mbartosik
10-31 05:28 PM
Susie, I can say quite strongly that IV's agenda is quite officially
"H1B quota is not an issue that we wish to take any sides on".
We are trying to reduce the backlogs as a primary goal.
The main aim is to reduce the backlogs which will also reduce the age out problem, but not fix for those already aged out. Believe me, even if this was the only issue on the agenda, it is hard enough to get this done.
If we don't fix the backlogs then age out will be irrelevant. Let's imagine that H1B quota is increased, and EB3 ROW never becomes current because of more H1B ROW newbies. Then EB3 India will never get any spill over. In this case new India EB3 applications could easily have a 25 year wait, by which time the primary petitioner will have retired invalidating the whole application. Thus you can see that increasing H1B quota works against us (although the official position is no position).
I am considering computer modeling this, because I think that the a 25 year wait is very possible with the current scheme (making age out easier to push maybe).
If there is an opportunity to provide ago out protection without risking the main aim then I think that it will be taken. First we need a seat at the negotiating table.
Until we get a seat at the table we have the trade off between raising age out complicates things, and raising age out keeps it personal. There has been some debate over the, I think that the professionals recommend "keep it simple".
My position on this is to raise the age out and other family issues like US citizen children being forced to leave because their parents are. But only raise it with those law makers it will clearly be received well with, and not be a distraction.
There are other issues worthy of targeting, but they too complicate things, and risk us not getting a seat at the table. For example banning consulting. This could force many to leave, including their children, through not fault of their own. I think that consulting should at very least be grandfathered, and have some other exceptions. But again pushing that would be a distraction.
As I said, if we get a seat at the table, this issue has a chance.
We are currently working on getting that seat.
"H1B quota is not an issue that we wish to take any sides on".
We are trying to reduce the backlogs as a primary goal.
The main aim is to reduce the backlogs which will also reduce the age out problem, but not fix for those already aged out. Believe me, even if this was the only issue on the agenda, it is hard enough to get this done.
If we don't fix the backlogs then age out will be irrelevant. Let's imagine that H1B quota is increased, and EB3 ROW never becomes current because of more H1B ROW newbies. Then EB3 India will never get any spill over. In this case new India EB3 applications could easily have a 25 year wait, by which time the primary petitioner will have retired invalidating the whole application. Thus you can see that increasing H1B quota works against us (although the official position is no position).
I am considering computer modeling this, because I think that the a 25 year wait is very possible with the current scheme (making age out easier to push maybe).
If there is an opportunity to provide ago out protection without risking the main aim then I think that it will be taken. First we need a seat at the negotiating table.
Until we get a seat at the table we have the trade off between raising age out complicates things, and raising age out keeps it personal. There has been some debate over the, I think that the professionals recommend "keep it simple".
My position on this is to raise the age out and other family issues like US citizen children being forced to leave because their parents are. But only raise it with those law makers it will clearly be received well with, and not be a distraction.
There are other issues worthy of targeting, but they too complicate things, and risk us not getting a seat at the table. For example banning consulting. This could force many to leave, including their children, through not fault of their own. I think that consulting should at very least be grandfathered, and have some other exceptions. But again pushing that would be a distraction.
As I said, if we get a seat at the table, this issue has a chance.
We are currently working on getting that seat.
wallpaper Flickr: Tsai-Yi Hsuamp;
neelu
12-16 12:10 PM
Thanks, Please keep writing and encouraging others.
IV Seniors, Core members, Administrators, Super Moderators:
Your contributions for our common cause are invaluable.
Come January, we will need to knock on the doors of congress again. As you all know better than anyone else, during this crucial phase of our fight, we need a strong membership.
I request you to lead the 'Add ONE member' campaign, by setting an example. Please introduce ONE member to IV by the Dec. 31st and post it on this thread.
Everyone, please bring ONE member to IV by December 31st.
Thank you,
Neelu
IV Seniors, Core members, Administrators, Super Moderators:
Your contributions for our common cause are invaluable.
