perm2gc
12-22 06:08 PM
Efren Hernandez III, Director of the Business and Trade Services Branch at INS in Washington, D.C. announced in late December 2001 that the INS does not recognize or provide any "grace period" for maintaining status after employment termination. Mr. Hernandez explained this strict interpretation by reasoning that there is no difference between H1B holders and other non-immigrants, like students, to justify a stay in the U.S. beyond the explicit purpose of their admission. Mr. Hernandez admits that this may cause hardship to some terminated or laid off H1B workers, but believes that the INS position is legally justified.
Although the INS' strict interpretation of the law may have legal justification, the result to others seems harsh and unreasonable, considering the fact that the lay off or termination is completely beyond the control of the H1B worker. This strict INS position may also appear to be contrary to the purpose of allowing H1B workers admission to the U.S. since they helped to fill a critical need in our economy when the U.S. was suffering acute shortages of qualified, skilled workers. Perhaps, it would be more fair if the INS were to allow a reasonable grace period, perhaps 60 days, as mentioned in the June 19, 2001 INS Memo.
H1B workers should not be equated to other non-immigrants. For example, H1Bs can be distinguished from students. Students, in most cases, have exclusive control over whether they can maintain their status. Generally they determine whether they remain in school and satisfy the purpose of their admission to the U.S. If they choose not to remain in school, or they do not maintain certain passing grades or do not have sufficient funds, then they are no longer considered to be students maintaining their status and should return to their home countries. On the other hand, H1B workers enter the U.S. to engage in professional employment based on the needs of U.S. employers. They do not have exclusive control over whether they are laid off.
Although we are in a soft economy with massive employee cutbacks in a variety of fields, many of these H1B workers are able to find new employment within reasonable timeframes. Some companies, at least, are in need of these workers. Salaries have dropped in many cases and recruitment of workers from outside the U.S. has significantly slowed; but, to a large extent, the need for these existing workers remains. It would benefit U.S. companies and suit the purpose of the H1B visa program to allow a reasonable grace period for these laid-off H1B workers to seek new employment within a realistic time frame.
Adding to the woes of H1B workers, Mr. Hernandez addressed the issue of extensions of stay following brief status lapses. In short, the regulations require that an individual be in status at the time an extension of status is requested. Failure to maintain status will result in the H1B petition being granted, if appropriate, without an extension of stay. No I-94 card will be attached to the approval notice. Instead, the beneficiary will be directed to obtain a visa at a U.S. consulate in a foreign country and, only afterward, will return to lawful H1B status by re-entering the U.S. Although INS has a regulation that allows the Service to overlook brief lapses in status, extraordinary circumstances are required. Mr. Hernandez stated that even very short lapses in status are not justified in the context of terminated H1B workers, absent extraordinary circumstances.
Mr. Hernandez specifically negated the existence of a ten-day grace period following employment termination. There are ten-day grace periods allowed in three other instances. These are (a) the H1B worker can be admitted to the U.S. up to 10 days prior to the validity of his/her petition; (b) the H1B worker has a ten-day grace period following the expiration of the period of admission; and (c) in the case of denials of extensions, the H1B worker is given up to ten days to depart the U.S. Unfortunately, termination of employment is not covered by any of these exceptions. Some find it hard to see why a terminated H1B worker should be treated any differently from the H1B worker whose period of H1B admission has expired. There is far less warning and predictability in cases of layoffs or of other terminations.
Rumors are also circulating about a 30-day grace period should INS deny an H1B petition or extension of status and require the person to depart the U.S. There is also a 60-day time frame, proposed by the INS itself in the June 19, 2001 Memo, analyzing the American Competitiveness in the Twenty First Century Act (AC21). In this memo, the INS discussed the law allowing a person to be eligible for H1B extensions beyond 6 years if the person previously held either H1B status or had an H1B visa. The INS surmised that the law envisioned that one who previously held H1B status should be entitled, possibly up to 60 days, to the benefits of that section of AC21. Efren Hernandez clarified that none of these grace periods applies in the case of an H1B worker who is terminated or laid off
Although the INS' strict interpretation of the law may have legal justification, the result to others seems harsh and unreasonable, considering the fact that the lay off or termination is completely beyond the control of the H1B worker. This strict INS position may also appear to be contrary to the purpose of allowing H1B workers admission to the U.S. since they helped to fill a critical need in our economy when the U.S. was suffering acute shortages of qualified, skilled workers. Perhaps, it would be more fair if the INS were to allow a reasonable grace period, perhaps 60 days, as mentioned in the June 19, 2001 INS Memo.
