chanduv23
03-04 11:04 AM
Dear IV Lawyers,
First of all a big thanks for all the help to the community. There is a new issue cooking up and is happening more frequently these days and the issue is with aceptance of EAD for employment.
We have been hearing cases where jobs offers are rescinded, because company deicded not to hire EAD holders or the first question a company representative asks is what kind of work authorization do you have? if someone says EAD, then the process never even goes further and doors are shut.
i - 9 form clearly says that one cannot discriminate against EAD.
At the most an employer has to verify if it is 180 days past filing 485 and if the job is similar ( which is in 99.99% of cases which is why the candidate applies for the job). After that, all an employer has to provide is a employment verification letter in case of an RFE/NOID/Wrongful denial - which means that employer does not really sponsor the Green card or transfer the process. Employer does not even have to fill out any forms or do any labor market formalities nor has to file any fees.
A simple employment verification letter is given for a lot of reasons like home mortgage, loans, bank, DMV and veriety of reasons and this is also a reason.
My question is - how do we tackle the question if work status is EAD or GC because most times it is asked as a casual question before the interview or during the interview or after the interview.
My hiring manager who was helping me with my RFE EVL (few years back) told me that in future he wont entertain such things and will make sure he does not hire anyone with such issues. I guess thats is what is happening everywhere because of the RFEs or wrongful denials and with the tough job market, it is a good way to filter out people.
Your suggestions and comments are appreciated.
First of all a big thanks for all the help to the community. There is a new issue cooking up and is happening more frequently these days and the issue is with aceptance of EAD for employment.
We have been hearing cases where jobs offers are rescinded, because company deicded not to hire EAD holders or the first question a company representative asks is what kind of work authorization do you have? if someone says EAD, then the process never even goes further and doors are shut.
i - 9 form clearly says that one cannot discriminate against EAD.
At the most an employer has to verify if it is 180 days past filing 485 and if the job is similar ( which is in 99.99% of cases which is why the candidate applies for the job). After that, all an employer has to provide is a employment verification letter in case of an RFE/NOID/Wrongful denial - which means that employer does not really sponsor the Green card or transfer the process. Employer does not even have to fill out any forms or do any labor market formalities nor has to file any fees.
A simple employment verification letter is given for a lot of reasons like home mortgage, loans, bank, DMV and veriety of reasons and this is also a reason.
My question is - how do we tackle the question if work status is EAD or GC because most times it is asked as a casual question before the interview or during the interview or after the interview.
My hiring manager who was helping me with my RFE EVL (few years back) told me that in future he wont entertain such things and will make sure he does not hire anyone with such issues. I guess thats is what is happening everywhere because of the RFEs or wrongful denials and with the tough job market, it is a good way to filter out people.
Your suggestions and comments are appreciated.
wallpaper butch cut, crew cut,
waiting_4_gc
07-27 03:30 PM
You can't write 01/01/1995. In that case your check will be invalidated. Check expires after 180 days. :D :D
But you are correct for RD :)
Umm, what if USCIS takes more than 180 days to encash the checks?
Do we have to re-file the application/re-send the check?:confused:
But you are correct for RD :)
Umm, what if USCIS takes more than 180 days to encash the checks?
Do we have to re-file the application/re-send the check?:confused:
BPforGC
05-12 04:29 PM
Had they not wasted all those VISAs in the past due to their inefficiency, there wouldn't be this much backlog. If they have reallocated all the unused VISAs at the end of each fiscal year to the over subscribed countries, there wouldn't be this big problem.
This backlog was created by incompetent leadership at USCIS and lack of vision in the congress. Politics and bureaucracy rule the immigration, not logic or the interests of the country.
God help us. Given the poor economy since last year and lots of RFEs and strict PERM audits, in coming years, the demand for GCs will go away. Things should stabilize and we should see some significant movement to the EB2 by end of this year. EB3 is more tricky since many countries are over subscribed compare to EB2, where India and china are the primary over subscribers.
