chintals
09-03 12:54 PM
Thank you for sharing the boat. Although, it is better than being lonely, I don't want anyone in this dilemma.
I hope we both get ours soon, hopefully by EOD today as other poster was wishing.
I just called USCIS and confirmed with TSC and 2nd level customer service center that my case is approved on monday 09/01/09 SLUD date even though i have not recieved email for same.. Thank you all and good luck.
I hope we both get ours soon, hopefully by EOD today as other poster was wishing.
I just called USCIS and confirmed with TSC and 2nd level customer service center that my case is approved on monday 09/01/09 SLUD date even though i have not recieved email for same.. Thank you all and good luck.
gdilla
06-07 11:57 PM
But the letter doesn't seem to address the direct behaviour of the companies in question. Seems like a bunch of broader level issues were tackled - while true, it doesn't address H1B abuse in any way. Wasn't that the point?
BigMouth
10-26 10:55 AM
Thanks Masti for your response.
Anybody else have any experiences from this year?
Thanks.
I got approval of H1 extension applied on Aug. 06...
Anybody else have any experiences from this year?
Thanks.
I got approval of H1 extension applied on Aug. 06...
USDream2Dust
07-20 02:30 PM
Folks, I have been reading this. My lawyer send me G325 only. I haven't filed as of yet. Should I file G325A instead.
more...
brimos
05-16 01:58 PM
Is there anything currently to actually stop us from all throwing in the towel with the LC process and just stating that we've been here for x years and paid $x taxes and getting on the illegal's bandwagon?
gcdreamer05
08-05 05:11 PM
Guys n Girls,
I would like to listen to your views or experience in this matter. As we know, the employer is now required to pay for all fees associated with filing a labor certification (first step in the GC application). Is it legit for the employer to engage the employee in a contract that requires the employee to reimburse all immigration related fees (including the labor cert fee) to the employer if the employee quits the company when the GC petition is pending?
I guess DOL wants the employer to pay for the labor cert fee. Is it ok for the employer to get it back, say a year later, when the employee quits the company, which in sense would mean that the employee ended up paying for the labor cert.
Comments please.
Thanks!
that is totally illegal and if it happens and if someone complains to DOL then the employer will be in "Lake Soup"
I would like to listen to your views or experience in this matter. As we know, the employer is now required to pay for all fees associated with filing a labor certification (first step in the GC application). Is it legit for the employer to engage the employee in a contract that requires the employee to reimburse all immigration related fees (including the labor cert fee) to the employer if the employee quits the company when the GC petition is pending?
I guess DOL wants the employer to pay for the labor cert fee. Is it ok for the employer to get it back, say a year later, when the employee quits the company, which in sense would mean that the employee ended up paying for the labor cert.
Comments please.
Thanks!
that is totally illegal and if it happens and if someone complains to DOL then the employer will be in "Lake Soup"
more...
Dakota Newfie
03-27 09:18 AM
My immigration attorney said it was OK for my wife to "volunteer" as long as the work was "volunteer", i.e. something a US citizen could "volunteer" to do.
She volunteered to work at a local library and it was a good diversion until they set a schedule for her and removed a job posting in the same library - then it became both a question of her being exploited and taking a job away from a US citizen, so she had to give it up. So, the lessen is, if it is truly volunteer work, then your spouse should be able to set his/her own schedule; if the schedule is set for him/her, then it becomes a problem.
She volunteered to work at a local library and it was a good diversion until they set a schedule for her and removed a job posting in the same library - then it became both a question of her being exploited and taking a job away from a US citizen, so she had to give it up. So, the lessen is, if it is truly volunteer work, then your spouse should be able to set his/her own schedule; if the schedule is set for him/her, then it becomes a problem.
sreedhar
11-07 12:12 AM
sreedhar
Keep that GRIN for your later years, this web site is made to help people who are stuck in the immigration limbo.
There are lot of us out there who have their personal decisions at stake.
