texanmom
09-12 04:11 PM
Or do you need us to write to each of them?
wallpaper 1967); 1955 Les Paul Junior
gcisadawg
02-08 02:39 AM
If the girl is working and earning money, she has all the rights to spend the way she wants, including giving money to her parents. If she is not working, then help should be based only on humanitarian basis because we never know when one's financial situation changes. I can't understand how any girl can force her husband to spend for her parents and siblings especially when she is not earning.
gctest
09-13 04:10 PM
People, most of us here are just afraid that they will get red dots, be ridiculed for their beliefs. But the things is; If we don't fight for our rights, who will. We have to defend our place in the queue, which at the moment is at substantial risk.
Here is the form you can fill out to express support:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pfq9i31UpaJcQdUK-1PaKcg&hl=en
View the read only document here:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pfq9i31UpaJcQdUK-1PaKcg&hl=en
I want everybody to get their GCs. but now interfiling/porting is hurting out position in the queue.
If you are not aware, a good bunch of EB3s are now trying to interfile & port their PDs which are between 2001 - 2005 to EB2.
This will potentially put tens of thousands of people in the EB2 queue before most people in EB2 who are waiting.
These people were not eligible for EB2 when they filed their own labor.. so they should NOT BE ALLOWED TO PORT THEIR OLD PDs. Sure EB3 can Interfile .. but you will get a new PD ... the date you interfile.
If we just keep looking... there will be a huge retrogression in EB2. And its not like these EB3 people will get through with the interfiling/porting. Most of them will be issued RFEs. Their labor apps will be audited and their primary EB3 apps will be cancelled. Infact, 85% of interfiling will never successfully make it through. And its not like it will help the EB3 brothers. That queue will still be long... because they are not going to withdraw their EB3 apps.
Also, while they will not succeed in interfiling/porting, they still will have their apps with USCIS and USCIS will sit on them before eventually issuing NOID. Sad part is they will count these when giving numbers to DOS for setting visa bulletins.
This PD porting is the last "not so ethical & legal" thing after labor substitution.. that we need to Put a cork on.
If we don't act now... then we can all expect to stay in AOS for the next 5 years. This holds for both EB2 and EB3.
I want everybody to get their GCs. I also am OK with the wait.
But anything that threatens my position in the queue is not acceptable.
Here is the form you can fill out to express support:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pfq9i31UpaJcQdUK-1PaKcg&hl=en
View the read only document here:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pfq9i31UpaJcQdUK-1PaKcg&hl=en
I want everybody to get their GCs. but now interfiling/porting is hurting out position in the queue.
If you are not aware, a good bunch of EB3s are now trying to interfile & port their PDs which are between 2001 - 2005 to EB2.
This will potentially put tens of thousands of people in the EB2 queue before most people in EB2 who are waiting.
These people were not eligible for EB2 when they filed their own labor.. so they should NOT BE ALLOWED TO PORT THEIR OLD PDs. Sure EB3 can Interfile .. but you will get a new PD ... the date you interfile.
If we just keep looking... there will be a huge retrogression in EB2. And its not like these EB3 people will get through with the interfiling/porting. Most of them will be issued RFEs. Their labor apps will be audited and their primary EB3 apps will be cancelled. Infact, 85% of interfiling will never successfully make it through. And its not like it will help the EB3 brothers. That queue will still be long... because they are not going to withdraw their EB3 apps.
Also, while they will not succeed in interfiling/porting, they still will have their apps with USCIS and USCIS will sit on them before eventually issuing NOID. Sad part is they will count these when giving numbers to DOS for setting visa bulletins.
This PD porting is the last "not so ethical & legal" thing after labor substitution.. that we need to Put a cork on.
If we don't act now... then we can all expect to stay in AOS for the next 5 years. This holds for both EB2 and EB3.
I want everybody to get their GCs. I also am OK with the wait.
But anything that threatens my position in the queue is not acceptable.
2011 Gibson Les Paul Jr Nashville
StarSun
04-29 05:41 PM
You can find the list of all US Senators currently serving listed alphabetically along with phone numbers U.S. Senate: Senators Home (http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm)
class - Article I, section 3 of the Constitution requires the Senate to be divided into three classes for purposes of elections. Senators are elected to six-year terms, and every two years the members of one class�approximately one-third of the Senators�face election or reelection. Terms for Senators in Class I expire in 2013, Class II in 2015, and Class III in 2011.
Lets get this moving!!!
class - Article I, section 3 of the Constitution requires the Senate to be divided into three classes for purposes of elections. Senators are elected to six-year terms, and every two years the members of one class�approximately one-third of the Senators�face election or reelection. Terms for Senators in Class I expire in 2013, Class II in 2015, and Class III in 2011.
