hebbar77
09-10 06:42 PM
28.6% of 7% of 140,000 per quarter is 700 not 2450.
I greatly appreciate people doing visa number math. But guys, you are wasting your time. These guys dont do any math nor logic in the process.
I greatly appreciate people doing visa number math. But guys, you are wasting your time. These guys dont do any math nor logic in the process.
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tikka
07-18 03:04 PM
Yesterday I contributed $500 one time.
Today I have scheduled $50 per month as well.
Thanks!
Yes someone posted it on the funding drive too.
Thank you so much for your generous contribution.... :)
Today I have scheduled $50 per month as well.
Thanks!
Yes someone posted it on the funding drive too.
Thank you so much for your generous contribution.... :)
PD_Dec2002
06-02 08:35 PM
My interpretation of:
40 (2) PENDING AND APPROVED PETITIONS AND APPLICATIONS.�Petitions
41 for an employment-based visa filed for classification under
42 section 203(b)(1), (2), or (3) of the Immigration and Nationality
43 Act (as such provisions existed prior to the enactment of this
44 section) that were filed prior to the date of the introduction of
265
1 the and [I]were pending or approved at the
2 time of the effective date of this section, shall be treated as if
3 such provision remained effective and an approved petition may
4 serve as the basis for issuance of an immigrant visa. Aliens with
5 applications for a labor certification pursuant to section
6 212(a)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall
7 preserve the immigrant visa priority date accorded by the date
8 of filing of such labor certification application.
IMHO, the terms "pending" and "approved" are applicable only to I-140's filed before the date of introduction [May 15th 2007]. This is because there is no comma between the two terms "pending, or approved". This leads to only two scenarios:
1. I-140 applied before May 15th 2007, but is still pending as of the effective date [which could be Oct 1st 2008].
2. I-140 applied before May 15th 2007, and is approved as of the effective date [which could be Oct 1st 2008].
Only the two scenarios above are eligible to continue/file under the old system.
Thanks,
Jayant
40 (2) PENDING AND APPROVED PETITIONS AND APPLICATIONS.�Petitions
41 for an employment-based visa filed for classification under
42 section 203(b)(1), (2), or (3) of the Immigration and Nationality
43 Act (as such provisions existed prior to the enactment of this
44 section) that were filed prior to the date of the introduction of
265
1 the and [I]were pending or approved at the
2 time of the effective date of this section, shall be treated as if
3 such provision remained effective and an approved petition may
4 serve as the basis for issuance of an immigrant visa. Aliens with
5 applications for a labor certification pursuant to section
6 212(a)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall
7 preserve the immigrant visa priority date accorded by the date
8 of filing of such labor certification application.
IMHO, the terms "pending" and "approved" are applicable only to I-140's filed before the date of introduction [May 15th 2007]. This is because there is no comma between the two terms "pending, or approved". This leads to only two scenarios:
1. I-140 applied before May 15th 2007, but is still pending as of the effective date [which could be Oct 1st 2008].
2. I-140 applied before May 15th 2007, and is approved as of the effective date [which could be Oct 1st 2008].
Only the two scenarios above are eligible to continue/file under the old system.
Thanks,
Jayant
2011 PINK AND BLACK WEDDING AND
conundrum
09-10 11:48 AM
Same here - Masters from US, with PD 2006....Stilllllllllllllllll waiting!!!!!
I was reading an article handed over by my Lawyer sometime back - the whole GC process was designed to be completed in 6 mos. end-to-end.
This goes to show how outdated the process is, plus the resource crunch they may be facing at USCIS.
All in all - it's a black hole...only your 'karma' can get you out of it:)
Check my signature! I have a MS and PhD from here... be thankfully you are so far ahead with your processing!
I can understand your frustration, but try to empathize with guys who have PD before you and are stuck in this lousy system.
I was reading an article handed over by my Lawyer sometime back - the whole GC process was designed to be completed in 6 mos. end-to-end.
This goes to show how outdated the process is, plus the resource crunch they may be facing at USCIS.
All in all - it's a black hole...only your 'karma' can get you out of it:)
Check my signature! I have a MS and PhD from here... be thankfully you are so far ahead with your processing!
