S. 9 would recognize the heritage of the United States as a nation of immigrants, amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for more effective border and employment enforcement, prevent illegal immigration, and reform and rationalize avenues for legal immigration.
Detailed Summary
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Senate and the House of Representatives should pass, and the President should sign, legislation to recognize the heritage of the United States as a nation of immigrants and to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for more effective border and employment enforcement, to prevent illegal immigration, and to reform and rationalize avenues for legal immigration.
Status of the Legislation
The Senate is poised to introduce the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill again this year and it is expected to be introduced in mid-April, with hearings and mark-up in the Senate Judiciary Committee likely scheduled for the last week in April.
Points in Favor
This bill has been long awaited and will help solve the immigration problems in the country. Both legal and illegal. From the legal standpoint, the employment-based green card process is badly broken. It imposes great costs on industry and subjects the best and brightest of the world to unconscionable delays and career stagnation. Organizations like http://www.immigrationvoice.org are working hard to represent high skilled immigrants in DC.
Points Against
This bill explicitly authorizes the creation and mandatory use of a new, "hardened" Social Security Card for the purposes of verifying a person's eligibility for employment. The Social Security Administration has testified that issuing a new card to the public would cost $9 billion and require the size of the current Social Security Administration staff -- 60,000 employees -- to double to 120,000. The card will be expensive and include biometric features, perhaps including a fingerprint or iris/retinal scan.
The utility and social benefit of such a mandate is questionable. How will we get 300 million people a new card? How will we obtain a biometric sample from everyone? Will unscrupulous employers just continue to hire undocumented workers off the books and pay them in cash? How will remote worksites be able to link up to a central database? And, how will the database be protected against sophisticated identity thieves, smugglers and terrorists? All of these unanswered questions make this proposal unwise.
Visitor Comments
Immigrant
February 21, 2007, 1:01pm (report abuse)I have been here for more than 10 years. I am still waiting for my Green Card. Why do Politicians have so much apathy? Support www.immigrationvoice.org.
To Harry Getzoff (part 1)
February 21, 2007, 5:03pm (report abuse)Congratulations and you're welcome because you inherited a citizenship from ancestors who may not have gotten it employment based. I'm very proud of you ... Really, I am! Now you can't force us out, Go back to live in your ancestors homeland. I'm sure they will appreciate the positive impact you will have on YOUR ancestors community.
And the ones that are wishing for us to leave ... Keep wishing really really hard ... It's the same thing. Isn't it?
To Harry Getzoff (part 2)
February 21, 2007, 5:06pm (report abuse)Is it so wrong to stay in the your ancestors homeland and make a positive difference with your ATTITUDE? Don't be ashamed of where your ancestors came from .. Stay there and be proud!
To Harry Getzoff (part 3)
February 21, 2007, 9:12pm (report abuse)Rounding up &%$#@ people who can not compete and moving them by air would be a huge task. Just imagine how many American jobs that would create.
Would_Be_Immigrant
February 22, 2007, 12:31am (report abuse)America is the best place on earth.
Those who came ealier and their descendants have done hard work and made USA the strongest nation on earth. Let people welcome more of the skilled immigrants and make USA stronger.
anonymous
February 22, 2007, 12:39am (report abuse)I am a LEGAL law abiding immigrant working here in America, paying my taxes, social security etc. I am going to wait till next year to see if the issues in the legal immigration is fixed, if not I am going back to my home country. Along with me, my job will also move back. Thats not my choice, thats my organisation's choice. So, dont blame me. Atleast when i am here, i contribute to the economy and country , but when i go back everything is gone as far as my job is concerned. I ain't begging anyone, i got skills, and I can survive - i am a fighter.
picket
February 22, 2007, 8:43am (report abuse)Please support the S. 9, The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 for legal and Employment Based provisions especially in EB3 category (Skilled Workers).
Tony
February 22, 2007, 8:43am (report abuse)I am almost 7 years in this country and have paid hundred of thousands of dollars in payroll taxes, and now stuck with the EB priority date.
I want to say there are many good things going on in the world. Many people take the technology advancement and good life for granted, but behind the scene, there are many people who are doing the real hard work, and we are part of them.
The reason I came here is I thought this country can turn my talent into fortune and create opportunities for many people. My college roommate in China created the Linux Virtual Server in his PhD thesis and still leads the LVS project. The government covers their 100% medical + 100% housing + 80%-100% pension. But if he did that in the States, he would be very rich and can achieve more goals.
The current immigration system is neither pro- nor anti-immigration. It is just a limbo system. Everything getting in is just stuck there. Some of my friends have gone back China because they don’t want to wait.
