chanduv23
03-14 09:33 AM
Hi, I am seriously planning to start Canadian immigration after wasting 7 years of my life in chasing GC. Can anybody suggest some good lawyers/attorneies/agencies who are not money suckers like US immigration attornies ? Also, somebody mentioned that one can apply Can immigration by himself. Is there any issue with that ?
Thanks
U can do it urself, it is easy and intuitive, just google up their website and you can do it. You don't need agency or lawyer
Thanks
U can do it urself, it is easy and intuitive, just google up their website and you can do it. You don't need agency or lawyer
wallpaper de frases cortas de amor
gauravster
06-04 03:01 PM
As JSB pointed out what you are asking already exists with an EAD, 180 days after filing 485 you can leave your current employer and join a new company as long as it is a same\semilar job. The problem with this same or semilar job is it is a ticking time bomb, the day USCIS decides to go after EAD they can have a restrictive interpretation of same and semilar job and deny your 485 or they can keep sending you employment verification letter rfe every couple of months. I am not being paranioid, for example even though AC 21 clearly states that once 180 days have passed since the 485 has been applied, the employee can join a new job and even if the previous employer has revoked the approved 140 it should not effect the 485 petition, but USCIS is not following this law and blindly sending 485 denial notices to applicants whose approved i140 was revoked by previous employer. Who knows what sort of abuse will USCIS resort to in the future against EAD.
To prevent this we should work towards an administrative fix that once the 485 application is pre adjudicated the applicant should be left alone and not issed any Employment verification letter rfe, or semilar\same job restrictions if they are back logged because of country quota and face multiple year wait.
The EAD/AC21 is still only available to those who are July 07 filers. There are many who have missed the oppurtunity. What many people are asking for is for something such that anyone can change a job after some given time, irrespective of Visa number availability. Even for those with EAD's, you are still restricted to be in the same field. So if you want a career move and do an MBA or acquire new skills to change your career, you cannot do that (unless EAD is for a dependent). If this is not pigeoning people, what is.
To prevent this we should work towards an administrative fix that once the 485 application is pre adjudicated the applicant should be left alone and not issed any Employment verification letter rfe, or semilar\same job restrictions if they are back logged because of country quota and face multiple year wait.
The EAD/AC21 is still only available to those who are July 07 filers. There are many who have missed the oppurtunity. What many people are asking for is for something such that anyone can change a job after some given time, irrespective of Visa number availability. Even for those with EAD's, you are still restricted to be in the same field. So if you want a career move and do an MBA or acquire new skills to change your career, you cannot do that (unless EAD is for a dependent). If this is not pigeoning people, what is.
chanduv23
06-26 01:57 PM
I heard this group of people - from anti immigrant organizations, plan to intercept fedex trucks going into USCIS next month sort out 485 petitions and steal them and hide them in an undisclosed location.
These people have only one aim in life. Not to allow 485 applications to reach USCIS.
When USCIS does not recieve any 485 applications, they will retrogress. Then this group of people will stop stealing the petitions.
These people have only one aim in life. Not to allow 485 applications to reach USCIS.
When USCIS does not recieve any 485 applications, they will retrogress. Then this group of people will stop stealing the petitions.
2011 FRASES DE AMISTAD :.
BharatPremi
12-14 04:30 PM
I know what I am about to say will trigger a lot of reaction and some resentment, but it has to be said on behalf of those who are not Indian. I think the per country limit is to ensure that people of all nationalities and races have an equal opportunity to obtain a green card and to ensure that no one nationality, group, or even sector (i.e. IT) monopolizes the so few visas that are available. In fact, in the visa lottery, countries become excluded when the number of immigrants from them reach a certain point, so we are lucky they do not do that in the Employment-based system!
I think that by wanting to remove the per country limit so more Indians can avail of the green card quota is both asking for "special treatment" and a slap in the face for all the non-Indian IV members. The more I read the threads on this site, the more I feel that this organization is geared just to one ethnic group. I am sure that Indians probably make up the majority of members, but the founders of IV (I hope) did not want this organization to become one-sided! Please be considerate of ALL members and try to come up with suggestions that would benefit ALL members!!!:mad:
Would you please read all posts once again? And this time apply comprehension and analytical skills while reading all posts. I am sure you would quickly realize how wrong your judgement is.
