kumhyd2
07-26 09:23 AM
FYI:
SoCal Chapter members will be having their meeting at Artesia / Poineer Blvd about 30 miles south from LA on July 28th at 3p.m. Members in this region are encouraged to attend the meeting. The meeting address is
Woodlands Restaurant
11833 Artesia Boulevard
Artesia, CA 90701
If you have questions or wish to join the yahoo group please visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SC_Immigration_Voice/
or send blank e-mail to
SC_Immigration_Voice-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Core Team: Can you help set up the conference call for this meeting so that those who cannot make it attend the conference call atleast.
SoCal Chapter members will be having their meeting at Artesia / Poineer Blvd about 30 miles south from LA on July 28th at 3p.m. Members in this region are encouraged to attend the meeting. The meeting address is
Woodlands Restaurant
11833 Artesia Boulevard
Artesia, CA 90701
If you have questions or wish to join the yahoo group please visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SC_Immigration_Voice/
or send blank e-mail to
SC_Immigration_Voice-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Core Team: Can you help set up the conference call for this meeting so that those who cannot make it attend the conference call atleast.
wallpaper cute quotes on life and
fromnaija
06-01 03:18 PM
That means your son is also able to file 485, right? In that case he will not age out once an AOS is submitted for him. I am assuming your 140 will be approved before he turns 21.
Hi All,
I want to know if my 19 year old son can be affected by aging out.
I have just received ALC certification and will now file I140 and I485 concurrently as my priority date NOV 22 2004 EB3 Rest of World will be current in June.
Can someone who understands the aging out rules tell me if my son may have a problem?
Thanks in advance...
Hi All,
I want to know if my 19 year old son can be affected by aging out.
I have just received ALC certification and will now file I140 and I485 concurrently as my priority date NOV 22 2004 EB3 Rest of World will be current in June.
Can someone who understands the aging out rules tell me if my son may have a problem?
Thanks in advance...
rfarkiya
07-15 01:21 PM
I am in San Diego.... I am in....
2011 *50 Cute Quotes!
GMKrishna
07-06 12:06 PM
None of the organizations succeed without making people accountable for their actions or inactions. This is true in the case of IV as well. We are all individually accountable for the current state of affiairs at IV, either good or bad, and we must accept or atleast acknowledge that before looking for solutions.
Before going for big ticket items like leadership change, elections and other politics let us focus on what we can improve instantly or in the near future. We all know that in the immigration process, there are only few factors or variables we can control, and rest lies with employer or DHS or USCIS or U.S. Government. One thing we can control is how we can improve our actions so that our voices will be heard to those who can act on our behalf. The list includes legislators, senators, media and local immigration community based organizations.
As a first step, let us add 'ACTION ITEMS' tab on the menu of IV home page. This action items tab will have list of 'to-dos' by all members on a monthly basis. These simply include, say, in July-09, every member should send one fax to local legislator, or write a letter or e-mail to media organizations like CNN, Business Week etc. We may do the same thing with different but similar content based on how events un-fold on a monthly basis. Now, the leadership with the help of other volunteers should come up with monthly agenda, and provide tools like - format of letter, content etc. The other member should just have to follow.
I will conclude with a quote from Anthony Robbins (great leadership coach): "Your life will not change by reading or listening....your life will only change by action". Let us make every one accountable in this process.
Before going for big ticket items like leadership change, elections and other politics let us focus on what we can improve instantly or in the near future. We all know that in the immigration process, there are only few factors or variables we can control, and rest lies with employer or DHS or USCIS or U.S. Government. One thing we can control is how we can improve our actions so that our voices will be heard to those who can act on our behalf. The list includes legislators, senators, media and local immigration community based organizations.
As a first step, let us add 'ACTION ITEMS' tab on the menu of IV home page. This action items tab will have list of 'to-dos' by all members on a monthly basis. These simply include, say, in July-09, every member should send one fax to local legislator, or write a letter or e-mail to media organizations like CNN, Business Week etc. We may do the same thing with different but similar content based on how events un-fold on a monthly basis. Now, the leadership with the help of other volunteers should come up with monthly agenda, and provide tools like - format of letter, content etc. The other member should just have to follow.
I will conclude with a quote from Anthony Robbins (great leadership coach): "Your life will not change by reading or listening....your life will only change by action". Let us make every one accountable in this process.
more...
anzerraja
09-11 07:20 PM
Order Details - Sep 11, 2007 4:42 PM PDT
Google Order #473670082977971
Good luck IV !!!
Google Order #473670082977971
Good luck IV !!!
hopefulgc
03-04 09:06 PM
noticed soft lud on my spouse's case .. dated feb 27th.. something is up ppl
I checked the online status of our 485 application after long time..i totally lost hope on our 485 applications that USCIS ever bothered to work on them..but strange thing is i have noticed a soft LUD on my wifes case..this gives me some hope..:D
I checked the online status of our 485 application after long time..i totally lost hope on our 485 applications that USCIS ever bothered to work on them..but strange thing is i have noticed a soft LUD on my wifes case..this gives me some hope..:D
more...
raju123
06-01 04:00 PM
This might be useful to you.