Agree with you....But I am telling Truth... Truth is always like this Buddy...Do not feel emotion. I am also here for get help from other people and if possible I will help other people. Still I don’t know what is wrong with my previous response bellow…
“Why you worried about PDs...Yours is 2007....have to wait several years”
Keep that GRIN for your later years, this web site is made to help people who are stuck in the immigration limbo.
There are lot of us out there who have their personal decisions at stake.
Agree with you....But I am telling Truth... Truth is always like this Buddy...Do not feel emotion. I am also here for get help from other people and if possible I will help other people. Still I don’t know what is wrong with my previous response bellow…
“Why you worried about PDs...Yours is 2007....have to wait several years”
more...
americandesi
07-05 04:50 PM
I have got my canadian PR approval for me and my wife and have sent the passports to the Canadian Consulate in NYC for immigrant visa stamping. To get my PR card I have to land in Canada before Dec 19, 2007 when the visa expires.
I have not traveled outside the US after I got my H1B and am planning to go to Canada for stamping H1B for me H4 for my wife.
Would there be any problem for me to land in Canada since I will not be landing there with the intention to settle but will return after getting my H1B stamped in a couple of days.
Anyone gone through my kind of situation before. Please send me a PM.
I am concerend about being denied entry in Canada and then I will be nowhere because I cannot return to US without a vaid H1B stamp.
Why do you think you would be denied entry in canada? You are legal to enter Canada with your PR approval. There is no question of "intent" when you are already approved for permanent residency.
I have not traveled outside the US after I got my H1B and am planning to go to Canada for stamping H1B for me H4 for my wife.
Would there be any problem for me to land in Canada since I will not be landing there with the intention to settle but will return after getting my H1B stamped in a couple of days.
Anyone gone through my kind of situation before. Please send me a PM.
I am concerend about being denied entry in Canada and then I will be nowhere because I cannot return to US without a vaid H1B stamp.
Why do you think you would be denied entry in canada? You are legal to enter Canada with your PR approval. There is no question of "intent" when you are already approved for permanent residency.
Kitiara
05-27 09:08 AM
It took me about 5 minutes to ven <i>find</i> the links page... :sure: They're all vile. Truly hideous. :)
more...
wliu9898
08-23 05:29 PM
I am new here, Could anyone explain what is Texas State Chapter Activation about? how does that work? thanks!
BeCoolGuy
04-13 08:02 AM
Always speak the truth..!!!
Remember, DOL is not depending only on you to find out the truth. The way it works is, if your employer comes under investigation, they'll first try to establish the facts, from DOL LCAs (all for H1Bs, and report fraud to USCIS if necessary). Most likely your name/details came up from LCAs, which are public information. When they ask you, they are trying to find out, the exact degree of exploitation (if any) and whether you willfully participated in it (fraud or exploitation) or not. DOL after all its investigation, establishes, what they callas 'cause of termination' which will allow you as a H1B employee to move out without any issues of that employer.. In addition to H1b individuals, they may also ask Employer for his tax records, payroll info and bank statements, which will establish the truth.
Two, even if you support your employer (for whatever reasons, including fear or immigration), not everybody will, which in turn will anyways trigger proper investigation and the exposure of truth. So why not to convey the fact which will show up anyways.
Three, At your heart you always know, what the truth is. Go with it. Write minimum on paper, if you are not comfortable writing it all. But definately make it a point to write the truth.
Fourth - If DOL is asking you to verify something, fill in WH4 form and submit to them. This will establish you as one of people who blew the whistle. Law protects (even for immigrants) in this case, and your H1b will be intact. THIS WILL SAVE YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN...
AND OFCOURSE, START SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER JOB.
Goodluck
Remember, DOL is not depending only on you to find out the truth. The way it works is, if your employer comes under investigation, they'll first try to establish the facts, from DOL LCAs (all for H1Bs, and report fraud to USCIS if necessary). Most likely your name/details came up from LCAs, which are public information. When they ask you, they are trying to find out, the exact degree of exploitation (if any) and whether you willfully participated in it (fraud or exploitation) or not. DOL after all its investigation, establishes, what they callas 'cause of termination' which will allow you as a H1B employee to move out without any issues of that employer.. In addition to H1b individuals, they may also ask Employer for his tax records, payroll info and bank statements, which will establish the truth.
