gc_dream07
03-06 02:13 PM
I will contribute $25.00. Please send us the details.
Thanks for initiative.
Thanks for initiative.
wallpaper Hot Chocolate 2009 Mini Cooper
Sherman_tribiani
09-07 10:45 PM
After hearing this, do you think our folks will sit quiet. We will do whatever it takes to makes sure that American jobs stays American.
By god grace , we will make sure that Strive act does not pass. Especially, the portion that talks about employment based category.
Now you are making me feel guilty (traveled in business class with plenty of food, water and wine). No wonder, I don't have any leadership qualities, (Never knew it came from keeping rats company and going without food and water).
By god grace , we will make sure that Strive act does not pass. Especially, the portion that talks about employment based category.
Now you are making me feel guilty (traveled in business class with plenty of food, water and wine). No wonder, I don't have any leadership qualities, (Never knew it came from keeping rats company and going without food and water).
newbie2020
02-25 12:02 PM
The idea needs to be taken to the next step, How about a conference call....I can provide a Bridge for the call
2011 Photos: 2009 Mini Cooper Convertible
ragz4u
04-20 12:55 PM
IV members, we need your stories. We are going to make an all out effort to pass this on to senators/media folks to realize the urgency of the situation.
Who's story do we need?
Your story about how you are affected by retrogression/back log etc. It could be as simple as 'I have a BS in Mathematics and am stuck in back log for 2 years and cannot fulfil my dreams professionally' to 'I have a PhD in Nuclear Science and US needs me coz there are only a handful of us!' Anything and everything works.
We have literally recieved stories of stay at home moms (because of H4 they cannot work) to folks who have been interviewed by MIT! The whole spectrum helps.....please please send us your stories...we need all the weapons when we go face the senators on behalf of IV
Why we need your stories?
Media folks
Sometimes we get approached by journalists who need a story the very next day. They are looking for specific subjects for the story though.
An example is say the Investors Business Daily (a financial daily). A reporter might come to us and ask us if we have anyone from the Finance sector who is suffering due to retrogression and is willing to speak up about it. They might also add that we need only Eb1/Eb2 category folks.
When this happens, we are in a mad scramble to find folks who fit this criteria so that we do not lose this chance.
Another example might be of a Medical Journal looking for doctors stuck due to retrogression.
We are constantly getting requests like this but cannot capitalize on it because we do not have enough stories already available to fit the criteria.
So please send in your stories. It need not be earth shattering at all (most of us are mere mortals). You never know when a reporter is specifically looking for a story similar to yours and you might just tilt the balance in favor of skilled immigrants.
We promise we will not reveal your story to media if you do not want to.
Though there is no harm to reveal one's name in media as can be evidenced by the folks featured in the Roll Call article, Philly Inquirer and News Observer.
At the same time we understand that you might have reasons to remain out of media and we will fully respect that.
Lawmakers
Even during the recess, we were talking to the staff of a ton of senators. Most of the time the senators' staff are interested only if someone from 'their constituency' is also affected. We always say we have a ton of folks from each state, but nothing works like a real example.
For example, when we speak to say Senator Kennedy, it helps us to present the story of folks affected by retrogression and living in say Boston, MA. That way, the staff has some incentive to look into this and get hooked immediately.
When we initially started meeting senators, their staff would ask QGA 'Immigration Voice, who or what is that?'
Lately when we go to meet them, most of the staff have already visited our website multiple times, know about us because of phone calls and faxes by members and ofcourse the articles that have been published....on top of this when we provide stories of members from their constituency, 50% of our work is already achieved....the liason team and QGA take over from there.
Please send us your stories by sending an email to , shrey@immigrationvoice.org, nagaraj@immigrationvoice.org, sandeep@immigrationvoice.org, sunil@immigrationvoice.org using the following template
Subject: Story of <Name here>
Body of email
Name -
ID on Immigration Voice -
Telephone Number -
Current stage of Green Card -
Category of GC (EB1/EB2/Eb3 etc) -
Job Title in Brief -
Complete Address -
Brief Story of how Retrogression/Backlog/Delays is affecting your life -
How US will benefit if you remain here (competitiveness angle) -
Are you willing to reveal your info to media?
Are you willing to reveal your info to senators
Please note that if you are NOT willing to reveal your info, we would use your story but make sure that it cannot be tracked back to you. As in we will not name your company/address anywhere
Please help us spread awareness....
Who's story do we need?
Your story about how you are affected by retrogression/back log etc. It could be as simple as 'I have a BS in Mathematics and am stuck in back log for 2 years and cannot fulfil my dreams professionally' to 'I have a PhD in Nuclear Science and US needs me coz there are only a handful of us!' Anything and everything works.
We have literally recieved stories of stay at home moms (because of H4 they cannot work) to folks who have been interviewed by MIT! The whole spectrum helps.....please please send us your stories...we need all the weapons when we go face the senators on behalf of IV
Why we need your stories?
Media folks
Sometimes we get approached by journalists who need a story the very next day. They are looking for specific subjects for the story though.
An example is say the Investors Business Daily (a financial daily). A reporter might come to us and ask us if we have anyone from the Finance sector who is suffering due to retrogression and is willing to speak up about it. They might also add that we need only Eb1/Eb2 category folks.