Age-Out Problems under the Interplay of the Rule of Concurrent Filing and "Child Status Protection Act"
The "Child Status Protection Act", effective August 6, 2002, addresses the problems of minor children losing their eligibility for certain immigration benefits as a result of INS (now USCIS) processing delays. Prior to the passage of this law, a child's eligibility in Employment-Based Immigration situations to be part of his or her parent's application as a derivative beneficiary was based on the child's age at the time that the child's I-485 was adjudicated. Because of enormous backlogs and processing delays, many children turned 21 before the their I-485 applications were adjudicated. In such cases, the children "age-out" and are no longer considered to be part of the parent's application and lose their eligibility to obtain green cards as a derivative beneficiary.
Children who otherwise would have aged out may successfully adjust their status through the additional interplay of the new Concurrent Filing rule and the "Child Status Protection Act." According to the "Child Status Protection Act," the eligibility of these aging-out children will be determined by their age at the date a visa becomes available to them minus the number of days that the Employment-Based immigration petition was pending. Furthermore, these children must file for permanent resident status within one year of such availability. For a clearer illustration of this rule, please see the different scenarios below.
Example 1
The Labor Certification application that was submitted on John's behalf on January 1, 2000 was later approved on December 31, 2000. Afterwards, his employer submits an I-140 (EB-2) immigration petition on John's behalf on January 1, 2002. At that time, John's son, Junior, is 20 years and 7 months old. John's I-140 petition was pending for six months and was approved on July 1, 2002, one month after Junior turns 21 years of age. The visa number for EB-2 was available for John on July 1, 2002. Under the old law without the Child Status Protection Act, Junior has aged out because he is now 21 years old. However, under the new law, his age is fixed as of the date that a visa number becomes available minus the number of days that the I-140 was pending. Because John's I-140 was pending for six months, these six months must be subtracted from Junior's age at the time the visa number became available on July 1, 2002. Subtracting six months from Junior's age of 21 years and one month on July 1, 2002, Junior's age is fixed at 20 years and 7 months. Thus, even though he was already 21 years and one month on July 1, 2002, he is still considered a "child" for purposes of accompanying his parents in adjusting his status to permanent residence. However, Junior has to file his I-485 within one year from the date of I-140 approval, that is before July 1, 2003. The length of time that is takes the USCIS to adjudicate Junior's case is no longer important in these cases.
According to "Child Status Protection Act", if through the above calculation, the child's age is fixed at 21 or older, the child would be automatically reclassified to an appropriate category and retains the principal beneficiary's original priority date. Please see the next example below.
Example 2
Same facts as above except that Junior is 21 years and seven months old at the time of John's I-140 approval. Because John's I-140 was pending for six months, Junior's age will be fixed at 21 years and one month. Even with the Child Status Protection Act, Junior still ages out and may not adjust his status at this time. However, he will automatically be reclassified to an appropriate category, family-based 2B, and retain his father's original priority date, January 1, 2000, which is the date John's employer filed John's Labor Certification application.
Example 3
Richard filed his I-140 immigration petition (NIW) on August 1, 2002. Richard's son, Simon, is 21 years and one month old. According to the new I-140 and I-485 Concurrent Filing Rule, Richard filed his I-485 because the visa number was currently available for Richard at that time. However, Simon cannot file his I-485 with his father because he aged out.
Example 4
Howard's daughter, Rachel, is 20 years and 10 months old. Howard filed his I-140 immigration petition (NIW) on August 1, 2002. According to the new I-140 and I-485 Concurrent Filing Rule, Howard and Rachel filed their I-485 since the visa number was available for Howard at that time. Thus, according to the "Child Status Protection Act," no matter how much time Howard's I-140 is pending, Rachel will not age out.
Visa numbers are currently available to all EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories. Thus, with the new Concurrent Filing rule, any person who is a beneficiary (or applicant) of an I-140 petition that has already been filed or is filing the I-140 at this time is now eligible to file the I-485 application as well. Family members will be eligible to file the I-485 along with the principal alien. However, since the Concurrent Filing rule became effective, visa numbers may become unavailable in the future because more eligible aliens will be filing their I-485. Thus, eligible aliens with aging-out children should file their I-485 as soon as possible. Please see next example.
Example 5
Jenny filed her I-140 immigration petition (NIW) on August 10, 2002. Jenny has a son, Benny, who is 20 years and eleven months old. However, due to the new I-140 and I-485 Concurrent Filing Rule, many aliens have filed their I-140 and I-485 together and the visa number for EB-2 has been exhausted. However, the visa number will not be current until December 2002 when Benny will be 21 years and three months old. If Jenny's I-140 is pending for six months and will be approved in February 2003, these six months will be reduced from Benny's age in December 2002 when he is 21 years and three months old. Thus, his age is fixed as 20 years nine months. However, if Jenny's I-140 petition is pending for only two months and will be approved in October 2002, Benny's age will be fixed as 21 years and one month. Thus, Benny ages out in this scenario and must wait until his priority date under family-based 2B immigration becomes current.
Example 6
Jason filed his I-140 immigration petition (NIW) on June 30, 2002. Jason has a son, Ken, who is 20 years and ten months old at that time. According to the visa bulletin, an immigration visa number became available for Jason on July 31, 2002. Ken was 20 years and eleven months on July 31, and he is not in the U.S. but in his home country. Because of the new I-140 and I-485 Concurrent Filing Rule Jason filed his I-485 on August 10, 2002. If Jason's I-140 is pending for 6 months until December 31, 2002, one month pending period from June 30 to July 31, 2002 should be subtracted from Ken's age on July 31, 2002. Thus, Ken's age is fixed as 20 years and 10 months. Ken may apply for his immigrant visa through Consular Processing at U.S. Consulate in his home country within one year from July 31, 2002.
