uumapathi
03-04 01:17 PM
I have a refi approval from DCU for a 15yr 5% 0pts and I am in AOS status. They did not have any issues with that.
wallpaper And resources on child
Jerrome
01-10 10:55 AM
I have been reading all the posts, in my opinion we all came here broadly because of 2 reasons.
a) Want to earn more money
We have considered our parents are of Middle Class family and We wanted to be the UPPER Class parents to our childern.
b) Want to achieve Career Goals.
We have always considered US is the place where you would find the latest of everything ex. Car, Electronics, Life Style etc.. We wanted to enjoy.
When time passed these things have got changed in our home country, But at the same time we could not make a decision because of other factors which would influence our Decision.
In my opinion IF YOU have become a US citizen MENTALLY then you don't think of going back, You have to ask this question to your self. AM i a US Citizen Mentally or Indian Citizen?. If the answer is Yes to US Citizen then having Green card or not having does not matter, you would stick to US and won't think of going back.
The problem lies with people like me Who could not find a answer to the Question So simply because of following reasons.
a) Professional Life
I like to work in US because, i can spend more time with family, i don't have to drive a lot to go to work, i can leave at 6 every day.
b) Personal Life
I am afraid because i dont like the family or personal life style here is US. I COULD NOT accustom myself to this life style and i am afraid What if my Kids started behaving like American youngster at his/her 20s and 30s, i am afraid about my 60s.
c) How much($$$$) do i need to Settle in India.
when i came to US at first i thought i would go back to india if i have 1 crore, but when time goes by, i came to know that now a days in india people who have 1 Crore are considered as Middle Class, The ultimate reason for me to come here to us is to become UPPER CLASS but the TARGET keeps slipping. Somehow i could not conclude how much i need to go back to INDIA.
So i am also confused like you guys.
a) Want to earn more money
We have considered our parents are of Middle Class family and We wanted to be the UPPER Class parents to our childern.
b) Want to achieve Career Goals.
We have always considered US is the place where you would find the latest of everything ex. Car, Electronics, Life Style etc.. We wanted to enjoy.
When time passed these things have got changed in our home country, But at the same time we could not make a decision because of other factors which would influence our Decision.
In my opinion IF YOU have become a US citizen MENTALLY then you don't think of going back, You have to ask this question to your self. AM i a US Citizen Mentally or Indian Citizen?. If the answer is Yes to US Citizen then having Green card or not having does not matter, you would stick to US and won't think of going back.
The problem lies with people like me Who could not find a answer to the Question So simply because of following reasons.
a) Professional Life
I like to work in US because, i can spend more time with family, i don't have to drive a lot to go to work, i can leave at 6 every day.
b) Personal Life
I am afraid because i dont like the family or personal life style here is US. I COULD NOT accustom myself to this life style and i am afraid What if my Kids started behaving like American youngster at his/her 20s and 30s, i am afraid about my 60s.
c) How much($$$$) do i need to Settle in India.
when i came to US at first i thought i would go back to india if i have 1 crore, but when time goes by, i came to know that now a days in india people who have 1 Crore are considered as Middle Class, The ultimate reason for me to come here to us is to become UPPER CLASS but the TARGET keeps slipping. Somehow i could not conclude how much i need to go back to INDIA.
So i am also confused like you guys.
indyanguy
08-13 04:51 PM
I believe everyone is thinking in the same direction... but if and only if we're able to come out of the blackhole called I-140.
Well, you don't need to wait for I-140 to come out of the blackhole if you are dumping the old case and starting a new EB2 case. According to my lawyer, new EB2 140s are getting processed at a much higher rate than those EB3 140s that were filed July 07.
Well, you don't need to wait for I-140 to come out of the blackhole if you are dumping the old case and starting a new EB2 case. According to my lawyer, new EB2 140s are getting processed at a much higher rate than those EB3 140s that were filed July 07.
2011 do you think kids should be
rokocoko
01-10 01:30 PM
May be yes....applying greencard is required to extend the H1...having said that one has to spend huge money in applying for GC...at the same time one can also stay out of US for an year and come back if required...
well the reasons are many...and all seems to be valid...
