reno_john
02-09 01:09 PM
Hi,
I have applied in EB2 category with job title of Sr. software engineer. and I have frnds who have applied for EB2 under, Programmer analyst, team lead.
But all of them had Master of science from USA.
And all of us have our I140 cleared and waiting to apply for I485 when its gets current.
I have applied in EB2 category with job title of Sr. software engineer. and I have frnds who have applied for EB2 under, Programmer analyst, team lead.
But all of them had Master of science from USA.
And all of us have our I140 cleared and waiting to apply for I485 when its gets current.
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Openarms
06-02 05:24 PM
The summary in OpenCongress.org says below: that means it is only for family based gc not employmement based gc?? where can we read full info??
"
This legislation would reform the family-based immigration system and speed up the process for family members of legal immigrants to secure visas. Specifically, it would reclassify spouses and children of legal immigrants as immediate relatives, raise the per-country family-sponsored immigration limits from 7 percent to 10 percent of total admissions, recapture visas that went unused in previous years due to bureaucratic errors, allow widows and spouses to remain eligible for visas after the death of a sponsoring family member, and more.
"
"
This legislation would reform the family-based immigration system and speed up the process for family members of legal immigrants to secure visas. Specifically, it would reclassify spouses and children of legal immigrants as immediate relatives, raise the per-country family-sponsored immigration limits from 7 percent to 10 percent of total admissions, recapture visas that went unused in previous years due to bureaucratic errors, allow widows and spouses to remain eligible for visas after the death of a sponsoring family member, and more.
"
bugsbunny
04-21 02:20 PM
also if one spouse's parents are here...its not easy to move back purely for the other spouse's parents
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alterego
12-30 05:44 PM
This is a bunch of baloney.
Whether this is a recession, a depression or a hyperinflationary cycle and economic wipeout, America will remain the pre-eminent world power in the next quarter century.
The US has the most trusted currency int he world(sometimes I wonder why, but the fact is it remains such or else its value should rationally be a lot lower right now).
It has the best universities and research centers, and remains a magnet to the worlds most motivated people.
It has the strongest military in direct face to face combat.
It has the largest, most well integrated, and diverse economy in the world.
Cultural differences while they exist are far less than many other democracies, mainly since this is a newer country built on diversity and tolerance. They have just elected Obama as president, if that does not represent the best of secular ideals, I am not sure what does. The US has a lot of cultural bonds in entertainment, sports, social programs like Medicare/Social Securities, Large corporations and brands etc that are remarkable cohesive forces.
This is a pure wish list from a bitter former KGB man, who is given a megaphone by an even more bitter Putin, who is still smarting from the disintegration of the USSR and wants the same for America.
Dream on former KGB, dream on. If you want to know how united this country is, just remember back to the period after 9/11.
Whether this is a recession, a depression or a hyperinflationary cycle and economic wipeout, America will remain the pre-eminent world power in the next quarter century.
The US has the most trusted currency int he world(sometimes I wonder why, but the fact is it remains such or else its value should rationally be a lot lower right now).
It has the best universities and research centers, and remains a magnet to the worlds most motivated people.
It has the strongest military in direct face to face combat.
It has the largest, most well integrated, and diverse economy in the world.
Cultural differences while they exist are far less than many other democracies, mainly since this is a newer country built on diversity and tolerance. They have just elected Obama as president, if that does not represent the best of secular ideals, I am not sure what does. The US has a lot of cultural bonds in entertainment, sports, social programs like Medicare/Social Securities, Large corporations and brands etc that are remarkable cohesive forces.
This is a pure wish list from a bitter former KGB man, who is given a megaphone by an even more bitter Putin, who is still smarting from the disintegration of the USSR and wants the same for America.
Dream on former KGB, dream on. If you want to know how united this country is, just remember back to the period after 9/11.
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MunnaBhai
10-12 09:53 AM
This guy is pro immigrant writer. His articles are regularly published by cnn.com
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/12/navarrette/index.html.
Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a member of the editorial board of the San Diego Union-Tribune and a nationally syndicated columnist. Read his column at
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/op-ed/navarrette/index.html
Should we contact this guy?
ruben.navarrette@uniontrib.com.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/12/navarrette/index.html.
Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a member of the editorial board of the San Diego Union-Tribune and a nationally syndicated columnist. Read his column at
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/op-ed/navarrette/index.html
Should we contact this guy?
ruben.navarrette@uniontrib.com.
sroyc
07-30 06:17 PM
No its official. From Feb 2008 federal skilled worker class is restricted to people with 1 year Canada work or student experience or 38 occupations only.
Now only people who have studied or worked in Canada on work permit are eligible.
That doesn't contradict anything I said. I was referring to the 38 occupations where you do not need Canadian work experience. I agree that the list is much more restrictive than before. The other way around it is to have a job offer. All I said was that Canadian work/student experience is not mandatory.
Now only people who have studied or worked in Canada on work permit are eligible.
That doesn't contradict anything I said. I was referring to the 38 occupations where you do not need Canadian work experience. I agree that the list is much more restrictive than before. The other way around it is to have a job offer. All I said was that Canadian work/student experience is not mandatory.
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sss9i
05-24 08:48 AM
Excellent analysis!! and I will agree with you
Thank you
Thank you
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ghost
08-11 10:27 AM
Folks,
In our legal immigrant community, we have the following Groups (G) of people:
G1) Handful of leaders - folks who clearly understand that only legislative fixes and administrative fixes can provide realistic help
G2) Dozens of volunteers - who are willing to take that extra step and contribute time and effort for the sake of others
G3) Hundreds of donors, both regular or one-time - who trust IV leadership and commit to the cause without any qualms whatsoever
G4) Thousands of members - who try to understand the issues we are facing but do not have a realistic assessment of how bad things are
G5) Many more - who either are not bothered by this wait or who simply gave up on this process and became dormant of some sorts of their career
While the predictions thread provided some clarity and entertainment for EB2 folks, this September 2010 bulletin is a blessing in disguise for all of us.
Current state of our Members (M):
M1) We have recently greened EB2 folks (2005-2006 EB2 folks), who have a fresh memory of the painful wait
M2) We have folks who relied on predictions (May 2006 - Jul 2007 EB2 folks), who must be frustrated and disappointed with today's bulletin
M3) We have folks who were looking forward to Jul-Sep 2011 (Aug 2007 - Dec 2008 EB2 folks), who now realize that their wait is even longer than assumed
M4) We have EB-3 folks waiting forever and feeling that they are being neglected in IV advocacy efforts
Folks who are in M2/M3/M4 state above should take some time and contemplate the options they have between now and Sep 2011.
I can see three Options (O):
O1) "Wait and Watch" option:
This applies to folks who are either close to the PD being current or folks who are on EADs or folks who are happy with their current career state
O2) "You are on your own" option:
EB-3 folks - can try find a job where the employer is ready to start their EB-2 GC process within the next 6 months (make sure your current GC application has an approved 140)
EB-2 folks - can try find a job where the employer is ready to start their EB-1 GC process
O3) "We are in this together" option
All EB-2 and EB-3 folks sign up for a concerted effort where IV leadership is in the driver's seat.
Each one of us should be able to relate to one combination of Group/Member/Option (GMOs) from the above list.
Personally I'm G3M3O3, what are you?
In our legal immigrant community, we have the following Groups (G) of people:
G1) Handful of leaders - folks who clearly understand that only legislative fixes and administrative fixes can provide realistic help
G2) Dozens of volunteers - who are willing to take that extra step and contribute time and effort for the sake of others
G3) Hundreds of donors, both regular or one-time - who trust IV leadership and commit to the cause without any qualms whatsoever
G4) Thousands of members - who try to understand the issues we are facing but do not have a realistic assessment of how bad things are
G5) Many more - who either are not bothered by this wait or who simply gave up on this process and became dormant of some sorts of their career
While the predictions thread provided some clarity and entertainment for EB2 folks, this September 2010 bulletin is a blessing in disguise for all of us.
Current state of our Members (M):
M1) We have recently greened EB2 folks (2005-2006 EB2 folks), who have a fresh memory of the painful wait
M2) We have folks who relied on predictions (May 2006 - Jul 2007 EB2 folks), who must be frustrated and disappointed with today's bulletin
M3) We have folks who were looking forward to Jul-Sep 2011 (Aug 2007 - Dec 2008 EB2 folks), who now realize that their wait is even longer than assumed
M4) We have EB-3 folks waiting forever and feeling that they are being neglected in IV advocacy efforts
Folks who are in M2/M3/M4 state above should take some time and contemplate the options they have between now and Sep 2011.
