pappu
03-17 03:55 PM
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1294871282792.shtm
Teleconference Recap: FOIA: How Is It Working For You?
On December 6, 2010, the Ombudsman's Office hosted a public teleconference on "FOIA: How Is It Working for You?" where the Ombudsman's Office interviewed Terry Sloan, Acting Center Director, National Records Center and Jill Eggleston, the Assistant Center Director ofFreedom of Information Act (FOIA) Operations for the National Records Center at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Inquiries to the Ombudsman's Office have identified FOIA requests as an area where the public continues to experience frustration in relation to citizenship and immigration services. Please direct any inquiries related to the topics raised in this teleconference to Margaret Gleason, Senior Advisor to the Ombudsman, at margaret.gleason@dhs.gov. If you have a concern with your USCIS FOIA request and have been unable to resolve the issue with USCIS, the Ombudsman's Office may be able to help.
Freedom of Information Act
Under the FOIA statute, "any person" may request documents from a U.S. government agency. This applies to both U.S. citizens and to citizens of foreign countries. The law allows 20 business days for response to a FOIA request. USCIS has been unable to make that deadline to date, although processing has improved in the past few years. Agencies may withhold information from a FOIA requester under certain exemptions. The law does not allow an agency to withhold information for other reasons, such as possible embarrassment to the agency.
USCIS Processing of FOIA Requests
USCIS FOIA processing is consolidated at the National Records Center (NRC). Prior to 2005, FOIA requests were decentralized, and could be handled on the local level by USCIS. In FY 2006, USCIS had a backlog of more than 88,000 FOIA requests. Jill Eggleston reported in the teleconference that in FY 2010 the backlog was down to 8,000 cases.
There are currently 120 NRC employees, with 30 more new employees authorized for hiring in 2011. Ms. Eggleston informed teleconference participants that current USCIS processing times for FOIA requests vary according to the type of request and that USCIS sorts FOIA requests into three separate tracks. Ms Eggleston also noted the processing time for each type of request.
* Track One FOIA Requests, or simple document requests, are those that request only a specific document, such as a copy of a particular immigration petition.
Processing time: 43 working days
* Track Two FOIA Requests are those where an entire file is requested.
Processing time: 34 working days
* Track Three FOIA Requests are those requests where the individual has a pending hearing scheduled before the Immigration Court.
Processing time: 59 working days
In the FOIA Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2009, the processing times published for USCIS show an average processing time of 215 business days for Track One FOIA requests, 344 business days for Track Two FOIA requests, and an average of 60 business days for Track Three FOIA Requests.
USCIS FOIA Process
As stated on the teleconference, FOIA requests to USCIS can be made with a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) or by written request submitted by mail to USCIS NRC, P.O. Box 648010, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-8010; or by fax to 816-350-5785. Most FOIA requests are free, but if fees exceed $25, the requester will be notified in advance of such a charge. Ms. Eggleston stated that a web-based request system would be established in the near future and will be rolled out in two phases: Phase One will be for media requests, while Phase Two will be for all other requests. Currently, the status of a FOIA request can be checked with an NRC receipt number through the FOIA link on USCIS Home Page (http://www.uscis.gov).
Appeals of USCIS FOIA denials or material withheld under FOIA exemptions may be filed to USCIS FOIA Appeals, 150 Space Center Loop, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-2139.
As noted in the teleconference, more information on filing FOIA requests with other Department of Homeland Security components, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is available at DHS | Freedom of Information Act & Privacy Act (http://www.dhs.gov/foia).
Expedite Criteria
By regulation, there are narrow expedite criteria that may allow a requester priority to receive a FOIA response. Expedites will only be granted for cases that present an imminent threat to life or safety requiring the FOIA response, or where there is an urgency to inform the public.
Overall, FOIA requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, which is only differentiated based on the three tracks described above, or the occasional expedite case.
Teleconference Questions
In response to questions from callers on the teleconference, Ms. Eggleston stated that certain information is required with a FOIA request to verify identity including name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. Without this information, a FOIA request is incomplete. If information in a file is incorrect, a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) can be used to correct information under the Privacy Act. Another caller asked if USCIS could retrieve an envelope with a postmark from a particular file under FOIA. This documentation might be needed to support an application for adjustment of status under . Ms. Eggleston stated that there is a separate receipt file where payments to USCIS are recorded. If a receipt is requested, the FOIA request should specify that the NRC should search the alien's receipt file.
If records are requested on behalf of a child, Ms. Eggleston stated that names of parents will be requested, and USCIS may ask for proof of parent or guardian relationship before sending information to that party.
Ms. Eggleston said that sometimes in denying FOIA requests for persons with final removal orders, USCIS invokes the 'fugitive disentitlement doctrine' under Meddah v. Reno, No. 98-1444, (E.D. Pa. Dec. 8, 1998). She also said that her office may refer such FOIA requests to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE
Teleconference Recap: FOIA: How Is It Working For You?