When this happens, we are in a mad scramble to find folks who fit this criteria so that we do not lose this chance.
Another example might be of a Medical Journal looking for doctors stuck due to retrogression.
We are constantly getting requests like this but cannot capitalize on it because we do not have enough stories already available to fit the criteria.
So please send in your stories. It need not be earth shattering at all (most of us are mere mortals). You never know when a reporter is specifically looking for a story similar to yours and you might just tilt the balance in favor of skilled immigrants.
We promise we will not reveal your story to media if you do not want to.
Though there is no harm to reveal one's name in media as can be evidenced by the folks featured in the Roll Call article, Philly Inquirer and News Observer.
At the same time we understand that you might have reasons to remain out of media and we will fully respect that.
Lawmakers
Even during the recess, we were talking to the staff of a ton of senators. Most of the time the senators' staff are interested only if someone from 'their constituency' is also affected. We always say we have a ton of folks from each state, but nothing works like a real example.
For example, when we speak to say Senator Kennedy, it helps us to present the story of folks affected by retrogression and living in say Boston, MA. That way, the staff has some incentive to look into this and get hooked immediately.
When we initially started meeting senators, their staff would ask QGA 'Immigration Voice, who or what is that?'
Lately when we go to meet them, most of the staff have already visited our website multiple times, know about us because of phone calls and faxes by members and ofcourse the articles that have been published....on top of this when we provide stories of members from their constituency, 50% of our work is already achieved....the liason team and QGA take over from there.
Please send us your stories by sending an email to , shrey@immigrationvoice.org, nagaraj@immigrationvoice.org, sandeep@immigrationvoice.org, sunil@immigrationvoice.org using the following template
Subject: Story of <Name here>
Body of email
Name -
ID on Immigration Voice -
Telephone Number -
Current stage of Green Card -
Category of GC (EB1/EB2/Eb3 etc) -
Job Title in Brief -
Complete Address -
Brief Story of how Retrogression/Backlog/Delays is affecting your life -
How US will benefit if you remain here (competitiveness angle) -
Are you willing to reveal your info to media?
Are you willing to reveal your info to senators
Please note that if you are NOT willing to reveal your info, we would use your story but make sure that it cannot be tracked back to you. As in we will not name your company/address anywhere
Please help us spread awareness....
more...
vparam
09-08 10:15 AM
Guys/Gals...
Sorry but do not want to be a damper... But this thread does not give me the right feeling. I have been a member of IV i think from dec 2005 and contributed quite a few hundered dollars and just like this organization as a simplistic, good non-profit orgnization with good intentions....
But in this thread we see a taunt... which is more like we will not have numbers in DC and then some triades...
So far whenever such type of hate comments are posted, I have noticed that the IV core/ Super moderators either close the threads or blacklist the user....
But in this case we see periodically (i think a couple of times) that super moderators are only making comments that we need to prove numbers so join the rally....
Sorry to say this but i feel either this stage managed ( the triades) or super moderators/ IV core are taking advantage of this thread.... Both I feel are inappropriate....
If I am wrong in what i have stated - My apologies to Supermoderators / IV Core.... But If I am right then I think personally it is a sad day since it lowered the image of IV in front of a great admirer.
Sorry but do not want to be a damper... But this thread does not give me the right feeling. I have been a member of IV i think from dec 2005 and contributed quite a few hundered dollars and just like this organization as a simplistic, good non-profit orgnization with good intentions....
But in this thread we see a taunt... which is more like we will not have numbers in DC and then some triades...
So far whenever such type of hate comments are posted, I have noticed that the IV core/ Super moderators either close the threads or blacklist the user....
But in this case we see periodically (i think a couple of times) that super moderators are only making comments that we need to prove numbers so join the rally....
Sorry to say this but i feel either this stage managed ( the triades) or super moderators/ IV core are taking advantage of this thread.... Both I feel are inappropriate....
If I am wrong in what i have stated - My apologies to Supermoderators / IV Core.... But If I am right then I think personally it is a sad day since it lowered the image of IV in front of a great admirer.
abalu400
07-21 12:54 PM
First, deecha, and VZLAN you are brave men..hope you get through. When the immigration system is so arcane, you cannot blame yourselves
===============
next, I am in a similar 'somewhat out of status' position myself. i am filing for i-140/i485
I have been with the same employer since Jan 2004, and have every pay stub since then. However during some time in 2006, the company was in deep trouble, management takeover etc. and we were only paid for time spent on a major project (which was the cash cow). Because i was not directly involved in it, I was paid at about 50%, but every week, which lead my final W2 for 2006 to be around 76% of the total on the LCA. I looked at my paystubs and the total weeks at less than 100% is 5 months.
For 2004, 2005 and 2007 (on course) I am on course for my full salary. Also I got a bonus and stock options as the project took off and we are all in a better shape and my 2007 W2 should be higher.
