GCchaos
02-23 03:44 PM
�United States Of America� or more commonly the �US� means one and only one thing for most people in India, the land of opportunities, a place where every dream comes true, a Cinderella fantasy that pops t life. Well, Legend has it that once upon a long long time, it used to be true. But the current situation is a whole lot different than the legends and the fantasies. Let�s delve into the story of an Indian guy, who set out on a journey in pursuit of his
dreams that promised him the sky.
This guy was a smart, hard working software engineer in his own power, working for a software company in India. He worked on different kinds of projects for different clients, all of which were from the fantasy land. The clients always appreciated his work and he had a great rapport with these people.
One day, he got an invitation from one of these demigods�, �Will you please come and join us and share our fortunes? We are in much need of someone talented like you to run our operations�.
Now, that was an offer he could not refuse, could he? It�s something he had been dreaming about, since he was a child. It seemed like an offer that would change his life for the better, in every possible way.
He immediately packed his bags, bade good bye to his family and friends, not knowing the future, not knowing he would not see them for at least a few years. It did not even remotely occur to any one at that point, that he will be tangled in so many restrictions, that it would be hard for him to leave the fantasy land. Well, who cares �He is going to AMERICA!�
He landed here, worked harder than ever, slogged like anything and proved his capabilities and reserved a place for himself in this wonderful land. Five years passed by�..not realizing that every day has been the same, just struggling to keep up with the expectations of his boss. However he became a much respected person at his work place, every one who worked with him was very happy to have him here. They just loved his dedication and passion. His initial plan was to stay here for the 6 years he had on his H1-B visa and head home. But, destiny had something else in store for him. His employers wanted him to stay. They realized they would not be able to find another person of his caliber. So they started a process called Green Card which would allow him to stay in this country and work for them.
He went to India after a long time, and met his parents. They wanted him to get married; he met a nice girl of his parent�s choice. Both of them liked each other and got married.
She flew to the fantasy land with him and they live happily ever after��.
Well, not exactly!
There is a twist in this story.
We need to talk about the girl for a little while now. She too was a young, aspiring software engineer with a good company in India. She was a smart and independent girl who loved to live her life. She lived at a short distance from her parents and family with whom she was very close. When she met the guy, she was overjoyed. She instantly liked him, but was a little apprehensive about quitting her job. But everyone told her that she was being silly and that she would get a job in USA, any time she wanted, because of her VAST two year experience. She believed it! The guy also did not know that his fantasy land had changed a lot since his going there. He thought that he was going to get his green card soon and that his wife would be able to work immediately.
So with all these hopes, they flew back to US of A. Here the reality was far from anything that she ever heard in the legends. She had no friends, no family, and no job. She was not allowed to work while she was on her dependent visa called H4. The hopes of green card were thrashed to the ground. Apparently only a small number of people were given these magical passes called green cards every year. And the wait was a very very long one; reality hit hard, it would take at least five more years to get their green card and that she would have to wait for an indefinite period of time before she could work again.
She thought of keeping herself occupied by making friends but she found none in her locality.
She wanted to put her technical expertise to good use by volunteering, she got a few offers but they were all so distant from her house. She did not have a car of her own, so she could not take up such jobs.
She was left alone at home all day, destined to look at the windows and the walls of her apartment. She could not take it. She applied for her own H1-B visa which she thought would allow her to start working. She had high hopes and started concentrating on honing her skills. But the process was such a long one that it took more than 8 months for her to get the visa approval. She tried to keep her cool, but it was one heck of a struggle. There were so many laws and rules and other incomprehensible things associated with her H1 and her husband�s green card process that she could not go to India to meet her parents . The real struggle started once she got her H1 B. She could not find a project to work on. There were requirements for people in her technology, but most of the jobs required hat she be one of the following:
1. Candidate with 6 years or more experience
2. Green Card holder with any experience.
She hit a roadblock. 6 years of experience or GREENCARD????
How will she get any of this now?
Her husband had also become very sad because of the pain that she had been going through. They were never peaceful during these past 1.5 years. Even he was also completely stalled in his career. There is a rule which doesn�t allow him to change jobs or take a promotion even in the same company once his green card process has been started. He has to either wait until he gets the green card or start it all over again. It is like leaving one�s place in a long queue and having to join in at the end, all over again.