Lets get this moving!!!
more...
jeevarakkiannan
07-19 11:55 AM
Secure $50 Per Month Recurring Contribution
$50.00 USD for each month
Effective Date: Jul. 19, 2007 $50.00 USD
Thank you core team for your sacrifices.
$50.00 USD for each month
Effective Date: Jul. 19, 2007 $50.00 USD
Thank you core team for your sacrifices.
chanduv23
05-18 03:39 PM
ANOTHER UPDATE
I just spoke to Congressional office and this is what she has to say:
Quote"""""""""""
I just spoke with our liaison at the Nebraska office and she confirmed that your motion to reopen was approved on Friday (05/15/2009). That, I am told, means Nebraska agrees to re-examine your I-485 denial and a decision should be forthcoming within 60 days. I suggest that we wait to see what that decision is before our office initiates any formal inquiries with the USCIS Nebraska Director.
""""""""""""""Unquote
But she agreed that my second MTR might have been on sidelines and the congressional office inquiry into the matter could have influenced USCIS to review my case ( probably with a supervisor) immediately. She told me that she would put another inquiry with NSC in 4 weeks if nothing comes up. Finally we have decided to forgo (just for now) the process of writing letter to the NSC Director as it might not add much weight to the process, as congressional office would be repeating the same argument that my Attorney has made regarding the AC21, which a supervisor is already looking at.
I have already waited for 3 months. Another 2 months might take its toll on my emotional drain.
God save AC21............
That is a standard message. Basically yur 485 has been reopened. Unless your priority date is current there is nothing much they can do, but if there is a need for RFE, they will send you RFE.
Congratulations. This is a standard message your case has been reopened. You must celebrate this moment.
Unless your MTR is approved, your case does not get reopened. So your MTR is also approved - usually they do not update those messages on the online system properly and thats why we do not see them.
I just spoke to Congressional office and this is what she has to say:
Quote"""""""""""
I just spoke with our liaison at the Nebraska office and she confirmed that your motion to reopen was approved on Friday (05/15/2009). That, I am told, means Nebraska agrees to re-examine your I-485 denial and a decision should be forthcoming within 60 days. I suggest that we wait to see what that decision is before our office initiates any formal inquiries with the USCIS Nebraska Director.
""""""""""""""Unquote
But she agreed that my second MTR might have been on sidelines and the congressional office inquiry into the matter could have influenced USCIS to review my case ( probably with a supervisor) immediately. She told me that she would put another inquiry with NSC in 4 weeks if nothing comes up. Finally we have decided to forgo (just for now) the process of writing letter to the NSC Director as it might not add much weight to the process, as congressional office would be repeating the same argument that my Attorney has made regarding the AC21, which a supervisor is already looking at.
I have already waited for 3 months. Another 2 months might take its toll on my emotional drain.
God save AC21............
That is a standard message. Basically yur 485 has been reopened. Unless your priority date is current there is nothing much they can do, but if there is a need for RFE, they will send you RFE.
Congratulations. This is a standard message your case has been reopened. You must celebrate this moment.
Unless your MTR is approved, your case does not get reopened. So your MTR is also approved - usually they do not update those messages on the online system properly and thats why we do not see them.
more...
jonty_11
07-14 01:30 PM
I know some of you must think:
"What the heck difference is FIVE dollars going to make?????"
Well $5 x 30,000 = $150,000 I hope people understand that, $150,000 is NOTHING to sneeze at. So people, you dont even need to dig too deep. Just FIVE DOLLARS.
Less than the cost of a SUBWAY Sandwich LUNCH.
Subway sandwich and that too a FOOTLONG.....so get going to mail those checks.
"What the heck difference is FIVE dollars going to make?????"
Well $5 x 30,000 = $150,000 I hope people understand that, $150,000 is NOTHING to sneeze at. So people, you dont even need to dig too deep. Just FIVE DOLLARS.
Less than the cost of a SUBWAY Sandwich LUNCH.
Subway sandwich and that too a FOOTLONG.....so get going to mail those checks.
2010 1958 Gibson Les Paul Junior
pmpforgc
03-05 10:42 PM
For all the replies to my post. I understand that there are many others in the same situation I am in, who can understand and feel the injustices of this process.
I understand that we made personal choices and we have to take responsibility for our actions, if something is clear is that h1-B is a NON-EMIGRANT visa. I just wish there was more transparency from the USA government when it comes to apply for PR through employment. The backlogs and collapse of the system, only reflect the lack of interest in solving the problem which in my opinion it's also a reflection of the lack of interest in having any more skilled professionals coming to the US.
