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

[qesehmk]

Politics is part of it. But this administration at least is trying to do something. The gop is opposed to all kinds of immigration. Period.

I cannot believe that how gullible employment based immigrants can be even after repeated false starts. The announcement drama and the the fiasco of no announcement was totally expected. Until illegals get their pound of flesh, this administration will do absolutely nothing for legals. So if there is no expanded DACA/DAPA due to the current court case then there is nothing for us.

[nbk1976]

So if are illegal, even with the current blockade by the district court, you may not be deported under Obama's executive order, but if you are legal, waiting for over a decade for a GC, if your I-484 is denied, even over a minor technicality, you will be NOIDed and deported as per the law, and DHS will not apply prosecutorial discretion and overlook your presence. Obama's executive order wont protect you.

How absurd this whole thing is!

I cannot believe that how gullible employment based immigrants can be even after repeated false starts. The announcement drama and the the fiasco of no announcement was totally expected. Until illegals get their pound of flesh, this administration will do absolutely nothing for legals. So if there is no expanded DACA/DAPA due to the current court case then there is nothing for us.

[qesehmk]

All those who have a problem with obama's exec order - try getting anything done with GOP. Bringing in politics muddles things and serves no purpose. If u must bring politics in then at least study eb immigration and enlighten everybody what if at all both parties havedone for eb immigration. Otherwise your views are utter waste and doing disservice to eb immigrants.

[kd2008]

All those who have a problem with obama's exec order - try getting anything done with GOP. Bringing in politics muddles things and serves no purpose. If u must bring politics in then at least study eb immigration and enlighten everybody what if at all both parties havedone for eb immigration. Otherwise your views are utter waste and doing disservice to eb immigrants.

Q, I completely agree with you. Big O is our best bet. At the same time I want folks to be realistic and not get caught up in hoopla of announcements, delays of announcements, rule making blah blah. It is important to have the perspective that until expanded DACA/DAPA are implemented, nothing is to be implemented for the legals at least for GC stuff. Yes, there will plenty of "chirimiri" type things like H-4 EAD, expanded EB1-OR evidence acceptance etc. The only important thing from our perspective is ability to file I-485 once I-140 approved, and if not that then date movements (for which this site is the best predictor bar none).

[qesehmk]

Yes KD. I too think people shouldn't get caught up in hype. Couldn't agree more.

Even disagreement is fine (rather great!) when we can learn something from each other - because then it doesn't just help you and me - but it helps the readers too.

At the same time I want folks to be realistic and not get caught up in hoopla of announcements, delays of announcements, rule making blah blah. It is important to have the perspective that until expanded DACA/DAPA are implemented, nothing is to be implemented for the legals at least for GC stuff. Yes, there will plenty of "chirimiri" type things like H-4 EAD, expanded EB1-OR evidence acceptance etc. The only important thing from our perspective is ability to file I-485 once I-140 approved...

[idiotic]

All those who have a problem with obama's exec order - try getting anything done with GOP. Bringing in politics muddles things and serves no purpose. If u must bring politics in then at least study eb immigration and enlighten everybody what if at all both parties havedone for eb immigration. Otherwise your views are utter waste and doing disservice to eb immigrants.

I disagree GOP won't do anything on immigration if they have their way. They are working to reduce immigration into half.
http://www.fairus.org/DocServer/GR/F...enda_114th.pdf

Thanks God things are stalled in Congress.

[kd2008]

Yes KD. I too think people shouldn't get caught up in hype. Couldn't agree more.

Even disagreement is fine (rather great!) when we can learn something from each other - because then it doesn't just help you and me - but it helps the readers too.

Another case in point ...supposedly there is an event to be held next month in DC for HR 213 or whatever the current flavor is of the bill to remove country quotas....to drum up Republican support for it. This is after the said group has come in favor of Big O's exec order. Tell me which Republican leadership is going to support this effort no matter how sensible the thing you are fighting for is everybody's eyes.