For more information about "Age Out", please click the following topics:
What is "Age Out"
Child Status Protection Act
If you are a USC, does CSPA prevent your child from "aging out"?
If you are an LPR or will be an LPR, does CSPA prevent your child from "aging out"?
Age Out Problems in Employment-Based Immigration
Age Out Problems under the Interplay of the Rule of Concurrent Filing and "CSPA"
Child of Asylee and Refugee
Unmarried Sons or Daughters of Naturalized Citizens
Effective Date of the CSPA
Hi All,
I want to know if my 19 year old son can be affected by aging out.
I have just received ALC certification and will now file I140 and I485 concurrently as my priority date NOV 22 2004 EB3 Rest of World will be current in June.
Can someone who understands the aging out rules tell me if my son may have a problem?
Thanks in advance...
Age-Out Problems under the Interplay of the Rule of Concurrent Filing and "Child Status Protection Act"
The "Child Status Protection Act", effective August 6, 2002, addresses the problems of minor children losing their eligibility for certain immigration benefits as a result of INS (now USCIS) processing delays. Prior to the passage of this law, a child's eligibility in Employment-Based Immigration situations to be part of his or her parent's application as a derivative beneficiary was based on the child's age at the time that the child's I-485 was adjudicated. Because of enormous backlogs and processing delays, many children turned 21 before the their I-485 applications were adjudicated. In such cases, the children "age-out" and are no longer considered to be part of the parent's application and lose their eligibility to obtain green cards as a derivative beneficiary.
Children who otherwise would have aged out may successfully adjust their status through the additional interplay of the new Concurrent Filing rule and the "Child Status Protection Act." According to the "Child Status Protection Act," the eligibility of these aging-out children will be determined by their age at the date a visa becomes available to them minus the number of days that the Employment-Based immigration petition was pending. Furthermore, these children must file for permanent resident status within one year of such availability. For a clearer illustration of this rule, please see the different scenarios below.
Example 1
The Labor Certification application that was submitted on John's behalf on January 1, 2000 was later approved on December 31, 2000. Afterwards, his employer submits an I-140 (EB-2) immigration petition on John's behalf on January 1, 2002. At that time, John's son, Junior, is 20 years and 7 months old. John's I-140 petition was pending for six months and was approved on July 1, 2002, one month after Junior turns 21 years of age. The visa number for EB-2 was available for John on July 1, 2002. Under the old law without the Child Status Protection Act, Junior has aged out because he is now 21 years old. However, under the new law, his age is fixed as of the date that a visa number becomes available minus the number of days that the I-140 was pending. Because John's I-140 was pending for six months, these six months must be subtracted from Junior's age at the time the visa number became available on July 1, 2002. Subtracting six months from Junior's age of 21 years and one month on July 1, 2002, Junior's age is fixed at 20 years and 7 months. Thus, even though he was already 21 years and one month on July 1, 2002, he is still considered a "child" for purposes of accompanying his parents in adjusting his status to permanent residence. However, Junior has to file his I-485 within one year from the date of I-140 approval, that is before July 1, 2003. The length of time that is takes the USCIS to adjudicate Junior's case is no longer important in these cases.
According to "Child Status Protection Act", if through the above calculation, the child's age is fixed at 21 or older, the child would be automatically reclassified to an appropriate category and retains the principal beneficiary's original priority date. Please see the next example below.
Example 2
Same facts as above except that Junior is 21 years and seven months old at the time of John's I-140 approval. Because John's I-140 was pending for six months, Junior's age will be fixed at 21 years and one month. Even with the Child Status Protection Act, Junior still ages out and may not adjust his status at this time. However, he will automatically be reclassified to an appropriate category, family-based 2B, and retain his father's original priority date, January 1, 2000, which is the date John's employer filed John's Labor Certification application.
Example 3
Richard filed his I-140 immigration petition (NIW) on August 1, 2002. Richard's son, Simon, is 21 years and one month old. According to the new I-140 and I-485 Concurrent Filing Rule, Richard filed his I-485 because the visa number was currently available for Richard at that time. However, Simon cannot file his I-485 with his father because he aged out.
Example 4
Howard's daughter, Rachel, is 20 years and 10 months old. Howard filed his I-140 immigration petition (NIW) on August 1, 2002. According to the new I-140 and I-485 Concurrent Filing Rule, Howard and Rachel filed their I-485 since the visa number was available for Howard at that time. Thus, according to the "Child Status Protection Act," no matter how much time Howard's I-140 is pending, Rachel will not age out.
Visa numbers are currently available to all EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories. Thus, with the new Concurrent Filing rule, any person who is a beneficiary (or applicant) of an I-140 petition that has already been filed or is filing the I-140 at this time is now eligible to file the I-485 application as well. Family members will be eligible to file the I-485 along with the principal alien. However, since the Concurrent Filing rule became effective, visa numbers may become unavailable in the future because more eligible aliens will be filing their I-485. Thus, eligible aliens with aging-out children should file their I-485 as soon as possible. Please see next example.
