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02-05 06:40 PM
AILA Leadership Has Just Posted the Following:
By Eleanor Pelta, AILA First Vice President
H-1B workers certainly seem to be under fire these days on many fronts. A new memo issued by USCIS on the employer-employee relationship imposes new extra-regulatory regulations on the types of activities in which H-1B workers can engage as well as the types of enterprises that can petition for H-1B workers. The memo targets the consulting industry directly, deftly slips in a new concept that seems to prohibit H-1B petitions for employer-owners of businesses, and will surely constitute an open invitation to the Service Centers to hit H-1B petitioners with a new slew of kitchen-sink RFE's. On another front, USCIS continues to make unannounced H-1B site visits, often repeatedly to the same employer. Apart from the "in-terrorem" impact of such visits, I personally cannot see the utility of three different visits to the same employer, particularly after the first one or two visits show that the employer is fully compliant.
But USCIS isn't the only agency that is rigorously targeting H-1B's. An AILA member recently reported that CBP pulled newly-arrived Indian nationals holding H-1B visas out of an immigration inspection line and reportedly placed them in Expedited Removal. The legal basis of those actions is still unclear. However, the tactic is too close to racial profiling for my own comfort.
Finally, recent H-1B "skirmishes" include various U.S. consular posts in India issuing "pink letters" that are, simply put, consular "RFE's" appearing to question the bona fides of the H-1B and requesting information on a host of truly repetitive and/or irrelevant topics. Much of the information that is routinely requested on a pink letter is already in the copy of the H-1B visa petition. Some of the letters request payroll information for all employees of the sponsoring company, a ridiculous request in most instances, particularly for major multi-national companies. One of the most frustrating actions we are seeing from consular officers in this context is the checking off or highlighting of every single category of additional information on the form letter, whether directly applicable or not, in effect a "paper wall" that must be overcome before an applicant can have the H-1B visa issued. Very discouraging to both employer and employee.
How have we come to a point in time where the H-1B category in and of itself is so disdained and mistrusted? Of course I'm aware that instances of fraud have cast this category in a bad light. But I think that vehemence of the administrative attack on the H-1B category is so disproportionate to the actual statistics about fraud. And interestingly, the disproportionate heavy-handed administrative reaction comes not from the agency specifically tasked with H-1B enforcement�the Department of Labor�but from CIS, CBP and State. Sometimes I just have to shake my head and ask myself what makes people so darn angry about a visa category that, at bottom, is designed to bring in relatively tiny number of really smart people to work in U.S. businesses of any size. It has to be a reaction against something else.
Yes, a great number of IT consultants come to the US on H-1B's. It is important to remember that so many of these individuals are extremely well-educated, capable people, working in an industry in which there are a large number of high profile players. And arguably, the high profile consulting companies have the most at stake if they do not focus on compliance, as they are the easiest enforcement target and they need their business model to work in the U.S. in order to survive. Some people may not like the business model, although arguably IT consulting companies provide needed services that allow US businesses, such as banks and insurance companies to focus on their own core strengths. Like it or not, though, this business model is perfectly legal under current law, and the agencies that enforce our immigration laws have no business trying to eviscerate it by policy or a pattern of discretionary actions.
It is true that some IT consulting companies' practices have been the focus of fraud investigations. But DOL has stringent rules in place to deal with the bad guys. Benching H-1B workers without pay, paying below the prevailing wage, sending H-1B workers on long-term assignments to a site not covered by an LCA�these are the practices we most often hear about, and every single one of these is a violation of an existing regulation that could be enforced by the Department of Labor. When an employer violates wage and hour rules, DOL investigates the practices and enforces the regulations against that employer. But no one shuts down an entire industry as a result.
And the IT consulting industry is not the only user of the H-1B visa. Let's not forget how many other critical fields use H-1B workers. In my own career alone, I have seen H-1B petitions for nanoscientists, ornithologists, CEO's of significant not for profit organizations, teachers, applied mathematicians, risk analysts, professionals involved in pharmaceutical research and development, automotive designers, international legal experts, film editors, microimaging engineers. H-1B's are valuable to small and large businesses alike, arguably even more to that emerging business that needs one key expert to develop a new product or service and get the business off the ground.