I can understand your frustration, but try to empathize with guys who have PD before you and are stuck in this lousy system.
more...
ivar
12-11 02:12 PM
There could be lots of folks who missed July 07 fiasco. For the people who were able to file during July 07 that EAD is working as good as green card for now.. wish we could. Here is my case if that makes you feel little better that there are lots of people who missed the boat, I Had approved labor with PD Mar 06 and I-140 and i changed my Job in Mar 07 because of issues with desi company. I never imagined that dates will become current in just three months.. :mad:
Now i am still waiting for my labor.. I recently got three years H1b extension. This extension seems like green card to me :o
I share your pain buddy.I also miss the July 2007 fiasco by 1 month due to my &^@#$% lawyer who took 1 year to apply for labor and kept me in dark .The most painful thing is to see my wife's frustration who inspite of job offers can't join becoz company does not want to sponsor.Just being optimistic is the only hope.
Now i am still waiting for my labor.. I recently got three years H1b extension. This extension seems like green card to me :o
I share your pain buddy.I also miss the July 2007 fiasco by 1 month due to my &^@#$% lawyer who took 1 year to apply for labor and kept me in dark .The most painful thing is to see my wife's frustration who inspite of job offers can't join becoz company does not want to sponsor.Just being optimistic is the only hope.
caliguy
09-09 03:05 AM
Good luck guys! Thanks for all the hard work each of you are putting in.
Transaction ID: 8NY02905F8401260H
Contributions so far: $440
Transaction ID: 8NY02905F8401260H
Contributions so far: $440
more...
GCKaMaara
02-23 04:34 PM
I am expecting about a year forward movement for EB2 India in April 2009 bulletin.
I hope they move EB3 India to 16-Oct-2001 :)
I hope they move EB3 India to 16-Oct-2001 :)
2010 or hot pink for contrast.
chisinau
08-01 11:21 PM
What do you mean???
more...
JunRN
09-29 01:29 AM
If USCIS waste another 11,000 visas this year...it is equivalent to one year visas for one country (9,800 EB visas per country per year)....can you imagine that?
The problem is compounded because applicants who supposedly got the visa this year would get the visa allocation from FY2008. That visa number could have been yours....or mine....
The problem is compounded because applicants who supposedly got the visa this year would get the visa allocation from FY2008. That visa number could have been yours....or mine....
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pappu
07-18 11:59 AM
IV action alert $50 per month recurring contribution drive.
Dear IV members,
IV has had its first big success this year and we should all be proud of what we can all do. We worked hard and left no stone unturned to get this relief for our members. During the last few days there has been some movement on the National Defense Authorization Act and work on DREAM and SKIL provisions. While we were fully focused on the 485 relief, we did not lose sight of the developments. We have built a positive momentum and have been getting positive signals from key lawmakers. It is now upto us how we can seize the opportunity and focus on the lobbying efforts on legislative front. After seeing the overwhelming support of our members we are also encouraged to move ahead with full steam and explore the possibility of our provisions in the upcoming legislative activities. We also need to explore any other future movement on legislative front. Please join us in this struggle by signing up for $50 or more per month recurring contributions. This minimum amount is important for us to accomplish the kind of results we all desire. The failure of CIR and the political climate against immigration are making the task difficult but not impossible.
Monthly $50 sign ups will enable us to have a better idea on the funds for the coming months and we can plan our efforts better.
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=44
Thanks again for your continued support.
IV team
P.S. After our success with the visa bulletin, our opponents, other organizations and people in DC know that IV has arrived. Congrats everyone.
=========================
" Kapoor says he has spent about $64,000 of his own money in the last 19 months, largely on travel to and from Washington."
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jul2007/db20070718_012859.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index _businessweek+exclusives
========================
Message from Pappu:
Yes this is not a typo. This is true. Aman has made more financial sacrifices and time sacrifices than anyone else. Not a single penny has been reimbursed to him for his trips to DC, food and stay in DC or car rental in DC. He even risked his job and went to DC on unpaid leave at critical times because lobbying was important for getting our work done. We in the core team know this and when we see the kind of contributions we get from members, we feel disappointed that our efforts are not valued. When we started the $20 contributions people felt $20 was too high and wanted $10 per month or less. The kind of work and effort that is needed to push a single provision is phenomenal and needs lot of capital. The more the better. Sometimes reading posts that say IV core is selfish also disappoints us. People do not know the effort that goes in getting anything done. This website is simply a tool for us to communicate to everyone. The big effort is the lobbying work. We hope the Buisnessweek article helps people realize our hard work and people value it by contributing to it and helping us in all action items.
