zico123
06-13 08:42 PM
How much of a chance does she have to have her form I 539 approved now? Any response would be very much appreciated.
Thank You
Contact a good immigration attorney immediately. Being out of status is a serious violation and her access to US can be restricted due to this. I doubt very much that her 539 will be approved.
Thank You
Contact a good immigration attorney immediately. Being out of status is a serious violation and her access to US can be restricted due to this. I doubt very much that her 539 will be approved.
wallpaper Are Ryan Reynolds amp; Sandra
Regal22
07-19 11:19 PM
My labor certification (Traditional EB-3) is stuck in BEC since last 5 years. It is completely beyond my understanding why it took so long for BEC to process my case. Now everyone is rejoicing USCIS's decision to accept all green card applications, but I am paralyzed with the fear of facing another huge backlog on I-485 applications. One government agency sits on our applications for years and another government agency throws us further back in the line to cover up its blunders and guess what who pays the price: WE RULE-ABIDING, LINE-WAITING FOLKS.
Even if I get my labor approval before September, I will be among the last persons to get labor certification in spite of being the one with the earliest priority date. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than suing DOL BEC at this time. We may not sue DOL on their inability to clear the backlogs, but we can definitely sue them in their utter disregard to FIFO procedures (mind that some people with priority dates in 2004, 2005 have already got their labor certifications, but some with priority dates in 2001, 2002 are still stuck). When I read on their web site that they have tried to maintain FIFO, it makes me feel like puking.
I am also disappointed with IV's attitude towards the backlog victims. I do not remember anything concrete done by IV to address the grievances of backlog victims. Now that they have won the battle with USCIS, will they have time to look at us?
:mad: :mad:
I would like to extend thanks to all of those who shared their thoughts on this labor certification backlog ordeal. I was touched with nice words some of you bestowed on my situation.
The point I was trying to make was that we high skilled immigrants continuously have suffered from the misdeeds of Congress and government agencies. It started in 2001 when Congress passed an amnesty when people in illegal immigration status were given chances for EB Green Cards. If government wanted to legalize them, shouldn�t Congress have created separate processing channel and also separate green card quotas for them? Why were we forced to share our share of green card quotas? Why did we have to undergo several years of grueling labor certification experience to make room for people who violated the immigration law?
Then there was a birth of so called �Backlog Elimination Center (BEC)�. This agency should have been rightfully named as �Backlog Creation Center.� BEC spent several years not in adjudicating the labor certification cases, but in transferring paperwork and performing a circus called �45 Day Letter.� When it finally started addressing the cases, it did with utter disregard to FIFO procedure. As of today, there are still thousands of cases stuck in BEC with priority dates of 2001 and 2002 (including mine). Though they have set the backlog elimination date to be September 2007, there are very strong chances that they won�t. I think life would have better for all of us if no BEC was created in the first place and the labor certification process was left the old way.
The purpose of my earlier post was to draw attention to the severe injustices BEC has thrust on us. The passion and energy IV showed in dealing with the recent USCIS fiasco was commendable. If IV can channel some of that passion and energy in dealing with the BEC problems, we may get some breathing space outside this black hole called BEC.
Even if I get my labor approval before September, I will be among the last persons to get labor certification in spite of being the one with the earliest priority date. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than suing DOL BEC at this time. We may not sue DOL on their inability to clear the backlogs, but we can definitely sue them in their utter disregard to FIFO procedures (mind that some people with priority dates in 2004, 2005 have already got their labor certifications, but some with priority dates in 2001, 2002 are still stuck). When I read on their web site that they have tried to maintain FIFO, it makes me feel like puking.
I am also disappointed with IV's attitude towards the backlog victims. I do not remember anything concrete done by IV to address the grievances of backlog victims. Now that they have won the battle with USCIS, will they have time to look at us?
:mad: :mad:
I would like to extend thanks to all of those who shared their thoughts on this labor certification backlog ordeal. I was touched with nice words some of you bestowed on my situation.
The point I was trying to make was that we high skilled immigrants continuously have suffered from the misdeeds of Congress and government agencies. It started in 2001 when Congress passed an amnesty when people in illegal immigration status were given chances for EB Green Cards. If government wanted to legalize them, shouldn�t Congress have created separate processing channel and also separate green card quotas for them? Why were we forced to share our share of green card quotas? Why did we have to undergo several years of grueling labor certification experience to make room for people who violated the immigration law?