The assault on H-1B's is not only offensive, it's dangerous. Here's why:
H-1B's create jobs�statistics show that 5 jobs are created in the U.S. for every H-1B worker hired. An administrative clamp-down in the program will hinder this job creation. And think about the valuable sharing of skills and expertise between H-1B workers and U.S. workers�this is lost when companies are discouraged from using the program.
The anti-H-1B assault dissuades large businesses from conducting research and development in the US, and encourages the relocation of those facilities in jurisdictions that are friendlier to foreign professionals.
The anti-H-1B assault chills the formation of small businesses in the US, particularly in emerging technologies. This will most certainly be one of the long-term results of USCIS' most recent memo.
The attack on H-1B's offends our friends and allies in the world. An example: Earlier this year India �one of the U.S.'s closest allies --announced new visa restrictions on foreign nationals working there. Surely the treatment of Indian national H-1B workers at the hands of our agencies involved in the immigration process would not have escaped the attention of the Indian government as they issued their own restrictions.
The increasing challenges in the H-1B program may have the effect of encouraging foreign students who were educated in the U.S. to seek permanent positions elsewhere.
Whatever the cause of the visceral reaction against H-1B workers might be�whether it stems from a fear that fraud will become more widespread or whether it is simply a broader reaction against foreign workers that often raises its head during any down economy �I sincerely hope that the agencies are able to gain some perspective on the program that allows them to treat legitimate H-1B employers and employees with the respect they deserve and to effectively enforce against those who are non-compliant, rather than casting a wide net and treating all H-1B users as abusers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/186823568153827945-7575642888668204601?l=ailaleadership.blogspot.com
More... (http://ailaleadership.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-is-h-1b-dirty-word.html)
By Eleanor Pelta, AILA First Vice President
H-1B workers certainly seem to be under fire these days on many fronts. A new memo issued by USCIS on the employer-employee relationship imposes new extra-regulatory regulations on the types of activities in which H-1B workers can engage as well as the types of enterprises that can petition for H-1B workers. The memo targets the consulting industry directly, deftly slips in a new concept that seems to prohibit H-1B petitions for employer-owners of businesses, and will surely constitute an open invitation to the Service Centers to hit H-1B petitioners with a new slew of kitchen-sink RFE's. On another front, USCIS continues to make unannounced H-1B site visits, often repeatedly to the same employer. Apart from the "in-terrorem" impact of such visits, I personally cannot see the utility of three different visits to the same employer, particularly after the first one or two visits show that the employer is fully compliant.
But USCIS isn't the only agency that is rigorously targeting H-1B's. An AILA member recently reported that CBP pulled newly-arrived Indian nationals holding H-1B visas out of an immigration inspection line and reportedly placed them in Expedited Removal. The legal basis of those actions is still unclear. However, the tactic is too close to racial profiling for my own comfort.
Finally, recent H-1B "skirmishes" include various U.S. consular posts in India issuing "pink letters" that are, simply put, consular "RFE's" appearing to question the bona fides of the H-1B and requesting information on a host of truly repetitive and/or irrelevant topics. Much of the information that is routinely requested on a pink letter is already in the copy of the H-1B visa petition. Some of the letters request payroll information for all employees of the sponsoring company, a ridiculous request in most instances, particularly for major multi-national companies. One of the most frustrating actions we are seeing from consular officers in this context is the checking off or highlighting of every single category of additional information on the form letter, whether directly applicable or not, in effect a "paper wall" that must be overcome before an applicant can have the H-1B visa issued. Very discouraging to both employer and employee.
How have we come to a point in time where the H-1B category in and of itself is so disdained and mistrusted? Of course I'm aware that instances of fraud have cast this category in a bad light. But I think that vehemence of the administrative attack on the H-1B category is so disproportionate to the actual statistics about fraud. And interestingly, the disproportionate heavy-handed administrative reaction comes not from the agency specifically tasked with H-1B enforcement�the Department of Labor�but from CIS, CBP and State. Sometimes I just have to shake my head and ask myself what makes people so darn angry about a visa category that, at bottom, is designed to bring in relatively tiny number of really smart people to work in U.S. businesses of any size. It has to be a reaction against something else.