Two, even if you support your employer (for whatever reasons, including fear or immigration), not everybody will, which in turn will anyways trigger proper investigation and the exposure of truth. So why not to convey the fact which will show up anyways.
Three, At your heart you always know, what the truth is. Go with it. Write minimum on paper, if you are not comfortable writing it all. But definately make it a point to write the truth.
Fourth - If DOL is asking you to verify something, fill in WH4 form and submit to them. This will establish you as one of people who blew the whistle. Law protects (even for immigrants) in this case, and your H1b will be intact. THIS WILL SAVE YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN...
AND OFCOURSE, START SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER JOB.
Goodluck
more...
fromnaija
07-20 04:34 PM
You will need to file an immigrant petition (Form I-130) for your child and wait for its approval. Your child will have to wait overseas until his/her priority is current. Thereafter, there will be some form of consular processing and the child will obtain an immigrant visa. Thereafter you can bring your child to the USA. It is a long process......
Caveat: I am not an attorney. You may want to confirm this solution with your lawyer.
I and my spouse both have green card. We have a kid who was born in INDIA. He has not visited USA till now. The kid is about 2 years.
We are planning to bring the kid by end of this year to USA.
So what visa should we apply for him we are not sure :confused:
A friend told that he had a baby born to him in india and came to usa with in the 1st 6 month to USA and since both parents were having green card, at port of entry in USA, the kid also got greencard for 5 years this was couple of years back.
But in my case, the kid is 2 years AND also not sure what is the procedure now. Is it still true by default the kids automatically gets the green card at port of entry (Is there any age limit I hope may be till < 13 yrs) if parents posses valid green card. Please help me in this situation.
Thanks in advance, ;)
Caveat: I am not an attorney. You may want to confirm this solution with your lawyer.
I and my spouse both have green card. We have a kid who was born in INDIA. He has not visited USA till now. The kid is about 2 years.
We are planning to bring the kid by end of this year to USA.
So what visa should we apply for him we are not sure :confused:
A friend told that he had a baby born to him in india and came to usa with in the 1st 6 month to USA and since both parents were having green card, at port of entry in USA, the kid also got greencard for 5 years this was couple of years back.
But in my case, the kid is 2 years AND also not sure what is the procedure now. Is it still true by default the kids automatically gets the green card at port of entry (Is there any age limit I hope may be till < 13 yrs) if parents posses valid green card. Please help me in this situation.
Thanks in advance, ;)
sieger007
05-17 11:20 PM
Hey
Thanks for responding to my question.Many thanks
Here is the Sequence of events :
Joined company 1
<>Labor filed in Nov 2005 under EB2 and approved
<>-I-140 Approved somewhere Aug 06
<> I then left Company 1 and joined a multi national IT Giant in India - Infosy. Joined Info - Jan 07 in India . BUT I was in good terms with Company 1
<>Came back to USA , as Infosys Employee around Sep 07 on B1 visa from India for 3 months . Went back to India.
<>Rejoined Company 1 ( my Original Company ) in Jan 08 ( Petition approved) . Got visa stamp around June 08 and entered US. Got Project Aug 08 and since then on project till date.
<> While on project Aug 08 I apply for I485 as my category EB2 became current. Got my FP done.
Then Around Nov 08 I got EAD and AP papers. So I have an EAD and AP
My Q's are
<> I heard that EB2 is retrogressing to 2000 for India . Now does not apply to folks whose LC and I140 Is approved or only for those who are stuck up at I140 Stage.
Please clarify on this. If I am in a stage where I am expecting my GC and already for EAD does it apply to me
<> What is a VISA Number. There is an A# Number on MY EAD and that same number shows up on AP Document ( I512-L Authorization for parole ) . Is this the same as an Immigrant Visa # or that is something that issues when I am granted my GC.
