sachug22
09-13 03:25 PM
deleted
karma tattoos. One, it has a great tattoo
nepaliboy
05-17 04:37 PM
Its a worth to try..give it a shot..take Infopass or call nation server center etc..
i took infopass last week and went to atlanta to see io he shedule my fingerprint appointment for may 28 2008 and told me i will receive apointment letter with in one week and i am waiting for letter.
i called service center 3 times open 3 sr request for finter print appointment but nothing happen so i took infopass last week so it good idea to take infopass .
i took infopass last week and went to atlanta to see io he shedule my fingerprint appointment for may 28 2008 and told me i will receive apointment letter with in one week and i am waiting for letter.
i called service center 3 times open 3 sr request for finter print appointment but nothing happen so i took infopass last week so it good idea to take infopass .
karma tattoos. Karma Tattoo Studio corset
retrohatao
07-17 02:41 PM
Am I hysteric or what?
Any ways here is the flash.
My case has been approved and got the so called Magic e-mails stating that the cards have been order
for me and the spouse.
Here is the "series of unfortunate events" :
1.
EB3/TSC
PD: Sometime in 1998
Stuck at labor for three years. Finally cleared in 2000 a month after I was let go.
2. Joined different company in 2001. Encore!!!. Filed GC again in 2001. This time I chose EB2
thought I would save some time.
3. Thanks to the political gimmics, stuck at labor again for three years finally cleared in 2004
4. Elated with the good news, applied i-140 & I-485 in 2004.
5. I-140 cleared without any hitches got EAD too. Expected i-485 to clear with in reasonable
amount of time.
6. Wait!!!, there it goes... the dreaded namecheck stopped it for another two years.
Following is the chronological order:
EB2/TSC
PD : October 17, 2001
LCl : January 7, 2004
RD I140/485 : May 28, 2004
EAD : July 26, 2004
FP Notice Date : February 1, 2005
FP Done : March 22, 2005
I140l : February 11, 2005
Namecheck initiated: June 2004
Namecheck cleared: June 2006.
I-485 cleared and cards ordered: July 2006.
Here is what I did to get out of namecheck:
1. e-mail to FBI on monthly basis
2. Snail mail to FBI, OMBUDSMAN on monthly basis
3. FAX to FBI on monthly basis
3. Involved congressman. Congressman's office contacted USCIS, but did not want to get involved with
FBI directly
4. Involved Senators. Senator's office contacted USCIS, but did not want to get involved with
FBI directly. One senator never even responded
5 got FOPIA.
6. Made the attorney to contact USCIS officially
7. Started the group "namechektracker" on yahoo groups http://groups.yahoo.com/group/namechecktracker/ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/namechecktracker/)
and almost filed WOM. Only thing left is to send the papers.
8. Tried some contacts with USCIS despite the "NO" from the attorney and the employer.
Just tried some personal mails to USCIS director FBI et all.
Not sure what really worked. Some one from DOJ took time to call me and informed that my
name check got cleared.
moral: Keep your eyes/ears open. DO NOT JUST BELIEVE the words of your attorney.
try the above steps and hope for the best.
Thanks to the forum members!!! I learnt lot from your experience.
I will still be around on this forum and will try to help as much as I can
Any ways here is the flash.
My case has been approved and got the so called Magic e-mails stating that the cards have been order
for me and the spouse.
Here is the "series of unfortunate events" :
1.
EB3/TSC
PD: Sometime in 1998
Stuck at labor for three years. Finally cleared in 2000 a month after I was let go.
2. Joined different company in 2001. Encore!!!. Filed GC again in 2001. This time I chose EB2
thought I would save some time.
3. Thanks to the political gimmics, stuck at labor again for three years finally cleared in 2004
4. Elated with the good news, applied i-140 & I-485 in 2004.
5. I-140 cleared without any hitches got EAD too. Expected i-485 to clear with in reasonable
amount of time.
