willigetagc
08-23 02:34 PM
My 2 paisa ( though it has no value anymore anywhere)
First and foremost we have to realize that we are fee paying customers to USCIS. We have a right to demand better customer service. The reports and other kind of data they are releasing currently is an insult to the high skilled immigrant community. It is time we call out that the king (USCIS) has no clothes. They have been feeding us garbage disguised as reports and offical data. Anybody with a high school degree would say that the reports and data provided have zero value since they are not complete.
How do we get the right kind of information from USCIS?
Here are the steps
a) Send letters to the Dept chief asking for the data we need and wait for 3-4 weeks for a response. ( Data we should ask for, apps pending with PD's and EB category for every month starting from 1998)
b) Send another letter to the President and copy USCIS chief on that. Wait for another 3-4 weeks
c) If we do not get any satisfactory information after the previous 2 steps and 2 months of waiting, we should do a relay protest in DC and in front of all the USCIS centers until they provide us with the exact data.
By doing this we woould have put enough spotlight on USCIS and also our problmes would have got enough coverage in the media. From here we can try and work with the various agencies to push for our other agendas. Now we will have a clearer picture of what the situation is and ask for the right things. At the same time the agencies will have the better information with them to look in to our issues.
Comments are welcome.
CIS is answerable to nobody. While they will be more responsive to complaints and suggestions at a broad level, individual case processing is something that can't be controlled.
It is a problem of ridiculous amount of power in the hands of people who can't handle it - the IOs. They can do anything. It is not hard for them to justify saying the older cases are complex, whereas in reality, it might a case of plain laziness to go fetch the case files.
So, if they are processing at random, there is nothing we can do except zip up, pray and wait for luck to turn our way.
my $0.02 worth.
First and foremost we have to realize that we are fee paying customers to USCIS. We have a right to demand better customer service. The reports and other kind of data they are releasing currently is an insult to the high skilled immigrant community. It is time we call out that the king (USCIS) has no clothes. They have been feeding us garbage disguised as reports and offical data. Anybody with a high school degree would say that the reports and data provided have zero value since they are not complete.
How do we get the right kind of information from USCIS?
Here are the steps
a) Send letters to the Dept chief asking for the data we need and wait for 3-4 weeks for a response. ( Data we should ask for, apps pending with PD's and EB category for every month starting from 1998)
b) Send another letter to the President and copy USCIS chief on that. Wait for another 3-4 weeks
c) If we do not get any satisfactory information after the previous 2 steps and 2 months of waiting, we should do a relay protest in DC and in front of all the USCIS centers until they provide us with the exact data.
By doing this we woould have put enough spotlight on USCIS and also our problmes would have got enough coverage in the media. From here we can try and work with the various agencies to push for our other agendas. Now we will have a clearer picture of what the situation is and ask for the right things. At the same time the agencies will have the better information with them to look in to our issues.
Comments are welcome.
CIS is answerable to nobody. While they will be more responsive to complaints and suggestions at a broad level, individual case processing is something that can't be controlled.
It is a problem of ridiculous amount of power in the hands of people who can't handle it - the IOs. They can do anything. It is not hard for them to justify saying the older cases are complex, whereas in reality, it might a case of plain laziness to go fetch the case files.
So, if they are processing at random, there is nothing we can do except zip up, pray and wait for luck to turn our way.
my $0.02 worth.
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nk2006
05-02 11:37 AM
Where is the relief for foreign educated professional who is filed under EB3.
They seem to exempt only for extraordinary ability ppl.
Section 201 item two says exemption for all advanced degree holder who worked in US for atleast 3 years in a "related" field. I know there might be issues with definition of "related" but seems job can be EB2/EB3 as long as the beneficiary has an advanced degree and the job is in related field - they are exempt. Am I reading it correctly? I think is how its in STEM right now. A very good back bill for us (if CIR fails to materialize).
They seem to exempt only for extraordinary ability ppl.
Section 201 item two says exemption for all advanced degree holder who worked in US for atleast 3 years in a "related" field. I know there might be issues with definition of "related" but seems job can be EB2/EB3 as long as the beneficiary has an advanced degree and the job is in related field - they are exempt. Am I reading it correctly? I think is how its in STEM right now. A very good back bill for us (if CIR fails to materialize).
sina
11-18 02:53 PM
Sent the email and received email from John Kerry. I donated $100 this afternoon and still do not have access to the Donor Forum? Is there anything more to get access?