Come January, we will need to knock on the doors of congress again. As you all know better than anyone else, during this crucial phase of our fight, we need a strong membership.
I request you to lead the 'Add ONE member' campaign, by setting an example. Please introduce ONE member to IV by the Dec. 31st and post it on this thread.
Everyone, please bring ONE member to IV by December 31st.
Thank you,
Neelu
mihird
06-29 02:18 PM
The USCIS and DOS are not answerable to anyone man...they will just streamroll u!!!
I think, the judicial system in the US is as independent as in India...there is no body under the sun in the US that is not answerable to the judical system..
I think, the judicial system in the US is as independent as in India...there is no body under the sun in the US that is not answerable to the judical system..
2011 Grand Master Chen Shuei Tsai
tabletpc
03-20 12:28 PM
Great to know about your effort. Thanks a lot. Greatly apprecite if you could consider my request too...!!!
Dependent should be removed from the cap or the primary applicant should be able to bring the dependet to US with some kind of visa while the primary applicant is using EAD/GC(its ok if this visa does not allow the dependent to work in US untill the PD becomes current and his/her 485 is filed)
At present there are many singles/married who are not switching to EAD in order not to jeoperdize the spouse H4 visa.
Thanks again for your effort..good luck...!!!!
Dependent should be removed from the cap or the primary applicant should be able to bring the dependet to US with some kind of visa while the primary applicant is using EAD/GC(its ok if this visa does not allow the dependent to work in US untill the PD becomes current and his/her 485 is filed)
At present there are many singles/married who are not switching to EAD in order not to jeoperdize the spouse H4 visa.
Thanks again for your effort..good luck...!!!!
more...
neelu
12-15 02:05 PM
Thanks. Others, pls visit immigration forums (if you google immigration forums you will find several forums) and post messages. There are also several yahoo, msn, and google groups on immigration. If all of us can post messages in them, it will be a huge publicity for us. pls post messages on this thread if you have done any such task.
Thanx Pappu, for helping in this campaign!
One more member to join by weekend!
Everyone, please add just ONE member!!!
Thanx Pappu, for helping in this campaign!
One more member to join by weekend!
Everyone, please add just ONE member!!!
hellomms
05-14 12:19 PM
A new theory has it that DOL deferred audit processing to H-2 temp labor.
yeah, I have been hearing this as well but I yet have to find some authentic sources of this information.
yeah, I have been hearing this as well but I yet have to find some authentic sources of this information.
more...
chintu25
01-13 04:43 PM
I couldn't find any of your blogs in IV blogs!
Anyway as someone suggested can you post all of your transactions in the last one week, atleast. Did you gain or lose?
What is the percentage profit you made since you started day trading, last year, last three months, last month, last week, etc.
Dude relax.......
Do you want me to read out my balance sheets to you ....why dont I also tell you about all prescription meds I take along with those of my neighbors.
Do you think this is some kind of chit fund Scam here. Youve gotta rise above that now.
No one is forcing anyone to read any blogs or posts.
READ my first post .......I do this cause I feel good about it ..you dont need to go all ballistic ......
Why are some of us so irritated and ready to blow....Channelize this energy into some thing good...Go build a tree house or something
I am not here to say use my method I am here to say "HEY check this out It works "
Well Now I traded last month with about 30% realized profit .... Realized means I took it out of the brokerage account so Now I have taxes on it
If you keep your earning in the brokerage for a year or more you get to pay less taxes .
No I will not make, bake and serve cake for you mr redgreen . YOU need to get your lazy ass up and make it. I will show you how it can be made .
U make u Eat
Anyway as someone suggested can you post all of your transactions in the last one week, atleast. Did you gain or lose?
What is the percentage profit you made since you started day trading, last year, last three months, last month, last week, etc.
Dude relax.......
Do you want me to read out my balance sheets to you ....why dont I also tell you about all prescription meds I take along with those of my neighbors.
Do you think this is some kind of chit fund Scam here. Youve gotta rise above that now.