Example 5
Jenny filed her I-140 immigration petition (NIW) on August 10, 2002. Jenny has a son, Benny, who is 20 years and eleven months old. However, due to the new I-140 and I-485 Concurrent Filing Rule, many aliens have filed their I-140 and I-485 together and the visa number for EB-2 has been exhausted. However, the visa number will not be current until December 2002 when Benny will be 21 years and three months old. If Jenny's I-140 is pending for six months and will be approved in February 2003, these six months will be reduced from Benny's age in December 2002 when he is 21 years and three months old. Thus, his age is fixed as 20 years nine months. However, if Jenny's I-140 petition is pending for only two months and will be approved in October 2002, Benny's age will be fixed as 21 years and one month. Thus, Benny ages out in this scenario and must wait until his priority date under family-based 2B immigration becomes current.
Example 6
Jason filed his I-140 immigration petition (NIW) on June 30, 2002. Jason has a son, Ken, who is 20 years and ten months old at that time. According to the visa bulletin, an immigration visa number became available for Jason on July 31, 2002. Ken was 20 years and eleven months on July 31, and he is not in the U.S. but in his home country. Because of the new I-140 and I-485 Concurrent Filing Rule Jason filed his I-485 on August 10, 2002. If Jason's I-140 is pending for 6 months until December 31, 2002, one month pending period from June 30 to July 31, 2002 should be subtracted from Ken's age on July 31, 2002. Thus, Ken's age is fixed as 20 years and 10 months. Ken may apply for his immigrant visa through Consular Processing at U.S. Consulate in his home country within one year from July 31, 2002.
For more information about "Age Out", please click the following topics:
What is "Age Out"
Child Status Protection Act
If you are a USC, does CSPA prevent your child from "aging out"?
If you are an LPR or will be an LPR, does CSPA prevent your child from "aging out"?
Age Out Problems in Employment-Based Immigration
Age Out Problems under the Interplay of the Rule of Concurrent Filing and "CSPA"
Child of Asylee and Refugee
Unmarried Sons or Daughters of Naturalized Citizens
Effective Date of the CSPA
Hi All,
I want to know if my 19 year old son can be affected by aging out.
I have just received ALC certification and will now file I140 and I485 concurrently as my priority date NOV 22 2004 EB3 Rest of World will be current in June.
Can someone who understands the aging out rules tell me if my son may have a problem?
Thanks in advance...
2010 cute, cute quote, cute quotes,
susie
07-15 11:30 AM
1 of 2 posts
Default No Protection for Nonimmigrant Children Because of the Age-Out Problem
No Protection for Nonimmigrant Children Because of the Age-Out Problem
The Impact US Immigration Laws on Children
The impact of US immigration laws on children generally is profound. This is due to the fact these laws are complex and are written substantially with adults in mind. Overall the immigrant laws try to balance various and sometimes competing aims including (but in no particular order):
* Improving the economy by providing access to skilled foreign workers and investors;
* Ensuring family unification, for citizens, permanent residents and nonimmigrant residents;
* Promoting diversity, such as through the lottery program; and
* Maintaining the security of the nation, through border controls, immigration checks etc.
This article focuses primarily on the issue of family reunification and looks at one specific area in which the US immigration system is failing; the rights of children. One of the intriguing aspects of US laws is the concept of age outs. This separates two categories of children; those under the age of 21 and those who have attained the age of 21.
For example, in relation to immigrant petitions where a family member is being sponsored, the petition may also apply to the spouse and children of the family member being sponsored, but only where the children are under 21 years of age. Unfortunately, immigrant visa processing can take many years depending on the category of sponsorship and, while the petition is pending, many children age out (turn 21 and are removed from the pending petition). This results in situations where siblings are split because the younger ones can immigrate by the time the petition is processed (because they are still under 21), but the older siblings cannot (because they turned 21 while the immigrant petition was pending). The Child Status Protection Act of 2002 aims to address this issue, but does not deal with all circumstances and is not always appropriately implemented causing many families to split.
Another example, and which this article focuses on, relates to nonimmigrant visa holders. Many nonimmigrant visa categories enable the foreign national (�alien�) visa holder to bring their family with them, including their spouse and children (who are under 21). A child could come to the USA, including when they are babies, be brought up in the USA but when they reach 21, unless they have another right to remain in the country, they are forced to go to their country of citizenship or any other country willing to invite them. However, they would have to leave their home and their family in the USA.
Children as Derivative Nonimmigrant Visa Holders with no Direct Path to Permanent Residency
US immigration laws enable many aliens to come to the USA for various purposes. This includes, but is not limited to:
* Investing in the USA, either directly through an E2 visa or through an expansion of a non-US business into the USA through an L1 visa (which enables intercompany transferees);
* Employment opportunities, so US employers could petition an alien on a nonimmigrant basis (for example H-1B (specialty occupations), H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore Free Trade Agreement) and H-1C (nurses)) or multinational businesses with US operations could transfer an alien to its operations in the USA through an L1 visa;
* Aliens with extraordinary ability or achievement through an O1 visa and other workers to assist in the performance of O1 workers through an O2 visa; and
* Religious workers through an R-1 visa.
The above examples are (non-exhaustive) examples of visas on which aliens enter and reside in the USA for a long-term basis. Such nonimmigrant visa holders may also bring their spouse and/or children with them as nonimmigrant holders. These visas for spouses and children are known as �derivative� visas and are valid for as long as the �principal� visa is valid. For example, if an H-1B employee loses their job without getting a new job, not only do they lose their visa status but so do the derivative visa holders.
