Blog Feeds
08-08 09:40 AM
AILA Leadership Has Just Posted the Following:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvXsmL_uReC7qozmY2Pmxa1cwltLlaGjR4vEgZ8Xs7mHdb0PPef2l2zMOC9xGXkgVKjM5fOMupzxXAg8ihisB17LehA99FJadhI4sPHokgG85HOV-Yl1vNPr1XAzREISY-DhuG1fai4w/s320/investigator+image.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvXsmL_uReC7qozmY2Pmxa1cwltLlaGjR4vEgZ8Xs7mHdb0PPef2l2zMOC9xGXkgVKjM5fOMupzxXAg8ihisB17LehA99FJadhI4sPHokgG85HOV-Yl1vNPr1XAzREISY-DhuG1fai4w/s1600-h/investigator+image.jpg)
As many of our members know, the USCIS is like a Jekyll and Hyde creation. With one face, USCIS happily grants benefits, issues approvals, and welcomes people as citizens. With the other face UCSIS distrusts everyone, believes there is a lie on every application, and looks for ways to disqualify clearly qualified applicants. As you all know, this is not an exaggeration. It is true of an agency still steeped in the "Culture of No."
Many of you remember the Religious Worker "Benefit Fraud Assessment Teams" that went out to make sure that the Catholic Church was actually still in business. The ability of the USCIS to conduct effective program reviews, rather than just sticking with its core strength of adjudications is rather dubious, to say the least. Recently AILA shared some information about a "new" benefit fraud assessment program in which USCIS is beginning to use the millions of dollars it has received over the last decade from the "fraud fee" in the H-1B program. This new program involves the hiring of a private contractor to send "investigators" out to conduct 25,0000 site visits to H-1B employers to verify if the H-1B employee is working at the employer and performing the work as outlined in the H-1B petition. Yesterday, a client of mine received such a visit, and thanks to a terrific Human Resources Professional, we have a brief report of the scope of this style of fraud "investigation:"
The investigator came back yesterday. Her name was ______________. She indicated that she was a contractor hired to conduct these investigations (this is similar to the investigators that conduct the background investigations for government clearances). She had a badge with a picture.
She first met with me (HR REP). She asked me some very basic questions about the company, what we did, how many employees we had, work hours, office locations, etc. She also asked me how many employees we had on H1Bs, how many we had sponsored for permanent residency and how many total of our employees are legal permanent residents. It was hard to answer these off the top of my head. She said approximate numbers were ok even after I offered to get an employee list that I could look at to get her the exact numbers. She then asked me a couple of questions about the H-1B employee � what he did, his salary, work hours and start date. She asked me for ID so she could verify that I was who I said I was and she asked to see a W-2 or pay stub. I didn�t have either so I showed her the payroll register from our last payroll which satisfied her requirement. She then met with the foreign national employee for a couple of minutes. He said that she asked him about his job duties, work hours and salary. She also checked his ID. She asked me for a quick tour around our offices and left.
It was a pretty quick process. None of her questions were hard to answer � hopefully we passed. She was very nice and professional. I did apologize to her that I missed her when she came over the first time and she said that they want their visits to be �surprise� visits so unfortunately this is a problem they have to deal with.
The foreign national employee did tell me that he asked her if he was selected randomly and she indicated that he wasn�t � I guess they are going to be doing this for everyone.
You can see from this brief report that we as attorneys have yet another issue with which to deal. Now we must advise our clients of these waste of time investigations not targeted to find those employers or employees abusing the H-1B program, but rather designed to throw as much enforcement as the government cannot afford at a problem that does not exist in order to justify jobs and and the expense of a program that should be more effectively and efficiently run. Just what we need in the middle of an economic downturn, more government regulators! Where is John Galt when you need him?