No one is forcing anyone to read any blogs or posts.
READ my first post .......I do this cause I feel good about it ..you dont need to go all ballistic ......
Why are some of us so irritated and ready to blow....Channelize this energy into some thing good...Go build a tree house or something
I am not here to say use my method I am here to say "HEY check this out It works "
Well Now I traded last month with about 30% realized profit .... Realized means I took it out of the brokerage account so Now I have taxes on it
If you keep your earning in the brokerage for a year or more you get to pay less taxes .
No I will not make, bake and serve cake for you mr redgreen . YOU need to get your lazy ass up and make it. I will show you how it can be made .
U make u Eat
2010 Janel Tsai Shu Chen attended
bkam
06-12 10:51 AM
The worst injustice USCIS committed was setting up Backlog Elimination Centers and letting an incompetent contractor handle the cases slowly. Elaine Chao must be fired for incompetence and indifference just like Brown was fired for Katrina bungling.
Brown (and Bush administration) don't care about AMERICANS (well, mostly poor blacks but Americans anyway...), while Elaine Chao and her great team don't care for immigrants. Who gives a damn?! She may even get a promotion for this screw up, forcing some immigrants to give up and pack back.
Brown (and Bush administration) don't care about AMERICANS (well, mostly poor blacks but Americans anyway...), while Elaine Chao and her great team don't care for immigrants. Who gives a damn?! She may even get a promotion for this screw up, forcing some immigrants to give up and pack back.
more...
pushkarw
09-03 05:58 PM
Does anyone know whether a case is assigned to an IO before or after a visa number is assigned? Or whether a visa number has got nothing to do with officer assignment?
hair Senior Guo (Tsai Chen Nan) is
susie
11-04 10:39 AM
Excellent point.
Discrimation between children is disgusting
so are there any laws against discrimination that we can use and file class action to challenge the cspa
Discrimation between children is disgusting
so are there any laws against discrimination that we can use and file class action to challenge the cspa
more...
masterji
08-03 04:36 PM
My receipt date is July 2, 2007
My notice date is August 10, 2007
Good luck to all!
My notice date is August 10, 2007
Good luck to all!
hot having Jolin Tsai (Yi Lin)
sravani
05-16 04:35 PM
THanks for this info.Do you know how much time it takes to complete the translation ?
It depends on the service you choose, I think they have an option for expedited service and you can get the document within couple of days. They also provide you the pdf format of the document, you can print that document and submit immediately instead of waiting for the postal document.
It depends on the service you choose, I think they have an option for expedited service and you can get the document within couple of days. They also provide you the pdf format of the document, you can print that document and submit immediately instead of waiting for the postal document.
more...
house Chen Cheng-Tsai, Taiwan
bushman06
05-04 02:02 PM
Summer of 2009 it took Houston CGI took about 6 weeks from time I sent to time I got my new passport. Given the speed with which you need your passport. Better go with Tatkal.
tattoo Ariel Lin Yi Chen
seekerofpeace
09-04 09:15 AM
Folks,
It seems sun didn't rise from the east or has it....the miracle has happened....after 10 years and 25 days in this country with 2 advanced degrees and with days of ups and downs ...days of confusion and frustrations I finally received a mail:
Here it goes:
Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
Current Status: Approval notice sent.
On September 3, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.
You can choose to receive automatic case status updates, which will be sent via email. Please click here to create an account online.
Most of the folks in the forum receive "Welcome and CPO" message...did anyone receive this kind of message? Is it too early to rejoice? (well excuse my cynicism)...wife didn't get such a mail so it is not over yet....
The details of my journey:
Filed in California for Labor right after 9/11...worked their for 2 years company filed Ch-11 and with that went my hope for GC from them....fortunately got a job and moved to the "Bay state"
Labor: 07/12/2004
Stuck in BEC for 2.5 years
I-140 received : 01/25/2007
I-140 approved: 06/25/2009
I-485 mailed 07/23/2007 to TSC...got shuttled to CSC for data entry and kicked back to TSC and
ND of 09/25/2007
FP : 11/01/2007
Wait wait frustrations ...mails to P,VP,S,C,DHS...in summer of 2008...