Yes, a great number of IT consultants come to the US on H-1B's. It is important to remember that so many of these individuals are extremely well-educated, capable people, working in an industry in which there are a large number of high profile players. And arguably, the high profile consulting companies have the most at stake if they do not focus on compliance, as they are the easiest enforcement target and they need their business model to work in the U.S. in order to survive. Some people may not like the business model, although arguably IT consulting companies provide needed services that allow US businesses, such as banks and insurance companies to focus on their own core strengths. Like it or not, though, this business model is perfectly legal under current law, and the agencies that enforce our immigration laws have no business trying to eviscerate it by policy or a pattern of discretionary actions.
It is true that some IT consulting companies' practices have been the focus of fraud investigations. But DOL has stringent rules in place to deal with the bad guys. Benching H-1B workers without pay, paying below the prevailing wage, sending H-1B workers on long-term assignments to a site not covered by an LCA�these are the practices we most often hear about, and every single one of these is a violation of an existing regulation that could be enforced by the Department of Labor. When an employer violates wage and hour rules, DOL investigates the practices and enforces the regulations against that employer. But no one shuts down an entire industry as a result.
And the IT consulting industry is not the only user of the H-1B visa. Let's not forget how many other critical fields use H-1B workers. In my own career alone, I have seen H-1B petitions for nanoscientists, ornithologists, CEO's of significant not for profit organizations, teachers, applied mathematicians, risk analysts, professionals involved in pharmaceutical research and development, automotive designers, international legal experts, film editors, microimaging engineers. H-1B's are valuable to small and large businesses alike, arguably even more to that emerging business that needs one key expert to develop a new product or service and get the business off the ground.
The assault on H-1B's is not only offensive, it's dangerous. Here's why:
H-1B's create jobs�statistics show that 5 jobs are created in the U.S. for every H-1B worker hired. An administrative clamp-down in the program will hinder this job creation. And think about the valuable sharing of skills and expertise between H-1B workers and U.S. workers�this is lost when companies are discouraged from using the program.
The anti-H-1B assault dissuades large businesses from conducting research and development in the US, and encourages the relocation of those facilities in jurisdictions that are friendlier to foreign professionals.
The anti-H-1B assault chills the formation of small businesses in the US, particularly in emerging technologies. This will most certainly be one of the long-term results of USCIS' most recent memo.
The attack on H-1B's offends our friends and allies in the world. An example: Earlier this year India �one of the U.S.'s closest allies --announced new visa restrictions on foreign nationals working there. Surely the treatment of Indian national H-1B workers at the hands of our agencies involved in the immigration process would not have escaped the attention of the Indian government as they issued their own restrictions.
The increasing challenges in the H-1B program may have the effect of encouraging foreign students who were educated in the U.S. to seek permanent positions elsewhere.
Whatever the cause of the visceral reaction against H-1B workers might be�whether it stems from a fear that fraud will become more widespread or whether it is simply a broader reaction against foreign workers that often raises its head during any down economy �I sincerely hope that the agencies are able to gain some perspective on the program that allows them to treat legitimate H-1B employers and employees with the respect they deserve and to effectively enforce against those who are non-compliant, rather than casting a wide net and treating all H-1B users as abusers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/186823568153827945-7575642888668204601?l=ailaleadership.blogspot.com
More... (http://ailaleadership.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-is-h-1b-dirty-word.html)
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jamesbond007
11-01 08:56 AM
I am concerned because I am going for my visa stamping in March and the last thing I want is to be out of status! When I mentioned this to my boss his answer was -- We will give you a letter stating that you are working reduced number of hours, and we cannot afford the salary promised on I-129.
Keep in mind that his letter stating reduced hours will be of no good. That actually amounts to fraud on the company's part. Do not get into that doodle.