On December 6, 2010, the Ombudsman's Office hosted a public teleconference on "FOIA: How Is It Working for You?" where the Ombudsman's Office interviewed Terry Sloan, Acting Center Director, National Records Center and Jill Eggleston, the Assistant Center Director ofFreedom of Information Act (FOIA) Operations for the National Records Center at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Inquiries to the Ombudsman's Office have identified FOIA requests as an area where the public continues to experience frustration in relation to citizenship and immigration services. Please direct any inquiries related to the topics raised in this teleconference to Margaret Gleason, Senior Advisor to the Ombudsman, at margaret.gleason@dhs.gov. If you have a concern with your USCIS FOIA request and have been unable to resolve the issue with USCIS, the Ombudsman's Office may be able to help.
Freedom of Information Act
Under the FOIA statute, "any person" may request documents from a U.S. government agency. This applies to both U.S. citizens and to citizens of foreign countries. The law allows 20 business days for response to a FOIA request. USCIS has been unable to make that deadline to date, although processing has improved in the past few years. Agencies may withhold information from a FOIA requester under certain exemptions. The law does not allow an agency to withhold information for other reasons, such as possible embarrassment to the agency.
USCIS Processing of FOIA Requests
USCIS FOIA processing is consolidated at the National Records Center (NRC). Prior to 2005, FOIA requests were decentralized, and could be handled on the local level by USCIS. In FY 2006, USCIS had a backlog of more than 88,000 FOIA requests. Jill Eggleston reported in the teleconference that in FY 2010 the backlog was down to 8,000 cases.
There are currently 120 NRC employees, with 30 more new employees authorized for hiring in 2011. Ms. Eggleston informed teleconference participants that current USCIS processing times for FOIA requests vary according to the type of request and that USCIS sorts FOIA requests into three separate tracks. Ms Eggleston also noted the processing time for each type of request.
* Track One FOIA Requests, or simple document requests, are those that request only a specific document, such as a copy of a particular immigration petition.
Processing time: 43 working days
* Track Two FOIA Requests are those where an entire file is requested.
Processing time: 34 working days
* Track Three FOIA Requests are those requests where the individual has a pending hearing scheduled before the Immigration Court.
Processing time: 59 working days
In the FOIA Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2009, the processing times published for USCIS show an average processing time of 215 business days for Track One FOIA requests, 344 business days for Track Two FOIA requests, and an average of 60 business days for Track Three FOIA Requests.
USCIS FOIA Process
As stated on the teleconference, FOIA requests to USCIS can be made with a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) or by written request submitted by mail to USCIS NRC, P.O. Box 648010, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-8010; or by fax to 816-350-5785. Most FOIA requests are free, but if fees exceed $25, the requester will be notified in advance of such a charge. Ms. Eggleston stated that a web-based request system would be established in the near future and will be rolled out in two phases: Phase One will be for media requests, while Phase Two will be for all other requests. Currently, the status of a FOIA request can be checked with an NRC receipt number through the FOIA link on USCIS Home Page (http://www.uscis.gov).
Appeals of USCIS FOIA denials or material withheld under FOIA exemptions may be filed to USCIS FOIA Appeals, 150 Space Center Loop, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-2139.
As noted in the teleconference, more information on filing FOIA requests with other Department of Homeland Security components, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is available at DHS | Freedom of Information Act & Privacy Act (http://www.dhs.gov/foia).
Expedite Criteria
By regulation, there are narrow expedite criteria that may allow a requester priority to receive a FOIA response. Expedites will only be granted for cases that present an imminent threat to life or safety requiring the FOIA response, or where there is an urgency to inform the public.
Overall, FOIA requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, which is only differentiated based on the three tracks described above, or the occasional expedite case.
Teleconference Questions
In response to questions from callers on the teleconference, Ms. Eggleston stated that certain information is required with a FOIA request to verify identity including name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. Without this information, a FOIA request is incomplete. If information in a file is incorrect, a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) can be used to correct information under the Privacy Act. Another caller asked if USCIS could retrieve an envelope with a postmark from a particular file under FOIA. This documentation might be needed to support an application for adjustment of status under . Ms. Eggleston stated that there is a separate receipt file where payments to USCIS are recorded. If a receipt is requested, the FOIA request should specify that the NRC should search the alien's receipt file.
If records are requested on behalf of a child, Ms. Eggleston stated that names of parents will be requested, and USCIS may ask for proof of parent or guardian relationship before sending information to that party.
Ms. Eggleston said that sometimes in denying FOIA requests for persons with final removal orders, USCIS invokes the 'fugitive disentitlement doctrine' under Meddah v. Reno, No. 98-1444, (E.D. Pa. Dec. 8, 1998). She also said that her office may refer such FOIA requests to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE
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javadeveloper
09-23 08:53 AM
Gurus,
Yesterday my lawyer received receipts for my spouse and kids (485/EAD/AP) but not for myself. Now my lawyer is insisting upon sending me the copies of the receipts and do not want to send me the originals. With respect to that I have following questions:
1) Is that o.k having copies only or we should have originals? If we do not
have originals what bad may happen?
2) Either my lawyer or I have not received any of my receipts but we
received all receipts of my family. Is this normal? How long should we wait
for my receipts before contacting USCIS? By the way USCIS already gave
me my all numbers for teh receipts and according to USCIS my receipts
already mailed on Sept 14th. What would be advisable action for me in
this case?