I appreciate the community building effort and grassroots effort but it is misleading in my eyes to lead people into false belief that such events help one bit in moving the needle or the cause. It does not. Just ask all the groups that have and are fighting for the undocumented. May be I am jaded and cynical but I have also lived in this country over a decade and seen no meaningful change in quotas or the politics. 2 yr EAD ..EB2 before EB3 for spillover etc ...things like that ...not to diminish their value but you get the gist.

[redwood]

May be I am jaded and cynical

Yes you are.

[qesehmk]

kd - i agree with you on the futility of the effort.

The reason that effort is futile is because immigration is not just an economic but political and strategic imperative for United States. Advocacy won't help especially when you are NOT addressing the other party's view points!!!

The only thing that is going to work is a legal challenge to the quota system. The law will have to address your grievance and validate the constitutionality of the country quota system against discrimination laws which clearly say that one can't be discriminated against based on nationality. I have also said previously that not only this is against existing anti-discrimination laws but also perhaps against the constitution which is based upon fundamental American belief that "All men are created equal".

The moment DOS puts you in a different line based purely on where you were born --- that is discrimination and is against the creed of equality at birth.

** -- is full of idiots who are full of themselves. Either they don't understand the game or they are taking immigrant community for a ride.

My recommendation to EB guys on this forum is - organize and form an organization with the single short term goal of challenging the country quota. Don't have any other goal. Just keep this one simple goal in mind.

I personally already am through the GC door. Lucky me. It's your fight. Take up the challenge. I am sure you will win. I will help what i can through this forum.

For one reason or other all other EB groups have eased their pain somehow or other. EB-I (both EB2 and EB3) are left with Katora in their hands. Even with EO - your slavery will continue. **'s agenda - although I wish them well - is not going to make any material difference.

Another case in point ...supposedly there is an event to be held next month in DC for HR 213 or whatever the current flavor is of the bill to remove country quotas....to drum up Republican support for it. This is after the said group has come in favor of Big O's exec order. Tell me which Republican leadership is going to support this effort no matter how sensible the thing you are fighting for is everybody's eyes.

I appreciate the community building effort and grassroots effort but it is misleading in my eyes to lead people into false belief that such events help one bit in moving the needle or the cause. It does not. Just ask all the groups that have and are fighting for the undocumented. May be I am jaded and cynical but I have also lived in this country over a decade and seen no meaningful change in quotas or the politics. 2 yr EAD ..EB2 before EB3 for spillover etc ...things like that ...not to diminish their value but you get the gist.

[abcx13]

I agree with Q that advocating to remove the country quotas is our best bet. If any forum members are interested in trying to do something, I would like to be a part of the effort. I can volunteer time but will probably be unable to travel to DC for advocacy. PM or post if people are interested in getting something off the ground.

[axecapone]

Totally on a side note, I wanted to pitch in about possible H1B extension complications because of the H4 EAD rule. Moderators, if this needs to be put somewhere more appropriate, please feel free to do so.

I was chatting with my attorneys today about it. Earliest extension of H1B is 6 months before the expiration. So basically you have 6 months to file your H1/H4 extension and also file your H4 EAD extension application. Although you can file it all these applications concurrently, I was told the H4 EAD processing time is 90 days (3 months) since the approval of the H1/H4 extension (Whats the point of concurrent filing??). That gives us only 3 months to for approval of the actual extension. Its not uncommon for USCIS to take 3 months for processing H1B extension which is cutting it close. If there is RFE, this just makes the situation worse and the spouse may have to quit her job when the EAD expired. (Note that once the EAD has expired, you are not authorized to work even if there is a pending application).

This means that you may have to do premium processing on extensions which may have been quite unnecessary before. Many companies (like the place I work for) don't pay for premium processing on extensions, so it may have to come out of your pocket. Added to that, USCIS has stopped accepting premium processing for H1B extension till July 27th.

It feels like BO gave us something and also feels like he gave us nothing.

[gten20]

Totally on a side note, I wanted to pitch in about possible H1B extension complications because of the H4 EAD rule. Moderators, if this needs to be put somewhere more appropriate, please feel free to do so.