I think the best thing to do is to get a new LCA approved, and amend your H1. If your new salary is still more than the government published rate for that type of job in your region, a new LCA and amended H1 may not be necessary.
I will search for similar cases and post here if I find something.
Good luck.
Keep in mind that his letter stating reduced hours will be of no good. That actually amounts to fraud on the company's part. Do not get into that doodle.
I think the best thing to do is to get a new LCA approved, and amend your H1. If your new salary is still more than the government published rate for that type of job in your region, a new LCA and amended H1 may not be necessary.
I will search for similar cases and post here if I find something.
Good luck.
GCwaitforever
10-04 05:45 PM
Learn Dutch. That is more useful than French there.
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mps
05-28 10:26 AM
Hi,
After reading about the pro's and cons of EAD e-file and paper based. I found that when you paper file I765, you DONOT get a fingerprinting notice and you DONT need to give FP. You will get your EAD directly. With e-file you dont send in the photos but u will have to go do the fingerprints and photo taken..
Can anyone confirm this?
Thanks.
I can confirm this based on recent chat with my attorney. Attorney e-filed my EAD without any photographs and I have already got FP notice in mail.
After reading about the pro's and cons of EAD e-file and paper based. I found that when you paper file I765, you DONOT get a fingerprinting notice and you DONT need to give FP. You will get your EAD directly. With e-file you dont send in the photos but u will have to go do the fingerprints and photo taken..
Can anyone confirm this?
Thanks.
I can confirm this based on recent chat with my attorney. Attorney e-filed my EAD without any photographs and I have already got FP notice in mail.
more...
eager_immi
07-17 09:28 AM
A# is either someting that you get by the following ways:
1. If you were a student and were on OPT the EAD card had an A#
2. Sometimes when your I-140 is approved it comes with A# (NOT ALWAYS NO ONE KNOWS WHY/WHY NOT)
3. When your I-485 is accepted most likely you will get a new A#
So if you have 1 or 2 use it else leave it blank.
That's your alien number and it's given to you when your I140 is approved. See my post above.
1. If you were a student and were on OPT the EAD card had an A#
2. Sometimes when your I-140 is approved it comes with A# (NOT ALWAYS NO ONE KNOWS WHY/WHY NOT)
3. When your I-485 is accepted most likely you will get a new A#
So if you have 1 or 2 use it else leave it blank.
That's your alien number and it's given to you when your I140 is approved. See my post above.
21stIcon
12-17 03:28 AM
He is based in Dallas,TX. he provided excellant service to me in my tough journey.
www.naidoolaw.com
www.naidoolaw.com
more...
CaveMan232
10-25 04:48 PM
Dear Admin, sincerely appreciate your encouraging words. 10+ Yrs in the country and another 10 yrs to go before seeing the light appears to be highly depressing considering current economic uncertainities.
If it wasn't for the patch up by Immigration dept in 2007, this country would have seen Indians forced to head back home by the 10000's. And those that were fortunate enough to retain jobs or move on to new ones by porting AC-21 are forced to stay in the SAME role with no relief coming from the Govt for AC-21 which would then allow them to get promoted or recognized for their hardwork. Imagine the shock my boss had when I had to refuse promotion as that would jeopardize my GC(expected to be approved in the next 10 years)? And if that doesn't bother you enough, then once every 2 years(thankfully EAD is now valid for 2 yrs), you start fasting and praying that your EAD gets renewed without issues. You get the drift now, don't you?
And that is not to say I do not acknowledge the efforts your team has been putting in. I, along with the many 1000's, truly appreciate the selfless and noble efforts your team has been constantly putting in to bring about bigger changes. THANK YOU!!
If it wasn't for the patch up by Immigration dept in 2007, this country would have seen Indians forced to head back home by the 10000's. And those that were fortunate enough to retain jobs or move on to new ones by porting AC-21 are forced to stay in the SAME role with no relief coming from the Govt for AC-21 which would then allow them to get promoted or recognized for their hardwork. Imagine the shock my boss had when I had to refuse promotion as that would jeopardize my GC(expected to be approved in the next 10 years)? And if that doesn't bother you enough, then once every 2 years(thankfully EAD is now valid for 2 yrs), you start fasting and praying that your EAD gets renewed without issues. You get the drift now, don't you?