H1B workers should not be equated to other non-immigrants. For example, H1Bs can be distinguished from students. Students, in most cases, have exclusive control over whether they can maintain their status. Generally they determine whether they remain in school and satisfy the purpose of their admission to the U.S. If they choose not to remain in school, or they do not maintain certain passing grades or do not have sufficient funds, then they are no longer considered to be students maintaining their status and should return to their home countries. On the other hand, H1B workers enter the U.S. to engage in professional employment based on the needs of U.S. employers. They do not have exclusive control over whether they are laid off.
Although we are in a soft economy with massive employee cutbacks in a variety of fields, many of these H1B workers are able to find new employment within reasonable timeframes. Some companies, at least, are in need of these workers. Salaries have dropped in many cases and recruitment of workers from outside the U.S. has significantly slowed; but, to a large extent, the need for these existing workers remains. It would benefit U.S. companies and suit the purpose of the H1B visa program to allow a reasonable grace period for these laid-off H1B workers to seek new employment within a realistic time frame.
Adding to the woes of H1B workers, Mr. Hernandez addressed the issue of extensions of stay following brief status lapses. In short, the regulations require that an individual be in status at the time an extension of status is requested. Failure to maintain status will result in the H1B petition being granted, if appropriate, without an extension of stay. No I-94 card will be attached to the approval notice. Instead, the beneficiary will be directed to obtain a visa at a U.S. consulate in a foreign country and, only afterward, will return to lawful H1B status by re-entering the U.S. Although INS has a regulation that allows the Service to overlook brief lapses in status, extraordinary circumstances are required. Mr. Hernandez stated that even very short lapses in status are not justified in the context of terminated H1B workers, absent extraordinary circumstances.
Mr. Hernandez specifically negated the existence of a ten-day grace period following employment termination. There are ten-day grace periods allowed in three other instances. These are (a) the H1B worker can be admitted to the U.S. up to 10 days prior to the validity of his/her petition; (b) the H1B worker has a ten-day grace period following the expiration of the period of admission; and (c) in the case of denials of extensions, the H1B worker is given up to ten days to depart the U.S. Unfortunately, termination of employment is not covered by any of these exceptions. Some find it hard to see why a terminated H1B worker should be treated any differently from the H1B worker whose period of H1B admission has expired. There is far less warning and predictability in cases of layoffs or of other terminations.
Rumors are also circulating about a 30-day grace period should INS deny an H1B petition or extension of status and require the person to depart the U.S. There is also a 60-day time frame, proposed by the INS itself in the June 19, 2001 Memo, analyzing the American Competitiveness in the Twenty First Century Act (AC21). In this memo, the INS discussed the law allowing a person to be eligible for H1B extensions beyond 6 years if the person previously held either H1B status or had an H1B visa. The INS surmised that the law envisioned that one who previously held H1B status should be entitled, possibly up to 60 days, to the benefits of that section of AC21. Efren Hernandez clarified that none of these grace periods applies in the case of an H1B worker who is terminated or laid off
Openarms
08-13 02:25 PM
Obama playing a safe politics in this time of economics.... against open commerce....I wonder what happens when other countries charge COCA Cola and lot of other companies 20% tax on profit margin.... think about foot print of American companies across the globe... This is not good for America.
immigrant-in-law
04-20 10:04 AM
COngratulations!
Also, can you please tell me for what period has your H1 been extended. Is it for 3 years or for the duration of your current assignment?
Hi Guys,
I got the good news to share every one. got the approval . its wonderful
Also, can you please tell me for what period has your H1 been extended. Is it for 3 years or for the duration of your current assignment?
Hi Guys,
I got the good news to share every one. got the approval . its wonderful
masterji
10-20 01:19 AM
I think it is best to get your H1B stamped in India and also carry AP with you (if possible) as a back up. Stamping in home country is the BEST and SAFEST. I do not know why so many people get it stamped in Mexico and Canada. Previously, when you could still enter US from Canada with a refused visa,it made sense, but now if they reject your visa you need to fly to India!!!