I think that by wanting to remove the per country limit so more Indians can avail of the green card quota is both asking for "special treatment" and a slap in the face for all the non-Indian IV members. The more I read the threads on this site, the more I feel that this organization is geared just to one ethnic group. I am sure that Indians probably make up the majority of members, but the founders of IV (I hope) did not want this organization to become one-sided! Please be considerate of ALL members and try to come up with suggestions that would benefit ALL members!!!:mad:
Would you please read all posts once again? And this time apply comprehension and analytical skills while reading all posts. I am sure you would quickly realize how wrong your judgement is.
more...
Macaca
06-28 08:04 PM
Like I said, after AILA's memo came out yesterday, all the lawyers who were saying "it wont happen" have suddenly flipped and now they are saying "Anything can happen".
I have been asking this question for the past 1 year. I was always told that USCIS can not retrogress mid-month.
My guess is that USCIS told the lawyers that they will not retrogress mid month. Now USCIS is flip-flopping. That is why AILA wants to sue USCIS which probably means nothing: USCIS has lot of lawsuits!
I have been asking this question for the past 1 year. I was always told that USCIS can not retrogress mid-month.
My guess is that USCIS told the lawyers that they will not retrogress mid month. Now USCIS is flip-flopping. That is why AILA wants to sue USCIS which probably means nothing: USCIS has lot of lawsuits!
amoljak
10-23 04:02 PM
Now can the company SELL this Labor certification? Can another company BUY such a Certification? I have heard a lot on this site about LC substituion and how they are sold/bought at a premium. How does all that work. Is that even possible?
eb3_nepa, some people have the special ability to create business opportunities when others see none. E.g. Do you think a job at a primary school can be sold? Think again. You have to buy it in India. Another example... have you been to the Empire state building? For $12 you can wait in line for ~4 hours and enjoy the view after that. But for $40 you can go straight to the top. With labor sub its the same deal. Your company has an approved labor, there are 5 suckers who would otherwise wait 10 years in the GC line. They all do a great job of Java programming that you need your prospective employee to do. How do you decide which one to hire?
For some companies its easy.. they select the one who pays them a premium.
To your other question... no you cannot transfer approved labor to other company... so if you want to be in this business of labor subs, you have to go through the pains of labor before being able to sell one...
Some smart people have figured another great business. They go through the labor pains once and then clone the labor certs (hint: color copier)... those visionaries sometimes end up behind bars...
eb3_nepa, some people have the special ability to create business opportunities when others see none. E.g. Do you think a job at a primary school can be sold? Think again. You have to buy it in India. Another example... have you been to the Empire state building? For $12 you can wait in line for ~4 hours and enjoy the view after that. But for $40 you can go straight to the top. With labor sub its the same deal. Your company has an approved labor, there are 5 suckers who would otherwise wait 10 years in the GC line. They all do a great job of Java programming that you need your prospective employee to do. How do you decide which one to hire?
For some companies its easy.. they select the one who pays them a premium.
To your other question... no you cannot transfer approved labor to other company... so if you want to be in this business of labor subs, you have to go through the pains of labor before being able to sell one...
Some smart people have figured another great business. They go through the labor pains once and then clone the labor certs (hint: color copier)... those visionaries sometimes end up behind bars...
more...
alterego
12-13 05:14 PM
This problem has arisen out of a desire for the labor but not wishing to give the immigration benefits due to concerns which are not always convenient or comfortable to state.
If H1b was also a quota system, this would all be a moot discussion. Since it is not, and we have an unlimited L1 program we have this situation.
A few points are truly ridiculous. Anguilla with its 5K citizens has the same quota as India or China? How does that promote diversity. If every Anguillan applied in EB their quota would not get filled. Yet India has more diversity of religion, language, caste and virtually anything else you can imagine except perhaps ethnicity, arguably it has more diversity than Europe.
The worst insult in my view is EB immigration being quota based in a so called meritocracy. Either you are a meritocracy or you are not. If you want to promote diversity, then you can do so in FB or diversity category or something like that. If you really want to promote diversity then, you can argue this country already has enough people of northern European, German, Irish, Italian ancestry etc.
Which brings me to the main point, which is that it may be inconvenient, and it may be uncomfortable to say, but immigration(of all types) has, does and perhaps for the foreseeable future will have racial undertones.
A constitutional challenge will invariably run into the issue of aliens not having the same rights as citizens since no other argument can realistically hold any sway.
If H1b was also a quota system, this would all be a moot discussion. Since it is not, and we have an unlimited L1 program we have this situation.