Dear IV members,
IV has had its first big success this year and we should all be proud of what we can all do. We worked hard and left no stone unturned to get this relief for our members. During the last few days there has been some movement on the National Defense Authorization Act and work on DREAM and SKIL provisions. While we were fully focused on the 485 relief, we did not lose sight of the developments. We have built a positive momentum and have been getting positive signals from key lawmakers. It is now upto us how we can seize the opportunity and focus on the lobbying efforts on legislative front. After seeing the overwhelming support of our members we are also encouraged to move ahead with full steam and explore the possibility of our provisions in the upcoming legislative activities. We also need to explore any other future movement on legislative front. Please join us in this struggle by signing up for $50 or more per month recurring contributions. This minimum amount is important for us to accomplish the kind of results we all desire. The failure of CIR and the political climate against immigration are making the task difficult but not impossible.
Monthly $50 sign ups will enable us to have a better idea on the funds for the coming months and we can plan our efforts better.
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=44
Thanks again for your continued support.
IV team
P.S. After our success with the visa bulletin, our opponents, other organizations and people in DC know that IV has arrived. Congrats everyone.
=========================
" Kapoor says he has spent about $64,000 of his own money in the last 19 months, largely on travel to and from Washington."
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jul2007/db20070718_012859.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index _businessweek+exclusives
========================
Message from Pappu:
Yes this is not a typo. This is true. Aman has made more financial sacrifices and time sacrifices than anyone else. Not a single penny has been reimbursed to him for his trips to DC, food and stay in DC or car rental in DC. He even risked his job and went to DC on unpaid leave at critical times because lobbying was important for getting our work done. We in the core team know this and when we see the kind of contributions we get from members, we feel disappointed that our efforts are not valued. When we started the $20 contributions people felt $20 was too high and wanted $10 per month or less. The kind of work and effort that is needed to push a single provision is phenomenal and needs lot of capital. The more the better. Sometimes reading posts that say IV core is selfish also disappoints us. People do not know the effort that goes in getting anything done. This website is simply a tool for us to communicate to everyone. The big effort is the lobbying work. We hope the Buisnessweek article helps people realize our hard work and people value it by contributing to it and helping us in all action items.
more...
rockstart
07-11 08:07 AM
Is it really EB2 = 1 June 2006 . I cant beleive my eyes
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usirit
11-18 12:06 AM
I am an H1B holder in Indianapolis, IN processing GC on EB3 -actually my EAD (PERM) is 'In Process'; my wife and 3 under age kids are H4s... a couple of months ago we had to update our address in our 2 DL & 5 IDs... of course I am the only holder of a SSN so no problems getting the renewal of my DL & ID. After getting a numident report from the SSA for my daughters and wife... there were no issues generating IDs for the kids... but according to BMV withouth a SSN my wife's DL won't be updated and it will be suspended in 30 days. How she got a license before (for 3 years) and now she can't...? Is there anyway to obtain a DL in Indiana being a legal H4? I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!!
more...
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Nibiru
09-02 08:39 AM
Came here in 98. Applied in 2003. Waiting ever since. Had enough of this BS. I was ok until they started screwing around with EAD's and AP's this year. Recently, got a a couple of offers in India ranging from 30 - 45 lac / yr. Thinking of going back. Its not worth waiting in this line anymore.
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xyzgc
02-08 01:50 PM
Hi,
I been a member of IV for a long time and just to keep myself anonymous for a while I created this account. I am so sorry for opening a thread in a completely irrelevant forum but I have no idea what to do. So, I request all the members to please help me by providing some kind of information.
Here is my story:
I came to US in 2002 and completed masters and been working since then. I got married couple of years ago. Whatever the monetary gifts the girls parents gave as part of the marriage, I put all that in an account on the girls name within 2 days of the marriage. We came to India and from then on the problems started. She and her parents want me to separate from my parents and support their family by sending money to their parents which I couldn't do. How can I leave my parents in their old age when they worked very hard to give a decent life. She has been harassing me mentally for this all the time. Recently her parents have been threatening me saying they will file dowry case in India if I don't send money or cut myself off from my parents. I provided for the girl in all possible ways, even encouraged her to join school to get a masters degree which she stopped soon. We had a baby recently and my parents visited us to help us with the baby. She started harassing them too by saying something or other.