Raj Patel
February 22, 2007, 9:35am (report abuse)"After four/five years USA will have bad results on economy and technological competitiveness, if they will not fix broken skilled immigration system. After four years, it would be too late to repair the damages."
This the conclusion of one article of Garry Backer, a Nobel laureate
To Harry Getzoff & P Smith
February 22, 2007, 10:49am (report abuse)A TINY part of CIR has benefits for skilled employment based legal immigrants. These benefits are for immigrants in the last stage of their green card process. This last stage involves name checking, finger printing,... and is CRAWLING at present.
It is ludicrous to ask someone (in the last GC stage) to go home when contrary message is presented at
1. Time of student (F1) visa, And
2. Time of work (H1B) visa, And
3. Every stage of GC process.
It is worst then ludicrous (whatever it is) to (STILL) expect help for someone who can not compete at school and work.
On the other hand, it is hard to respect IMMIGRANTS who can not stand up against thuggish rants.
To All Harry GetzoffS (part 1)
February 22, 2007, 10:58am (report abuse)A tiny part of CIR is for skilled employment based legal immigrants. A part is for American employers: it increases the number of H1B visas. Another part is for immigrants in the last stage of their GC process: it increaes the number of GC's so that immigrants don't have to wait for 6+ years on work (H1B) and 2+ years on student (F1).
CIR does not have any provision for STOPPING
1. H1B's,
2. GC's, AND
3. immigrants in the last stage of GC; it will just take a long time.
To STOP H1B's and GC's, I urge all Americans (who are not naturalized citizens AND whose parents are not naturalized citizens) to pass legislation that STOPS ANY immigrant from entering the country on F1 and work (H1, L1, ...) visas. The four important Americans who deal with these issues are
1. Nancy Pelosi (Madam speaker),
2. Zoe Lofgren (Chair, House subcommittee on Immigration),
3. Harry Reid (Senate Majority Leader),
4. Ted Kennedy (Chair, Senate House subcommittee on Immigration).
To All Harry GetzoffS (part 2)
February 22, 2007, 10:59am (report abuse)Please make sure to involve
1. chairs, Deans, Provosts and Presidents of all schools,
2. State deptt officials (who expedite F1 visas), AND
3. employers,
who present a completely differnt music to international students and employees at every step.
Such legislation will provide the perfect cushion at school and Work for you to live happily thereafter.
Skilled Immigrant
February 22, 2007, 11:12am (report abuse)I agree, either America should totally discontinue all visa like F1, H1, and all Green cards (and see the results!!) or address the problem of backlog faced by skilled immigrants.
This is too much !! You can not keep on holding lives of talented skilled immigrants. We are not uninvited guest like illegal immigrants!
Paul N
February 22, 2007, 12:10pm (report abuse)Please also ban all foreign players from NHL, MLB, NBA. No more Yao Ming, Hideki Matsuzuka, Mariano Rivera. No more Canadians in NHL please. All Russian and European skaters please leave USA because we have folks like Harry Getzoff and John P who are unable to dance on ice because of you guys grabbing our skating jobs. Congress please wake up, we have so many competent skaters, pitchers, sluggers, slam dunkers right here on this board who can easily compete with foreign players.
Shah
February 22, 2007, 12:29pm (report abuse)Can't agree more with Skilled Immigrant. I've been legally waiting for permanent residency for over 9 years. Could not go back to my home country since my child was on life support and was not allowed to fly. I'll give this broken immigration system till the end of this year - else I'll go back to my country leaving my 6 figure social security contribution behind for burger flippers.
Sam
February 22, 2007, 12:51pm (report abuse)People like us who have been here legally and are paying taxes for years, should be given our GCs much before illegal and non-tax paying immigrants.
prashant sharma
February 22, 2007, 1:33pm (report abuse)I am also in the same boat of leagal immigrants struggling for my green card for more than 4 Years.
Anonymous
February 22, 2007, 1:40pm (report abuse)It is unfortunate that politics and immigration that so tightly coupled. Politicians want to do (or atleast pretend to do) something about *undocumented workers* because they account for 11 million votes. Politicians don't care about *documented immigrants* because they are too few. The plight of documented immigrants waiting to get green-cards is pathetic. No, I am NOT here to advocate an increase in H1-B or Green Card numbers. I am just asking the Congress to either tell the waiting *documented workers* that they WILL NEVER get their green card or that they will in the next few years.
I don't have a clear solution to the problem of H1-B, GC, documented workers. I just want to highlight the fact that being in limbo is worse than living a normal life as an undocumented worker.