Then there was a birth of so called �Backlog Elimination Center (BEC)�. This agency should have been rightfully named as �Backlog Creation Center.� BEC spent several years not in adjudicating the labor certification cases, but in transferring paperwork and performing a circus called �45 Day Letter.� When it finally started addressing the cases, it did with utter disregard to FIFO procedure. As of today, there are still thousands of cases stuck in BEC with priority dates of 2001 and 2002 (including mine). Though they have set the backlog elimination date to be September 2007, there are very strong chances that they won�t. I think life would have better for all of us if no BEC was created in the first place and the labor certification process was left the old way.
The purpose of my earlier post was to draw attention to the severe injustices BEC has thrust on us. The passion and energy IV showed in dealing with the recent USCIS fiasco was commendable. If IV can channel some of that passion and energy in dealing with the BEC problems, we may get some breathing space outside this black hole called BEC.
flthere
07-13 12:13 PM
I read that there are 2800 EB3-I visas a year, or about 233 visas per month. Assuming there are about 700 numbers available for the rest of the year 2010, using the data in the latest May-2010 I485 inventory, the calculation is pretty straight n easy with no spillover calculations involved ... here is a possible progress of the PD:
Sep-2010 : 10-Dec-2001
Sep-2011 : 31-May-2002
Sep-2012 : 15-Sep-2002
Sep-2013 : 01-Jan-2003
Sep-2014 : 01-Apr-2003
From there on the numbers are huge per month - about thousand pending 485 per month ... it'll continue at less than snail pace :D
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5790/india485pending.jpg
USCIS proved my progress prediction as wrong ... Per Aug-10 visa bulletin, the dates already moved to 01-JAN-02 whereas I was guessing that by Sep-10 it'll move to 10-Dec-2001.
Guess they'll just move it forward just to attempt to use up all available numbers. Neverthless it's positive for many who have been waiting. But it just makes the future predictions tougher. Lets wait for Sep-10 visa bulletin and then do another round of predictions after the I485 inventory is released.
Sep-2010 : 10-Dec-2001
Sep-2011 : 31-May-2002
Sep-2012 : 15-Sep-2002
Sep-2013 : 01-Jan-2003
Sep-2014 : 01-Apr-2003
From there on the numbers are huge per month - about thousand pending 485 per month ... it'll continue at less than snail pace :D
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5790/india485pending.jpg
USCIS proved my progress prediction as wrong ... Per Aug-10 visa bulletin, the dates already moved to 01-JAN-02 whereas I was guessing that by Sep-10 it'll move to 10-Dec-2001.
Guess they'll just move it forward just to attempt to use up all available numbers. Neverthless it's positive for many who have been waiting. But it just makes the future predictions tougher. Lets wait for Sep-10 visa bulletin and then do another round of predictions after the I485 inventory is released.
2011 Move over Ryan Reynolds,
PavanV
04-08 06:57 PM
Hunger strike ?, i dont know my friend, sounds like a neat idea to get attention, but then what happens if its becomes an indefinite hunger strike, i mean i hope you do understand the consequences of that.
I think we are at a stage where people are fed up with the process, but i hope good things happen to people who wait.
Sabar ka phal meetha hota hai :)
I think we are at a stage where people are fed up with the process, but i hope good things happen to people who wait.
Sabar ka phal meetha hota hai :)
more...
billu
03-15 04:31 PM
Could someone let me know if we have to notarize the utility bill/drivers license too or just the visa copy from the original passport? thanks
smisachu
08-04 12:31 PM
2008 all over again:mad:
more...
transpass
08-03 09:18 AM
U seem to be an old tiger on this forum...:) Enjoy ur green. Greened on the first day itself. What else can u ask for? I'm not sure how many sleepless nites I'll hv to go thru this month :(. But I'm positive that I'll get it this month...
Just curious. Did u get ur "magic" email in the nite OR was it sometime during working hours?
Yep, it's been a long 16 yrs in the country...I got my email 10.30 in the morning yesterday...rather, I got my text message first on my cell phone that the status has been updated:D...
Just curious. Did u get ur "magic" email in the nite OR was it sometime during working hours?