3) None of the receipts of my family contain Priority Date. PD field is blank on all receipts. Is this O.K.?
Thanks.
- BharatPremi
Man why you need reciepts?
Yesterday my lawyer received receipts for my spouse and kids (485/EAD/AP) but not for myself. Now my lawyer is insisting upon sending me the copies of the receipts and do not want to send me the originals. With respect to that I have following questions:
1) Is that o.k having copies only or we should have originals? If we do not
have originals what bad may happen?
2) Either my lawyer or I have not received any of my receipts but we
received all receipts of my family. Is this normal? How long should we wait
for my receipts before contacting USCIS? By the way USCIS already gave
me my all numbers for teh receipts and according to USCIS my receipts
already mailed on Sept 14th. What would be advisable action for me in
this case?
3) None of the receipts of my family contain Priority Date. PD field is blank on all receipts. Is this O.K.?
Thanks.
- BharatPremi
Man why you need reciepts?
GCwaitforever
06-08 05:04 PM
Guys,
I have approved EB3 LC and approved I 140 with PD JAN 2002. My wife has approved EB2 LC (Perm) and Approved I 140 with PD JAN 2006
As we represent one family can't my wife use my PD and apply I 485 under EB2.
for example If husband is born in a retrogressed country and wife in a non retrogressed country in that case, husband gets a free ride !
Why not in this case ? Just curious !
Only after one of your PDs becomes current, the other can piggyback. May be you could try PERM and reapply old PD to the new one.
I have approved EB3 LC and approved I 140 with PD JAN 2002. My wife has approved EB2 LC (Perm) and Approved I 140 with PD JAN 2006
As we represent one family can't my wife use my PD and apply I 485 under EB2.
for example If husband is born in a retrogressed country and wife in a non retrogressed country in that case, husband gets a free ride !
Why not in this case ? Just curious !
Only after one of your PDs becomes current, the other can piggyback. May be you could try PERM and reapply old PD to the new one.
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morpheus
04-06 11:06 AM
Does anyone know if the latest Frist amendment to the bill would still allow H1's etc to file for 218 as outlined above? I did some more reading and I am still confident the analysis above is an option for many H1's like myself.
Frankly I'd be happy to wait six years for a GC if it meant I could be out of this continual H1/LC/140/485 rat-race. Being able to be self employed would be a huge positive for me. I'm already on my second LC and I am involved in founding my second new company. For executives the H1/GC process is useless because you frequently get promoted or change titles, and by the time your LC is near processing it's likely that the original application is no longer supportable. Plus, if you own equity in the company that opens a whole can of worms that the USCIS will object to.
I don't care if 218D is supposed to be for 'illegal' immigrants. Hell, I'll learn Spanish! Via con dios! Obras son amores y no buenas razones!
Frankly I'd be happy to wait six years for a GC if it meant I could be out of this continual H1/LC/140/485 rat-race. Being able to be self employed would be a huge positive for me. I'm already on my second LC and I am involved in founding my second new company. For executives the H1/GC process is useless because you frequently get promoted or change titles, and by the time your LC is near processing it's likely that the original application is no longer supportable. Plus, if you own equity in the company that opens a whole can of worms that the USCIS will object to.
I don't care if 218D is supposed to be for 'illegal' immigrants. Hell, I'll learn Spanish! Via con dios! Obras son amores y no buenas razones!
more...
dixie
09-19 04:06 PM
We should just be asking for relief on waiting times, ability to travel freely, and change jobs.
Unfortunately, this requires a complete overhaul of the immigration system; not minor amendments. For instance, if we want the ability to change jobs freely that is really asking to de-couple the whole H1-B/GC system from our employers. You know very well how things work with current law: EVERYTHING related to our presence in the US; whether that is the work visa, LC or even the PD is OWNED by our employers.
I do agree that increasing visa numbers does not make good PR for our cause.
But the only quick and non-controversial fix (without increasing visa numbers) that I can think of is recapture and ability to file 485 without a visa number.
However, we cannot shy away from explaining how our problems can be solved .. after all average americans have no clue of how their country's immigration system works; if we dont do the explaining the anti-immigrant groups will do that for us with their own interpretation.
Unfortunately, this requires a complete overhaul of the immigration system; not minor amendments. For instance, if we want the ability to change jobs freely that is really asking to de-couple the whole H1-B/GC system from our employers. You know very well how things work with current law: EVERYTHING related to our presence in the US; whether that is the work visa, LC or even the PD is OWNED by our employers.
I do agree that increasing visa numbers does not make good PR for our cause.
But the only quick and non-controversial fix (without increasing visa numbers) that I can think of is recapture and ability to file 485 without a visa number.
However, we cannot shy away from explaining how our problems can be solved .. after all average americans have no clue of how their country's immigration system works; if we dont do the explaining the anti-immigrant groups will do that for us with their own interpretation.
tinuverma
03-17 02:08 PM
I guess I will ask you the same...is that true both for H1 transfer and EAD?
Thanks
As far as I know there is no limitation on the size of the company. As long as they are a stable and sound company you are good to go.
Thanks
As far as I know there is no limitation on the size of the company. As long as they are a stable and sound company you are good to go.
more...