I agree having 1 crore is sort of middle class..especially with the real estate boom in Hyderabad..you won't get a two bedroom flat in a decent area unless you pay around 20 lakhs...
on a lighter note...1 crore is just simple....for the people over there...for example my father retired in early 2004 and spent his retirement money to buy a two bedroom apartment and a small piece of land (about 10 lakhs in total)...now the apartment itself costs about 11 lakhs and land costs about another 14 lakhs.........earning/saving of about 15 lakhs in 3 years....how many of us could do that ;)
well the reasons are many...and all seems to be valid...
I agree having 1 crore is sort of middle class..especially with the real estate boom in Hyderabad..you won't get a two bedroom flat in a decent area unless you pay around 20 lakhs...
on a lighter note...1 crore is just simple....for the people over there...for example my father retired in early 2004 and spent his retirement money to buy a two bedroom apartment and a small piece of land (about 10 lakhs in total)...now the apartment itself costs about 11 lakhs and land costs about another 14 lakhs.........earning/saving of about 15 lakhs in 3 years....how many of us could do that ;)
more...
nogc12
07-19 12:42 AM
Signed up mothly contribution from july.
Atleast with the current visa bullettin change has eased the worry of a lot of people if not all. Also get the satisfaction that we are doing something to improve our situation.
Atleast with the current visa bullettin change has eased the worry of a lot of people if not all. Also get the satisfaction that we are doing something to improve our situation.
x1050us
09-16 07:36 PM
Here you go another first time contributor. Just pulled the trigger for $100.
Google checkout order #768184044370985
Google checkout order #768184044370985
more...
Jeniya2006feb27INDIA
11-06 04:03 AM
I read somwhere that another bill is in que of senete for allowing the reinstatement of schedule A
is it true? if yes, is there any chance that it will become a bill
is it true? if yes, is there any chance that it will become a bill
2010 obesity; Common for kids
wanna_immigrate
03-15 02:48 PM
In the last 1 months, how mcuh time is it taking for just the labor to be cleared. Not the pre-labor work. Just labor.
Thank you,.
PERM is getting approved in less than 4 weeks after filing if there is not audit.
Thank you,.
PERM is getting approved in less than 4 weeks after filing if there is not audit.
more...
PKV4voice
09-16 08:30 PM
Unable to participate due to prior commitments (travelling in Mid West)
Contributed $200
Google Order # 332995467726386
Appreciate IV's initiative. Thanks a ton.
Contributed $200
Google Order # 332995467726386
Appreciate IV's initiative. Thanks a ton.
hair Australian government to fund
jgh_res
10-01 06:14 AM
First in First out is always the best option. Unfortunately that is not happening. In this scenario you should be happy that lot of people are getting green cards as the number of people in the line before you gets reduced and the visa numbers are not wasted. As some body said "Life is not fair".
The sad part is that some applicants who missed the boat called BEC with PD of around June 2004 on EB3/India got approved in June end/July time frame. I did see this on some forums external to IV.
I think there may be candidates from 2001/2002/2003 who may have applied in June/July 07. But if the rumors of NSC processing RD wise (as seen on some forum posts outside IV), then it is unfair to these people, because there may be others who missed the BEC boat and are ahead of these folks coming out of BEC.
The sad part is that some applicants who missed the boat called BEC with PD of around June 2004 on EB3/India got approved in June end/July time frame. I did see this on some forums external to IV.
I think there may be candidates from 2001/2002/2003 who may have applied in June/July 07. But if the rumors of NSC processing RD wise (as seen on some forum posts outside IV), then it is unfair to these people, because there may be others who missed the BEC boat and are ahead of these folks coming out of BEC.
more...
swo
07-23 10:58 AM
Show me the law that says they MUST use 140,000. Sadly, I think you're wrong.
Enforce EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCY - USCIS to consume unused EB Numbers
Firstly, the executive branch agency USCIS failed to UPHOLD the law by not fully issuing 140,000 numbers when there was hugh backlog.
Secondly, Change the following:
1. Allow USCIS to use previous unused EB numbers since 2000.
2. Change the way the Dept. of State allocates the EB numbers throughout the Fiscal Year. The Dept. of State should allocate the EB numbers UNIFORMLY across the 4 QUARTERS.
Enforce EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCY - USCIS to consume unused EB Numbers
Firstly, the executive branch agency USCIS failed to UPHOLD the law by not fully issuing 140,000 numbers when there was hugh backlog.
