zuhail
03-10 01:09 PM
Hello,
I strongly suggest that we focus our time and efforts on a single and achievable target in this calendar year 2009.
Recapturing unused visa numbers from the last two decades would help us eliminate the retrogression issue. Other changes like Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Eliminating per country limits etc would require a leap of faith in the political process and it is unlikely to be achieved in this calendar year. The economy, unemployment rates, health care etc are bound to dominate the legislative agenda this year.
I suggest writing a petition or letter to the White House and the administrative offices strongly urging them to recapture the unused visa numbers.
I think we should follow the KISS ("Keep it Simple, Stupid") Principle to achieve this target.
If we add any other immigration provisions, it would increase the complexity of the legislation and it is bound to fail.
Could the administrators of this forum please consider my suggestion of focusing on recapturing the visa numbers and assign this task the highest priority.
By re-capturing the visa numbers, we are not asking for any change in the immigration laws. We are simply asking to use the visa numbers that had been lost due to inefficient processing by the USCIS.
Let us start preparing a petition and create a dedicated fund to achieve this goal of visa number recapturing.
Thank you.
I strongly suggest that we focus our time and efforts on a single and achievable target in this calendar year 2009.
Recapturing unused visa numbers from the last two decades would help us eliminate the retrogression issue. Other changes like Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Eliminating per country limits etc would require a leap of faith in the political process and it is unlikely to be achieved in this calendar year. The economy, unemployment rates, health care etc are bound to dominate the legislative agenda this year.
I suggest writing a petition or letter to the White House and the administrative offices strongly urging them to recapture the unused visa numbers.
I think we should follow the KISS ("Keep it Simple, Stupid") Principle to achieve this target.
If we add any other immigration provisions, it would increase the complexity of the legislation and it is bound to fail.
Could the administrators of this forum please consider my suggestion of focusing on recapturing the visa numbers and assign this task the highest priority.
By re-capturing the visa numbers, we are not asking for any change in the immigration laws. We are simply asking to use the visa numbers that had been lost due to inefficient processing by the USCIS.
Let us start preparing a petition and create a dedicated fund to achieve this goal of visa number recapturing.
Thank you.
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Ramba
07-14 05:52 PM
I filed for 485 during July 2007. My 140 was already approved. Due to some problems I quit my employer in August 2007. My previous employer was a desi blood sucker. I was fed up & decided to quit after working for him for 3 years. I applied for H1 transfer with a new employer based on approved 140. I got H1 approval for another 3 years. Currently I am working for the new H1 sponsoring employer. I also received an EAD card based on pending 485 for one year. I didnt notify USICS of job change in July.
I applied for EAD extension this year. The application for EAD extension is pending. I got a following RFE on my 485:
Please state whether or not you are currently working for your I-140 petitioner.
You must submit a currently dated letter from you permanent employer, describing your present job duties & position in the organization, your proferred position (if different from your current one), the date you began employement & the offered salary & wage. The letter must also indicate whether the terms & conditions of your employement based visa petition (or labor certification) continue to exist, even if you change the employer before 180 days completion of 485 filing.
I am not in good terms with my previous employer so I cant ask him for a letter. I can ask my new employer for such a letter.
Will USCIS come to know I quite Employer A before completing 180 days?
Also is it possible that 140 was revoked by my previous employer?
What document should I send to USCIS now?
You quit the sponsorer within a month of 485 filing. No problem. You are still covered under AC21. As per AC21 memo, if your 485 is pending more than 6 months it is still valid, no matter when you chage the job. Forget your previous desi employer. Sumbit the letter from your current employer with all the details that USCIS looking for in RFE. Your 485 will be fine if it is similar job to your previous one. If you are not working for him now dont sent a letter from him. Be genuine. Your lawer should clearly write in the RFE letter that the terms & conditions of your employement based visa petition (or labor certification) continue to exist based on the AC21 law that allows the change of employer.
I applied for EAD extension this year. The application for EAD extension is pending. I got a following RFE on my 485:
Please state whether or not you are currently working for your I-140 petitioner.
You must submit a currently dated letter from you permanent employer, describing your present job duties & position in the organization, your proferred position (if different from your current one), the date you began employement & the offered salary & wage. The letter must also indicate whether the terms & conditions of your employement based visa petition (or labor certification) continue to exist, even if you change the employer before 180 days completion of 485 filing.
I am not in good terms with my previous employer so I cant ask him for a letter. I can ask my new employer for such a letter.
Will USCIS come to know I quite Employer A before completing 180 days?
Also is it possible that 140 was revoked by my previous employer?
What document should I send to USCIS now?
You quit the sponsorer within a month of 485 filing. No problem. You are still covered under AC21. As per AC21 memo, if your 485 is pending more than 6 months it is still valid, no matter when you chage the job. Forget your previous desi employer. Sumbit the letter from your current employer with all the details that USCIS looking for in RFE. Your 485 will be fine if it is similar job to your previous one. If you are not working for him now dont sent a letter from him. Be genuine. Your lawer should clearly write in the RFE letter that the terms & conditions of your employement based visa petition (or labor certification) continue to exist based on the AC21 law that allows the change of employer.