<> 6 months have passed since I got my EAD. If I join a new Employer and start using this EAD , can I renew it infinitely, till I get GC . What if My Visa is Not valid and I travel out of US to India solely on EAD? What happens then ? is there a chance that at port of entry my entry is denied based on my immigrant future intentions? I know on paper EAD gives you right to travel BUT is this a genuine risk of not being allowed at PO Entry
<> On the other hand - lets say I KEEP my EAD and not use it at all till my H1 expires . Then ,CAN I STILL BY ON H1 AND KEEP RENEWING MY EAD OR SINCE I NEVER USED IT IN PAST , IT IS MIGHT REJECT FOR RENEWAL.
I just dont know know with all this EB2 retrogression what is the best plan of action.
MANY Thanks Again
Sam
Thanks for responding to my question.Many thanks
Here is the Sequence of events :
Joined company 1
<>Labor filed in Nov 2005 under EB2 and approved
<>-I-140 Approved somewhere Aug 06
<> I then left Company 1 and joined a multi national IT Giant in India - Infosy. Joined Info - Jan 07 in India . BUT I was in good terms with Company 1
<>Came back to USA , as Infosys Employee around Sep 07 on B1 visa from India for 3 months . Went back to India.
<>Rejoined Company 1 ( my Original Company ) in Jan 08 ( Petition approved) . Got visa stamp around June 08 and entered US. Got Project Aug 08 and since then on project till date.
<> While on project Aug 08 I apply for I485 as my category EB2 became current. Got my FP done.
Then Around Nov 08 I got EAD and AP papers. So I have an EAD and AP
My Q's are
<> I heard that EB2 is retrogressing to 2000 for India . Now does not apply to folks whose LC and I140 Is approved or only for those who are stuck up at I140 Stage.
Please clarify on this. If I am in a stage where I am expecting my GC and already for EAD does it apply to me
<> What is a VISA Number. There is an A# Number on MY EAD and that same number shows up on AP Document ( I512-L Authorization for parole ) . Is this the same as an Immigrant Visa # or that is something that issues when I am granted my GC.
<> 6 months have passed since I got my EAD. If I join a new Employer and start using this EAD , can I renew it infinitely, till I get GC . What if My Visa is Not valid and I travel out of US to India solely on EAD? What happens then ? is there a chance that at port of entry my entry is denied based on my immigrant future intentions? I know on paper EAD gives you right to travel BUT is this a genuine risk of not being allowed at PO Entry
<> On the other hand - lets say I KEEP my EAD and not use it at all till my H1 expires . Then ,CAN I STILL BY ON H1 AND KEEP RENEWING MY EAD OR SINCE I NEVER USED IT IN PAST , IT IS MIGHT REJECT FOR RENEWAL.
I just dont know know with all this EB2 retrogression what is the best plan of action.
MANY Thanks Again
Sam
more...
insbaby
09-26 01:29 AM
You made my day. Thanks so much. :):):):):):):)
I don't understand why people are right now so worried about priority date retrogression. If you have passed 180 days after I140 approval, go ahead, change your job and incase your 485 gets denied, reapply with new employer, with new new job description, using old PD and get GC soon as your priority date will be current. Am I missing something?
There is no way I am going to spend 6-7 years in the same job with the same title(maybe even same company).
Most of the points are true, but using the OLD PD is still a question.
People worried so much about PD, becuase of using "All Confusion 21 (AC21)". It is an "add on" item to the pending 485 cases, so it depends on the IO reviewing your case. Right now there are couple of threads in IV discussing that AC21 based denial cases.
Keep moving employer to employer and reapplying GC, may cost you a lot and you have to keep maintaining your H1B, becuase as soon as your 485 denied, your EAD becomds invalid and how will you switch your current job. Some one says MTR cost more than $600.
Then eventually this becomes your life long challenge of working on immigration matters every day.
I don't understand why people are right now so worried about priority date retrogression. If you have passed 180 days after I140 approval, go ahead, change your job and incase your 485 gets denied, reapply with new employer, with new new job description, using old PD and get GC soon as your priority date will be current. Am I missing something?
There is no way I am going to spend 6-7 years in the same job with the same title(maybe even same company).