What makes the expenditures of these funds in such a random way even more outrageous is the recent report noting that the number of affirmative filings to USCIS has decreased by almost 50% (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-meltdown-green-cards,1,2640213.story) year over year at the USCIS. Because USCIS's budget is entirely dependent on fees paid by users, the question becomes this: why is USCIS spending money on a program "looking" for problems when they would be better off using their resources to solve the problems they already have as an agency and better manage the extant operations that need to run more effectively.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/186823568153827945-7219682141896598992?l=ailaleadership.blogspot.com
More... (http://ailaleadership.blogspot.com/2009/08/uscis-h-1b-investigations-run-amok.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvXsmL_uReC7qozmY2Pmxa1cwltLlaGjR4vEgZ8Xs7mHdb0PPef2l2zMOC9xGXkgVKjM5fOMupzxXAg8ihisB17LehA99FJadhI4sPHokgG85HOV-Yl1vNPr1XAzREISY-DhuG1fai4w/s320/investigator+image.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvXsmL_uReC7qozmY2Pmxa1cwltLlaGjR4vEgZ8Xs7mHdb0PPef2l2zMOC9xGXkgVKjM5fOMupzxXAg8ihisB17LehA99FJadhI4sPHokgG85HOV-Yl1vNPr1XAzREISY-DhuG1fai4w/s1600-h/investigator+image.jpg)
As many of our members know, the USCIS is like a Jekyll and Hyde creation. With one face, USCIS happily grants benefits, issues approvals, and welcomes people as citizens. With the other face UCSIS distrusts everyone, believes there is a lie on every application, and looks for ways to disqualify clearly qualified applicants. As you all know, this is not an exaggeration. It is true of an agency still steeped in the "Culture of No."
Many of you remember the Religious Worker "Benefit Fraud Assessment Teams" that went out to make sure that the Catholic Church was actually still in business. The ability of the USCIS to conduct effective program reviews, rather than just sticking with its core strength of adjudications is rather dubious, to say the least. Recently AILA shared some information about a "new" benefit fraud assessment program in which USCIS is beginning to use the millions of dollars it has received over the last decade from the "fraud fee" in the H-1B program. This new program involves the hiring of a private contractor to send "investigators" out to conduct 25,0000 site visits to H-1B employers to verify if the H-1B employee is working at the employer and performing the work as outlined in the H-1B petition. Yesterday, a client of mine received such a visit, and thanks to a terrific Human Resources Professional, we have a brief report of the scope of this style of fraud "investigation:"
The investigator came back yesterday. Her name was ______________. She indicated that she was a contractor hired to conduct these investigations (this is similar to the investigators that conduct the background investigations for government clearances). She had a badge with a picture.
She first met with me (HR REP). She asked me some very basic questions about the company, what we did, how many employees we had, work hours, office locations, etc. She also asked me how many employees we had on H1Bs, how many we had sponsored for permanent residency and how many total of our employees are legal permanent residents. It was hard to answer these off the top of my head. She said approximate numbers were ok even after I offered to get an employee list that I could look at to get her the exact numbers. She then asked me a couple of questions about the H-1B employee � what he did, his salary, work hours and start date. She asked me for ID so she could verify that I was who I said I was and she asked to see a W-2 or pay stub. I didn�t have either so I showed her the payroll register from our last payroll which satisfied her requirement. She then met with the foreign national employee for a couple of minutes. He said that she asked him about his job duties, work hours and salary. She also checked his ID. She asked me for a quick tour around our offices and left.
It was a pretty quick process. None of her questions were hard to answer � hopefully we passed. She was very nice and professional. I did apologize to her that I missed her when she came over the first time and she said that they want their visits to be �surprise� visits so unfortunately this is a problem they have to deal with.
The foreign national employee did tell me that he asked her if he was selected randomly and she indicated that he wasn�t � I guess they are going to be doing this for everyone.
You can see from this brief report that we as attorneys have yet another issue with which to deal. Now we must advise our clients of these waste of time investigations not targeted to find those employers or employees abusing the H-1B program, but rather designed to throw as much enforcement as the government cannot afford at a problem that does not exist in order to justify jobs and and the expense of a program that should be more effectively and efficiently run. Just what we need in the middle of an economic downturn, more government regulators! Where is John Galt when you need him?