Beemar
01-18 02:45 AM
I have a slightly off track question. Can the creator of this thread, and other guys who also said they got laid off too, name their companies. I am just curious to know which companies are going through downsizing.
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jetflyer
08-10 12:28 PM
http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/statistics/publications/LPR07.shtm
see table 6 in that link
Thanks VDLRAO.
I looked at 2008 data from same source and surprised to see 70046 approvals for 2008-EB2.
Does that means there are not many old cases in line ahead of us?
Source link: DHS | Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2008 (http://www.dhs.gov/files/statistics/publications/LPR08.shtm)
check for table 6
see table 6 in that link
Thanks VDLRAO.
I looked at 2008 data from same source and surprised to see 70046 approvals for 2008-EB2.
Does that means there are not many old cases in line ahead of us?
Source link: DHS | Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2008 (http://www.dhs.gov/files/statistics/publications/LPR08.shtm)
check for table 6
more...
thomachan72
11-11 03:59 PM
I am surprised that this thread is still active. Usually by this time somebody from the core group puts a statement and that usually closes the discussion. I am sure this will happen soon since atleast a few posters have been requesting asistance from Pappu regarding this issue. I am just waiting for that post to come...dont know when. Hey pappu why are you taking so long......why dont you post and tell all our friends who are currently so emotional about the reality of pursuing the legal option...
sroyc
07-11 04:43 PM
There is a lot of hurtburn among folks here abt a lot of things...Does that mean USCIS is going to cater to every case of heartburn. I dont think so.
What else would explain EB2 China's PD going back to EB2 India's PD (April 2004) when visas from EB2-ROW were made available and then both PD's moving to June 2006 (which was EB2 China's PD before it became unavailable)?
They could have set it to March 2005 and it would have been enough to exhaust the remaining EB2-ROW visas left considering the number of EB2 India applicants in the backlog. The fact is that there are not enough EB2 China applicants left in 2003/2004/2005. The only way they can get a fair share of the EB2-ROW spillover was if PD's for both EB2 India and China were moved to 2006.
What else would explain EB2 China's PD going back to EB2 India's PD (April 2004) when visas from EB2-ROW were made available and then both PD's moving to June 2006 (which was EB2 China's PD before it became unavailable)?
They could have set it to March 2005 and it would have been enough to exhaust the remaining EB2-ROW visas left considering the number of EB2 India applicants in the backlog. The fact is that there are not enough EB2 China applicants left in 2003/2004/2005. The only way they can get a fair share of the EB2-ROW spillover was if PD's for both EB2 India and China were moved to 2006.
more...
another one
07-09 02:26 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Azulay Horn & Seiden, LLC Files Class Action Law Suit against the US Government for Refusing to Accept Green Card Applications
Chicago (July 9, 2007) � In the shadow of the debate about comprehensive immigration reform tens of thousands of skilled employment based immigrants awaiting their opportunity to legally apply for green cards have been unfairly denied the opportunity due to potential deliberate miscommunication � and an attempt to collect higher filing fees � from the U.S. Department of State and the and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that processes visa and citizenship requests.
On June 12, the State Department announced in its monthly Visa Bulletin that beginning July 2 and for at least the entire month of July, all skilled workers seeking employer-sponsored green cards would be eligible to apply. However, on July 2, the State Department announced that they were breaking with 30 years of tradition and issued an update claiming that no more green cards were available because �the sudden backlog reduction efforts by Citizenship and Immigration Services offices during the past month.� USCIS followed and said that as a result they were going to reject the green card applications of anyone who applied relying on the July Bulletin. This meant that the thousands of immigrants who followed the government�s instructions and obtained the correct paperwork actually had no chance to receive a green card.
In response, Azulay Horn & Seiden, LLC, the largest immigration law firm based in Chicago and fourth largest in the United States, on Friday July 6, filed a class-action law suit on behalf of its clients and all those like them, against Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Department of State, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, the Department of Homeland Security, and USCIS, and Emilio Gonzalez, and F. Gerard Heinauer of USCIS for announcing that they would refuse to accept the green card applications on behalf of the skilled workers. The suit seeks a ruling that would keep applications filed in accordance with the original July Visa Bulletin from being rejected.
Azulay Horn & Seiden is the first firm to act proactively and file a complaint. �These are legal immigrants who have followed all the rules,� explained Ira Azulay, CEO of the firm. �They are productive members of our society and deserve to be treated fairly by our federal government. The State Department and USCIS acted against their own rules and 30 years of historical practice when they updated the Visa Bulletin and reneged on their historical obligations. They need to be held accountable for their actions and do right by these people. Acting any other way sends the horrible message that following the rules is worthless.�
The representative plaintiff in the case is Chicagoan Gabriela Ptasinska, a native of Poland who is lawfully present in the United States on a non-immigrant visa, working as a land planner with Manhard Consulting, Ltd. Given the Bulletin, Ptasinska and thousands of legal immigrants across the country worked to obtain the necessary documentation for their chance to receive a green card only to have it snatched away on July.