Most of the points are true, but using the OLD PD is still a question.
People worried so much about PD, becuase of using "All Confusion 21 (AC21)". It is an "add on" item to the pending 485 cases, so it depends on the IO reviewing your case. Right now there are couple of threads in IV discussing that AC21 based denial cases.
Keep moving employer to employer and reapplying GC, may cost you a lot and you have to keep maintaining your H1B, becuase as soon as your 485 denied, your EAD becomds invalid and how will you switch your current job. Some one says MTR cost more than $600.
Then eventually this becomes your life long challenge of working on immigration matters every day.
hpandey
06-02 03:16 PM
you are right, but isnt that found only when you are travelling outside of the USA? If I am in USA till i get a gc and then add my wife, how will anyone know if she is out of status ?
As people have said above as soon as you move from H1 to EAD your H1 would be no longer be valid and hence the corresponding H-4 status will no longer be valid and since you cannot file for AOS for your wife now , your wife will be out of status.
This information will come up in future when you apply for I-485 for your wife.It does not matter if your wife is still in the US or not. She will be out of status if you lose your H1 status ( just like anyone who loses his H1 status the dependent also loses his status ).
As people have said above as soon as you move from H1 to EAD your H1 would be no longer be valid and hence the corresponding H-4 status will no longer be valid and since you cannot file for AOS for your wife now , your wife will be out of status.
This information will come up in future when you apply for I-485 for your wife.It does not matter if your wife is still in the US or not. She will be out of status if you lose your H1 status ( just like anyone who loses his H1 status the dependent also loses his status ).
more...
Googler
06-22 12:44 PM
Didn't want to start a new thread for this (perhaps this thread should be re-titled Media Coverage of Name Check Mess)
Today's NPR story about name checks
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11271832
A New Spin:
"The problem isn't entirely of the FBI's making, according to the bureau's assistant director, John Miller. A background check used to consist of looking to see whether a person was under investigation by the FBI. Now immigration officials want to know if the person's name has come up in any other investigations.
That meant the FBI suddenly had to redo some 2.7 million checks. Miller said that load was added to the 3 million background checks the FBI typically gets every year; the result was that the bureau was overwhelmed.
"When you hand someone � with a staff of 30 [people] � 2.7 million names and say, 'Do them over' � and not just do them over, but where there are issues and questions and missing files, 'Resolve those issues' � you are going to have a challenge on your hands," Miller says.
To combat the problem, Miller says the FBI is raising the fees they charge various agencies so they can hire more staff. A typical background check costs about $2. The FBI is raising the fee to $9.
FBI officials are also talking to the Department of Homeland Security about borrowing some of their employees to clear out the backlog. And they are discussing how they might change FBI criteria to make the process more efficient.
"There is a perception born of these stories that we're indifferent," Miller says. He adds, "But we're processing them faster than we are taking them in."
"According to Miller, only about 30 percent of applicants are running into such difficulties."
ONLY??!! Since when did 1/3 of something become "only"?
Today's NPR story about name checks
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11271832
A New Spin:
"The problem isn't entirely of the FBI's making, according to the bureau's assistant director, John Miller. A background check used to consist of looking to see whether a person was under investigation by the FBI. Now immigration officials want to know if the person's name has come up in any other investigations.
That meant the FBI suddenly had to redo some 2.7 million checks. Miller said that load was added to the 3 million background checks the FBI typically gets every year; the result was that the bureau was overwhelmed.
"When you hand someone � with a staff of 30 [people] � 2.7 million names and say, 'Do them over' � and not just do them over, but where there are issues and questions and missing files, 'Resolve those issues' � you are going to have a challenge on your hands," Miller says.
To combat the problem, Miller says the FBI is raising the fees they charge various agencies so they can hire more staff. A typical background check costs about $2. The FBI is raising the fee to $9.
FBI officials are also talking to the Department of Homeland Security about borrowing some of their employees to clear out the backlog. And they are discussing how they might change FBI criteria to make the process more efficient.
"There is a perception born of these stories that we're indifferent," Miller says. He adds, "But we're processing them faster than we are taking them in."