6. Wait!!!, there it goes... the dreaded namecheck stopped it for another two years.
Following is the chronological order:
EB2/TSC
PD : October 17, 2001
LCl : January 7, 2004
RD I140/485 : May 28, 2004
EAD : July 26, 2004
FP Notice Date : February 1, 2005
FP Done : March 22, 2005
I140l : February 11, 2005
Namecheck initiated: June 2004
Namecheck cleared: June 2006.
I-485 cleared and cards ordered: July 2006.
Here is what I did to get out of namecheck:
1. e-mail to FBI on monthly basis
2. Snail mail to FBI, OMBUDSMAN on monthly basis
3. FAX to FBI on monthly basis
3. Involved congressman. Congressman's office contacted USCIS, but did not want to get involved with
FBI directly
4. Involved Senators. Senator's office contacted USCIS, but did not want to get involved with
FBI directly. One senator never even responded
5 got FOPIA.
6. Made the attorney to contact USCIS officially
7. Started the group "namechektracker" on yahoo groups http://groups.yahoo.com/group/namechecktracker/ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/namechecktracker/)
and almost filed WOM. Only thing left is to send the papers.
8. Tried some contacts with USCIS despite the "NO" from the attorney and the employer.
Just tried some personal mails to USCIS director FBI et all.
Not sure what really worked. Some one from DOJ took time to call me and informed that my
name check got cleared.
moral: Keep your eyes/ears open. DO NOT JUST BELIEVE the words of your attorney.
try the above steps and hope for the best.
Thanks to the forum members!!! I learnt lot from your experience.
I will still be around on this forum and will try to help as much as I can
karma tattoos. cliche tattoos,
GCAmigo
02-09 01:02 PM
Pardon my ignorance.
What is op-ed ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op-ed
~GCA
What is op-ed ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op-ed
~GCA
more...
karma tattoos. -Tattoos-by-Mike-Karma-4F-
Michael chertoff
05-14 10:01 AM
Silver Spring
karma tattoos. megan fox tattoos wrist.
Mr. Brown
09-30 05:53 PM
... there are always idiots in any group.
more...
karma tattoos. Tattoo - Karma Rose
senk1s
04-23 11:19 PM
P A A R T E Y !!
karma tattoos. Vintage Karma Tattoo St…
Jaime
09-15 06:26 PM
People need to understand that there are some legislators who might want to push legislation favorable to us. They can only do it if they can convince other legislators who are on the fence that:
1) A lot of good people are affected by this. (legal,peaceful,high skilled etc) The crowd there(YOU) on Tuesday will speak to this.
2) They mean business, if we do not act they might leave and we need to act NOW to keep them here.(if many thousands of them can come from all parts of the country, they must be serious)
3) These guys have the support of their employers.(they got/took/were allowed time off from work)
Now in these points, can you see how a friendly lawmaker can use a big successful march to convince his colleagues? This will be like a massive tonic to all the lobbying IV has been doing behind the scenes.
Last year when hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants took to the streets did you see the impact on legislators? One big difference here is we are legal. That will leave a more powerful impact if it is big.
This is a small price to pay, and it will help you tremendously to speed up the green card process. Lets show solidarity. Every one of us who goes to this will feel proud of the change we manage to bring. If this makes the national media in a big way, I am virtually certain we will get a favorable resolution to our issues. A lot of forces are with us here. Just look at the 13 governor signed letter. Just look at how hard the big high tech. companies are pushing this.
Well said!!!! An image is worth a thousand words! We ca write all we can and complain on here, but an image of thousands of peaceful protestors will stic in people's and legislator's minds, who will then be moved to action! THAT'S WHY WE NEED EVERYONE IN DC!!!!
1) A lot of good people are affected by this. (legal,peaceful,high skilled etc) The crowd there(YOU) on Tuesday will speak to this.
2) They mean business, if we do not act they might leave and we need to act NOW to keep them here.(if many thousands of them can come from all parts of the country, they must be serious)
3) These guys have the support of their employers.(they got/took/were allowed time off from work)
Now in these points, can you see how a friendly lawmaker can use a big successful march to convince his colleagues? This will be like a massive tonic to all the lobbying IV has been doing behind the scenes.
Last year when hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants took to the streets did you see the impact on legislators? One big difference here is we are legal. That will leave a more powerful impact if it is big.