Secondly, Change the following:
1. Allow USCIS to use previous unused EB numbers since 2000.
2. Change the way the Dept. of State allocates the EB numbers throughout the Fiscal Year. The Dept. of State should allocate the EB numbers UNIFORMLY across the 4 QUARTERS.
hot Obesity In Children In
sameet
02-19 11:27 AM
I don't think anybody can predict EB-3 India as it is a lost cause (sorry for being pessimistic). The only way EB-3 India will see any meaningful progress is through legislation.
I don't understand why EB3-I is a lost cause. Isn't the percentage distribution for the various categories taken into account? I don;t think I understand how the percentage distrubution works probably. Can anyone please explain?
I don't understand why EB3-I is a lost cause. Isn't the percentage distribution for the various categories taken into account? I don;t think I understand how the percentage distrubution works probably. Can anyone please explain?
more...
house child obesity is on
aadimanav
06-10 11:28 PM
Source:
http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/general-immigration-questions/8261-visa-number-update-from-the-department-of-state.html
AILA just published the following information that they received from the Visa Office:
Department of State Advises of Dire State of Affairs on Visa Number Availability for Those Born in India or China!
Cite as "AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 09061032 (posted Jun. 10, 2009)"
Mr. Charles Oppenheim of the Department of State Visa Office has advised AILA of the following predictions for the movement of priority dates for the remainder of FY2009 and future years. He estimates that all 140,000 employment-based immigrant visa numbers will be used this fiscal year (October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009). Mr. Oppenheim notes that the estimates provided on visa availability for the remainder of FY2009 were based on USCIS processing during the first 7 � months of the fiscal year, and any changes to USCIS processing patterns would impact availability. Mr. Oppenheim reported:
* The employment-based fourth preference, which includes religious workers and other special immigrants, has experienced a surge in usage of immigrant visa numbers this year. While this preference is current for June 2009, continued heavy demand for numbers could require the establishment of a cut-off date later in the fiscal year.
* The employment-based fifth preference (immigrant investors) has also experienced a surge in usage of immigrant visa numbers this year.
* The surge in usage of the employment-based fourth and fifth preference numbers is significant beyond those specific categories themselves because, historically, there have been substantial unused numbers in these categories which have been used to meet demand for visas in the employment-based first and second preference categories, allowing the China and India cut-off dates to advance further than would be possible if those categories are limited to only their annual limits. This means EB2 immigrants from China and India could have an even longer wait to obtain green cards.
* The EB1 category worldwide will remain current the rest of the fiscal year but demand is high.
* The EB1 categories for India and China will be current during the month of July 2009, but could require the establishment of a cut-off date in August or September should EB1 demand remain heavy. As noted above, China and India have previously benefited from the excess EB1 numbers for all other countries because excess visa numbers from other countries "fall across" the EB1 category to India and China. The high demand from other countries this year means there are fewer numbers to "fall across" to India and China.
* EB2 India. The prognosis is grim. For July 2009, the cut-off date is January 1, 2000, and the category may become unavailable in August or September of 2009. There are currently approximately 25,000 EB2 India cases which have been reviewed by USCIS and queued up at the Department of State awaiting visa numbers for the "green cards" to be approved. Like all other countries, India has a limit of 2,800 EB2 numbers available per year plus any "fall across" and "fall down" numbers from EB4, EB5 and EB1 visa numbers. Therefore, without legislative relief, the waiting time for Indian EB2 applicants may be measured in years, even decades.
* EB2 China. The prognosis is equally grim. As of July 2009, the cut-off date will be January 1, 2000 and the category may become unavailable in August or September of 2009. There are a significant amount of EB2 China cases which have been reviewed by USCIS and queued up at the Department of State awaiting visa numbers for approval of the adjustment of status. Like all other countries, China has a limit of 2,800 EB2 numbers available per year plus any "fall across" and "fall down" from EB4, EB5 and EB1 visa numbers. Therefore, without legislative relief, the waiting time for China born EB2 applicants may also be many years.
* EB3 Worldwide will be unavailable the remainder of this fiscal year. As the Department of Labor cleared its long backlog of Alien Labor Certification cases, there were tens of thousands of I-485 applications with priority dates in 2004 and earlier years which were processed by USCIS this year. The Department of State currently estimates that, as of October 1, 2009, the EB3 worldwide cut-off date will be March 1, 2003. There will be extended delays in this category.
* EB3 visas for India, China and Mexico applicants will be unavailable for the remainder of the fiscal year. It is estimated, based on current demand for visa numbers that as of October 1, 2009, the following cut-off dates could be established: China will be March 1, 2003; India will be November 1, 2001; and Mexico will be March 1, 2003. These estimates are based on "current demand" in the first 7 � months of FY2009, and a lot could change between now and early September when October dates are established.