�I am a law-abiding, hardworking member of American society and have worked relentlessly to lawfully become a permanent resident of America,� said Ptasinska. �Now I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me. I held-up my end of the bargain by doing everything the government told me to do, but USCIS did not keep their word.�
Mr. Azulay is available to discuss with the media the class-action suit and the impact of the government�s recent actions. A copy of the complaint in the matter of Gabriela Ptasinska, on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated v. U.S. Dept. of State, Condoleeza Rice, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Emilio Gonzalez, and F. Gerard Heinauer, Case No. 07 C 3795, can be downloaded from Azulay, Horn & Seiden�s website at www.ahslaw.com. People interested in joining the class can also visit the website to provide their information.
Azulay, Horn & Seiden, LLC (www.ahslaw.com) is Chicago�s largest immigration law firm and the fourth largest immigration firm in the country. AHS provides comprehensive US immigration legal services for businesses and individuals (including visa petitions, green card services, consular assistance, naturalization proceedings, immigration representation in all U.S. Courts, and appellate work), immigration consulting to businesses, as well as immigration related legal services (e.g. family law, criminal law). Its main office is located at 205 N. Michigan Ave., 40th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601, with other offices in Florida, Wisconsin, and Manila, Philippines. For more information contact them at 312.832.9200 or by email at info@ahslaw.com.
Azulay Horn & Seiden, LLC Files Class Action Law Suit against the US Government for Refusing to Accept Green Card Applications
Chicago (July 9, 2007) � In the shadow of the debate about comprehensive immigration reform tens of thousands of skilled employment based immigrants awaiting their opportunity to legally apply for green cards have been unfairly denied the opportunity due to potential deliberate miscommunication � and an attempt to collect higher filing fees � from the U.S. Department of State and the and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that processes visa and citizenship requests.
On June 12, the State Department announced in its monthly Visa Bulletin that beginning July 2 and for at least the entire month of July, all skilled workers seeking employer-sponsored green cards would be eligible to apply. However, on July 2, the State Department announced that they were breaking with 30 years of tradition and issued an update claiming that no more green cards were available because �the sudden backlog reduction efforts by Citizenship and Immigration Services offices during the past month.� USCIS followed and said that as a result they were going to reject the green card applications of anyone who applied relying on the July Bulletin. This meant that the thousands of immigrants who followed the government�s instructions and obtained the correct paperwork actually had no chance to receive a green card.
In response, Azulay Horn & Seiden, LLC, the largest immigration law firm based in Chicago and fourth largest in the United States, on Friday July 6, filed a class-action law suit on behalf of its clients and all those like them, against Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Department of State, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, the Department of Homeland Security, and USCIS, and Emilio Gonzalez, and F. Gerard Heinauer of USCIS for announcing that they would refuse to accept the green card applications on behalf of the skilled workers. The suit seeks a ruling that would keep applications filed in accordance with the original July Visa Bulletin from being rejected.
Azulay Horn & Seiden is the first firm to act proactively and file a complaint. �These are legal immigrants who have followed all the rules,� explained Ira Azulay, CEO of the firm. �They are productive members of our society and deserve to be treated fairly by our federal government. The State Department and USCIS acted against their own rules and 30 years of historical practice when they updated the Visa Bulletin and reneged on their historical obligations. They need to be held accountable for their actions and do right by these people. Acting any other way sends the horrible message that following the rules is worthless.�
The representative plaintiff in the case is Chicagoan Gabriela Ptasinska, a native of Poland who is lawfully present in the United States on a non-immigrant visa, working as a land planner with Manhard Consulting, Ltd. Given the Bulletin, Ptasinska and thousands of legal immigrants across the country worked to obtain the necessary documentation for their chance to receive a green card only to have it snatched away on July.
�I am a law-abiding, hardworking member of American society and have worked relentlessly to lawfully become a permanent resident of America,� said Ptasinska. �Now I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me. I held-up my end of the bargain by doing everything the government told me to do, but USCIS did not keep their word.�
Mr. Azulay is available to discuss with the media the class-action suit and the impact of the government�s recent actions. A copy of the complaint in the matter of Gabriela Ptasinska, on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated v. U.S. Dept. of State, Condoleeza Rice, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Emilio Gonzalez, and F. Gerard Heinauer, Case No. 07 C 3795, can be downloaded from Azulay, Horn & Seiden�s website at www.ahslaw.com. People interested in joining the class can also visit the website to provide their information.
Azulay, Horn & Seiden, LLC (www.ahslaw.com) is Chicago�s largest immigration law firm and the fourth largest immigration firm in the country. AHS provides comprehensive US immigration legal services for businesses and individuals (including visa petitions, green card services, consular assistance, naturalization proceedings, immigration representation in all U.S. Courts, and appellate work), immigration consulting to businesses, as well as immigration related legal services (e.g. family law, criminal law). Its main office is located at 205 N. Michigan Ave., 40th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601, with other offices in Florida, Wisconsin, and Manila, Philippines. For more information contact them at 312.832.9200 or by email at info@ahslaw.com.