A few points are truly ridiculous. Anguilla with its 5K citizens has the same quota as India or China? How does that promote diversity. If every Anguillan applied in EB their quota would not get filled. Yet India has more diversity of religion, language, caste and virtually anything else you can imagine except perhaps ethnicity, arguably it has more diversity than Europe.
The worst insult in my view is EB immigration being quota based in a so called meritocracy. Either you are a meritocracy or you are not. If you want to promote diversity, then you can do so in FB or diversity category or something like that. If you really want to promote diversity then, you can argue this country already has enough people of northern European, German, Irish, Italian ancestry etc.
Which brings me to the main point, which is that it may be inconvenient, and it may be uncomfortable to say, but immigration(of all types) has, does and perhaps for the foreseeable future will have racial undertones.
A constitutional challenge will invariably run into the issue of aliens not having the same rights as citizens since no other argument can realistically hold any sway.
2010 Más frases sobre: Amistad
chanduv23
09-26 01:47 PM
US economy situation is alarming. I doubt they will consider any immigration related bill until financial crisis stablises.2009 will be the key.Economy has to stablise. If not anti immigrants will block any bill citing the economy as the reason. If unemployment increases every month then any immigration reform is distance possiblity.Illegal immigrants are is getting publicity every year by rally for past 4 years but nothing happened. Pro immigrants are trying to block E-verify and some other anti immigration reforms. Anti immigrants are trying to block pro immigrant reforms. So any immigration reforms will be stalled until some compromise reached by moderates
How are you my friend, it has been a while since I seen you. Have you sent your emails yet?
How are you my friend, it has been a while since I seen you. Have you sent your emails yet?
more...
weasley
01-17 09:49 AM
Agree wth you.
Nearly all laws/regulations originate from such garbage.
Hira/Matloff's US born donkeys scavange these blogs 24/7. The garbage is then processed by Hira/Matloff.
It is very unfortunate that USICS/lawmakers (other than Dustbin, Grassley, Sanders) pander to these scumbags. Such laws/regulations will not provide any relief to these donkeys.
Nearly all laws/regulations originate from such garbage.
Hira/Matloff's US born donkeys scavange these blogs 24/7. The garbage is then processed by Hira/Matloff.
It is very unfortunate that USICS/lawmakers (other than Dustbin, Grassley, Sanders) pander to these scumbags. Such laws/regulations will not provide any relief to these donkeys.
hair amor - piropos - frases.
chmur
02-13 12:18 AM
I think the entire community should align behind Administrative reforms with a laser-focus. This initiative is a digression.
IV has had it's own share of success with it's approach. No other methods have succeeded so far .
Also, from my little IV volunteering experience I can vouch that our community has very high inertia and is difficult to organize. people are afraid to send letters to president...good luck in getting them to sue USCIS.
community does not have the bandwidth to take multiple initiatives.
I see no wisdom in doing this. USCIS/DOS can screw us worse , if they wish to . This is not being timid but being pragmatic...anyway the bravado talk also needs to be followed up by multiple clear paths to victory.
IV has had it's own share of success with it's approach. No other methods have succeeded so far .
Also, from my little IV volunteering experience I can vouch that our community has very high inertia and is difficult to organize. people are afraid to send letters to president...good luck in getting them to sue USCIS.
community does not have the bandwidth to take multiple initiatives.
I see no wisdom in doing this. USCIS/DOS can screw us worse , if they wish to . This is not being timid but being pragmatic...anyway the bravado talk also needs to be followed up by multiple clear paths to victory.
more...
tikka
07-04 09:33 AM
This is a HUGE issue if it is true. Can we verify it preferably with a URL?
This is what I meant when I said that we should identify all the issues and worry about english later. BTW, this is what is taught in a writing course: outline first, english later.
I have scanned most of the letters posted in thread. I will carefully scan them again and add their issues to my skelton.
Most of the letters are missing or not stressing some HUGE points like above. These HUGE points are bold faced in the articles I post. Editorials have a lot of these so called punch lines.
i picked this up from one of the threads.. not sure if it was the breaking news or media thread .. we need member info and url if possible...
This is what I meant when I said that we should identify all the issues and worry about english later. BTW, this is what is taught in a writing course: outline first, english later.
I have scanned most of the letters posted in thread. I will carefully scan them again and add their issues to my skelton.