I can see three Options (O):
O1) "Wait and Watch" option:
This applies to folks who are either close to the PD being current or folks who are on EADs or folks who are happy with their current career state
O2) "You are on your own" option:
EB-3 folks - can try find a job where the employer is ready to start their EB-2 GC process within the next 6 months (make sure your current GC application has an approved 140)
EB-2 folks - can try find a job where the employer is ready to start their EB-1 GC process
O3) "We are in this together" option
All EB-2 and EB-3 folks sign up for a concerted effort where IV leadership is in the driver's seat.
Each one of us should be able to relate to one combination of Group/Member/Option (GMOs) from the above list.
Personally I'm G3M3O3, what are you?
more...
gk_2000
04-19 12:10 PM
"The question is going to be, are we going to be able to find some Republicans who can partner with me and others to get this done once and for all, instead of using it as a political football?" Obama told Dallas-based WFAA-TV during one of four local television interviews on Monday.
After all, it is very difficult to play football all alone
After all, it is very difficult to play football all alone
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vxg
08-03 03:26 PM
USCIS procedures suggest that for preadjudicated cases, they assign visas in order of PD, which should be the case now as focus appears to be on preadjudication. However, if there are no preadjudicated cases, as seemingly was the case last year, they have no way to do it in PD sequence. In that case, they pick files case by case in sequence of receive date (not the RD on your receipt, but the date when someone entered case data, which is close to ND) which works better for USCIS (but not for us) with wide open cut off dates.
What makes people think that USCIS has preadjudicated cases in the order of priority date. If they have preadjudicated cases from 2005,2006 and left the cases from 2003 -2004 then it is the same mess an d i can bet that knowing USCIS chance of this are very very high so even if your date gets current it is still luck whether you get GC ornot.
EB2 - I
PD: Jul 2004
What makes people think that USCIS has preadjudicated cases in the order of priority date. If they have preadjudicated cases from 2005,2006 and left the cases from 2003 -2004 then it is the same mess an d i can bet that knowing USCIS chance of this are very very high so even if your date gets current it is still luck whether you get GC ornot.
EB2 - I
PD: Jul 2004
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va_labor2002
09-15 01:26 PM
Like the other guy you said, I have an equity of 200,000 in one house and 50,000 in other house. I still don't have green card. I have around 300,000 in
401k and 150,000 in brokerage accounts. My net worth is around 800k, most of my money is in this country. If I want to continue my lifestyle, I need my GC, that will secure my right to live in this country. AFter 9 years of tax paying and law abiding life, I think i have a right to live in this country, but with this stupid laws don't know when i will get my GC.
Hi Reddy,
You did great with your money. You have solid investments and portfolios. You are very close to a millionare. Can you share your success story to us ?
What was your financial strategy ? Please share your tips and secrets to us ,so that we can achieve the same results in another 5 years !
Please ........
Thanks
401k and 150,000 in brokerage accounts. My net worth is around 800k, most of my money is in this country. If I want to continue my lifestyle, I need my GC, that will secure my right to live in this country. AFter 9 years of tax paying and law abiding life, I think i have a right to live in this country, but with this stupid laws don't know when i will get my GC.
Hi Reddy,
You did great with your money. You have solid investments and portfolios. You are very close to a millionare. Can you share your success story to us ?
What was your financial strategy ? Please share your tips and secrets to us ,so that we can achieve the same results in another 5 years !
Please ........
Thanks
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WaldenPond
02-24 03:58 PM
arihant & wellwishergc
Thank You for continued support. You make Immigration Voice an organization.
diesel, abhikal & wrldnw4me,
Welcome and Thank you for the support and contribution. Please encourage your friends to join this effort.
Please feel free to call us at anytime at (281) 576-7185.
Regards,
-WP
Thank You for continued support. You make Immigration Voice an organization.
diesel, abhikal & wrldnw4me,
Welcome and Thank you for the support and contribution. Please encourage your friends to join this effort.
Please feel free to call us at anytime at (281) 576-7185.
Regards,
-WP
more...