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tampacoolie
06-30 09:44 PM
Suck some beer and get some good sleep yo.
Leave the delivery stuff to Fedex or UPS guys, else you will end up with traffic congestion in Lincon, Nebraska on Monday morning.
Leave the delivery stuff to Fedex or UPS guys, else you will end up with traffic congestion in Lincon, Nebraska on Monday morning.
more...
abhijitp
07-23 07:13 PM
I just asked my lawyer and heard the same thing. Now I am being asked where I got this info from:p Does anyone know the URL to a document that says Employment Letter is a MUST and that your AOS can be denied for not submitting it?
Got the answer on the previous page. Thanks fcres!
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?p=129722#post129722
Got the answer on the previous page. Thanks fcres!
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?p=129722#post129722
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keshtwo
07-09 05:02 PM
And we are not in deep shit right now ???? Where have you been all the time ?
Why are you so scared ? Is it because you think USCIS wil do harm to you and others ? Well, what the hell it was doing while allocating all the quota in 15 days to avoid the rush ?
I wish USCIS would get down on it's knee and issue an apologies to all those people it's screwed over !
dude if you think we are in deep shit now, wait till you are really in deep shit. no lawsuit can get you a green card any faster (could make it slower though). All that it might do is make sure that USCIS has to deal with an avalanche of EAD apps, delaying EAD anyways.
Why are you so scared ? Is it because you think USCIS wil do harm to you and others ? Well, what the hell it was doing while allocating all the quota in 15 days to avoid the rush ?
I wish USCIS would get down on it's knee and issue an apologies to all those people it's screwed over !
dude if you think we are in deep shit now, wait till you are really in deep shit. no lawsuit can get you a green card any faster (could make it slower though). All that it might do is make sure that USCIS has to deal with an avalanche of EAD apps, delaying EAD anyways.
more...
imneedy
11-11 07:23 AM
Nrc2008064584
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hopefullegalimmigrant
06-12 06:04 PM
Sent
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ashkam
12-21 07:46 AM
Now I am really afraid. G-325 form has section to provide last 5 jobs. Since I had a gap, I didn't provide the details for the year 2001. I am royally screwed now! :(
G-325 does not ask for last 5 jobs, only last 5 year jobs, so you should be okay.
G-325 does not ask for last 5 jobs, only last 5 year jobs, so you should be okay.
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pcs
04-21 08:10 AM
Keep calling people to get active & contribute
more...
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hoolahoous
03-16 12:37 AM
And, please, gimme a break. H1B = high skilled? .....Most H1Bs, according to PUBLISHED research, earn less than $50,000.
Dude, IT and software are low skill jobs..........wake up and smell the coffee. Your saying "highly skilled" and holding up a placard won't change that reality. No one wants any more low skilled EB3 types in this country anymore. They are found dime a dozen.
wow.. u disciple of lou dobb ?? 50k !!!! in our company average salary of h1b is 125k (meaning some get much more than that, including me)!!
IT and software is low skill ?? now I am not sure what YOU are smelling . h1b requires minimum 4 year engg. degree (what do u have ?? maybe you got it using some non academic skills)
Yes i AM selfish..........
exactly.. i agree
Dude, IT and software are low skill jobs..........wake up and smell the coffee. Your saying "highly skilled" and holding up a placard won't change that reality. No one wants any more low skilled EB3 types in this country anymore. They are found dime a dozen.
wow.. u disciple of lou dobb ?? 50k !!!! in our company average salary of h1b is 125k (meaning some get much more than that, including me)!!
IT and software is low skill ?? now I am not sure what YOU are smelling . h1b requires minimum 4 year engg. degree (what do u have ?? maybe you got it using some non academic skills)
Yes i AM selfish..........
exactly.. i agree
dresses Enchanted Kingdom (Part 2)
thecipher5
10-12 03:22 PM
Hello!
I don't know if anyone is in or has been in a similar situation. But would appreciate sound advise on the next steps...
My wife and mine PD have been current since September 1st (PD: Apr 2006). We'd received a RFE in 2009 and we'd responded to it in June 2009. The status on USCIS states "Response Review" for both of us and that we should hear back within 60 days of receiving the RFE response which dates back to June 2009.
I've opened a SR, contacted a congressman and still no update or specific feedback since 1st week of September.
What should I do in such a situation?? Can I take an Infopass appointment even though 45 days haven't elapsed since opening SR?
What other avenues can I pursue to obtain concrete feedback on our applications?
all the help appreciated!
thecipher5
I don't know if anyone is in or has been in a similar situation. But would appreciate sound advise on the next steps...
My wife and mine PD have been current since September 1st (PD: Apr 2006). We'd received a RFE in 2009 and we'd responded to it in June 2009. The status on USCIS states "Response Review" for both of us and that we should hear back within 60 days of receiving the RFE response which dates back to June 2009.