* There are approximately 25,000 EB2 and 25,000 EB3 applicants currently queued at the Department of State awaiting visa numbers.
* There are 2.7 million family-based applicants on the waiting lists for consular processing. Note that this information was provided in the March Visa Bulletin. (See AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 9021063.)
* There could be approximately 50,000 employment-based applicants on the waiting lists for consular processing.
* Currently almost 90% of all employment-based visa numbers are used by USCIS and 75% of all family-based visa numbers are used by consular posts.
http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/general-immigration-questions/8261-visa-number-update-from-the-department-of-state.html
AILA just published the following information that they received from the Visa Office:
Department of State Advises of Dire State of Affairs on Visa Number Availability for Those Born in India or China!
Cite as "AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 09061032 (posted Jun. 10, 2009)"
Mr. Charles Oppenheim of the Department of State Visa Office has advised AILA of the following predictions for the movement of priority dates for the remainder of FY2009 and future years. He estimates that all 140,000 employment-based immigrant visa numbers will be used this fiscal year (October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009). Mr. Oppenheim notes that the estimates provided on visa availability for the remainder of FY2009 were based on USCIS processing during the first 7 � months of the fiscal year, and any changes to USCIS processing patterns would impact availability. Mr. Oppenheim reported:
* The employment-based fourth preference, which includes religious workers and other special immigrants, has experienced a surge in usage of immigrant visa numbers this year. While this preference is current for June 2009, continued heavy demand for numbers could require the establishment of a cut-off date later in the fiscal year.
* The employment-based fifth preference (immigrant investors) has also experienced a surge in usage of immigrant visa numbers this year.
* The surge in usage of the employment-based fourth and fifth preference numbers is significant beyond those specific categories themselves because, historically, there have been substantial unused numbers in these categories which have been used to meet demand for visas in the employment-based first and second preference categories, allowing the China and India cut-off dates to advance further than would be possible if those categories are limited to only their annual limits. This means EB2 immigrants from China and India could have an even longer wait to obtain green cards.
* The EB1 category worldwide will remain current the rest of the fiscal year but demand is high.
* The EB1 categories for India and China will be current during the month of July 2009, but could require the establishment of a cut-off date in August or September should EB1 demand remain heavy. As noted above, China and India have previously benefited from the excess EB1 numbers for all other countries because excess visa numbers from other countries "fall across" the EB1 category to India and China. The high demand from other countries this year means there are fewer numbers to "fall across" to India and China.
* EB2 India. The prognosis is grim. For July 2009, the cut-off date is January 1, 2000, and the category may become unavailable in August or September of 2009. There are currently approximately 25,000 EB2 India cases which have been reviewed by USCIS and queued up at the Department of State awaiting visa numbers for the "green cards" to be approved. Like all other countries, India has a limit of 2,800 EB2 numbers available per year plus any "fall across" and "fall down" numbers from EB4, EB5 and EB1 visa numbers. Therefore, without legislative relief, the waiting time for Indian EB2 applicants may be measured in years, even decades.
* EB2 China. The prognosis is equally grim. As of July 2009, the cut-off date will be January 1, 2000 and the category may become unavailable in August or September of 2009. There are a significant amount of EB2 China cases which have been reviewed by USCIS and queued up at the Department of State awaiting visa numbers for approval of the adjustment of status. Like all other countries, China has a limit of 2,800 EB2 numbers available per year plus any "fall across" and "fall down" from EB4, EB5 and EB1 visa numbers. Therefore, without legislative relief, the waiting time for China born EB2 applicants may also be many years.
* EB3 Worldwide will be unavailable the remainder of this fiscal year. As the Department of Labor cleared its long backlog of Alien Labor Certification cases, there were tens of thousands of I-485 applications with priority dates in 2004 and earlier years which were processed by USCIS this year. The Department of State currently estimates that, as of October 1, 2009, the EB3 worldwide cut-off date will be March 1, 2003. There will be extended delays in this category.
* EB3 visas for India, China and Mexico applicants will be unavailable for the remainder of the fiscal year. It is estimated, based on current demand for visa numbers that as of October 1, 2009, the following cut-off dates could be established: China will be March 1, 2003; India will be November 1, 2001; and Mexico will be March 1, 2003. These estimates are based on "current demand" in the first 7 � months of FY2009, and a lot could change between now and early September when October dates are established.