Recapture bill should put an end to this retrogression and if the CIR and strict criteria goes into effect, this will make EB1 and EB2 qualification all the more difficult in future. Not bright days ahead for immigrants in this country.
This backlog was created by incompetent leadership at USCIS and lack of vision in the congress. Politics and bureaucracy rule the immigration, not logic or the interests of the country.
God help us. Given the poor economy since last year and lots of RFEs and strict PERM audits, in coming years, the demand for GCs will go away. Things should stabilize and we should see some significant movement to the EB2 by end of this year. EB3 is more tricky since many countries are over subscribed compare to EB2, where India and china are the primary over subscribers.
Recapture bill should put an end to this retrogression and if the CIR and strict criteria goes into effect, this will make EB1 and EB2 qualification all the more difficult in future. Not bright days ahead for immigrants in this country.
2011 Ewan McGregor crew cut
Seems
02-13 05:46 PM
Legal Immigrants - Speak up!
Immigration Voice is your voice
Find your voice with Immigration Voice
A Time To Act - don't just sit and wait for GC
Get Involved - Its Your Life!
Boond boond sey banta saagar - Join IV and be heard!
Immigration Voice is your voice
Find your voice with Immigration Voice
A Time To Act - don't just sit and wait for GC
Get Involved - Its Your Life!
Boond boond sey banta saagar - Join IV and be heard!
more...
![crew cut hairstyles. Haircuts [no pics]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXb7dHfVoapnhTK1N45A7Xz4W5L9A5DD7NpsVKBTphmQ8rT16VpU1sJQXa7njnjk9-YgnBkjrVw0KR2hxTQ6nXVU-Kt3_6IoqcfZDTYX3uB9HUxBAwQvuPUngiJGDgX7SbclGQLCkjNI/s1600/Simple+and+Trendy+Buzz+Cut+Hairstyles+for+Men+3.JPG "Haircuts [no pics]")
dreamworld
12-13 04:05 PM
I'm thinking about pursuing maser degree of Biostatistics.
I heard the job market demand is high and
most jobs require master degree at least.
As a research assistance, biostatistician, research analyst..
Could I apply as EB2 ?
Am I qualifed?
To your question:
Yes, You can apply under EB2 with Masters degree.
But do your own research on pursuing masters. It will take alteast 2+ years to complete and land on a job. The GC process and Economy might swing back or forth without your control.
I heard the job market demand is high and
most jobs require master degree at least.
As a research assistance, biostatistician, research analyst..
Could I apply as EB2 ?
Am I qualifed?
To your question:
Yes, You can apply under EB2 with Masters degree.
But do your own research on pursuing masters. It will take alteast 2+ years to complete and land on a job. The GC process and Economy might swing back or forth without your control.
WeldonSprings
01-15 03:35 PM
Just ask her to recapture 350,000 previous year's visas- That's all! Nothing else will fly in this economy in any immigration bill, EXCEPT for Visa Recapture!
Hello All,
Out of curiosity, I called the congresswoman's office to ask if she would be re-sponsoring the visa recapture bill. The person on the phone asked me to call back next week, because at present she was considering about it.
Can we all try to call her office and request her to re sponsor this bill, as this will help the housing crisis.
I am posting a link, you all can call her office and even explain to the person about why this bill is so important. ( wait to be transferred to the specific person who handles immigration issues, don't talk to the phone operator as she would care less)
http://lofgren.house.gov/
Good Luck to all of us.
Hello All,
Out of curiosity, I called the congresswoman's office to ask if she would be re-sponsoring the visa recapture bill. The person on the phone asked me to call back next week, because at present she was considering about it.
Can we all try to call her office and request her to re sponsor this bill, as this will help the housing crisis.
I am posting a link, you all can call her office and even explain to the person about why this bill is so important. ( wait to be transferred to the specific person who handles immigration issues, don't talk to the phone operator as she would care less)
http://lofgren.house.gov/
Good Luck to all of us.
more...
mhathi
02-13 01:56 PM
Immigration Voice - the voice of LEGAL immigrants!
