leo2606
10-14 07:43 PM
Check the following thread.
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13358
Hi:
I filed on July 23, I-140 and 485 concurrent.
I got EAD on 5th Oct.
I had fingerpring done on OCT12.
Whne Fingerprinting was done, with 2 of my fingers, it gave message
Warning !!!!!!!! Matched (with RED color) . Rest all fingers, it displayed passed with Green color.
Does it mean it matches with some kind of FBI database and Do I need to worry about it?
Please help gurus. I have lost my sleep.
Thanks
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13358
Hi:
I filed on July 23, I-140 and 485 concurrent.
I got EAD on 5th Oct.
I had fingerpring done on OCT12.
Whne Fingerprinting was done, with 2 of my fingers, it gave message
Warning !!!!!!!! Matched (with RED color) . Rest all fingers, it displayed passed with Green color.
Does it mean it matches with some kind of FBI database and Do I need to worry about it?
Please help gurus. I have lost my sleep.
Thanks
wallpaper Fire At Alex Pettyfer#39;s House
baburob2
05-30 08:16 PM
make sure you do the transfer to H1B to Company B before Company A revokes the I-140 to be on the safer side and get the 3 year extension. Then you could transfer the old PD on to your new GC you start with company B.
OLDMONK
06-18 06:55 PM
Remember, everthing copy. Nothing Original. don't send your original I-94, but a copy.
I think if affidavits of Marriage and Birth are submitted, those would have to be originals.
I think if affidavits of Marriage and Birth are submitted, those would have to be originals.
2011 Dianna Agron and Alex Pettyfer
vxg
07-27 03:10 PM
Thanks. I will ask my employer if they can provide me one.
My employer has sent me a copy of I-140 approval and i got a letter from Dallas BEC stating my labor was approved.
My employer has sent me a copy of I-140 approval and i got a letter from Dallas BEC stating my labor was approved.
more...
sapota
10-18 05:49 PM
DOS & USCIS will have all data entered into their systems once they receipt all these 320k cases. Using past USCIS processing speed as another input, DOS should be able to issue accurate EB cut-off dates in all categories.
One can only really hope that they do this more accurately atleast by next bulletin & move forward cut-off dates.
In absence of any legislative changes so far, the EB community should really push for processing efficiencies more. (So far looks like atleast no visa numbers were wasted in FY 2007)
One can only really hope that they do this more accurately atleast by next bulletin & move forward cut-off dates.
In absence of any legislative changes so far, the EB community should really push for processing efficiencies more. (So far looks like atleast no visa numbers were wasted in FY 2007)
nk2006
10-02 02:07 PM
That's a bit too sensational thread title for something that happened in 2006.
That too he was trying to connect to the questioner and made a minor gaffe (which he is famous for). His office later said he admired the growing Indian-American community in the state of Delaware and was talking about how new families were benefiting the local economy by taking over small businesses.
As I drive thru Delaware I do noticed the number of DunkinDonuts owned/operated by Indian Americans - which is quite good and I actually felt proud of that - its not just cool high-tech companies that help a state's economy - it includes everything, and a DunkinDonut owner is an entrepreneur as well.
That too he was trying to connect to the questioner and made a minor gaffe (which he is famous for). His office later said he admired the growing Indian-American community in the state of Delaware and was talking about how new families were benefiting the local economy by taking over small businesses.
As I drive thru Delaware I do noticed the number of DunkinDonuts owned/operated by Indian Americans - which is quite good and I actually felt proud of that - its not just cool high-tech companies that help a state's economy - it includes everything, and a DunkinDonut owner is an entrepreneur as well.
more...
little_willy
08-15 11:28 PM
^^^^^^^^^
2010 dianna agron and alex pettyfer
jlt007us
09-14 04:03 PM
Get back on H1b ASAP and do not wait for the Appeal decision. Have them file for a CP H1b approval if not EOS and get a visa and return back on H1b. Your EAD is invalid and you need $$$ to fight a case and remain in status.
Good Luck!
Can we file for another H1 when an appeal is pending for extension? On what basis can I file extension? I believe the underlying labor becomes invalid when I-140 is denied.
Good Luck!
Can we file for another H1 when an appeal is pending for extension? On what basis can I file extension? I believe the underlying labor becomes invalid when I-140 is denied.
more...
redcard
08-20 09:22 AM
My 140 was approved in 2007 and today I got a text message on phone that my application is sent to Nebraska, NE to review and status changed from Approved to Initial review.
