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wanna_immigrate
05-06 10:59 AM
Did you check the New I140 approval notice? The priority date on the latest I140 will have your Old PD. I believe its also advised you file an interfiling request.
Thanks for your reply. I still have to find out from the lawyer. All I have heard from him is 140 is approved. Before filing 140 he did say alongwith 140 application he will send a interfile request. I checked my 485 application online there is no change in LUD.
Thanks again.
Thanks for your reply. I still have to find out from the lawyer. All I have heard from him is 140 is approved. Before filing 140 he did say alongwith 140 application he will send a interfile request. I checked my 485 application online there is no change in LUD.
Thanks again.
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transpass
02-23 01:05 PM
people,
i just returned from an infopass meeting... the guy i talked to said that they recently have a directive from the DHS/USCIS that they want to separate the legal stuff from the illegal stuff and hence they are planning to adjudicate a record number of EB apps in the next quarter or two... does anyone else concur? is this true or were my ears just ringing in that meeting?
--shark
But they can approve only based on available visa numbers...:confused:
i just returned from an infopass meeting... the guy i talked to said that they recently have a directive from the DHS/USCIS that they want to separate the legal stuff from the illegal stuff and hence they are planning to adjudicate a record number of EB apps in the next quarter or two... does anyone else concur? is this true or were my ears just ringing in that meeting?
--shark
But they can approve only based on available visa numbers...:confused:
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GCwaitforever
05-25 07:04 PM
My company HR received a letter from PBEC questioning the existence of our company. This is another step in the bureaucratic ladder of PBEC. First the 45-day letter to signal the intent to continue the petition, then proof of company. I wonder how PBEC thinks the LCA made it all the way to federal without anybody verifying the employer details. HR manager sent the company charter to PBEC to prove the company exists. So the wait goes on ...
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boreal
03-18 11:10 AM
Looks like IRS is not going to give us back 1200$ as part of the stimulus package,which they were planning to earlier.
Source > http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179211,00.html
Basic Information on the Stimulus Payments
Updated March 14, 2008 � new 1040A-3 package
You've heard about it. Now find out how to get yours.
What is it? It's an economic stimulus payment that more than 130 million households will receive starting in May. It's not taxable, and it won't reduce your 2007 or 2008 refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2008 return.
Are you eligible? You're eligible if you have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) and show qualifying income of at least $3,000 on your federal tax return. Both people listed on a "married filing jointly" return must have valid SSNs to qualify for the payment � if only one has a valid SSN, neither can receive the payment.
Can you use an ITIN instead of an SSN? Taxpayers with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN are not eligible to receive a stimulus payment. Both people listed on a "married filing jointly" return must have valid SSNs to qualify for the payment � if only one has a valid SSN, neither can receive the payment.
Not eligible at the current time? If your circumstances change and you become eligible after you file your 2007 federal tax return, you can always file an amended return using Form 1040X. If you're not eligible this year but you become eligible next year, you can claim the economic stimulus payment next year on your 2008 tax return.
mmm...didnt knew about this..After living and working here for ten years, i am still in-eligible for the tax rebate...phew!!!! (filed jointly, no SSN for my wife)..maybe i will claim it all next year....I am eternally optimistic :-)
Source > http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179211,00.html
Basic Information on the Stimulus Payments
Updated March 14, 2008 � new 1040A-3 package
You've heard about it. Now find out how to get yours.
What is it? It's an economic stimulus payment that more than 130 million households will receive starting in May. It's not taxable, and it won't reduce your 2007 or 2008 refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2008 return.
Are you eligible? You're eligible if you have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) and show qualifying income of at least $3,000 on your federal tax return. Both people listed on a "married filing jointly" return must have valid SSNs to qualify for the payment � if only one has a valid SSN, neither can receive the payment.
Can you use an ITIN instead of an SSN? Taxpayers with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN are not eligible to receive a stimulus payment. Both people listed on a "married filing jointly" return must have valid SSNs to qualify for the payment � if only one has a valid SSN, neither can receive the payment.