Paul N
February 22, 2007, 2:30pm (report abuse)Sports Teams, Project Teams, Sales Teams, etc. and communities, states, countries all comprise of PEOPLE. If they have the best people they succeed else they fail. USA needs to retain the best talent as it has ALWAYS done in the past. It's a NO BRAINER. We should try our best to retain all skilled legal immigrants. Not sure why it's so hard for some folks to understand.
DS Khabra
February 22, 2007, 6:58pm (report abuse)I support this bill.
kumar
February 22, 2007, 8:22pm (report abuse)I have been in this country for 8 years, my wife is a homemaker for last 6 years and got frustrated waiting for GC to come so that she can go for work, but till today there is no help from the government to make the gc process move forward. please help legal immigrants.
Indepndent
February 22, 2007, 8:37pm (report abuse)I have been in this country for last * years legally paying my taxes and being a law abiding citizen.
But no Green Card in sight.
To Ben
February 22, 2007, 9:10pm (report abuse)I am from India. I was a HUGE Bulls (MJ + Scottie + PJ) fan. Never missed a MJ game on TV; I have been to some MJ games when he was in DC. Some of my international student friends were also HUGE Bulls Fans. As one of my office mate (in grad school) put it : I am lucky to be born in a generation to watch MJ.
Most of my international student friends were MJ haters (mostly Knickerbrockers and Cavs fans, I was near Cleveland). We had heated arguments on a regular basis. Bulls/Knicks was a religon for me and most of my friends. Off course some Indians laughed at us.
I have most books on MJ, read all articles on MJ and watch all shows in which he appears. His Airness was GOD in person. Don't enjoy NBA (or any other sport) without MJ.
I still watch some lakers games for Zen Master PJ and TNT games for Steve Kerr. Ever heard anymone watching a game for coaching staff or commentator.
Murthy
February 23, 2007, 8:54am (report abuse)You know how much USA is losing not providing relief to legal immigrants? Most of the brilliant people of H4. They can not work here even though they are highly skilled and can be critical in improving the economy. Learn from other countries, before vanishing. Wake up America.
Facts & Media
February 23, 2007, 10:30am (report abuse)It is hard to know ALL FACTS about employment based (EB) green card (GC) problem and ALL RESTRICTIONS impossed by EB GC problem on affected persons.
A rare article covers H1B visa problem. A very rare article covers EB GC problem. Illegal immigration is news reporting
http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8746356
Lou Dobbs, CNN, attacks illegal immigration. He attacks H1B
visas whenever he gets a chance. Once a guest did not follow the script and started talking about legal immigration. Lou tried to interrupt him. However, the guest said that legal immigration system is broken.
Lou Dobbs rant for a presidential pardon for Ex-Border Patrol agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos is an example of his news reporting. The following article by a CNN reporter contradicts the validity of presidential pardon ranted by Lou Dobbs.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/12/navarrette/index.html
Do not believe Lou Dobbs if you want to know the FACTS.
EB GC and S.9
February 23, 2007, 10:33am (report abuse)H1B visa program has problems. However, IEEE-USA, one of the most respected EE/CS professional organization, has proposed increasing H1B visas AFTER fixing it. They have also proposed that student visa holders should get GC as soon as they take a job. They support GC for persons in the current mess.
However, the current problems with EB GC are not related to the H1B visa problems. Thus, it makes absolutely no sense to link (and hence delay) EB GC Bill with
1. screwed up H1B visa program (that may not have a quick solution), AND
2. illegal immigration (that may not have a solution), AND
3. border security (that may not have a solution).
rkk
February 23, 2007, 11:28pm (report abuse)I just speak for LEGAL immigrants.
I can wait for couple of years for Green Card. But not a decade, which seems to be best case scenario with the current back logs. Sorry, we need to fix the immigration system.
kkk
February 24, 2007, 7:49am (report abuse)AC21 is it really reflecting true state of Competency? EBx filers whose I140 is approved cannot move to a different firm unless they could file for I485? AC21 needs amendments to allow people whose 140 is approved to reflect actual state of immigration mess now.
EB GC Facts.
February 24, 2007, 8:17am (report abuse)Only 7% of total GCs available per year are for a country. China & India have a large # of international students. These students take up science, engineering and IT jobs. There is significant amount of wait time for applicants from these countries.
USCIS was unable (due to manpower shortage) to use annual visa numbers for almost 3 to 4 years. These unused GCs cannot be carried forward to following years. It is a significant reason for delay in EB GCs.
GC applicant restrictions.
February 24, 2007, 8:52am (report abuse)Some restrictions on GC applicant.
1. An applicant cannot change company without having to start the GC process all over again. In most cases, this results in the applicant being subject to low wages and other harassment.