Before 2004, I was a student on a F1 (MS degree) with one h1 in the bad days of 2002. However, my change of status was on the dot.. i.e. i got laid off on a friday and i filed my change of status to f1 the same day. My h1 visa was stamped in 2004 in India. My H1 was extended in early 2007
I am filing a self-sponsored I140. So, my question is:
1) Should I wait for 2008/whenever to file my i485 and hopefully show one year w2 and try to see if that goes through?
2) Try to convince my employer to pay me the back wages for 2006 (they may agree) in lieu of some future pay cut or paid out vacation or trade my stock options. File an amended return with a new 2006 W2 (what are the risks of an audit??)
3) Try to wait till 2008, stamp my visa extension and then file for i-485 showing only 2007 w2.
-=====-=-=-====-
Please send me your perspectives.
===============
next, I am in a similar 'somewhat out of status' position myself. i am filing for i-140/i485
I have been with the same employer since Jan 2004, and have every pay stub since then. However during some time in 2006, the company was in deep trouble, management takeover etc. and we were only paid for time spent on a major project (which was the cash cow). Because i was not directly involved in it, I was paid at about 50%, but every week, which lead my final W2 for 2006 to be around 76% of the total on the LCA. I looked at my paystubs and the total weeks at less than 100% is 5 months.
For 2004, 2005 and 2007 (on course) I am on course for my full salary. Also I got a bonus and stock options as the project took off and we are all in a better shape and my 2007 W2 should be higher.
Before 2004, I was a student on a F1 (MS degree) with one h1 in the bad days of 2002. However, my change of status was on the dot.. i.e. i got laid off on a friday and i filed my change of status to f1 the same day. My h1 visa was stamped in 2004 in India. My H1 was extended in early 2007
I am filing a self-sponsored I140. So, my question is:
1) Should I wait for 2008/whenever to file my i485 and hopefully show one year w2 and try to see if that goes through?
2) Try to convince my employer to pay me the back wages for 2006 (they may agree) in lieu of some future pay cut or paid out vacation or trade my stock options. File an amended return with a new 2006 W2 (what are the risks of an audit??)
3) Try to wait till 2008, stamp my visa extension and then file for i-485 showing only 2007 w2.
-=====-=-=-====-
Please send me your perspectives.
more...
bigboy007
05-11 11:11 AM
This is best at ppl things narrow minded , since you are EB2 you want to have this.. EB3 can port to EB2 then EB3 will never get spillovers.. and if you have latest PD you might get in to this issue... So prepare now for another admin fix. shouldnt we stop looking at bigger picture and start only on the smaller things like this ? Can you support with numbers how EB2 can get line cleared ? If that is true then there is no need of Recapture... becoz when EB2 goes current all numbers flow to EB3.
As gc_check explained, all EB2 with PD<2007/7 will get the green card 2 years earlier if this can be fixed. I do not understand why IV can not discuss it with USCIS.
As gc_check explained, all EB2 with PD<2007/7 will get the green card 2 years earlier if this can be fixed. I do not understand why IV can not discuss it with USCIS.
2010 MINI Cooper Convertible | Used
santb1975
11-25 11:31 PM
$$$$$
more...
swamy
11-19 09:52 PM
Google Order #137102237032515
good work! never said it three times in a single day so feel like I need vocals to go with it-bumbabhumbhum BHUMP! do you really look fwd to me after this?
good work! never said it three times in a single day so feel like I need vocals to go with it-bumbabhumbhum BHUMP! do you really look fwd to me after this?
hair 2009 Mini Cooper John Cooper
sac-r-ten
11-11 01:06 PM
Since many gurus are of the opinion of not going the legal way, here is what i think is the best.
1. try to create awareness of her wrong-doing on social sites. Put the video, (if you like) on the sites.
2. Put a comment on the sulekha ad itself for this nanny (i dont know if you can do this).
3. Put comments on City search site. citysearch.com
4. Scare that woman away saying that you have found out that she is hitting the baby and you can complain to the cops.
this way we can make sure nobody else is hiring her as nanny.
1. try to create awareness of her wrong-doing on social sites. Put the video, (if you like) on the sites.
2. Put a comment on the sulekha ad itself for this nanny (i dont know if you can do this).
3. Put comments on City search site. citysearch.com
4. Scare that woman away saying that you have found out that she is hitting the baby and you can complain to the cops.
this way we can make sure nobody else is hiring her as nanny.
more...
veereddy
03-06 01:36 PM
I'll contribute, thanks for the initiative.
hot 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible
meg_z
04-20 09:46 AM
Even during the recess, we were talking to the staff of a ton of senators. Most of the time the senators' staff are interested only if someone from 'their constituency' is also affected. We always say we have a ton of folks from each state, but nothing works like a real example.
For example, when we speak to say Senator Kennedy, it helps us to present the story of folks affected by retrogression and living in say Boston, MA. That way, the staff has some incentive to look into this and get hooked immediately.
Since time is short this time, we need all the stories from each state to make our case.
As promised, we will not reveal your story to media if you do not want to.
Though there is no harm to reveal one's name in media as can be noticed by the folks featured in the Roll Call article, Philly Inquirer and News Observer.
We will just concentrate on the crux how you are suffering because of delays such that even if your boss reads this story, he will not be offended or put off (Read our members stories in the three articles I have mentioned, none of it can get the IV members in any trouble at all).