SAPGURU
07-11 03:53 PM
I am not sure if my previous employer will support, even i am not sure if they have sent a I-140 cancellation request to USCIS.
Can i file 485 through my current employer based on previously approved I-140 as my current I-140 has priority date recapture request.
Can i file 485 through my current employer based on previously approved I-140 as my current I-140 has priority date recapture request.
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gsc999
04-19 03:59 PM
[QUOTE=boldm28]Y cant you ask the same question in your home country assuming it is India
you wont get any reply not in 100 years[/QUOTE
---
baldm28: :p
Cz Raju pays taxes in US.
you wont get any reply not in 100 years[/QUOTE
---
baldm28: :p
Cz Raju pays taxes in US.
more...
paskal
04-09 08:38 PM
once you use EAD- for fellowship
you cannot be on an H1 from moonlighting.
if your wife is with a reputable firm, i would imagine the risk is low with an approved 140
i would ask a good attorney though.
you cannot be on an H1 from moonlighting.
if your wife is with a reputable firm, i would imagine the risk is low with an approved 140
i would ask a good attorney though.
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samsanju.corp
01-08 02:10 AM
Interview date 9th dec 2009
Submitted all documents 10th dec 2009 as mentioned below:-
1) Petitioner's Federal Income Tax returns
2) Petitioner's state unemployment wage reports for last 4 quarters.
3) Letter from end client in US on letterhead indicating your services are expected.
4) List of petitioner's employees at your job site including names, titles, salaries, and immigration status.
5) Copy of contract between petitioner and contracting company with detailed job itinerary.
Till date I together with my employer have written 6 emails but there is no response.
I personally visited mumbai Consulate information center but they did't ave me any answer.
Can anyone please tell me how long this whole process will take?
Is there any chance that such case goes into endless loop?
My house and all belongings are in U.S. and I am clueless as what to do
Submitted all documents 10th dec 2009 as mentioned below:-
1) Petitioner's Federal Income Tax returns
2) Petitioner's state unemployment wage reports for last 4 quarters.
3) Letter from end client in US on letterhead indicating your services are expected.
4) List of petitioner's employees at your job site including names, titles, salaries, and immigration status.
5) Copy of contract between petitioner and contracting company with detailed job itinerary.
Till date I together with my employer have written 6 emails but there is no response.
I personally visited mumbai Consulate information center but they did't ave me any answer.
Can anyone please tell me how long this whole process will take?
Is there any chance that such case goes into endless loop?
My house and all belongings are in U.S. and I am clueless as what to do
more...
senthil1
04-15 01:31 PM
US Citizenship is valuable. Never ever think of cancelling it any time. There are plenty of jobs available in USA for skilled programmers. Only thing is patience and perseverence in your job hunt.I do not want to comment your removal of job as there might be multiple reasons not necessarily skill. There are some jobs which require US Citizenship those will have less compettion. Also you need train yourself for the skills which are hot in the market. Job hunting is always challenging even if you have excellent skills and market is good.
In India also US citizenship is valuable as employers will give some preference as you can travel USA and some other countries easily.
Hello, I think I made a mistake. I recently went from GC to citizenship and it cost me my job. I was
fired shortly after becoming a citizen. I am from a country other than yours. Sorry about that. There is no particular website that represents immigration from the country I immigrated from.
The employer replaced me with a visa card holder. After I trained him, I was fired and my boss was fired.
I am a skilled programmer with advanced degree. Employers from the dice.com website refuse to even acknowledge my resumes. Being unemployed is no way to be a new citizen. So I am ready to give up searching and move to India,in search of programming work. All I want to do is write code. I do not desire to make a point or to annoy anyone, I just want to work and write source code and try to get on with my life.
What are my chances to find work with the giant IT corporations of India? I am ready to move today. Can I revoke my US citizenship and immigrate to your country??? Sorry sorry sorry if this offends anyone, I do not mean to annoy any of you. I just want to have a job and write code and I will be on my way.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for permitting me to present my delima to this your website.
abby
In India also US citizenship is valuable as employers will give some preference as you can travel USA and some other countries easily.
Hello, I think I made a mistake. I recently went from GC to citizenship and it cost me my job. I was
fired shortly after becoming a citizen. I am from a country other than yours. Sorry about that. There is no particular website that represents immigration from the country I immigrated from.
The employer replaced me with a visa card holder. After I trained him, I was fired and my boss was fired.
I am a skilled programmer with advanced degree. Employers from the dice.com website refuse to even acknowledge my resumes. Being unemployed is no way to be a new citizen. So I am ready to give up searching and move to India,in search of programming work. All I want to do is write code. I do not desire to make a point or to annoy anyone, I just want to work and write source code and try to get on with my life.
What are my chances to find work with the giant IT corporations of India? I am ready to move today. Can I revoke my US citizenship and immigrate to your country??? Sorry sorry sorry if this offends anyone, I do not mean to annoy any of you. I just want to have a job and write code and I will be on my way.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for permitting me to present my delima to this your website.
abby
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India_USA
04-23 09:13 AM
1) if quarterly soillover is a law and USCIS not doing it they are doing something against the law so we can file a lawsuit against it but again how can we prove that they are not doing quarterly spillover.