This is a small price to pay, and it will help you tremendously to speed up the green card process. Lets show solidarity. Every one of us who goes to this will feel proud of the change we manage to bring. If this makes the national media in a big way, I am virtually certain we will get a favorable resolution to our issues. A lot of forces are with us here. Just look at the 13 governor signed letter. Just look at how hard the big high tech. companies are pushing this.
Well said!!!! An image is worth a thousand words! We ca write all we can and complain on here, but an image of thousands of peaceful protestors will stic in people's and legislator's minds, who will then be moved to action! THAT'S WHY WE NEED EVERYONE IN DC!!!!
more...
karma tattoos. sagittarius tattoo
mamunda
07-17 07:09 PM
I am from Africa..my Priority date is 9-2004 - Labor, and I 140 approved. havent filed the 485 yet - But i guess I will....So my question was if i get married like in Dec or so...can i apply for the GC for my wife...Thanks! Cheers..Just joined today.....this site rocks!
Ps how do i post like a new topic without replying... and I am on h 1 b paper only..not stamped in passport..exp 6-2009
Ps how do i post like a new topic without replying... and I am on h 1 b paper only..not stamped in passport..exp 6-2009
karma tattoos. Karma+tattoo+symbol
baburob2
05-30 08:16 PM
make sure you do the transfer to H1B to Company B before Company A revokes the I-140 to be on the safer side and get the 3 year extension. Then you could transfer the old PD on to your new GC you start with company B.
more...
karma tattoos. of Electric Karma Tattoo,
crystal
11-05 10:30 AM
Similar thing happened to my AP notice. I got all the notices properly including EAD. But my AP approval notice was sent back by USPS as undeliverable. USCIS sent the AP back to my lawyer along with USPS undeliverbale notice without any upate on the online status. Lawyer sent whole package back to me. I could see that address is correct. I have placed recepient names in the mail box long back so thats not the issue. USPS undeliverable notice was pasted on top of the returned mail. That was strange.
As I enquired further one of my friend wife FP notice also sent back like that , luckily his lawyer also got another one.
I am going to meet USPS personnel soon to find out what exactly the issue .
On October XX, 2007, the post office returned our last written notice on this case as undeliverable. This can have serious effects on the processing of this case. Please call 1-800-375-5283 to update the mailing address so this notice can be re-sent.
I was shocked. I have emailed the company law firm and I'm awaiting response from them.... Have they mistyped their own address since that is supposed to go to them? Or USCIS is just pulling my legs?
As I enquired further one of my friend wife FP notice also sent back like that , luckily his lawyer also got another one.
I am going to meet USPS personnel soon to find out what exactly the issue .
On October XX, 2007, the post office returned our last written notice on this case as undeliverable. This can have serious effects on the processing of this case. Please call 1-800-375-5283 to update the mailing address so this notice can be re-sent.
I was shocked. I have emailed the company law firm and I'm awaiting response from them.... Have they mistyped their own address since that is supposed to go to them? Or USCIS is just pulling my legs?
karma tattoos. by vintage karma behindmay
java07
07-10 10:14 AM
I had sent my EAD application on last week Thursday through express mail and I recvd the same status first time. On Monday, the status changed to delivery confirmed when someone picked the notice I think. My checks are cashed today so you may have to wait for a day and it should be fine.
more...
karma tattoos. tattoos on wrist. Karma Baby
jlt007us
09-14 02:42 PM
jlt007us,
Sorry for your situation & I would suggest you better contact an experienced lawyer...who can advice you closely and assist you in this situation.
Soni-
Thankyou! That's what I intend to do. We need to wait till we get the denial notice and then plan on MTR/Apeal. I am planning to consult more than one lawyer just to be safe. I just wanted to see if any of the forum members came across similar case.
Sorry for your situation & I would suggest you better contact an experienced lawyer...who can advice you closely and assist you in this situation.