Yep, it's been a long 16 yrs in the country...I got my email 10.30 in the morning yesterday...rather, I got my text message first on my cell phone that the status has been updated:D...
2010 Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett
gc_on_demand
05-05 07:01 AM
And ALAS ! MC got it. Congrats dude ! Hope you will still remain on the forum to help others
I don't get it.. I do congratulate him for getting GC but how come he become hero after getting GC ? He said he is with IV even longer than Pappu but didn't mention what he did for IV ?
I don't get it.. I do congratulate him for getting GC but how come he become hero after getting GC ? He said he is with IV even longer than Pappu but didn't mention what he did for IV ?
more...
doesntmatter
04-11 11:53 PM
Kudh Kare tho balaa ; hum kare tho balaathkaar is what somebody who recently got his/her gc told me - was hard to digest, but true...
"Real", "Worked hard", "law abiding" - done my masters and PhD - I know how people get through. Waa re waa - demanding "justice" - you are just plain jealous of other smart people. Guess its time somebody told you, just because you have a MS or a PhD doesn't make you smarter by default. Even if it did, doesn't mean you get everything first - teenagers behave better than that :) Time to grow up
A lot of Desi Consulting Companies do these kinds of things. They can cook up any resume and any requirement.
Real PHD guys who worked their asses off day and night in trying to publish some worth while papers are not getting consideration for EB1 and these DCC guys with a bachelors in any discipline and 5-7yrs experience can become Multi-national executives and fall under EB1.
Nothing helps us legally working people with US Masters Degrees who have been living as law abiding citizens for years.
One of my friends who did Bachelors with me in India came to US on h1B and actually bought his EB2 Labor back in 2005 through a DCC and now has a GC. He never even told me that he did that. He told me recently after he got his GC.
"Real", "Worked hard", "law abiding" - done my masters and PhD - I know how people get through. Waa re waa - demanding "justice" - you are just plain jealous of other smart people. Guess its time somebody told you, just because you have a MS or a PhD doesn't make you smarter by default. Even if it did, doesn't mean you get everything first - teenagers behave better than that :) Time to grow up
A lot of Desi Consulting Companies do these kinds of things. They can cook up any resume and any requirement.
Real PHD guys who worked their asses off day and night in trying to publish some worth while papers are not getting consideration for EB1 and these DCC guys with a bachelors in any discipline and 5-7yrs experience can become Multi-national executives and fall under EB1.
Nothing helps us legally working people with US Masters Degrees who have been living as law abiding citizens for years.
One of my friends who did Bachelors with me in India came to US on h1B and actually bought his EB2 Labor back in 2005 through a DCC and now has a GC. He never even told me that he did that. He told me recently after he got his GC.
hair Kristen Stewart and Ryan
gc_lover
06-26 07:19 PM
USCIS has to accept applications for first few days. Then they have to go through all the application to determine the number based on the country. Then they will send the number to DOS who will decide the dates of next bulletien.
It's not like USCIS will say "Oh I got 300,000 applications today, let's close the door..." It does not work that way.
I understand that you are only trying to say what your lawyer told you. But, don't try to make it sensational topic by saying "Horrible news" and all. We are anyways stressed out from the process and on top of it this rumor comes up in every other thread. :(
It's not like USCIS will say "Oh I got 300,000 applications today, let's close the door..." It does not work that way.
I understand that you are only trying to say what your lawyer told you. But, don't try to make it sensational topic by saying "Horrible news" and all. We are anyways stressed out from the process and on top of it this rumor comes up in every other thread. :(
more...
pappu
05-09 10:49 AM
I am seeing several people contacting Congressman and opening service requests. These guys seem to have become current just this month and they do not have any patience. It is crazy in my opinion. As pointed out earlier there is lot of herd mentality on the forums and if one person posts, everyone else does the same. Some people I have seen on the forum call customer service every day to get case status. I urge people to read and try to understand the process than blindly following what others are doing. Secondly as posted earlier, tracking is also useless and a waste of time. It will not help you get your green card any faster. Have some patience and follow the process. Starting a service request as soon as your date gets current, cannot help you.
hot Not Dating Ryan Reynolds
gc4me
04-11 10:13 AM
Lasantha, I do congratulate you from the bottom of my heart. It has been a uphill journey for everyone. I am happy that you have completed your journey successfully.