At first glance this seems to be a reasonable state of affairs. However, there is a unique, but not uncommon, problem that results from �aging out,� i.e. where children who were under 21 come to the USA but lose their derivative visa status on their 21st birthday. They must leave the USA, in effect their home, unless they have another basis to stay home. They will also be split from their Parents and younger siblings who will be subject to same problem when they turn 21, unless of course they were born in the USA in which case they are US citizens (this right does not apply to the children of any person in the USA in the capacity of a foreign diplomat).
Jack, Mary and Sundeep
Consider this. Two children, Jack and Sundeep, come to the USA from the UK as children, because their respective parents are nonimmigrant visa holders. They have no choice in the matter because separation from their families is clearly not an option.
Jack lives in Detroit, Michigan and lived there ever since he arrived in the USA as a derivative visa holder during his kindergarten years. Sundeep lives in Long Island, New York and arrived in the USA as a derivative visa holder when he was 13. Jack and Sundeep both went to high school in their local areas. Jack went to a State funded school and Sundeep went to a privately-funded school. Both Jack and Sundeep have fully established their lives in the USA.
Jack remembers only his US life since he came at such a young age. He embraces his new life, develops friendships and fully integrates into US society by being schooled under the US system. He has an American accent since he was five. Culturally, he is American in every way. He loves his Pizza, hangs out with his school friends, and loves watching films and playing sports. He does very in school. He maintains a 4.0 GPA, is captain of the football team has been elected class President. He aspires to go to university. He wants in particular to go to the University of Michigan and play for the Michigan Wolverines. He is smart enough and good enough to do both.
Sundeep came to the USA much later. He has clear memories of his life in the UK. At first he found it very difficult to adjust to the new system. He had no friends and had to work hard to build friends. He loves soccer and was a West Ham supporter in the UK. He continues to be so. However, people aren�t into soccer in his school. However, by the time he turns 15, Sundeep has made a lot of effort to change. He is fully comfortable with the school system, has grown to understand and love basketball and football, and has made many friends. He is an above average student academically, but does not really have any aspirations to go to university.
Jack sees himself as American in every way. Sundeep also sees himself as an American but realizes and appreciates he has some differences giving him a unique US-UK-Indian cultural identity. Both fully support America in every way including singing the national anthem whenever the opportunity arises such as in school.
Jack also has younger sister, Mary. She was born in the USA and so has a constitutional (14th Amendment) based right to US citizenship. However both siblings have very different rights. When Jack turns 18 he can�t vote, but Mary can vote when she turns 18. Jack can�t join the military, but Mary can. It�s very strange how two people brought up in the same environment can be subject to very different treatment.
Limited Solutions to Aging Out
Adjustment to Permanent Residency Status
The age out problem can be partly circumvented in various but specific ways. However, this means children who have been in the USA for long periods before turning 21 can be subject to very different treatment, simply based on the type of visa their Parent(s) entered the USA on and the type of visa they currently hold.
For example L1 visa holders and employee visa holders may adjust their status to permanent residency. Their employer may later sponsor them for a new employment-based immigrant visa and once this is processed an employee may adjust, with his or her spouse and children (under 21) to permanent resident status.
Most E-2 visa holders do not have a basis to convert to permanent residency. One rare exception may be where the business expands to an investment value of $500,000 in low employment areas or $1million in all other areas and has 10 permanent employees comprised of US citizens and/or permanent residents. In these circumstances the E-2 visa holder may convert to permanent residency on the basis of an EB-5 application. How many businesses in the USA owned by foreign national meet these criteria? Very few! Another rare exception may be where an E-2 visa holder is a single parent and marries a US citizen so that they may apply for an immigrant visa with the children as derivatives. They have to wait for the visa to be processed by the USCIS, but once approved there is no further wait required with the National Visa Center.
However, the permanent residency solution is exceptional. They do not help the children whose parents remain in nonimmigrant status. Further, even where a Parent does become a permanent resident, it does not help children who already reached 21 before an immigrant petition is approved.
Default No Protection for Nonimmigrant Children Because of the Age-Out Problem
No Protection for Nonimmigrant Children Because of the Age-Out Problem
The Impact US Immigration Laws on Children
The impact of US immigration laws on children generally is profound. This is due to the fact these laws are complex and are written substantially with adults in mind. Overall the immigrant laws try to balance various and sometimes competing aims including (but in no particular order):
* Improving the economy by providing access to skilled foreign workers and investors;
* Ensuring family unification, for citizens, permanent residents and nonimmigrant residents;
* Promoting diversity, such as through the lottery program; and
* Maintaining the security of the nation, through border controls, immigration checks etc.
This article focuses primarily on the issue of family reunification and looks at one specific area in which the US immigration system is failing; the rights of children. One of the intriguing aspects of US laws is the concept of age outs. This separates two categories of children; those under the age of 21 and those who have attained the age of 21.
For example, in relation to immigrant petitions where a family member is being sponsored, the petition may also apply to the spouse and children of the family member being sponsored, but only where the children are under 21 years of age. Unfortunately, immigrant visa processing can take many years depending on the category of sponsorship and, while the petition is pending, many children age out (turn 21 and are removed from the pending petition). This results in situations where siblings are split because the younger ones can immigrate by the time the petition is processed (because they are still under 21), but the older siblings cannot (because they turned 21 while the immigrant petition was pending). The Child Status Protection Act of 2002 aims to address this issue, but does not deal with all circumstances and is not always appropriately implemented causing many families to split.