I hear they are thinking about going back to India, where their lives will be much easier.
Two highly skilled people who were disowned like foster children and put entangled in such complex problems.
Unless they do something about this green card process soon, there will be many more immigrants who would plan to move back to their own countries.
It is America�s loss, no doubt!
An organization called Immigration Voice has been started by a few people, suffering skilled immigrants themselves, to take up the cause of all the others in similar situation. It has picked up quite a lot of momentum these days and
had been able to achieve success to a certain extent. But it requires more people, more funds and more support to actually attain a significant result.
America has been built on the competitiveness of highly skilled immigrants. America enjoys a technological leadership around the world primarily because of them.
Let�s hope that the government will do something soon to provide relief to these skilled immigrants lest America should become a mere legend like Atlantis.
dreams that promised him the sky.
This guy was a smart, hard working software engineer in his own power, working for a software company in India. He worked on different kinds of projects for different clients, all of which were from the fantasy land. The clients always appreciated his work and he had a great rapport with these people.
One day, he got an invitation from one of these demigods�, �Will you please come and join us and share our fortunes? We are in much need of someone talented like you to run our operations�.
Now, that was an offer he could not refuse, could he? It�s something he had been dreaming about, since he was a child. It seemed like an offer that would change his life for the better, in every possible way.
He immediately packed his bags, bade good bye to his family and friends, not knowing the future, not knowing he would not see them for at least a few years. It did not even remotely occur to any one at that point, that he will be tangled in so many restrictions, that it would be hard for him to leave the fantasy land. Well, who cares �He is going to AMERICA!�
He landed here, worked harder than ever, slogged like anything and proved his capabilities and reserved a place for himself in this wonderful land. Five years passed by�..not realizing that every day has been the same, just struggling to keep up with the expectations of his boss. However he became a much respected person at his work place, every one who worked with him was very happy to have him here. They just loved his dedication and passion. His initial plan was to stay here for the 6 years he had on his H1-B visa and head home. But, destiny had something else in store for him. His employers wanted him to stay. They realized they would not be able to find another person of his caliber. So they started a process called Green Card which would allow him to stay in this country and work for them.
He went to India after a long time, and met his parents. They wanted him to get married; he met a nice girl of his parent�s choice. Both of them liked each other and got married.
She flew to the fantasy land with him and they live happily ever after��.
Well, not exactly!
There is a twist in this story.
We need to talk about the girl for a little while now. She too was a young, aspiring software engineer with a good company in India. She was a smart and independent girl who loved to live her life. She lived at a short distance from her parents and family with whom she was very close. When she met the guy, she was overjoyed. She instantly liked him, but was a little apprehensive about quitting her job. But everyone told her that she was being silly and that she would get a job in USA, any time she wanted, because of her VAST two year experience. She believed it! The guy also did not know that his fantasy land had changed a lot since his going there. He thought that he was going to get his green card soon and that his wife would be able to work immediately.
So with all these hopes, they flew back to US of A. Here the reality was far from anything that she ever heard in the legends. She had no friends, no family, and no job. She was not allowed to work while she was on her dependent visa called H4. The hopes of green card were thrashed to the ground. Apparently only a small number of people were given these magical passes called green cards every year. And the wait was a very very long one; reality hit hard, it would take at least five more years to get their green card and that she would have to wait for an indefinite period of time before she could work again.
She thought of keeping herself occupied by making friends but she found none in her locality.
She wanted to put her technical expertise to good use by volunteering, she got a few offers but they were all so distant from her house. She did not have a car of her own, so she could not take up such jobs.
She was left alone at home all day, destined to look at the windows and the walls of her apartment. She could not take it. She applied for her own H1-B visa which she thought would allow her to start working. She had high hopes and started concentrating on honing her skills. But the process was such a long one that it took more than 8 months for her to get the visa approval. She tried to keep her cool, but it was one heck of a struggle. There were so many laws and rules and other incomprehensible things associated with her H1 and her husband�s green card process that she could not go to India to meet her parents . The real struggle started once she got her H1 B. She could not find a project to work on. There were requirements for people in her technology, but most of the jobs required hat she be one of the following:
1. Candidate with 6 years or more experience
2. Green Card holder with any experience.
She hit a roadblock. 6 years of experience or GREENCARD????