* There are approximately 25,000 EB2 and 25,000 EB3 applicants currently queued at the Department of State awaiting visa numbers.
* There are 2.7 million family-based applicants on the waiting lists for consular processing. Note that this information was provided in the March Visa Bulletin. (See AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 9021063.)
* There could be approximately 50,000 employment-based applicants on the waiting lists for consular processing.
* Currently almost 90% of all employment-based visa numbers are used by USCIS and 75% of all family-based visa numbers are used by consular posts.
tattoo cause child obesity
spicy_guy
09-02 01:00 AM
I'm only posting a response cause my response is sad and funny at same time. No one's beat me yet???
Came in Dec 1990
Been on various visas including F1 (grad and undergrad) and H1.
Didn't get to file GC till 2007 unfortunately...
Oh Man! You should be in your 40s now....And you are still waiting for GC. You must be knowing this. You will have to wait for 15+ years more for your DMAN GC!! By that you may have been retired.
Came in Dec 1990
Been on various visas including F1 (grad and undergrad) and H1.
Didn't get to file GC till 2007 unfortunately...
Oh Man! You should be in your 40s now....And you are still waiting for GC. You must be knowing this. You will have to wait for 15+ years more for your DMAN GC!! By that you may have been retired.
more...
pictures And 1 in 4 children.
ArunAntonio
01-03 03:33 PM
Test
dresses Source: The Australian
bkn96
12-01 09:50 AM
Hmmm....I am still wondering...
1> How much money an applicant will spend on MTR? on self, on dependents?
2> How much money an applicant will bleed to move to US District Court?
3> If an applicant is working on EAD during all this farce, would he be able to continue working (atleast seeing paycheck) or will seat at home and bleed more?
4> if he looses EAD job, will CIS again punish him for not having a job?
5> Even after doing all these above, what if he accumulates 180 days of unlawful(?) presence? will he be deported for following the laws?
6> Last question: Are those undocumented workers are better positioned to get legal citizenship in long run than those legal skilled immigrants from retrogressed countries?
(sorry for my language, but I can't understand the logic behind such a serious painful punishment to an innocent lawful AC-21 user without any fault of his own? is there justice? what do I not understand here? I am sure I am missing something. Please guide!!!)
1. MTR -USCIS fee$585, Lawyer fee vary between $750 to $3500. Dependents another $500 extra in lawyer fee
2. US court no idea - but RG website says they take cases free of charges if case is strong as they can get attorney fee from USCIS..
1> How much money an applicant will spend on MTR? on self, on dependents?
2> How much money an applicant will bleed to move to US District Court?
3> If an applicant is working on EAD during all this farce, would he be able to continue working (atleast seeing paycheck) or will seat at home and bleed more?
4> if he looses EAD job, will CIS again punish him for not having a job?
5> Even after doing all these above, what if he accumulates 180 days of unlawful(?) presence? will he be deported for following the laws?
6> Last question: Are those undocumented workers are better positioned to get legal citizenship in long run than those legal skilled immigrants from retrogressed countries?
(sorry for my language, but I can't understand the logic behind such a serious painful punishment to an innocent lawful AC-21 user without any fault of his own? is there justice? what do I not understand here? I am sure I am missing something. Please guide!!!)
1. MTR -USCIS fee$585, Lawyer fee vary between $750 to $3500. Dependents another $500 extra in lawyer fee
2. US court no idea - but RG website says they take cases free of charges if case is strong as they can get attorney fee from USCIS..
more...
makeup Want to keep your kids from
gc_kaavaali
07-14 11:06 PM
come on guys!!!! contributed atleast $5
girlfriend Melbourne, May 09 : An obesity
mxh72c
07-11 07:26 AM
This bulletin does prove that very few labor certificaions were done in 2005, due to move to PERM.
hairstyles Australia#39;s Obesity Epidemic
kvrr
05-30 06:52 PM
I reside in Minnesota. My H1 expired in Dec 2006. Applied for 3 year H1 extension in Oct 2006 based on approved I-140. H1 extension approved on Feb 5, 2007. I received H4 extensions for my family. My H1 extension was lost in the mail. Contacted USCIS on phone a minimum 100 times and local senator's office. Local senator's office called the DMV and requested they extend my license temporarily for 3 months. Meanwhile I filed I-824 for duplicate copy and my lawyer filed I-907 for premium processing. Both were rejected. Last night I searched through google and sent mail to 4-5 mail addresses at CSC. Also called CSC for the last 2-3 days. Today I got a mail "Duplicate notice sent." I do not know whether it is a duplicate approved notice or instructions on how to reapply. Life is hell if document is lost in mail.