"According to Miller, only about 30 percent of applicants are running into such difficulties."
ONLY??!! Since when did 1/3 of something become "only"?
abhijitp
01-26 09:32 PM
^^
pappu
06-15 09:19 AM
In the past few years, our members have seen their immigration petitions, at times, processed improperly or get denied for the wrong reasons. At Immigration Voice members have contacted us with various issues and we keep getting these requests even now.
We have noticed that some of these processing issues are repetitive and there seems to be a pattern to their occuring.
The most common issue we see all the time is when applicants ports his/her job through AC21 portability - an i 485 employment based petition getting denied immediately after employer revokes i 140. i 485 employment based petition must not be denied immediately if i 140 revoke happens after 180 days of filing i 485. This issue is very common and keeps happening and the only way this can now be resolved as of today is by filing for a Motion to Reopen.
Other issues we have noticed are
- USCIS denies an i 485 petition because beneficiary did not answer a request for evidence - whereas in reality the beneficiary never received the RFE
- 485 was filed in Aug 2007, when the priority dates were indeed current (USCIS issued a memo explicitly stating this), but the adjudicating officer sometimes issues a denial stating that the dates were not current
and other similar issues.
In each of these cases, the USCIS should give the applicant the benefit of the doubt and issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), or maybe a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), but never a straight denial.
As most of our members know, Immigration Voice has been helping members (especially donor members) in getting their 485 denials reversed successfully. This is being achieved by helping affected members follow up on their Motion To Reconsider (MTR) applications with their representatives of Congress, the Ombudsman, and at times directly with the USCIS.
In the long drawn process especially the i 485 application can get reviewed more than a handful of times - during filing, during pre-adjudication, during transfers between service centers (if applicable), during interviews (if applicable), during adjudication, and quite possibly reviewed by a different officer each time
Difficulties faced by applicants who get wrongful 485 denials:
- When an AOS applicant gets their 485 denied, they are faced with a barrage of stressful questions and issues,
- Applicants have 30 days to file an MTR, which can be an expensive affair - filing fees + attorney fees
- Applicants using their EAD cards to work, may have to suspend employment and go on leave without pay until their MTR is accepted and the 485 reopened. Undue delays during this phase can put their jobs at risk.
- Travel becomes an issue, since there is a question of the Advance Parole travel document becoming invalid if the 485 was denied
- Pending EAD/AP renewal applications could be jeopardized due to the denial of the 485 which was the basis for those applications
- If an applicant is overseas when the 485 is denied, they may quite possibly have trouble getting back into the country
- Local law enforcement, department of Motor vehicles, and other government agencies may not recognize the applicant's legal status in the country for the period during which the 485 is denied, which has its own set of hassles
The list could go on, but you get the gist, a 485 denial is not a pretty situation, until it gets resolved.
That being said, IV would like to work with the USCIS in taking measures to correct their processing procedures and not repeating the same errors again and again, thus saving the applicants from having to go through all the trouble, and the USCIS from the additional burden of having to review even more applications.
Our intention is not to blame, point fingers, or take up a fight with anyone. We recognize that this might be a training issue, or an oversight on the agency's part, and would like to work with them to resolve this.
The first step towards this initiative is to collect information on such denials that may have happened in the past 12 -16 months (since Jan 2008). IV is looking to get in touch with members that have had issues due to service errors and successfully resolved, and even the ones that are currently going through this.
We do understand that the first thought that might come to your mind is whether you could face any repercussions for 'taking action against a government agency'. Please realize that you are not taking any action against anyone, you are in fact helping IV help the USCIS streamline and improve its processes, which any agency would be very welcoming of.
We request our members who have faced such issues or are facing such issues to
- post a brief of their issue on this thread - such a post may not need to have personal information but a description of the issue and if it was resolved what were the steps taken (optional)
and
- Email a detailed issue description with dates, chronology of events and other information and hurdles you faced with your name and a contact number to info@immigrationvoice.org with a subject line "USCIS service error" (mandatory)
Please note that ONLY real stories from non anonymous members are needed. Please do not send bogus stories anonymously
At a later stage IV may request few members to provide their case information along with privacy consent after its discussions with appropriate authorities.