Soni-
Thankyou! That's what I intend to do. We need to wait till we get the denial notice and then plan on MTR/Apeal. I am planning to consult more than one lawyer just to be safe. I just wanted to see if any of the forum members came across similar case.
karma tattoos. of Electric Karma Tattoo,
sieger007
05-27 02:07 AM
Hi krishnam
I too have got I140 Approved already in Sept 05.
My concept was that once I140 is approved you are free. Employer cannot do anything.
After 140 approval can employer do anything to jeopardize the GC Process.
Anyway
2005 140 is approved.
2007 I left employer to work in non US Location. ( No US Income )
Was in good terms with him though.
2008- Re-joined him. and filed 485 in EB2. Its is pending .I got AP and EAD Already
Now I dont know what to do . I was expecting my GC in 1 years time. Now EB2 has retrogressed vey badly. I dont know what do do.
Currently I am back on my Prev. Employers H1 since 2008 . I have EAD and AP in hand. If I leave him and get a full time job ( which is preferred ) implicty invoking AC21 can he mess up my GC ?
Can you throw some light about how this works ?
Basically MY BIG PROBLEM is I might have to fight divorce case in India. So I want to plan something so I DON'T loose my job prospects in US ( I am overqualified for most jobs in my niche - Masters from US , and about 30+ Prof Certifications ) so getting it wont be problematic if laws remains same. If laws change to force shutdown of all H1b contracting , then I have NO Choice but roll over to a FT job invoking AC21.
PLEASE KINDLY ADVISE ME
Thanks
Sam
I too have got I140 Approved already in Sept 05.
My concept was that once I140 is approved you are free. Employer cannot do anything.
After 140 approval can employer do anything to jeopardize the GC Process.
Anyway
2005 140 is approved.
2007 I left employer to work in non US Location. ( No US Income )
Was in good terms with him though.
2008- Re-joined him. and filed 485 in EB2. Its is pending .I got AP and EAD Already
Now I dont know what to do . I was expecting my GC in 1 years time. Now EB2 has retrogressed vey badly. I dont know what do do.
Currently I am back on my Prev. Employers H1 since 2008 . I have EAD and AP in hand. If I leave him and get a full time job ( which is preferred ) implicty invoking AC21 can he mess up my GC ?
Can you throw some light about how this works ?
Basically MY BIG PROBLEM is I might have to fight divorce case in India. So I want to plan something so I DON'T loose my job prospects in US ( I am overqualified for most jobs in my niche - Masters from US , and about 30+ Prof Certifications ) so getting it wont be problematic if laws remains same. If laws change to force shutdown of all H1b contracting , then I have NO Choice but roll over to a FT job invoking AC21.
PLEASE KINDLY ADVISE ME
Thanks
Sam
more...
karma tattoos. Excellent 3D Tattoo Designs
Administrator2
03-25 10:32 AM
Hi antony,
Sorry to hear that. Could you please email us (info@immigrationvoice.org) a number to reach you.
Is there something that another member on the forum can do to help antony?
Thank you for speaking up for yourself and the community.
I was offered a job by a top TARP funded bank and got my offer also around Jan end. Then they found out that TARP funded company cannot hire H1's. They kept me as a contractor for 3 months so that they could try for a work around. In the mean time they interviewed almost 80 people ( out of numerous applications ) and still couldn't find a better person. Now they are trying to keep as a contractor for indefinite period, but they cant do that as well ( top management not supporting ). I just went and talked to my director. She said " It seems that I have to settle for a less qualified person ".
They have been trying to get me on board for past 6 months. I came as a contractor...they wanted me full time ... didnt have funds...they fought with top management and got the funds....then the H1 ban came...and they fought against it too.
Really sad that I cant join their team.
I am ready to talk to the reporter. But, I would prefer not to use my real name and all those things...I dont want my current employer to know that I was trying for another job.Is there a way that I can help ?
Sorry to hear that. Could you please email us (info@immigrationvoice.org) a number to reach you.
Is there something that another member on the forum can do to help antony?
Thank you for speaking up for yourself and the community.