Most of the letters are missing or not stressing some HUGE points like above. These HUGE points are bold faced in the articles I post. Editorials have a lot of these so called punch lines.
i picked this up from one of the threads.. not sure if it was the breaking news or media thread .. we need member info and url if possible...
hot FRASES DE AMISTAD - CREACIONES
Macaca
01-28 09:22 AM
The solution however is not to disband the entire H1b system/EB greencard system as the anti immigrants want but to modify the rules surrounding it. I think most fair minded people can agree that this is needed now.
This is exactly what IEEE-USA (http://www.ieeeusa.org/policy/issues/H1bvisa/index.html)is asking for us. It is not good for us now, it will not be good for us later and it is not good for anyone.
We need to educate ourselves about these issues. Ignoring them will not help. Just because we ignore it does not mean that the person voting on our bill is also ignoring it.
Based on such issues that I learn everyday, I am not surprised our bill is not passing.
This is exactly what IEEE-USA (http://www.ieeeusa.org/policy/issues/H1bvisa/index.html)is asking for us. It is not good for us now, it will not be good for us later and it is not good for anyone.
We need to educate ourselves about these issues. Ignoring them will not help. Just because we ignore it does not mean that the person voting on our bill is also ignoring it.
Based on such issues that I learn everyday, I am not surprised our bill is not passing.
more...
house Más frases sobre: Amistad
samay
08-25 02:55 PM
Dear Immigration Attorney,
Can I out of US with old AP and returned with new (renewed) AP?
You don't need to show the AP at the time you leave the country.
Can I out of US with old AP and returned with new (renewed) AP?
You don't need to show the AP at the time you leave the country.
tattoo Frases de Amistad de Autores
tikka
07-04 12:15 AM
Tikka,
Most of the folks probably went to sleep... so the last two digs which are opened recently are moving very slow...
Anyone from west coast - please help ...!!!
lets focus on this one..
http://digg.com/politics/U_S_Withdraws_Offer_of_60_000_Job_Based_Visas_Ange ring_Immigration_Lawyer/who
the faster it gets to 100 DIGS the popular the article will be. Will help give our issue exposure
thank you !!
Most of the folks probably went to sleep... so the last two digs which are opened recently are moving very slow...
Anyone from west coast - please help ...!!!
lets focus on this one..
http://digg.com/politics/U_S_Withdraws_Offer_of_60_000_Job_Based_Visas_Ange ring_Immigration_Lawyer/who
the faster it gets to 100 DIGS the popular the article will be. Will help give our issue exposure
thank you !!
more...
pictures Frases de Amistad
akred
02-20 12:40 AM
How much investment is required to do this using the L1-A? This appears to be a better option than the EB-5 where money is tied up for years.
dresses Frases de Amistad
bitu72
10-03 04:27 PM
I plan to do it Myself, need some help & suggestion
1. Do we need get our education evaluation done, i am from india with Bsc +Msc(physic) +PGDCA.Will they
consider degree from India as valid with any evaluations.
2.For experience what i plan to do is give notarized copies of experience letter,paystubbs. Probably lot
of paystubs so that it looks complete, appointment letter, W2 forms.
3. Bank statements
4.Mariage certificate + Birth related documents (notarized)
5. IF some of you can share some Formats which you guys have used to write letter to CIC so that you
get waivered of you English test.
1. Do we need get our education evaluation done, i am from india with Bsc +Msc(physic) +PGDCA.Will they
consider degree from India as valid with any evaluations.
2.For experience what i plan to do is give notarized copies of experience letter,paystubbs. Probably lot
of paystubs so that it looks complete, appointment letter, W2 forms.
3. Bank statements
4.Mariage certificate + Birth related documents (notarized)
5. IF some of you can share some Formats which you guys have used to write letter to CIC so that you
get waivered of you English test.
more...
makeup Frases De Amistad: TAIWAN3
franklin
02-14 10:51 AM
Is there any proof that there are even are unused visas? I find this topic a rather moot point.
With India, China, The Philipinnes and Mexico all being oversubscribed, they appear to be reaching their 7% limit. With all the countries in ROW I doubt if any one country is even vaguelly reaching their 7% limit.
With the obvious retrogression across the board, it just tells me that there isn't anything spare to share around in whatever direction.
Am I just totally missing the point?!
With India, China, The Philipinnes and Mexico all being oversubscribed, they appear to be reaching their 7% limit. With all the countries in ROW I doubt if any one country is even vaguelly reaching their 7% limit.