One last question,
You mentioned your RD is June 29th. Is it the date from your FEDEX tracking #? Or this date is mentioned on your USCIS 485 receipt? Why am I asking this as because, I sent my application on 30th July, USCIS got it on JULY 31st. I sent it to NSC, USCIS transferred to TSC, TSC issued my EAD, AP and a 485 notice on Sep 22 mentioning that they are transferring my case to NSC. That is why it is very important for me to know if they will consider my JULY 31st date or Sep 22nd?
Friends,
I have some happy news. I received the welcome email today. I am so so so happy!!! I haven't received the card ordered email yet but hopefully I will get it soon.
I]
One last question,
You mentioned your RD is June 29th. Is it the date from your FEDEX tracking #? Or this date is mentioned on your USCIS 485 receipt? Why am I asking this as because, I sent my application on 30th July, USCIS got it on JULY 31st. I sent it to NSC, USCIS transferred to TSC, TSC issued my EAD, AP and a 485 notice on Sep 22 mentioning that they are transferring my case to NSC. That is why it is very important for me to know if they will consider my JULY 31st date or Sep 22nd?
Friends,
I have some happy news. I received the welcome email today. I am so so so happy!!! I haven't received the card ordered email yet but hopefully I will get it soon.
I]
more...
house images Ryan Reynolds and Blake
marthand
01-23 10:36 PM
This is one hell of a great post - examining different reasons why non-GC holders have or haven't bought a home.
One of the things that we need to understand is that for many of us India still represents that "safe and secure" boat that we really had to jump out of physically to come here to the United States and there is no reason for us NOT to make that transition emotionally, spiritually and in every walk of life. After all we hope to get GCs because we want to make the United States our permanent home. Therefore physically holding a GC really shouldnt decide if you need to buy a home in the US or not - especially if you have 'intended' to make the United States your home permanently.
I bought a home 2 years ago and although the economy and housing market is down - on account of which I have lost a percentage of the value of my home. I am not here to feel bad or complain about it. I do understand that from a financial standpoint there is a level of risk involved in investing in a home with or without a GC, as is with every other thing in life. One thing that we need to understand is that a home is not the investment, or its growth, or its safety and the overly protective need to save it. There is no guarantee that there would have been a reduced level of risk involved by buying a home in India, if we lived there. But that said one must still be very careful to ensure that the delicate balance of measuring the financial ability to buy a home and match it in such a way that it does not hinder nurtuting the family that resides in there. I agree that the financial decision to buy a house to make a home out of it, needs to be done very carefully with great thought in mind such that this investment doesn't hinder the delicate dynamics and quality of life of the family members who are making the house a home.
A home is the fond memories, the happy and sad times, the times of enjoying the unique relationships with each other the God has given us - and the bonds of love and affection that pull the family together - and this must be enjoyed irrespective of the investment and financial obligations it brings, since it truly is a labour of love. A home for each of us is what we strive to make of it; our attitude, ability to love and nurture our family, ablilty to derive peace and contentment from the relationships we have; and a willingness to integrate and assimilate into American Life; since by virtue of getting / accepting a GC we agree that the United States is our permanent home.
One of the things that we need to understand is that for many of us India still represents that "safe and secure" boat that we really had to jump out of physically to come here to the United States and there is no reason for us NOT to make that transition emotionally, spiritually and in every walk of life. After all we hope to get GCs because we want to make the United States our permanent home. Therefore physically holding a GC really shouldnt decide if you need to buy a home in the US or not - especially if you have 'intended' to make the United States your home permanently.
I bought a home 2 years ago and although the economy and housing market is down - on account of which I have lost a percentage of the value of my home. I am not here to feel bad or complain about it. I do understand that from a financial standpoint there is a level of risk involved in investing in a home with or without a GC, as is with every other thing in life. One thing that we need to understand is that a home is not the investment, or its growth, or its safety and the overly protective need to save it. There is no guarantee that there would have been a reduced level of risk involved by buying a home in India, if we lived there. But that said one must still be very careful to ensure that the delicate balance of measuring the financial ability to buy a home and match it in such a way that it does not hinder nurtuting the family that resides in there. I agree that the financial decision to buy a house to make a home out of it, needs to be done very carefully with great thought in mind such that this investment doesn't hinder the delicate dynamics and quality of life of the family members who are making the house a home.