I am very frustrated at this situation and I don't know what to do. I am on H1B and applied for 485 too. At times I feel like applying for divorce but when I think about my little baby I am not able to take that step. The house we currently live in, I bought long before the marriage. It came to a situation where we cannot live together. I cannot ask her to go out of the house because she doesn't have anywhere to go and with the baby even if she leaves, it will be very tough. I said I will leave the house and stay in a apartment for which she threatens to commit suicide. So, I don't know what to do. I am worried about my baby because between all this my baby's life will be spoiled and I don't want that. Can anyone please tell me what I can do in this matter?
Thank you very much for taking time to read this.
When you hear incidents like this, its always like "girls are too much". On the contrary, when we hear of wives being beaten up by "educated husbands" boys are too much. This is all silly really.
I have heard some indian females complaining all the time how males tend to dominate everywhere its not really true. In a relationship, anyone could be a dominant partner - male or female. Dominance also means responsibility and taking initiative. So its not all that bad. And it is certainly not a male prerogative!!
Your case is a clear case of "external interference". Divorce is not a solution to cases like these. Its not like you are not getting along. You relationship is spoiled due to unwanted interference. Convince your wife that you and her always come first. You cannot make your parents happy at the cost of displeasing her and also the other way round.
Stop trying to diplomatic and stop being a family-pleaser. If you don't like something, say it clear and upfront rather than pussy footing around it. I found that diplomacy does not work at all. It only sends wrong signals and eventually you end up putting a firm foot down, anyways.
Get rid of the elders from your life. It means don't allow parents/siblings from either sides to interfere at all in any decision making. Get the inputs but make it clear its a joint decision made by husband-wife and they have no say in it. Don't allow your parents/in-laws to stay with you more than bare minimum necessary for the new-born.
If it means making some career sacrifices, so be it. Its your baby and you need to take care of it finally.
Retrospect - analyze what has gone wrong. Today, you find your wife is all wrong and you are all right but when you do the retrospect you'll find its not like that, in fact its never like that. Humans make mistakes and we must accept that.
Stop sending money to parents and in-laws, if its possible. Otherwise, maintain parity by sending money in small amounts to both parents. Its stupid to say my wife is not working so she has no business to send money to her parents. Its so wrong and I'm surprised folks can think like this. Marriage is about sharing and even a child will tell you that. If the in-laws are any sensible they won't accept gifts from the son-in-law but its for them to decide.And stop receiving any gifts from either sides.
If you are in the US, don't go to your home country unless its an absolute must. I found that every time I go there family and relatives end up giving tons of unsolicited advice. The intentions are good but I have to keep saying no (diplomacy doesn't work at all) and that gets very annoying eventually.
Finally, if you have a career oriented working wife there are advantages to it. Its better to work instead of being a hopeless housewife.
Yes, it also means you can't take things for granted but that's no reason you should end up with a sweet, traditional house wife who'll no longer be that way when hopelessness sets in.
I been a member of IV for a long time and just to keep myself anonymous for a while I created this account. I am so sorry for opening a thread in a completely irrelevant forum but I have no idea what to do. So, I request all the members to please help me by providing some kind of information.
Here is my story:
I came to US in 2002 and completed masters and been working since then. I got married couple of years ago. Whatever the monetary gifts the girls parents gave as part of the marriage, I put all that in an account on the girls name within 2 days of the marriage. We came to India and from then on the problems started. She and her parents want me to separate from my parents and support their family by sending money to their parents which I couldn't do. How can I leave my parents in their old age when they worked very hard to give a decent life. She has been harassing me mentally for this all the time. Recently her parents have been threatening me saying they will file dowry case in India if I don't send money or cut myself off from my parents. I provided for the girl in all possible ways, even encouraged her to join school to get a masters degree which she stopped soon. We had a baby recently and my parents visited us to help us with the baby. She started harassing them too by saying something or other.