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CADude
05-23 05:13 PM
I webfax and send email to CA Senetor.
more...
simplyforjunk
08-15 06:31 PM
Hi,
My I140 was approved from TSC, and 485 sent to NSC (delivered on Jul 24, 2007). Still no receipt, but I140 has the LUD as Jul 28, 2007. Just hope that this means transfer to TSC on Jul 28. Any opinions?
Thanks
My I140 was approved from TSC, and 485 sent to NSC (delivered on Jul 24, 2007). Still no receipt, but I140 has the LUD as Jul 28, 2007. Just hope that this means transfer to TSC on Jul 28. Any opinions?
Thanks
ArunAntonio
07-09 03:01 PM
I think we have list of email ids of the reporters of various newspapers somewhere in the threads, if we post that list here people can mail them about this effort. Any one have that list?
more...
diptam
06-22 03:46 PM
Giving Pay stubs instead of FUTURE employment letter ?
That may be a RFE and then eventually you have to give that letter and do more bargaining with your employer...
Generally speaking two recent pay stubs are sufficient to verify that you remain with the same employer. It is possible that if your petition is pending for more than 10 or 12 months, either a job offer letter or additional pay stubs will be requested.
That may be a RFE and then eventually you have to give that letter and do more bargaining with your employer...
Generally speaking two recent pay stubs are sufficient to verify that you remain with the same employer. It is possible that if your petition is pending for more than 10 or 12 months, either a job offer letter or additional pay stubs will be requested.
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FinalGC
07-09 02:06 PM
Yes, that is understood.
The question is if one has worked as a contractor and got a employment RFE and the company provided a letter stating a full time consultant job, has USCIS rejected such a response?
Answer is NO.
The question is if one has worked as a contractor and got a employment RFE and the company provided a letter stating a full time consultant job, has USCIS rejected such a response?
Answer is NO.
more...
rock945
06-11 10:52 PM
I mailed mine on May 25 and up to now I haven't gotten anything yet. My lawyer mailed it to NSC and since my I-140 is pending with the TSC, my lawyer said they will just forward it there. It's taking too long. Anybody in the same boat as I am?
I was under the impression that you cannot file before June 1st..
I was under the impression that you cannot file before June 1st..
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cheg
08-28 11:24 PM
Rec'd By: R.Williams on July 6
No checks cashed yet according to lawyer
No checks cashed yet according to lawyer
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dks
06-22 09:09 AM
Stop pushing for a comprehensive relief and turning into a kind of Skil solution
(Only for a few, privileged minority, an elite), I.V. will be able to organize meetings in a phone booth!
Why dont we include the illegals in our plan. Now thats what is called comprehensive. A football stadium with people standing outside is what you get.
(Only for a few, privileged minority, an elite), I.V. will be able to organize meetings in a phone booth!
Why dont we include the illegals in our plan. Now thats what is called comprehensive. A football stadium with people standing outside is what you get.
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breddy2000
09-09 11:32 PM
Think its more along the lines of its smart to be illegal under current circumstances :cool:
THIS IS AN EYE OPENER......
Joe Legal vs. Jose Illegal
Here is an example of why hiring illegal aliens is not economically productive for US
You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal". Both families have two parents, two children and live inCalifornia.
Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security number, and makes $25 an hour with payroll taxesdeducted.
Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security number, and gets paid $15 an hour cash "under the table".
Joe Legal is paid $25 an hour times 40 hours for $1000 per week, $52,000 per year. Now take 30% away for State and Federal taxes and Joe Legal now has $31,231.
Jose Illegal is paid $15 an hour times 40 hours for $600 per week, $31,200 per year. But Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.
Joe Legal pays $1,000 per month for medical and dental insurance with limited coverage or $12,000 per year. Joe Legal now has $19,231.
Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.
Joe Legal makes too much money is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $1,000 per month for food or $12,000 per year. Joe Legal now has $ 7,231.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,000 per month or $12,000 per year. Joe Legal is now in the hole at -$4,769.
Jose Illegal receives a $500 per month Federal rent subsidy and pays rent at $500 per month or $6,000 per year. Jose Illegal still has $25,200.
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part-time job after work.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.
THIS IS AN EYE OPENER......