I was chatting with my attorneys today about it. Earliest extension of H1B is 6 months before the expiration. So basically you have 6 months to file your H1/H4 extension and also file your H4 EAD extension application. Although you can file it all these applications concurrently, I was told the H4 EAD processing time is 90 days (3 months) since the approval of the H1/H4 extension (Whats the point of concurrent filing??). That gives us only 3 months to for approval of the actual extension. Its not uncommon for USCIS to take 3 months for processing H1B extension which is cutting it close. If there is RFE, this just makes the situation worse and the spouse may have to quit her job when the EAD expired. (Note that once the EAD has expired, you are not authorized to work even if there is a pending application).

This means that you may have to do premium processing on extensions which may have been quite unnecessary before. Many companies (like the place I work for) don't pay for premium processing on extensions, so it may have to come out of your pocket. Added to that, USCIS has stopped accepting premium processing for H1B extension till July 27th.

It feels like BO gave us something and also feels like he gave us nothing.

To be fair.. it's not on BO.. it's USCIS who cant handle the workload.

[idiotic]

I disagree GOP won't do anything on immigration if they have their way. They are working to reduce immigration into half.
http://www.fairus.org/DocServer/GR/F...enda_114th.pdf

Thanks God things are stalled in Congress.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...-10267048.html

Conservative party in UK also on same lines. Will be no surprise if all republicans will tend to move more right on immigration in US here.

[gten20]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...-10267048.html

Conservative party in UK also on same lines. Will be no surprise if all republicans will tend to move more right on immigration in US here.

Christie already started the trend.

[kd2008]

Rule making process initiated for I-140 EAD

http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAg...&RIN=1615-AC05

NO specifics. wait wait wait ..just like before ...wait wait wait ...tiny slivers of hope ...wait wait wait...

[idiotic]

Rule making process initiated for I-140 EAD

http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAg...&RIN=1615-AC05

NO specifics. wait wait wait ..just like before ...wait wait wait ...tiny slivers of hope ...wait wait wait...

Details are here.. 6 page doc already released early this week

http://blog.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2015...rd-applicants/

[gten20]

TCS, Infosys under probe for H1B voilations
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...cle7309212.ece

[CleanSock]

Republican presidential hopeful wants to curb legal immigration.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0PG0AS20150706

Why am I not surprised at all? Hopefully all immigrants who have the power to vote come out and drive out such nut jobs.

[vizcard]

it is unlikely the GOP will win the presidential election but it also unlikely that the grid lock in Congress is going to go away. So major policy decisions are not going to made without truly diluting the original intent.

[imdeng]

I don't think it is unlikely at all that GOP wins in 2016. At best its a 50:50 crapshoot.

Anyways - the recent escalation in nativist rhetoric in GOP is very alarming. In 2017, GOP may have the presidency along with majorities in the house and the senate. Only think standing between them and anti-immigration legislation will be a democratic filibuster. Its scary.

Posterity will remember how Boehner let go of the best opportunity to do immigration reform. If only he had brought the senate bill to the house floor.

it is unlikely the GOP will win the presidential election but it also unlikely that the grid lock in Congress is going to go away. So major policy decisions are not going to made without truly diluting the original intent.

[vizcard]

I don't think it is unlikely at all that GOP wins in 2016. At best its a 50:50 crapshoot.

Anyways - the recent escalation in nativist rhetoric in GOP is very alarming. In 2017, GOP may have the presidency along with majorities in the house and the senate. Only think standing between them and anti-immigration legislation will be a democratic filibuster. Its scary.

Posterity will remember how Boehner let go of the best opportunity to do immigration reform. If only he had brought the senate bill to the house floor.

"at best" ?

[nbk1976]

If the economy improves and people feel financially more secure (i.e. Obama's approval remains at 50%), there is no way GOP can come in. GOP are fear-mongers and they would love to have a situation where they can spook enough independents to vote for them.

As of now, the Democrats have a better shot: the economy is improving and they have a far better candidate.

[na_dev]

Saw this petition making rounds online. Thought some members will be interested to sign in support for it.

Thanks!

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pet...140-approval-4

[gs1968]

Saw this in a tweet message earlier

http://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/sign...ry=/DGc4GcbS2b

[qesehmk]

Rubio supporting H1B!

Who would've thunk!