But, once you enter using your AP, can you switch back to H1B or you have to use your EAD?
Not a lawyer.
But, once you enter using your AP, can you switch back to H1B or you have to use your EAD?
Not a lawyer.
more...
Nil
11-09 09:19 PM
^^^^
NolaIndian32
02-10 10:05 PM
I agree, you should stay on an H1b as much as you possibly can. The H1b is already approved and you can transfer an existing H1b to a new employer (don't have to get a new H1b). But if you invoke the EAD status, you will forever lose your H1b. If anything goes wrong with your pending I-485 and you are still on an H1b, you still have time to appeal and to work through the issues. But if you are on the EAD at this time, then thats it, you have no time left because your EAD is issued to you as conditional approval of your pending I-485. You need to weigh the risks and benefits in taking a job with an employer who will not sponsor you on an H1b.
Best of Luck
Best of Luck
more...
masti_Gai
10-27 08:07 AM
After the bi-specialization of centers for H1 and 140 approvals the processing times have increased. This is coz the applications from other centers like Nebraska and Texas are being transferred to California and Vermont.
Once they are all done with the backlogs of other centers they will maintain their goal of max six months to process any application.
so nuttin to worry unless ur application has passed six months. if it did so ask ur attorney to get in touch with the concerned processin center to enquire the reason for the delay.
Once they are all done with the backlogs of other centers they will maintain their goal of max six months to process any application.
so nuttin to worry unless ur application has passed six months. if it did so ask ur attorney to get in touch with the concerned processin center to enquire the reason for the delay.
Motivated
01-06 08:38 AM
So many bills are introduced but most don't even see day of light.. I personally don't see this ever passing the congress.. For most treaty countries this feature is already available and its called E1/E2 visa.. There is no limit on number of people and number years for visa.
Exactly, many bills are introduced, but >80% of them do not come out of the committees. If the bill has support form a large number of legislators then it has a chance! Besides Lugar and Kerry who else supports this bill?
Exactly, many bills are introduced, but >80% of them do not come out of the committees. If the bill has support form a large number of legislators then it has a chance! Besides Lugar and Kerry who else supports this bill?
more...
gcformeornot
04-07 01:27 PM
In very basic terms.
If you have left your employer after filing AC21(140 approved and 485 pending for 180 days), your employer then revoked your 140 and used the original labor to file 140 for another person(substitution). Another person has applied for 485.
Then original applicant's 485 will be denied.....because AAO is saying One Labor can be used only for one Green Card....
Mind you this is all relates to pre July 2007.
If you have left your employer after filing AC21(140 approved and 485 pending for 180 days), your employer then revoked your 140 and used the original labor to file 140 for another person(substitution). Another person has applied for 485.
Then original applicant's 485 will be denied.....because AAO is saying One Labor can be used only for one Green Card....
Mind you this is all relates to pre July 2007.
ronhira
07-11 02:16 PM
My EAD and AP application was received June 19, 2009 at TSC. To my pleasant shocking & surprise USCIS approved mine and wife's application in 20 days and we received the card today.
We are happy with the speed and efficiency USCIS and wish they could do everything the same way. we received two year EAD but concerned as receiving a two year EAD indicates that it may take a while to get my PD (Dec 2005).
Thanks
Senthil.
that was a mistake :p ..... they meant to take 200 days..... but the guy who was doing data entry typed 20 instead of 200. So your EAD/AP got processed in 20 days..... in the end uscis did something right by mistake ...... we all just have to hope that uscis will continue to do these mistakes ..... without which no application can get processed in a timely manner.
We are happy with the speed and efficiency USCIS and wish they could do everything the same way. we received two year EAD but concerned as receiving a two year EAD indicates that it may take a while to get my PD (Dec 2005).