2. An applicant cannot be promoted or transferred into a different position or office until his GC is approved (which is 6-12 yrs now). Doing this requires the employer to file another petition based on the new position and the applicant to lose his place in the queue. Applicants are vulnerable to the whims and fancies of employer as they know that the applicant cannot move around.
3. Travel outside US, in certain stages of GC application, is a problem as one can be denied permission to re-enter: applicant has “intent to immigrate.” This prevents applicants to travel both on business and personal reasons.
Restrictions on spouse.
February 24, 2007, 8:55am (report abuse)Some restrictions on GC applicant's spouse.
1. In many states, obtaining Driver Licenses for spouses on dependent (H4) visas is difficult, as DMV's do not consider H4 as a valid visa. Another reason given by many DMV’s, is absence of a Social Security Number (SSN). According to SSA, H4 visa holders do not get a SSN and it is difficult to explain this to DMV.
2. Some states do not consider H1 and H4 visa holders as in-state residents for tuition benefits even though they have paid state taxes for 2+ yrs and would have ordinarily satisfied the State’s residency requirements.
LinguistCitizen
February 24, 2007, 11:39am (report abuse)I could not help but notice a lack of basic English writing skills amomg many posts on this forum. Sorry, but it is true.
We cannot afford to reward illegal immigrants because that will simply encourage such behavior and add to the backlog which legal immigrants face. We are in dire need of health care professionals. Many IT job are outsourced to countries like China and India, and that is not because we do not have enough qualified individuals to do those jobs.
Medical care however, is not something that can be outsourced. We should encourage medical professionals to come to work in the U.S. The long backlogs in family based immigration will help ensure that we do not bleed other countries dry of their health care professionals, because they would have to consider their families before migrating.
LinguistCitizen
February 24, 2007, 11:50am (report abuse)As I mentioned in the prior post, many IT jobs are outsourced, as Lou Dobbs pointed out on his show. Many H1B visa holders are in peril because of this, because they would have to leave the country if their jobs are sent back to their home countries. Then they would have to go and work there...
Citizen Techie
February 24, 2007, 12:23pm (report abuse)The H-1B program thrives in darkness and obscurity.
H-1B increases are usually hidden in other bills such as Omnibus spending packages because the program can't be rationally defended before the American public. Most Americans would not be in favor of a program which:
*Imports workers to do jobs for which there are ample qualified American candidates.
* Is used by companies to replace American workers even when they scream about a "tech worker shortage" and a lack of American students in science and engineering.
* Facilitates outsourcing.
* Is not balanced by a program which opens up foreign job markets to Americans.
* Is blatant corporate welfare. (because it uses tax dollars to supply companies with labor).
H1B program.
February 24, 2007, 7:10pm (report abuse)In a report, dated January 23, 2007, released by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the CRS reported to Congress on the use of the H-1B training fees. The report states, “Between FY 2000 and 2004, the NSF provided $187.2 million in H-1B user fees to colleges and universities in an effort to increase the supply of individuals with skills in computer science, engineering, and math. Some 40,000 students were awarded scholarships over the period (p. CRS-8). The DOL awarded over $328 million in Technical Skills Training Grants from its share of H-1B training fee monies during the same time period (CRS-9)." The report also comments on the improving conditions in the IT labor market, stating, “[a]lmost 2.5 million persons worked in IT jobs as computer systems analysts, computer engineers, computer scientists and computer programmers in 2000 — more than twice the number in 1989, the prior peak in the business cycle.”
H1B program reference.
February 24, 2007, 7:10pm (report abuse)http://www.bibdaily.com/pdfs/CRS%20H1B%20fees%20Jan%202007.pdf
Lou LIAR Dobbs.
February 24, 2007, 7:54pm (report abuse)All H1B visa holders have to pay taxes. However, Lou Dobbs says they don't pay taxes. The following is a link to google search page. I could not find the actual reference in his book.
http://www.google.com/search?
hl=en&rls=PCTA%2CPCTA%3A2006-15%2CPCTA%3Aen&q=lou+dobbs+h1b+taxes
Jay
February 24, 2007, 9:42pm (report abuse)Please if any senators, congressmen, or law makers look through this by any chance, you know that lots of 245(i) cases (illegal cases) have been using green card quotas from the same pool of skilled works, that why all visa were used up and green card retrogression began.
By law, many skill workers are allowed to apply for green card and they follow every step of the rules. Now they are stuck in this broken system and cannot do anything but wait and pray. It’s been long overdue and agonizing wait for them and I believe you realize that.