At the same time we understand that you might have reasons to remain out of media and we will fully respect that.
But please send in your stories so we have a convincing story to make our case.....
Your first post seemed asking only career wise successful folks who have patents/inovations and are affected by retrogression. I did write my story and then reread your first post, then thought to myself: my story is just similar to that Italian lady! The only thing different is she probably would have gotten her green card without much trouble, unlike my process.
Please let me know if you need ordinary story like mine, non-IT, mother and having been waiting for many years. Thanks.
For example, when we speak to say Senator Kennedy, it helps us to present the story of folks affected by retrogression and living in say Boston, MA. That way, the staff has some incentive to look into this and get hooked immediately.
Since time is short this time, we need all the stories from each state to make our case.
As promised, we will not reveal your story to media if you do not want to.
Though there is no harm to reveal one's name in media as can be noticed by the folks featured in the Roll Call article, Philly Inquirer and News Observer.
We will just concentrate on the crux how you are suffering because of delays such that even if your boss reads this story, he will not be offended or put off (Read our members stories in the three articles I have mentioned, none of it can get the IV members in any trouble at all).
At the same time we understand that you might have reasons to remain out of media and we will fully respect that.
But please send in your stories so we have a convincing story to make our case.....
Your first post seemed asking only career wise successful folks who have patents/inovations and are affected by retrogression. I did write my story and then reread your first post, then thought to myself: my story is just similar to that Italian lady! The only thing different is she probably would have gotten her green card without much trouble, unlike my process.
Please let me know if you need ordinary story like mine, non-IT, mother and having been waiting for many years. Thanks.
more...
house 2009 Mini Cooper S convertible
av2004
06-18 12:12 PM
Logiclife, thank you very much for the encouraging words and your commitment to our cause.
I had the good fortune of attending the IV Advocacy days (albeit only for one day) in DC and walking side by side with great people such as logiclife, Aman etc. and experiencing the amazing feat performed by most of the members (naming a few, please feel free to add more...):
Contacting the lawmakers, confirming appointments.
Being cheerful, yet completely focussed on the task at hand.
Being mindful of what to mention to the lawmakers or their representatives.
All this was accomplished with the limited resources that IV has in terms of volunteer and monetary support. I, like many of the people here, was skeptical of how IV spends the money that is being donated by many donors we see on this forum. It was an eye opener to me when heard that we are doing the advocacy event after 3 long years because of the limited resources we have. I mean, think the 40,000+ users we have on this forum. If each one of us members donated $1, it would have pretty much covered the advocacy day costs. Instead, I read that we could collect only $20,000 for this event (even after most of people paid $50 at a minimum!).
I am not a donor on this forum yet, but I would like to be one just to support the activities of IV. I am more than convinced that the money I will spend will be put to good use for the good of this community. Mind you, many of the IV advocacy day volunteers had already received their green cards, yet they are fighting for me and you. What good would it be if we still continue to sit on the side and not support such wholesome activities made by these sincere guys? Hats off to IV (and the leaders of IV) for providing us with a great platform and opportunities to make an impact and make out issues heard by the lawmakers.
So, I request you all to take some action to help IV and help yourself, in turn. If you have any misgivings, by all means direct questions to any of the IV leaders and I am sure they can provide answers..
Lastly, I really liked the "passion" part of logiclife's message very much and would like to end with a quote about passion:
"Swami Vivekananda said, "Give me men of passion." Passion means a passionate nature, that if I do this, I must do it perfectly. I must do it as well as I can. I must do it now. And promises do not constitute work. He who wants to give must give now."
Be Unreasonable & a cause of progress, not just a beneficiary.
Hello everyone,
I will explain the title of this thread in a minute (the unreasonable part) but before that I would like to share my experience in DC last week during, before and after lobby days.
A few weeks ago, when Aman called me to join him in lobby days, just like many others, I was having a difficult time scheduling vacation days off from work. I somehow convinced my boss to let me take those days off and finish the work in the weekend prior to June.
The Airport pickup:
When I reached the Airport, Aman and Pratik were there to pick me up. And this is where it got funny and really hilarious. The car was a compact rental car and it was full of printers, laptops and folders -- all in preparation of lobby day. There was barely enough place to sit in the car. After shutting all the doors tight (we really had to compress the luggage and force the door shut) we started driving towards the hotel. And the dome light would not shut off. So everyone outside can see a car full of luggage, printers and people packed like a can of sardines. Fortunately Aman knew the way to the Hotel and we could go there without having to stop for directions.
Preparation and training on Sunday:
Sunday was hectic, busy, tiring and very very interesting. I met a lot of new people on Sunday who had come to DC for the first time. And it felt really really good to reconnect with people who we had met earlier in 2007 rally in DC and the earlier rally in San Jose in July. Just felt like I had met my friends from college with whom I spend 4 years. The kind of relationship and chemistry that we have is impossible to describe in words. Crisis and calamity have a way of creating bonds that last a lifetime. We all may get green-cards in next 1 year or maybe 10 years. But I will remember the people I met in DC twice and in San Jose for the rest of my life. And I am sure others feel the same way. These are the people who were sitting on the laptop scheduling lawmaker meetings and connecting members to appointments till 4:00 AM on Monday morning and then back to work by 8:00 AM. We ate whatever was ordered or whatever we found in the hotel. There were people printing business cards in one corner. Others were printing the drop-off material for lawmakers, preparing neat folders for meetings. There was training and mock-meetings going on in another corner for people who had never been to the Capitol Hill before. There was so much purpose and so much goal-oriented motivation in the room, I felt really glad to have not missed this even one out of 3 times we done this both in DC and in San Jose.