How will she get any of this now?
Her husband had also become very sad because of the pain that she had been going through. They were never peaceful during these past 1.5 years. Even he was also completely stalled in his career. There is a rule which doesn�t allow him to change jobs or take a promotion even in the same company once his green card process has been started. He has to either wait until he gets the green card or start it all over again. It is like leaving one�s place in a long queue and having to join in at the end, all over again.
I hear they are thinking about going back to India, where their lives will be much easier.
Two highly skilled people who were disowned like foster children and put entangled in such complex problems.
Unless they do something about this green card process soon, there will be many more immigrants who would plan to move back to their own countries.
It is America�s loss, no doubt!
An organization called Immigration Voice has been started by a few people, suffering skilled immigrants themselves, to take up the cause of all the others in similar situation. It has picked up quite a lot of momentum these days and
had been able to achieve success to a certain extent. But it requires more people, more funds and more support to actually attain a significant result.
America has been built on the competitiveness of highly skilled immigrants. America enjoys a technological leadership around the world primarily because of them.
Let�s hope that the government will do something soon to provide relief to these skilled immigrants lest America should become a mere legend like Atlantis.
wallpaper Britney Spears Flight
meridiani.planum
08-29 03:20 PM
i do wonder if the poll results from earlier polls if used to compare with the current one would help get an idea of the trend - kind of overlaying the snapshots in different points in time and then determining what the situation was and what is and then extrapolating based on data that is already known/ published by uscis applied to the trend. question is if we have the poll data from earlier polls?
good idea. A google search beings up:
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/forum2-retrogression-priority-dates-and-visa-bulletins/6128-trying-to-find-where-eb2-india-might-land.html
almost the same sized sample (~450)... this was right before the july 2007 fiasco, but includes 485 not-yet-filed, so is in essence the same thing as this poll.
2003 got somewhat cleaned up (used to be 15% is now 1%)
2004 is more or less same, of slightly higher (98 votes (24%) now. was 84 votes(20%) then)
so looks like big improvement in 2003, but 2004 barely changed overall?
good idea. A google search beings up:
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/forum2-retrogression-priority-dates-and-visa-bulletins/6128-trying-to-find-where-eb2-india-might-land.html
almost the same sized sample (~450)... this was right before the july 2007 fiasco, but includes 485 not-yet-filed, so is in essence the same thing as this poll.
2003 got somewhat cleaned up (used to be 15% is now 1%)
2004 is more or less same, of slightly higher (98 votes (24%) now. was 84 votes(20%) then)
so looks like big improvement in 2003, but 2004 barely changed overall?
sury
12-30 03:35 PM
It is impossible that US will break in 2010.
US will come back from recession/depression.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
US will come back from recession/depression.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
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chris
10-01 08:26 PM
Call 18003755283
1
2
1
enter receipt number
1 (to confirm starts with SRC)
1 (confirm your number and listen status)
3
4
Call should goto the center where your file is pending or getting ready to approve :D
Good luck
What is poj method?
Will you please give me the # to call the IO about namecheck ? Is it TSC or NSC?
I'm looking for TSC though.
Thank you.
1
2
1
enter receipt number
1 (to confirm starts with SRC)
1 (confirm your number and listen status)
3
4
Call should goto the center where your file is pending or getting ready to approve :D
Good luck
What is poj method?
Will you please give me the # to call the IO about namecheck ? Is it TSC or NSC?
I'm looking for TSC though.
Thank you.
more...
rsharma
10-11 12:58 PM
My earlier comment was in reply to the comments from the member BharatPremi. I had wrongly quoted the comments from the member - buddyinsfo.
laborpains
08-05 12:47 PM
If your application is an SRC then:
call (800) 375 � 5283 then 1-2-1-recpt number-1-1-wait for recorded status-3-4 speak with customer service.
Hi docwa,
Do you know the number for an LIN application?
Thanks!
call (800) 375 � 5283 then 1-2-1-recpt number-1-1-wait for recorded status-3-4 speak with customer service.
Hi docwa,
Do you know the number for an LIN application?
Thanks!
more...
senthil1
04-14 09:49 PM
Your employer might think that it is difficult to find a project in the current economic condition. Anyhow your husband started working there should not be any issue. You can join another company after 6 months.