Not eligible at the current time? If your circumstances change and you become eligible after you file your 2007 federal tax return, you can always file an amended return using Form 1040X. If you're not eligible this year but you become eligible next year, you can claim the economic stimulus payment next year on your 2008 tax return.
mmm...didnt knew about this..After living and working here for ten years, i am still in-eligible for the tax rebate...phew!!!! (filed jointly, no SSN for my wife)..maybe i will claim it all next year....I am eternally optimistic :-)
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tikka
07-18 04:28 PM
Just made my first $100 contribution! Thanks so much for the effort in the last two weeks! IV rocks!
we need more members like you to come forward and contribute..
we need more members like you to come forward and contribute..
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glus
07-06 12:34 PM
This is too confusing, it looks like USCIS is going crazy.
Something is cooking and they try to cover their as.... before the legal action takes its stand....:-)), but it is too late for them..
Something is cooking and they try to cover their as.... before the legal action takes its stand....:-)), but it is too late for them..
more...
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johnnybhai
07-14 01:03 PM
Done!
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ameryki
02-06 04:45 PM
I-131 @t Nebraska Center
Receipt Date: 14th Agug
Notice Date: 24th Aug
Received RFE
USCIS received RFE on: 29th Nov
Called them 3 times and everytime the same answer "pending and processing."
Unfortunately my uncle passed away yesteray and I have to travel for the funeral processings. Called USCIS just now and told them to expedite the case. CSR took all the information and told that someone will contact me within 5 business days about case. Hoepfully someone calls/emails and approves my case.
Just wanted to share my experience.
sorry to hear your situation 007! hope things work out for you in time. You could also consider heading home and having someone mail it to you once its received. just an option not sure what your situation is as far how far from approval etc etc
Receipt Date: 14th Agug
Notice Date: 24th Aug
Received RFE
USCIS received RFE on: 29th Nov
Called them 3 times and everytime the same answer "pending and processing."
Unfortunately my uncle passed away yesteray and I have to travel for the funeral processings. Called USCIS just now and told them to expedite the case. CSR took all the information and told that someone will contact me within 5 business days about case. Hoepfully someone calls/emails and approves my case.
Just wanted to share my experience.
sorry to hear your situation 007! hope things work out for you in time. You could also consider heading home and having someone mail it to you once its received. just an option not sure what your situation is as far how far from approval etc etc
more...
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hpandey
08-13 04:24 PM
EB3 can only be helped when every one else is done.The way the preference categories are setup is that and the numerous cases from 2001 amnesty flooded the EB3 queue causing the retrogression. I don't suppose there can be any thing done to help EB3 specifically. We are at the bottom of the pile. If we have to be helped to get up, every one on top needs to be helped first.
Unless the visa recapture happens, there is no hope. Folks with 2001/2002 PD , keep your spirits up. You are almost there.
All others, if you can try EB2 porting, that's the way to go.
---
EB3-I , May 2006
Contributed 100$
EB-3 won't need help when everyone else is done because the only people left to allocate visas would be EB-3 only . I guess we are just in for a long long wait.
Unless the visa recapture happens, there is no hope. Folks with 2001/2002 PD , keep your spirits up. You are almost there.
All others, if you can try EB2 porting, that's the way to go.
---
EB3-I , May 2006
Contributed 100$
EB-3 won't need help when everyone else is done because the only people left to allocate visas would be EB-3 only . I guess we are just in for a long long wait.
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needhelp!
09-11 06:11 PM
I am confused by your post.. who's side are you on? :D
Seeing ur quote I remember another quote..
Though What I am going to tell is not in the context of D.C.Rally
Late Indian Prime Minister P.V.Narasimha Rao has a great quote, which he often quoted to reporters at interviews, where he was silent on many burning issues of his time and later used to say
"Not taking a decision also a decision."
Seeing ur quote I remember another quote..