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OLDMONK
06-18 11:14 AM
I am no expert here but know that most of my friends did not have priority date current but were getting EAD/AP all the time. So once filed and accepted (receipt#) I am sure you would get an EAD/AP (the first one would come quickly 2-3 months) then extentions of EAD/AP might have a different outcome.
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vina92
02-23 03:31 PM
What our wonderful Rehman said were not simple words but very powerful. All our lives
we have the choice between love and hate. He chose love over hate and he reached the pinnacle of his career. It's a great honor to be recognized by the best of the artists in the world, as the greatest. It's no simple feat. It takes lifetimes to get there!
It's a beautiful message said in simple terms and all of us should try to follow it!
He made India proud at Oscars and all Indians are very proud of him. Time to rejoice.
He did prove that music and art have no barriers.
I am also proud to live in such wonderful country who are open to any new talent and do not hesitate to honor anyone irrespective of their color,race and religion.
I wish all countries take inspiration from it.
we have the choice between love and hate. He chose love over hate and he reached the pinnacle of his career. It's a great honor to be recognized by the best of the artists in the world, as the greatest. It's no simple feat. It takes lifetimes to get there!
It's a beautiful message said in simple terms and all of us should try to follow it!
He made India proud at Oscars and all Indians are very proud of him. Time to rejoice.
He did prove that music and art have no barriers.
I am also proud to live in such wonderful country who are open to any new talent and do not hesitate to honor anyone irrespective of their color,race and religion.
I wish all countries take inspiration from it.
more...
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![high tech wallpaper. Re: [THEME] High Tech Rave-Up](http://a.imagehost.org/0257/get-attachment_aspx.jpg "Re: [THEME] High Tech Rave-Up")
andymajumder
06-28 12:49 PM
dotn worry...this stuff normally is for any new applications only!!!
Does it mean they would stop processing I140 premium applications which have already been sent. My I140 was pending for 6 months and I changed it for premium after the dates became current, it was sent by my lawyer this Monday (25th) and received by USCIS on 26th. Does this mean it will not be processed or does this mean they will not accept any premium processing applications from July 2nd.
Does it mean they would stop processing I140 premium applications which have already been sent. My I140 was pending for 6 months and I changed it for premium after the dates became current, it was sent by my lawyer this Monday (25th) and received by USCIS on 26th. Does this mean it will not be processed or does this mean they will not accept any premium processing applications from July 2nd.
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eb3India
04-08 02:58 PM
Intresting someone brought up Gandhi's name here, we just'nt could manage more than few hundred to get togather to raise one voice, I just wonder if I think how this person was able to inspire millions to march on street and follow him without any questions asked.
back to topic, dude if you want you can go back there are many here who are counting on guys like you who will return so that their line gets shorter, we just go the way wind blows seems like itz going strong towards east these days
back to topic, dude if you want you can go back there are many here who are counting on guys like you who will return so that their line gets shorter, we just go the way wind blows seems like itz going strong towards east these days
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paskal
07-15 03:28 PM
please close this thread
girlfriend Abstract Hi Tech Background BY
belmontboy
03-15 11:39 PM
I already answered you. If it�s an accident I apologies.
By the way what you call them?
shoplifting is in "" (quotes). Don't waste ur time looking for literal meaning :)
By the way what you call them?
shoplifting is in "" (quotes). Don't waste ur time looking for literal meaning :)
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pappu
10-16 08:07 AM
H1b humane-hear my story..it cannot be as inhuman as it can be..(i have written the story in one of the forums before also..)
My PD-Oct 2001..Eb3..My wife RIR-almost making it thru I140when all hell broke loose in our lives...my wife was pregnant and because of stupid gynaecologist..she ended up in hospital with complicated premature preganancy..guess what..as if it was not bad enough..her company got acquired just when she was admitted in hospital...imagine wondering about health insurance when she was kept to bed rest with no mobility allowed..we filed for insurance by mistake..which said that 20% in patient.....we were so shaken that even human resource did not advise us..guess what..baby was born..and it was surmised that baby will have long stay in hosiptal...2-3 months(eventually it was 4 months!)..somwhere around the first month..I realized that her insurance..will rip me off..I called right at the end of the first month..and tried several times to put my wife and baby on my insurance so that i don't end up paying 20%..it was lot of efforts until I found some desi in Blue cross insurance who put the whole family from the first initial month..when normally people get the policy for the following month at that time.
one down --and then another came..my wife was called to her office from hospital saying that..since there was lot of work in her office..she could come for some days..guess what..she went back..thinking..she could finish work and then take extended leave....guess what..she was laid off..and with baby in hospital..and lay off..plus a rush to change her status to H4 visa..imagine the workload.....finally got her status changed..to h4 visa..with GC and labor in trash...