Yesterday, I was told by the client that my project is going to end by this month end i.e Apr 30. Actually it was supposed to go for the next 2 years. I am currently in the project working for the project. They said the lay off was becoz of budget issues. But I see I am the only one that is target in this lay-off. I am working with the same client for the past 3 years. The lay off news was really shocking and devastating.
I am currently 9 months pregnant. As the client did that to me, I thought that atleast I might have some options with my current employer. My employer is a desi consultancy. I never been on Bench for single day for the Past 6 years ( Day 1 that I entered into US to till now).
When I spoke to my employer today he gave me a termination letter stating that my project end date will be my last date with them. It was more shocking. I will be on maternity leave anytime in month of may depending on the delivery. I don't see any possible options that any client can take me into project when I am in 9th month of pregnancy.
As my husband is doing consulting, I filed the green card thru this employer, 485 is pending more than 180 days, 140 approved in EB2 category. We paid all the attorney fees and filing fees from our pocket. We spent nearly $10,000 for the GC process. My husband was on bench for the past 2 months. He got a job on EAD which is going to start next week.
1. I see that my employer is terminating me immediately because he can avoid maternity expenses. I told him that I will take 3 months FMLA for unpaid maternity leave from Apr 30th. And look for the Job immediately after delivery and get into the Job. But still he is telling he won't provide me that time. Maintaining the status is very important for me as me and my husband depends on the EAD.
2.My medical insurance is with my employer, If I get laid off in this critical situation, I won't be having insurance. We can't afford the delivery expenses without insurance.
3. Even though my husband will get insurance with the new company, We are not sure that company will cover the pre-existing pregnancy that is in final stages.
4. And also not sure that the insurance will be under the network of OBG/YN and the hospital I registered for delivery. His job is in different state but he will find out the options once he starts his job next week.
5. Does anyone think that my employer is discriminating the law? He is terminating me immediately becoz I am pregnant.
I am not sure whether he is doing the right thing but the situation I am in is the worst situation I ever expected of. Its lot of stress on me and my baby. We are unable to sleep for hour with all the tensions ahead. My husband's job is dependent on my valid status. If something screw up we both be in very bad situation. I really don't want any one in my situation.
Please help me, if any one know any options where I can maintain my status during the pregnancy and maternity leave, Please tell me.
Yesterday, I was told by the client that my project is going to end by this month end i.e Apr 30. Actually it was supposed to go for the next 2 years. I am currently in the project working for the project. They said the lay off was becoz of budget issues. But I see I am the only one that is target in this lay-off. I am working with the same client for the past 3 years. The lay off news was really shocking and devastating.
I am currently 9 months pregnant. As the client did that to me, I thought that atleast I might have some options with my current employer. My employer is a desi consultancy. I never been on Bench for single day for the Past 6 years ( Day 1 that I entered into US to till now).
When I spoke to my employer today he gave me a termination letter stating that my project end date will be my last date with them. It was more shocking. I will be on maternity leave anytime in month of may depending on the delivery. I don't see any possible options that any client can take me into project when I am in 9th month of pregnancy.
As my husband is doing consulting, I filed the green card thru this employer, 485 is pending more than 180 days, 140 approved in EB2 category. We paid all the attorney fees and filing fees from our pocket. We spent nearly $10,000 for the GC process. My husband was on bench for the past 2 months. He got a job on EAD which is going to start next week.
1. I see that my employer is terminating me immediately because he can avoid maternity expenses. I told him that I will take 3 months FMLA for unpaid maternity leave from Apr 30th. And look for the Job immediately after delivery and get into the Job. But still he is telling he won't provide me that time. Maintaining the status is very important for me as me and my husband depends on the EAD.
2.My medical insurance is with my employer, If I get laid off in this critical situation, I won't be having insurance. We can't afford the delivery expenses without insurance.
3. Even though my husband will get insurance with the new company, We are not sure that company will cover the pre-existing pregnancy that is in final stages.
4. And also not sure that the insurance will be under the network of OBG/YN and the hospital I registered for delivery. His job is in different state but he will find out the options once he starts his job next week.