I've opened a SR, contacted a congressman and still no update or specific feedback since 1st week of September.
What should I do in such a situation?? Can I take an Infopass appointment even though 45 days haven't elapsed since opening SR?
What other avenues can I pursue to obtain concrete feedback on our applications?
all the help appreciated!
thecipher5
more...
makeup visited Enchanted Kingdom.
jonty_11
12-12 04:13 PM
USCIS is not a legislative body, they cannot pass a law. The Congress does. In order to change any existing laws Congress has to pass it and USCIS just implements it. So I do not think meeting USCIS will help. BTW what is DOS ?
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calgirl
07-20 02:33 PM
Few employers and few lawyers didn't apply for EAD/AP on July 2nd. My employer said they applied for 485 but not EAD/AP. They will wait for receipt notice and then apply for EAD/AP.
After Aug 17th, can we still apply for EAD/AP knowing dates won't be current.
Thanks.
After Aug 17th, can we still apply for EAD/AP knowing dates won't be current.
Thanks.
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sat0207
04-27 09:23 AM
Immigration Security Checks
�How and Why the Process Works
Background All applicants for a U.S. immigration benefit are subject to criminal and national security background checks to ensure they are eligible for that benefit. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Federal agency that oversees immigration benefits, performs checks on every applicant, regardless of ethnicity, national origin or religion. Since 2002, USCIS has increased the number and scope of relevant background checks, processing millions of security checks without incident. However, in some cases, USCIS customers and immigrant advocates have expressed frustration over delays in processing applications, noting that individual customers have waited a year or longer for the completion of their adjudication pending the outcome of security checks. While the percentage of applicants who find their cases delayed by pending background checks is relatively small, USCIS recognizes that for those affected individuals, the additional delay and uncertainty can cause great anxiety. Although USCIS cannot guarantee the prompt resolution of every case, we can assure the public that applicants are not singled out based on race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin. USCIS strives to balance the need for timely, fair and accurate service with the need to ensure a high level of integrity in the decision-making process. This fact sheet outlines the framework of the immigration security check process, explaining its necessity, as well as factors contributing to delays in resolving pending cases. Why USCIS Conducts Security Checks USCIS conducts security checks for all cases involving a petition or application for an immigration service or benefit. This is done both to enhance national security and ensure the integrity of the immigration process. USCIS is responsible for ensuring that our immigration system is not used as a vehicle to harm our nation or its citizens by screening out people who seek immigration benefits improperly or fraudulently. These security checks have yielded information about applicants involved in violent crimes, sex crimes, crimes against children, drug trafficking and individuals with known links to terrorism. These investigations require time, resources, and patience and USCIS recognizes that the process is slower for some customers than they would like. Because of that, USCIS is working closely with the FBI and other agencies to speed the background check process. However, USCIS will never grant an immigration service or benefit before the required security checks are completed regardless of how long those checks take.
To ensure that immigration benefits are given only to eligible applicants, USCIS adopted background security check procedures that address a wide range of possible risk factors. Different kinds of applications undergo different levels of scrutiny. USCIS normally uses the following three background check mechanisms but maintains the authority to conduct other background investigations as necessary:
� The Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS)
Name Check� IBIS is a multiagency effort with a central system that combines information from multiple agencies, databases and system interfaces to compile data relating to national security risks, public safety issues and other law enforcement concerns. USCIS can quickly check information from these multiple government agencies to determine if the information in the system affects the adjudication of the case. Results of an IBIS check are usually available immediately. In some cases, information found during an IBIS check will require further investigation. The IBIS check is not deemed completed until all eligibility issues arising from the initial system response are resolved.
� FBI Fingerprint Check�FBI fingerprint checks are conducted for many applications. The FBI fingerprint check provides information relating to criminal background within the United States. Generally, the FBI forwards responses to USCIS within 24-48 hours. If there is a record match, the FBI forwards an electronic copy of the criminal history (RAP sheet) to USCIS. At that point, a USCIS adjudicator reviews the information to determine what effect it may have on eligibility for the benefit. Although the vast majority of inquiries yield no record or match, about 10 percent do uncover criminal history (including immigration violations). In cases involving arrests or charges without disposition, USCIS requires the applicant to provide court certified evidence of the disposition. Customers with prior arrests should provide complete information and certified disposition records at the time of filing to avoid adjudication delays or denial resulting from misrepresentation about criminal history. Even expunged or vacated convictions must be reported for immigration purposes.