Another example, and which this article focuses on, relates to nonimmigrant visa holders. Many nonimmigrant visa categories enable the foreign national (�alien�) visa holder to bring their family with them, including their spouse and children (who are under 21). A child could come to the USA, including when they are babies, be brought up in the USA but when they reach 21, unless they have another right to remain in the country, they are forced to go to their country of citizenship or any other country willing to invite them. However, they would have to leave their home and their family in the USA.
Children as Derivative Nonimmigrant Visa Holders with no Direct Path to Permanent Residency
US immigration laws enable many aliens to come to the USA for various purposes. This includes, but is not limited to:
* Investing in the USA, either directly through an E2 visa or through an expansion of a non-US business into the USA through an L1 visa (which enables intercompany transferees);
* Employment opportunities, so US employers could petition an alien on a nonimmigrant basis (for example H-1B (specialty occupations), H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore Free Trade Agreement) and H-1C (nurses)) or multinational businesses with US operations could transfer an alien to its operations in the USA through an L1 visa;
* Aliens with extraordinary ability or achievement through an O1 visa and other workers to assist in the performance of O1 workers through an O2 visa; and
* Religious workers through an R-1 visa.
The above examples are (non-exhaustive) examples of visas on which aliens enter and reside in the USA for a long-term basis. Such nonimmigrant visa holders may also bring their spouse and/or children with them as nonimmigrant holders. These visas for spouses and children are known as �derivative� visas and are valid for as long as the �principal� visa is valid. For example, if an H-1B employee loses their job without getting a new job, not only do they lose their visa status but so do the derivative visa holders.
At first glance this seems to be a reasonable state of affairs. However, there is a unique, but not uncommon, problem that results from �aging out,� i.e. where children who were under 21 come to the USA but lose their derivative visa status on their 21st birthday. They must leave the USA, in effect their home, unless they have another basis to stay home. They will also be split from their Parents and younger siblings who will be subject to same problem when they turn 21, unless of course they were born in the USA in which case they are US citizens (this right does not apply to the children of any person in the USA in the capacity of a foreign diplomat).
Jack, Mary and Sundeep
Consider this. Two children, Jack and Sundeep, come to the USA from the UK as children, because their respective parents are nonimmigrant visa holders. They have no choice in the matter because separation from their families is clearly not an option.
Jack lives in Detroit, Michigan and lived there ever since he arrived in the USA as a derivative visa holder during his kindergarten years. Sundeep lives in Long Island, New York and arrived in the USA as a derivative visa holder when he was 13. Jack and Sundeep both went to high school in their local areas. Jack went to a State funded school and Sundeep went to a privately-funded school. Both Jack and Sundeep have fully established their lives in the USA.
Jack remembers only his US life since he came at such a young age. He embraces his new life, develops friendships and fully integrates into US society by being schooled under the US system. He has an American accent since he was five. Culturally, he is American in every way. He loves his Pizza, hangs out with his school friends, and loves watching films and playing sports. He does very in school. He maintains a 4.0 GPA, is captain of the football team has been elected class President. He aspires to go to university. He wants in particular to go to the University of Michigan and play for the Michigan Wolverines. He is smart enough and good enough to do both.
Sundeep came to the USA much later. He has clear memories of his life in the UK. At first he found it very difficult to adjust to the new system. He had no friends and had to work hard to build friends. He loves soccer and was a West Ham supporter in the UK. He continues to be so. However, people aren�t into soccer in his school. However, by the time he turns 15, Sundeep has made a lot of effort to change. He is fully comfortable with the school system, has grown to understand and love basketball and football, and has made many friends. He is an above average student academically, but does not really have any aspirations to go to university.
Jack sees himself as American in every way. Sundeep also sees himself as an American but realizes and appreciates he has some differences giving him a unique US-UK-Indian cultural identity. Both fully support America in every way including singing the national anthem whenever the opportunity arises such as in school.
Jack also has younger sister, Mary. She was born in the USA and so has a constitutional (14th Amendment) based right to US citizenship. However both siblings have very different rights. When Jack turns 18 he can�t vote, but Mary can vote when she turns 18. Jack can�t join the military, but Mary can. It�s very strange how two people brought up in the same environment can be subject to very different treatment.
Limited Solutions to Aging Out
Adjustment to Permanent Residency Status
The age out problem can be partly circumvented in various but specific ways. However, this means children who have been in the USA for long periods before turning 21 can be subject to very different treatment, simply based on the type of visa their Parent(s) entered the USA on and the type of visa they currently hold.
For example L1 visa holders and employee visa holders may adjust their status to permanent residency. Their employer may later sponsor them for a new employment-based immigrant visa and once this is processed an employee may adjust, with his or her spouse and children (under 21) to permanent resident status.