5. Does anyone think that my employer is discriminating the law? He is terminating me immediately becoz I am pregnant.
I am not sure whether he is doing the right thing but the situation I am in is the worst situation I ever expected of. Its lot of stress on me and my baby. We are unable to sleep for hour with all the tensions ahead. My husband's job is dependent on my valid status. If something screw up we both be in very bad situation. I really don't want any one in my situation.
Please help me, if any one know any options where I can maintain my status during the pregnancy and maternity leave, Please tell me.
2010 Britney Spears Toxic
eb3retro
10-14 07:24 AM
which service center did you apply? and what was the recd date?
Anybody received rfe? We received rfe on photos and was replied on 09/27.. No reply yet.
Anybody knows how long it take to receive approval after rfe reply..
Anybody received rfe? We received rfe on photos and was replied on 09/27.. No reply yet.
Anybody knows how long it take to receive approval after rfe reply..
more...
gcisadawg
03-23 12:34 AM
You are trying to defend a criminal and thus some people objected to it. Crimes by immigrants, whatever they maybe bring bad repute to their country and the immigrant community.
Dude, that is called as stereo-typing and we need to fight that. You can not control few immigrants who commit crimes. That is law enforcement and judiciary's role. Why should other immigrants be discriminated because of few bad apples.
Dude, that is called as stereo-typing and we need to fight that. You can not control few immigrants who commit crimes. That is law enforcement and judiciary's role. Why should other immigrants be discriminated because of few bad apples.
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21stIcon
02-19 04:48 PM
This is not even good for long term due to hefty financial charges of insurance companies, you would not know about this until you buy one ,my sincere advice would be do not even get into this crap in US. these guys rip you off.
As I mentioned before Prudential charged 70% premiums as a finance charge every month and only 30% went to savings. It would never make sense and do n't listen to people who never owned these products before.
As I mentioned before Prudential charged 70% premiums as a finance charge every month and only 30% went to savings. It would never make sense and do n't listen to people who never owned these products before.
more...
chanduv23
04-08 02:01 PM
We all admit, the we haven't served our birth land as much as we have served America. Maybe there is calling here amongst all the turmoil with getting GCs.
Our home country wants us back. I know we have huge issues back in India. Population, Politician :-) etc etc.
U r funny. Just because H1b is being made tough, you want to serve your country, so if you get a Green Card will you not server your country? :D :D :D
Our home country wants us back. I know we have huge issues back in India. Population, Politician :-) etc etc.
U r funny. Just because H1b is being made tough, you want to serve your country, so if you get a Green Card will you not server your country? :D :D :D
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ggyro
07-20 05:59 PM
I believe best mode's analysis is correct based on the following from the daily dairy
"By 55 yeas to 40 nays .. Senate rejected the motion to waive ...with respect to Cornyn Amendment No. 2339 (to Amendment No. 2327), to provide interim relief for .... Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. "
My interpretation: the vote was not on Cornyn's amendment; ...; it was out of order because it did not qualify as an amendment to this bill.
Because 40 Dems voted no on the waiver does not mean they are opposed to the amendment; they just did not want to vote on this amendment on this bill.
"By 55 yeas to 40 nays .. Senate rejected the motion to waive ...with respect to Cornyn Amendment No. 2339 (to Amendment No. 2327), to provide interim relief for .... Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. "
My interpretation: the vote was not on Cornyn's amendment; ...; it was out of order because it did not qualify as an amendment to this bill.
Because 40 Dems voted no on the waiver does not mean they are opposed to the amendment; they just did not want to vote on this amendment on this bill.
more...
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belmontboy
03-15 10:39 PM
[QUOTE=belmontboy;326923]
Is not paying a traffic ticket is state or federal record? If it is state, jut get a ticket do not pay it and just for the sake of it after 2 months go to Canada or Maxioco and try to come in. This will answer your own question when you re-enter..Wake up.. some has not to fax the entire case to feds.. this just automatic.. i m sure u r in IT and know how easy it is to get the records these days.. and no i do not have any access to any systems but everything is a public record if one has any..
Are you saying not paying traffic ticket is a federal crime?
Do you even know the definition of state vs federal crime?
Yes, whenever police pulls one up, they will check if he/she has any outstanding warrants in that state or run a FBI check.