Most of the participants in this forum are from India. I appreciate your insights and wisdom, you are well known for being spiritual people who work hard through hardships in life. Many of you have left here important advices and I am grateful for that.
Personally I have done my best to live a life outside this green card ordeal. I have moved on trying to live a normal life without being obsessed with this problem, but as most of you know, reality hits quite often and we are reminded of the limitations that our legal position imposes, more often than not.
I am only regret the rude comment of somebody who replied saying " Give up something you don't have? Live a life". It's true I don't have anything to give up and that is the sad part of all this process. I have invested thousands of dollars from my own pocket, gone under distress and suffered the unfairness of the system in exchange of nothing. Yet.
Thanks for your feedback, and good luck to all you. I hope that someday in the future people from my country, or any country for that matter, wont be forced to leave their families and friends behind because of unbearable live conditions we face.
Just wanted to highlight two sentence from your post, which are contradictory. You yourself said we made personal choice. so it is hard to belive any one is forced to immmigrate from their home country and get away from their family against their own wish. That is only possible if you immigrated or came here as minor and your parents/adopters made those choices for you, which you did not like. But as i understand from you posts, you applied your own H1B, so I assume it was not against yours wishes. And also in your first post you already mentioned that when you first came here your family was very happy for you. So I assume at that time no one from you or your family were worried about UNBEARABLE Living Conditions in US that WE FACE?
I understand that we made personal choices and we have to take responsibility for our actions, if something is clear is that h1-B is a NON-EMIGRANT visa. I just wish there was more transparency from the USA government when it comes to apply for PR through employment. The backlogs and collapse of the system, only reflect the lack of interest in solving the problem which in my opinion it's also a reflection of the lack of interest in having any more skilled professionals coming to the US.
Most of the participants in this forum are from India. I appreciate your insights and wisdom, you are well known for being spiritual people who work hard through hardships in life. Many of you have left here important advices and I am grateful for that.
Personally I have done my best to live a life outside this green card ordeal. I have moved on trying to live a normal life without being obsessed with this problem, but as most of you know, reality hits quite often and we are reminded of the limitations that our legal position imposes, more often than not.
I am only regret the rude comment of somebody who replied saying " Give up something you don't have? Live a life". It's true I don't have anything to give up and that is the sad part of all this process. I have invested thousands of dollars from my own pocket, gone under distress and suffered the unfairness of the system in exchange of nothing. Yet.
Thanks for your feedback, and good luck to all you. I hope that someday in the future people from my country, or any country for that matter, wont be forced to leave their families and friends behind because of unbearable live conditions we face.
Just wanted to highlight two sentence from your post, which are contradictory. You yourself said we made personal choice. so it is hard to belive any one is forced to immmigrate from their home country and get away from their family against their own wish. That is only possible if you immigrated or came here as minor and your parents/adopters made those choices for you, which you did not like. But as i understand from you posts, you applied your own H1B, so I assume it was not against yours wishes. And also in your first post you already mentioned that when you first came here your family was very happy for you. So I assume at that time no one from you or your family were worried about UNBEARABLE Living Conditions in US that WE FACE?
more...
DSJ
07-06 02:11 PM
Make sure you don't have internet in that area :D (You might accidentally login here are ruin your vacation)
coz we need some place to go for vacation ;)
coz we need some place to go for vacation ;)
hair Rare Epiphone Les Paul Jr
mmanurker
09-26 11:00 AM
This is the worst DMV in NJ... You may be better off going to Jersey City, Princeton or anywhere else.
Princeton/Trenton are also worst...FYI...My DL already expired on 9th Sept.
I went to Trenton with original receipt and employer letter but still they refused to renew my license.
My attorney forgot to upgrade my H1 application to premium process and then started to defend himself by saying that he did not get any approval from my employer and at the same time he never told me that he did not get my employer authorization till Sept 11th where as I asked him to upgrade to premium sometime in last week of July'07. So from July to Sept'11th he kept making excuses one after another but never mentioned that he needs an employer authorization.Thats how these attorneys work and screw our lives....
Princeton/Trenton are also worst...FYI...My DL already expired on 9th Sept.
I went to Trenton with original receipt and employer letter but still they refused to renew my license.
My attorney forgot to upgrade my H1 application to premium process and then started to defend himself by saying that he did not get any approval from my employer and at the same time he never told me that he did not get my employer authorization till Sept 11th where as I asked him to upgrade to premium sometime in last week of July'07. So from July to Sept'11th he kept making excuses one after another but never mentioned that he needs an employer authorization.Thats how these attorneys work and screw our lives....
more...
looivy
07-20 03:53 PM
What about receipt notices? Isn't that teh first step? I do not believe it will take 20 months to get a receipt notice. Are you sure they have only 30 folks for EAD. Is that a known fact? What if it is 300?
