tied, I really do not believe that HR 3012 will have a clear path on its own because Chuck Grassley may again try to introduce his H1B reforms in that since that was the main reason he blocked HR 3012 to begin with. I just don't feel that he will give up so easily on that. Let's see what happens next week in senate. It is going to be a crucial week I feel.

[gcq]

Grassleys' hold was expected right from the day the bill was planned. Steve King in House and Grassley in Senate are two known adversaries for any immigration bill. So this would have been taken care already. We saw what happened in house in relation to Steve King's amendments. Even in senate, rule 14 was invoked on the bill to bypass judiciary committee. The only surprise was the Irish waking up adding their pork E3 to HR 3012. If E3 did not show up, HR 3012 would have progressed more than it is now.

[vickywac]

http://http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/senators-push-visa-program-irish-immigrants-critics-call-measure-political-opportunism-article-1.1040788

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) of the Senate Judiciary Committee has a hold on the broader bill, but has offered a vote on just the Irish measure. He and Schumer are negotiating.

Its going to be interesting how this is going to play in coming days.

[abcx13]

http://http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/senators-push-visa-program-irish-immigrants-critics-call-measure-political-opportunism-article-1.1040788


Its going to be interesting how this is going to play in coming days.

So let's see...the White guys get a special provision carved out for them, but the Browns and the Yellows have to wait. Just like the good ol'e days 'eh.

[qesehmk]

Here is what one supporter says openly.

“Let’s find a place for Irish people like anybody else. The only way to come to America to work at your aunt’s or uncle’s or anywhere else is as undocumented,” said pub owner Ciaran Staunton of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.

EB applicants on other hand are highly educated, come legally and virtully crime free and yet they have to wait 2-10-20 years. This is injustice.

So let's see...the White guys get a special provision carved out for them, but the Browns and the Yellows have to wait. Just like the good ol'e days 'eh.

[chengisk]

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Sen...143077985.html

Let us see how this goes. E3 being an amendment to H.R.3012 w/sh-ould also mean placing the bundle for a vote in the senate.
There is still time to write to and nudge the local senators to support the bill.

[gs1968]

To Chengisk

Thanks for your comments.However all indications seem to point towards S.2005 from Sen.Brown which does not include 3012 provisions.None of the articles above seem to indicate that 3012 provisions are being negotiated.The last official word from Beth Levine about 3012 seems to be from February 28 unless we can find something more current

http://www.siliconprairienews.com/20...artup-visa-act

Sen Grassley is being tough on the E-3 Bill also in that he is requiring more stringent guidelines for qualification. The E-3 Irish Bill if passed would amend the INA in such a way that specialty occupation as required by the Australians is not necessary.
I feel that the language is worded and placed carefully to avoid specialty occupation consideration. The words in the Bill are "or solely to perform services as an employee who meets the requirements under section 203(c)(2) if the alien is a national of the Republic of Ireland,' after `Australia'." If you refer to the INA Act 101 here
http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/S...0-0-0-101.html
and scroll down to Section E (iii)(21) which is about the middle of the page and add the above clause after Australia then it becomes clear that the specialty occupation is not needed. However some labor attestation still appears to be needed with DHS and DOL but how stringent this will be-I don't know. The H-2 programs have very loose requirements The Republic of Ireland with a population of 6 million does not have a substantial pool of high-skilled immigrants to fill 10,500 visas annually.

I also read that he wants the unused quota of Australian E-3 visas to be used for Irish nationals so as not to increase work visas and also include a sunset date.

After the Republican senators have all these worked out I am not sure if it is even acceptable to the Irish leave alone the Democrats. For this reason, I completely agree with the moderators and other senior forum members that H.R 3012 is actually being hamstrung by the E-3 provisions and has better chances of success on its own merit. It is ironic that a Bill that affects distribution of only 12% of annual LPRs is getting such a difficult time in the Senate.

There are about 8 legislative days left in the Senate before the April Passover/Easter recess and hopefully something positive will happen. Sorry for the long post but it is frustrating that almost 4 months have passed since House passage and there is still no resolution in the senate

[vickywac]

To Chengisk

Thanks for your comments.However all indications seem to point towards S.2005 from Sen.Brown which does not include 3012 provisions.None of the articles above seem to indicate that 3012 provisions are being negotiated.The last official word from Beth Levine about 3012 seems to be from February 28 unless we can find something more current

No rational thoughts on bills among piliticians and everyday the hope on this is slipping away. Interestign to know that the start up bill is waiting to pass thro the committe and look at the momentum of the irish bill.
Peace
vickywac

[chengisk]

Hi gs1968,

Thanks, despite the pessimistic outlook that you have drawn, I have to agree with you. There is basically no interest among the lawmakers to advance HR3012, nor do they have any incentives despite some tech companies lobbying for it. On the other hand the Irish agenda seems to have suddenly started stirring and that I think is basically because of the likes of Boston Globe ridiculing Sen.Brown. The congress and senate have a bad habit of not passing perfectly individual legislation (which is often termed as piece-meal bills) and so very rarely any bill gets thorough without the added baggage. I think it is now become a wait and see if it will happen event. Thanks again for your views and links.