By doing so, you will be first and foremost, helping yourselves (we have had more than one member contact us, where the 485 was wrongfully denied on more than one occasion - so a successful MTR is not necessarily a sign that there won't be any more denials until the 485 gets approved), and helping other fellow applicants from having to deal with this very stressful and unnecessary situation.
We would like to encourage members to come forward and help us with this initiative, and also spread the word around. Helping is as easy as sending IV an email and optionally sharing your story on the forum.
With the priority dates being the way they are, and the heavy pre-adjudication activity that is said to be happening, we have an aggressive time line for this initiative, and would like to collect all information by June 30th, 2009, at the latest.
Thank you,
Immigration Voice
Chanduv23 and other volunteer members have formed a team for this effort under IV's guidance to help resolve common problems people face with USCIS errors. We have so many threads on RFEs and denials etc. Lot of people contact IV when they need help and they have nowhere to go. Just because someone does not have an RFE or Denial in error does nor mean it will not happen in future. People get panicked and seek frantic help from IV when they get into such situations. We wish to help solve this issue through this action item. If you need more information or wish to speak with someone please message chanduv23/ santb1975/mpadapa/snathan/axp817
If anyone wants to work on any other ideas and efforts, they can also form a team and contact us. We will guide you. Do not sit, wait and critique. Join hands with others and tell us your ideas and discuss them with us. Send us an email and we will talk about it. If the idea can be feasible we will certainly make that an action item.
We have noticed that some of these processing issues are repetitive and there seems to be a pattern to their occuring.
The most common issue we see all the time is when applicants ports his/her job through AC21 portability - an i 485 employment based petition getting denied immediately after employer revokes i 140. i 485 employment based petition must not be denied immediately if i 140 revoke happens after 180 days of filing i 485. This issue is very common and keeps happening and the only way this can now be resolved as of today is by filing for a Motion to Reopen.
Other issues we have noticed are
- USCIS denies an i 485 petition because beneficiary did not answer a request for evidence - whereas in reality the beneficiary never received the RFE
- 485 was filed in Aug 2007, when the priority dates were indeed current (USCIS issued a memo explicitly stating this), but the adjudicating officer sometimes issues a denial stating that the dates were not current
and other similar issues.
In each of these cases, the USCIS should give the applicant the benefit of the doubt and issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), or maybe a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), but never a straight denial.
As most of our members know, Immigration Voice has been helping members (especially donor members) in getting their 485 denials reversed successfully. This is being achieved by helping affected members follow up on their Motion To Reconsider (MTR) applications with their representatives of Congress, the Ombudsman, and at times directly with the USCIS.
In the long drawn process especially the i 485 application can get reviewed more than a handful of times - during filing, during pre-adjudication, during transfers between service centers (if applicable), during interviews (if applicable), during adjudication, and quite possibly reviewed by a different officer each time
Difficulties faced by applicants who get wrongful 485 denials:
- When an AOS applicant gets their 485 denied, they are faced with a barrage of stressful questions and issues,
- Applicants have 30 days to file an MTR, which can be an expensive affair - filing fees + attorney fees
- Applicants using their EAD cards to work, may have to suspend employment and go on leave without pay until their MTR is accepted and the 485 reopened. Undue delays during this phase can put their jobs at risk.
- Travel becomes an issue, since there is a question of the Advance Parole travel document becoming invalid if the 485 was denied
- Pending EAD/AP renewal applications could be jeopardized due to the denial of the 485 which was the basis for those applications
- If an applicant is overseas when the 485 is denied, they may quite possibly have trouble getting back into the country
- Local law enforcement, department of Motor vehicles, and other government agencies may not recognize the applicant's legal status in the country for the period during which the 485 is denied, which has its own set of hassles
The list could go on, but you get the gist, a 485 denial is not a pretty situation, until it gets resolved.