RFE in 11/02/2008
Wait wait more cribbing more cribbing
Received approval notice on I-485 at 5:30 AM on 09/04/2009.
My wife's wait continues also no CPO or welcome message so will see how it goes...
SoP
It seems sun didn't rise from the east or has it....the miracle has happened....after 10 years and 25 days in this country with 2 advanced degrees and with days of ups and downs ...days of confusion and frustrations I finally received a mail:
Here it goes:
Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
Current Status: Approval notice sent.
On September 3, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.
You can choose to receive automatic case status updates, which will be sent via email. Please click here to create an account online.
Most of the folks in the forum receive "Welcome and CPO" message...did anyone receive this kind of message? Is it too early to rejoice? (well excuse my cynicism)...wife didn't get such a mail so it is not over yet....
The details of my journey:
Filed in California for Labor right after 9/11...worked their for 2 years company filed Ch-11 and with that went my hope for GC from them....fortunately got a job and moved to the "Bay state"
Labor: 07/12/2004
Stuck in BEC for 2.5 years
I-140 received : 01/25/2007
I-140 approved: 06/25/2009
I-485 mailed 07/23/2007 to TSC...got shuttled to CSC for data entry and kicked back to TSC and
ND of 09/25/2007
FP : 11/01/2007
Wait wait frustrations ...mails to P,VP,S,C,DHS...in summer of 2008...
RFE in 11/02/2008
Wait wait more cribbing more cribbing
Received approval notice on I-485 at 5:30 AM on 09/04/2009.
My wife's wait continues also no CPO or welcome message so will see how it goes...
SoP
more...
pictures Tsai, and Yi-chin Chen for
Macaca
06-29 12:40 PM
Now let�s go back to simple math: there are 140,000 immigrant visas available per fiscal year. 40,000 visa numbers are available at this time. The fiscal year runs from October 1st through September 30th. That means that in the first 9 months of the fiscal year, the Department of State and USCIS have managed to approve 100,000, which turns out to be 11,111 petitions per month.
During this period they approved applicants whose date was not current. These persons are getting GCs and there is a thread for such applicants. It is possible that there are 40K+ such persons. Hence, the following does not matter.
There is no possible way that USCIS and the Department of State are going to approve almost 4 times the number of permanent residencies in the month of July. The agencies do not have the time, nor do they have the manpower to approve 40,000 petitions within the next 30 days or so. That is the very reason why the Department of State official solely responsible for the priority dates felt pretty good about the availability of visa numbers throughout the month of July when he spoke to my colleagues from AILA.
During this period they approved applicants whose date was not current. These persons are getting GCs and there is a thread for such applicants. It is possible that there are 40K+ such persons. Hence, the following does not matter.
There is no possible way that USCIS and the Department of State are going to approve almost 4 times the number of permanent residencies in the month of July. The agencies do not have the time, nor do they have the manpower to approve 40,000 petitions within the next 30 days or so. That is the very reason why the Department of State official solely responsible for the priority dates felt pretty good about the availability of visa numbers throughout the month of July when he spoke to my colleagues from AILA.
dresses La New lhp Yi-Cheng Wang is in
rajesh_kamisetty
08-13 10:47 AM
Please sign up here... I will be in the pool on Aug 20th if I don't get EAD approval by 19th Aug.
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20828
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20828
more...
makeup Jolin Tsai
rmdsouza
06-18 10:53 AM
Please check this article on Social Security...
According to the Tax Ofi
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/apr/17us2.htm
Taxes, but No Social Security for Indian H1-B Visa Holders
Aseem Chhabra
A few years ago Ajay Sehgal (not his real name), a young Indian high tech worker based in Connecticut, received a letter from the Social Security Administration.