Had any one been in same situation or had seen this before with some one else?
You have been current for a long time based on your profile.. did you check what is the status of your I485 application
Had any one been in same situation or had seen this before with some one else?
You have been current for a long time based on your profile.. did you check what is the status of your I485 application
hair Dianna Agron and Alex Pettyfer
tonyHK12
11-09 01:39 PM
Schumpeter: The other elephant | The Economist (http://www.economist.com/node/17414206)
When the US govt is ignoring the problems of legal immigration and making it harder and harder to immigrate (especially when the interest of foreign nationals to come here has subsided with unprecedented growth in their native country...) it is foolish to expect to lure skilled people to this country any more
yes agree.
I don't think they are even trying to get skilled immigrants anymore, but just temporarily get many people in their 20s to mid 30s. Hiring drops drastically after mid/late 40s here anyway. I guess the logic is also that anyone can be trained locally to become a skilled worker (hopefully)
current Immigration policy ends up getting mostly people who are familiar looking, friendly types, who keep up with the latest fads.
I guess it depends on what they feel is more important and makes them feel gooood, happy.
Good Media trick indeed,...infosys is giving money for this too???
dude the economist is pretty reputed company from London
When the US govt is ignoring the problems of legal immigration and making it harder and harder to immigrate (especially when the interest of foreign nationals to come here has subsided with unprecedented growth in their native country...) it is foolish to expect to lure skilled people to this country any more
yes agree.
I don't think they are even trying to get skilled immigrants anymore, but just temporarily get many people in their 20s to mid 30s. Hiring drops drastically after mid/late 40s here anyway. I guess the logic is also that anyone can be trained locally to become a skilled worker (hopefully)
current Immigration policy ends up getting mostly people who are familiar looking, friendly types, who keep up with the latest fads.
I guess it depends on what they feel is more important and makes them feel gooood, happy.
Good Media trick indeed,...infosys is giving money for this too???
dude the economist is pretty reputed company from London
more...
anilsal
12-20 03:21 PM
How do you know Lou or Sen.Sessions will even consider accepting the invitation from Jon or Stephen?
hot dianna agron and alex pettyfer
chehuan
01-26 08:04 PM
so the job description said BS + 5 years experience or Master +2 years
and they rejected him saying he was not BS +5
none took care of the second part Master +2 years and hence it got rejected
and they rejected him saying he was not BS +5
none took care of the second part Master +2 years and hence it got rejected
more...
house 2011 dianna agron tattoo. glee
waitin_toolong
10-01 02:31 PM
there are two things about visa one is stamp and other is status. if you maintained the same status in USA as you are going for stamping you will answer yes.
eg. you had a H1 stamp that expired in 2006 but you had extended that status and only now getting it stamped then you will answer yes.
but if you had a prev stamp of F1 and then changed to H1 and going for H1 stamping then you will answer no.
For H4 are they asking sepeartely, because you will answer yes in your case and then add yoor daughter to your appointment.
You are only answering for yourself when you say yes, i dont think there is any misrepresentation involved.
eg. you had a H1 stamp that expired in 2006 but you had extended that status and only now getting it stamped then you will answer yes.
but if you had a prev stamp of F1 and then changed to H1 and going for H1 stamping then you will answer no.
For H4 are they asking sepeartely, because you will answer yes in your case and then add yoor daughter to your appointment.
You are only answering for yourself when you say yes, i dont think there is any misrepresentation involved.
tattoo dianna agron and alex pettyfer
sparky_jones
10-01 08:19 AM
^^^^
more...
pictures Alex+pettyfer+and+dianna+agron
snhn
12-13 09:13 AM
From Austin. In for whatever. Let me know How can I be helpful
dresses Glee#39;s Dianna Agron Engaged?
mayurcreation
01-13 09:23 AM
Hi,
My previous employer had filed my I-140 (EB3) and it got approved after I left the company. So I don�t have I-140 approved notice copy with me but I do have I-140 receipt notice. They haven�t canceled my I-140 (I can check the status at USCIS web site).
My new employer had filed my I-140 (EB2) and it got approved last month. As I was not having my previous I-140 approval notice with me so I did not mentioned to my new employer about my previous I-140 approval at the time of filing new labor and I-140.