Joe Legal vs. Jose Illegal
Here is an example of why hiring illegal aliens is not economically productive for US
You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal". Both families have two parents, two children and live inCalifornia.
Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security number, and makes $25 an hour with payroll taxesdeducted.
Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security number, and gets paid $15 an hour cash "under the table".
Joe Legal is paid $25 an hour times 40 hours for $1000 per week, $52,000 per year. Now take 30% away for State and Federal taxes and Joe Legal now has $31,231.
Jose Illegal is paid $15 an hour times 40 hours for $600 per week, $31,200 per year. But Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.
Joe Legal pays $1,000 per month for medical and dental insurance with limited coverage or $12,000 per year. Joe Legal now has $19,231.
Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.
Joe Legal makes too much money is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $1,000 per month for food or $12,000 per year. Joe Legal now has $ 7,231.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,000 per month or $12,000 per year. Joe Legal is now in the hole at -$4,769.
Jose Illegal receives a $500 per month Federal rent subsidy and pays rent at $500 per month or $6,000 per year. Jose Illegal still has $25,200.
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part-time job after work.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.
more...
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walking_dude
10-08 04:07 PM
How do you know its rare? Do you know every Indian, every Chinese, every Mexican, every Phillipino [ all non-ROW countries] who has ever applied for EB GC? Mathew Oh posting about it shows it's being used by substantially.
In the same stroke, if we count the people who got stuck behind despite earlier PDs using real statistics, it may turn out to be less than 'Alternate Chargeability' + American spouse cases. Most people have been getting GCs by PDs!
Labour substituition is no longer allowed. But thousands of Substitution labors got approved just prior to July 16th(?) DOL deadline. So how trustworthy is the "holy" PD?
How many Indians do you know who have married sri lankans or pakistanis??? Its rare and its not worth making an issue.
India/China has huge population and therefore the number of applications far exceed ROW. Now who is to blame? Our parents? Our nation? Our politicians?
Labour substituition----Now thats bad...but its no longer allowed
In the same stroke, if we count the people who got stuck behind despite earlier PDs using real statistics, it may turn out to be less than 'Alternate Chargeability' + American spouse cases. Most people have been getting GCs by PDs!
Labour substituition is no longer allowed. But thousands of Substitution labors got approved just prior to July 16th(?) DOL deadline. So how trustworthy is the "holy" PD?
How many Indians do you know who have married sri lankans or pakistanis??? Its rare and its not worth making an issue.
India/China has huge population and therefore the number of applications far exceed ROW. Now who is to blame? Our parents? Our nation? Our politicians?
Labour substituition----Now thats bad...but its no longer allowed
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JunRN
10-08 06:29 PM
I don't believe it must be FIFO...just as what I told in the other forum.
It must be:
FIFT - First In, First Touch
and then;
FCFO - First Complete, First out
(Complete: approvable and PD current)
It must be:
FIFT - First In, First Touch
and then;
FCFO - First Complete, First out
(Complete: approvable and PD current)
more...
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subdhar
08-20 02:54 PM
Which service center??? NSC or TSC ?
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Honda
09-09 10:30 PM
We want to do some thing for elimination of backlogs Especially for EB3 - India Else we wont see any more progress.
All EB3 people please share your thoughts to resolve this issue.
All EB3 people please share your thoughts to resolve this issue.
more...
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unitednations
03-08 06:41 PM
In defense of the EB2I argument thought UN, I could argue that the Horizontal spillover was right all along and it was EB3ROW that benefited since 2005 at the expense of EB2I.
As you rightly point out, there is room for interpretation in the way the law is written, and that is why we keep having this discussion. I remember vehemently having this discussion with you on immigration.com. The bottom line is I am still waiting having been "current" twice since that time! The interpretation view of spillover over the last year is the only thing that gives me any hope near term.
In the mean time, those like me have dealt with a barrage of other processing changes that have affected EB2I ie Labor Subs., Eb3-EB2 jumpers, the July VB fiasco impact on older 485s etc. Not sure about the exact extent of each, but nonetheless, you feel screwed by the system when your 485 is pending for near 4 yrs.
This is one harrowing experience everyone wants to forget once they get greened. Thanks for sticking around with your valuable insight.