The next two days:
Over the next two days, I went to about 7 meetings in the House and Senate side and had very very interesting experiences, mostly positive. I cannot share the details of the response for each office as this is a public forum, but I can tell you that having been to DC about 6 times now since 2006, there are Hill Staffers who know many of us and even remember our names. Our conversations do not begin with introductions, but where we left off in our last meeting. More than 60-70% of the offices of Congressmen and Senators know about Immigration Voice and know about the issue. Some offices may have newer staff and not know, and that's where education helps.
Every single day consisted of going to the Hill from the situation room, (I mostly took a cab, I am lazy that way even if its only 4 blocks), coming back, getting some work done, going back to the Hill, accompanying someone if they are alone in the meetings (it helps to have 2 or more IV members go to a meeting). We worked till 11 PM mostly, and got about 4-5 hours of sleep each night. And that is true for everyone who was there. EVERY SINGLE one. Walking between the office buildings (and they are big) and walking a few times back to the Hotel also made some of us realize (like me) that how out of shape we are physically :):)
And now to the UNreasonables:
Every single person who came to DC this time or the time before, or who came to San Jose rally has been told by friends, family and colleagues "Why are you going to DC, let others go, take care of yourself, all problems get fixed eventually, Congress will take care of it".
They sound very reasonable or try to convince you that they are the reasonable ones and you are being unreasonable by going to the Capitol and working on your cause.
The truth is...yes, we may be. But we are the ones who will eventually make a difference. If you read the quote from George Bernard Shaw, you will realize that the reasonable men and women will sit around and talk about us, save their time for family and leisure and comply themselves to the system. They will comply themselves to a system that keeps in hanging without a green card for 20 years. They will never be capable of ushering progress.
The unreasonable ones, the ones like us, who contribute to this cause in various forms, are the gifted ones. We are the lucky ones. For we have the wisdom and the strength to do the unreasonable and get the world to comply to our point of view.
And flower campaign, the DC rally -- that got bulletin reversed in 2007,
the popularity of removing per-country ceilings in the offices that exist today and didnt exist before --
All this a work of men and women like us who are unreasonably resilient, who will not listen to the advise of reasonable men who sit on the sidelines and refresh the Visa Bulletin page every first friday of every month 20 times a day.
But to those who get it...I have one more quote for you, a final one, I promise:
I wish the problem of greencard backlogs get cleared soon, but if it doesnt, I will do this a 100 times again and with same or more passion, determination and purpose. Our energy and determination would outlast and outlive the intertia of Congress.
I had the good fortune of attending the IV Advocacy days (albeit only for one day) in DC and walking side by side with great people such as logiclife, Aman etc. and experiencing the amazing feat performed by most of the members (naming a few, please feel free to add more...):
Contacting the lawmakers, confirming appointments.
Being cheerful, yet completely focussed on the task at hand.
Being mindful of what to mention to the lawmakers or their representatives.
All this was accomplished with the limited resources that IV has in terms of volunteer and monetary support. I, like many of the people here, was skeptical of how IV spends the money that is being donated by many donors we see on this forum. It was an eye opener to me when heard that we are doing the advocacy event after 3 long years because of the limited resources we have. I mean, think the 40,000+ users we have on this forum. If each one of us members donated $1, it would have pretty much covered the advocacy day costs. Instead, I read that we could collect only $20,000 for this event (even after most of people paid $50 at a minimum!).
I am not a donor on this forum yet, but I would like to be one just to support the activities of IV. I am more than convinced that the money I will spend will be put to good use for the good of this community. Mind you, many of the IV advocacy day volunteers had already received their green cards, yet they are fighting for me and you. What good would it be if we still continue to sit on the side and not support such wholesome activities made by these sincere guys? Hats off to IV (and the leaders of IV) for providing us with a great platform and opportunities to make an impact and make out issues heard by the lawmakers.
So, I request you all to take some action to help IV and help yourself, in turn. If you have any misgivings, by all means direct questions to any of the IV leaders and I am sure they can provide answers..
Lastly, I really liked the "passion" part of logiclife's message very much and would like to end with a quote about passion:
"Swami Vivekananda said, "Give me men of passion." Passion means a passionate nature, that if I do this, I must do it perfectly. I must do it as well as I can. I must do it now. And promises do not constitute work. He who wants to give must give now."
Be Unreasonable & a cause of progress, not just a beneficiary.
Hello everyone,
I will explain the title of this thread in a minute (the unreasonable part) but before that I would like to share my experience in DC last week during, before and after lobby days.
A few weeks ago, when Aman called me to join him in lobby days, just like many others, I was having a difficult time scheduling vacation days off from work. I somehow convinced my boss to let me take those days off and finish the work in the weekend prior to June.