I was offered a job by a top TARP funded bank and got my offer also around Jan end. Then they found out that TARP funded company cannot hire H1's. They kept me as a contractor for 3 months so that they could try for a work around. In the mean time they interviewed almost 80 people ( out of numerous applications ) and still couldn't find a better person. Now they are trying to keep as a contractor for indefinite period, but they cant do that as well ( top management not supporting ). I just went and talked to my director. She said " It seems that I have to settle for a less qualified person ".
They have been trying to get me on board for past 6 months. I came as a contractor...they wanted me full time ... didnt have funds...they fought with top management and got the funds....then the H1 ban came...and they fought against it too.
Really sad that I cant join their team.
I am ready to talk to the reporter. But, I would prefer not to use my real name and all those things...I dont want my current employer to know that I was trying for another job.Is there a way that I can help ?
karma tattoos. at Karma Tattoo and Body
krishnam70
02-22 11:45 PM
hi,
My I140 was approved in 2006 and based on that i got a 3 year extension on my H1 visa. I filed for I485 in July 2007 and have an approved EAD and AP extension too.
Around 3 months back i joined a company as a permanent employee using my EAD.
I did not inform my employer about the new employment because he had already cancelled my Health insurance etc, after 3 months vacation in india and another 2 months without a project.So i wasn't on his payroll since April '08.
I recently got an update on my H1 application with the following message.
Current Status: Case reopened or reconsidered based on USCIS determination, and the case is now pending.
I am assuming it has to do with cancellation of my H1.
I am not sure if my I140 is cancelled or not.Is there a way i could check this?
I also saw a soft LUD on our I485's on Feb 10th. Does the cancellation of my H1 have any effect on the I485 applications?
Its been an endless wait for this GC since 10 years of my stay in this country.Now iam worried whether the H1 cancellation would jeopardise everything.
Since i was without project for a long time, i had to join the new job using EAD.
Please let me know your opinions.
First speak to your employer if they
a) sent a cancellation for H1B
b) If they received any notice from USCIS/request for information or if they have any information about this
c) Though it is not mandatory to file AC21 you can still file AC21 based on a consultation with an attorney.
Most important thing is to know if your employer has informed USCIS about any updates or if the company has received any notification from them
- good luck
kris
My I140 was approved in 2006 and based on that i got a 3 year extension on my H1 visa. I filed for I485 in July 2007 and have an approved EAD and AP extension too.
Around 3 months back i joined a company as a permanent employee using my EAD.
I did not inform my employer about the new employment because he had already cancelled my Health insurance etc, after 3 months vacation in india and another 2 months without a project.So i wasn't on his payroll since April '08.
I recently got an update on my H1 application with the following message.
Current Status: Case reopened or reconsidered based on USCIS determination, and the case is now pending.
I am assuming it has to do with cancellation of my H1.
I am not sure if my I140 is cancelled or not.Is there a way i could check this?
I also saw a soft LUD on our I485's on Feb 10th. Does the cancellation of my H1 have any effect on the I485 applications?
Its been an endless wait for this GC since 10 years of my stay in this country.Now iam worried whether the H1 cancellation would jeopardise everything.
Since i was without project for a long time, i had to join the new job using EAD.
Please let me know your opinions.
First speak to your employer if they
a) sent a cancellation for H1B
b) If they received any notice from USCIS/request for information or if they have any information about this
c) Though it is not mandatory to file AC21 you can still file AC21 based on a consultation with an attorney.
Most important thing is to know if your employer has informed USCIS about any updates or if the company has received any notification from them
- good luck
kris
more...
karma tattoos. karma tattoo design The world
jetr
08-27 12:06 PM
My 140 is Approved from Company A.I haven't filed my 485 yet.
My H1 6 Yr period ends in Mar 2009.I am planning to move to company B and request a 3 yr extn based on my approved 140(with Company A).
My qn is what if company A cancels my 140?
If I get my 3yr H1 extn approved (before 140 cancellation) will my status be valid?
Thanks for your help.
My H1 6 Yr period ends in Mar 2009.I am planning to move to company B and request a 3 yr extn based on my approved 140(with Company A).
My qn is what if company A cancels my 140?
If I get my 3yr H1 extn approved (before 140 cancellation) will my status be valid?