� FBI Name Checks�FBI name checks are also required for many applications. The FBI name check is totally different from the FBI fingerprint check. The records maintained in the FBI name check process consist of administrative, applicant, criminal, personnel and other files compiled by law enforcement. Initial responses to this check generally take about two weeks. In about 80 percent of the cases, no match is found. Of the remaining 20 percent, most are resolved within six months. Less than one percent of cases subject to an FBI name check remain pending longer than six months. Some of these cases involve complex, highly sensitive information and cannot be resolved quickly. Even after FBI has provided an initial response to USCIS concerning a match, the name check is not complete until full information is obtained and eligibility issues arising from it are resolved. For most applicants, the process outlined above allows USCIS to quickly determine if there are criminal or security related issues in the applicant�s background that affect eligibility for immigration benefits. Most cases proceed forward without incident. However, due to both the sheer volume of security checks USCIS conducts, and the need to ensure that each applicant is thoroughly screened, some delays on individual applications are inevitable. Background checks may still be considered pending when either the FBI or relevant agency has not provided the final response to the background check or when the FBI or agency has provided a response, but the response requires further investigation or review by the agency or USCIS. Resolving pending cases is time-consuming and labor-intensive; some cases legitimately take months or evenseveral years to resolve. Every USCIS District Office performs regular reviews of the pending caseload to determine when cases have cleared and are ready to be decided. USCIS does not share information about the records match or the nature or status of any investigation with applicants or their representatives.
�How and Why the Process Works
Background All applicants for a U.S. immigration benefit are subject to criminal and national security background checks to ensure they are eligible for that benefit. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Federal agency that oversees immigration benefits, performs checks on every applicant, regardless of ethnicity, national origin or religion. Since 2002, USCIS has increased the number and scope of relevant background checks, processing millions of security checks without incident. However, in some cases, USCIS customers and immigrant advocates have expressed frustration over delays in processing applications, noting that individual customers have waited a year or longer for the completion of their adjudication pending the outcome of security checks. While the percentage of applicants who find their cases delayed by pending background checks is relatively small, USCIS recognizes that for those affected individuals, the additional delay and uncertainty can cause great anxiety. Although USCIS cannot guarantee the prompt resolution of every case, we can assure the public that applicants are not singled out based on race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin. USCIS strives to balance the need for timely, fair and accurate service with the need to ensure a high level of integrity in the decision-making process. This fact sheet outlines the framework of the immigration security check process, explaining its necessity, as well as factors contributing to delays in resolving pending cases. Why USCIS Conducts Security Checks USCIS conducts security checks for all cases involving a petition or application for an immigration service or benefit. This is done both to enhance national security and ensure the integrity of the immigration process. USCIS is responsible for ensuring that our immigration system is not used as a vehicle to harm our nation or its citizens by screening out people who seek immigration benefits improperly or fraudulently. These security checks have yielded information about applicants involved in violent crimes, sex crimes, crimes against children, drug trafficking and individuals with known links to terrorism. These investigations require time, resources, and patience and USCIS recognizes that the process is slower for some customers than they would like. Because of that, USCIS is working closely with the FBI and other agencies to speed the background check process. However, USCIS will never grant an immigration service or benefit before the required security checks are completed regardless of how long those checks take.
To ensure that immigration benefits are given only to eligible applicants, USCIS adopted background security check procedures that address a wide range of possible risk factors. Different kinds of applications undergo different levels of scrutiny. USCIS normally uses the following three background check mechanisms but maintains the authority to conduct other background investigations as necessary:
� The Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS)
Name Check� IBIS is a multiagency effort with a central system that combines information from multiple agencies, databases and system interfaces to compile data relating to national security risks, public safety issues and other law enforcement concerns. USCIS can quickly check information from these multiple government agencies to determine if the information in the system affects the adjudication of the case. Results of an IBIS check are usually available immediately. In some cases, information found during an IBIS check will require further investigation. The IBIS check is not deemed completed until all eligibility issues arising from the initial system response are resolved.
� FBI Fingerprint Check�FBI fingerprint checks are conducted for many applications. The FBI fingerprint check provides information relating to criminal background within the United States. Generally, the FBI forwards responses to USCIS within 24-48 hours. If there is a record match, the FBI forwards an electronic copy of the criminal history (RAP sheet) to USCIS. At that point, a USCIS adjudicator reviews the information to determine what effect it may have on eligibility for the benefit. Although the vast majority of inquiries yield no record or match, about 10 percent do uncover criminal history (including immigration violations). In cases involving arrests or charges without disposition, USCIS requires the applicant to provide court certified evidence of the disposition. Customers with prior arrests should provide complete information and certified disposition records at the time of filing to avoid adjudication delays or denial resulting from misrepresentation about criminal history. Even expunged or vacated convictions must be reported for immigration purposes.