Thanks
Senthil.
that was a mistake :p ..... they meant to take 200 days..... but the guy who was doing data entry typed 20 instead of 200. So your EAD/AP got processed in 20 days..... in the end uscis did something right by mistake ...... we all just have to hope that uscis will continue to do these mistakes ..... without which no application can get processed in a timely manner.
more...
edaltsis
11-12 11:58 AM
From the day you file your case you are legal to work with your new employer until its approval or denial. When you file your case (filed in normal processing without including paystub) sometimes they just approve it and sometimes they ask for a current paystub for evidence to close the case as approved. As you start working for your new company you would get a pay stub which can be used for the query.
ganguteli
06-12 09:52 AM
Hi,
While in the process of filing for labor certification my company has found 2 suitable citizens who are eligible for the job.
Now what are my options going forward and how does this affect my chances of a successful PERM filing ??
I'm filing in EB3 category right now. Also I need to file for labor before oct since my H1 will expire its original 6 year length next Oct (Oct 2010).
Ask your company to fire you asap. The HR should anyways fire you and hire the US citizen.
You should find another job asap.
If you cannot, then leave the country. If you overstay you will be illegal.
And if you are an anti-immigrant posting on this site to expect people to tell you how to break the law. Then sorry bad luck. I have seen your websites with such posts. Stop comming to this site and try to malign law abiding people. Got it.
Read this
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08060/861421-85.stm
1 in every 100 Americans in jail
While in the process of filing for labor certification my company has found 2 suitable citizens who are eligible for the job.
Now what are my options going forward and how does this affect my chances of a successful PERM filing ??
I'm filing in EB3 category right now. Also I need to file for labor before oct since my H1 will expire its original 6 year length next Oct (Oct 2010).
Ask your company to fire you asap. The HR should anyways fire you and hire the US citizen.
You should find another job asap.
If you cannot, then leave the country. If you overstay you will be illegal.
And if you are an anti-immigrant posting on this site to expect people to tell you how to break the law. Then sorry bad luck. I have seen your websites with such posts. Stop comming to this site and try to malign law abiding people. Got it.
Read this
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08060/861421-85.stm
1 in every 100 Americans in jail
more...
maxy
10-16 11:48 AM
i think ability 2 pay is fair question under AC21. what future employer will hate to do is put words like petition, labor, immigration, sponsorship, EB preference etc ...
they would just like to issue regular EVL which they are providing to other regular employees. may be salary, role, start date, and permanent nature of job thats it. is that enough for USCIS. thats the question. (they can always look up company papers, tax returns etc.)
they would just like to issue regular EVL which they are providing to other regular employees. may be salary, role, start date, and permanent nature of job thats it. is that enough for USCIS. thats the question. (they can always look up company papers, tax returns etc.)
sheelalann
05-21 12:55 PM
we should sue wipro :-)
more...
gc_check
01-19 09:06 PM
Every other year, there is election and only this damn. election drives what is done and what is not done in congress year after year. The good old time, bills are passed that are important and good for the general people and this some times was not popular, but now only the issues popular are are being taken and rather than voting on what is good, the law makers tend to go with what people like, and people's likes and dislikes keep changing and the same change work against them sometimes. Also people on one area does not like what is liked in other area and when we have a product that contains both, well the same people now unite and start to not like the final product and this goes on ..... It is same CHANGE that President Obama mentions too often, but the same change is Now liked by Republicans, and Dems did not like the change this time around. Also with the communication revolutions, the election campaign seems to have become much much long.... And Oh !! Well... now our President apart from Health Care Reform, Immigration Reform and climate change issue, also need to work on his re-election from now on, if he doesn't want the change he loves some much, in White House in 2012 election... HOPE - at least people in this group, see CHANGE for better, CHANGE from AOS to LPR .... Now, let us see what will this loss of filibuster majority by Dems do in the interim.... Only time can tell. Change we can believe in !!!
thomachan72
06-14 02:54 PM
Well just to get away a bit from the complications of immigration!
Either the victim (who lost jwelery) has some animosity to you/family/your sister or your sister by her actions has given him/her reason to suspect her for the lost jwelery. Maybe your sister might have been a frequent visitor to that house? Or the jwelery was lost immediately after your sisters visit? First identify what prompted this accusation and then tackle it. Ofcourse consult a good attorney.
Even if the person acuses your sister, she is inocent until proven guilty and unless there is sufficient evidence there is no way your sister will be convicted by any judge/jury.