[lalaji]

03/19/2012: Senate Floor to Continue Debates for JOBS Act, H.R.3606

This is the so-called Jumpstart Our Business Starups Act, which the House has already passed. When it comes to the details, there are disagreements between the Republican caucus and the Democratic caucus, but the basic theme of job creation legislation receives attention not only from the Houses in the Congress, but also from the White House, considering its impact on the November national election. We have reported earlier the skeleton of the White House proposal that contained "Per Country Limitation Elimination" in the employment-based immigration statute, which is very much in line with the H.R. 3012. As the H.R. 3012 is trapped with the Irish E-3 visa bill, the immigrant community is closely watching the chances of EB per country limitation removal proposal attached to the JOBS Act legislation through the process of H.R. 3606 amendment in the Senate.

[abcx13]

03/19/2012: Senate Floor to Continue Debates for JOBS Act, H.R.3606

This is the so-called Jumpstart Our Business Starups Act, which the House has already passed. When it comes to the details, there are disagreements between the Republican caucus and the Democratic caucus, but the basic theme of job creation legislation receives attention not only from the Houses in the Congress, but also from the White House, considering its impact on the November national election. We have reported earlier the skeleton of the White House proposal that contained "Per Country Limitation Elimination" in the employment-based immigration statute, which is very much in line with the H.R. 3012. As the H.R. 3012 is trapped with the Irish E-3 visa bill, the immigrant community is closely watching the chances of EB per country limitation removal proposal attached to the JOBS Act legislation through the process of H.R. 3606 amendment in the Senate.

Let's see if I have this straight, so the WH wanted the per country elimination to be put in the Jobs bill as part of HR 3606, but it isn't in there currently. And these guys are hoping that it gets added as an amendment? Fat chance.

[randomax]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned in this thread, but is there an email I can send to family/friends which gives a brief summary of the bill (and any other relevant bills) and has information on how to support it (links to online petitions/letters to congressmen, etc)? Thanks.

[manubhai]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned in this thread, but is there an email I can send to family/friends which gives a brief summary of the bill (and any other relevant bills) and has information on how to support it (links to online petitions/letters to congressmen, etc)? Thanks.

How to support: Meet senators; Call senators; Write to senators; Also follow "action items" that any other group/community suggests, if you wish to, and if their definition and evidence of "supporting" the cause is to your satisfaction.

You can modify the content from this thread to suit your purpose:
http://www.qesehmk.org/forums/showth...orting-HR-3012

Thanks for spreading the word. It DOES make a difference.

[randomax]

I signed the petition and sent letters to senators some time ago, but I think its time to step up the effort and send it to friends across the country

[lalaji]

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Rep...143626386.html

[lalaji]

From Irish Echo:

http://irishecho.com/?p=70466

[Jonty Rhodes]

From Irish Echo:

http://irishecho.com/?p=70466

Thanks lalaji. Does Sen. Brown's bill include HR 3012 also? Because what we all keep hearing about this bill is it will provide additional 10,500 visas to Irish nationals every year. There has been no mention of HR 3012 anywhere in any article.

[idiotic]

http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/l...visa-bill.html

[gs1968]

Finally,after about 4 months since House Passage there is a brief and passing mention of H.R 3012 provisions on the Senate Floor albeit in the context of the broader E-3 Bill! Whether there is a sincere effort or St.Patrick's Day rhetoric is not clear. As Jonty Rhodes mentions above it is also not clear if what is being discussed includes H.R 3012 provisions. Time is running out before the Easter recess and we are still stuck with the JOBS act unfinished.Cloture has been filed on Sen. Menendez Bill for tax breaks for oil companies and this should pretty much consume the rest of this session till next Friday. The E-3 Bill/H.R 3012/S.1857 or whatever version passes will most likely have to pass by unanimous consent with all objections removed and amendments agreed to as most Senators are not going to be keen on having their vote recorded by Roll Call. We have to watch carefully for end of the day proceedings next Thursday/Friday to see if this happens.My guess is most likely not as Sen.Grassley is a tough man to bend and is not going to give up easily.One can only hope for the best! When the Senate returns in the second half of April the momentum on this Bill will be lost considerably

[lalaji]

From Asst.Majority leader site
http://durbin.senate.gov/public/inde...e-2204402a89b8

[idiotic]

Finally,after about 4 months since House Passage there is a brief and passing mention of H.R 3012 provisions on the Senate Floor albeit in the context of the broader E-3 Bill! Whether there is a sincere effort or St.Patrick's Day rhetoric is not clear. As Jonty Rhodes mentions above it is also not clear if what is being discussed includes H.R 3012 provisions. Time is running out before the Easter recess and we are still stuck with the JOBS act unfinished.Cloture has been filed on Sen. Menendez Bill for tax breaks for oil companies and this should pretty much consume the rest of this session till next Friday. The E-3 Bill/H.R 3012/S.1857 or whatever version passes will most likely have to pass by unanimous consent with all objections removed and amendments agreed to as most Senators are not going to be keen on having their vote recorded by Roll Call. We have to watch carefully for end of the day proceedings next Thursday/Friday to see if this happens.My guess is most likely not as Sen.Grassley is a tough man to bend and is not going to give up easily.One can only hope for the best! When the Senate returns in the second half of April the momentum on this Bill will be lost considerably

Sen. Durbin's floor reference..
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/.../~r112Mnoskz::

[vishnu]

Interesting that he specifically refers to adding E3 to HR 3012. Also good that he is only taking about legal Irish employment here with no amnesty provisions. Bodes well, but lets wait and see...