I feel where you are coming from; I am also from the waited four years to get approved from filing 485 club.
btw; every person I know of from India who has gotten green from October 2008 were those eb3 guys who converted to eb2 through perm labor. I have a feeling that this is going to cause a lot of stress to eb2 as many people have been able to obtain old priority dates through eb3. Maybe not much solace but with perm labors taking 9 months to get approved now (most recent approvals were filed in July 2008) it does help India a bit. It is taking longer for eb2 ROW to get into 140/485 que and would cause more visas to be spilled over. If labors were getting approved fast then there would be less spillover in this fiscal year.
Department of State is really playing with people with their continuing change of how they are interpreting the law with regards to visa spillover. In Mid 90's I left USA (one of the reasons; not main reason was because I was told it would take about three years to get greencard; looks like a small wait compared to now).
As you rightly point out, there is room for interpretation in the way the law is written, and that is why we keep having this discussion. I remember vehemently having this discussion with you on immigration.com. The bottom line is I am still waiting having been "current" twice since that time! The interpretation view of spillover over the last year is the only thing that gives me any hope near term.
In the mean time, those like me have dealt with a barrage of other processing changes that have affected EB2I ie Labor Subs., Eb3-EB2 jumpers, the July VB fiasco impact on older 485s etc. Not sure about the exact extent of each, but nonetheless, you feel screwed by the system when your 485 is pending for near 4 yrs.
This is one harrowing experience everyone wants to forget once they get greened. Thanks for sticking around with your valuable insight.
I feel where you are coming from; I am also from the waited four years to get approved from filing 485 club.
btw; every person I know of from India who has gotten green from October 2008 were those eb3 guys who converted to eb2 through perm labor. I have a feeling that this is going to cause a lot of stress to eb2 as many people have been able to obtain old priority dates through eb3. Maybe not much solace but with perm labors taking 9 months to get approved now (most recent approvals were filed in July 2008) it does help India a bit. It is taking longer for eb2 ROW to get into 140/485 que and would cause more visas to be spilled over. If labors were getting approved fast then there would be less spillover in this fiscal year.
Department of State is really playing with people with their continuing change of how they are interpreting the law with regards to visa spillover. In Mid 90's I left USA (one of the reasons; not main reason was because I was told it would take about three years to get greencard; looks like a small wait compared to now).
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Znan
09-02 11:03 PM
My APs are pending approval, I was told they reimburse if we write to them. Did they reject your apps and paid you back the checks? We also got our cards this 15th, what do we need to do at the SSN office, please guide.
Thanks,
znan
Hi All,
I got mine and my wife green cards on 21st august, Thursday.
Our case was approved on August 12th.
According to the trend I have seen it takes about 1.5 weeks to get your greencard in hand from the day you get the card production email.
Went to the Social Security office on 22nd. (I had actually calculated the day when I would get the cards looking at the trend on IV, so I had planned for it.)
The moment they see the GC (with a replacement card application of course) they know what to do. I think they do it very frequently.
Should get the new Social Security cards (which do NOT have a line at the top that says DHS authorization required to work), in a week or so.
Also I got I-131 DENIED email 2 days after my 485 was approved (I had applied for renewal). Yesterday got the letter form USCIS in the mail for the denial of I-131.
Thanks,
znan
Hi All,
I got mine and my wife green cards on 21st august, Thursday.
Our case was approved on August 12th.
According to the trend I have seen it takes about 1.5 weeks to get your greencard in hand from the day you get the card production email.
Went to the Social Security office on 22nd. (I had actually calculated the day when I would get the cards looking at the trend on IV, so I had planned for it.)
The moment they see the GC (with a replacement card application of course) they know what to do. I think they do it very frequently.
Should get the new Social Security cards (which do NOT have a line at the top that says DHS authorization required to work), in a week or so.
Also I got I-131 DENIED email 2 days after my 485 was approved (I had applied for renewal). Yesterday got the letter form USCIS in the mail for the denial of I-131.
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va_il
05-03 03:17 PM
Aren't H4 spouses considered as Immigrants ?
:) sure you are otherwise you wouldn't be living here.
I am not againist H4 guys but i can't help but laugh when H4 guys complain that they were being treated bad by not allowing them to work.
One has to understand that US allows ppl on a certain basis and H4 is nothing but to join your spouse (or something like that for kids).
One can request them to make a provision for H4 ppl to work but blaming that they haven't done that simply by fogetting on what basis they entered US.... hmmm i don't know.
Questioning their speed of process and other irregular rules... yes i am with you but blaming them for above ... i don't think that is fair.