Lesson to learn; Don't get tooooooooo close to anybody. Helping is good but even with your relatives you have keep a certain distance and respect their privacy and territory. Indians tend to overlook this and often asume that they can enter into other people's lives, think for them and act for them. Its ok in India but once you are here things change quite a bit.......:o:o
Either the victim (who lost jwelery) has some animosity to you/family/your sister or your sister by her actions has given him/her reason to suspect her for the lost jwelery. Maybe your sister might have been a frequent visitor to that house? Or the jwelery was lost immediately after your sisters visit? First identify what prompted this accusation and then tackle it. Ofcourse consult a good attorney.
Even if the person acuses your sister, she is inocent until proven guilty and unless there is sufficient evidence there is no way your sister will be convicted by any judge/jury.
Lesson to learn; Don't get tooooooooo close to anybody. Helping is good but even with your relatives you have keep a certain distance and respect their privacy and territory. Indians tend to overlook this and often asume that they can enter into other people's lives, think for them and act for them. Its ok in India but once you are here things change quite a bit.......:o:o
more...
kirupa
12-08 01:58 AM
Wow, another close one! Congrats to templarian, mugyaded, and flocke for having the top winning entries :cowbell:
I'll more formally announce this later this week.
Cheers!
Kirupa :sailor:
I'll more formally announce this later this week.
Cheers!
Kirupa :sailor:
.jpg "hip tattoos. flower hip")
freakin_gc
02-01 12:25 PM
NSC,I know they are really pain in the ass...my wife recently completed her PHD...we are now seriously thinking about filing another I-140 in EB1 category at TSC. I believe they are much faster than NSC. Again we are not sure whether we can able to file another I-485
If your i-140 reciept mentions 'Skilled worker or Professional, sec.203(b)(3)A(i) or (ii)' Then you are good to go.....dont worry about it was applied as skilled worker.... you should not have any problem in getting the approval again if you company financial status is good..
All the best..
BTW what is your service center, NSC or Texas ?
Thanks
sb
If your i-140 reciept mentions 'Skilled worker or Professional, sec.203(b)(3)A(i) or (ii)' Then you are good to go.....dont worry about it was applied as skilled worker.... you should not have any problem in getting the approval again if you company financial status is good..
All the best..
BTW what is your service center, NSC or Texas ?
Thanks
sb
vishwak
02-01 01:40 PM
Congrats....Enjoy.
pappu
02-25 07:13 PM
Please, the date does not mean what it should mean. Otherwise nobody can explain the fact that this date can go backwards. For TSC, it went back from May 24 to April 10.
No.
The dates do mean something. While it does not mean anyone after the processing date will not be processed, people before these processing dates get a chance to raise a service request due to these processing times. Service centers project dates based on their workload. Lot of people are now eligible for AOS benefits due to the recent namecheck Memo. The EB3 ROW dates have also moved ahead in March Bulletin. There was a huge June , July rush of applications last year. All that may slow down the processing dates. IV has recently raised the issue of processing with USCIS and we are expecting some details be made public in the coming days.
No.
The dates do mean something. While it does not mean anyone after the processing date will not be processed, people before these processing dates get a chance to raise a service request due to these processing times. Service centers project dates based on their workload. Lot of people are now eligible for AOS benefits due to the recent namecheck Memo. The EB3 ROW dates have also moved ahead in March Bulletin. There was a huge June , July rush of applications last year. All that may slow down the processing dates. IV has recently raised the issue of processing with USCIS and we are expecting some details be made public in the coming days.
docwa
04-12 06:50 PM
Thanks all. I called my lawyer, and she mentioned that there have been specific cases of the Neb Service Center rejecting I485 applications for internists while they are doing fellowships. I guess my plan would be to find a 'full time' position working a couple of nights a week in the same city where I am working as a fellow, and use that as proof of ongoing full time internist work.
I am not sure if they need just a letter, or a w2s also. I guess 'full time' is a very arbitrary word, and can be applied to more than 28-32 hrs a week, which is very easily doable.
I am not sure if they need just a letter, or a w2s also. I guess 'full time' is a very arbitrary word, and can be applied to more than 28-32 hrs a week, which is very easily doable.
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