1) There is anyway I can do Priority Date Porting from my previous I-140 (EB3) receipt copy ( as I don't have approval notice copy with me at present) to my second I-140 (Eb2) after it got approved last month.
I have checked with my company lawyer, they�re saying that the priority date gets fixed at the I-140 stage and it is very difficult to get USCIS to update it once they�ve issued the I-140. They say that usually there�s no response from USCIS on such cases even if we put in a request. I�ve asked them to see if there are any other options
There is any other option!!
Thanks in advance.
1st PD EB3 11/17/2007
2nd PD EB2 07/27/2009
My previous employer had filed my I-140 (EB3) and it got approved after I left the company. So I don�t have I-140 approved notice copy with me but I do have I-140 receipt notice. They haven�t canceled my I-140 (I can check the status at USCIS web site).
My new employer had filed my I-140 (EB2) and it got approved last month. As I was not having my previous I-140 approval notice with me so I did not mentioned to my new employer about my previous I-140 approval at the time of filing new labor and I-140.
1) There is anyway I can do Priority Date Porting from my previous I-140 (EB3) receipt copy ( as I don't have approval notice copy with me at present) to my second I-140 (Eb2) after it got approved last month.
I have checked with my company lawyer, they�re saying that the priority date gets fixed at the I-140 stage and it is very difficult to get USCIS to update it once they�ve issued the I-140. They say that usually there�s no response from USCIS on such cases even if we put in a request. I�ve asked them to see if there are any other options
There is any other option!!
Thanks in advance.
1st PD EB3 11/17/2007
2nd PD EB2 07/27/2009
more...
makeup alex pettyfer middot; # dianna agron
pa_arora
04-19 07:08 PM
Atleast somebody talked abut legals and their problems...Here's the link..
http://www.uschamber.com/issues/lett...sa_program.htm
=================TEXT========================
Letter on Employment-Based (EB or Green Card) and H-1B Visa Programs
April 12, 2007
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE UNITED STATES SENATE:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce would like to reiterate the need to reform both the employment-based (EB or green card) and H-1B visa programs. The Chamber is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
The Chamber represents numerous companies and organizations that need to bring thousands of foreign workers and students into the United States each year. The inability of these companies to bring highly educated workers and students into the United States severely hurts their competitiveness in the global market and often leads to companies moving operations overseas. It is imperative that any comprehensive immigration reform includes changes that would allow employers in the United States to recruit and retain highly educated foreign talent and guarantee our continued global economic competitiveness and success.
The announcement last week by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)regarding the fact that the H-1B visa cap for the FY2008 was reached on the first day applications were accepted marks the dire need for changes in the system. This is also the fourth consecutive year the H-1B cap was met before the fiscal year even starts. USCIS will now conduct a “computer-generated random selection process” to determine which of these needed workers will be excluded.
Other areas of U.S. immigration system for highly-skilled immigrants face similar daunting barriers—from years of waiting for a green card to the inability of hiring a student from a United States university as a permanent worker right after graduation. The current system is counterproductive to the country’s economic, security, and social goals. Retaining the best and the brightest foreign workers help make U.S. economy strong. These artificial barriers are forcing some companies to conduct business elsewhere, wherever they can hire the necessary talent. The Chamber strongly urges you to supports comprehensive immigration reform that would include:
Raising the EB cap and exempting specific highly skilled professionals in
sciences, arts, business, and other critical fields from the final allotted number.
Allowing foreign students who have earned advanced degrees from American
universities, as well as from foreign universities, in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to be exempt from both the EB and H-1B
visa cap numbers.
Designing the H-1B visa cap numbers around a market-based annual adjustment,
rather than an arbitrary fixed number.
The creation of an entire new visa category that would allow STEM students,
studying in the United States on a student visa, to seamlessly transition to a green
card when offered a job.
The Chamber urges inclusion of these measures in a comprehensive immigration reform package. Without these provisions in a broad immigration reform package, American companies will continue to lose their competitive edge in the global economy.
On behalf of the Chamber, I thank you and look forward to working with this Congress to pass meaningful comprehensive immigration reform.