USCIS says its happening......
2) If USCIS doesnt use full numbers assigned for Green Cards and waste them you can again sue them for that but will it be succesfull or not that has to be researched.
USCIS has not wasted visas in the past two years............
3) That H1b employee - employer relation memo is a best example to file a lawsuit against them as there interpratation of the law was completely wrong but noone did it.
I read somewhere about the memo being withdrawn for more review.............
Finding a judge who will be favorable to our cause, priceless!!
USCIS says its happening......
2) If USCIS doesnt use full numbers assigned for Green Cards and waste them you can again sue them for that but will it be succesfull or not that has to be researched.
USCIS has not wasted visas in the past two years............
3) That H1b employee - employer relation memo is a best example to file a lawsuit against them as there interpratation of the law was completely wrong but noone did it.
I read somewhere about the memo being withdrawn for more review.............
Finding a judge who will be favorable to our cause, priceless!!
more...
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eb3_nepa
04-27 06:12 PM
Not sure if this has been posted before. If not here goes. This is on immigration-law.com.
Does IV know anything about this?
04/25/2009: On-Going USCIS Efforts to Reduce Backlog in Employment-Based Immigration Applications<br><br>
Lately, I-140 and EB-485 applicants have been receiving envelopes from the Service Centers with their long-awaited approval notices, particularly those cases which were filed during and after the FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco period. Along with the development, information has been released by the stake-holder agencies of the Department of State and the USCIS indicating that there has been efforts on the part of the USCIS to eliminate employment-based immigation backlogs. In releasing the May 2009 Visa Bulletin, the State Department confirmed that the USCIS had been taking out EB visa numbers en masse exhausting all the EB-3 visa numbers available for the rest of FY 2009. This report is consistent with the information released by the USCIS on its projected processing time to four months for the employment-based I-140 petitions and EB-485 applications by the end of FY 2009, which is September 30, 2009. The goal appears to have contributed to the exhaustion of annually allocated employment-based visa numbers so that no EB visa numbers be unused or wasted by the end of FY 2009. The commitment to this goal of the USCIS is reaffirmed by yesterday's release of Mr. Michael Ayte's report on the employment-based visa processing times in the Leadership Journal of the DHS. Considering a huge backlog and processing delays in the employment-based immigration petitions and 485 applications for almost two years as affected primarily by the FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco, the recent event that evolved in the USCIS processing time change is certainly a welcome news for waiters who have suffered from the past backlogs.
<br><br>
What have tirbuted to this change? The long-term strategy for reduction of processing times for immigration benefits applications appears to be launch of "Transformation Program" that intended to achieve reduction of processing times by turning current paper-based application and processing system into complete electronization system and process focusing on the concept of digital "account" databases within approximately a period of five years. However, this program has experienced a snag. However, lately the DHS disclosed its multi-billion dollar contract with the IBM for two programs. One is to convert all the existing files and date into digitazition and the other is to develop and implement electronic application and processing system. Reportedly, for this purpose, the IBM reenforced its operation in India and the work is underway. However, report indicates that the first phase appears to focus on the digitazation of existing database rather than implementation of electronic application and processing system. Overall, the goal of the contract appears to be completed in the next five years. It thus appears that the current efforts of elimination of backlogs within this fiscal year do not rely on the progress of this program. The big momentum was created by the Congress appropriating fund for USCIS human resources. Thanks to the Congress action to give fund for hiring additional 2,000 resources, the USCIS recxruited and trained new hires who joined the USCIS field offices including Service Centers and local district and field offices, initially focusing on the job of elimination of huge naturalization applications. USCIS had been reporting that the hurdle for reduction of employment-based immigration cases was the mountain of naturalization applications that poured in around the time of FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco. Now, the naturalization application backlog is under control, inreased resources are becoming available for the employment-based immigration files. Another important factor that has contributed to the agency's recent move was the implementation name-check reduction agreement between the FBI and the DHS and the USCIS policy to complete adjudicaion of EB-485 applications when the FBI name check failed to complete within 180 days. The third factor that cannot be discounted nor minimized is the new DHS leadership's move and commitment for the elimination of the employment-based immigration case backlogs. As people may recall, the Secretary Napolitano of the DHS issued a directive to report the state of backlogs in the immigration benefit applications and the USCIS leaders plan for reduction or elimination of such backlogs. With all of the above developments combined, the employment-based immgrant community is continuously expected to witness the reduction of processing times, at least for a short term. However, long-term reduction or elimination of EB case processing backlog is likely to depend on success of the IBM contract digitization program of the USCIS. This needs continuing internal and external political support, and we hope that the Congress extends its strong support, particularly considering importance of the successful reengineering program to accomodate the potentially forthcoming avalanche and flood gate opening for case loads for the USCIS when the country passes the Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation.
Does IV know anything about this?