The letter stated that through the six years that Sehgal lived and worked in the United States -- first on an H-1B visa and later while his greencard application was pending -- he had contributed approximately $50,000 in social security taxes.
Since he was unsure of whether his greencard petition would be approved, Sehgal thought he could cash in the $50,000 and return to India. So he approached his local social security office.
"It is my money after all," Sehgal said recently. "If they will not allow me to live in this country, if I cannot retire in this country, then they should allow me to take my money and return to India. Right?"
Wrong, said the local social security office. He was told that foreign employees (including those on H-1B visas) who may have worked in the America for a few years could claim social security benefits upon retirement, but this depends on the country of their origin.
In fact, Sehgal later learned, as an Indian citizen on a temporary visa such as H-1B, he could not receive any social security retirement benefits -- even though he had legally paid his social security taxes.
"An Indian national on an H-1B visa is here for a period of six years," said Herb Loring, a social insurance program specialist with the SSA office in New York City. "And this person would get nothing. That is the law."
"But if this person came back and worked for four more years, under whatever status, and fulfilled the '40-quarters' exception rule, then this person could receive social security retirement benefits," Loring added. "Basically they cannot collect their money if they are an Indian national, unless they meet the exception."
The '40-quarter' exception rule, Loring explained, means that this person should have worked in the United States for at least 10 years. He added that this exception rule applies to citizens of over 30 countries who may have been employed in America for part of their career. The list of countries includes India, China, Afghanistan, Thailand, Kenya, Tunisia and Bangladesh, he said.
Loring added that workers from several Western European countries and Canada can claim social security benefits even if they worked in the United States for less than 10 years. The reason he said is the United States has treaties of reciprocity with these countries.
"The reciprocity rule in the treaties means that if a US citizen went to this other country and worked there for a few years under that country's retirement system, then the US citizen could also collect retirement benefits from that country," Loring said.
In addition, the United States also has 'totalization agreements' with some countries, such as the United Kingdom, under which US nationals can receive retirement benefits based on their combined work history at home and in the other country.
But America has not signed any such treaty with India, Loring said. He suggested that the reason could be that India does not have a national retirement system similar to the United States and many other Western nations.
"I cannot comment on the question of fairness or unfairness," Loring said. "This is law in the United States."
But for workers like Ajay Sehgal the laws reek of discrimination, especially since the largest contingent of H-1B visa workers in the United States are from India and China.
"I call this daylight robbery," Sehgal fumed. "This rule has to be changed."
"Giving us a greencard or not giving us a greencard is your right. I fully appreciate it. But why do you rob us of our social security? If you are a fair country, either give us the greencard or refund the social security."
According to the Tax Ofi
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/apr/17us2.htm
Taxes, but No Social Security for Indian H1-B Visa Holders
Aseem Chhabra
A few years ago Ajay Sehgal (not his real name), a young Indian high tech worker based in Connecticut, received a letter from the Social Security Administration.
The letter stated that through the six years that Sehgal lived and worked in the United States -- first on an H-1B visa and later while his greencard application was pending -- he had contributed approximately $50,000 in social security taxes.
Since he was unsure of whether his greencard petition would be approved, Sehgal thought he could cash in the $50,000 and return to India. So he approached his local social security office.
"It is my money after all," Sehgal said recently. "If they will not allow me to live in this country, if I cannot retire in this country, then they should allow me to take my money and return to India. Right?"
Wrong, said the local social security office. He was told that foreign employees (including those on H-1B visas) who may have worked in the America for a few years could claim social security benefits upon retirement, but this depends on the country of their origin.
In fact, Sehgal later learned, as an Indian citizen on a temporary visa such as H-1B, he could not receive any social security retirement benefits -- even though he had legally paid his social security taxes.
"An Indian national on an H-1B visa is here for a period of six years," said Herb Loring, a social insurance program specialist with the SSA office in New York City. "And this person would get nothing. That is the law."