Sincerely,
R. Bruce Josten
http://www.uschamber.com/issues/lett...sa_program.htm
=================TEXT========================
Letter on Employment-Based (EB or Green Card) and H-1B Visa Programs
April 12, 2007
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE UNITED STATES SENATE:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce would like to reiterate the need to reform both the employment-based (EB or green card) and H-1B visa programs. The Chamber is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
The Chamber represents numerous companies and organizations that need to bring thousands of foreign workers and students into the United States each year. The inability of these companies to bring highly educated workers and students into the United States severely hurts their competitiveness in the global market and often leads to companies moving operations overseas. It is imperative that any comprehensive immigration reform includes changes that would allow employers in the United States to recruit and retain highly educated foreign talent and guarantee our continued global economic competitiveness and success.
The announcement last week by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)regarding the fact that the H-1B visa cap for the FY2008 was reached on the first day applications were accepted marks the dire need for changes in the system. This is also the fourth consecutive year the H-1B cap was met before the fiscal year even starts. USCIS will now conduct a “computer-generated random selection process” to determine which of these needed workers will be excluded.
Other areas of U.S. immigration system for highly-skilled immigrants face similar daunting barriers—from years of waiting for a green card to the inability of hiring a student from a United States university as a permanent worker right after graduation. The current system is counterproductive to the country’s economic, security, and social goals. Retaining the best and the brightest foreign workers help make U.S. economy strong. These artificial barriers are forcing some companies to conduct business elsewhere, wherever they can hire the necessary talent. The Chamber strongly urges you to supports comprehensive immigration reform that would include:
Raising the EB cap and exempting specific highly skilled professionals in
sciences, arts, business, and other critical fields from the final allotted number.
Allowing foreign students who have earned advanced degrees from American
universities, as well as from foreign universities, in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to be exempt from both the EB and H-1B
visa cap numbers.
Designing the H-1B visa cap numbers around a market-based annual adjustment,
rather than an arbitrary fixed number.
The creation of an entire new visa category that would allow STEM students,
studying in the United States on a student visa, to seamlessly transition to a green
card when offered a job.
The Chamber urges inclusion of these measures in a comprehensive immigration reform package. Without these provisions in a broad immigration reform package, American companies will continue to lose their competitive edge in the global economy.
On behalf of the Chamber, I thank you and look forward to working with this Congress to pass meaningful comprehensive immigration reform.
Sincerely,
R. Bruce Josten
girlfriend 2011 +tattoo+dianna+agron alex
IneedAllGreen
02-04 12:43 PM
:confused: Does anyone have multiple RFE for I-140? :confused:
I am kind of curious to know if there is anyone like me in same boat. I got 2 RFE (off course one after another once we answer first one) for my I-140 in year 2008. First RFE I got it regarding ability to pay which we answer in January 2008. I got another RFE in August 2008. Second RFE was kind of mix of ability to pay and education validation. For second RFE they ask for university transcript, all experience letter matching with job description from labor certificate, last year's W2 and company's last year bank statement(year 2007). It was one of the huge list I had seen from USCIS.
Long story short what the hell are they doing with all documents they are asking from us? Its being 3 and half months we have answer 2nd RFE but there is no single response from NSC except they have received the documents and processing has resumed. My I-140 is stuck at NSC from January 2007. How long do I have to wait to get my I-140 approval?:mad:
How do I can contact NSC to know what the hell are they doing with my I-140? Guys share your experience so we all can prevail this another backlog mess.
I am kind of curious to know if there is anyone like me in same boat. I got 2 RFE (off course one after another once we answer first one) for my I-140 in year 2008. First RFE I got it regarding ability to pay which we answer in January 2008. I got another RFE in August 2008. Second RFE was kind of mix of ability to pay and education validation. For second RFE they ask for university transcript, all experience letter matching with job description from labor certificate, last year's W2 and company's last year bank statement(year 2007). It was one of the huge list I had seen from USCIS.
Long story short what the hell are they doing with all documents they are asking from us? Its being 3 and half months we have answer 2nd RFE but there is no single response from NSC except they have received the documents and processing has resumed. My I-140 is stuck at NSC from January 2007. How long do I have to wait to get my I-140 approval?:mad:
How do I can contact NSC to know what the hell are they doing with my I-140? Guys share your experience so we all can prevail this another backlog mess.
hairstyles Dianna Agron has reportedly
gc28262
12-31 06:17 PM
Congrats on your I-140 approval.
Wishing you a smooth GC journey !
Happy New Year !
What a way to celebrate I-140 approval ( $140 contribution)
What are you planning on your 485 approval ? :D
Wishing you a smooth GC journey !