With the obvious retrogression across the board, it just tells me that there isn't anything spare to share around in whatever direction.
Am I just totally missing the point?!
girlfriend Frases de Amistad
grupak
12-14 01:07 PM
villamonte6100 there was a thread some time back about people considering going to law school and becoming their own lawyers. What I took out of it was that its not that easy. Besides going to school, you have to pass some tough state exams. I am quite happy with my lawyer. I paid some dough but its much cheaper than going to law school, and saves me time and headache.
Going to law school is not for everyone, definitely not for me (fat books scares me :eek:). I like the suggestion by garybanz about getting a qualified opinion. Just so that we know.
Going to law school is not for everyone, definitely not for me (fat books scares me :eek:). I like the suggestion by garybanz about getting a qualified opinion. Just so that we know.
hairstyles Frases de amistad.
chanduv23
03-16 02:05 PM
Are you from India,,if yes, think again,,,the EB3 2003 PD may not buy u much,,u may be well know trying to go for perm and 140 with current EB2...eb3 for india is a black hole,,,i hope u know what a black hole is,,,its kinda dangerous!!
Yes, EB3 2003 is of no use except for h1b extensions, so consider taking the job only if you see something good other than a sub labor
Yes, EB3 2003 is of no use except for h1b extensions, so consider taking the job only if you see something good other than a sub labor
shirish
10-24 03:34 PM
I have a question on a similer subject, but not exactly labour sub
In my case my previous company filed my labour, i got it approved, then i got my 140 approved too. But i had to leave the company (I could have stayed for the GC but had to leave- before leaving that company i worked in their india office for 2 years). Then they used my approved labour for another employee.
I have joined another company and back in the US now,i understand that the labour is not for me, i have to go for the labour again, but is it possible to use my previous PD.
In my case my previous company filed my labour, i got it approved, then i got my 140 approved too. But i had to leave the company (I could have stayed for the GC but had to leave- before leaving that company i worked in their india office for 2 years). Then they used my approved labour for another employee.
I have joined another company and back in the US now,i understand that the labour is not for me, i have to go for the labour again, but is it possible to use my previous PD.
nandakumar
05-28 09:47 PM
1. Employment-Based Visa Number Movement and Predictions
Many MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers closely track the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin each month. The most recent Visa Bulletin chart is always available on MurthyDotCom. Given the importance of the cutoff dates in the Visa Bulletin, attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm are often asked for predictions as to the movement of the cutoff dates. There is no better source for this information than Charles Oppenheim, Chief of Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting Division at DOS. Mr. Oppenheim was a guest speaker at a May 20, 2009 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) meeting, which was attended by most of our attorneys. Mr. Oppenheim�s explanations and visa number / Visa Bulletin expectations for the remainder of FY2009 and for FY2010 are explained below. Readers who are unfamiliar with the Visa Bulletin and the role visa numbers play in the permanent residence (commonly referred to as the �green card�) process should review some of the articles on this important topic that can be found on our website; among them, Priority Dates - How Do They Work?
Historical Background
Mr. Oppenheim discussed the historical background that led to the current unavailability of visa numbers, known as retrogression, for certain employment-based (EB) immigrant visa categories. Retrogression is not something new or unfamiliar in immigration law. Most EB numbers were current from July 2001 through January 2005 due to legislative that provided a temporary solution. This legislation authorized unused visa numbers from previous years to be put back into the system. Those additional numbers, along with the annual allotments, were sufficient to meet the demand until January 2005. Since January 2005, the supply of EB visa numbers has fallen short of the demand.
Current Trends in Visa Usage
Mr. Oppenheim stated that immigrant visa applications at U.S. consulates abroad are down seven percent from FY2008. India will use all the visa numbers that are available to its nationals this fiscal year. This is due, in part, to huge increases in the usage of EB4 and EB5 categories. Applicants from India have used twice the number of visas estimated for FY2009. Mr. Oppenheim stated that, because of the excess demand, further retrogression may occur over the summer months.
Predictions for Movement and Usage of EB Visa Numbers
Employment-Based, First Preference (EB1)
Mr. Oppenheim expects that all EB1 visa numbers will be used before the end of FY2009. This may result in the establishment of a cutoff date for the EB1 categories for India and China, beginning in August or September 2009. Usage in the EB1 worldwide category (listed as "all chargeability areas except those listed") is also higher than expected. This may lead to imposition of a cutoff date toward the end of FY2009.