� FBI Name Checks�FBI name checks are also required for many applications. The FBI name check is totally different from the FBI fingerprint check. The records maintained in the FBI name check process consist of administrative, applicant, criminal, personnel and other files compiled by law enforcement. Initial responses to this check generally take about two weeks. In about 80 percent of the cases, no match is found. Of the remaining 20 percent, most are resolved within six months. Less than one percent of cases subject to an FBI name check remain pending longer than six months. Some of these cases involve complex, highly sensitive information and cannot be resolved quickly. Even after FBI has provided an initial response to USCIS concerning a match, the name check is not complete until full information is obtained and eligibility issues arising from it are resolved. For most applicants, the process outlined above allows USCIS to quickly determine if there are criminal or security related issues in the applicant�s background that affect eligibility for immigration benefits. Most cases proceed forward without incident. However, due to both the sheer volume of security checks USCIS conducts, and the need to ensure that each applicant is thoroughly screened, some delays on individual applications are inevitable. Background checks may still be considered pending when either the FBI or relevant agency has not provided the final response to the background check or when the FBI or agency has provided a response, but the response requires further investigation or review by the agency or USCIS. Resolving pending cases is time-consuming and labor-intensive; some cases legitimately take months or evenseveral years to resolve. Every USCIS District Office performs regular reviews of the pending caseload to determine when cases have cleared and are ready to be decided. USCIS does not share information about the records match or the nature or status of any investigation with applicants or their representatives.
WaldenPond
02-18 10:56 AM
retrohatao willgetgc2005 wam4wam & stirGC,
Thank You for your input. This is very helpful to highlight the name check problem. The problem description and proposed solution by retrohatao are very good. However, just allow me to share a bigger picture. There is no difference between any issue is being categorized by someone to be a sub-issue or if an issue is categorized as main issue. What is important is that the issue is being addressed ....
willgetgc2005, just so that you know, I am also stuck in name check since June-04 and my 485 is pending since Oct-03. Just like you, this issue directly affects me. No doubt this is a very important issue. As berkeleybee mentioned, this is being addressed and communicated to the lawmakers and CA team did an excellent job in making the presentation to the lawmakers.
Even though name check delay issue directly affects people like you and me, know that this is not the only important issue. The point is, many people only care about getting to the next stage of GC process. If someone's labor is stuck, that group thinks that labor certification clearance should be the top priority. If someone's 140 got rejected, then that issue should be the only issue on IV's agenda. If someone is not able to apply for 485, then that person wants to make that as the top priority. If someone is a PHD, then that person wants the top agenda should be to get GC to the guy who has PHD and the argument presented to us is - don't you get it, I am a "PHD". The other day there was a group of people including techworker_tn1, helpful_leo etc who wanted to form their own group for PHDs. And now, if someone's name check is delayed, then we say that everybody will have to go through it sometime in the later stage, so this issue should be on the fore-front of the list of issues.
I am slightly perplexed by the behavior of some members who seems to indicate that we are in some sort of race with one another. And these members seem to send out a message that says - if their issue is not listed as top priority goal then all other issues that IV is working to resolve or all the work being done by IV is worthless. I am slightly disturbed to read posts like the one from wam4wam which says that he/she hopes that bill is not passed till his/her name check is cleared.
This is a sincere request to everybody. If all that we think about is 'what's in it for me', then we cannot find commonality among ourselves. And thus no progress is possible. Know that with this thought process, nothing will happen.
IV is an organization made by people like you and me. If everybody's objective is to get to the next stage of green card process, know that we are not behaving like matured and "educated" class that we all claim to belong. Just reaching the next stage of the process is something like looking for instant gratification which actually doesn't help the cause or the complete green card process.
Most humbly, I would like to request you to post your experiences with how many people you have communicated about the efforts of IV? How many people you have convinced to join IV? What is the success rate? Were you able to persuade the people to contribute for this cause? Those things will help more than anything else. If IV is bigger and stronger, we can together address each and every issue. Ask yourself, how is it possible to continue to include more agendas and not come up with more helping hands and more resources and expect to succeed?
If you do not see a favorable post or see a post that doesn't contain something that you want to hear, please do not infer that nobody cares or as if no one is doing anything. That post may just express somebody's opinion. I must mention that everybody wants their agenda to be pushed to the top. If there is some sort of a debate from others in the forum, I see that group of people starts backing off and starts posting messages to communicate as if this forum or IV is not doing what it should; Or some people start posting messageas hoping that bill will not pass if their agenda is not addressed.....and on and on. Please let me share that this doesn't help anybody.
retrohato, Would you like to take the lead on making name check to the forefront and address it in every possible manner? IV needs sincere people like you who can spend time to do each task. We have very good ideas on how to approach this issue and find a solution to this issue. If you could please take the lead on this issue, know that name check is top priority of IV. I would request you to please call us at anytime convenient for you and express that you would like to work on this issue. We need people who are ready to take ownership of issues and are ready to deliver. Would you like to join this effort actively?
Just so that everybody know, Immigration Voice could include 'World Peace' as one of the agenda items. But just including something as Goal doesn't mean that it can be achieved. To achieve anything that is listed as goals or to meaningfully add anything to the goals we need more serious people and more resources. If you are interested to actively contribute, please call us and we will connect you to the larger group of people to team-up the work for this issue. It is ok if you are not able to participate actively. It would help if you could please encourage others to take up the responsibility. Just because people are not agreeing with you, posting negative or discouraging messages will not help anybody.