Happy New Year !
What a way to celebrate I-140 approval ( $140 contribution)
What are you planning on your 485 approval ? :D
Blog Feeds
02-10 08:50 PM
Most lawyers that are versed in the H1B visa process, are getting busier and busier these days. As we are nearing the April 1, 2010 filing deadline for the H1B visa. Many speculations out there as to when will the Cap be reached this year. The economy is still in recovery mode, and employers are careful before hiring. Yet, many Immigration experts feel the Cap will be met early this year, but when is the big question.
With drastic changes to the Labor Condition Application (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2009/07/icert_portal_for_lca_filing.html)process (now taking more than 7 days to process), as well as unreasonable denials (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2009/08/h1b_visa_lawyer_about_icert_wo.html), planning early is the key to a successful H1B case this year. But in this post, I want to go back to the basics, the Cap and the legislative background.
Background
On October 21, 1998 Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the much debated American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-277 (hereinafter ACWIA). This legislation was first introduced by Senator Spencer Abraham (R-MI), the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, in response to the inadequate numbers of H-1B visas available in any fiscal year. As part of the Immigration Act of 1990, Congress imposed a 65,000 per year cap on these visas. In 1997, the cap was reached prior to the end of the fiscal year. The situation grew to crisis proportions in fiscal year 1998 when all 65,000 visas numbers were taken in May of 1998.
In early March 1998, Senator Abraham introduced a bill entitled, "The American Competitiveness Act." The legislation was introduced on the heels of numerous reports and hearings concerning the high tech worker shortage in the United States. The primary goal of the legislation was to address the looming exhaustion of the H-1B professional or specialty occupation worker visa numbers. (http://www.h1b.biz/lawyer-attorney-1137085.html)
The ACWIA went through many different stages before an agreement could be reached. A complete elimination of the cap had originally been proposed by Senator Abraham. The legislation was then modified to increase the number of H-1B visa numbers available during the government fiscal year; provide additional funds for scholarships in the computer science and mathematics areas; increase enforcement of the Department of Labor component of the H-1B visa process; and provide clarification on the prevailing wage requirements of the process. The legislation also addressed permanent residence by providing for an extension of the H-1B visa should a permanent residence petition be pending, and through restructuring the allocation of the employment-based immigrant visa numbers.
This legislative game between conservative isolationists/liberal protectors of the U.S. workforce and moderate Democrats and Republicans supporting business needs and demands, caused chaos among U.S.-based businesses in need of skilled professional workers. From May 11, 1998 until October 1, 1998 U.S. businesses, research institutions and other organizations were unable to recruit foreign workers as temporary professionals. With the U.S. economy still booming and unemployment rates remaining at an all-time low, businesses, especially in the high tech sector, encountered many problems as a result of the cut-off in H-1B visa availability. These problems included, but were not limited to, taking employees off the U.S. payroll, sending employees back to their home country or to sites outside the U.S. as well as the termination of some critical development projects.
Requirements in the Statute
The ACWIA purportedly balances the need for increased professional visas numbers for foreign workers and the desire to protect the U.S. workforce. The following is a summary of the significant changes made by the legislation.
A. Temporary Increase in the Number of Professional Visas Available
There will be an increase from 65,000 to 115,000 visas for fiscal year 1999 and 2000 (through September 30, 2000). In fiscal year 2001, 107,500 visas will be available. Beginning October 1, 2001 the numbers will revert back to 65,000.
B. Electronic Postings
LCA notices may be posted electronically in situations without a bargaining representative. This provision was effective upon date of enactment.
C. Attestations Required for Employers Dependent Upon Foreign Professionals
U.S. employers of 51 or more employees, whose workforce is comprised of 15% or more foreign nationals in the H-1B category are considered dependent employers and must make certain attestations. Employers will also be considered dependent if they employ 26- 50 full time employees and have more than 12 H-1B employees or if they employ 7 -25 employees and have more than 7 H-1B employees.
The dependent employer must attest that it has not and will not displace a U.S. worker within 90 days before and 90 days after filing the visa application. This attestation carries through to employers who place employees at another worksite. The H-1B dependent employer must also attest that it has taken good faith steps to recruit U.S. workers using industry wide standards and has offered the position to any U.S. worker who is equally or better qualified for the job the foreign worker is sought.
