Bills, Rules & Politics

[AceMan]

The rich snooty people are more likely to be job creators. So not sure if lawmakers are ready to discount that. Any merit based plan without country quotas is a good plan, but it needs to have a plan for backlogged folks with points for US job experience, salaries and priority dates. They can always have variable points for different occupation classifications for which the points are adjusted based on labor shortage.

Merit based bill is nothing more than a distraction and a go slow tactic. I can categorically say it is never, I repeat it is never going to happen for the next 30 years.

A country where the technology grew exponentially over the last 3 decades still holds on to the numbers from 1990. Enough said!!!

[vsivarama]

I agree that Merit based bill is nothing but a distraction. But if they ever want to upgrade from the dark ages, that's the way to go. If you just look at avg salaries of immigrants filed for GCs, Indians ranks somewhere among the top countries. Yet ROW use the bad faith argument that their merit folks would be disadvantaged by passing S386.

[qesehmk]

Merit based bill is nothing more than a distraction and a go slow tactic. I can categorically say it is never, I repeat it is never going to happen for the next 30 years.

A country where the technology grew exponentially over the last 3 decades still holds on to the numbers from 1990. Enough said!!!

Don't despair my friend. Your pain is real and I will never discount that.

American experience as painful as it is - is probably the most magnificent thing in human history. This country will do the right thing and the numbers will increase. Don't lose hope. Also most lawmakers are actually decent people ... they are constrained by their constituents. Most constituents too are decent people. All this racism bigotry and hate we listen are just a few people.

When all said and done - you will be so proud to be an American (and if you are like me you will be just as much proud of your Indian heritage too!). The greatness of USA is that USA is perfectly OK you identifying with both countries. Unfortunately India is run by cowards who take away your passport once you get an American passport.

[AceMan]

Don't despair my friend. Your pain is real and I will never discount that.

American experience as painful as it is - is probably the most magnificent thing in human history. This country will do the right thing and the numbers will increase. Don't lose hope. Also most lawmakers are actually decent people ... they are constrained by their constituents. Most constituents too are decent people. All this racism bigotry and hate we listen are just a few people.

When all said and done - you will be so proud to be an American (and if you are like me you will be just as much proud of your Indian heritage too!). The greatness of USA is that USA is perfectly OK you identifying with both countries. Unfortunately India is run by cowards who take away your passport once you get an American passport.

No despair, very much in the stage of acceptance after all the initial anger, denial, negotiations etc things are bound to happen in time. Lack of GC could have had some impact on my international travel plans, otherwise with my career it did not hinder me at all.

I always had conservative views, back in India my views aligned with congress till early 2000s. India is my motherland and US is my Karam land. I want to have my GC and citizenship of US, as this is the place most of my last 15 years is spent.

With 2011 dates, GC looks about 2-3 years away minimum and naturalizations another 5 years down the lane. Tentatively 2030’s.

[jimmys]

Unfortunately India is run by cowards who take away your passport once you get an American passport.

China, Singapore, and many countries don't allow dual citizenship. What's the cowardliness in not allowing dual citizenship? Even US didn't allow dual citizenship until 1970s.

[qesehmk]

China, Singapore, and many countries don't allow dual citizenship. What's the cowardliness in not allowing dual citizenship? Even US didn't allow dual citizenship until 1970s.

Many countries do not allow because they are oppressive, lack freedom, are suspicious of their own ability to enforce laws, or their citizen's allegiance. US to my knowledge never restricted dual citizenship. But I may be wrong.

[smuggymba]

Unfortunately India is run by cowards who take away your passport once you get an American passport.

Was it allowed during the UPA/Congress regime or is it just a cheap shot at BJP? Also, it's a policy issue and even I don't agree with it (OCI is ok) but where the heck is "cowardice" in it. This is too funny.

[smuggymba]

Many countries do not allow because they are oppressive, lack freedom, are suspicious of their own ability to enforce laws, or their citizen's allegiance. US to my knowledge never restricted dual citizenship. But I may be wrong.

Being a regular visitor to Singapore and having many colleagues there who have been there 20+ years and still don't have a Singapore passport tell about Singapore's "selective" immigration policy. It's worse than UAE who are at least clear that it will never happen.

Do you think Singapore is a coward for not doing so?

[qesehmk]

I never said BJP. Its the ruling class which mostly is babus. Politicians come and go .... babus are here forever

Was it allowed during the UPA/Congress regime or is it just a cheap shot at BJP? Also, it's a policy issue and even I don't agree with it (OCI is ok) but where the heck is "cowardice" in it. This is too funny.

Being a regular visitor to Singapore and having many colleagues there who have been there 20+ years and still don't have a Singapore passport tell about Singapore's "selective" immigration policy. It's worse than UAE who are at least clear that it will never happen.

Do you think Singapore is a coward for not doing so?

Absolutely so!
p.s. - Honestly don't know much about Singapore. But if they dont allow multiple citizenships then of course they are cowards.

[qesehmk]

KAMALA HARRIS

First ever black woman, first ever Indian american woman as VP pick.

[Pundit Arjun]

KAMALA HARRIS

First ever black woman, first ever Indian american woman as VP pick.