Is not paying a traffic ticket is state or federal record? If it is state, jut get a ticket do not pay it and just for the sake of it after 2 months go to Canada or Maxioco and try to come in. This will answer your own question when you re-enter..Wake up.. some has not to fax the entire case to feds.. this just automatic.. i m sure u r in IT and know how easy it is to get the records these days.. and no i do not have any access to any systems but everything is a public record if one has any..
Are you saying not paying traffic ticket is a federal crime?
Do you even know the definition of state vs federal crime?
Yes, whenever police pulls one up, they will check if he/she has any outstanding warrants in that state or run a FBI check.
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ps57002
10-13 08:13 PM
Meeting at hindu center in flushing on Sun evenings would not work so well due to the prayers being held during Sun evenings at the temple. I think we should poll people on when it's most conveninent for them to meet and go from there...
and yes prayers do help too but as they say "god helps those who help themselves...so both prayers and actions are needed :)
and yes prayers do help too but as they say "god helps those who help themselves...so both prayers and actions are needed :)
more...
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k94
12-15 09:43 AM
Denied licenses, legal immigrants sue state Registry
Say status wrongly contested
By Yvonne Abraham, Globe Staff | December 15, 2006
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles employees are routinely and unlawfully denying driver's licenses to immigrants who are here legally, according to a class-action law suit filed yesterday.
According to the suit, Registry workers asked the immigrants for proof of legal residency when they were not authorized to do so. The workers then denied licenses to the applicants, incorrectly concluding that the immigrants had not demonstrated they were in the United States legally, the suit alleges.
In all cases, the immigrants' lawyers said, the Registry workers were overstepping their legal authority and violating the immigrants' constitutional rights.
"They don't have the authority to enforce federal immigration law," said Sarah Wunsch, staff attorney for the ACLU of Massachusetts, who is representing the seven immigrants who brought the suit. "But they've taken it upon themselves to do it, and they're doing it wrong. It's not an isolated case here and there. This appears to be policy."
Wunsch said hundreds of other immigrants have similarly been denied licenses.
A spokeswoman for the Registry of Motor Vehicles declined to comment, saying Registry lawyers had not yet had a chance to review the lawsuit.
Under state policy, applicants for a driver's license must present proof of their identity by providing a valid Social Security number, which the Registry checks against a Social Security Administration database.
In order to obtain a valid Social Security number, an immigrant must be in the country legally. Applicants must also show proof of their age and address.
All of the plaintiffs presented valid Social Security numbers when they applied for licenses, Wunsch said. Even so, Registry workers rejected their applications.
In some of the cases, applicants were not given any reason why they were rejected. In the others, Registry employees improperly sought additional proof of the applicants' immigration status and then said the documents were not adequate.
Registry spokeswoman Amy Breton, speaking generally, said Registry employees do not enforce immigration laws.
But she added: "Certainly, we've had to become more familiar with immigration documents. We want to make sure we are issuing licenses to Massachusetts residents, because that is what the law calls for."
She said the Registry has been responsive to complaints that immigrants have been treated unfairly. On Wednesday night, the head of the agency, Registrar Anne L. Collins, met with about 300 immigrants and their advocates in Hyannis to hear their concerns about the license application process, she said.
In many cases, Breton said, immigrants who feel they have been unfairly denied a license can file an appeal, which costs $50.
Lawyers for the seven plaintiffs say their clients should not have to spend money to challenge what is clearly a discriminatory practice.
"The Registry seems to be asking immigrants to produce justification for their presence in the United States," said lead attorney Kenneth Berman of Nutter McClennen & Fish.
The lawyers said that the problems demonstrate the danger of having state employees who are not trained in immigration law taking on enforcement of that law.
Two immigrant advocacy groups are also plaintiffs in the suit, alleging that the Registry's discrimination against immigrants forces them to divert time and resources from other activities.
"This is extremely common," said Desmond FitzGerald, an immigration lawyer who represents four immigrants who were denied licenses in a separate case to be heard early next year. "We want the Registry to regulate the safety of our roads, not enforce immigration rules."
One of FitzGerald's clients, the wife of a prominent Spanish scientist who is in the United States on a visa reserved for persons of exceptional ability, was denied a license because Registry workers who asked for proof of her legal residency did not recognize her visa. After she sued the Registry, the agency settled the case, granting her a license.