H-1B employees with a Master�s degree or a salary of $60,000 or higher are not included in the attestation requirements and for the first 6 months following the implementation will not be included in the dependent employer calculation.
D. Increased Enforcement and Penalties for Violations
The Department of Labor may fine employers between $1,000-$35,000 per violation and preclude participation in the H-1B program for up to three years.
E. Back Benching H-1B Employees
Employers must pay H-1B nonimmigrants the wage stated on the H-1B petition even if the beneficiary is in nonproductive status. This does not apply to non-productive time due to non work related factors.
F. Benefits
Employers must offer foreign workers benefits and eligibility for insurance, disability, retirement and savings plans, stock options, etc., on the same basis as offerings made to U.S. workers.
G. Additional Fee for Use of H-1B Program
Beginning December 1, 1998, employers are required to pay an additional fee of $500 for an initial H-1B petition and for the first extension. These fees are to be used to support job training programs and scholarships for U.S. workers.
H. Prevailing Wage Computations
For institutions of higher education, related or affiliated non-profit entities or non profit or governmental research organizations, the prevailing wage shall take into account employees at such institutions in the area of employment.
I. Academic Honoraria
Payments of honoraria may now be made to B-1 and B-2 visitors for usual academic activity lasting 9 days at an academic institution or affiliated non-profit entity or a non-profit governmental research organization. No more than 5 honorarium may be received within a six month period.
Employers based in the U.S. now have a temporary reprieve when hiring foreign professionals. However, it is uncertain whether the 65,000 visas for this fiscal year will be adequate to meet the demand for this year and next. Some government officials estimate that visas will be unavailable as early as the beginning of May 2010. In addition, it is still unclear what is on the legislative horizon, reform or not. Pro Immigrants want to come with a proposal to reform legal immigration. U.S. employers employing foreign nationals in any capacity would be well advised to carefully monitor future legislative and regulatory proposals on the horizon. All I can say is that if you plan on hiring a foreign worker, you better call your lawyer now!!!
More... (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2010/02/h1b_visa_lawyer_the_filing_sea.html)
With drastic changes to the Labor Condition Application (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2009/07/icert_portal_for_lca_filing.html)process (now taking more than 7 days to process), as well as unreasonable denials (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2009/08/h1b_visa_lawyer_about_icert_wo.html), planning early is the key to a successful H1B case this year. But in this post, I want to go back to the basics, the Cap and the legislative background.
Background
On October 21, 1998 Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the much debated American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-277 (hereinafter ACWIA). This legislation was first introduced by Senator Spencer Abraham (R-MI), the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, in response to the inadequate numbers of H-1B visas available in any fiscal year. As part of the Immigration Act of 1990, Congress imposed a 65,000 per year cap on these visas. In 1997, the cap was reached prior to the end of the fiscal year. The situation grew to crisis proportions in fiscal year 1998 when all 65,000 visas numbers were taken in May of 1998.
In early March 1998, Senator Abraham introduced a bill entitled, "The American Competitiveness Act." The legislation was introduced on the heels of numerous reports and hearings concerning the high tech worker shortage in the United States. The primary goal of the legislation was to address the looming exhaustion of the H-1B professional or specialty occupation worker visa numbers. (http://www.h1b.biz/lawyer-attorney-1137085.html)
The ACWIA went through many different stages before an agreement could be reached. A complete elimination of the cap had originally been proposed by Senator Abraham. The legislation was then modified to increase the number of H-1B visa numbers available during the government fiscal year; provide additional funds for scholarships in the computer science and mathematics areas; increase enforcement of the Department of Labor component of the H-1B visa process; and provide clarification on the prevailing wage requirements of the process. The legislation also addressed permanent residence by providing for an extension of the H-1B visa should a permanent residence petition be pending, and through restructuring the allocation of the employment-based immigrant visa numbers.
This legislative game between conservative isolationists/liberal protectors of the U.S. workforce and moderate Democrats and Republicans supporting business needs and demands, caused chaos among U.S.-based businesses in need of skilled professional workers. From May 11, 1998 until October 1, 1998 U.S. businesses, research institutions and other organizations were unable to recruit foreign workers as temporary professionals. With the U.S. economy still booming and unemployment rates remaining at an all-time low, businesses, especially in the high tech sector, encountered many problems as a result of the cut-off in H-1B visa availability. These problems included, but were not limited to, taking employees off the U.S. payroll, sending employees back to their home country or to sites outside the U.S. as well as the termination of some critical development projects.