I am very frustrated at this situation and I don't know what to do. I am on H1B and applied for 485 too. At times I feel like applying for divorce but when I think about my little baby I am not able to take that step. The house we currently live in, I bought long before the marriage. It came to a situation where we cannot live together. I cannot ask her to go out of the house because she doesn't have anywhere to go and with the baby even if she leaves, it will be very tough. I said I will leave the house and stay in a apartment for which she threatens to commit suicide. So, I don't know what to do. I am worried about my baby because between all this my baby's life will be spoiled and I don't want that. Can anyone please tell me what I can do in this matter?
Thank you very much for taking time to read this.
When you hear incidents like this, its always like "girls are too much". On the contrary, when we hear of wives being beaten up by "educated husbands" boys are too much. This is all silly really.
I have heard some indian females complaining all the time how males tend to dominate everywhere its not really true. In a relationship, anyone could be a dominant partner - male or female. Dominance also means responsibility and taking initiative. So its not all that bad. And it is certainly not a male prerogative!!
Your case is a clear case of "external interference". Divorce is not a solution to cases like these. Its not like you are not getting along. You relationship is spoiled due to unwanted interference. Convince your wife that you and her always come first. You cannot make your parents happy at the cost of displeasing her and also the other way round.
Stop trying to diplomatic and stop being a family-pleaser. If you don't like something, say it clear and upfront rather than pussy footing around it. I found that diplomacy does not work at all. It only sends wrong signals and eventually you end up putting a firm foot down, anyways.
Get rid of the elders from your life. It means don't allow parents/siblings from either sides to interfere at all in any decision making. Get the inputs but make it clear its a joint decision made by husband-wife and they have no say in it. Don't allow your parents/in-laws to stay with you more than bare minimum necessary for the new-born.
If it means making some career sacrifices, so be it. Its your baby and you need to take care of it finally.
Retrospect - analyze what has gone wrong. Today, you find your wife is all wrong and you are all right but when you do the retrospect you'll find its not like that, in fact its never like that. Humans make mistakes and we must accept that.
Stop sending money to parents and in-laws, if its possible. Otherwise, maintain parity by sending money in small amounts to both parents. Its stupid to say my wife is not working so she has no business to send money to her parents. Its so wrong and I'm surprised folks can think like this. Marriage is about sharing and even a child will tell you that. If the in-laws are any sensible they won't accept gifts from the son-in-law but its for them to decide.And stop receiving any gifts from either sides.
If you are in the US, don't go to your home country unless its an absolute must. I found that every time I go there family and relatives end up giving tons of unsolicited advice. The intentions are good but I have to keep saying no (diplomacy doesn't work at all) and that gets very annoying eventually.
Finally, if you have a career oriented working wife there are advantages to it. Its better to work instead of being a hopeless housewife.
Yes, it also means you can't take things for granted but that's no reason you should end up with a sweet, traditional house wife who'll no longer be that way when hopelessness sets in.
more...
pictures Black And Hot Pink Wedding
logiclife
07-05 05:07 PM
Spoke to Congresswoman Office personnel in CA . Congresswoman Eshoo office staff and Congresswoman Lofgren office staff. Going to contact Senator Clinton. I had contributed towards her Presidential Campaign.
Going to meet Congress Congresswoman Eshoo staff next week.
Do you have your 485 approved ? If not, you are not supposed to contribute to any political campaigns. You have to be a GC holder or citizen to contribute to political campaigns. Its illegal otherwise.
Going to meet Congress Congresswoman Eshoo staff next week.
Do you have your 485 approved ? If not, you are not supposed to contribute to any political campaigns. You have to be a GC holder or citizen to contribute to political campaigns. Its illegal otherwise.
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anurakt
12-18 02:31 PM
I have been wanting to post this for the last few days and was happy to read this thread.........can we do something like an Immigrant's Boycott Day or something where we should do a mass boycott all over the country.....we need to coordinate this across the entire country and do a gandhi style protest.....but we need atleast maybe 1000 people per city to do it.....I am not sure how difficult it is to get that many people.....but that seems to be the only way to create an Impact.......WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR EMPLOYERS FEEL THE IMPACT OF NOT HAVING US FOREIGN WORKERS.....THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS EXPLOITATION........its like when all the mexican farmers stopped working on the strawberry farms.....there were no strawberries in the market....I am in the Detroit, MI area.... we need to come up with a list of big cities where we can get 1000 people per city.
Hit them where it hurts the most.