How about outsourcing it?
Guys,
The calculations below is not to scare anyone but it may very well a reality. Based on the assumptions below, some people may have to wait up to 20 months to get a EAD card: Ouch!
A Total I-485 Applicants: 750000 Applicants
B Each EAD processing time: 5 Minutes
C Total processing hrs: 62500 Hours
(Calculations: AxB/60)
D Daily productive Hours: 5 Hours
(It is a government body!)
E Total Man Days (Business Days): 12500 Man Days
(Calculations: C/D)
F EAD Workforce: 30 People
G Total Business Days: 417 Days
(Calculations: E/F)
H Average Business Days in a month: 21 Days
I Total Clearing Time : 20 Months
(Calculations: G/I)
How about outsourcing it?
Guys,
The calculations below is not to scare anyone but it may very well a reality. Based on the assumptions below, some people may have to wait up to 20 months to get a EAD card: Ouch!
A Total I-485 Applicants: 750000 Applicants
B Each EAD processing time: 5 Minutes
C Total processing hrs: 62500 Hours
(Calculations: AxB/60)
D Daily productive Hours: 5 Hours
(It is a government body!)
E Total Man Days (Business Days): 12500 Man Days
(Calculations: C/D)
F EAD Workforce: 30 People
G Total Business Days: 417 Days
(Calculations: E/F)
H Average Business Days in a month: 21 Days
I Total Clearing Time : 20 Months
(Calculations: G/I)
hot Epiphone Les Paul Junior
ramus
07-06 12:20 PM
Thank you.. I am sure this thread is going to get more and more visits..
I have changed the thread title.
I have changed the thread title.
more...
house Gibson Les Paul Special. lack
lost_in_migration
10-01 10:39 AM
EB must also get some additional visa numbers from FB as an 'interest' for these 'loaned' visas from EB to FB. Now we have to finalize the 'interest' rate. How about 100%? ;)
Thanks to Macaca, now we know that during the previous years some of the unused EB visas were effectively used for Family based GCs.
My question (and suggestion) is, can the reverse happen in 2007-2008?
I know, this is an opportunistic and shameless suggestion from my part. But the fact of the matter is, we are rightfully entitled to the same number of visa numbers that we effectively 'loaned' to the FB visa category in the previous years.
What is important is that this sort of give and take can happen with out any law change. We only need to cry louder than FB folks, and USCIS may give unused FB visas to EB category.
Thanks to Macaca, now we know that during the previous years some of the unused EB visas were effectively used for Family based GCs.
My question (and suggestion) is, can the reverse happen in 2007-2008?
I know, this is an opportunistic and shameless suggestion from my part. But the fact of the matter is, we are rightfully entitled to the same number of visa numbers that we effectively 'loaned' to the FB visa category in the previous years.
What is important is that this sort of give and take can happen with out any law change. We only need to cry louder than FB folks, and USCIS may give unused FB visas to EB category.
tattoo 1976 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe
gcisadawg
02-09 05:27 PM
Morally it is right to send money to parents, but legally it is not. As you can strive but, you wont be fair to either set of parents. Hence I believe "money" should not be sent to parents. Your parents should have planned their own future, including humanitarian needs. Only if your other half agrees, then only you should send money. Otherwise, it is your and your spouse's money.
Yes, you are right! The Indian parent should have given their retirement a very high priority than their kids education. There are millions of middle class parents who didn't care about their retirement but worried and planned for their kids future by spending not only money but also precious time.
How many Indian origin parents in US invest in their children to make them a 'well rounded' personality so that these children can go to IVY leagues? I believe, it is time for them to focus on their retirement than to spend money on Kumon, Music/Dance classes, soccer/swimming lessons, softball/little league, chess lessons, spelling bee etc...
And why should they move to a sprawling four bedroom home in a suburb and save on heating cost by making their home as an igloo? The reason is their kids can get more space to play around, get a sense of community and build friends.
Just a 3BR aptmt should suffice. And why would a returning NRI want to enroll his kids in an International school?
Your post is a great eye-opener to NRI parents here! It is time for them to do what is
'just enough' for their kids and load up their IRA, 401K and after tax mutual fund or probably put it in a CD or stash it under a mattress! You know why, the ungrateful kid doesn't care about the parents even during humanitarian crisis!
Here is my figment of imagination if society stoops to that level...