One of the plaintiffs in the class action suit filed yesterday is an immigrant from Zimbabwe who has a pending application for asylum. The woman, a nurse, has work authorization and had already been granted a driver's license.
When she tried to renew that license this week, she produced her old license, her Social Security number, and proof of her car insurance coverage, which showed her address. Still, she was asked for her passport.
The woman, who fled political persecution in Zimbabwe, does not have a current, government-issued passport from that country. She showed the Registry employee a document showing that the US government had granted her permission to remain here. Her application was still denied, as was her daughter's application for a learner's permit.
"Given how dependent we all are on the right to drive an automobile, the denial of a license is causing real hardship to the people I represent," Berman said.
The issue of driver's licenses for immigrants has become highly charged over the past year, as the national debate on immigration has grown more fractious.
The question of issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants was a matter of fierce dispute during this year's gubernatorial race, in which Governor-elect Deval Patrick said he would consider giving licenses to those who are here illegally. He was pilloried for that suggestion by his opponent, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, who with Governor Mitt Romney has taken an aggressive stance against illegal immigration.
Immigrants' advocates said they worry that the Republican administration's zeal is causing Registry employees to punish immigrants who had followed all the rules.
Say status wrongly contested
By Yvonne Abraham, Globe Staff | December 15, 2006
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles employees are routinely and unlawfully denying driver's licenses to immigrants who are here legally, according to a class-action law suit filed yesterday.
According to the suit, Registry workers asked the immigrants for proof of legal residency when they were not authorized to do so. The workers then denied licenses to the applicants, incorrectly concluding that the immigrants had not demonstrated they were in the United States legally, the suit alleges.
In all cases, the immigrants' lawyers said, the Registry workers were overstepping their legal authority and violating the immigrants' constitutional rights.
"They don't have the authority to enforce federal immigration law," said Sarah Wunsch, staff attorney for the ACLU of Massachusetts, who is representing the seven immigrants who brought the suit. "But they've taken it upon themselves to do it, and they're doing it wrong. It's not an isolated case here and there. This appears to be policy."
Wunsch said hundreds of other immigrants have similarly been denied licenses.
A spokeswoman for the Registry of Motor Vehicles declined to comment, saying Registry lawyers had not yet had a chance to review the lawsuit.
Under state policy, applicants for a driver's license must present proof of their identity by providing a valid Social Security number, which the Registry checks against a Social Security Administration database.
In order to obtain a valid Social Security number, an immigrant must be in the country legally. Applicants must also show proof of their age and address.
All of the plaintiffs presented valid Social Security numbers when they applied for licenses, Wunsch said. Even so, Registry workers rejected their applications.
In some of the cases, applicants were not given any reason why they were rejected. In the others, Registry employees improperly sought additional proof of the applicants' immigration status and then said the documents were not adequate.
Registry spokeswoman Amy Breton, speaking generally, said Registry employees do not enforce immigration laws.
But she added: "Certainly, we've had to become more familiar with immigration documents. We want to make sure we are issuing licenses to Massachusetts residents, because that is what the law calls for."
She said the Registry has been responsive to complaints that immigrants have been treated unfairly. On Wednesday night, the head of the agency, Registrar Anne L. Collins, met with about 300 immigrants and their advocates in Hyannis to hear their concerns about the license application process, she said.
In many cases, Breton said, immigrants who feel they have been unfairly denied a license can file an appeal, which costs $50.
Lawyers for the seven plaintiffs say their clients should not have to spend money to challenge what is clearly a discriminatory practice.
"The Registry seems to be asking immigrants to produce justification for their presence in the United States," said lead attorney Kenneth Berman of Nutter McClennen & Fish.
The lawyers said that the problems demonstrate the danger of having state employees who are not trained in immigration law taking on enforcement of that law.
Two immigrant advocacy groups are also plaintiffs in the suit, alleging that the Registry's discrimination against immigrants forces them to divert time and resources from other activities.
"This is extremely common," said Desmond FitzGerald, an immigration lawyer who represents four immigrants who were denied licenses in a separate case to be heard early next year. "We want the Registry to regulate the safety of our roads, not enforce immigration rules."