Though What I am going to tell is not in the context of D.C.Rally
Late Indian Prime Minister P.V.Narasimha Rao has a great quote, which he often quoted to reporters at interviews, where he was silent on many burning issues of his time and later used to say
"Not taking a decision also a decision."
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ksvreg
03-09 11:31 AM
Can anyone explain the whats the FOIA fund drive? Or provide a link. Thanks.
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ps57002
09-02 12:21 PM
Thanks all.
I'm in my mid thirties now. I came as a teen, fifteen.
So I wonder....should the dream act come through....could it work in my favor too lol? I came through no choice of my own (though legally) with my parents....
And do i get a GC for beating everyone on here :)
j/k.
I'm in my mid thirties now. I came as a teen, fifteen.
So I wonder....should the dream act come through....could it work in my favor too lol? I came through no choice of my own (though legally) with my parents....
And do i get a GC for beating everyone on here :)
j/k.
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hazishak
07-18 07:22 PM
what happens when dates retrogress? If my PD is 2000 Jan (assume) and some one else has 2001 Jan (assume) with RDs July/2007 and Mar/2007 respectively and in August 2007 PD cut off date went back to 2000 Feb (assume) then does it mean that 2000 Jan PD is ineligible to get the adjudication before the guy with PD 2001 Jan because the RD is later for this case? Again if the answer to this question is yes then ,when the PD is set at 2000 Feb why are they accepting new AOS apps which satisfy this PD cutoff date because if they process by RD(at all times) they are not likely to consider these for adjudication anyway? Is it just for our benifit that we can get an EAD? If I go down this path I donot understand the purpose of the whole PD in this process.
The thing I am trying to understand is 'if PD is not significant in AOS why is it there at all in the visa bulletin'. If RD overrides the PD at the AOS stage then instead of specifying a PD in the Visa bulletin they can just say that
"We are accepting new AOS applications" and then adjudicate them in the order of the RD.
These are all just my thoughts and am trying to put them together. I may very well be wrong in my basic understanding of this process. Thank you for your previous reply. That was helpful.
In your case you will get the percedence over the 2000 PD. His is PD is not curent at time of processing. If the cut off date is after 2001 which means both are cuurent then the later guy will take precedence since his RD is earlier than your's.
The thing I am trying to understand is 'if PD is not significant in AOS why is it there at all in the visa bulletin'. If RD overrides the PD at the AOS stage then instead of specifying a PD in the Visa bulletin they can just say that
"We are accepting new AOS applications" and then adjudicate them in the order of the RD.
These are all just my thoughts and am trying to put them together. I may very well be wrong in my basic understanding of this process. Thank you for your previous reply. That was helpful.
In your case you will get the percedence over the 2000 PD. His is PD is not curent at time of processing. If the cut off date is after 2001 which means both are cuurent then the later guy will take precedence since his RD is earlier than your's.
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gc_chahiye
09-28 06:55 PM
not that it makes a huge difference, are they atleast trying to use some of the visa numbers by working over this weekend???
they are working overtime on receipting (see the FAQ). Wish they stop receipting for these last 2-3 days and use up ALL the visa numbers. Everyone should be put into I-485 approval work. If there are people stuck in NC, see if any of the June/July filers manage to pass the FBI database without a hit.
A receipt notice coming 2 days late is not a big deal. If a visa number is not used up, its lost, gone forever!
they are working overtime on receipting (see the FAQ). Wish they stop receipting for these last 2-3 days and use up ALL the visa numbers. Everyone should be put into I-485 approval work. If there are people stuck in NC, see if any of the June/July filers manage to pass the FBI database without a hit.
A receipt notice coming 2 days late is not a big deal. If a visa number is not used up, its lost, gone forever!
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hindu_king
03-04 12:04 PM
LOL. I think you meant JP Morgan Chase :) CHEVY CHASE is an actor.
Try www.google.com
Try www.google.com
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pappu
09-30 06:17 PM
Don't expect anything from Nebraska Service Center today. Somebody from site who live few minutes away from NSC said that the parking lot at NSC is empty today. Yesterday, she saw that it was full from 7 to 12 nn but was empty in the afternoon.