04/25/2009: On-Going USCIS Efforts to Reduce Backlog in Employment-Based Immigration Applications<br><br>
Lately, I-140 and EB-485 applicants have been receiving envelopes from the Service Centers with their long-awaited approval notices, particularly those cases which were filed during and after the FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco period. Along with the development, information has been released by the stake-holder agencies of the Department of State and the USCIS indicating that there has been efforts on the part of the USCIS to eliminate employment-based immigation backlogs. In releasing the May 2009 Visa Bulletin, the State Department confirmed that the USCIS had been taking out EB visa numbers en masse exhausting all the EB-3 visa numbers available for the rest of FY 2009. This report is consistent with the information released by the USCIS on its projected processing time to four months for the employment-based I-140 petitions and EB-485 applications by the end of FY 2009, which is September 30, 2009. The goal appears to have contributed to the exhaustion of annually allocated employment-based visa numbers so that no EB visa numbers be unused or wasted by the end of FY 2009. The commitment to this goal of the USCIS is reaffirmed by yesterday's release of Mr. Michael Ayte's report on the employment-based visa processing times in the Leadership Journal of the DHS. Considering a huge backlog and processing delays in the employment-based immigration petitions and 485 applications for almost two years as affected primarily by the FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco, the recent event that evolved in the USCIS processing time change is certainly a welcome news for waiters who have suffered from the past backlogs.
<br><br>
What have tirbuted to this change? The long-term strategy for reduction of processing times for immigration benefits applications appears to be launch of "Transformation Program" that intended to achieve reduction of processing times by turning current paper-based application and processing system into complete electronization system and process focusing on the concept of digital "account" databases within approximately a period of five years. However, this program has experienced a snag. However, lately the DHS disclosed its multi-billion dollar contract with the IBM for two programs. One is to convert all the existing files and date into digitazition and the other is to develop and implement electronic application and processing system. Reportedly, for this purpose, the IBM reenforced its operation in India and the work is underway. However, report indicates that the first phase appears to focus on the digitazation of existing database rather than implementation of electronic application and processing system. Overall, the goal of the contract appears to be completed in the next five years. It thus appears that the current efforts of elimination of backlogs within this fiscal year do not rely on the progress of this program. The big momentum was created by the Congress appropriating fund for USCIS human resources. Thanks to the Congress action to give fund for hiring additional 2,000 resources, the USCIS recxruited and trained new hires who joined the USCIS field offices including Service Centers and local district and field offices, initially focusing on the job of elimination of huge naturalization applications. USCIS had been reporting that the hurdle for reduction of employment-based immigration cases was the mountain of naturalization applications that poured in around the time of FY 2007 July Visa Bulletin fiasco. Now, the naturalization application backlog is under control, inreased resources are becoming available for the employment-based immigration files. Another important factor that has contributed to the agency's recent move was the implementation name-check reduction agreement between the FBI and the DHS and the USCIS policy to complete adjudicaion of EB-485 applications when the FBI name check failed to complete within 180 days. The third factor that cannot be discounted nor minimized is the new DHS leadership's move and commitment for the elimination of the employment-based immigration case backlogs. As people may recall, the Secretary Napolitano of the DHS issued a directive to report the state of backlogs in the immigration benefit applications and the USCIS leaders plan for reduction or elimination of such backlogs. With all of the above developments combined, the employment-based immgrant community is continuously expected to witness the reduction of processing times, at least for a short term. However, long-term reduction or elimination of EB case processing backlog is likely to depend on success of the IBM contract digitization program of the USCIS. This needs continuing internal and external political support, and we hope that the Congress extends its strong support, particularly considering importance of the successful reengineering program to accomodate the potentially forthcoming avalanche and flood gate opening for case loads for the USCIS when the country passes the Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation.
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admin
04-03 07:37 AM
Great fact sheet. It should list people like Andy Grove, Jerry Yang, and Sergey Brin - Hungarian, Chinese and Russian co-founders of Intel, Yahoo and Google - all immigrants.
Morpheus,
Thanks for your interest. We did consider all three of them but when we did more research, we found that all three of them did not get their Green Card on EB category. They had come here because their parents had come here.
qvadis, Thanks for pointing out Andy Bechtolsheim and Safi Qureshey.
Morpheus,
Thanks for your interest. We did consider all three of them but when we did more research, we found that all three of them did not get their Green Card on EB category. They had come here because their parents had come here.
qvadis, Thanks for pointing out Andy Bechtolsheim and Safi Qureshey.
more...
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fuzzy logic
07-01 02:06 PM
The amended H-1B by itself will not be an issue when it comes to GC.
My question was more about why for "rajuseattle" there was going to be AC21 since his job location has not changed.
In your case, you have mentioned that you are going to accept more responsibility than that has been stated in PERM, so AC21 is inevitable. As long as you are in the same line of work, I think you should be okay.
Anyone else has inputs for "fuzzy logic"?
sledge hammer - Thanks for your clarification. I hope my company will be willing to amend my H1B.
I appreciate everyone's suggestion on this issue. As for AC21 - my take is that it is a slam dunk if the new and old title fall in the same ONET code or is a related job under the same code. Other wise it gets tricky. This is my take on it, but there are varied interpretations out there.
My question was more about why for "rajuseattle" there was going to be AC21 since his job location has not changed.
In your case, you have mentioned that you are going to accept more responsibility than that has been stated in PERM, so AC21 is inevitable. As long as you are in the same line of work, I think you should be okay.