Our hero would visit his parents apartment with his wife in tow, alight from his beamer and tell "Alright dad, It's OK if you don't have money to treat your cancer. We would surely help you thru our contacts. Our temple group has a special program. Also it's a great advantage that my wife has lots of contacts in her part-time business. She's also a part of a church group that takes up urgent humanitarian needs..Don't worry, we'll make it"
Yes, you are right! The Indian parent should have given their retirement a very high priority than their kids education. There are millions of middle class parents who didn't care about their retirement but worried and planned for their kids future by spending not only money but also precious time.
How many Indian origin parents in US invest in their children to make them a 'well rounded' personality so that these children can go to IVY leagues? I believe, it is time for them to focus on their retirement than to spend money on Kumon, Music/Dance classes, soccer/swimming lessons, softball/little league, chess lessons, spelling bee etc...
And why should they move to a sprawling four bedroom home in a suburb and save on heating cost by making their home as an igloo? The reason is their kids can get more space to play around, get a sense of community and build friends.
Just a 3BR aptmt should suffice. And why would a returning NRI want to enroll his kids in an International school?
Your post is a great eye-opener to NRI parents here! It is time for them to do what is
'just enough' for their kids and load up their IRA, 401K and after tax mutual fund or probably put it in a CD or stash it under a mattress! You know why, the ungrateful kid doesn't care about the parents even during humanitarian crisis!
Here is my figment of imagination if society stoops to that level...
Our hero would visit his parents apartment with his wife in tow, alight from his beamer and tell "Alright dad, It's OK if you don't have money to treat your cancer. We would surely help you thru our contacts. Our temple group has a special program. Also it's a great advantage that my wife has lots of contacts in her part-time business. She's also a part of a church group that takes up urgent humanitarian needs..Don't worry, we'll make it"
more...
pictures Knobs: Black Speed Knobs
p_kumar
07-20 03:28 PM
I thought if we dont get the EAD after 90 days, we can walk into the US Embassy in the city nearer to us and get the EAD on the spot(more like a driver's license).:eek:
dresses 2001 Gibson Les Paul Jr. Lite
aquarianf
09-09 11:21 AM
I'm looking for homeloan options in India. Which bank would be good to apply for home loans.
Was thinking about ICICI bank but got scared after going through the other thread about how ICICI bank is into stealing.
I would appreciate it if anyone can give me few suggestions on this.
Thank you.
Avoid ICICI.
Was thinking about ICICI bank but got scared after going through the other thread about how ICICI bank is into stealing.
I would appreciate it if anyone can give me few suggestions on this.
Thank you.
Avoid ICICI.
more...
makeup follower of the Les Paul +
satishku_2000
07-05 03:15 PM
I just spoke with an Immigration Representative of my Senator. She knows me as I met her last year with my employer for my other issue.
She just informed me that we are (Not only we but whole Congress) shocked with un-precedent action of DOS/USCIS for July VB. Senator's Washington DC office is working on this issue including immediate legislative relief to Employment Based immigration. She is well aware of whole drama of July VB. I am going to call Washington DC Office as well.
I encourage every one call to their Senator and HR and speak with Immigration Representative. I think first time media and lawmakers have acknowledged the problem of Employment Based Immigration.
Call make much impact than the email/fax
Can you tell me who are your senators?
She just informed me that we are (Not only we but whole Congress) shocked with un-precedent action of DOS/USCIS for July VB. Senator's Washington DC office is working on this issue including immediate legislative relief to Employment Based immigration. She is well aware of whole drama of July VB. I am going to call Washington DC Office as well.
I encourage every one call to their Senator and HR and speak with Immigration Representative. I think first time media and lawmakers have acknowledged the problem of Employment Based Immigration.
Call make much impact than the email/fax
Can you tell me who are your senators?
girlfriend This modern 57 Les Paul Jr.
amitjoey
04-29 03:39 PM
We will start calling. Thanks. We should leave no stone unturned. No doubts. Just do it!!
hairstyles les-paul-junior2. What is it?
%255D%26sink%3Dpreservemd%255Btrue%255D "Music Memorabilia:Instruments, 2000s Epiphone Les Paul Junior Black Electric")
ksefiane
09-12 03:11 PM
Oops, I forgot to mention that the newsrooms that I contacted are all in VIRGINIA. Thanks!
Karima
Karima
baburob2
03-15 06:25 PM
Overall no big progress w.r.t our title's though Brownback's comment on immigration numbers is good.
Senate Judiciary Committee Continues Slow Progress in Markup of Immigration Reform Legislation
Cite as "AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 06031540 (posted Mar. 15, 2006)"
The Senate Judiciary Committee continued its consideration today of draft legislation on comprehensive immigration reform sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter. The Committee officially took up the bill, known as the �Chairman�s Mark,� on March 2 but has made very slow progress to date.