:) sure you are otherwise you wouldn't be living here.
I am not againist H4 guys but i can't help but laugh when H4 guys complain that they were being treated bad by not allowing them to work.
One has to understand that US allows ppl on a certain basis and H4 is nothing but to join your spouse (or something like that for kids).
One can request them to make a provision for H4 ppl to work but blaming that they haven't done that simply by fogetting on what basis they entered US.... hmmm i don't know.
Questioning their speed of process and other irregular rules... yes i am with you but blaming them for above ... i don't think that is fair.
n2b
08-13 11:29 AM
Ok saw the Receipts - The ND is 8/4/2007 (they are working on Saturdays)
gjoe
10-08 03:46 PM
A rich man had a bunch of horses and donkeys. He used some to carry the load and some he tried to breed for participating in races. He was trying something but not very effeciently.
When we have a mix of people like in this forum, you will see different people, different thoughts, ideas and talent. A leader with patience can put to use more than 90% of the resources (members), if he knows what he/she is doing. No matter how many times you ask some will never go to rallies, some will never participate in state chapters, some will never contribute money, etc. Trying to get everybody to do the same thing is never going to work. Please don't mistake me or take offence. All that I am saying is "Horse should be for races and donkeys should be for carrying the load" In no way the donkey is inferior to the horse or vice versa.
BTW I work for the goverment and I know a little bit more than what you know about it. I am not saying this to belittle you but just mentioning my opinion
Firstly, no one can shut down thoughts. They are inside your head. What I am saying is that match your thoughts with your actions, not just expression of thoughts. If you want to express your ideas and thoughts, do it in a way that its heard by people that matter. Your ideas and thoughts heard by other people like you is meaningless. If you can match ACTIONS to propogate your thoughts, by hauling your ass to Washington DC, spending some $$ out of pocket on travel to DC and meeting with a few of the 535 offices, then it matters. Otherwise your idea is not worth 2 cents sitting on forums read by people who are not legislators.
Secondly, YOU THINK that asking USCIS to follow the rules is easier than changing rules (thru legislation). That's because , you and many others like you, think of Government function as if its an IT project. Occupational hazard. That is not how the Government works. The reason they dont follow the rules is because they (1) dont care and (2) are not accountable. USCIS and its non-FIFO procedures, FBI namecheck delays, backlogs in receipting and adjudication of 140 (Atlanta PERM) etc is something that congress cannot fix. USCIS, FBI report to DHS and DOJ respectively and they in turn, report to the White House. Congress can rarely make them work better and make them answer for mistakes, as congress can only do "Oversight" hearings on them. Haul an agency or department head in front of a committee and ask questions (pre submitted). And ask them questions. Make some show on CSPAN. At the end of the day, if Administration tell congress - "GET LOST, mind your own business, this is the best we can do and we are doing it", then congress cannot do anything. Other than impeaching someone. No one is going to impeach Mike Chertoff because one of his agencies (USCIS) is not doing FIFO on something called 485 (which no one in DC knows what it is).
Congressional input rarely works. Example: Intervention of Congress during July bulletin. You know why? Because Congress HAD TO DO IT because of the uproar. I dont see any uproar and your issues like "there is no FIFO", "My PERM is stuck in Atlant for 6 months", or "I am stuck in namecheck for 4 years".
These things need lobbying the Administration. Lobbying the administration is MUCH MORE DIFFICULT and EXPENSIVE than lobbying congress. Why? Because each office of Congress has a boss that faces elections very often. Every 2 years in House and every 6 years in the Senate. Plus they have 535 offices (435 in House, 100 in senate). That means easier access. On the other hand, there is only one office heading USCIS, office of Emelio Gonzalez, and only one Michael Chertoff and only one DOJ and its FBI. So the access of more difficult and lobbying is more expensive.
When it comes to administration, you have limited leverage. Other than 2 people in the entire administration, no one is getting job by elections. The only 2 positions in this branch of Government that are elected and directly accountable to people are President and Vice President. Mike Chertoff of DHS or Emelio Gonzalez of USCIS wont lose next election coz those are on appointed positions not elected positions. Which also means that they dont have to worry about making people angry.
So you see, ASKING for good things like FIFO and Faster namecheck is great in theory. But please understand, from a civic lession viewpoint, the 3 branches of government viewpoint and then make suggestions.