Ok I will sound negative....but I find this funny that we are not able to make up numbers in state chapters and talking about mass boycott. Guys to make these ideas work, we need to have a strong network to execute. Members on the ground ...have we achieved this , no ...Gandhi had millions of followers to acheive what he acheived , he didn't do it alone..... are u a Gandhi even for your state ?
Hit them where it hurts the most.
Ok I will sound negative....but I find this funny that we are not able to make up numbers in state chapters and talking about mass boycott. Guys to make these ideas work, we need to have a strong network to execute. Members on the ground ...have we achieved this , no ...Gandhi had millions of followers to acheive what he acheived , he didn't do it alone..... are u a Gandhi even for your state ?
more...
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9years
11-30 02:05 PM
Just noticed there is an update on LUD on my previous EAD (not the current one). Not sure what that means though. Still waiting for response after sending interfiling letter.
Thank you for the update. I don't have any updates or LUDs. Best of luck to you.
Thank you for the update. I don't have any updates or LUDs. Best of luck to you.
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vpadman
01-14 10:29 PM
I have received a mail from USCIS regarding the emergency AP. They want evidence regarding this emergency AP.
I am getting this for business travel and will get a letter from my company. However, is there any specific format to this letter?
If any of you have obtained an AP for business travel, please advise.
Thanks
I am getting this for business travel and will get a letter from my company. However, is there any specific format to this letter?
If any of you have obtained an AP for business travel, please advise.
Thanks
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gsvisu
07-13 05:07 PM
My 2.5 Cents.
We need to start a Letter Campaign next.
A focussed uniform format with some lead from IV. But now focus on San Jose,CA's rally efforts.
We need to start a Letter Campaign next.
A focussed uniform format with some lead from IV. But now focus on San Jose,CA's rally efforts.
ksach
02-12 02:56 AM
it means freedom and a respect for my education, my skills and my hard work.
read my story below.
-------------------------------------------------------
America, the land of opportunity and freedom.
These days when I hear America being any of the above, I usually
sneer. 6 long years have thought me not to accept everything I hear.
Back home, I had respect. I had a good education and a great job. I
got an education from the best schools and the best colleges. I worked
for a big multi-national with a big fat salary and lots of
opportunities to travel to countries on work. I was a success. But I
wanted to be more. I wanted to be global. I wanted to work in a
different country for sometime. I loved seeing different cultures,
seeing different places; I wanted to see the world. Thats when the
offer for a job in the US came. I took it up because I could see the
US of A, the land of the free, the land of opportunity, the land of
the Cisco's and Microsofts and more importantly, the land of dreams. I
thought a couple of years working away from home would do me no harm.
Boy, was I wrong!!!!
The first few years in my new country of residence were difficult. I
worked for a startup with its crazy hours and insane schedules. Far
from seeing new places, I was busy at work. But I did not complain. I
liked the work and the company's passion to create something new. No
longer was I working on the junk companies outsource to third world
companies. I was working on the actual product, creating something
that was not done before, something I could be proud off. I was busy
at work, but it was not difficult to notice something, the Americans
worked hard, the people with green card worked harder, but the people
on H1-B worked hardest. I guess, the people on H1B had the most to
lose. But I did not give a hoot. I had a product to deliver. I never
had the time to think about my green card. I still wanted to go back
to my country, maybe not right now, but I wanted to. Right now, my
work was my priority and I would concentrate on that.
Slowly the years went by, and unknowningly I started seeing the
American Dream. I got a new car and expensive clothes, I started going
out with my friends, visited new places, and more importantly I
stopped feeling homesick. The apartment I shared with my friends was
my new home. So when my company asked me if they could do my green
card, I readily agreed.
I should have seen the signs. There were many of them; but I chose to
ignore. I should have know that people are exploited when I heard a
top executive at my company say once that he expects everyone to work
long hours and weekends because we had no options. The job market
outside was bad and none of us could find jobs. I should have known
that my cultural background mattered when the girl at the Albertson's
counter did not even look up to me, but was very friendly with all the
Americans ahead of me, or when an office colleauge introduced his girl
friend to all americans but ignored the Indians. I chose to ignore all
this, because I thought it does not affect me. As long as I did my
work or followed the rule of the land, nothing else mattered. I was
wrong again.