The following is a very brief summary of the amendments that were addressed during today�s session. See our previous update on last week�s markup sessions. We will continue to update you as action on the bill continues.
1. The Committee passed by a voice vote a compromise amendment by Feingold that would preserve some level of judicial review over naturalization applications.
2. A Specter 2nd degree amendment to a Sessions amendment on evading inspection passed.
3. A Leahy amendment on security-related issues passed by voice vote.
4. A Kennedy amendment to ameliorate the Mark�s retroactive provisions was debated and deferred.
5. A Feinstein amendment to modify the provisions of the Mark relating to border security was deferred for future action.
6. A Durbin amendment to strike the Mark�s criminalization of unlawful status was once again deferred for future consideration. Feinstein attempted to offer a 2nd degree amendment that would provide aliens with a 60-day grace period for visa overstays before they are subject to criminal prosecution under INA � 275(a), but Specter would not allow it since Durbin�s underlying amendment was set aside.
7. A Durbin amendment to ameliorate the Mark�s smuggling provision so as not to criminalize humanitarian assistance was once again debated and deferred. Kyl spoke in opposition to the amendment. Cornyn had a second degree that Hatch thought was insufficient. Hatch, Schumer and Biden spoke in opposition to Cornyn�s 2nd degree. Cornyn was not convincing, but Kyl did some damage.
8. A Sessions amendment to affirm the inherent authority of state and local law enforcement personnel to enforce federal civil immigration laws during the normal course of carrying out their duties was discussed. Specter offered a 2nd degree that would limit the inherent authority of states and localities to the enforcement of the criminal provisions of the immigration laws. Sessions would only support the 2nd degree if the provisions of the Mark criminalizing unlawful presence remain intact. Thus, if the Durbin amendment to strike those provisions passes, Sessions wants to revisit the Specter 2nd degree. Specter�s 2nd degree passed by voice vote.
9. A Sessions amendment that would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide information to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) related to aliens who may have violated certain immigration laws passed by a voice vote. The broadly worded amendment would encompass visa overstayers, other civil violators, and even members of vulnerable populations such as asylum-seekers who are improperly documented but seeking relief. Leahy and Kennedy voted against the amendment and Leahy spoke in opposition to overloading the NCIC database with individuals who do not belong in it. A Specter 2nd degree amendment that would provide a procedure for requesting removal from the database and modify the group of individuals included in it passed by voice vote.
10. A Sessions amendment that would require at least one law enforcement agency in each state to enter into a � 287(g) cooperative enforcement agreement to enforce immigration laws against alien smugglers was considered. Sessions accepted a Coburn 2nd degree amendment that would clarify: (1) that such agreements would be purely voluntary, and (2) that the �287(g) enforcement authority would not be limited to alien smuggling. There was no quorum to vote on these, however, and they were set aside.
Part way through the markup, Specter attempted to jump to a debate on the issue of the undocumented population, noting that he has reiterated to Senate Majority Leader Frist that he (Specter) opposes bringing immigration reform to the Senate Floor before the Senate Judiciary Committee had completed its consideration of the Chairman�s Mark. Biden and Kennedy voiced their support of Specter�s desire to complete work in Committee. Kennedy added, �this issue is NOT going away, like some other issues,� and urged deferral of the Title VI discussion until tomorrow (Title VI contains the provisions dealing with the undocumented population). He added that we need to deal with ALL aspects of reform to have real, lasting border security�going forward with any of these components alone will fail.
Durbin said that, to defeat the House bill (H.R. 4437), the Committee needs to pass a strong bipartisan bill with the support of about 12 members. He feels the Committee should do an extra markup session on a day when there is no other Senate business. �We need to watch the House,� noted Durbin, adding: �They have a bill we need to fight at all costs. We need bipartisan support out of this Committee.�
Brownback stated that the Committee has started a process to create broad bipartisan support for good policy, and that this is the most significant legislation of the year. �We have serious problems with immigrant numbers,� he said. �We can�t live with these and need to change them. McCain/Kennedy would deal with this. How do we get the Mark to deal with these numbers? We need a way NOT to end up here again after 10 years. We can�t move too quickly.�
Cornyn described the process as akin to �digging out of a big hole,� noting that with enforcement done first, other issues would get simpler. He believes we need to impose circularity---not permanent immigration.
Coburn said that, like it or not, we have to deal with issue of the undocumented population. He urged the Committee to split the bill in two and do enforcement first, and work to reach consensus on other parts later in the year. �No one in the country trusts us on this issue because we haven�t enforced our existing laws,� he said.