What we can expect is only automatic LUDs. No overtime work for NSC. Have they used up all the FY2007 visas? They must have....if not, this fact can be used against them when we file a complain.
Its interesting to find someone 'tracking' the NSC parking lot this weekend!!:D
I have found some interesting posts by people. See below:
1. I check on this site every hour or everytime whenever i can
2. I check if i have LUD first thing in the morning and in the evening
3. I check my bank account and wish checks for EAD and AP are encashed
4. I keep on logging on online forums(murthy.com, immigrationvoice, immigration portal..etc)
5. I keep calling USCIS hotline for some questions
6. I cant wait for my FP notice
7. I always go to snail mailbox and hope i got something immigration related
8. I call my friends and guess what we end up talking about? immigration matters
9. I'm jealous of people who have gotten their greencards
10. I cant get this Greencard off my mind!!!!
Have i gone greencard crazy? :)
LIFE?
L- LUD
I- Immigration Notices/RFEs/IO
F- Forums
E- e-mail from CRIS
What we can expect is only automatic LUDs. No overtime work for NSC. Have they used up all the FY2007 visas? They must have....if not, this fact can be used against them when we file a complain.
Its interesting to find someone 'tracking' the NSC parking lot this weekend!!:D
I have found some interesting posts by people. See below:
1. I check on this site every hour or everytime whenever i can
2. I check if i have LUD first thing in the morning and in the evening
3. I check my bank account and wish checks for EAD and AP are encashed
4. I keep on logging on online forums(murthy.com, immigrationvoice, immigration portal..etc)
5. I keep calling USCIS hotline for some questions
6. I cant wait for my FP notice
7. I always go to snail mailbox and hope i got something immigration related
8. I call my friends and guess what we end up talking about? immigration matters
9. I'm jealous of people who have gotten their greencards
10. I cant get this Greencard off my mind!!!!
Have i gone greencard crazy? :)
LIFE?
L- LUD
I- Immigration Notices/RFEs/IO
F- Forums
E- e-mail from CRIS
more...
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sri1309
08-17 08:18 AM
We need support from Core members in pushing EB3. We dont see much activitiy on this front..
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qplearn
12-18 05:54 PM
you are right, and it would be nice, however
it's clear our funds are not exactly astronomical.
so let's concentrate on building them up first along with our membership.
then we can sit back and worry about how much more is really needed....
For instance, I am sure maintaining this web site must cost money. How much more money is needed for our main cost drivers until March (for instance) --- by which time we are hoping some action will be taken?
Adding more members will always help because it produces a bigger impact on senators/ house reps
it's clear our funds are not exactly astronomical.
so let's concentrate on building them up first along with our membership.
then we can sit back and worry about how much more is really needed....
For instance, I am sure maintaining this web site must cost money. How much more money is needed for our main cost drivers until March (for instance) --- by which time we are hoping some action will be taken?
Adding more members will always help because it produces a bigger impact on senators/ house reps
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Green.Tech
06-01 07:46 PM
Back to the top!
NKR
04-02 12:55 PM
I reviewed my comment and I haven't wrote anything trashing another country and I didn't say that USCIS is bad. In fact, if you read carefully I am trying to defend USCIS from "Mirage's comments".
I don't know what nationality you are, but, I am an Australian and I don't need to suck up to get my green card. I will get my greencard soon, probably sooner than you.
In fact, there is a special immigration program "only for Australians" that allow me and my dependents to work and live in Australia indefinitely. That was signed in to law by the President last year, if you didn't know about that. I guess you got me wrong. Australia and America have good relationships as you know.
I still would stress to thank America for giving me the opportunity to work and live and experience America.
Please read my comments properly next time and be a little fair on your comments.
No wonder you do not like people complaining about things not moving fast enough. Dude, you got to eat something to know how it tastes.