I was so disgusted..that I started writing to Governor Shwarzenegger' office..who put me with Senator Diane Fienstein..and of course labor secretory Chao..after all the correspondings..all I got was my D number listed from Dallas..their sympathies...ALL I WROTE to them..Hey I want to change jobs because in those days I was commuting between LA to San Diego..where my baby was hospitalized...I wanted to be with my baby..and not work..but it was not possible..if I did..then I could get out of status...I even wrote to Department of Homeland security...and got no reply...they don't care..I ahve to be illegal to get sympathies..I guess!
Situation was bad..finally baby was out of hospital and I weathered all with help of Almighty...and now I am so disgusted with system..that I am moving to vancouver...
But I have another pleasant surprise..my boss wants me to work from vancouver and visit office once in a month...I don't know...whether it is possible...stay in vancouver and visit LA for 2 weeks and then go back and still maintain H1 status..
what do you say..after all the stress!
DB
Sorry to hear your situation. There is you and several other members who I have had a chance to speak to, are going through a tough time in life (both on personal and professional fronts) due to not having a greencard. Such experiences are my motivation to work as a volunteer and core member for IV and do something to solve problems faced by several thousands of people like me. IV is currently the only organization in USA working for the cause of legal high skilled immigrants. This IV forum has brought all of us together on one platform where we can share our views and pain. Members have come up with ideas and helped this community in any way they could. Some members decided to join this effort as core members and pledged more time and effort in order to bring relief to all of us. It is not an easy job. There is nobody else to work on the issues we face. You have yourself seen how the govt. and lawmakers responded to you and still did not do anything when you tried yourself as an individual. When we try to raise such issues collectively as IV, lawmakers do hear us. With greater membership numbers and resources we can certainly do much more to influence them and get the laws changed. Members pls. help us increase our membership and funding so that we can all collectively bring about a change and provide relief to everyone in our community. desibechara, If you have decided to move to Canada, good luck to you and your family. Do keep in touch with this forum. Hope we all members of IV can collectively work soon enough to get something done for ourselves to end our miseries.
My PD-Oct 2001..Eb3..My wife RIR-almost making it thru I140when all hell broke loose in our lives...my wife was pregnant and because of stupid gynaecologist..she ended up in hospital with complicated premature preganancy..guess what..as if it was not bad enough..her company got acquired just when she was admitted in hospital...imagine wondering about health insurance when she was kept to bed rest with no mobility allowed..we filed for insurance by mistake..which said that 20% in patient.....we were so shaken that even human resource did not advise us..guess what..baby was born..and it was surmised that baby will have long stay in hosiptal...2-3 months(eventually it was 4 months!)..somwhere around the first month..I realized that her insurance..will rip me off..I called right at the end of the first month..and tried several times to put my wife and baby on my insurance so that i don't end up paying 20%..it was lot of efforts until I found some desi in Blue cross insurance who put the whole family from the first initial month..when normally people get the policy for the following month at that time.
one down --and then another came..my wife was called to her office from hospital saying that..since there was lot of work in her office..she could come for some days..guess what..she went back..thinking..she could finish work and then take extended leave....guess what..she was laid off..and with baby in hospital..and lay off..plus a rush to change her status to H4 visa..imagine the workload.....finally got her status changed..to h4 visa..with GC and labor in trash...
I was so disgusted..that I started writing to Governor Shwarzenegger' office..who put me with Senator Diane Fienstein..and of course labor secretory Chao..after all the correspondings..all I got was my D number listed from Dallas..their sympathies...ALL I WROTE to them..Hey I want to change jobs because in those days I was commuting between LA to San Diego..where my baby was hospitalized...I wanted to be with my baby..and not work..but it was not possible..if I did..then I could get out of status...I even wrote to Department of Homeland security...and got no reply...they don't care..I ahve to be illegal to get sympathies..I guess!
Situation was bad..finally baby was out of hospital and I weathered all with help of Almighty...and now I am so disgusted with system..that I am moving to vancouver...