pkv
05-07 10:09 PM
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_9186416
Congress penalizes U.S. troops, legal U.S. residents in attempt to punish illegal immigrants
By Ken McLaughlin
Mercury News
Article Launched: 05/07/2008 06:51:18 PM PDT
map loc val immig state
When Congress passed an economic-stimulus package giving hefty rebates to most taxpayers, it tried to make sure that illegal immigrants didn't get any of the cash.
But in doing so lawmakers inadvertently penalized hundreds of thousands of legal U.S. residents - and tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed overseas - simply because their spouses lack a Social Security number.
"Imagine an American soldier in Iraq whose foreign-born wife is waiting for an immigration petition to be approved and doesn't have a Social Security card. Now the couple can't even get a rebate," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose. "That is really stupid."
Others in the predicament include about a million legal residents whose spouses are still overseas because of long immigration queues and hundreds of thousands of H-1B work visa holders in Silicon Valley and elsewhere.
The scope of the problem is only now becoming clear as the government begins mailing out rebate checks. The first checks were electronically deposited in bank accounts last week.
Because illegal immigrants don't have Social Security numbers and instead routinely use "tax identification numbers," Congress banned rebates for taxpayers who use the IRS-issued numbers.
If a married couple files jointly and one spouse doesn't have a Social Security number, the couple won't get the $1,200 checks that other couples will receive. They're also ineligible for the $300 rebate per child. Many Armed Forces members stationed overseas have foreign spouses who can't get Social Security numbers.
William Luong, stationed at a U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, said his fellow seamen resent that they've landed in the same category as illegal immigrants.
"They understand the reason they're getting the shaft," said Luong, 21, who is from the Los Angeles area. "but a lot are frustrated or angry about it."
More than 288,000 troops are stationed overseas, according to the Pentagon - not counting those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many live in places - Korea, Japan and Germany - where extended stays often result in marriages to locals.
The unintended situation developed after the House in late January passed the economic-stimulus legislation at the urging of President Bush. But anti-illegal immigration groups then lobbied the Senate to add the Social Security requirement, fearing that illegal immigrants would get their hands on the checks.
The Federation for American Immigrant Reform - whose members went on radio talk shows to bash the House version of the stimulus bill - has no apologies.
"No law was ever written that doesn't find someone falling through the cracks," said Ira Mehlman, a FAIR spokesman, who said he hoped government officials will come up with some way to help Armed Forces members.
But H-1B visa holders and legal immigrants who are being denied rebates say they want some justice, too.
"If the government collects taxes from us, we should be able to get rebates given to other legal residents, it should be a level-playing field," said Parveen Kumar, an H-1B visa holder who lives in Sunnyvale.
Kumar moved to Silicon Valley from India with his wife three years ago. He now works as an engineer at Intelliswift Software in Fremont. But his wife, Anu, is on a H-4 "dependency visa" that doesn't allow her to work.
After he found out about the rebate law, he went to the Mountain View office of the Social Security Administration and asked if he could get a number for his wife. He was told no.
John Johnston, a spokesman for the Social Security Administration, confirmed on Wednesday that the agency's policy is not to issue Social Security cards simply for the purpose of issuing tax rebates.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there are now between 600,000 and 800,000 H-1B visa holders in the United States. Exactly how many are married to spouses ineligible to work in this country is unclear.
Another group of immigrants - about a million nationwide - are non-citizen green-card holders who are already facing seven-year waits to get permission for their spouses to immigrate to their country.
"I've been in America for well over 20 years, and I consider myself an American," said Amir Nikpouri of Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago. "All I'm trying to do is obey the laws, but this one seems really unfair."
Nikpouri, 31, was married three years ago, but his wife won't be eligible to immigrate from Iran for a few more years.
"We are here legally and paying taxes and enjoying what a married family should be enjoying," said Aung Moe of San Jose, 33, a Burmese political refugee who works as an engineer at Applied Materials. His wife, Mon, is an electrical engineer who is forced to live separately from her husband in Singapore.