America is a great nation. That is why we want to stay here and want our GC sooner. JFK once said that 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country'. One of the reasons why America is Great is because of the people of this great nation delivered what JFK said. We all could learn from this and before making any claim to being part of the American fabric or before claiming to be from "educated" class, maybe we need to stop behaving in way that only sends out the message 'what's in it for me'.
Thank You for your input. This is very helpful to highlight the name check problem. The problem description and proposed solution by retrohatao are very good. However, just allow me to share a bigger picture. There is no difference between any issue is being categorized by someone to be a sub-issue or if an issue is categorized as main issue. What is important is that the issue is being addressed ....
willgetgc2005, just so that you know, I am also stuck in name check since June-04 and my 485 is pending since Oct-03. Just like you, this issue directly affects me. No doubt this is a very important issue. As berkeleybee mentioned, this is being addressed and communicated to the lawmakers and CA team did an excellent job in making the presentation to the lawmakers.
Even though name check delay issue directly affects people like you and me, know that this is not the only important issue. The point is, many people only care about getting to the next stage of GC process. If someone's labor is stuck, that group thinks that labor certification clearance should be the top priority. If someone's 140 got rejected, then that issue should be the only issue on IV's agenda. If someone is not able to apply for 485, then that person wants to make that as the top priority. If someone is a PHD, then that person wants the top agenda should be to get GC to the guy who has PHD and the argument presented to us is - don't you get it, I am a "PHD". The other day there was a group of people including techworker_tn1, helpful_leo etc who wanted to form their own group for PHDs. And now, if someone's name check is delayed, then we say that everybody will have to go through it sometime in the later stage, so this issue should be on the fore-front of the list of issues.
I am slightly perplexed by the behavior of some members who seems to indicate that we are in some sort of race with one another. And these members seem to send out a message that says - if their issue is not listed as top priority goal then all other issues that IV is working to resolve or all the work being done by IV is worthless. I am slightly disturbed to read posts like the one from wam4wam which says that he/she hopes that bill is not passed till his/her name check is cleared.
This is a sincere request to everybody. If all that we think about is 'what's in it for me', then we cannot find commonality among ourselves. And thus no progress is possible. Know that with this thought process, nothing will happen.
IV is an organization made by people like you and me. If everybody's objective is to get to the next stage of green card process, know that we are not behaving like matured and "educated" class that we all claim to belong. Just reaching the next stage of the process is something like looking for instant gratification which actually doesn't help the cause or the complete green card process.
Most humbly, I would like to request you to post your experiences with how many people you have communicated about the efforts of IV? How many people you have convinced to join IV? What is the success rate? Were you able to persuade the people to contribute for this cause? Those things will help more than anything else. If IV is bigger and stronger, we can together address each and every issue. Ask yourself, how is it possible to continue to include more agendas and not come up with more helping hands and more resources and expect to succeed?
If you do not see a favorable post or see a post that doesn't contain something that you want to hear, please do not infer that nobody cares or as if no one is doing anything. That post may just express somebody's opinion. I must mention that everybody wants their agenda to be pushed to the top. If there is some sort of a debate from others in the forum, I see that group of people starts backing off and starts posting messages to communicate as if this forum or IV is not doing what it should; Or some people start posting messageas hoping that bill will not pass if their agenda is not addressed.....and on and on. Please let me share that this doesn't help anybody.
retrohato, Would you like to take the lead on making name check to the forefront and address it in every possible manner? IV needs sincere people like you who can spend time to do each task. We have very good ideas on how to approach this issue and find a solution to this issue. If you could please take the lead on this issue, know that name check is top priority of IV. I would request you to please call us at anytime convenient for you and express that you would like to work on this issue. We need people who are ready to take ownership of issues and are ready to deliver. Would you like to join this effort actively?
Just so that everybody know, Immigration Voice could include 'World Peace' as one of the agenda items. But just including something as Goal doesn't mean that it can be achieved. To achieve anything that is listed as goals or to meaningfully add anything to the goals we need more serious people and more resources. If you are interested to actively contribute, please call us and we will connect you to the larger group of people to team-up the work for this issue. It is ok if you are not able to participate actively. It would help if you could please encourage others to take up the responsibility. Just because people are not agreeing with you, posting negative or discouraging messages will not help anybody.
America is a great nation. That is why we want to stay here and want our GC sooner. JFK once said that 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country'. One of the reasons why America is Great is because of the people of this great nation delivered what JFK said. We all could learn from this and before making any claim to being part of the American fabric or before claiming to be from "educated" class, maybe we need to stop behaving in way that only sends out the message 'what's in it for me'.
spicy_guy
07-27 05:18 PM
Everest Consulting Group Inc is really good. I know them personally for more than 10 years now & they do what they say and do NOT torture their employees like many other consulting firms. I just got my GC thru them :)
I hope this helps somebody & please let me know if I can be any further help!
Thanks.
Ramesh.
Are you sure you are no way associated with them (of course, other than being a consultant to them)? ;)
I hope this helps somebody & please let me know if I can be any further help!
Thanks.
Ramesh.
Are you sure you are no way associated with them (of course, other than being a consultant to them)? ;)