The Airport pickup:
When I reached the Airport, Aman and Pratik were there to pick me up. And this is where it got funny and really hilarious. The car was a compact rental car and it was full of printers, laptops and folders -- all in preparation of lobby day. There was barely enough place to sit in the car. After shutting all the doors tight (we really had to compress the luggage and force the door shut) we started driving towards the hotel. And the dome light would not shut off. So everyone outside can see a car full of luggage, printers and people packed like a can of sardines. Fortunately Aman knew the way to the Hotel and we could go there without having to stop for directions.
Preparation and training on Sunday:
Sunday was hectic, busy, tiring and very very interesting. I met a lot of new people on Sunday who had come to DC for the first time. And it felt really really good to reconnect with people who we had met earlier in 2007 rally in DC and the earlier rally in San Jose in July. Just felt like I had met my friends from college with whom I spend 4 years. The kind of relationship and chemistry that we have is impossible to describe in words. Crisis and calamity have a way of creating bonds that last a lifetime. We all may get green-cards in next 1 year or maybe 10 years. But I will remember the people I met in DC twice and in San Jose for the rest of my life. And I am sure others feel the same way. These are the people who were sitting on the laptop scheduling lawmaker meetings and connecting members to appointments till 4:00 AM on Monday morning and then back to work by 8:00 AM. We ate whatever was ordered or whatever we found in the hotel. There were people printing business cards in one corner. Others were printing the drop-off material for lawmakers, preparing neat folders for meetings. There was training and mock-meetings going on in another corner for people who had never been to the Capitol Hill before. There was so much purpose and so much goal-oriented motivation in the room, I felt really glad to have not missed this even one out of 3 times we done this both in DC and in San Jose.
The next two days:
Over the next two days, I went to about 7 meetings in the House and Senate side and had very very interesting experiences, mostly positive. I cannot share the details of the response for each office as this is a public forum, but I can tell you that having been to DC about 6 times now since 2006, there are Hill Staffers who know many of us and even remember our names. Our conversations do not begin with introductions, but where we left off in our last meeting. More than 60-70% of the offices of Congressmen and Senators know about Immigration Voice and know about the issue. Some offices may have newer staff and not know, and that's where education helps.
Every single day consisted of going to the Hill from the situation room, (I mostly took a cab, I am lazy that way even if its only 4 blocks), coming back, getting some work done, going back to the Hill, accompanying someone if they are alone in the meetings (it helps to have 2 or more IV members go to a meeting). We worked till 11 PM mostly, and got about 4-5 hours of sleep each night. And that is true for everyone who was there. EVERY SINGLE one. Walking between the office buildings (and they are big) and walking a few times back to the Hotel also made some of us realize (like me) that how out of shape we are physically :):)
And now to the UNreasonables:
Every single person who came to DC this time or the time before, or who came to San Jose rally has been told by friends, family and colleagues "Why are you going to DC, let others go, take care of yourself, all problems get fixed eventually, Congress will take care of it".
They sound very reasonable or try to convince you that they are the reasonable ones and you are being unreasonable by going to the Capitol and working on your cause.
The truth is...yes, we may be. But we are the ones who will eventually make a difference. If you read the quote from George Bernard Shaw, you will realize that the reasonable men and women will sit around and talk about us, save their time for family and leisure and comply themselves to the system. They will comply themselves to a system that keeps in hanging without a green card for 20 years. They will never be capable of ushering progress.
The unreasonable ones, the ones like us, who contribute to this cause in various forms, are the gifted ones. We are the lucky ones. For we have the wisdom and the strength to do the unreasonable and get the world to comply to our point of view.
And flower campaign, the DC rally -- that got bulletin reversed in 2007,
the popularity of removing per-country ceilings in the offices that exist today and didnt exist before --
All this a work of men and women like us who are unreasonably resilient, who will not listen to the advise of reasonable men who sit on the sidelines and refresh the Visa Bulletin page every first friday of every month 20 times a day.
But to those who get it...I have one more quote for you, a final one, I promise:
I wish the problem of greencard backlogs get cleared soon, but if it doesnt, I will do this a 100 times again and with same or more passion, determination and purpose. Our energy and determination would outlast and outlive the intertia of Congress.
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anda007
07-08 05:55 PM
Lot of people are sending the flowers or just Get well soon greeting cards based on the email chain thats circulated.
They have either not heard of IV or don't care about it and read it
So don't worry, the number is + 100 to whatever u see here
If the flower campaign has to make a difference we will need more people...Guys we have nearly 15K members so please...
They have either not heard of IV or don't care about it and read it
So don't worry, the number is + 100 to whatever u see here
If the flower campaign has to make a difference we will need more people...Guys we have nearly 15K members so please...
more...
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prp925
07-17 08:22 PM
thanks guys a lot!!!!
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ganguteli
02-25 11:33 AM
Is IV only for those who have filed I485?
I gave my opinion and people gave me lot of reds. There is a majority here who already have EAD and have filed I485. You people do not care for those who are less fortunate and struggling in the early stages of the process. If July 07 had not happened, all of you would be asking for I485 filing option today.