One of FitzGerald's clients, the wife of a prominent Spanish scientist who is in the United States on a visa reserved for persons of exceptional ability, was denied a license because Registry workers who asked for proof of her legal residency did not recognize her visa. After she sued the Registry, the agency settled the case, granting her a license.
One of the plaintiffs in the class action suit filed yesterday is an immigrant from Zimbabwe who has a pending application for asylum. The woman, a nurse, has work authorization and had already been granted a driver's license.
When she tried to renew that license this week, she produced her old license, her Social Security number, and proof of her car insurance coverage, which showed her address. Still, she was asked for her passport.
The woman, who fled political persecution in Zimbabwe, does not have a current, government-issued passport from that country. She showed the Registry employee a document showing that the US government had granted her permission to remain here. Her application was still denied, as was her daughter's application for a learner's permit.
"Given how dependent we all are on the right to drive an automobile, the denial of a license is causing real hardship to the people I represent," Berman said.
The issue of driver's licenses for immigrants has become highly charged over the past year, as the national debate on immigration has grown more fractious.
The question of issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants was a matter of fierce dispute during this year's gubernatorial race, in which Governor-elect Deval Patrick said he would consider giving licenses to those who are here illegally. He was pilloried for that suggestion by his opponent, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, who with Governor Mitt Romney has taken an aggressive stance against illegal immigration.
Immigrants' advocates said they worry that the Republican administration's zeal is causing Registry employees to punish immigrants who had followed all the rules.
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Suva
05-26 09:13 AM
How can we contact him?
Members from NJ, NY contact laborchic asap. Thanks
Members from NJ, NY contact laborchic asap. Thanks
more...
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sujijag
03-03 11:01 AM
I sent an email to info at immigrationvoice.org on my AC21 issue. Can you Pls. let me know if IV could help me.
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gc_coming
09-23 08:33 PM
I am on EAD.. Yes my previous employer was a desi employer. Is it ok to continue working on ead.
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maverick_s39
01-26 04:36 PM
I was not optimistic about EB3 situation a while ago but the situation has changed, i think we are fast approaching the end of this dark tunnel and we will soon see light :)
javadeveloper
12-31 03:57 PM
If that's you criteria for judging the existence of God..I am amazed..
With One anomaly you decided on his existence...When there are gazillions of his amazing creations that no human can create. Human himself being one, We should be thankful for his blessing
� Thankful that we get more than what we need to eat, Ask a starving kids in Darfur.
� Thankful for Eyes he has given to See, As blind man
� Thankful for Limbs, Ask people who lost that.
� And Millions of other things that he blessed you with
� And you want to compare all this with GC (green color piece of Paper)
answers my questions if you can
1.GOD is he or she?
2.As per Hindu shastra there 30 Million Gods+some(or one) for Christians+some(or one) for Muslims+few more for different people -- who is correct GOD here and whom should we follow.
What % of people around the world get more than what we need to eat.(90%? or 50%? 0r 10%?)
Other things we are blessed with are because nature.Don't say who created nature -- nature created nature which is created by nature and so on...
With One anomaly you decided on his existence...When there are gazillions of his amazing creations that no human can create. Human himself being one, We should be thankful for his blessing
� Thankful that we get more than what we need to eat, Ask a starving kids in Darfur.
� Thankful for Eyes he has given to See, As blind man
� Thankful for Limbs, Ask people who lost that.
� And Millions of other things that he blessed you with
� And you want to compare all this with GC (green color piece of Paper)
answers my questions if you can
1.GOD is he or she?
2.As per Hindu shastra there 30 Million Gods+some(or one) for Christians+some(or one) for Muslims+few more for different people -- who is correct GOD here and whom should we follow.
What % of people around the world get more than what we need to eat.(90%? or 50%? 0r 10%?)
Other things we are blessed with are because nature.Don't say who created nature -- nature created nature which is created by nature and so on...
GreenSeaTurtle
09-22 04:07 PM
If there was more press coverage on the DC Rally i mean on TV it would bring the matter to the attention of more people. Someone suggested sending pizzas or roses to the media which I second.
If we can bring about a change so that current and future GC seekers don't suffer what scores have suffered till now we are bringing a positive change.
If we can bring about a change so that current and future GC seekers don't suffer what scores have suffered till now we are bringing a positive change.
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