A home is the fond memories, the happy and sad times, the times of enjoying the unique relationships with each other the God has given us - and the bonds of love and affection that pull the family together - and this must be enjoyed irrespective of the investment and financial obligations it brings, since it truly is a labour of love. A home for each of us is what we strive to make of it; our attitude, ability to love and nurture our family, ablilty to derive peace and contentment from the relationships we have; and a willingness to integrate and assimilate into American Life; since by virtue of getting / accepting a GC we agree that the United States is our permanent home.
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pappu
03-21 02:55 PM
Advocacy day reception is on Tuesday 5:30 PM to 8 PM in Rayburn building.
more...
pictures 12, 2008 file photo, actor Ryan Reynolds arrives at Th..
GCBy3000
06-26 06:06 PM
I am not sure how far it is true, but this is the content of the email I got from my attorney when I pressed him to file at the earlierst.
"As soon as we have these forms back, all of the evidence for filing remaining from you, and I review the completed filing, we will file it. We appreciate your interest in filing on the first day the filing allows. We will endeavor to do that. I should point out that the current bulletin allows for filings throughout July. It is possible that the filings could be discontinued later in July. We are in touch with officials in Washington about this issue and will file your application in a timely fashion for obtaining the benefit when the filing is properly prepared."
"As soon as we have these forms back, all of the evidence for filing remaining from you, and I review the completed filing, we will file it. We appreciate your interest in filing on the first day the filing allows. We will endeavor to do that. I should point out that the current bulletin allows for filings throughout July. It is possible that the filings could be discontinued later in July. We are in touch with officials in Washington about this issue and will file your application in a timely fashion for obtaining the benefit when the filing is properly prepared."
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Macaca
02-19 05:16 PM
One more thing along the same lines, what will happen if my friend gets his H-1B through non-profit organization and will want to move to a profit organization? Will he have to again wait untill the regular quotas kick in? In other words can he simply transfer his H-1B to a profit organization at any time of the year regardless of the availability H-1B visas in the numbered-cap/quota system?
regards
I transferred from non-profit to profit. I have a US CS degree which has a separate H!B quota. I was not aware of all these issues at the time of transfer. So I don't know the category in which I was plugged.
I think it will be counted against the cap. It was discussed in some forum some time back.
regards
I transferred from non-profit to profit. I have a US CS degree which has a separate H!B quota. I was not aware of all these issues at the time of transfer. So I don't know the category in which I was plugged.
I think it will be counted against the cap. It was discussed in some forum some time back.
more...
makeup +ryan+reynolds+dating+2011
kaarmaa
02-01 09:24 AM
Registered. Will Contribute. Will try to attend
girlfriend ryan reynolds dating. blake
barsha
06-29 03:04 PM
Hey Vijjus, what did they do wrong? I thought they were pretty good. Could you please share a little bit more.
Thanks
Never trust the FDBL assholes. They've screwed me multiple times in the past and the irony is that I've paid them for that.
Thanks
Never trust the FDBL assholes. They've screwed me multiple times in the past and the irony is that I've paid them for that.
hairstyles 2010 Ryan Reynolds, who filed
santb1975
04-09 03:54 PM
and this is your first post
I have sent an email to the TeamIV email. Can you send me the form? I will be participating in the DC 10 miler
I have sent an email to the TeamIV email. Can you send me the form? I will be participating in the DC 10 miler
trueguy
04-08 08:21 PM
Hunger strike ?, i dont know my friend, sounds like a neat idea to get attention, but then what happens if its becomes an indefinite hunger strike, i mean i hope you do understand the consequences of that.
I think we are at a stage where people are fed up with the process, but i hope good things happen to people who wait.
Sabar ka phal meetha hota hai :)
Waiting is all we have been doing for so many years. I have been living separately from my wife for last 3 years. When I reached out to Pappu on IV, he refused to do anything for me. I am ready to come forward and talk to media but nobody is here to listen.
I am seriously considering some media awakening event these days, it might be suicide or whatever it takes but this DOS stupidity has to stop. Its affecting so many people's life. I agree GC is not a right that we can demand from US government but they can't treat us like this after investing so many productive years for this Economy.
I think we are at a stage where people are fed up with the process, but i hope good things happen to people who wait.