But I have another pleasant surprise..my boss wants me to work from vancouver and visit office once in a month...I don't know...whether it is possible...stay in vancouver and visit LA for 2 weeks and then go back and still maintain H1 status..
what do you say..after all the stress!
DB
Sorry to hear your situation. There is you and several other members who I have had a chance to speak to, are going through a tough time in life (both on personal and professional fronts) due to not having a greencard. Such experiences are my motivation to work as a volunteer and core member for IV and do something to solve problems faced by several thousands of people like me. IV is currently the only organization in USA working for the cause of legal high skilled immigrants. This IV forum has brought all of us together on one platform where we can share our views and pain. Members have come up with ideas and helped this community in any way they could. Some members decided to join this effort as core members and pledged more time and effort in order to bring relief to all of us. It is not an easy job. There is nobody else to work on the issues we face. You have yourself seen how the govt. and lawmakers responded to you and still did not do anything when you tried yourself as an individual. When we try to raise such issues collectively as IV, lawmakers do hear us. With greater membership numbers and resources we can certainly do much more to influence them and get the laws changed. Members pls. help us increase our membership and funding so that we can all collectively bring about a change and provide relief to everyone in our community. desibechara, If you have decided to move to Canada, good luck to you and your family. Do keep in touch with this forum. Hope we all members of IV can collectively work soon enough to get something done for ourselves to end our miseries.
chanduv23
12-15 10:11 AM
Denied licenses, legal immigrants sue state Registry
Say status wrongly contested
By Yvonne Abraham, Globe Staff | December 15, 2006
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles employees are routinely and unlawfully denying driver's licenses to immigrants who are here legally, according to a class-action law suit filed yesterday.
According to the suit, Registry workers asked the immigrants for proof of legal residency when they were not authorized to do so. The workers then denied licenses to the applicants, incorrectly concluding that the immigrants had not demonstrated they were in the United States legally, the suit alleges.
In all cases, the immigrants' lawyers said, the Registry workers were overstepping their legal authority and violating the immigrants' constitutional rights.
"They don't have the authority to enforce federal immigration law," said Sarah Wunsch, staff attorney for the ACLU of Massachusetts, who is representing the seven immigrants who brought the suit. "But they've taken it upon themselves to do it, and they're doing it wrong. It's not an isolated case here and there. This appears to be policy."
Wunsch said hundreds of other immigrants have similarly been denied licenses.
A spokeswoman for the Registry of Motor Vehicles declined to comment, saying Registry lawyers had not yet had a chance to review the lawsuit.
Under state policy, applicants for a driver's license must present proof of their identity by providing a valid Social Security number, which the Registry checks against a Social Security Administration database.
In order to obtain a valid Social Security number, an immigrant must be in the country legally. Applicants must also show proof of their age and address.
All of the plaintiffs presented valid Social Security numbers when they applied for licenses, Wunsch said. Even so, Registry workers rejected their applications.
In some of the cases, applicants were not given any reason why they were rejected. In the others, Registry employees improperly sought additional proof of the applicants' immigration status and then said the documents were not adequate.
Registry spokeswoman Amy Breton, speaking generally, said Registry employees do not enforce immigration laws.
But she added: "Certainly, we've had to become more familiar with immigration documents. We want to make sure we are issuing licenses to Massachusetts residents, because that is what the law calls for."
She said the Registry has been responsive to complaints that immigrants have been treated unfairly. On Wednesday night, the head of the agency, Registrar Anne L. Collins, met with about 300 immigrants and their advocates in Hyannis to hear their concerns about the license application process, she said.
In many cases, Breton said, immigrants who feel they have been unfairly denied a license can file an appeal, which costs $50.
Lawyers for the seven plaintiffs say their clients should not have to spend money to challenge what is clearly a discriminatory practice.
"The Registry seems to be asking immigrants to produce justification for their presence in the United States," said lead attorney Kenneth Berman of Nutter McClennen & Fish.
The lawyers said that the problems demonstrate the danger of having state employees who are not trained in immigration law taking on enforcement of that law.
Two immigrant advocacy groups are also plaintiffs in the suit, alleging that the Registry's discrimination against immigrants forces them to divert time and resources from other activities.