Requirements in the Statute
The ACWIA purportedly balances the need for increased professional visas numbers for foreign workers and the desire to protect the U.S. workforce. The following is a summary of the significant changes made by the legislation.
A. Temporary Increase in the Number of Professional Visas Available
There will be an increase from 65,000 to 115,000 visas for fiscal year 1999 and 2000 (through September 30, 2000). In fiscal year 2001, 107,500 visas will be available. Beginning October 1, 2001 the numbers will revert back to 65,000.
B. Electronic Postings
LCA notices may be posted electronically in situations without a bargaining representative. This provision was effective upon date of enactment.
C. Attestations Required for Employers Dependent Upon Foreign Professionals
U.S. employers of 51 or more employees, whose workforce is comprised of 15% or more foreign nationals in the H-1B category are considered dependent employers and must make certain attestations. Employers will also be considered dependent if they employ 26- 50 full time employees and have more than 12 H-1B employees or if they employ 7 -25 employees and have more than 7 H-1B employees.
The dependent employer must attest that it has not and will not displace a U.S. worker within 90 days before and 90 days after filing the visa application. This attestation carries through to employers who place employees at another worksite. The H-1B dependent employer must also attest that it has taken good faith steps to recruit U.S. workers using industry wide standards and has offered the position to any U.S. worker who is equally or better qualified for the job the foreign worker is sought.
H-1B employees with a Master�s degree or a salary of $60,000 or higher are not included in the attestation requirements and for the first 6 months following the implementation will not be included in the dependent employer calculation.
D. Increased Enforcement and Penalties for Violations
The Department of Labor may fine employers between $1,000-$35,000 per violation and preclude participation in the H-1B program for up to three years.
E. Back Benching H-1B Employees
Employers must pay H-1B nonimmigrants the wage stated on the H-1B petition even if the beneficiary is in nonproductive status. This does not apply to non-productive time due to non work related factors.
F. Benefits
Employers must offer foreign workers benefits and eligibility for insurance, disability, retirement and savings plans, stock options, etc., on the same basis as offerings made to U.S. workers.
G. Additional Fee for Use of H-1B Program
Beginning December 1, 1998, employers are required to pay an additional fee of $500 for an initial H-1B petition and for the first extension. These fees are to be used to support job training programs and scholarships for U.S. workers.
H. Prevailing Wage Computations
For institutions of higher education, related or affiliated non-profit entities or non profit or governmental research organizations, the prevailing wage shall take into account employees at such institutions in the area of employment.
I. Academic Honoraria
Payments of honoraria may now be made to B-1 and B-2 visitors for usual academic activity lasting 9 days at an academic institution or affiliated non-profit entity or a non-profit governmental research organization. No more than 5 honorarium may be received within a six month period.
Employers based in the U.S. now have a temporary reprieve when hiring foreign professionals. However, it is uncertain whether the 65,000 visas for this fiscal year will be adequate to meet the demand for this year and next. Some government officials estimate that visas will be unavailable as early as the beginning of May 2010. In addition, it is still unclear what is on the legislative horizon, reform or not. Pro Immigrants want to come with a proposal to reform legal immigration. U.S. employers employing foreign nationals in any capacity would be well advised to carefully monitor future legislative and regulatory proposals on the horizon. All I can say is that if you plan on hiring a foreign worker, you better call your lawyer now!!!
More... (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2010/02/h1b_visa_lawyer_the_filing_sea.html)
gmb
03-10 12:35 AM
You are not suppossed to submit the i-94 which you received along with 797. Submit only the POE i-94.
It was told by Officer when i had a issue with the visa date not mentioned in the i-94 during re-entry.
That's not TRUE. You are supposed to submit all your I-94s. Maybe, the officer meant the other half of I-94 card attached to your I-797 which is for your personal records. The actual I-94 attached to your I-797 (right half at the bottom) SHOULD BE returned along with the original I-94 to the airport authorities.
It was told by Officer when i had a issue with the visa date not mentioned in the i-94 during re-entry.
That's not TRUE. You are supposed to submit all your I-94s. Maybe, the officer meant the other half of I-94 card attached to your I-797 which is for your personal records. The actual I-94 attached to your I-797 (right half at the bottom) SHOULD BE returned along with the original I-94 to the airport authorities.