Please understand this and show mercy to AT LEAST INCREASE GREEN CARD QUOTAS JUST ENOUGH TO FIX THE SYSTEM FOR LEGAL IMMIGRATIONS. So please act now and don’t postpone any further. They don’t do anything wrong but good for the country. Please at least treat them right and fix the legal immigration system as your first priority and please do it now. After all it’s human right issue as well.
HELP SKILLED IMMIGRANTs
February 24, 2007, 10:48pm (report abuse)They are Qualified
Engineers, Doctors, Nurses ( These are all the area where US employers cannot find employees.
- pay taxes. Usually earn more than what resident / citizen earns.
- because of retrogation, Qualified Dependents unable to work and are aging out. (They are legally in the country but can't work because there spouse's waiting for more than 5 years immigration.
- Green Card delays hurts employers as well. Employee movement is restrictive. Companies are Outsourcing because they cannot find qualified employees to fill vacancies.
- If CIR is passed Skilled Laborer will start buying properties. This will help the current Housing & Real Estate Slump.
laura
February 25, 2007, 11:38pm (report abuse)I am sick and tired of people complaining of illegal immigrants taking jobs from americans....Prove your point by taking the job of picking the citrus crops that are rottening because of the fear the "ICE" raids have caused on these humble workers. Then and only then will you have the right to claim these workers steal the jobs you argue to want.
IEEE-USA's F Visa.
February 26, 2007, 7:22am (report abuse)The following is IEEE-USA's proposal for student (F) visa (from
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/May/immigration.asp)
F visas enable foreign students to study at American colleges and universities. The new F-4 visa will be available to students who receive a Masters or Ph.D. from an American college or university in science, engineering, math, technology or related fields. The F visa allows these students to become permanent residents with green cards, once they find a job.
S.9 should
1. include IEEE-USA's F4 visa, AND
2. apply it retroactively to all applicants currently in the last stage of their GC (without waiting for S.9).
S.9 additions.
February 26, 2007, 7:25am (report abuse)S.9 should include provision for
1. efficient processing (< 6 months) of last GC stage for applicants waiting to apply for last GC stage. Some steps (name checking, finger printing, ...) take 2+ years.
2. NOT mixing legal GC applications and illegal GC applications. Illegals will get their GCs. Lawmakers will do any gymnastics for them. Media values them MUCH more then US educated engineers.
3. reducing naturalization waiting time (= 5 years) for applicants waiting to apply for last GC stage.
Green Card Hope
February 27, 2007, 8:59am (report abuse)I have come to this country to pursue my Master 10 years ago. I have been living in this country, paying taxes, low abiding.
The backloged in skill immigration process made our life like hell, we are not getting promotions, we can not change the job, all our other important decision in life depends on permanent residancy.
I think congress must act to correct this skilled immigration process for people like me still waiting for their green card.
US can not afford to loose high skilled immigrant, who trained here, got education here and go somewhere else.
AD
February 27, 2007, 10:37pm (report abuse)Please do something about the legal immigration problem in the bill. People coming to this country LEGALLY should be catered to first.
Potential Graduates:-
February 28, 2007, 4:56pm (report abuse)Message for all Potential candidates aspiring education in the US:- You are assuming substantial risk, if you decide to start your life in the US. Be prepared for an endless wait. If, you end up losing your status and decide to head back home guess what?!!...you lose thousands of dollars in social security monies you have paid, so we Americans can live our dreams.
Pierce
March 7, 2007, 12:39am (report abuse)The gov must once and for all communicate the americans that America NEEDS these immigrants, and that's the part you all are missing, it incentives the economy. The U.S, is capable to control immigration in a heart beat, but they won't.
Frustrated
March 7, 2007, 12:43am (report abuse)My brother in law is married with an American for 4 years, he is from south america, educated and positive influence for our country, and yet they want to kick em out! Stop deportation to American husbands; wifes!
ABS
March 12, 2007, 7:18pm (report abuse)People who filed for Green card in EB3 category have been waiting for a minimum of 6-7 years for processing! This is inhuman, I cannot believe this is happening in the land of America and no official is doing anything to resolve this problem. The green card system in the employment-category is completely broken, it's almost a joke!
vsa
March 17, 2007, 9:23am (report abuse)When I graduated in Top 5% of my class 15 years ago - a friend asked me what do you want to do? And I said "Go to america of course, the land of opportunities, efficiency and immigrants" so I got enrolled in a Top 10 university in US - After graduation, I got several job offers in US - so I am now working in one of the finest companies in America - but my life has become extremely difficult. Why? Because I am stuck in this Green Card EB retrogression mess. I have always believed in the American way of doing things, but this is questioning all fundamentals and grounds. I used to believe America was efficient and productive in taking actions and solving problems - but now I am beginning to doubt that - Law makers and politicians please do not try to solve all the immigration problems in one go! I understand there are too many issues - but do the right things for skilled EB category - they should really not be suffering to this degree - Take action
David Sims
March 21, 2007, 10:17pm (report abuse)Legal and illegal immigration. Two totally different issues. They shouldn't even be on the same bill together.
skilled Immigrant
March 25, 2007, 7:54pm (report abuse)House introduced Immigration bill (STRIVE act 2007) on March 22, 2007. Senate bill is at halt due to politics and still not introduced. I think they should start same house bill as a starting point. Delay is going to harm everyone, specially skilled immigrants. Senator Kennedy should introduce bill immediatelly.