Click here to learn more.
Click here to learn more.
2010 mens hairstyles crew cut
willIWill
07-15 03:44 PM
Hi Friends,
I received an RFE last week. There were 3 points in the RFE.
The first point in the RFE says,
Submit a current and properly completed form G-325A biographic information sheet for yourself. Please Note: Answer all questions in the form 325a. If any information has changed such as your employer or marital status you must submit the required supporting evidence as indicated in the instructions for Form I-485.
Second Point and Third point are respectively
Proof of continuous employment and maintaining status since Oct 1st 2007 to till date. ( Interestingly my I-485 notice date was in the month of October 07)
Employment verification letter stating the offer still stands as per EB visa petition.
A quick brief abt my case: I'm a July 07 filer. I was single when I filed my I-485. My I-140 was approved in the beginning of 2008. I'm with the same company. I got married last year end, my wife is here with me on H4.
My question is concerning the first point.
Does the marriage certificate and my wife's H4 Visa sufficient enough to provide proof of marital status change as per I-485. In this case, Do I need to include affidavit of support etc. for my spouse now? Also do I need to provide birth certificate of my spouse?
Has any of you who were single when filing I-485 received a similar RFE ? How did you respond to the same?
Appreciate your suggestions
Thanks in advance.
I received an RFE last week. There were 3 points in the RFE.
The first point in the RFE says,
Submit a current and properly completed form G-325A biographic information sheet for yourself. Please Note: Answer all questions in the form 325a. If any information has changed such as your employer or marital status you must submit the required supporting evidence as indicated in the instructions for Form I-485.
Second Point and Third point are respectively
Proof of continuous employment and maintaining status since Oct 1st 2007 to till date. ( Interestingly my I-485 notice date was in the month of October 07)
Employment verification letter stating the offer still stands as per EB visa petition.
A quick brief abt my case: I'm a July 07 filer. I was single when I filed my I-485. My I-140 was approved in the beginning of 2008. I'm with the same company. I got married last year end, my wife is here with me on H4.
My question is concerning the first point.
Does the marriage certificate and my wife's H4 Visa sufficient enough to provide proof of marital status change as per I-485. In this case, Do I need to include affidavit of support etc. for my spouse now? Also do I need to provide birth certificate of my spouse?
Has any of you who were single when filing I-485 received a similar RFE ? How did you respond to the same?
Appreciate your suggestions
Thanks in advance.
more...
senthil
07-26 01:53 PM
wow this was really fast. can u furnish some details like
country / EB category / PD etc for our info. good luck
country / EB category / PD etc for our info. good luck
hair Back and chic areplease join this crew cut refers Ivy league cut refers to
GC_1000Watt
03-23 04:02 PM
Hi Travellertvr! Since your extension came with a new I-94, your problems are solved automatically. There is no need for you to go out of country and come back either. As of now you are a legal resident here period.
Enjoy!!!
Enjoy!!!
more...
surge
02-18 05:18 PM
Hi Surge
You should then consult a lawyer.
i did. different lawyers said different thing so i do not know who is right and who is wrong.
should i make an infopass appointment and idscusss it with them?
You should then consult a lawyer.
i did. different lawyers said different thing so i do not know who is right and who is wrong.
should i make an infopass appointment and idscusss it with them?
hot Haircuts [no pics]
Pagal
05-29 01:05 PM
Hello,
Good points, but all are already on IV agenda in one form or another... please visit the IV agenda thread to read what all IV is doing...
Good points, but all are already on IV agenda in one form or another... please visit the IV agenda thread to read what all IV is doing...
more...
house Tatum crew cut hairstyle.
WeShallOvercome
07-27 02:22 PM
To be very very safe, make it 180 Business days.:D :D :D
Good idea, so mark it for first anniversary of your RD :):D
Good idea, so mark it for first anniversary of your RD :):D
tattoo Haircut for men is on the
vin13
01-06 08:41 AM
I just got back from India 2 days ago using AP. I am no longer on H1-B. My port of entry was philadelphia.