And that is not to say I do not acknowledge the efforts your team has been putting in. I, along with the many 1000's, truly appreciate the selfless and noble efforts your team has been constantly putting in to bring about bigger changes. THANK YOU!!
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nandakumar
05-15 12:43 PM
Great job Learning01.
Media publicity will definitely have a positive impact to our cause.
Media publicity will definitely have a positive impact to our cause.
more...
techbuyer77
06-25 11:58 AM
We pay for everithing
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gc_maine2
07-27 10:43 AM
Since i have left it blank and realized later, i called my lawyer and found out that its not a problem we can leave it blank. Hope she is correct.
Thanks
Thanks
more...
Alien
07-09 10:07 AM
Maybe people should also post messages in Mandarin,Tamil,Telugu,Swahili taken from famous songs. That way the forums will be truly diverse.
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andy garcia
07-25 12:19 PM
I got an approval email from CRIS last week on my I-140.
Today I received an email saying the notice that USCIS sent was returned as undeliverable.
Any one has similar experience? Where does the I-140 approval notice go- Attorney or Employer address?
Thanks
Approval notice goes to Attorney a courtesy copy to Employer
Today I received an email saying the notice that USCIS sent was returned as undeliverable.
Any one has similar experience? Where does the I-140 approval notice go- Attorney or Employer address?
Thanks
Approval notice goes to Attorney a courtesy copy to Employer
more...
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amirani
03-03 05:27 PM
Get a labor attorney, send a letter of claim to the employer, and request action within 30 days. If no response and amount is under $5000 then go to small claims court, otherwise file a grievance with your state's labor department.
Thanks for the response.
The amount is approx $7000 and after deductions it will be just under $5000...can anybody suggest some good lawyer and what will be the charges...anybody else faced same issue in past....
Thanks for the response.
The amount is approx $7000 and after deductions it will be just under $5000...can anybody suggest some good lawyer and what will be the charges...anybody else faced same issue in past....
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glus
04-15 02:24 PM
In employment-based immigration, an I140 is an immigrant petition according to the law. So most likely INS will determinate one must work for 3 years before the I140 is filed. Many people think that an immigrant petition means filing for I485, but I don't think that the case. I140 is the immigrant petition.
I am not an attorney.
G
I am not an attorney.
G
more...
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jatinr
07-24 01:01 PM
As per EBFAQ release by USCIS dated July 23, the
Q7: Which fees apply to I-765 and I-131 applications associated with AOS applications filed on or
July 30th under the July Bulletin?
A7. The fee of $180 for Forms I-765 and the fee of $170 for Form I-131 will remain in effect for those aliens eligible to file an employment-based adjustment of status application pursuant to July Visa Bulletin
107. These fees will remain in effect for all such applications filed between July 17 � August 17, 2007.
As per Oh-Law Firm , it states the fees is 180 for EAD and 170 for AP if only filed concurrently.
Do you guys also have same understanding.
My company has filed by AOS and I am filing EAD/AP on my own, I am now confused that if I file me EAD/AP on August 15th , what fees I will have to pay - 180 or 340 for EAD , 170 or 305 for AP.
Can someone please verify.
Q7: Which fees apply to I-765 and I-131 applications associated with AOS applications filed on or
July 30th under the July Bulletin?
A7. The fee of $180 for Forms I-765 and the fee of $170 for Form I-131 will remain in effect for those aliens eligible to file an employment-based adjustment of status application pursuant to July Visa Bulletin
107. These fees will remain in effect for all such applications filed between July 17 � August 17, 2007.
As per Oh-Law Firm , it states the fees is 180 for EAD and 170 for AP if only filed concurrently.
Do you guys also have same understanding.
My company has filed by AOS and I am filing EAD/AP on my own, I am now confused that if I file me EAD/AP on August 15th , what fees I will have to pay - 180 or 340 for EAD , 170 or 305 for AP.