Two things changed in 2005. My company went down and I got married. I
was on H1B and had to find a job soon. I was already at the end of my
H1B tenure so not many companies were interested. That is when I
realized the disadvantage of being on an H1B. It did not matter that
my resume was impressive. My H1B status was more important than my
skill set. It it did not matter that I had already spent a lot years
in this country and my green card had been filed. It was hard finding
a job that would sponsor my H1B and my green card again. I did manage
to find one. But I was not lucky on my home front. My wife could not
work because she was on a dependent visa. She had given up a career in
India to be with me, but reality hit soon when she started getting
bored. She kept herself busy with books, TV and cooking. And life went
on, hoping that we would get our green card soon and we would be free
again. Free to find a job of my liking for me, and free to do any job
for my wife.
Its Feb 2007 now and there's still no sign of the green card. I
stopped hoping for one. I dont care for one. All I care for now is my
wife to be able to work in something she likes within any legal
boundaries.
Its been a long time since I legally came to this country. I was young
and succesful then. And now as I cross another anniversary of my
landing in the US, I reflect upon what I have gained. I have gained a
big bank balance, a good car, a good lifestyle. What have I lost -
plenty. I have lost my career, my freedom, my health, my marriage and
my family. I have been stuck in the same job for many many years while
all my friends have climbed up the corporate ladder back home in
India. Its not easy working on an H1B. My marriage has suffered
because my wife is unhappy that she cannot work, she's close to a
breakdown, my health has suffered because of all the thinking, and my
parents have sufferred because I have not been able to take care of
them. I never have cried so much at my helplessness as I have cried in
the last one year.
One thing I have realized about the US is that it is no different than
any country. Like any other country, the exploitable are always
exploited. (The big companies are not willing to fight for the welfare
of their employees. They fight to get more people into the country to
exploit.) Like any other country, the only thing that gets politicians
excited is money and votes. (Why do we need so money to lobby the
politicians? Isn't freedom and justice reasons good enough?) Like any
other country, it discriminates between the have and the have nots. It
is a country that has no respect for people. (Ask anyone who goes for
a visa stamping in the US embassy in India. I have seen old people and
ladies with small kids spend hours in the hot Chennai Sun to enter the
embassy for an appointment, just to be spoken rudely by the Visa
office. There was not even a shelter outside to block the sun. I have
never seen people turn into US haters so soon). It is a country that
wants our brains, but is not willing to show a heart.
Some people may argue that I have the freedom to quit my job and go
back to my country. But that is not freedom enough. I want the freedom
to choose when I want to go back. Its not easy to pack 8 years of your
life in a jiffy. Its not easy to pack 8 years of your life into 2
suitcases. Neither is it easy to restart your life in a different
place, even if its your own. It reminds me of an Indian saying -
"dhobi ka kutta - na ghar ka, na ghat ka". It means, a washerman's dog
belongs neither to the house nor the river banks. Thats me in a
nutshell, a "dhobi ka kutta."; a washerman's dog!!!
ps: I love this country as much as I love my own. But I wish this country loved me back as well.
read my story below.
-------------------------------------------------------
America, the land of opportunity and freedom.
These days when I hear America being any of the above, I usually
sneer. 6 long years have thought me not to accept everything I hear.
Back home, I had respect. I had a good education and a great job. I
got an education from the best schools and the best colleges. I worked
for a big multi-national with a big fat salary and lots of
opportunities to travel to countries on work. I was a success. But I
wanted to be more. I wanted to be global. I wanted to work in a
different country for sometime. I loved seeing different cultures,
seeing different places; I wanted to see the world. Thats when the
offer for a job in the US came. I took it up because I could see the
US of A, the land of the free, the land of opportunity, the land of
the Cisco's and Microsofts and more importantly, the land of dreams. I
thought a couple of years working away from home would do me no harm.
Boy, was I wrong!!!!
The first few years in my new country of residence were difficult. I
worked for a startup with its crazy hours and insane schedules. Far
from seeing new places, I was busy at work. But I did not complain. I
liked the work and the company's passion to create something new. No
longer was I working on the junk companies outsource to third world
companies. I was working on the actual product, creating something
that was not done before, something I could be proud off. I was busy
at work, but it was not difficult to notice something, the Americans
worked hard, the people with green card worked harder, but the people
on H1-B worked hardest. I guess, the people on H1B had the most to
lose. But I did not give a hoot. I had a product to deliver. I never
had the time to think about my green card. I still wanted to go back
to my country, maybe not right now, but I wanted to. Right now, my
work was my priority and I would concentrate on that.