Legal Victim
March 30, 2007, 3:58am (report abuse)I have done MS from Ivy school, have couple of patents and I am slogging in this country for 8 years.Green card is last hope my lawyers have given me. Only thing USA wants is youth time of legal immigrants who can be rotated every 6 years.I think this is worst than slavery. We are literate slaves. In old days blacks made roads here but atleast were not shipped back. We are sucked of our youth only to be recycled every 6 years. If people following laws are victimized so much which foolish illegal immigrant would even think of legal path? America has slavery in 21st century. Conditions of legal immigrants are more inhumane than of illegal immigrants. What Americans want are slaves people who can write software for them, people who can give them patents, people who can be janitors but not ask for even humane treatment in return. If any sensible lawmaker is reading this can they tell what bad have legal immigrants done to them? Not paid taxes? No paid medicare?
Potential Student from India/China
March 30, 2007, 4:15am (report abuse)Do not take the foolish step of coming to USA for graduate studies. We did this mistake 10 years back and still getting fried in immigration bakery. If you come here, be prepared to be slave for 6 years and then thrown out. And for 6 years, you are here be ready to live as motivated as donkey because you would have no incentive for innovation. Only come here to work on ERP so you make tonnes of $$ and do not waste them here, save them and take them when you are kicked out of here.
Charles Ehler
April 1, 2007, 7:01pm (report abuse)Am I the only one that can see NOTHING beyond the bill summary. That makes review worthless.
Until I can review the complete text I am against this bill.
samu
April 2, 2007, 3:28pm (report abuse)there are illegal workers in H4 visa too.
while others are legally waiting for GC or work permit. these H4 visa holders take more advantage and work for $10/hr(without paying taxes).
immigration need to pay attention towards H4 visa workers. they need to be deported right away.
Danny
April 5, 2007, 7:52pm (report abuse)US immigration law keeps spouses of legal permanent residents out of US for at least 5 years. No any other country has such cruel laws to separate husband and wife for such a long time. I am wife of US legal immigrant, I have to wait out of US for 5 years until the visa number becomes available. I am deprived of basic human rights. It is totally a disaster in my life.
Tenz
April 6, 2007, 5:41pm (report abuse)Please please end EB2/EB3 retrogression. Would passing of the STRIVE act make it beneficial to be illegal and here for 5 years, versus, legal and waiting around (retrogression - Indian EB3) stuck with the same employer for 5 years.
Patiently Waiting for GC
April 10, 2007, 11:37pm (report abuse)Please, please, please end EB2/EB3 retrogression for everyone. I'm stuck in the pipeline, and doing my time (5 years now) - I can handle the wait, but it's too hard on my spouse - I enjoy paying my way, giving tax money to the US government. Why the punishment of retrogression.
No Mas Emigre
April 12, 2007, 1:51pm (report abuse)Any legislation, proposed by any elected official which will grant defacto amnesty to a single illegal immigrant is an act of treason. It constitutes a willful betrayal of their oath of Office, and actions which are contrary to the best interests of the legitimate Citizens of this Nation whom they are elected to represent.
Specifically, they swear to protect & defend against ALL enemies either foreign or domestic.
And it goes without saying that anyone who enters this Country illegally, seeking personal enrichment at the expense of it's rightful Citizens is an invading enemy to the Republic.
No amount of appeal to the hardship, or benefits related to these enemies within will ameliorate the criminal nature, inherent in their very presence.
Strict enforcement of our borders, and expeditious deportation is neither unjust, nor untenable.
It has in fact been the NORM for all Civilizations for eons.
Enough of the sophistry and duplicity. Enforce, deport, and maintain... NOW!
SFA
April 12, 2007, 6:38pm (report abuse)Americans need people to do their dirty jobs, and not wise, educated, people who will make them look stupid. Double standards Huh!! Do you think you are a higher breed?
If immigrants need to go back to their homelands... there won't be a single person here other than native Americans. The true people of this land.