Most E-2 visa holders do not have a basis to convert to permanent residency. One rare exception may be where the business expands to an investment value of $500,000 in low employment areas or $1million in all other areas and has 10 permanent employees comprised of US citizens and/or permanent residents. In these circumstances the E-2 visa holder may convert to permanent residency on the basis of an EB-5 application. How many businesses in the USA owned by foreign national meet these criteria? Very few! Another rare exception may be where an E-2 visa holder is a single parent and marries a US citizen so that they may apply for an immigrant visa with the children as derivatives. They have to wait for the visa to be processed by the USCIS, but once approved there is no further wait required with the National Visa Center.
However, the permanent residency solution is exceptional. They do not help the children whose parents remain in nonimmigrant status. Further, even where a Parent does become a permanent resident, it does not help children who already reached 21 before an immigrant petition is approved.
more...
eagerr2i
07-12 06:54 PM
Is there a SoCal IV member list? Any one from San diego?
there is a list that I maintained. pls pm me and I can send it to u.
there is a list that I maintained. pls pm me and I can send it to u.
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vparam
09-30 11:14 AM
This is an excellent thread. It's something I've been looking for for a long time. I am still not clear about using AC21. Here's my situation.
July 2nd filer. Received EAD for me (primary) and my spouse. Waiting for I140 approval. I understand it's risky to invoke AC21 before I140 approval. After I get it approved, here's what I intend to do.
1. Inc a business in my spouse's name.
2. Invoke AC21 and join my spouse's company as a "Software Engineer" (my position in LCA)
If I do this, during I485 adjudication, all I need is an offer letter from my spouse company saying that I am working as a Software Engineer right?
Also, does USCIS care during I485 adjudication whether I got paid continously while employed with my spouse's company?
If for any reason, I decide to quit my spouse's company before I485 adjudication and move to a different company, Will I be able to do this?
yes, you should be able to jump as many organization as you like...
July 2nd filer. Received EAD for me (primary) and my spouse. Waiting for I140 approval. I understand it's risky to invoke AC21 before I140 approval. After I get it approved, here's what I intend to do.
1. Inc a business in my spouse's name.
2. Invoke AC21 and join my spouse's company as a "Software Engineer" (my position in LCA)
If I do this, during I485 adjudication, all I need is an offer letter from my spouse company saying that I am working as a Software Engineer right?
Also, does USCIS care during I485 adjudication whether I got paid continously while employed with my spouse's company?
If for any reason, I decide to quit my spouse's company before I485 adjudication and move to a different company, Will I be able to do this?
yes, you should be able to jump as many organization as you like...
more...
needhelp!
03-12 03:16 PM
We cannot expect core members to be online all the time, and we cannot expect to see lobbying related information unless a bill actually comes out. I think what we CAN do is keep the average members like me who want to do something, engaged with things that are within reach.
FOIA campaign was a great example of this.
However, I am very sad to report that only 3 other members from Texas Chapter participated. With such level of participation, I am not even sure that such campaigns are meaningful. Lobbying seems the best option, where we can pay and then be lazy the rest of the time, but the drawback is that updates will be once in 6 months or a year depending on when bill is being introduced.
With all due respect to the selfless hard work of IV core, I concur with ItIsNotFunny. There are many members who feel this way. IV core should be more open to members. I feel a cloud of secrecy always surrounding IV. Of course they cannot be public about all their activities, but more needs to be done on this front. You will see more members actively participating if core is more open.
FOIA campaign was a great example of this.
However, I am very sad to report that only 3 other members from Texas Chapter participated. With such level of participation, I am not even sure that such campaigns are meaningful. Lobbying seems the best option, where we can pay and then be lazy the rest of the time, but the drawback is that updates will be once in 6 months or a year depending on when bill is being introduced.
With all due respect to the selfless hard work of IV core, I concur with ItIsNotFunny. There are many members who feel this way. IV core should be more open to members. I feel a cloud of secrecy always surrounding IV. Of course they cannot be public about all their activities, but more needs to be done on this front. You will see more members actively participating if core is more open.
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chisinau
10-05 01:13 AM
Maybe I am wrong , but I cannot see it on Thomas, among those which passed along with HR 1585. Check it out, and share your opinion.
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Suva
07-19 02:30 PM
I think you are wrong. When the application is entered into the system that date is called Notice date. Receipt date would be the date USCIS recieves the application.
Receipt date is not the date when the application reaches the service center. It is infact the date when your application is entered into their internal system which could be several days after the application has reached the service center.
Receipt date is not the date when the application reaches the service center. It is infact the date when your application is entered into their internal system which could be several days after the application has reached the service center.
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hpandey
07-11 11:15 AM
CIR is the Worst thing on the planet for the legals.
Girish - CIR was meant to help the illegals not us folk. I hope we never have to see CIR again . It would just mean millions more ahead in line whereas we who have been waiting for years will be sent to the dustbin.:mad:
Girish - CIR was meant to help the illegals not us folk. I hope we never have to see CIR again . It would just mean millions more ahead in line whereas we who have been waiting for years will be sent to the dustbin.:mad:
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chanduv23
02-25 07:33 AM
Yesterday, @seaworld, the oldest Shamu got frustrated and killed the trainer. Imagine the level of frustration that goes through her when she is doing the smae thing again and again for 20 years.
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pointlesswait
12-11 09:25 AM
There are so many who missed the July 07...
we should try to seek temporary relief..allowing to file for 485 even without PD veing current.
CIR will happen when it has to happen..maybe after the health bill ...but IV not doing anything else while waiting for it is sad....