"Already we cannot be together, and now she cannot get a Social Security number," he said. "This needs to be fixed."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congress penalizes U.S. troops, legal U.S. residents in attempt to punish illegal immigrants
By Ken McLaughlin
Mercury News
Article Launched: 05/07/2008 06:51:18 PM PDT
map loc val immig state
When Congress passed an economic-stimulus package giving hefty rebates to most taxpayers, it tried to make sure that illegal immigrants didn't get any of the cash.
But in doing so lawmakers inadvertently penalized hundreds of thousands of legal U.S. residents - and tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed overseas - simply because their spouses lack a Social Security number.
"Imagine an American soldier in Iraq whose foreign-born wife is waiting for an immigration petition to be approved and doesn't have a Social Security card. Now the couple can't even get a rebate," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose. "That is really stupid."
Others in the predicament include about a million legal residents whose spouses are still overseas because of long immigration queues and hundreds of thousands of H-1B work visa holders in Silicon Valley and elsewhere.
The scope of the problem is only now becoming clear as the government begins mailing out rebate checks. The first checks were electronically deposited in bank accounts last week.
Because illegal immigrants don't have Social Security numbers and instead routinely use "tax identification numbers," Congress banned rebates for taxpayers who use the IRS-issued numbers.
If a married couple files jointly and one spouse doesn't have a Social Security number, the couple won't get the $1,200 checks that other couples will receive. They're also ineligible for the $300 rebate per child. Many Armed Forces members stationed overseas have foreign spouses who can't get Social Security numbers.
William Luong, stationed at a U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, said his fellow seamen resent that they've landed in the same category as illegal immigrants.
"They understand the reason they're getting the shaft," said Luong, 21, who is from the Los Angeles area. "but a lot are frustrated or angry about it."
More than 288,000 troops are stationed overseas, according to the Pentagon - not counting those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many live in places - Korea, Japan and Germany - where extended stays often result in marriages to locals.
The unintended situation developed after the House in late January passed the economic-stimulus legislation at the urging of President Bush. But anti-illegal immigration groups then lobbied the Senate to add the Social Security requirement, fearing that illegal immigrants would get their hands on the checks.
The Federation for American Immigrant Reform - whose members went on radio talk shows to bash the House version of the stimulus bill - has no apologies.
"No law was ever written that doesn't find someone falling through the cracks," said Ira Mehlman, a FAIR spokesman, who said he hoped government officials will come up with some way to help Armed Forces members.
But H-1B visa holders and legal immigrants who are being denied rebates say they want some justice, too.
"If the government collects taxes from us, we should be able to get rebates given to other legal residents, it should be a level-playing field," said Parveen Kumar, an H-1B visa holder who lives in Sunnyvale.
Kumar moved to Silicon Valley from India with his wife three years ago. He now works as an engineer at Intelliswift Software in Fremont. But his wife, Anu, is on a H-4 "dependency visa" that doesn't allow her to work.
After he found out about the rebate law, he went to the Mountain View office of the Social Security Administration and asked if he could get a number for his wife. He was told no.
John Johnston, a spokesman for the Social Security Administration, confirmed on Wednesday that the agency's policy is not to issue Social Security cards simply for the purpose of issuing tax rebates.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there are now between 600,000 and 800,000 H-1B visa holders in the United States. Exactly how many are married to spouses ineligible to work in this country is unclear.
Another group of immigrants - about a million nationwide - are non-citizen green-card holders who are already facing seven-year waits to get permission for their spouses to immigrate to their country.
"I've been in America for well over 20 years, and I consider myself an American," said Amir Nikpouri of Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago. "All I'm trying to do is obey the laws, but this one seems really unfair."
Nikpouri, 31, was married three years ago, but his wife won't be eligible to immigrate from Iran for a few more years.
"We are here legally and paying taxes and enjoying what a married family should be enjoying," said Aung Moe of San Jose, 33, a Burmese political refugee who works as an engineer at Applied Materials. His wife, Mon, is an electrical engineer who is forced to live separately from her husband in Singapore.
"Already we cannot be together, and now she cannot get a Social Security number," he said. "This needs to be fixed."
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bluekayal
08-23 11:02 AM
Thank you to everyone who read the USCIS document and did not press the panic button. The memo talks about a 2 step process....for most of you I don't see how it affects your GC dreams...relax...they will be fulfilled. No sweat...(or convince me otherwise...after all I did get the I-140 exceptional ability in the art or sciences..etc..without labor certification.)
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