"This is extremely common," said Desmond FitzGerald, an immigration lawyer who represents four immigrants who were denied licenses in a separate case to be heard early next year. "We want the Registry to regulate the safety of our roads, not enforce immigration rules."
One of FitzGerald's clients, the wife of a prominent Spanish scientist who is in the United States on a visa reserved for persons of exceptional ability, was denied a license because Registry workers who asked for proof of her legal residency did not recognize her visa. After she sued the Registry, the agency settled the case, granting her a license.
One of the plaintiffs in the class action suit filed yesterday is an immigrant from Zimbabwe who has a pending application for asylum. The woman, a nurse, has work authorization and had already been granted a driver's license.
When she tried to renew that license this week, she produced her old license, her Social Security number, and proof of her car insurance coverage, which showed her address. Still, she was asked for her passport.
The woman, who fled political persecution in Zimbabwe, does not have a current, government-issued passport from that country. She showed the Registry employee a document showing that the US government had granted her permission to remain here. Her application was still denied, as was her daughter's application for a learner's permit.
"Given how dependent we all are on the right to drive an automobile, the denial of a license is causing real hardship to the people I represent," Berman said.
The issue of driver's licenses for immigrants has become highly charged over the past year, as the national debate on immigration has grown more fractious.
The question of issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants was a matter of fierce dispute during this year's gubernatorial race, in which Governor-elect Deval Patrick said he would consider giving licenses to those who are here illegally. He was pilloried for that suggestion by his opponent, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, who with Governor Mitt Romney has taken an aggressive stance against illegal immigration.
Immigrants' advocates said they worry that the Republican administration's zeal is causing Registry employees to punish immigrants who had followed all the rules.
Earlier this year, I haad problems getting a driver's lisence in CT, the officer would not accept my h1b papers and would say it is fake. I wrote a strong complaint to DMV and they replied back to me that I must go back to DMV and go through the process again and if I have trouble again, I must report to DMV. I went next time and I got it.
Most times it is improper education that makes people do it. They keep hearing negative thhings about immigrants and they be advised by their bosses to strictly scrutinize immigrants, and they try to experiment their crack down on us. It is very unfortunate that such things are happening.
There seems to be an agenda to catch illegal immigrants. As Illegals who cross the border are getting busted through raids, those who violate visa regulations or overstay visas, or do not have proper work authorization come under strict scrutiny when they approach govt agencies. Unfortunately, it is us legal immigrants who are bearing the brunt because we also go through the same scrutinity. DMV people are not educated in immigration law ,so is the common public and it is this process that's hurting us a lot.
Say status wrongly contested
By Yvonne Abraham, Globe Staff | December 15, 2006
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles employees are routinely and unlawfully denying driver's licenses to immigrants who are here legally, according to a class-action law suit filed yesterday.
According to the suit, Registry workers asked the immigrants for proof of legal residency when they were not authorized to do so. The workers then denied licenses to the applicants, incorrectly concluding that the immigrants had not demonstrated they were in the United States legally, the suit alleges.
In all cases, the immigrants' lawyers said, the Registry workers were overstepping their legal authority and violating the immigrants' constitutional rights.
"They don't have the authority to enforce federal immigration law," said Sarah Wunsch, staff attorney for the ACLU of Massachusetts, who is representing the seven immigrants who brought the suit. "But they've taken it upon themselves to do it, and they're doing it wrong. It's not an isolated case here and there. This appears to be policy."
Wunsch said hundreds of other immigrants have similarly been denied licenses.
A spokeswoman for the Registry of Motor Vehicles declined to comment, saying Registry lawyers had not yet had a chance to review the lawsuit.
Under state policy, applicants for a driver's license must present proof of their identity by providing a valid Social Security number, which the Registry checks against a Social Security Administration database.
In order to obtain a valid Social Security number, an immigrant must be in the country legally. Applicants must also show proof of their age and address.
All of the plaintiffs presented valid Social Security numbers when they applied for licenses, Wunsch said. Even so, Registry workers rejected their applications.
In some of the cases, applicants were not given any reason why they were rejected. In the others, Registry employees improperly sought additional proof of the applicants' immigration status and then said the documents were not adequate.
Registry spokeswoman Amy Breton, speaking generally, said Registry employees do not enforce immigration laws.
But she added: "Certainly, we've had to become more familiar with immigration documents. We want to make sure we are issuing licenses to Massachusetts residents, because that is what the law calls for."