That being said, IV would like to work with the USCIS in taking measures to correct their processing procedures and not repeating the same errors again and again, thus saving the applicants from having to go through all the trouble, and the USCIS from the additional burden of having to review even more applications.
Our intention is not to blame, point fingers, or take up a fight with anyone. We recognize that this might be a training issue, or an oversight on the agency's part, and would like to work with them to resolve this.
The first step towards this initiative is to collect information on such denials that may have happened in the past 12 -16 months (since Jan 2008). IV is looking to get in touch with members that have had issues due to service errors and successfully resolved, and even the ones that are currently going through this.
We do understand that the first thought that might come to your mind is whether you could face any repercussions for 'taking action against a government agency'. Please realize that you are not taking any action against anyone, you are in fact helping IV help the USCIS streamline and improve its processes, which any agency would be very welcoming of.
We request our members who have faced such issues or are facing such issues to
- post a brief of their issue on this thread - such a post may not need to have personal information but a description of the issue and if it was resolved what were the steps taken (optional)
and
- Email a detailed issue description with dates, chronology of events and other information and hurdles you faced with your name and a contact number to info@immigrationvoice.org with a subject line "USCIS service error" (mandatory)
Please note that ONLY real stories from non anonymous members are needed. Please do not send bogus stories anonymously
At a later stage IV may request few members to provide their case information along with privacy consent after its discussions with appropriate authorities.
By doing so, you will be first and foremost, helping yourselves (we have had more than one member contact us, where the 485 was wrongfully denied on more than one occasion - so a successful MTR is not necessarily a sign that there won't be any more denials until the 485 gets approved), and helping other fellow applicants from having to deal with this very stressful and unnecessary situation.
We would like to encourage members to come forward and help us with this initiative, and also spread the word around. Helping is as easy as sending IV an email and optionally sharing your story on the forum.
With the priority dates being the way they are, and the heavy pre-adjudication activity that is said to be happening, we have an aggressive time line for this initiative, and would like to collect all information by June 30th, 2009, at the latest.
Thank you,
Immigration Voice
Chanduv23 and other volunteer members have formed a team for this effort under IV's guidance to help resolve common problems people face with USCIS errors. We have so many threads on RFEs and denials etc. Lot of people contact IV when they need help and they have nowhere to go. Just because someone does not have an RFE or Denial in error does nor mean it will not happen in future. People get panicked and seek frantic help from IV when they get into such situations. We wish to help solve this issue through this action item. If you need more information or wish to speak with someone please message chanduv23/ santb1975/mpadapa/snathan/axp817
If anyone wants to work on any other ideas and efforts, they can also form a team and contact us. We will guide you. Do not sit, wait and critique. Join hands with others and tell us your ideas and discuss them with us. Send us an email and we will talk about it. If the idea can be feasible we will certainly make that an action item.
chanduv23
08-29 10:37 PM
Hi frnds,
I used to work for a company A in california.. Boss is kind of using very bad language constantly and torchers almost everyday. Is there any1 who can help me out or has similar situations. Is there any1 that i can file a complain. Since he knew that I am on H1B and international student he was continuously abusing. any help would appreciated.
Tanx.
Try to record few of your conversations with him with a hidden camcorder and/or voice recorder, once you are sure you have enough evidence - talk to a good lawyer, also file for a h1b transfer and change job and once you get into your new job sue this old employer for mental agony and torture etc....... lawyer will manage this
I used to work for a company A in california.. Boss is kind of using very bad language constantly and torchers almost everyday. Is there any1 who can help me out or has similar situations. Is there any1 that i can file a complain. Since he knew that I am on H1B and international student he was continuously abusing. any help would appreciated.
Tanx.
Try to record few of your conversations with him with a hidden camcorder and/or voice recorder, once you are sure you have enough evidence - talk to a good lawyer, also file for a h1b transfer and change job and once you get into your new job sue this old employer for mental agony and torture etc....... lawyer will manage this
mbawa2574
07-17 04:06 PM
These are government matters and you can only speculate based on information that comes out through unofficial resources. Looks like we have good resources for this information. Please wait for the official announcement.
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