If you are getting a GC sooner just because you are an Australian, you have no moral authority to preach people who are affected. This thread is not for you, you are welcome to visit other threads though.
I don't know what nationality you are, but, I am an Australian and I don't need to suck up to get my green card. I will get my greencard soon, probably sooner than you.
In fact, there is a special immigration program "only for Australians" that allow me and my dependents to work and live in Australia indefinitely. That was signed in to law by the President last year, if you didn't know about that. I guess you got me wrong. Australia and America have good relationships as you know.
I still would stress to thank America for giving me the opportunity to work and live and experience America.
Please read my comments properly next time and be a little fair on your comments.
No wonder you do not like people complaining about things not moving fast enough. Dude, you got to eat something to know how it tastes.
If you are getting a GC sooner just because you are an Australian, you have no moral authority to preach people who are affected. This thread is not for you, you are welcome to visit other threads though.
ksach
02-12 02:56 AM
it means freedom and a respect for my education, my skills and my hard work.
read my story below.
-------------------------------------------------------
America, the land of opportunity and freedom.
These days when I hear America being any of the above, I usually
sneer. 6 long years have thought me not to accept everything I hear.
Back home, I had respect. I had a good education and a great job. I
got an education from the best schools and the best colleges. I worked
for a big multi-national with a big fat salary and lots of
opportunities to travel to countries on work. I was a success. But I
wanted to be more. I wanted to be global. I wanted to work in a
different country for sometime. I loved seeing different cultures,
seeing different places; I wanted to see the world. Thats when the
offer for a job in the US came. I took it up because I could see the
US of A, the land of the free, the land of opportunity, the land of
the Cisco's and Microsofts and more importantly, the land of dreams. I
thought a couple of years working away from home would do me no harm.
Boy, was I wrong!!!!
The first few years in my new country of residence were difficult. I
worked for a startup with its crazy hours and insane schedules. Far
from seeing new places, I was busy at work. But I did not complain. I
liked the work and the company's passion to create something new. No
longer was I working on the junk companies outsource to third world
companies. I was working on the actual product, creating something
that was not done before, something I could be proud off. I was busy
at work, but it was not difficult to notice something, the Americans
worked hard, the people with green card worked harder, but the people
on H1-B worked hardest. I guess, the people on H1B had the most to
lose. But I did not give a hoot. I had a product to deliver. I never
had the time to think about my green card. I still wanted to go back
to my country, maybe not right now, but I wanted to. Right now, my
work was my priority and I would concentrate on that.
Slowly the years went by, and unknowningly I started seeing the
American Dream. I got a new car and expensive clothes, I started going
out with my friends, visited new places, and more importantly I
stopped feeling homesick. The apartment I shared with my friends was
my new home. So when my company asked me if they could do my green
card, I readily agreed.
I should have seen the signs. There were many of them; but I chose to
ignore. I should have know that people are exploited when I heard a
top executive at my company say once that he expects everyone to work
long hours and weekends because we had no options. The job market
outside was bad and none of us could find jobs. I should have known
that my cultural background mattered when the girl at the Albertson's
counter did not even look up to me, but was very friendly with all the
Americans ahead of me, or when an office colleauge introduced his girl
friend to all americans but ignored the Indians. I chose to ignore all
this, because I thought it does not affect me. As long as I did my
work or followed the rule of the land, nothing else mattered. I was
wrong again.
Two things changed in 2005. My company went down and I got married. I
was on H1B and had to find a job soon. I was already at the end of my
H1B tenure so not many companies were interested. That is when I
realized the disadvantage of being on an H1B. It did not matter that
my resume was impressive. My H1B status was more important than my
skill set. It it did not matter that I had already spent a lot years
in this country and my green card had been filed. It was hard finding
a job that would sponsor my H1B and my green card again. I did manage
to find one. But I was not lucky on my home front. My wife could not
work because she was on a dependent visa. She had given up a career in
India to be with me, but reality hit soon when she started getting
bored. She kept herself busy with books, TV and cooking. And life went
on, hoping that we would get our green card soon and we would be free
again. Free to find a job of my liking for me, and free to do any job
for my wife.