By giving reds to people who disagree you will drive people away and make IV only for those who have filed I485 and not for the entire EB immigration people.
I gave my opinion and people gave me lot of reds. There is a majority here who already have EAD and have filed I485. You people do not care for those who are less fortunate and struggling in the early stages of the process. If July 07 had not happened, all of you would be asking for I485 filing option today.
By giving reds to people who disagree you will drive people away and make IV only for those who have filed I485 and not for the entire EB immigration people.
more...
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elfreda80
07-21 11:15 AM
Hi,
I am married and my husband is working in US on H1B visa. I came into the country with an L1 visa in Dec '06. The I 94 is valid till Oct 2009.
In Apr 2007, I applied for my H1B and it was approved with a start date of October 2007.
I quit my company by end of May 2007. Since the H1B was NOT applied with COS, I applied for my H4 last week but I have not got the approval notice for H4 yet. :(
Is it still possible for my husband to file my 485 along with his? What do I enter for questions regarding my current status?? Can I say that my current status is H4 and give the "valid till" date as the end date of my husband's H1B date?
Please help!!!
Thanks Elfreda
I am married and my husband is working in US on H1B visa. I came into the country with an L1 visa in Dec '06. The I 94 is valid till Oct 2009.
In Apr 2007, I applied for my H1B and it was approved with a start date of October 2007.
I quit my company by end of May 2007. Since the H1B was NOT applied with COS, I applied for my H4 last week but I have not got the approval notice for H4 yet. :(
Is it still possible for my husband to file my 485 along with his? What do I enter for questions regarding my current status?? Can I say that my current status is H4 and give the "valid till" date as the end date of my husband's H1B date?
Please help!!!
Thanks Elfreda
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wandmaker
08-26 09:17 AM
I just talked to a NSC representative and he told me that my case is sent to extended review. Now what is this extended review?
Well, what annoys and confused me is that when I took Info pass day before yesterday she told me that my case is with IO. And now NSC rep is giving me another version called extended review.
Don't know whom to believe.
Does anyone here had same exp.
My ex-collegue's application went to extended review - Per his inforpass and csr calls experience, he beleives that the application was pre-adjudicated and the namecheck/security clearance completed. A month later, he received an RFE on his 140, 140 RFE replied, 140 denied w/ reason of "token employer" and hence 485 denied. So, extended review based on what I heard - they may be going to each and every page in your file or may be not.
Well, what annoys and confused me is that when I took Info pass day before yesterday she told me that my case is with IO. And now NSC rep is giving me another version called extended review.
Don't know whom to believe.
Does anyone here had same exp.
My ex-collegue's application went to extended review - Per his inforpass and csr calls experience, he beleives that the application was pre-adjudicated and the namecheck/security clearance completed. A month later, he received an RFE on his 140, 140 RFE replied, 140 denied w/ reason of "token employer" and hence 485 denied. So, extended review based on what I heard - they may be going to each and every page in your file or may be not.
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rustamehind
07-17 07:10 PM
Thanks a lot IV and all members.We all worked as a team & helped each other during this time of extreme anxiety & stress.This shows how team work & organization can create a difference.Also the teachings of great Mahatma Gandhi are still so much relevant and applicable.
I feel a part of IV family in this long journey of immigration.Congratulations everyone.
I feel a part of IV family in this long journey of immigration.Congratulations everyone.
soni7007
11-11 12:47 PM
I would suggest two things:
1) Fire her and let her know the reason. If possible show her the video, that will definitely scare and embarrass her. You cannot undo what she did to your child but that will teach her a lesson and hopefully prevent her from doing that to another child.
2) I would highly recommend sending your child to a reputed daycare. Ofcourse your child will not get personal attention like home, but that ensures the safety of the child. There are other benefits of a daycare like - social interactions, personality development, fixed routines, curriculums, and above all they are trained professionals.
Give it a thought.
Good luck.
Hello guys,
Sorry for this non-immigration related post. We have this sudden, tragic situation that I wanted all of your advice on. Thank you for your time in reading this long post.
We had hired an Indian nanny in NJ who, we learnt after hiring her, is here on a tourist visa. We were paying her $350 per week cash, which is the standard rate around here for nannies (incl. citizens and people on GC). We had liked her when we met her in response to an ad on Sulekha, and we thought an Indian nanny would be good for our first child. She has been with us for about 3 months, and we were intermittently not getting a good feeling with her for some reason. We finally bought a small security camera and installed it yesterday. On the very first day with the camera, we came home and saw the recorded video to find that she is violently hitting the baby on two separate occasions. Needless to say, it has shocked, angered and extremely saddened us. I showed the video to a couple of friends and even they say it is unbearable to watch. This was just the first day of recording and it pains us tremendously to think what all may have happened previously.
She is of course not going to stay with the baby alone anymore, but I want to know what legal options I have to penalize her to the fullest extent, so that she does not do this to anybody else�s small babies. She it seems had come here last year and taken care of someone else�s baby in Hoboken, and I can imagine that their baby also went through this. (This woman and her husband are a ~ 35 year old couple, who have a multiple entry ten year tourist visa; both come here for 6 months every year and work odd jobs like this. They apparently got a (unsponsored) tourist visa after showing a lot of landed property in India).