Slowly the years went by, and unknowningly I started seeing the
American Dream. I got a new car and expensive clothes, I started going
out with my friends, visited new places, and more importantly I
stopped feeling homesick. The apartment I shared with my friends was
my new home. So when my company asked me if they could do my green
card, I readily agreed.
I should have seen the signs. There were many of them; but I chose to
ignore. I should have know that people are exploited when I heard a
top executive at my company say once that he expects everyone to work
long hours and weekends because we had no options. The job market
outside was bad and none of us could find jobs. I should have known
that my cultural background mattered when the girl at the Albertson's
counter did not even look up to me, but was very friendly with all the
Americans ahead of me, or when an office colleauge introduced his girl
friend to all americans but ignored the Indians. I chose to ignore all
this, because I thought it does not affect me. As long as I did my
work or followed the rule of the land, nothing else mattered. I was
wrong again.
Two things changed in 2005. My company went down and I got married. I
was on H1B and had to find a job soon. I was already at the end of my
H1B tenure so not many companies were interested. That is when I
realized the disadvantage of being on an H1B. It did not matter that
my resume was impressive. My H1B status was more important than my
skill set. It it did not matter that I had already spent a lot years
in this country and my green card had been filed. It was hard finding
a job that would sponsor my H1B and my green card again. I did manage
to find one. But I was not lucky on my home front. My wife could not
work because she was on a dependent visa. She had given up a career in
India to be with me, but reality hit soon when she started getting
bored. She kept herself busy with books, TV and cooking. And life went
on, hoping that we would get our green card soon and we would be free
again. Free to find a job of my liking for me, and free to do any job
for my wife.
Its Feb 2007 now and there's still no sign of the green card. I
stopped hoping for one. I dont care for one. All I care for now is my
wife to be able to work in something she likes within any legal
boundaries.
Its been a long time since I legally came to this country. I was young
and succesful then. And now as I cross another anniversary of my
landing in the US, I reflect upon what I have gained. I have gained a
big bank balance, a good car, a good lifestyle. What have I lost -
plenty. I have lost my career, my freedom, my health, my marriage and
my family. I have been stuck in the same job for many many years while
all my friends have climbed up the corporate ladder back home in
India. Its not easy working on an H1B. My marriage has suffered
because my wife is unhappy that she cannot work, she's close to a
breakdown, my health has suffered because of all the thinking, and my
parents have sufferred because I have not been able to take care of
them. I never have cried so much at my helplessness as I have cried in
the last one year.
One thing I have realized about the US is that it is no different than
any country. Like any other country, the exploitable are always
exploited. (The big companies are not willing to fight for the welfare
of their employees. They fight to get more people into the country to
exploit.) Like any other country, the only thing that gets politicians
excited is money and votes. (Why do we need so money to lobby the
politicians? Isn't freedom and justice reasons good enough?) Like any
other country, it discriminates between the have and the have nots. It
is a country that has no respect for people. (Ask anyone who goes for
a visa stamping in the US embassy in India. I have seen old people and
ladies with small kids spend hours in the hot Chennai Sun to enter the
embassy for an appointment, just to be spoken rudely by the Visa
office. There was not even a shelter outside to block the sun. I have
never seen people turn into US haters so soon). It is a country that
wants our brains, but is not willing to show a heart.
Some people may argue that I have the freedom to quit my job and go
back to my country. But that is not freedom enough. I want the freedom
to choose when I want to go back. Its not easy to pack 8 years of your
life in a jiffy. Its not easy to pack 8 years of your life into 2
suitcases. Neither is it easy to restart your life in a different
place, even if its your own. It reminds me of an Indian saying -
"dhobi ka kutta - na ghar ka, na ghat ka". It means, a washerman's dog
belongs neither to the house nor the river banks. Thats me in a
nutshell, a "dhobi ka kutta."; a washerman's dog!!!
ps: I love this country as much as I love my own. But I wish this country loved me back as well.
csriram45
09-09 05:59 PM
Came to US in Aug 1997. My first company start up closed in 2002 recession and so joined another which by the time started the process etc.. delayed till Sep 2004 PD with EB3.
13 years in the US and waiting....
13 years in the US and waiting....
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