Its Feb 2007 now and there's still no sign of the green card. I
stopped hoping for one. I dont care for one. All I care for now is my
wife to be able to work in something she likes within any legal
boundaries.
Its been a long time since I legally came to this country. I was young
and succesful then. And now as I cross another anniversary of my
landing in the US, I reflect upon what I have gained. I have gained a
big bank balance, a good car, a good lifestyle. What have I lost -
plenty. I have lost my career, my freedom, my health, my marriage and
my family. I have been stuck in the same job for many many years while
all my friends have climbed up the corporate ladder back home in
India. Its not easy working on an H1B. My marriage has suffered
because my wife is unhappy that she cannot work, she's close to a
breakdown, my health has suffered because of all the thinking, and my
parents have sufferred because I have not been able to take care of
them. I never have cried so much at my helplessness as I have cried in
the last one year.
One thing I have realized about the US is that it is no different than
any country. Like any other country, the exploitable are always
exploited. (The big companies are not willing to fight for the welfare
of their employees. They fight to get more people into the country to
exploit.) Like any other country, the only thing that gets politicians
excited is money and votes. (Why do we need so money to lobby the
politicians? Isn't freedom and justice reasons good enough?) Like any
other country, it discriminates between the have and the have nots. It
is a country that has no respect for people. (Ask anyone who goes for
a visa stamping in the US embassy in India. I have seen old people and
ladies with small kids spend hours in the hot Chennai Sun to enter the
embassy for an appointment, just to be spoken rudely by the Visa
office. There was not even a shelter outside to block the sun. I have
never seen people turn into US haters so soon). It is a country that
wants our brains, but is not willing to show a heart.
Some people may argue that I have the freedom to quit my job and go
back to my country. But that is not freedom enough. I want the freedom
to choose when I want to go back. Its not easy to pack 8 years of your
life in a jiffy. Its not easy to pack 8 years of your life into 2
suitcases. Neither is it easy to restart your life in a different
place, even if its your own. It reminds me of an Indian saying -
"dhobi ka kutta - na ghar ka, na ghat ka". It means, a washerman's dog
belongs neither to the house nor the river banks. Thats me in a
nutshell, a "dhobi ka kutta."; a washerman's dog!!!
ps: I love this country as much as I love my own. But I wish this country loved me back as well.
read my story below.
-------------------------------------------------------
America, the land of opportunity and freedom.
These days when I hear America being any of the above, I usually
sneer. 6 long years have thought me not to accept everything I hear.
Back home, I had respect. I had a good education and a great job. I
got an education from the best schools and the best colleges. I worked
for a big multi-national with a big fat salary and lots of
opportunities to travel to countries on work. I was a success. But I
wanted to be more. I wanted to be global. I wanted to work in a
different country for sometime. I loved seeing different cultures,
seeing different places; I wanted to see the world. Thats when the
offer for a job in the US came. I took it up because I could see the
US of A, the land of the free, the land of opportunity, the land of
the Cisco's and Microsofts and more importantly, the land of dreams. I
thought a couple of years working away from home would do me no harm.
Boy, was I wrong!!!!
The first few years in my new country of residence were difficult. I
worked for a startup with its crazy hours and insane schedules. Far
from seeing new places, I was busy at work. But I did not complain. I
liked the work and the company's passion to create something new. No
longer was I working on the junk companies outsource to third world
companies. I was working on the actual product, creating something
that was not done before, something I could be proud off. I was busy
at work, but it was not difficult to notice something, the Americans
worked hard, the people with green card worked harder, but the people
on H1-B worked hardest. I guess, the people on H1B had the most to
lose. But I did not give a hoot. I had a product to deliver. I never
had the time to think about my green card. I still wanted to go back
to my country, maybe not right now, but I wanted to. Right now, my
work was my priority and I would concentrate on that.