What makes the expenditures of these funds in such a random way even more outrageous is the recent report noting that the number of affirmative filings to USCIS has decreased by almost 50% (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-meltdown-green-cards,1,2640213.story) year over year at the USCIS. Because USCIS's budget is entirely dependent on fees paid by users, the question becomes this: why is USCIS spending money on a program "looking" for problems when they would be better off using their resources to solve the problems they already have as an agency and better manage the extant operations that need to run more effectively.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/186823568153827945-7219682141896598992?l=ailaleadership.blogspot.com
More... (http://ailaleadership.blogspot.com/2009/08/uscis-h-1b-investigations-run-amok.html)
wallpaper SHOP SHOP TILL YOU DROP !
ihateh1
02-25 04:21 PM
Since your wife has a valid H4 she dosent need to get the stamping if the H4 is filed through your employer. couple of my friends have the same situation. one of them moved to H4 and her employer told if anybody asks then she can say she never joined the company...another friend of mine is running payroll for his wife by paying money from his own pocket...
kumar1
07-18 02:56 PM
Why you want to mad on him, What is there to become mad on him.
Labor buy/sell ------ is there any possible way it is helping this system? Please do not tell me that system already has flaws da da da ....
Labor buy/sell ------ is there any possible way it is helping this system? Please do not tell me that system already has flaws da da da ....
2011 windows xp wallpaper
shx
05-17 08:01 PM
Can you prove that you were born in Nepal? Without proof, you won't be able to change it in your passport.
more...
sayantan76
07-30 06:25 PM
I got the following email alert today from USCIS:
Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
Current Status: Notice mailed welcoming the new permanent resident.
On July 28, 2007, we mailed you a notice that we had registered this customer's new permanent resident status. Please follow any instructions on the notice. Your new permanent resident card should be mailed within 60 days following this registration or after you complete any ADIT processing referred to in the welcome notice, whichever is later.
Does it mean my GC is approved or is there any other step - what is this ADIT processing?
Anyways - for statistics purposes....my I140+485 was filed concurrently in Dec'2006. 140 was approved last week. FP was scheduled for Jan 2'2006 - I could not make it on that date - got FP done in mid Feb'06. EAD and AP came in Feb'06.
Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
Current Status: Notice mailed welcoming the new permanent resident.
On July 28, 2007, we mailed you a notice that we had registered this customer's new permanent resident status. Please follow any instructions on the notice. Your new permanent resident card should be mailed within 60 days following this registration or after you complete any ADIT processing referred to in the welcome notice, whichever is later.
Does it mean my GC is approved or is there any other step - what is this ADIT processing?
Anyways - for statistics purposes....my I140+485 was filed concurrently in Dec'2006. 140 was approved last week. FP was scheduled for Jan 2'2006 - I could not make it on that date - got FP done in mid Feb'06. EAD and AP came in Feb'06.
kghoshal
02-18 06:49 PM
Last December, 2006 I got laid off because of company downsizing. My last pay stub was dated 12/15/2006. My LC was pending more than 365 days in my last company. Recently I got new job offer. My new company attorney is collecting all my immigration related information for filing H1-B extension from me. I have almost 60 days employment gap when my new company attorney file my 8th year H1-B extension.
I like to know the consequence of my 60 days employment gap. Whether my H1-B extension will be denied by USCIS? I will greatly appreciate your valuable suggestions as I am very much worried.
I like to know the consequence of my 60 days employment gap. Whether my H1-B extension will be denied by USCIS? I will greatly appreciate your valuable suggestions as I am very much worried.
more...
satishku_2000
05-04 11:53 AM
Hi all,
I received an RFE on my I-140. I responded to NSC last week with what was requested in RFE. NSC acknowledged receipt of my response. How long do you think it would take for them to take a decision on my case (non-premium process).
gchopes
Hey
whats your filing date and when did you get REF? Is it EB2 or EB3?
I received an RFE on my I-140. I responded to NSC last week with what was requested in RFE. NSC acknowledged receipt of my response. How long do you think it would take for them to take a decision on my case (non-premium process).
gchopes
Hey
whats your filing date and when did you get REF? Is it EB2 or EB3?