Thanks for your help.
karma tattoos. -Tattoos-by-Mike-Karma-4PL
vparam
03-10 06:11 PM
You can get SSN is you could provide a proof that it is required for taking an exam or license. You need to show that the process requires and also get a letter from the license issuer that it required to issue a license.
karma tattoos. Karma Tattoo Studio (Karma
saketkapur
07-27 05:24 PM
ImmInfo Newsletter "Unlawful presence" myths and realities (http://imminfo.com/Newsletter/2009-7/unlawful_presence.html)
Unlawful Presence: Myths and Realities
Ron Gotcher
Recently, the USCIS released a new policy memorandum on the subject of �unlawful presence.� Because of its length and the poor quality of the writing, there has been a great deal of confusion resulting from it. We would like to clarify a few of the more egregious misunderstandings that have taken root as a result of this memorandum.
A person who applies for adjustment of status while in lawful status, and thereafter allows his or her nonimmigrant status to expire is not going to be deported.
The new memo makes it clear that when someone applies for adjustment of status, they are thereafter present with the permission of the Secretary of DHS. As such, they do not accrue unlawful presence even if their nonimmigrant status expires. While technically they may be subject to removal, the CIS does not attempt to remove them for a very practical reason. If the immigration service institutes removal proceedings against someone who is eligible for adjustment of status, that person will simply renew their application before the immigration judge. Immigration will have wasted a great deal of time and energy and accomplished nothing. There is no possible reason that would compel the immigration authorities to change their current policy and begin trying to remove people with valid pending adjustment of status applications.
Nonimmigrants are not required to maintain their status after filing for adjustment of status.
Some writers have said that AOS applicants must continue to maintain their nonimmigrant status after filing for adjustment of status. They are wrong. In many cases, attempting to do so would involve visa fraud and render the applicant ineligible to adjust status. Certain nonimmigrant categories, such as B, F, J, and M are �single intent� categories. If someone who is actively in the process of immigrating to the United States attempted to extend status in a category where they are required by law to have a good faith intent to leave the United States and return to their home country to resume their residence there, that would be an act of fraud. You can swear on the one hand that you intend to return to your home country immediately upon the expiration of your nonimmigrant status, while on the other continue to request permanent resident status in the United States. Filing this type of application would do positive harm to your case.
It is not necessary to maintain H1B status after filing for adjustment of status, and in many cases doing causes harm to the applicant.
There is really only one valid reason for an adjustment of status applicant to maintain H1B nonimmigrant status after filing for AOS. That is the situation where the H1B has a spouse or child who has not filed for AOS and requires an H4 visa in order to remain in the United States. Other than this situation, there is no valid reason for someone to try to maintain H1B status after filing for AOS.
Maintenance of H-1B status is not without cost. The CIS filing fees are $320, plus $500 for the anti-fraud fee it is a first filing (such as an employer transfer), and $750 to $1,500 for the ACWIA fee. This does not include attorney�s fees. There are two other �costs� that must be counted as well. If you travel, you must have a valid H-1B visa to re-enter. This means that you may have expend time and money renewing your H visa. Also, with an H visa, you may not accept work from anyone other than your petitioning employer. Otherwise, you are in violation of your H status.
Historically, I�ve heard three main arguments I�ve in favor of using H-1B. First, there is the �just in case� argument. To me, this falls into the �monsters under the bed� or fear of the dark kind of superstitious dread argument. �I don�t know what might happen, but I want to keep my H-1B just in case.� I�ve always felt that if you can�t articulate the reason for doing something, it isn�t a very good reason.
The second reason is a concern that if the applicant�s I-485 is denied, the applicant can revert to H-1B status. I believe this to be a specious argument also. Most I-485 denials result from I-140 denials. If your I-140 has been approved, the odds of your I-485 being denied drop to almost zero. The two remaining reasons for I-485 denials are status violations prior to filing and fraud. Both of these reasons impact H-1B validity as well and if an I-485 is denied for either reason, it is doubtful that the applicant would be allowed to resume H-1B status.