She said the Registry has been responsive to complaints that immigrants have been treated unfairly. On Wednesday night, the head of the agency, Registrar Anne L. Collins, met with about 300 immigrants and their advocates in Hyannis to hear their concerns about the license application process, she said.
In many cases, Breton said, immigrants who feel they have been unfairly denied a license can file an appeal, which costs $50.
Lawyers for the seven plaintiffs say their clients should not have to spend money to challenge what is clearly a discriminatory practice.
"The Registry seems to be asking immigrants to produce justification for their presence in the United States," said lead attorney Kenneth Berman of Nutter McClennen & Fish.
The lawyers said that the problems demonstrate the danger of having state employees who are not trained in immigration law taking on enforcement of that law.
Two immigrant advocacy groups are also plaintiffs in the suit, alleging that the Registry's discrimination against immigrants forces them to divert time and resources from other activities.
"This is extremely common," said Desmond FitzGerald, an immigration lawyer who represents four immigrants who were denied licenses in a separate case to be heard early next year. "We want the Registry to regulate the safety of our roads, not enforce immigration rules."
One of FitzGerald's clients, the wife of a prominent Spanish scientist who is in the United States on a visa reserved for persons of exceptional ability, was denied a license because Registry workers who asked for proof of her legal residency did not recognize her visa. After she sued the Registry, the agency settled the case, granting her a license.
One of the plaintiffs in the class action suit filed yesterday is an immigrant from Zimbabwe who has a pending application for asylum. The woman, a nurse, has work authorization and had already been granted a driver's license.
When she tried to renew that license this week, she produced her old license, her Social Security number, and proof of her car insurance coverage, which showed her address. Still, she was asked for her passport.
The woman, who fled political persecution in Zimbabwe, does not have a current, government-issued passport from that country. She showed the Registry employee a document showing that the US government had granted her permission to remain here. Her application was still denied, as was her daughter's application for a learner's permit.
"Given how dependent we all are on the right to drive an automobile, the denial of a license is causing real hardship to the people I represent," Berman said.
The issue of driver's licenses for immigrants has become highly charged over the past year, as the national debate on immigration has grown more fractious.
The question of issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants was a matter of fierce dispute during this year's gubernatorial race, in which Governor-elect Deval Patrick said he would consider giving licenses to those who are here illegally. He was pilloried for that suggestion by his opponent, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, who with Governor Mitt Romney has taken an aggressive stance against illegal immigration.
Immigrants' advocates said they worry that the Republican administration's zeal is causing Registry employees to punish immigrants who had followed all the rules.
Earlier this year, I haad problems getting a driver's lisence in CT, the officer would not accept my h1b papers and would say it is fake. I wrote a strong complaint to DMV and they replied back to me that I must go back to DMV and go through the process again and if I have trouble again, I must report to DMV. I went next time and I got it.
Most times it is improper education that makes people do it. They keep hearing negative thhings about immigrants and they be advised by their bosses to strictly scrutinize immigrants, and they try to experiment their crack down on us. It is very unfortunate that such things are happening.
There seems to be an agenda to catch illegal immigrants. As Illegals who cross the border are getting busted through raids, those who violate visa regulations or overstay visas, or do not have proper work authorization come under strict scrutiny when they approach govt agencies. Unfortunately, it is us legal immigrants who are bearing the brunt because we also go through the same scrutinity. DMV people are not educated in immigration law ,so is the common public and it is this process that's hurting us a lot.
pointlesswait
05-13 10:43 AM
its not EB2 or EB3..its just desis that are being signalled out!
it borders on Apartheid..but of a different kind..;-)..(think maan...)
:cool:
so to fight this "whatever"..brother.. support IV..;-)
I and many folks in this forum have seen very few approvals for this category. How come USCIS says that this category is over subscribing the visa quota. Why they are moving un used visas to EB2 (no offense) why not for EB3?
We need IV help in this area.
it borders on Apartheid..but of a different kind..;-)..(think maan...)
:cool:
so to fight this "whatever"..brother.. support IV..;-)
I and many folks in this forum have seen very few approvals for this category. How come USCIS says that this category is over subscribing the visa quota. Why they are moving un used visas to EB2 (no offense) why not for EB3?
We need IV help in this area.
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