Sabar ka phal meetha hota hai :)
Waiting is all we have been doing for so many years. I have been living separately from my wife for last 3 years. When I reached out to Pappu on IV, he refused to do anything for me. I am ready to come forward and talk to media but nobody is here to listen.
I am seriously considering some media awakening event these days, it might be suicide or whatever it takes but this DOS stupidity has to stop. Its affecting so many people's life. I agree GC is not a right that we can demand from US government but they can't treat us like this after investing so many productive years for this Economy.
amitjoey
09-29 03:55 PM
We are spinning in circles here and it is like reinventing the wheel. This is THE grassroots org �THAT you want to set-up. already set up to achieve exactly that � YES, YES �We want Congress to introduce a bill to reduce backlogs. The core goal of IV is to have a bill that has our provisions. That is exactly what this organization was set up to achieve. You seem to be a newcomer to this struggle. Have you followed IV from 2005 Dec when a buch of members got together on some other forums and watched helplessly as good provisions (that were meant to allievate our troubles) were taken out at the last minute from a bill during debate.
Since then we have tried and tried and frankly have matured enough to understand that the politics of the immigration issue is complex and any standalone bill �just for us- has no chance.
Our provisions have to be clubbed with all the rest of the minor and major groups � that want reform. There is the nurses lobby, the doctors, the illegal lobby, the dream activists, and many other fringe groups, they all want their issues to be addressed. The anti-immigrants are a big opposition to any small relief that comes up in debate. NOW- We have learnt that we need to work with all these groups, form alliances and lobby hard to get a bill that has more support.
If you go meet with your lawmakers you will understand that our issue is a miniscule little piece of a bigger issue of Immigration. And different varying and sometimes opposing groups have to be accommodated. The politics of immigration is convulted with different factions of the society wanting different things � Our little issue is straightforward and we enjoy a lot more support for our provisions, unfortunately we were clearly told that we have to be clubbed with these other groups when it comes to seeking a bill for reform. We are being held hostage also by the Hispanic lobbyists, that feel that if smaller bills come up and are passed, there will be no apetite for their bigger issue of legalizing a big core of mostly Hispanic illegal immigrants.
FOR A RECAP- after this administration came into office �Jan 09- We had hopes and were promised that CIR (Comprehensive Immigration Reform) will be taken up, if that fails then smaller bills will be allowed to be taken up. If you have watched the developments carefully �There was never a time and a lot of groups including IV lobbied and lobbied hard to be heard and to get a bill but- the legislative calendar with so much other priorities had no space for any immigration bill this year. After the healthcare bill, Nobody has had any energy for a big controversial bill.
Long story-short is YES, we want a bill (either clubbed with others) or amendments inserted into a bill- But have not been able to get it done.
The reason for this failure is us- IV Members. We have not met our lawmakers in the numbers that are important to make an impact. We have to do it every month- building pressure to get a positive sympathetic response. Now some members (including yours truly) have gone and met our respective lawmakers more than 6-8 times in the last year, but that is again not enough, that is just 20-25 odd members compared to total IV Strength of 40,000members. It has to be an ongoing effort, just like the dream activisits have done, they meet with lawmakers regularly, highlight their frustrations and are open to media �giving interviews and keeping their issue alive in the limelight.
IV has come up with specific recommendations for what we would like to see in a bill/s for our community. IV actively analyses any bill that comes up or has a chance to come up for debate. If you want to get your hands on that document, contact Anu or Pappu and ask for the IV_Advocacy package.
We do have a paid lobbying firm that represent our interests and educates lawmakers. This is not enough, because during debates lawmakers behave as if they do not have highly skilled immigrants in their constituency and so do not have to pay attention. This is mainly IV members fault, since we have not been able to visit lawmakers offices in the numbers that we should. Our members need to show up at lawmakers offices and educate them. Tell them you live in their constituency and represent IV so that when the lobbying firm does their work, they are paying attention and our voices are not ignored or drowned.
Individual members need to be open, honest, and courageous enough to talk to their lawmakers and media about issues we face. Just crying and debating on IV's website does not help. Talk about introducing a bill for us to your lawmakers � not here on IV.