H4 violation
April 17, 2007, 11:06pm (report abuse)H4 violators need to deported. I agree with samu. florida and new york where H4 visa holders work without work permit for low wages.
INS have to pay attention towards H4 violators
Anonymous
April 19, 2007, 9:46am (report abuse)I have a Assosicate Degree in Computer Engg. I have a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science. I am about to finish my MBA. My Bachelor and MBA are from USA Universities. I have 12 years of IT industry experience with few of top companies in the world. Here are my problems. After been in this great country America for over 7 years, I am still on H1. My first stage of GC hasn't been cleared yet after been pending for 4.5 years. I cann't travel safely out of American due to VISA/Stamping issues. I cann't make some of big decisions because my status here is still not safe. I cann't change jobs of accept promotions due ot my current status. At my present jobs, I am one of the lead engineer and train other folks on some of high tech technologies.
I just wish America does something for legal people like me.
-Anonymous
zaza
April 26, 2007, 12:34pm (report abuse)Immigration should be based only on employer needs after they are able to find a citizen to fill the job at legal wages.
Setting immigration on congress needs should stop.
Once here based on the need of employers they should be able to work towards citizenship after 5 years. Only those that can prove that they were able to make a living here without government assistance (SSI, foodstamps, unemployment, etc). If they were not paying taxes because they were an immigrant, back taxes should be paid in order for it to count towards the 5 years. Any time they received public assistance should not count.
illegal activitiy, including DUI, driving without a license, speeding/wreckless driving , not paying child support, id fraud, not registering for military, should be deportable
should be allowed to become citizens.
The ability to speak English should be part of the requirement for immigrating as a worker even
BS
May 1, 2007, 9:07am (report abuse)Wooh.. Reading through the comments both for and against...
I just have a word " HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATION" thats what is happening to H1-B, F1 and H4 visa holders in USA.
No right to work ( H4) despite being highly qualified
2. No right to change employers ( h1-B)
3. No right to choose the profession one want ( like engg to Mgmt ) h1-B
The nation who attacks other's on the pretest to Human right protection is getting the Best Brains and treating them Inhuman.
Can any soul in USA deny that they are not an Immigrant? If not you/ your parents/grand parents etcetc.. came to this nation, Gave this nation the best they could and you are here bcoz of them. Birth is by chance , so don't act as custodians of USA. Use the logic and make the life of legal immigrants better by
1. Immigration law reforms
2. No GC retrogression
3. Allow h4 to work
Better person at personal front gives in the best at career.
Ken W
May 1, 2007, 9:19pm (report abuse)Speaking as one whose ancestors were here before our government was formed:
What nerve for these uninvited to complain about US policy. If you're so talented, hard working, creative, tax paying, etc. you are surly of more use to the fine cultures in Mumbai or Mexico City or Dublin or wherver you were born. Take your bonus child(ren) and your marvelous talents and leave us Americans alone. We'll do fine without you; we always have.
Reply to Ken W
May 2, 2007, 12:31am (report abuse)Who said people on H1-B are Uninvited?US companies does not have the skills in USA and they get skilled,Talented people through INTERVIEWS and sponsor them to USA. If " so called American" have the talent,why is that NASA, Other reseARCH institutions are filled with Foregin nationals??? Why is that USA still need Germans,Chinese, Indians,Mexican. Imagine a day in your life,without the chinese goods,Indian IT system working behind all the automated credit card counters to the software you use for getting the GAS, and Mexican's who do all "labour intensive work". buddy, .. Great great " Bonus" of immigrant grandparents KEN..U won't be get through a single day.
Reply to Ken - part 2
May 2, 2007, 12:31am (report abuse)History is proof, any nation which has closed it doors have landed in DUST.Looks like u are too Xenophobic, Insecure. If you have the real skill, why are u afraid of competition by other national.. Fight on and give everyone a fair ground too.. Not, tying then behind the h1B and h4 laws..which are INHUMAN..U too are a "Bonus" that US govt got when they formed Govt.. Be a human being and think of doing good and treating everyone equal and don't have " Superiroty "complex.
I don't mean to hurt you.It is just that u have hurt the feelings of millions of people who are giving their time, skills and tax to make USA the best nation.But, why do you have such a bad Attitute towards people who are just like youLive and LET LIVE
go to the link
May 2, 2007, 12:45am (report abuse)http://www.contactomagazine.com/biznews/educatedimmigrants0107.htm
To sustain our economic and global competitiveness, America needs to focus on its many strengths. One of these is our ability to attract and assimilate the world's best and brightest,"
. A subsequent study published in 2006 analyzed the experiences of companies engaged in outsourcing and found that the key factors in outsourcing were cost and proximity to markets -- not a skills shortage in the United States.