Feinstein stated her concerns about the process, and also spoke out against comprehensive immigration reform and in favor of her more limited agricultural pilot program idea. She said she had met with Senator Craig (the sponsor of AgJobs) yesterday to see if they could work out their differences but there has been no resolution yet. She also expressed much frustration with Frist�s artificial timeline. She indicated her opposition to the House bill, and said that consensus was needed in the Committee (she believes the Committee has come to some consensus on the enforcement pieces but little else). She urged Specter to go back to Frist and ask for more time.
Sessions said we need to focus on enforcement now, and then have a national discussion later on the other elements of immigration reform. He believes Congress needs to focus on enforcement to build credibility with the public. �I�m not prepared to repeat 1986,� he said. �We should slow down.�
Specter repeatedly voiced his concern about �line-jumping,� arguing that the McCain/Kennedy bill would �leap frog� the current undocumented population over individuals who have been waiting in the backlogs. He also said that he�d prefer it if the legislation contained a path to citizenship but, as Chair, was trying to balance both sides.
In other hurdles to the Judiciary Committee�s completion of work on the bill, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley, who is also a member of the Judiciary Committee, argued that the Finance Committee should have jurisdiction over the provisions of the Mark relating to the Social Security Act, adding that the IRS has raised serious concerns about some of these amendments. However, several other senators argued for consideration of these provisions in the Judiciary Committee. It is also possible that Grassley could exercise the Finance Committee�s authority by managing those amendments during floor debate.
The Committee disbanded about noon, due to a number of votes on the Senate Floor and the attendant low probability of maintaining a voting quorum in the Committee.
http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=18835
Senate Judiciary Committee Continues Slow Progress in Markup of Immigration Reform Legislation
Cite as "AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 06031540 (posted Mar. 15, 2006)"
The Senate Judiciary Committee continued its consideration today of draft legislation on comprehensive immigration reform sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter. The Committee officially took up the bill, known as the �Chairman�s Mark,� on March 2 but has made very slow progress to date.
The following is a very brief summary of the amendments that were addressed during today�s session. See our previous update on last week�s markup sessions. We will continue to update you as action on the bill continues.
1. The Committee passed by a voice vote a compromise amendment by Feingold that would preserve some level of judicial review over naturalization applications.
2. A Specter 2nd degree amendment to a Sessions amendment on evading inspection passed.
3. A Leahy amendment on security-related issues passed by voice vote.
4. A Kennedy amendment to ameliorate the Mark�s retroactive provisions was debated and deferred.
5. A Feinstein amendment to modify the provisions of the Mark relating to border security was deferred for future action.
6. A Durbin amendment to strike the Mark�s criminalization of unlawful status was once again deferred for future consideration. Feinstein attempted to offer a 2nd degree amendment that would provide aliens with a 60-day grace period for visa overstays before they are subject to criminal prosecution under INA � 275(a), but Specter would not allow it since Durbin�s underlying amendment was set aside.
7. A Durbin amendment to ameliorate the Mark�s smuggling provision so as not to criminalize humanitarian assistance was once again debated and deferred. Kyl spoke in opposition to the amendment. Cornyn had a second degree that Hatch thought was insufficient. Hatch, Schumer and Biden spoke in opposition to Cornyn�s 2nd degree. Cornyn was not convincing, but Kyl did some damage.
8. A Sessions amendment to affirm the inherent authority of state and local law enforcement personnel to enforce federal civil immigration laws during the normal course of carrying out their duties was discussed. Specter offered a 2nd degree that would limit the inherent authority of states and localities to the enforcement of the criminal provisions of the immigration laws. Sessions would only support the 2nd degree if the provisions of the Mark criminalizing unlawful presence remain intact. Thus, if the Durbin amendment to strike those provisions passes, Sessions wants to revisit the Specter 2nd degree. Specter�s 2nd degree passed by voice vote.
9. A Sessions amendment that would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide information to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) related to aliens who may have violated certain immigration laws passed by a voice vote. The broadly worded amendment would encompass visa overstayers, other civil violators, and even members of vulnerable populations such as asylum-seekers who are improperly documented but seeking relief. Leahy and Kennedy voted against the amendment and Leahy spoke in opposition to overloading the NCIC database with individuals who do not belong in it. A Specter 2nd degree amendment that would provide a procedure for requesting removal from the database and modify the group of individuals included in it passed by voice vote.
10. A Sessions amendment that would require at least one law enforcement agency in each state to enter into a � 287(g) cooperative enforcement agreement to enforce immigration laws against alien smugglers was considered. Sessions accepted a Coburn 2nd degree amendment that would clarify: (1) that such agreements would be purely voluntary, and (2) that the �287(g) enforcement authority would not be limited to alien smuggling. There was no quorum to vote on these, however, and they were set aside.