2010 your windows XP Wallpaper
WeShallOvercome
07-18 12:15 PM
Guys,
Is there a chance of USCIS coming back and saying that they will not take applications for I485 after July 31 2007 for whatever crap reason?
Do you think they will do that after all this noise ?
NO WAY !
Is there a chance of USCIS coming back and saying that they will not take applications for I485 after July 31 2007 for whatever crap reason?
Do you think they will do that after all this noise ?
NO WAY !
more...
martinvisalaw
06-26 05:18 PM
My I-94 is expiring in a month. I have used Advance parole to enter US after a vacation about a year back. How do I renew my I-94 card? Does anybody know...
Even though you entered using AP, you might be able to extend your nonimmigrant status. As the prior answer says, this is not necessary but many employees like to have it in case the AOS is denied for any reason.
It is also useful because if your EAD expires and you have not received a new one, you cannot work even if a new application is pending. On the other hand, if your H-1B (for example) has expired but the company timely filed an extension, you can keep working while the extension is pending.
Even though you entered using AP, you might be able to extend your nonimmigrant status. As the prior answer says, this is not necessary but many employees like to have it in case the AOS is denied for any reason.
It is also useful because if your EAD expires and you have not received a new one, you cannot work even if a new application is pending. On the other hand, if your H-1B (for example) has expired but the company timely filed an extension, you can keep working while the extension is pending.
hair 3 Windows XP wallpaper (5 pics
lonedesi
06-02 08:55 PM
The video clip has been posted on the website and the link is
www.ktvu.com/video/9315563/index.html?taf=fran
Great job IV and Pratik !!!
www.ktvu.com/video/9315563/index.html?taf=fran
Great job IV and Pratik !!!
more...
addsf345
01-08 02:07 PM
Sree, even I have travelled using AP last year. My lawyer told me that it should not be problem for H1B transfer. I have not used EAD to work though.
My question is, do I need to provide copy of approved I-140 with my new h1b transfer request to get 3 years ext? I've already completed 5 years on h1b.
any one?
My question is, do I need to provide copy of approved I-140 with my new h1b transfer request to get 3 years ext? I've already completed 5 years on h1b.
any one?
hot Rate this file Windows Seven
go_gc_way
09-10 07:51 AM
Shilpa Ghodgaonkar has rightly summarized probelms of skilled professionals waiting for their green cards.
Thnaks to IV & Shilpa Ghodgaonkar for great efforts to bring the attention of law makers to our problems.
Names of audience is impressive, I am hopeful this effort will help on going efforts to bring relief.
Great job.
Thnaks to IV & Shilpa Ghodgaonkar for great efforts to bring the attention of law makers to our problems.
Names of audience is impressive, I am hopeful this effort will help on going efforts to bring relief.
Great job.
more...
house Wallpapers · Technology
pani_6
07-03 06:24 PM
So I have to join the new employer only after the new I-140 is approved right..my current I-140 is already approved..
tattoo 2010 Windows XP wallpaper
abheja
12-21 11:57 AM
I am not sure if there is a way for you or your attorney to verify. You should ask your attorney and if it is possible, please verify.
I got stuck in Canada for a week because the PIMS was not up-to-date. Luckily it took only a week but I have heard stories people getting stuck for a couple of weeks. If you are not in the PIMS, the consulate contacts the KCC and they have to research and update the PIMS. Do a find on PIMS and you'll hear a lot of stories.
Goodluck!
I got stuck in Canada for a week because the PIMS was not up-to-date. Luckily it took only a week but I have heard stories people getting stuck for a couple of weeks. If you are not in the PIMS, the consulate contacts the KCC and they have to research and update the PIMS. Do a find on PIMS and you'll hear a lot of stories.
Goodluck!
more...
pictures a sexy windows xp wallpaper
neerajvir
07-17 05:52 PM
Just made a contribution of $100 to IV. Please take time to renew the faith and keep the pressure on..
dresses Windows Xp wallpaper by
srikondoji
04-28 04:09 PM
I would pass this info to my employer and lawyer.
As of now my employer is bearing 45% of the costs and promised to cover the other 55% later.
