Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Immigration Reform



As one news site put it: Today, it has become a necessity in politics in US to do immigration reform and make it a number one priority.

What does it mean to high-skilled immigrants who are waiting in line for years especially on EB3 and on EB2 ?

thehill.com has a very good news that: Republican Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) along with Democrat Senatorz Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are planning to introduce a high skilled immigration bill as early as today -- Immigration Innovation Act -- that would, among other things:

  • Remove the per country cap on employment based visa
  • Exempt folks from the green card cap who are
    • dependents of employment-based visa recipients
    • outstanding professors and researchers
    • graduates from U.S. universities with advanced degrees in STEM 
usatoday.com also has a very good news that: A bi-partisan group of 4 Republican Senators and 4 Democrat Senators have reached an agreement on Comprehensive Immigration Reform proposal that will affect both illegal and legal immigrants in US. Even though, the main focus here is to create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, looks like it has provisions for high skilled immigrants as well.

As with every bill, there is a long path ahead on these initiatives. But, it looks like a good start for all of us who are waiting in line for long time. It gives us something to look forward to and it gives us a hope it will become a law some time real soon with the current political climate.


To view the news on high-skilled immigration bill from The Hill -- Please Click Here

To view the news on CIR from USATODAY -- Please Click Here

25 comments:

  1. What would be the timeframe in which they will execute it? Will it be phased out?

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    Replies
    1. We cannot saying anything about the time frame in which it will be passed -- as it is a lengthy process. But, if a bill is introduced this week or in this congress, it has to be passed by end of 2014, else it will become invalid.

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    2. Thank you for the info.. Appreciate it..

      So, it will take 2 years atleast since senate,and both the parties have to reach agreement.

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    3. No... it can be as early as next week or it might not happen at all....

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    4. Ambals is correct. They're dealing with vote bank here. Its now or never.

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  2. Will there be a separate category for the STEM graduates and will it go through the same process that it does currently?
    Also, can we expect anything to happen soon or are we looking towards end of 2014?

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    Replies
    1. Yes... both the bills has separate clauses for STEM.... we need to wait and watch how it will become if and when it becomes law....

      It can be as early as next week.... but realistically end of the year....

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  3. 'bill from The Hill' seems to be an independent effort outside CIR. That makes me think it most certainly will not be approved by the president. A quite similar STEM bill was passed in the House around the end of last year but president and senate did not encourage it.
    We will have to rely on CIR. President has publicly announced that they will consider advanced graduate people. That will significantly reduce the backlog.

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    Replies
    1. That must be like 80-90% of the inventory. Of my so many friends on eb2/eb3 I know only one who has a BS from India and no education here.

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  4. First of all, great work Ambals in keeping the blog visitors informed of specific things they are interested in. In agreement with some of the folks here , my opinion is this bill will shot down due to the main focus on CIR , unless the clause about H1 cap increase might be approved up on amendment

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    Replies
    1. Actually you're right. The president rejected a proposal, just a few weeks/months back that would help eb2/eb3 saying that he would accept it only as a part of CIR. STEM bill will be rejected or will be in a coma like 3012. CIR is the one and only chance for us. Hopefully and as the proposal says will clear up eb2/eb3 before illegals.

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  5. I have a PD OF Sept 2012 EB2I and my wife is on H4 from last 2 years. I just got Canada PR for me and my wife. I was thinking of going to Canada and come back if reform passes. But was wondering, to get the entire GC again except I can retain previous PD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If reform passes this year or next year ( it has only 2 years time to pass or die ), all dates will be current. You can start a fresh GC. PD of 2012 Sept is no better date than a PD of 2014 to be honest. Without reform it will be 2018 when you actually get GC. Waiting for US residency is the most hopeless option one can have.

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    2. I would say don't leave for Canada as off yet. If you already have a job for you, your wife and its better than what you have here, then you should move to Canada. But if you're starting from scratch wait for a few months. This bill has to pass soon, within a few months or will be rejected. There wont be a lot of waiting.Once it passes it will take some time to clear the legal inventory, but the decision on the bill will come soon. My friends H1B was ending and he was about to leave in a month, leaving his baby and wife on student visa, so he could come back in Mar 2014. He decided to stay here until there's clarity. If the CIR is rejected, trust me you will not be alone getting out of here.

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    3. Thank you for your insights.Appreciate it

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    4. If the bill passes, wouldn't it bypass the PD Process completely? So, if anyone has worked in USA for few years and have a Job offer letter. Wouldn't that qualify for GC?

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    5. It does not say yet anything about changing PD process. it only says 2 things -
      1. separate lot of visas for US educated people
      2. removing country quota and also infusion of extra visas in the system to clear backlogs.
      Both the above processes will effectively keep all categories 'current' so they really dont need to worry about changing PD process. It will work perfectly for everyone.

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  6. Yaa, but if it becomes current. Question is for how many months will it remain Current? If I switch employers here and start PERM, I-140 again and the dates become current then one is stuck again. Its a decision making dilemma..

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  7. Frankly, if the bill passes there are some major proposals.
    1. Bring in unused Visa numbers from the 90's
    2. Only primary beneficiary should be counted for visa allocation

    Trust me, just these two things are enough to clear inventory completely. Yes, they may have something more specific for MS, PhD but the above 2 points should be enough for people who are in line.

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  8. Do any of you guys know if ead and ap renewal expense s are tax deductible ?

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  9. Does STEM apply only for people who has degree from US universities or does it apply also for people who has Masters from India?

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  10. Any latest news on this front

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  11. Nothing moved. This was all just a sham.

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  12. Any updates...??

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