I specifically want to know if I will have potential problems if I go to law enforcement about this- regarding have employed her (both of us are on H1B visas). I know we have made mistakes and should have done better due diligence in this, and there cannot be any more punishment for us than seeing our 8 month old � who cannot tell us about it when we come home- being beaten on the tapes. We saw this yesterday and have not told her yet. We want to weigh all options before we proceed, but from today onwards one of us is home all the time till Friday. Any advice or opinion is sincerely appreciated. Thanks for reading this long post. And, to all who are thinking of nannies or have one, please learn from our mistakes and closely monitor your child�s safety every day.
1) Fire her and let her know the reason. If possible show her the video, that will definitely scare and embarrass her. You cannot undo what she did to your child but that will teach her a lesson and hopefully prevent her from doing that to another child.
2) I would highly recommend sending your child to a reputed daycare. Ofcourse your child will not get personal attention like home, but that ensures the safety of the child. There are other benefits of a daycare like - social interactions, personality development, fixed routines, curriculums, and above all they are trained professionals.
Give it a thought.
Good luck.
Hello guys,
Sorry for this non-immigration related post. We have this sudden, tragic situation that I wanted all of your advice on. Thank you for your time in reading this long post.
We had hired an Indian nanny in NJ who, we learnt after hiring her, is here on a tourist visa. We were paying her $350 per week cash, which is the standard rate around here for nannies (incl. citizens and people on GC). We had liked her when we met her in response to an ad on Sulekha, and we thought an Indian nanny would be good for our first child. She has been with us for about 3 months, and we were intermittently not getting a good feeling with her for some reason. We finally bought a small security camera and installed it yesterday. On the very first day with the camera, we came home and saw the recorded video to find that she is violently hitting the baby on two separate occasions. Needless to say, it has shocked, angered and extremely saddened us. I showed the video to a couple of friends and even they say it is unbearable to watch. This was just the first day of recording and it pains us tremendously to think what all may have happened previously.
She is of course not going to stay with the baby alone anymore, but I want to know what legal options I have to penalize her to the fullest extent, so that she does not do this to anybody else�s small babies. She it seems had come here last year and taken care of someone else�s baby in Hoboken, and I can imagine that their baby also went through this. (This woman and her husband are a ~ 35 year old couple, who have a multiple entry ten year tourist visa; both come here for 6 months every year and work odd jobs like this. They apparently got a (unsponsored) tourist visa after showing a lot of landed property in India).
I specifically want to know if I will have potential problems if I go to law enforcement about this- regarding have employed her (both of us are on H1B visas). I know we have made mistakes and should have done better due diligence in this, and there cannot be any more punishment for us than seeing our 8 month old � who cannot tell us about it when we come home- being beaten on the tapes. We saw this yesterday and have not told her yet. We want to weigh all options before we proceed, but from today onwards one of us is home all the time till Friday. Any advice or opinion is sincerely appreciated. Thanks for reading this long post. And, to all who are thinking of nannies or have one, please learn from our mistakes and closely monitor your child�s safety every day.
swede
09-08 09:42 AM
Sherman is just some teenager, trying to throw some crazy ideas he has, at IV, and see if they stick.
Sherman, I'm glad you are trying to find answers by talking to IV. Though, you have a lot to read up on about immigration.
US has always had strong immigration. That is why US is where it is today. It would be impossible for any country to grow that fast without immigration.
Immigration today versus 100 years ago are very different.
100 years ago, the only requirement to get into the US was that you were not too sick to work and then you got your green card within 3 to 5 hours(!).
Today, you need to have education, a job before you even get here, your job has be verified that no American can do it instead, you can not be sick, you have to prove you or someone else has financial means for you to live here, you have to be fingerprinted, can not committed any crimes in the world and more and more. And on top of that you have to wait 5 to 10+ years to get a GC.
I recommend a trip to Elli's Island i New York. It was fun to hear Americans awwing when they heard the poor immigrants back then sometimes had to stay at Ellis Island for weeks, when they were sick. Comparing a few weeks to the years(!) it takes today, I think many would easily pick a few weeks wait over 10 years wait.
Not everything has improved.
Sherman, I'm glad you are trying to find answers by talking to IV. Though, you have a lot to read up on about immigration.
US has always had strong immigration. That is why US is where it is today. It would be impossible for any country to grow that fast without immigration.
Immigration today versus 100 years ago are very different.
100 years ago, the only requirement to get into the US was that you were not too sick to work and then you got your green card within 3 to 5 hours(!).
Today, you need to have education, a job before you even get here, your job has be verified that no American can do it instead, you can not be sick, you have to prove you or someone else has financial means for you to live here, you have to be fingerprinted, can not committed any crimes in the world and more and more. And on top of that you have to wait 5 to 10+ years to get a GC.
I recommend a trip to Elli's Island i New York. It was fun to hear Americans awwing when they heard the poor immigrants back then sometimes had to stay at Ellis Island for weeks, when they were sick. Comparing a few weeks to the years(!) it takes today, I think many would easily pick a few weeks wait over 10 years wait.
Not everything has improved.
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