Part way through the markup, Specter attempted to jump to a debate on the issue of the undocumented population, noting that he has reiterated to Senate Majority Leader Frist that he (Specter) opposes bringing immigration reform to the Senate Floor before the Senate Judiciary Committee had completed its consideration of the Chairman�s Mark. Biden and Kennedy voiced their support of Specter�s desire to complete work in Committee. Kennedy added, �this issue is NOT going away, like some other issues,� and urged deferral of the Title VI discussion until tomorrow (Title VI contains the provisions dealing with the undocumented population). He added that we need to deal with ALL aspects of reform to have real, lasting border security�going forward with any of these components alone will fail.
Durbin said that, to defeat the House bill (H.R. 4437), the Committee needs to pass a strong bipartisan bill with the support of about 12 members. He feels the Committee should do an extra markup session on a day when there is no other Senate business. �We need to watch the House,� noted Durbin, adding: �They have a bill we need to fight at all costs. We need bipartisan support out of this Committee.�
Brownback stated that the Committee has started a process to create broad bipartisan support for good policy, and that this is the most significant legislation of the year. �We have serious problems with immigrant numbers,� he said. �We can�t live with these and need to change them. McCain/Kennedy would deal with this. How do we get the Mark to deal with these numbers? We need a way NOT to end up here again after 10 years. We can�t move too quickly.�
Cornyn described the process as akin to �digging out of a big hole,� noting that with enforcement done first, other issues would get simpler. He believes we need to impose circularity---not permanent immigration.
Coburn said that, like it or not, we have to deal with issue of the undocumented population. He urged the Committee to split the bill in two and do enforcement first, and work to reach consensus on other parts later in the year. �No one in the country trusts us on this issue because we haven�t enforced our existing laws,� he said.
Feinstein stated her concerns about the process, and also spoke out against comprehensive immigration reform and in favor of her more limited agricultural pilot program idea. She said she had met with Senator Craig (the sponsor of AgJobs) yesterday to see if they could work out their differences but there has been no resolution yet. She also expressed much frustration with Frist�s artificial timeline. She indicated her opposition to the House bill, and said that consensus was needed in the Committee (she believes the Committee has come to some consensus on the enforcement pieces but little else). She urged Specter to go back to Frist and ask for more time.
Sessions said we need to focus on enforcement now, and then have a national discussion later on the other elements of immigration reform. He believes Congress needs to focus on enforcement to build credibility with the public. �I�m not prepared to repeat 1986,� he said. �We should slow down.�
Specter repeatedly voiced his concern about �line-jumping,� arguing that the McCain/Kennedy bill would �leap frog� the current undocumented population over individuals who have been waiting in the backlogs. He also said that he�d prefer it if the legislation contained a path to citizenship but, as Chair, was trying to balance both sides.
In other hurdles to the Judiciary Committee�s completion of work on the bill, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley, who is also a member of the Judiciary Committee, argued that the Finance Committee should have jurisdiction over the provisions of the Mark relating to the Social Security Act, adding that the IRS has raised serious concerns about some of these amendments. However, several other senators argued for consideration of these provisions in the Judiciary Committee. It is also possible that Grassley could exercise the Finance Committee�s authority by managing those amendments during floor debate.
The Committee disbanded about noon, due to a number of votes on the Senate Floor and the attendant low probability of maintaining a voting quorum in the Committee.
http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=18835
sam_hoosier
01-03 04:26 PM
I come from a nuclear family in India and see no reason why my kid cannot develop into a good citizen the way my parents made sure I did..........
I learnt at a very young age that living with your cousins/uncles/aunts is not necessarily a guarantee of being close........ I am a lot closer to family I never lived with in the same city than I am to family who lived a few blocks from where we did.........
It is all in how the parents mold the environment for their kids. if we as parents fail in our duty towards our kids, does not matter where you live, we will do a great disservice to society..........
Sure, I dont think there is any one correct answer for this dilemma. Most of us are going to base our decisions on our personal circumstances and hope that they turn out correct in the long run :)
I learnt at a very young age that living with your cousins/uncles/aunts is not necessarily a guarantee of being close........ I am a lot closer to family I never lived with in the same city than I am to family who lived a few blocks from where we did.........
It is all in how the parents mold the environment for their kids. if we as parents fail in our duty towards our kids, does not matter where you live, we will do a great disservice to society..........
Sure, I dont think there is any one correct answer for this dilemma. Most of us are going to base our decisions on our personal circumstances and hope that they turn out correct in the long run :)
No comments:
Post a Comment