Thanks
As of now my employer is bearing 45% of the costs and promised to cover the other 55% later.
Thanks
more...
makeup Computers gt; Windows XP
kondur_007
09-22 02:57 PM
hi All,
I didn't find any topic on this so asking a question in a new thread.
I got my GC last month. My company has some problem and requested to take pay cut (50%) for next 3 months. Will this effect my Green Card. I came to know that I should get the salary mentioned in the file at-least for next 6 month after getting the GC. Is this true?
Please help me, I have to take decision ASAP.
Thank you in advance.
1. Salary cut should not cause any problem for you or your employer. It would be ideal if your employer also provides some reason (like slow economy!) for it on a letter.
2. And of course you can leave the employer on that grounds. This will not affect your GC in any way.
So relax....what all matters is "a good faith intention" at the time GC was approved. It is not your fault that the company is in financial trouble. You can switch employers or work with same employer at lower salary; all of it fair.
Good Luck.
I didn't find any topic on this so asking a question in a new thread.
I got my GC last month. My company has some problem and requested to take pay cut (50%) for next 3 months. Will this effect my Green Card. I came to know that I should get the salary mentioned in the file at-least for next 6 month after getting the GC. Is this true?
Please help me, I have to take decision ASAP.
Thank you in advance.
1. Salary cut should not cause any problem for you or your employer. It would be ideal if your employer also provides some reason (like slow economy!) for it on a letter.
2. And of course you can leave the employer on that grounds. This will not affect your GC in any way.
So relax....what all matters is "a good faith intention" at the time GC was approved. It is not your fault that the company is in financial trouble. You can switch employers or work with same employer at lower salary; all of it fair.
Good Luck.
girlfriend Windows XP HQ wallpaper
chintu25
12-02 11:45 AM
I am at the risk of being laid off anytime but will not stop my contributions to IV
I am convinced that this cause is far bigger that 1 job or one individual .
To live with the insecurity of loosing status doubles the anxiety of loosing a job .
I hope that this situation doesnt befall on anybody here on IV....
We deserve better ...All of us here are educated and highly skilled and we deserved to be treated right .
If you think I am right .....Contribute atleast USD 10 right NOW and post it here.
God help us and Capre Diem ( Sieze the day ) to all of us
I am convinced that this cause is far bigger that 1 job or one individual .
To live with the insecurity of loosing status doubles the anxiety of loosing a job .
I hope that this situation doesnt befall on anybody here on IV....
We deserve better ...All of us here are educated and highly skilled and we deserved to be treated right .
If you think I am right .....Contribute atleast USD 10 right NOW and post it here.
God help us and Capre Diem ( Sieze the day ) to all of us
hairstyles windows wallpaper xp. windows
gbof
05-01 07:42 AM
One of my friend who applied for an EAD renewal got it approved. But it went back to USCIS as undeliverable by post office. So he calls USCIS and opens an SR, and the rep says that his PR card application has been approved and will be remailed to him. Which means, they initially sent the GC instead of EAD. Can this happen? His PD is not current, he is from india with a PD of 2004.
Also, after he opened an SR for this, he received a notice from USCIS via postal mail that an SR was created and that they are remailing the PR card and if he does not receive it within 60 days, he needs to call them.
I told him that they are mistaking PR card for an EAD card and its the EAD card thats coming back to him. Anyone here had such an experience?? And defenitely my friend is just not excited too as he knows USCIS does not even know to put the correct card name in the notice.
most likely, they are talking abt EAD.
BTW: Did you receive your EAD yet? If so was it 1yr / 2 yr duration?. Your's is an interesting case of being approved within 1-week (altough filed before 120 days of expiration and mailed at the wrong center)
Also, after he opened an SR for this, he received a notice from USCIS via postal mail that an SR was created and that they are remailing the PR card and if he does not receive it within 60 days, he needs to call them.
I told him that they are mistaking PR card for an EAD card and its the EAD card thats coming back to him. Anyone here had such an experience?? And defenitely my friend is just not excited too as he knows USCIS does not even know to put the correct card name in the notice.
most likely, they are talking abt EAD.