"But if this person came back and worked for four more years, under whatever status, and fulfilled the '40-quarters' exception rule, then this person could receive social security retirement benefits," Loring added. "Basically they cannot collect their money if they are an Indian national, unless they meet the exception."
The '40-quarter' exception rule, Loring explained, means that this person should have worked in the United States for at least 10 years. He added that this exception rule applies to citizens of over 30 countries who may have been employed in America for part of their career. The list of countries includes India, China, Afghanistan, Thailand, Kenya, Tunisia and Bangladesh, he said.
Loring added that workers from several Western European countries and Canada can claim social security benefits even if they worked in the United States for less than 10 years. The reason he said is the United States has treaties of reciprocity with these countries.
"The reciprocity rule in the treaties means that if a US citizen went to this other country and worked there for a few years under that country's retirement system, then the US citizen could also collect retirement benefits from that country," Loring said.
In addition, the United States also has 'totalization agreements' with some countries, such as the United Kingdom, under which US nationals can receive retirement benefits based on their combined work history at home and in the other country.
But America has not signed any such treaty with India, Loring said. He suggested that the reason could be that India does not have a national retirement system similar to the United States and many other Western nations.
"I cannot comment on the question of fairness or unfairness," Loring said. "This is law in the United States."
But for workers like Ajay Sehgal the laws reek of discrimination, especially since the largest contingent of H-1B visa workers in the United States are from India and China.
"I call this daylight robbery," Sehgal fumed. "This rule has to be changed."
"Giving us a greencard or not giving us a greencard is your right. I fully appreciate it. But why do you rob us of our social security? If you are a fair country, either give us the greencard or refund the social security."
girlfriend CB, 4, Lin Cheng-yi
santb1975
04-15 06:57 PM
Glad to see you back. Feels great to see a Nor. Cal member here
We have 16 more weeks for the SF event. That is plenty. We need you to make this successful
Great initiative and kudos to NolaIndian for making it happen!
I love to go for long walks, so count me in for that part! Not sure if I can commit myself to the SF event... need some more time to make up my mind on this one!
We have 16 more weeks for the SF event. That is plenty. We need you to make this successful
Great initiative and kudos to NolaIndian for making it happen!
I love to go for long walks, so count me in for that part! Not sure if I can commit myself to the SF event... need some more time to make up my mind on this one!
hairstyles Flickr: Tsai-Yi Hsuamp;
samsu
05-15 07:05 PM
I had similar question, this bill has the most co-sponsors, and probably the most viable one as well. Why don't we urge the congressman support this bill???
Please include this bill on first page.
-sam
Please include this bill on first page.
-sam
snathan
05-23 05:53 PM
Here is Ron's reply for the questions/concern
Hi Ron,
Tons of thanks for your time and this letter. Though most of the case are pending with Atlanta, there are few people struck with chicago as well. But the number is very small compared to atlanta. This template sounds very good to me, I will post the same at IV and let you know the feed back. Also I will direct the folks struck in chicago to you, they can hire you if they want you to represent them or I will ask them how do they want to proceed.
If we give the case number and employer name, would there be any impact/side effect ?
I will keep you posted and thanks a lot for your time
===========================
Reply from Ron:
All of the Chicago cases have been transferred to Atlanta. If the Chicago guys want to talk to me, I�m happy to do so. They don�t have to hire me if all they want is information. As for putting names and case numbers, without that information, they won�t take the letter seriously. Also, I think that this will get the DOL to move on those cases. Almost every time I have made a specific complaint, they have responded by resolving the case right away in order to make the whole thing go away. It wouldn�t surprise me to see the same thing here.
Hi Ron,
Tons of thanks for your time and this letter. Though most of the case are pending with Atlanta, there are few people struck with chicago as well. But the number is very small compared to atlanta. This template sounds very good to me, I will post the same at IV and let you know the feed back. Also I will direct the folks struck in chicago to you, they can hire you if they want you to represent them or I will ask them how do they want to proceed.
If we give the case number and employer name, would there be any impact/side effect ?