Initially, our finger prints and photos were taken and sent to Secondary inspection.Usually anyone using AP to enter will be subject to secondary inspection. At the secondary inspection after verifying our AP , the officer put a seal saying AOS with a date on the AP and I-94. They will retain one copy of the AP and return one back to you. Passport and un-expired AP(both copies) was all that was needed.
When you first approach the Immigration officer let him know that you are using Advance Parole.
Surrender all your i-94s while leaving. Make a copy for your records (both sides).
I was also prepared with a letter from my employer stating that i am working as .... since ....... Just a 2 sentence employement letter from my HR and carrried copies of my recent pay stubs. Also kept my i-485 receipt letter and i-140 approval letters. All these are supporting documents. Its good to carry them if they inquire more.
The immigration officers were very friendly. No issues or concerns. Nothing to worry. i have changed jobs twice using my EAD now.
Word of advise. when talking to the immigration officer, keep your sentences short and to the point. Smile and greet when you meet. Try not using abreviations for example AP. Say 'Advance Parole'.
Initially, our finger prints and photos were taken and sent to Secondary inspection.Usually anyone using AP to enter will be subject to secondary inspection. At the secondary inspection after verifying our AP , the officer put a seal saying AOS with a date on the AP and I-94. They will retain one copy of the AP and return one back to you. Passport and un-expired AP(both copies) was all that was needed.
When you first approach the Immigration officer let him know that you are using Advance Parole.
Surrender all your i-94s while leaving. Make a copy for your records (both sides).
I was also prepared with a letter from my employer stating that i am working as .... since ....... Just a 2 sentence employement letter from my HR and carrried copies of my recent pay stubs. Also kept my i-485 receipt letter and i-140 approval letters. All these are supporting documents. Its good to carry them if they inquire more.
The immigration officers were very friendly. No issues or concerns. Nothing to worry. i have changed jobs twice using my EAD now.
Word of advise. when talking to the immigration officer, keep your sentences short and to the point. Smile and greet when you meet. Try not using abreviations for example AP. Say 'Advance Parole'.
more...
pictures Hairstyle: “Crew Cut”, Buzzed
javadeveloper
07-21 12:44 AM
thanks tinamatthew for your time and answers,
yeah it's fair law for those who re enters into usa , but not for those who lived in US for many years and have few gaps in employment.Anyhow it's a real scenario and it's my case.I gave all W2s to my company and I am not sure whether they submitted all the W2s or not , I need to check with them.I am much worried about how to proceed if my company sends all w2s to CIS and if CIS sends me RFE/NOID.I am also in dilemma to whether to consult any lawyer or not (My company uses corporate lawyers and I can't contact them directly) , even if contact any good lawyer , I am not sure if i have any options left.There are many unanswerd questions :mad: .Thanks again.
yeah it's fair law for those who re enters into usa , but not for those who lived in US for many years and have few gaps in employment.Anyhow it's a real scenario and it's my case.I gave all W2s to my company and I am not sure whether they submitted all the W2s or not , I need to check with them.I am much worried about how to proceed if my company sends all w2s to CIS and if CIS sends me RFE/NOID.I am also in dilemma to whether to consult any lawyer or not (My company uses corporate lawyers and I can't contact them directly) , even if contact any good lawyer , I am not sure if i have any options left.There are many unanswerd questions :mad: .Thanks again.
dresses Crew Cut
coopheal
04-12 07:17 PM
If you have an attorney represnted and you ahve signed a G325, you will not get the RFE your lawyer rather would get it...
This is correct. Only your attorney will get the RFE.