Anyone else has inputs for "fuzzy logic"?
sledge hammer - Thanks for your clarification. I hope my company will be willing to amend my H1B.
I appreciate everyone's suggestion on this issue. As for AC21 - my take is that it is a slam dunk if the new and old title fall in the same ONET code or is a related job under the same code. Other wise it gets tricky. This is my take on it, but there are varied interpretations out there.
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gc28262
07-16 06:44 PM
If you have an appointment letter and a relieving letter from your past employer, that should prove that you worked for that employer.
A detailed experience certificate as mentioned above could prove your experience in the specified skillset.
Here is another notarized affidavit format
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFFIDAVIT FROM CO-WORKER
I COLLEAGUE residing at COLLEAGUE''s ADDRESS being first duly sworn, depose and state that:
I was an employee of COMPANY NAME, COMPANY ADDRESS from Month-Day-Year to Month-Day-Year.
YOUR NAME was also an employee of company as a YOUR DESIGNATION around this time and I am aware of YOUR NAME�s responsibilities as we were colleagues.
His/Her duties during this period included YOUR SKILL SET HERE
If you need any more information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Colleagues� Name & Signature
Sworn to before me this on MM/DD/YYYY
(Notary Public's signature & seal)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A detailed experience certificate as mentioned above could prove your experience in the specified skillset.
Here is another notarized affidavit format
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFFIDAVIT FROM CO-WORKER
I COLLEAGUE residing at COLLEAGUE''s ADDRESS being first duly sworn, depose and state that:
I was an employee of COMPANY NAME, COMPANY ADDRESS from Month-Day-Year to Month-Day-Year.
YOUR NAME was also an employee of company as a YOUR DESIGNATION around this time and I am aware of YOUR NAME�s responsibilities as we were colleagues.
His/Her duties during this period included YOUR SKILL SET HERE
If you need any more information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Colleagues� Name & Signature
Sworn to before me this on MM/DD/YYYY
(Notary Public's signature & seal)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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mchundi
05-17 08:40 PM
Mchundi,
I understand your anxiety. To answer your questions:
There is no chance of having any single set of provisions "become law immediately."
Unfortunately, we have to let this current round of discussions on CIR play out. What should we root for? That amendments to the current CIR that basically gut the bill fail. If the bill survives these amendments then we stand a good chance of succeeding in our efforts.
For strategic reasons, we cannot disclose everything we know about behind the scenes agreements.
Hang in there!
best,
Berkeleybee
Thanks,
I am not even sure if this bill is good for me. (I am EB-2 2003 PD, I140 approved, India, 8th Year H1-B). I am sure this is good for people who r just stepping into the process.
I know u guys r doing a good job shuttling between work and D.C. This is the closest we have ever come with the lawmakers (that i know). If only we had this cohesion during S-1932 days we would have got something. Hope it works out well for us.
--MC
I understand your anxiety. To answer your questions:
There is no chance of having any single set of provisions "become law immediately."
Unfortunately, we have to let this current round of discussions on CIR play out. What should we root for? That amendments to the current CIR that basically gut the bill fail. If the bill survives these amendments then we stand a good chance of succeeding in our efforts.
For strategic reasons, we cannot disclose everything we know about behind the scenes agreements.
Hang in there!
best,
Berkeleybee
Thanks,
I am not even sure if this bill is good for me. (I am EB-2 2003 PD, I140 approved, India, 8th Year H1-B). I am sure this is good for people who r just stepping into the process.
I know u guys r doing a good job shuttling between work and D.C. This is the closest we have ever come with the lawmakers (that i know). If only we had this cohesion during S-1932 days we would have got something. Hope it works out well for us.
--MC
girlfriend King James, as he prefers
bigboy007
02-18 12:14 AM
Chandu just mentioned that some means of contacting him is made. But he is very pivotal for this . As hez Obama campaign chairman , Senate No. 2 Ranking Democrat. His support or non-support is very crucial to support or not supporting any legislation now and if Obama comes in to picture obviously he will have better hold. We need to get our message strong , hard in a best smooth way possible.
Also he is against H1b Mis-use. Now does he understand PPL like us in Middle of Nowhere.
Also he is against H1b Mis-use. Now does he understand PPL like us in Middle of Nowhere.
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webm
04-21 02:24 PM
I wanted to inform the community that our GC is finally approved... I just checked my email hoping against hope that I might see some good news and good news is what I saw...
This is a tremendous relief to us.
They have approved and ordered card production to myself and my spouse. But looks like they have not approved our son's GC. Hope they don't delay that last piece of processing any longer.
Good luck to everybody else and hope you all the best.
Congrats to you!! hopeful08
This is a tremendous relief to us.
They have approved and ordered card production to myself and my spouse. But looks like they have not approved our son's GC. Hope they don't delay that last piece of processing any longer.
Good luck to everybody else and hope you all the best.
Congrats to you!! hopeful08
Appu
04-17 06:13 PM
This is no big deal. This has nothing to do with H1B's - its about CIR and minimum wage. Remember that Sen Kennedy is 100% behind the SJC and the Hagel-Martinez bills. Here's the email with additional details - I didn't post this before because it is somewhat partisan and attacks republicans.