The third reason, and in my opinion the only valid reason, arises in unusual situations where the principal applicant has applied for adjustment of status but his or her spouse hasn�t. In such cases, it is essential that the principal applicant maintain H-1B status so that the spouse remains eligible for H-4 status.
There is one other important consideration with respect to maintaining H-1B status while applying for adjustment of status (AOS). I�ve seen situations involving individuals who elected to stay in H status while applying for AOS and traveled abroad using their H visas and were laid off unexpectedly while abroad, or other saw their H petitioner go out of business suddenly. All were left high and dry overseas with no way to return to the US. If they tried to use their H visas, they would be guilty of visa fraud at entry and thus ineligible for adjustment of status.
Finally, AOS applicants who have given up H status should understand that there is nothing to prevent them from re-applying for H classification should something go disastrously wrong with their AOS application. If the applicant is still eligible for H classification, there is nothing to prevent them from re-acquiring it later.
Employment authorization documents (EAD) are presently valid for one year at a time, unless you have an approved I-140, in which case they will issue them for two years. Advance parole (AP) documents are presently valid for only one year. The EAD/AP combination provides an applicant with a simple, inexpensive alternative to trying to maintain H status while applying for AOS. More importantly, EADs give an applicant job flexibility. With an EAD, an AOS applicant who wishes to exercise his or her right to job portability need only show an EAD card in order to accept new employment immediately. Similarly, an applicant who travels and uses AP as a re-entry document need never bother with having to make an appointment and apply for a new visa while abroad.
Finally, the CIS is now looking closely at the issue of unauthorized employment after filing for AOS. With an EAD, as long as you keep it current, it is impossible for you to engage in unauthorized employment. With an H1B, you are very strictly constrained by the LCA and H petition terms. If you or your employer deviate in any way, you risk violating your H status and thereafter engaging in unauthorized employment. The EAD path is far safer.
Ron Gotcher
Copyright � 2009 The Gotcher Law Group, PC - All Rights Reserved
Unlawful Presence: Myths and Realities
Ron Gotcher
Recently, the USCIS released a new policy memorandum on the subject of �unlawful presence.� Because of its length and the poor quality of the writing, there has been a great deal of confusion resulting from it. We would like to clarify a few of the more egregious misunderstandings that have taken root as a result of this memorandum.
A person who applies for adjustment of status while in lawful status, and thereafter allows his or her nonimmigrant status to expire is not going to be deported.
The new memo makes it clear that when someone applies for adjustment of status, they are thereafter present with the permission of the Secretary of DHS. As such, they do not accrue unlawful presence even if their nonimmigrant status expires. While technically they may be subject to removal, the CIS does not attempt to remove them for a very practical reason. If the immigration service institutes removal proceedings against someone who is eligible for adjustment of status, that person will simply renew their application before the immigration judge. Immigration will have wasted a great deal of time and energy and accomplished nothing. There is no possible reason that would compel the immigration authorities to change their current policy and begin trying to remove people with valid pending adjustment of status applications.
Nonimmigrants are not required to maintain their status after filing for adjustment of status.
Some writers have said that AOS applicants must continue to maintain their nonimmigrant status after filing for adjustment of status. They are wrong. In many cases, attempting to do so would involve visa fraud and render the applicant ineligible to adjust status. Certain nonimmigrant categories, such as B, F, J, and M are �single intent� categories. If someone who is actively in the process of immigrating to the United States attempted to extend status in a category where they are required by law to have a good faith intent to leave the United States and return to their home country to resume their residence there, that would be an act of fraud. You can swear on the one hand that you intend to return to your home country immediately upon the expiration of your nonimmigrant status, while on the other continue to request permanent resident status in the United States. Filing this type of application would do positive harm to your case.
It is not necessary to maintain H1B status after filing for adjustment of status, and in many cases doing causes harm to the applicant.
There is really only one valid reason for an adjustment of status applicant to maintain H1B nonimmigrant status after filing for AOS. That is the situation where the H1B has a spouse or child who has not filed for AOS and requires an H4 visa in order to remain in the United States. Other than this situation, there is no valid reason for someone to try to maintain H1B status after filing for AOS.