This is correct. Only your attorney will get the RFE.
more...
makeup men comprises of crew cut,
jasmin45
08-08 04:49 PM
Employer not revoking your I-140 itself proves "employer intention" to hire him back on adjudication. You may have intention to work for sponsoring employer but if you are laid off its not in your control, right? Adjudicator always looks by law and there is no law which says if you are laid off within 180 days your I-485 can not be approved.
There you go now.. You are correct in saying that "laidoff" thing. If you decide to sit at home as you said earlier.. there are chances that you get doomed by IO during 485 adjudication. I already mentioned about employer initiated termination and protection under AC21 in my previous post.
There's already a thread for "laidoff" related issues.. if you have further questions or suggestions you may drop it in there. why do we have to have several thread for same issues?
There you go now.. You are correct in saying that "laidoff" thing. If you decide to sit at home as you said earlier.. there are chances that you get doomed by IO during 485 adjudication. I already mentioned about employer initiated termination and protection under AC21 in my previous post.
There's already a thread for "laidoff" related issues.. if you have further questions or suggestions you may drop it in there. why do we have to have several thread for same issues?
girlfriend martin crew cut hairstyle
jsb
11-14 12:11 PM
Well, are you sure I would need to work for this "future employer" for 6 months?
AC21 does not have a limit on the number of times you switch employers. Technically, if you were working for Employer A at the time of the RFE and submit a EVL from Employer A, you could then switch to Employer B immediately on AC21. In this scenario, I haven't worked with A for 6 months.
Is this scenario different because A is not a future employer?
With LC, I-140 and I-485 process, intentions of employee/employer relationship are expected to be bonafide, otherwise it would be fraud. Although a lot of people mention here, and some attorneys suggest, to work for 6 months for the sponsoring employer, there doesn't appear to be any law on that. Circumstances can change any time (AC21 supports that). Therefore, six month, or whatever period you may want to fix, is merely to strength the case that the sponsorship was bonafide. AC21 guidelines are quite lenient in that matter.
Bottomline is whatever happened, or you can provide, to support that there was no fraudulent intent, you are fine. If situation is not clear, and someone decides to contend, courts may come into picture.
Some people mention that six-month working could haunt you at citizenship time, but I doubt that. USCIS have a lot of other things to look at. If you have been a good citizen until then you should be fine.
AC21 does not have a limit on the number of times you switch employers. Technically, if you were working for Employer A at the time of the RFE and submit a EVL from Employer A, you could then switch to Employer B immediately on AC21. In this scenario, I haven't worked with A for 6 months.
Is this scenario different because A is not a future employer?
With LC, I-140 and I-485 process, intentions of employee/employer relationship are expected to be bonafide, otherwise it would be fraud. Although a lot of people mention here, and some attorneys suggest, to work for 6 months for the sponsoring employer, there doesn't appear to be any law on that. Circumstances can change any time (AC21 supports that). Therefore, six month, or whatever period you may want to fix, is merely to strength the case that the sponsorship was bonafide. AC21 guidelines are quite lenient in that matter.
Bottomline is whatever happened, or you can provide, to support that there was no fraudulent intent, you are fine. If situation is not clear, and someone decides to contend, courts may come into picture.
Some people mention that six-month working could haunt you at citizenship time, but I doubt that. USCIS have a lot of other things to look at. If you have been a good citizen until then you should be fine.
hairstyles mens hairstyles crew cut
raydhan
05-24 08:24 AM
Thanks everyone.
I am just glad to be a part of this effort. Thanks for all the encouragement and support.
Regards,
Salil
I am just glad to be a part of this effort. Thanks for all the encouragement and support.
Regards,
Salil
maverick_iv
12-05 09:35 PM
Don't think there is any need to take your kid along. Other than avoiding the postal delay, applying in person has no other advantages. The person sitting in the counter would double check your docs and accept the application and would give the standard response that it would take 45 days. If you had done your homework, you don't have to worry about another person checking your docs.
Other tips for folks going to the DC embassy:
- None of the phone numbers would be answered.
- At the counter there would three phone numbers listed for PIO/OCI queries(no mention of those in the website) - but you won't be able to get anyone on those lines either.