Dear [Appu],
As you may have seen and heard in news reports, Senator Kennedy has been at the forefront of immigration reform. He's built a bipartisan coalition around a tough but fair approach to repairing our broken immigration system.
On Monday hundreds of thousands of people in cities across the country joined together in a "National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice." In our nation's capital, more than 200,000 people gathered on the Mall. It was an amazing event, and the crowd went wild when Senator Kennedy took the stage and said "It is time for Americans to lift their voices now -- in pride for our immigrant past and in pride for our immigrant future. Are you with me?"
Judging by the roar of the crowd, they are indeed with Senator Kennedy. Now you have a chance to show your support for this important measure -- and join the fight for justice for all working Americans:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/fightforfairness
The facts are clear: 63% of Americans believe that immigrants who have lived in the country for a certain period of time should be able to go through the process of obtaining citizenship. But the out-of-touch Republican Congress wants instead to turn these would-be citizens into criminals. And any American who assists them in any way, even priests, would become criminals too.
Republican leaders claim tough enforcement is all that's needed. That's preposterous. Senator Kennedy supports strong enforcement, too, but fairness is equally important.
Republicans claim they value hard work. Where have they been during Senator Kennedy's efforts to raise the minimum wage for millions of hard-working Americans? What have they done to ensure every American worker has access to good health care? How have they protected Social Security for retired American workers?
Enough is enough. Will you join us and fight to ensure that our country values hard work? Please answer with your signature:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/fightforfairness
This year, more than 45,000 of you endorsed Senate Resolution 350, rejecting President Bush's assertion that he was authorized to spy on Americans without a warrant. You also stood with Senator Kennedy to fight for stem cell research that holds such great promise for millions suffering from debilitating diseases.
We can't keep ignoring the worsening hardship for our nation's hardest working men and women. I hope you'll tell Senator Kennedy loud and clear you stand with him in this ongoing battle for all working families:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/fightforfairness
Yours for a stronger and fairer America,
Marty Walsh
Campaign Manager
Kennedy for Senate
P.S. The full text of Senator Kennedy's speech at the immigration rally is on our website -- I hope you enjoy it:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/Apr10RallySpeech
Dear [Appu],
As you may have seen and heard in news reports, Senator Kennedy has been at the forefront of immigration reform. He's built a bipartisan coalition around a tough but fair approach to repairing our broken immigration system.
On Monday hundreds of thousands of people in cities across the country joined together in a "National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice." In our nation's capital, more than 200,000 people gathered on the Mall. It was an amazing event, and the crowd went wild when Senator Kennedy took the stage and said "It is time for Americans to lift their voices now -- in pride for our immigrant past and in pride for our immigrant future. Are you with me?"
Judging by the roar of the crowd, they are indeed with Senator Kennedy. Now you have a chance to show your support for this important measure -- and join the fight for justice for all working Americans:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/fightforfairness
The facts are clear: 63% of Americans believe that immigrants who have lived in the country for a certain period of time should be able to go through the process of obtaining citizenship. But the out-of-touch Republican Congress wants instead to turn these would-be citizens into criminals. And any American who assists them in any way, even priests, would become criminals too.
Republican leaders claim tough enforcement is all that's needed. That's preposterous. Senator Kennedy supports strong enforcement, too, but fairness is equally important.
Republicans claim they value hard work. Where have they been during Senator Kennedy's efforts to raise the minimum wage for millions of hard-working Americans? What have they done to ensure every American worker has access to good health care? How have they protected Social Security for retired American workers?
Enough is enough. Will you join us and fight to ensure that our country values hard work? Please answer with your signature:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/fightforfairness
This year, more than 45,000 of you endorsed Senate Resolution 350, rejecting President Bush's assertion that he was authorized to spy on Americans without a warrant. You also stood with Senator Kennedy to fight for stem cell research that holds such great promise for millions suffering from debilitating diseases.
We can't keep ignoring the worsening hardship for our nation's hardest working men and women. I hope you'll tell Senator Kennedy loud and clear you stand with him in this ongoing battle for all working families:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/fightforfairness
Yours for a stronger and fairer America,
Marty Walsh
Campaign Manager
Kennedy for Senate
P.S. The full text of Senator Kennedy's speech at the immigration rally is on our website -- I hope you enjoy it:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/Apr10RallySpeech
LostInGCProcess
09-18 05:05 PM
But if I get out of US and get back with H1b stamping will then I can start again with my current company as H1b while I wil work with EAD for another company full time?
Please try to understand. Once you use your EAD, you lose your H status. Doesn't matter if you hold H1 from company A and work on EAD for Company B, or vice versa.
Ok, now once you start using your EAD, you are in AOS pending status. But if you want to reinstate H status, Yes..you go out of the country, get the Visa stamped on your passport and enter as H1-b...but then you should not use your EAD if you want to continue to work on H1.
Please try to understand. Once you use your EAD, you lose your H status. Doesn't matter if you hold H1 from company A and work on EAD for Company B, or vice versa.
Ok, now once you start using your EAD, you are in AOS pending status. But if you want to reinstate H status, Yes..you go out of the country, get the Visa stamped on your passport and enter as H1-b...but then you should not use your EAD if you want to continue to work on H1.