Can someone please verify.
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2ndJuly
10-18 04:29 PM
My employer is not giving me copy of Labour certificate. I know all numbers. Do I need a copy of AC21
more...
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bsbawa10
05-31 07:22 PM
I am going to apply for a position in Oracle but do not know if it files green card or not. I am reluctant to ask this in the interview.(They may prefer somebody who does not need it) . Also I wonder if there is any wait time for them to file the green card after joining. I posted this because I think some of you might be working for Oracle and might be knowing. Anybody knows the answer , please reply here or send me a private message.
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a_yaja
01-16 09:27 AM
Hi,
I got laid off in dec-08, my H1B visa got extended till 2011, but stamp in passport was expired sept-30th. I got my W2 good for last year and have got pay stubs till dec month. Now i am in need of visiting India, I have to get my stamp renewed in India.
As I am on job at present, I can not produce any client letter at consulate in case if they ask.
Will there be any issues which I may come across, please help me if you have any experiences.
thanks in advance.
Niru
It is considered fraud if you go for H1B stamping and you don't have a job. If the consulate gets to know that you don't have your job anymore and you were aware of that fact when you applied for the H1B visa, you could permanently be barred from entering the US.
I would advice against such a move. Try to get a new job and transfer your H1B and then go to India for visa stamping.
I got laid off in dec-08, my H1B visa got extended till 2011, but stamp in passport was expired sept-30th. I got my W2 good for last year and have got pay stubs till dec month. Now i am in need of visiting India, I have to get my stamp renewed in India.
As I am on job at present, I can not produce any client letter at consulate in case if they ask.
Will there be any issues which I may come across, please help me if you have any experiences.
thanks in advance.
Niru
It is considered fraud if you go for H1B stamping and you don't have a job. If the consulate gets to know that you don't have your job anymore and you were aware of that fact when you applied for the H1B visa, you could permanently be barred from entering the US.
I would advice against such a move. Try to get a new job and transfer your H1B and then go to India for visa stamping.
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viper673
06-15 09:31 PM
Renew the passport through expedited processing if available, then take an infopass appointment and tell the officer that you had an interview and that he didn't get the stamp because his passport had expired, but now it's renewed.
I think they'll do it on the spot.
I think they'll do it on the spot.
sheela
08-23 10:50 AM
Here's a killer.
- Applied for EAD and AP renewal for self, spouse and child (total 5 apps) with a RD of July 22 and ND of July 23, 2008.
- When I would check the case status online for my renewal apps, I kept getting a message "Case Retreival falied. Receipt # DOES NOT EXIST" :eek::eek::eek:
- GC approved on Aug 9
- Lawyer gets a copy of my Approval Notice for I-485 on August 20 and sends a copy to me by overnight mail ALONG with the renewal AP which was approved on August 18 - a good nine days after GC approval:confused::confused::confused:
- No idea where my EAD apps are!!! not that it matters
GAWD - Some serious system fixes need to be done at USCIS......
Congrats!!!
I am happy for you. This wait and hope when the dates are current is very taxing. may lady luck smile on me too
- Applied for EAD and AP renewal for self, spouse and child (total 5 apps) with a RD of July 22 and ND of July 23, 2008.
- When I would check the case status online for my renewal apps, I kept getting a message "Case Retreival falied. Receipt # DOES NOT EXIST" :eek::eek::eek:
- GC approved on Aug 9
- Lawyer gets a copy of my Approval Notice for I-485 on August 20 and sends a copy to me by overnight mail ALONG with the renewal AP which was approved on August 18 - a good nine days after GC approval:confused::confused::confused:
- No idea where my EAD apps are!!! not that it matters
GAWD - Some serious system fixes need to be done at USCIS......
Congrats!!!
I am happy for you. This wait and hope when the dates are current is very taxing. may lady luck smile on me too
jackisback
05-19 06:17 PM
The answer to 2 is receipt date. It has been repeatedly mentioned in many websites and forums