I will keep you posted and thanks a lot for your time
===========================
Reply from Ron:
All of the Chicago cases have been transferred to Atlanta. If the Chicago guys want to talk to me, I�m happy to do so. They don�t have to hire me if all they want is information. As for putting names and case numbers, without that information, they won�t take the letter seriously. Also, I think that this will get the DOL to move on those cases. Almost every time I have made a specific complaint, they have responded by resolving the case right away in order to make the whole thing go away. It wouldn�t surprise me to see the same thing here.
marthand
01-23 10:36 PM
This is one hell of a great post - examining different reasons why non-GC holders have or haven't bought a home.
One of the things that we need to understand is that for many of us India still represents that "safe and secure" boat that we really had to jump out of physically to come here to the United States and there is no reason for us NOT to make that transition emotionally, spiritually and in every walk of life. After all we hope to get GCs because we want to make the United States our permanent home. Therefore physically holding a GC really shouldnt decide if you need to buy a home in the US or not - especially if you have 'intended' to make the United States your home permanently.
I bought a home 2 years ago and although the economy and housing market is down - on account of which I have lost a percentage of the value of my home. I am not here to feel bad or complain about it. I do understand that from a financial standpoint there is a level of risk involved in investing in a home with or without a GC, as is with every other thing in life. One thing that we need to understand is that a home is not the investment, or its growth, or its safety and the overly protective need to save it. There is no guarantee that there would have been a reduced level of risk involved by buying a home in India, if we lived there. But that said one must still be very careful to ensure that the delicate balance of measuring the financial ability to buy a home and match it in such a way that it does not hinder nurtuting the family that resides in there. I agree that the financial decision to buy a house to make a home out of it, needs to be done very carefully with great thought in mind such that this investment doesn't hinder the delicate dynamics and quality of life of the family members who are making the house a home.
A home is the fond memories, the happy and sad times, the times of enjoying the unique relationships with each other the God has given us - and the bonds of love and affection that pull the family together - and this must be enjoyed irrespective of the investment and financial obligations it brings, since it truly is a labour of love. A home for each of us is what we strive to make of it; our attitude, ability to love and nurture our family, ablilty to derive peace and contentment from the relationships we have; and a willingness to integrate and assimilate into American Life; since by virtue of getting / accepting a GC we agree that the United States is our permanent home.
One of the things that we need to understand is that for many of us India still represents that "safe and secure" boat that we really had to jump out of physically to come here to the United States and there is no reason for us NOT to make that transition emotionally, spiritually and in every walk of life. After all we hope to get GCs because we want to make the United States our permanent home. Therefore physically holding a GC really shouldnt decide if you need to buy a home in the US or not - especially if you have 'intended' to make the United States your home permanently.
I bought a home 2 years ago and although the economy and housing market is down - on account of which I have lost a percentage of the value of my home. I am not here to feel bad or complain about it. I do understand that from a financial standpoint there is a level of risk involved in investing in a home with or without a GC, as is with every other thing in life. One thing that we need to understand is that a home is not the investment, or its growth, or its safety and the overly protective need to save it. There is no guarantee that there would have been a reduced level of risk involved by buying a home in India, if we lived there. But that said one must still be very careful to ensure that the delicate balance of measuring the financial ability to buy a home and match it in such a way that it does not hinder nurtuting the family that resides in there. I agree that the financial decision to buy a house to make a home out of it, needs to be done very carefully with great thought in mind such that this investment doesn't hinder the delicate dynamics and quality of life of the family members who are making the house a home.
A home is the fond memories, the happy and sad times, the times of enjoying the unique relationships with each other the God has given us - and the bonds of love and affection that pull the family together - and this must be enjoyed irrespective of the investment and financial obligations it brings, since it truly is a labour of love. A home for each of us is what we strive to make of it; our attitude, ability to love and nurture our family, ablilty to derive peace and contentment from the relationships we have; and a willingness to integrate and assimilate into American Life; since by virtue of getting / accepting a GC we agree that the United States is our permanent home.