Is Immigration Voice an organization that can raise 100,000 a month each month? NO. Not right now. Right now, people are busy checking their mailboxes for EAD cards. Out of 23,000 registered members, if each contribute $5 a month (equivalent to a burger, fries and coke), it is 100,000 a month. But it wont happen.
So until that happens, feel free to express your thoughts and opinions and brilliant ideas and happy forum discussion. If that's what makes you all happy and content.
When we have a mix of people like in this forum, you will see different people, different thoughts, ideas and talent. A leader with patience can put to use more than 90% of the resources (members), if he knows what he/she is doing. No matter how many times you ask some will never go to rallies, some will never participate in state chapters, some will never contribute money, etc. Trying to get everybody to do the same thing is never going to work. Please don't mistake me or take offence. All that I am saying is "Horse should be for races and donkeys should be for carrying the load" In no way the donkey is inferior to the horse or vice versa.
BTW I work for the goverment and I know a little bit more than what you know about it. I am not saying this to belittle you but just mentioning my opinion
Firstly, no one can shut down thoughts. They are inside your head. What I am saying is that match your thoughts with your actions, not just expression of thoughts. If you want to express your ideas and thoughts, do it in a way that its heard by people that matter. Your ideas and thoughts heard by other people like you is meaningless. If you can match ACTIONS to propogate your thoughts, by hauling your ass to Washington DC, spending some $$ out of pocket on travel to DC and meeting with a few of the 535 offices, then it matters. Otherwise your idea is not worth 2 cents sitting on forums read by people who are not legislators.
Secondly, YOU THINK that asking USCIS to follow the rules is easier than changing rules (thru legislation). That's because , you and many others like you, think of Government function as if its an IT project. Occupational hazard. That is not how the Government works. The reason they dont follow the rules is because they (1) dont care and (2) are not accountable. USCIS and its non-FIFO procedures, FBI namecheck delays, backlogs in receipting and adjudication of 140 (Atlanta PERM) etc is something that congress cannot fix. USCIS, FBI report to DHS and DOJ respectively and they in turn, report to the White House. Congress can rarely make them work better and make them answer for mistakes, as congress can only do "Oversight" hearings on them. Haul an agency or department head in front of a committee and ask questions (pre submitted). And ask them questions. Make some show on CSPAN. At the end of the day, if Administration tell congress - "GET LOST, mind your own business, this is the best we can do and we are doing it", then congress cannot do anything. Other than impeaching someone. No one is going to impeach Mike Chertoff because one of his agencies (USCIS) is not doing FIFO on something called 485 (which no one in DC knows what it is).
Congressional input rarely works. Example: Intervention of Congress during July bulletin. You know why? Because Congress HAD TO DO IT because of the uproar. I dont see any uproar and your issues like "there is no FIFO", "My PERM is stuck in Atlant for 6 months", or "I am stuck in namecheck for 4 years".
These things need lobbying the Administration. Lobbying the administration is MUCH MORE DIFFICULT and EXPENSIVE than lobbying congress. Why? Because each office of Congress has a boss that faces elections very often. Every 2 years in House and every 6 years in the Senate. Plus they have 535 offices (435 in House, 100 in senate). That means easier access. On the other hand, there is only one office heading USCIS, office of Emelio Gonzalez, and only one Michael Chertoff and only one DOJ and its FBI. So the access of more difficult and lobbying is more expensive.
When it comes to administration, you have limited leverage. Other than 2 people in the entire administration, no one is getting job by elections. The only 2 positions in this branch of Government that are elected and directly accountable to people are President and Vice President. Mike Chertoff of DHS or Emelio Gonzalez of USCIS wont lose next election coz those are on appointed positions not elected positions. Which also means that they dont have to worry about making people angry.
So you see, ASKING for good things like FIFO and Faster namecheck is great in theory. But please understand, from a civic lession viewpoint, the 3 branches of government viewpoint and then make suggestions.
Is Immigration Voice an organization that can raise 100,000 a month each month? NO. Not right now. Right now, people are busy checking their mailboxes for EAD cards. Out of 23,000 registered members, if each contribute $5 a month (equivalent to a burger, fries and coke), it is 100,000 a month. But it wont happen.
So until that happens, feel free to express your thoughts and opinions and brilliant ideas and happy forum discussion. If that's what makes you all happy and content.
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