Maintenance of H-1B status is not without cost. The CIS filing fees are $320, plus $500 for the anti-fraud fee it is a first filing (such as an employer transfer), and $750 to $1,500 for the ACWIA fee. This does not include attorney�s fees. There are two other �costs� that must be counted as well. If you travel, you must have a valid H-1B visa to re-enter. This means that you may have expend time and money renewing your H visa. Also, with an H visa, you may not accept work from anyone other than your petitioning employer. Otherwise, you are in violation of your H status.
Historically, I�ve heard three main arguments I�ve in favor of using H-1B. First, there is the �just in case� argument. To me, this falls into the �monsters under the bed� or fear of the dark kind of superstitious dread argument. �I don�t know what might happen, but I want to keep my H-1B just in case.� I�ve always felt that if you can�t articulate the reason for doing something, it isn�t a very good reason.
The second reason is a concern that if the applicant�s I-485 is denied, the applicant can revert to H-1B status. I believe this to be a specious argument also. Most I-485 denials result from I-140 denials. If your I-140 has been approved, the odds of your I-485 being denied drop to almost zero. The two remaining reasons for I-485 denials are status violations prior to filing and fraud. Both of these reasons impact H-1B validity as well and if an I-485 is denied for either reason, it is doubtful that the applicant would be allowed to resume H-1B status.
The third reason, and in my opinion the only valid reason, arises in unusual situations where the principal applicant has applied for adjustment of status but his or her spouse hasn�t. In such cases, it is essential that the principal applicant maintain H-1B status so that the spouse remains eligible for H-4 status.
There is one other important consideration with respect to maintaining H-1B status while applying for adjustment of status (AOS). I�ve seen situations involving individuals who elected to stay in H status while applying for AOS and traveled abroad using their H visas and were laid off unexpectedly while abroad, or other saw their H petitioner go out of business suddenly. All were left high and dry overseas with no way to return to the US. If they tried to use their H visas, they would be guilty of visa fraud at entry and thus ineligible for adjustment of status.
Finally, AOS applicants who have given up H status should understand that there is nothing to prevent them from re-applying for H classification should something go disastrously wrong with their AOS application. If the applicant is still eligible for H classification, there is nothing to prevent them from re-acquiring it later.
Employment authorization documents (EAD) are presently valid for one year at a time, unless you have an approved I-140, in which case they will issue them for two years. Advance parole (AP) documents are presently valid for only one year. The EAD/AP combination provides an applicant with a simple, inexpensive alternative to trying to maintain H status while applying for AOS. More importantly, EADs give an applicant job flexibility. With an EAD, an AOS applicant who wishes to exercise his or her right to job portability need only show an EAD card in order to accept new employment immediately. Similarly, an applicant who travels and uses AP as a re-entry document need never bother with having to make an appointment and apply for a new visa while abroad.
Finally, the CIS is now looking closely at the issue of unauthorized employment after filing for AOS. With an EAD, as long as you keep it current, it is impossible for you to engage in unauthorized employment. With an H1B, you are very strictly constrained by the LCA and H petition terms. If you or your employer deviate in any way, you risk violating your H status and thereafter engaging in unauthorized employment. The EAD path is far safer.
Ron Gotcher
Copyright � 2009 The Gotcher Law Group, PC - All Rights Reserved
rockstart
10-23 01:59 PM
No point worrying over past. Go ahed and file a AR11 ASAP to make sure from now on USCIS has your updated address. In case in future this becomes an issue then contact a lawyer and try to resolve it.
But moving forward all non immigrants as well as GC holders should make sure they do not miss this important obligation to inform USCIS within 10 days of move. It is easy process and saves lots of trouble later on.
But moving forward all non immigrants as well as GC holders should make sure they do not miss this important obligation to inform USCIS within 10 days of move. It is easy process and saves lots of trouble later on.
tinuverma
11-09 02:44 PM
Guys
I am still waiting for an answer here..which date would be the AOS...july 23rd or oct 17th?
I am still waiting for an answer here..which date would be the AOS...july 23rd or oct 17th?