Slowly the years went by, and unknowningly I started seeing the
American Dream. I got a new car and expensive clothes, I started going
out with my friends, visited new places, and more importantly I
stopped feeling homesick. The apartment I shared with my friends was
my new home. So when my company asked me if they could do my green
card, I readily agreed.
I should have seen the signs. There were many of them; but I chose to
ignore. I should have know that people are exploited when I heard a
top executive at my company say once that he expects everyone to work
long hours and weekends because we had no options. The job market
outside was bad and none of us could find jobs. I should have known
that my cultural background mattered when the girl at the Albertson's
counter did not even look up to me, but was very friendly with all the
Americans ahead of me, or when an office colleauge introduced his girl
friend to all americans but ignored the Indians. I chose to ignore all
this, because I thought it does not affect me. As long as I did my
work or followed the rule of the land, nothing else mattered. I was
wrong again.
Two things changed in 2005. My company went down and I got married. I
was on H1B and had to find a job soon. I was already at the end of my
H1B tenure so not many companies were interested. That is when I
realized the disadvantage of being on an H1B. It did not matter that
my resume was impressive. My H1B status was more important than my
skill set. It it did not matter that I had already spent a lot years
in this country and my green card had been filed. It was hard finding
a job that would sponsor my H1B and my green card again. I did manage
to find one. But I was not lucky on my home front. My wife could not
work because she was on a dependent visa. She had given up a career in
India to be with me, but reality hit soon when she started getting
bored. She kept herself busy with books, TV and cooking. And life went
on, hoping that we would get our green card soon and we would be free
again. Free to find a job of my liking for me, and free to do any job
for my wife.
Its Feb 2007 now and there's still no sign of the green card. I
stopped hoping for one. I dont care for one. All I care for now is my
wife to be able to work in something she likes within any legal
boundaries.
Its been a long time since I legally came to this country. I was young
and succesful then. And now as I cross another anniversary of my
landing in the US, I reflect upon what I have gained. I have gained a
big bank balance, a good car, a good lifestyle. What have I lost -
plenty. I have lost my career, my freedom, my health, my marriage and
my family. I have been stuck in the same job for many many years while
all my friends have climbed up the corporate ladder back home in
India. Its not easy working on an H1B. My marriage has suffered
because my wife is unhappy that she cannot work, she's close to a
breakdown, my health has suffered because of all the thinking, and my
parents have sufferred because I have not been able to take care of
them. I never have cried so much at my helplessness as I have cried in
the last one year.
One thing I have realized about the US is that it is no different than
any country. Like any other country, the exploitable are always
exploited. (The big companies are not willing to fight for the welfare
of their employees. They fight to get more people into the country to
exploit.) Like any other country, the only thing that gets politicians
excited is money and votes. (Why do we need so money to lobby the
politicians? Isn't freedom and justice reasons good enough?) Like any
other country, it discriminates between the have and the have nots. It
is a country that has no respect for people. (Ask anyone who goes for
a visa stamping in the US embassy in India. I have seen old people and
ladies with small kids spend hours in the hot Chennai Sun to enter the
embassy for an appointment, just to be spoken rudely by the Visa
office. There was not even a shelter outside to block the sun. I have
never seen people turn into US haters so soon). It is a country that
wants our brains, but is not willing to show a heart.
Some people may argue that I have the freedom to quit my job and go
back to my country. But that is not freedom enough. I want the freedom
to choose when I want to go back. Its not easy to pack 8 years of your
life in a jiffy. Its not easy to pack 8 years of your life into 2
suitcases. Neither is it easy to restart your life in a different
place, even if its your own. It reminds me of an Indian saying -
"dhobi ka kutta - na ghar ka, na ghat ka". It means, a washerman's dog
belongs neither to the house nor the river banks. Thats me in a
nutshell, a "dhobi ka kutta."; a washerman's dog!!!
ps: I love this country as much as I love my own. But I wish this country loved me back as well.
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