We do not get any attention, because we do not raise our issues and we are not vocal about the problems we face. Now granted, we are a small minority compared to the huge lobby and muscle power the undocumented have. But we need to educate the lawmakers about us. We face real issues and our lives have been held in limbo. We have done everything right, played by the rules, stood in the line, pay taxes, contribute to the society. To get this message across, we need to visit lawmakers offices,and educate them.
This advocacy and raising awareness is an ongoing effort, it cannot be a one day or one month thing. We will not get anywhere overnight, perceptions have to change, there is a whole lot of dynamics at play. The timing, legislative calender and politics in general. But we as a group need to stand up, talk about the issues we face and have our voices heard.
Since then we have tried and tried and frankly have matured enough to understand that the politics of the immigration issue is complex and any standalone bill �just for us- has no chance.
Our provisions have to be clubbed with all the rest of the minor and major groups � that want reform. There is the nurses lobby, the doctors, the illegal lobby, the dream activists, and many other fringe groups, they all want their issues to be addressed. The anti-immigrants are a big opposition to any small relief that comes up in debate. NOW- We have learnt that we need to work with all these groups, form alliances and lobby hard to get a bill that has more support.
If you go meet with your lawmakers you will understand that our issue is a miniscule little piece of a bigger issue of Immigration. And different varying and sometimes opposing groups have to be accommodated. The politics of immigration is convulted with different factions of the society wanting different things � Our little issue is straightforward and we enjoy a lot more support for our provisions, unfortunately we were clearly told that we have to be clubbed with these other groups when it comes to seeking a bill for reform. We are being held hostage also by the Hispanic lobbyists, that feel that if smaller bills come up and are passed, there will be no apetite for their bigger issue of legalizing a big core of mostly Hispanic illegal immigrants.
FOR A RECAP- after this administration came into office �Jan 09- We had hopes and were promised that CIR (Comprehensive Immigration Reform) will be taken up, if that fails then smaller bills will be allowed to be taken up. If you have watched the developments carefully �There was never a time and a lot of groups including IV lobbied and lobbied hard to be heard and to get a bill but- the legislative calendar with so much other priorities had no space for any immigration bill this year. After the healthcare bill, Nobody has had any energy for a big controversial bill.
Long story-short is YES, we want a bill (either clubbed with others) or amendments inserted into a bill- But have not been able to get it done.
The reason for this failure is us- IV Members. We have not met our lawmakers in the numbers that are important to make an impact. We have to do it every month- building pressure to get a positive sympathetic response. Now some members (including yours truly) have gone and met our respective lawmakers more than 6-8 times in the last year, but that is again not enough, that is just 20-25 odd members compared to total IV Strength of 40,000members. It has to be an ongoing effort, just like the dream activisits have done, they meet with lawmakers regularly, highlight their frustrations and are open to media �giving interviews and keeping their issue alive in the limelight.
IV has come up with specific recommendations for what we would like to see in a bill/s for our community. IV actively analyses any bill that comes up or has a chance to come up for debate. If you want to get your hands on that document, contact Anu or Pappu and ask for the IV_Advocacy package.
We do have a paid lobbying firm that represent our interests and educates lawmakers. This is not enough, because during debates lawmakers behave as if they do not have highly skilled immigrants in their constituency and so do not have to pay attention. This is mainly IV members fault, since we have not been able to visit lawmakers offices in the numbers that we should. Our members need to show up at lawmakers offices and educate them. Tell them you live in their constituency and represent IV so that when the lobbying firm does their work, they are paying attention and our voices are not ignored or drowned.
Individual members need to be open, honest, and courageous enough to talk to their lawmakers and media about issues we face. Just crying and debating on IV's website does not help. Talk about introducing a bill for us to your lawmakers � not here on IV.
We do not get any attention, because we do not raise our issues and we are not vocal about the problems we face. Now granted, we are a small minority compared to the huge lobby and muscle power the undocumented have. But we need to educate the lawmakers about us. We face real issues and our lives have been held in limbo. We have done everything right, played by the rules, stood in the line, pay taxes, contribute to the society. To get this message across, we need to visit lawmakers offices,and educate them.
This advocacy and raising awareness is an ongoing effort, it cannot be a one day or one month thing. We will not get anywhere overnight, perceptions have to change, there is a whole lot of dynamics at play. The timing, legislative calender and politics in general. But we as a group need to stand up, talk about the issues we face and have our voices heard.
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