- What is really helpful is that everyday between 12.30 and 1pm, you could get into the main building of the embassy for PIO/OCI queries.
- The person approving the PIOs is Mr. Natesan - a very helpful and patient chap.
- Once you get into the office, you'll have a story to tell on how PIOs are processed. You would notice a number of USPS tubs full of PIO applns in the corridor with folks trying to look and pull their applns out.
- Regardless, if you have a pending appln, you could explain the situation and request for the PIO to be issued the same day. The folks in the PIO section are very cooperative - there were about 12-13 people on the day that I went in - Almost all of them got it on the same day regardless of when they applied.
Harikris - My suggestion to you is to mail your application right away and take a trip to the DC embassy a week or two later. If you want to, you could apply in person and try your luck the same day.
Hi,
Thanks for your response.
AFAIK, there is no tatkal or emergency type of service for PIO card - atleast not at Washington DC which is our jurisdiction.
My company surprised all it's employees with a 2 week of paid X-Mas holidays. Hence the need for PIO card asap. Hence the reasoning for going and applying in person. So, do i absolutely need to take the kid? I don't see any reason why i should. But better to check with ppl that have first hand experience in submitting the application in person at the Embassy counter.
Thanks for the idea on the thumb impressions. That helps.
Other tips for folks going to the DC embassy:
- None of the phone numbers would be answered.
- At the counter there would three phone numbers listed for PIO/OCI queries(no mention of those in the website) - but you won't be able to get anyone on those lines either.
- What is really helpful is that everyday between 12.30 and 1pm, you could get into the main building of the embassy for PIO/OCI queries.
- The person approving the PIOs is Mr. Natesan - a very helpful and patient chap.
- Once you get into the office, you'll have a story to tell on how PIOs are processed. You would notice a number of USPS tubs full of PIO applns in the corridor with folks trying to look and pull their applns out.
- Regardless, if you have a pending appln, you could explain the situation and request for the PIO to be issued the same day. The folks in the PIO section are very cooperative - there were about 12-13 people on the day that I went in - Almost all of them got it on the same day regardless of when they applied.
Harikris - My suggestion to you is to mail your application right away and take a trip to the DC embassy a week or two later. If you want to, you could apply in person and try your luck the same day.
Hi,
Thanks for your response.
AFAIK, there is no tatkal or emergency type of service for PIO card - atleast not at Washington DC which is our jurisdiction.
My company surprised all it's employees with a 2 week of paid X-Mas holidays. Hence the need for PIO card asap. Hence the reasoning for going and applying in person. So, do i absolutely need to take the kid? I don't see any reason why i should. But better to check with ppl that have first hand experience in submitting the application in person at the Embassy counter.
Thanks for the idea on the thumb impressions. That helps.
Jaime
08-06 12:12 PM
Yeah, why not? As long as Legals ALSO get green cards!
On The Washington Post today:
A Less Ambitious Approach to Immigration
By Arlen Specter
Monday, August 6, 2007; Page A17
The charge of amnesty defeated comprehensive immigration reform in the Senate this summer. It is too important, and there has been too much legislative investment, not to try again. The time to do so is now.
Certainly the government should implement the provisions it has already enacted to improve border security and crack down on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. But the important additions on those subjects contained in the bill defeated in June will not be enacted without also dealing with the 12 million-plus undocumented immigrants and the guest worker program.
So let's take a fresh look and try a narrower approach.
There is a consensus in Congress on most objectives and many remedies for immigration reform: more border patrols, additional fencing, drones and some form of a guest worker program. Modern technological advances provide foolproof identification so employers can -- justifiably -- be severely sanctioned if they don't verify IDs and act to eliminate the magnet attracting illegals to penetrate the border. Yet Congress is unlikely to appropriate $3 billion for border security without dealing simultaneously with the illegal immigrants already here.