Mr. Oppenheim explained that a trickling effect of unused visa numbers between EB categories has helped keep EB1 and EB2 categories current in prior years. However, due to the processing of a high number of applications, this trickling effect has already occurred, but is not expected to occur again in FY2009. Mr. Oppenheim attributed this to the hard work of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as well as that of the DOS, as they have succeeded in processing enough cases to likely use all available visa numbers from all categories for FY2009. He stated that the DOS and the USCIS are supposed to process enough cases to use the annual allotment of visa numbers and not leave any available visas unused and wasted in any fiscal year.
Employment-Based, Second Preference (EB2)
The EB2 category worldwide is also expected to be over-subscribed and will exhaust all allocated visa numbers before the end of FY2009. To date, Mr. Oppenheim estimates that 3,200 EB2 India visa numbers have been used in FY2009. The high usage in the EB1 category has prevented the usual trickle of visas to the EB2 category. Thus, China will experience the same EB2 retrogression as India in July 2009. The EB2 China cutoff date is expected to be set at January 1, 2000.
Employment-Based, Third Preference (EB3)
All EB3 categories are currently unavailable; all available visa numbers have been allocated. No change is expected to occur until the beginning of FY2010.
Employment-Based, Fourth Preference / Certain Religious Workers
There has been an unexpectedly heavy usage of visas in the EB4 categories for certain religious worker in FY2009. A cutoff date thus may be set in August or September 2009. Mr. Oppenheim stated that, if the Certain Religious Workers category becomes unavailable, applicants in the ministers category are not affected.
Visa Numbers for Indian Nationals
Mr. Oppenheim has set the cutoff date for EB2 India at January 1, 2000. According to current estimates, out of the approximately 200,000 I-485 applications currently pending with USCIS, 120,000 of them are chargeable to India, with the cases divided evenly between EB2 and EB3. This means that EB2 and EB3 India applicants count for 60 percent of the I-485 cases currently pending with the USCIS.
FY2010 Predictions by Charles Oppenheim of DOS
Mr. Oppenheim stated that he expects the EB3 worldwide category to have a cutoff date of March 1, 2003, beginning with the October 2009 Visa Bulletin. When asked about the potential cutoff dates for EB3 India, China, and Mexico, Mr. Oppenheim said that it would depend on the demand for these categories over the rest of FY2009.
Mr. Oppenheim estimated that there are currently 25,000 EB2 and EB3 cases from Indian nationals that have been reviewed and are only waiting for visa numbers for final processing. He stated that, due to the dramatic increase in employment-based filings, visa cutoff dates for FY2010 will be much more limited to ensure that there will be a steady supply of visa numbers available throughout the year. This will lead to earlier cutoff dates and may help prevent visa categories from becoming unavailable.
Conclusion
We at the Murthy Law Firm appreciate Mr. Oppenheim's commitment to addressing matters related to visa numbers and the Visa Bulletin. The continued shortage of employment-based visa numbers is a source of great frustration for many and Mr. Oppenheim's predictions do not assuage that feeling. It is better to have an understanding of the reality of the situation, however, than to operate in ignorance or with unrealistic expectations. Once again, the shortage of immigrant visa numbers underscores the need for legislation in this area to increase the numbers, change the counting of the numbers (from one per person to one per family), or to revamp the system entirely.
Many MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers closely track the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin each month. The most recent Visa Bulletin chart is always available on MurthyDotCom. Given the importance of the cutoff dates in the Visa Bulletin, attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm are often asked for predictions as to the movement of the cutoff dates. There is no better source for this information than Charles Oppenheim, Chief of Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting Division at DOS. Mr. Oppenheim was a guest speaker at a May 20, 2009 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) meeting, which was attended by most of our attorneys. Mr. Oppenheim�s explanations and visa number / Visa Bulletin expectations for the remainder of FY2009 and for FY2010 are explained below. Readers who are unfamiliar with the Visa Bulletin and the role visa numbers play in the permanent residence (commonly referred to as the �green card�) process should review some of the articles on this important topic that can be found on our website; among them, Priority Dates - How Do They Work?
Historical Background
Mr. Oppenheim discussed the historical background that led to the current unavailability of visa numbers, known as retrogression, for certain employment-based (EB) immigrant visa categories. Retrogression is not something new or unfamiliar in immigration law. Most EB numbers were current from July 2001 through January 2005 due to legislative that provided a temporary solution. This legislation authorized unused visa numbers from previous years to be put back into the system. Those additional numbers, along with the annual allotments, were sufficient to meet the demand until January 2005. Since January 2005, the supply of EB visa numbers has fallen short of the demand.