BTW: Did you receive your EAD yet? If so was it 1yr / 2 yr duration?. Your's is an interesting case of being approved within 1-week (altough filed before 120 days of expiration and mailed at the wrong center)
dontcareanymore
05-12 12:51 PM
Does frankfurt require transit visa if some one is traveling to India if:
A) While going to india and have H1/H4 valid until 2011, but stamping expired.
B) while coming back to USA if I am planning on coming on Advance Parole ?
How long does the airport visa take ? I traveled through FF in 2005, but I had valid H1 stamp. It is expired since and perhaps wont get stamped before coming back, but use AP.
<edit> This is what I found on the germany.info site
"Indian, Turkish, Nigerian and Ghanaian airport transit travelers who
- are holding a valid visa or other residence permit for the USA (this includes advance paroles, but not approval notices), Canada or Switzerland and travel to the country which issued that visa or residence permit
or- after a legal stay in the USA (this includes holders of valid approval notices), Canada or Switzerland- return to the country whose citizenship they hold"
</edit>
A) While going to india and have H1/H4 valid until 2011, but stamping expired.
B) while coming back to USA if I am planning on coming on Advance Parole ?
How long does the airport visa take ? I traveled through FF in 2005, but I had valid H1 stamp. It is expired since and perhaps wont get stamped before coming back, but use AP.
<edit> This is what I found on the germany.info site
"Indian, Turkish, Nigerian and Ghanaian airport transit travelers who
- are holding a valid visa or other residence permit for the USA (this includes advance paroles, but not approval notices), Canada or Switzerland and travel to the country which issued that visa or residence permit
or- after a legal stay in the USA (this includes holders of valid approval notices), Canada or Switzerland- return to the country whose citizenship they hold"
</edit>
fromnaija
11-17 11:48 AM
Hey arnet! I am having the same problem. I filed for EAD renewal and then I got my card the other day, but problem is they gave me the same expiration date w/c is Jan. 2007. I called the 1-800# 4 times the day after I got my new card to let them know of the error. I never felt so disappointed and frustrated in my whole life! The first 3 representative I spoke could not tell me anything but "sorry we can't do anything about that". One of them even told me to go to the USCIS where I had my biometrics taken.. and that was 5 hours drive from where I live. I was so pissed. Then I tried to call again that same day just to see if there's anyone in their customer service who has some sense to tell me. And luckily a lady answered and she told me to fill out another I-767 form and send it to the service center who approved my case without the filing fee. That is if it's their fault, they're going to waive the fee.
The only thing that gets to me is, we put our trust in these people to do their part.. because we do. We pay our taxes, we pay for all these filing fees, we do not violate their country.. we're just here to work. Yet after all the waiting that we do, all the hoping, all the sacrifices..this is all we get. A MISTAKE on our IDs.
I filled out a new EAD application, made copies of all the notices I received from them regarding this application...and I even wrote a damn letter just to explain what happened. I'm in so much pressure right now because I need to have my new card as soon as possible... I am due for renewal of my driver's license. If I can't have that card by the end of this year, I am doomed! I will lose my license and my job. Thanks to them! :mad:
This is one good reason I support the person who posted on another thread that one keeps status in H1B and not work with EAD. I an not trying to justify the USCIS mess up but if you have the option to keep extending H1 until you get GC, please do so.
The only thing that gets to me is, we put our trust in these people to do their part.. because we do. We pay our taxes, we pay for all these filing fees, we do not violate their country.. we're just here to work. Yet after all the waiting that we do, all the hoping, all the sacrifices..this is all we get. A MISTAKE on our IDs.
I filled out a new EAD application, made copies of all the notices I received from them regarding this application...and I even wrote a damn letter just to explain what happened. I'm in so much pressure right now because I need to have my new card as soon as possible... I am due for renewal of my driver's license. If I can't have that card by the end of this year, I am doomed! I will lose my license and my job. Thanks to them! :mad:
This is one good reason I support the person who posted on another thread that one keeps status in H1B and not work with EAD. I an not trying to justify the USCIS mess up but if you have the option to keep extending H1 until you get GC, please do so.