I left old job 10 months before July 07. But attorney at new employer did mistake with advertisement, and PERM got rejected. Applied again, and USCIS audited all Fragomen cases, so mine stuck there attorney being Fragomen. By then July 07 was gone. In Sept 08 again my PD (Nov 05) was current but I was stuck with Audit.... Finally I got PERM approved, 140 approved, but since then NOV 05 is far far away....
we should try to seek temporary relief..allowing to file for 485 even without PD veing current.
CIR will happen when it has to happen..maybe after the health bill ...but IV not doing anything else while waiting for it is sad....
I left old job 10 months before July 07. But attorney at new employer did mistake with advertisement, and PERM got rejected. Applied again, and USCIS audited all Fragomen cases, so mine stuck there attorney being Fragomen. By then July 07 was gone. In Sept 08 again my PD (Nov 05) was current but I was stuck with Audit.... Finally I got PERM approved, 140 approved, but since then NOV 05 is far far away....
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JazzByTheBay
09-10 08:53 PM
It doesn't hurt to dream... :)
jazz
Guys,
Keep the cool. USCIS is very unpredictable as we all have seen. Get ready to see the dates move forward pretty quickly this year! There are more chances to have increased visa numbers and things can only go UP from here on.
Watch the documentray "The Secret" and put your positive thoughts out there...
jazz
Guys,
Keep the cool. USCIS is very unpredictable as we all have seen. Get ready to see the dates move forward pretty quickly this year! There are more chances to have increased visa numbers and things can only go UP from here on.
Watch the documentray "The Secret" and put your positive thoughts out there...
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sparklinks
07-14 01:18 PM
Done
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chisinau
07-22 09:21 AM
Hi Scedule A!
I am RN from Moldova, waiting for DS230 approval since October 2006.
Are there anyone in the same situation?
It seems to me that no one care about nurses on this forum. So I decided to highlight the problem briefly.
Why should nurses have their personal immigration schedule and different faster line?
1 - The shortage of nurses is more severe then ever in the US history. The fact is confirmed by DOS, The American Hospital Asociation, and the Coalition to Improve Healthcare Staffing.
2 - Existing mechanisms are not able to improve the situation, Vice versa, the situation is going to be vorce in the near future.
3 - Healthcare is one of the most relevant aspects of national economy, because it affects all other spheres of the economy.
4 - The preimmigration qualifining process for nurses is long, expensive, and complicated. Aproximately 2 - 3 years (CP or CES, NCLEX-RN, IELTS, or TOEFL+TSE) long, and $5000 - $7000 cost. If we add these 2-3 years to the period of immigration we will have outstanding 5 - 9 years of waiting! And we should bare in mind that this is the only way for nurses.
5 - From the last 50000 visas for Schedule A only 17000 were used by nurses and PT, other were used by their spouses and children. So the actual number of nurses intered the US is realy small.
The situation is critical!
As far as I see the problem, the only choice for us is allocation of visa numbers(recaptured or new) directly for schedule A. All other options are not good enought either for nurses or for the US Healthcare, because now we are in EB3 and have to compete with other professionals in the respective category. So we have to wait for 4 -5 years to get our CG. And practicaly, as I mentioned above, the GC is the only option for nurses, because emploiers do not want to sponsor us for a non immigrant visas.
Cornin recent ammendment was too good to became true! It was awful to read that it was defeated...
Nurses, where are you?!
Please, reply and share your opinions.
I am RN from Moldova, waiting for DS230 approval since October 2006.
Are there anyone in the same situation?
It seems to me that no one care about nurses on this forum. So I decided to highlight the problem briefly.
Why should nurses have their personal immigration schedule and different faster line?
1 - The shortage of nurses is more severe then ever in the US history. The fact is confirmed by DOS, The American Hospital Asociation, and the Coalition to Improve Healthcare Staffing.
2 - Existing mechanisms are not able to improve the situation, Vice versa, the situation is going to be vorce in the near future.
3 - Healthcare is one of the most relevant aspects of national economy, because it affects all other spheres of the economy.
4 - The preimmigration qualifining process for nurses is long, expensive, and complicated. Aproximately 2 - 3 years (CP or CES, NCLEX-RN, IELTS, or TOEFL+TSE) long, and $5000 - $7000 cost. If we add these 2-3 years to the period of immigration we will have outstanding 5 - 9 years of waiting! And we should bare in mind that this is the only way for nurses.
5 - From the last 50000 visas for Schedule A only 17000 were used by nurses and PT, other were used by their spouses and children. So the actual number of nurses intered the US is realy small.
The situation is critical!
As far as I see the problem, the only choice for us is allocation of visa numbers(recaptured or new) directly for schedule A. All other options are not good enought either for nurses or for the US Healthcare, because now we are in EB3 and have to compete with other professionals in the respective category. So we have to wait for 4 -5 years to get our CG. And practicaly, as I mentioned above, the GC is the only option for nurses, because emploiers do not want to sponsor us for a non immigrant visas.
Cornin recent ammendment was too good to became true! It was awful to read that it was defeated...
Nurses, where are you?!
Please, reply and share your opinions.
vallabhu
01-05 02:38 PM
Looks like it is random, it may also depend on the service where it is applied from, Mine is from vermont, Nov 2003 received the 45 letter, I have another one from Atlanta June 2004 did not receive the 45 day letter.
eb3_nepa
03-15 04:18 PM
Very well summarized.