Current Trends in Visa Usage
Mr. Oppenheim stated that immigrant visa applications at U.S. consulates abroad are down seven percent from FY2008. India will use all the visa numbers that are available to its nationals this fiscal year. This is due, in part, to huge increases in the usage of EB4 and EB5 categories. Applicants from India have used twice the number of visas estimated for FY2009. Mr. Oppenheim stated that, because of the excess demand, further retrogression may occur over the summer months.
Predictions for Movement and Usage of EB Visa Numbers
Employment-Based, First Preference (EB1)
Mr. Oppenheim expects that all EB1 visa numbers will be used before the end of FY2009. This may result in the establishment of a cutoff date for the EB1 categories for India and China, beginning in August or September 2009. Usage in the EB1 worldwide category (listed as "all chargeability areas except those listed") is also higher than expected. This may lead to imposition of a cutoff date toward the end of FY2009.
Mr. Oppenheim explained that a trickling effect of unused visa numbers between EB categories has helped keep EB1 and EB2 categories current in prior years. However, due to the processing of a high number of applications, this trickling effect has already occurred, but is not expected to occur again in FY2009. Mr. Oppenheim attributed this to the hard work of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as well as that of the DOS, as they have succeeded in processing enough cases to likely use all available visa numbers from all categories for FY2009. He stated that the DOS and the USCIS are supposed to process enough cases to use the annual allotment of visa numbers and not leave any available visas unused and wasted in any fiscal year.
Employment-Based, Second Preference (EB2)
The EB2 category worldwide is also expected to be over-subscribed and will exhaust all allocated visa numbers before the end of FY2009. To date, Mr. Oppenheim estimates that 3,200 EB2 India visa numbers have been used in FY2009. The high usage in the EB1 category has prevented the usual trickle of visas to the EB2 category. Thus, China will experience the same EB2 retrogression as India in July 2009. The EB2 China cutoff date is expected to be set at January 1, 2000.
Employment-Based, Third Preference (EB3)
All EB3 categories are currently unavailable; all available visa numbers have been allocated. No change is expected to occur until the beginning of FY2010.
Employment-Based, Fourth Preference / Certain Religious Workers
There has been an unexpectedly heavy usage of visas in the EB4 categories for certain religious worker in FY2009. A cutoff date thus may be set in August or September 2009. Mr. Oppenheim stated that, if the Certain Religious Workers category becomes unavailable, applicants in the ministers category are not affected.
Visa Numbers for Indian Nationals
Mr. Oppenheim has set the cutoff date for EB2 India at January 1, 2000. According to current estimates, out of the approximately 200,000 I-485 applications currently pending with USCIS, 120,000 of them are chargeable to India, with the cases divided evenly between EB2 and EB3. This means that EB2 and EB3 India applicants count for 60 percent of the I-485 cases currently pending with the USCIS.
FY2010 Predictions by Charles Oppenheim of DOS
Mr. Oppenheim stated that he expects the EB3 worldwide category to have a cutoff date of March 1, 2003, beginning with the October 2009 Visa Bulletin. When asked about the potential cutoff dates for EB3 India, China, and Mexico, Mr. Oppenheim said that it would depend on the demand for these categories over the rest of FY2009.
Mr. Oppenheim estimated that there are currently 25,000 EB2 and EB3 cases from Indian nationals that have been reviewed and are only waiting for visa numbers for final processing. He stated that, due to the dramatic increase in employment-based filings, visa cutoff dates for FY2010 will be much more limited to ensure that there will be a steady supply of visa numbers available throughout the year. This will lead to earlier cutoff dates and may help prevent visa categories from becoming unavailable.
Conclusion
We at the Murthy Law Firm appreciate Mr. Oppenheim's commitment to addressing matters related to visa numbers and the Visa Bulletin. The continued shortage of employment-based visa numbers is a source of great frustration for many and Mr. Oppenheim's predictions do not assuage that feeling. It is better to have an understanding of the reality of the situation, however, than to operate in ignorance or with unrealistic expectations. Once again, the shortage of immigrant visa numbers underscores the need for legislation in this area to increase the numbers, change the counting of the numbers (from one per person to one per family), or to revamp the system entirely.