Of South Indian and Jamaican Origin

[Turbulent_Dragonfly]

Just in case desis get excited about Kamala Harris being on the ticket: It's illegal for foreign nationals to donate to Election campaigns. Only US Citizens and Green Card holders can donate. You also cannot funnel any funds indirectly through other USCs or solicit donations from other parties and funnel them through. In short, stay off the lawn! The repercussions will be very serious.

Contribution rules (from Joe Biden's website):

I am a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident (i.e., green card holder).

This contribution is made from my own funds, and funds are not being provided to me by another person or entity for the purpose of making this contribution.

I am making this contribution with my own personal credit card and not with a corporate or business credit card or a card issued to another person.

I am at least eighteen years old.

I am not a federal contractor.

[jimmys]

Of South Indian and Jamaican Origin

To be precise, Ms. Harris is of Tamil and Jamaican origin.

[jimmys]

Just in case desis get excited about Kamala Harris being on the ticket: It's illegal for foreign nationals to donate to Election campaigns. Only US Citizens and Green Card holders can donate. You also cannot funnel any funds indirectly through other USCs or solicit donations from other parties and funnel them through. In short, stay off the lawn! The repercussions will be very serious.

Contribution rules (from Joe Biden's website):

I am a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident (i.e., green card holder).

This contribution is made from my own funds, and funds are not being provided to me by another person or entity for the purpose of making this contribution.

I am making this contribution with my own personal credit card and not with a corporate or business credit card or a card issued to another person.

I am at least eighteen years old.

I am not a federal contractor.

Interesting. I thought only USCs can contribute to US elections.

[idliman]

Interesting. I thought only USCs can contribute to US elections.

According the FEC https://www.fec.gov/updates/foreign-nationals/;

The following groups and individuals are considered "foreign nationals" and are subject to the prohibition:

• Foreign citizens (not including dual citizens of the United States);
• Immigrants who are not lawfully admitted for permanent residence;
• Foreign governments;
• Foreign political
• Foreign corporations;
• Foreign associations;
• Foreign partnerships; and
• Any other foreign principal, as defined at 22 U.S.C. § 611(b), which includes a foreign organization or “other combination of persons organized under the laws of or having its principal place of business in a foreign country.”

Individuals: The "green card" exception
The Act does not prohibit individuals with permanent resident status (commonly referred to as “green card holders”) from making contributions or donations in connection with federal, state or local elections, as they are not considered foreign nationals.

[EB2IndSep09]

This is obviously a pattern with this Admin:

Wreck the EPA from inside out: loosen regulations
Wreck the Dept of Edu: Push charter schools
Wreck the USCIS/DoS: Reduce immigration
Wreck USPS: Restrict mail-in ballots....

the list goes on.

Privatizing armed forces could be next

[Turbulent_Dragonfly]

Privatizing armed forces could be next

Yeah this admin would not like anything more than ruling by fiat if allowed to do so. All the conservatives who keep whining about being "Constitutionalists, not Conservatives"? Just crickets, not a peep from them.

[TB12TB12]

Privatizing armed forces could be next

Blackwater and it's newer iteration and spawns have been around for more than 2 decades now. So that is already done.

[TB12TB12]

Are we looking for the VB to be released by next Friday? DT had promised his merit based EO (that will cover DACA too), lately there is no news on that. If it is still in works, maybe the VB will come only after that. It looks like the FB to EB spillover will happen in October. CO should have great visibility of how many GCs are in play and move the dates.

In recent days, DT has not mentioned merit based EO even once. There are only 11 working days left in August. So we will know soon.

[Blue_fairy]

Oh the dangling carrot

https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/...home-topscroll

[qesehmk]

Oh the dangling carrot

https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/...home-topscroll

Despite all the unnecessary namecalling on Durbin, the chances of this happening is very high - especially under Biden. Keep fingers crossed.

p.s. - Republicans too can do it now. Such a shame that they made their own senator Lee a bakra. But this has backfired on them. People can see who is really holding the bill. It's the white house.

[TB12TB12]

Despite all the unnecessary namecalling on Durbin, the chances of this happening is very high - especially under Biden. Keep fingers crossed.

p.s. - Republicans too can do it now. Such a shame that they made their own senator Lee a bakra. But this has backfired on them. People can see who is really holding the bill. It's the white house.

Not unless Senate goes to Democrats else Mitch will hold up lot of bills (as he did when BO was President) even if Biden get White House. Also, S386 is very different than it's sister bill HR1044 which means extensive committee work for reconciliation and re votes.

Agree with everything else. Namecalling without understanding anyone's position and allowing the person time to change their position just does not work.

[bodhi2000]

Blackwater and it's newer iteration and spawns have been around for more than 2 decades now. So that is already done.

Yup they invaded Iraq just to profit these guys.

[Turbulent_Dragonfly]

Yup they invaded Iraq just to profit these guys.

All modern war is for profit. The days of taking up arms because of moral reasons and the good of the world at large ended in WW2.

[qesehmk]

All modern war is for profit. The days of taking up arms because of moral reasons and the good of the world at large ended in WW2.

All wars in human history have always been about money .... none were ever about anything else.