The main objective in legalizing the 12 million was to eliminate their fugitive status, allowing them to live in the United States without fear of being detected and deported or being abused by unscrupulous employers. We should consider a revised status for those 12 million people. Let them hold the status of those with green cards -- without the automatic path to citizenship that was the core component of critics' argument that reform efforts were really amnesty. Give these people the company of their spouses and minor children and consider other indicators of citizenship short of the right to vote (which was always the dealbreaker).
This approach may be attacked as creating an "underclass" inconsistent with American values, which have always been to give refuge to the "huddled masses." But such a compromise is clearly better than leaving these people a fugitive class. People with a lesser status are frequently referred to as second-class citizens. Congress has adamantly refused to make the 12 million people already here full citizens, but isn't it better for them to at least be secure aliens than hunted and exploited?
Giving these people green-card status leaves open the opportunity for them to return to their native lands and seek citizenship through regular channels. Or, after our borders are secured and tough employer sanctions have been put in place, Congress can revisit the issue and possibly find a more hospitable America.
Some of the other refinements of the defeated bill can await another day and the regular process of Judiciary Committee hearings and markups. Changing the law on family unification with a point system can also be considered later. Now, perhaps, we could add green cards for highly skilled workers and tinker at the edges of immigration law, providing we don't get bogged down in endless debate and defeated cloture motions.
It would be refreshing if Congress, and the country, could come together in a bipartisan way to at least partially solve one of the big domestic issues of the day.
The writer, a senator from Pennsylvania, is the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
On The Washington Post today:
A Less Ambitious Approach to Immigration
By Arlen Specter
Monday, August 6, 2007; Page A17
The charge of amnesty defeated comprehensive immigration reform in the Senate this summer. It is too important, and there has been too much legislative investment, not to try again. The time to do so is now.
Certainly the government should implement the provisions it has already enacted to improve border security and crack down on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. But the important additions on those subjects contained in the bill defeated in June will not be enacted without also dealing with the 12 million-plus undocumented immigrants and the guest worker program.
So let's take a fresh look and try a narrower approach.
There is a consensus in Congress on most objectives and many remedies for immigration reform: more border patrols, additional fencing, drones and some form of a guest worker program. Modern technological advances provide foolproof identification so employers can -- justifiably -- be severely sanctioned if they don't verify IDs and act to eliminate the magnet attracting illegals to penetrate the border. Yet Congress is unlikely to appropriate $3 billion for border security without dealing simultaneously with the illegal immigrants already here.
The main objective in legalizing the 12 million was to eliminate their fugitive status, allowing them to live in the United States without fear of being detected and deported or being abused by unscrupulous employers. We should consider a revised status for those 12 million people. Let them hold the status of those with green cards -- without the automatic path to citizenship that was the core component of critics' argument that reform efforts were really amnesty. Give these people the company of their spouses and minor children and consider other indicators of citizenship short of the right to vote (which was always the dealbreaker).
This approach may be attacked as creating an "underclass" inconsistent with American values, which have always been to give refuge to the "huddled masses." But such a compromise is clearly better than leaving these people a fugitive class. People with a lesser status are frequently referred to as second-class citizens. Congress has adamantly refused to make the 12 million people already here full citizens, but isn't it better for them to at least be secure aliens than hunted and exploited?
Giving these people green-card status leaves open the opportunity for them to return to their native lands and seek citizenship through regular channels. Or, after our borders are secured and tough employer sanctions have been put in place, Congress can revisit the issue and possibly find a more hospitable America.
Some of the other refinements of the defeated bill can await another day and the regular process of Judiciary Committee hearings and markups. Changing the law on family unification with a point system can also be considered later. Now, perhaps, we could add green cards for highly skilled workers and tinker at the edges of immigration law, providing we don't get bogged down in endless debate and defeated cloture motions.
It would be refreshing if Congress, and the country, could come together in a bipartisan way to at least partially solve one of the big domestic issues of the day.
The writer, a senator from Pennsylvania, is the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
No comments:
Post a Comment