Ken.. Hope u got the difference b/w legal and illegal immigrants..I too condemn Illegal immigrants... so buddy, chill..
Live and Let live
Meghna
May 8, 2007, 7:17am (report abuse)Please support CIR
To Ken W
May 13, 2007, 7:00am (report abuse)Yes, America will be fine if you kick out one particular individual skilled foreigner. However, if you make this into a policy, US will be in BIG trouble. All sorts of IT services will get worse, NASA will slow down, no more excellent foreign professors teaching American students, goodbye to half of Google, no more accurate laser guidance for submarine missiles, American cars will get worse/break down more often, and so and on.
American At Heart & Land Of Opportunity
May 13, 2007, 10:33pm (report abuse)"America a land of opportunity" land where you can make it to the top if you have the right mind and good intentions. This is an opportunity for us to open our hearts and minds and see how we can make more friends. People have this misconception that America will stop functioning if all the foreigners are sent back to their home countries. Or that Americans cant do this or they cant do that. WE ARE CAPABLE AND WILLING TO DO EVERYTHING. But we will continue to move forward full force. People who want to live in our country should ask humbly and politely and not think that it is their right but it is a great privilage to live and be a part of our society, promise to us and themselves that they will give their new homeland only their best because it is a privilage to be a part of this country. Any criminal activity "Strike one and they are out of the country" No second chances for them.
May God continue to bless our nation ....Amen
Chris Gray
May 14, 2007, 10:13pm (report abuse)What's the problem here?
This bill does nothing other than state that everyone should do something to reform the current situation. It doesn't suggest how to reform it. It doesn't enact any new law. It does nothing, so why is everyone for it? Shouldn't you be more concerned with our politicians actually passing something that matters, instead of passing something that just suggests they should do something?
Diptam Chatterjee
May 15, 2007, 2:23pm (report abuse)I'm in this country for almost 7+ years working for Fortune 500 corporations in IT sector. I'm really sick of this EB3 and EB2 retrogression - it’s like a bad dream which cuts off Productivity from you. Being in this country for 7 years I still can't plan for my future...
I don’t know much about illegal immigrants who cross borders via. Mexico etc... But I see some peoples who came in this country with some VISA and by AIRLINES and they wears good looking clothes , have some Degree and they somehow managed to get GREEN CARD in 1 year by paying CASH thru the process of manipulating/stealing someone else's Priority Date- Would you call that Legal immigration ?? They have also given a name to that racket - "labor Substitution".
Let’s stop all this. Either says a straight Yes / No to all qualified legal immigrants quickly and professionally.
MerrillB
May 16, 2007, 7:44am (report abuse)***>>>S. 1348 is the new bill being debated
MerrillB
May 16, 2007, 7:46am (report abuse)Type "S. 1348" in the search box in the left column, go there, and vote!
Jon Renner
May 17, 2007, 3:25pm (report abuse)America sold out again!
I'm begining to understand the French people's feelings just before the revolution.
Might be getting close here, now.
jgo
May 18, 2007, 5:08am (report abuse)I agree that the immigration system in the USA is a wreck. Because Kennedy and Simpson and Mazzoli, and now Specter, Flake, Gutierrez, Lieberman, Hagel, Pelosi, Lofgren and Bush are trying to make it even worse.
Stop the immigration perversion bills.
Tom
May 18, 2007, 10:47am (report abuse)Please support immigration reform that brings in educated people to this country . We need LEGAL permanent residents .engineers, doctors, scientist..support EB immigation reform to reduce the waiting periods for employment based Green cards.
-Tom
EB3
May 18, 2007, 3:18pm (report abuse)American law makers need to decide the severity of the crime of staying in America beyond the visa permit date or entering the country without a visa (illegal immigration). Justice delayed is justice denied. There has been a delay of 15-20 years relative to the execution of immigration laws. The immigration program of the U.S. has not worked due to a lack of enforcement. The current immigration rules are out dated, unreasonable and unenforceable. The new bill defines an approach that changes the severity of the crime, in other words the change to the law is essentially substituting punishments. Are the people against the substitution of the punishment from deportation to fines? Which part of the bill are people really against? Is it that immigration laws have not been enforced historically and now they want all law breakers to pay at once? Or is it because there is an insecurity regarding the "browning" of America and possibly changing the texture of the country in the years to come?
PJ
May 21, 2007, 3:41pm (report abuse)While you are sitting there and wondering what to do with these bills, please remember that you are playing with people's lives. I am an EB-3 applicant just waiting for you to reach my priority date for the last 2 years. Does this make any sense to you?
You have basically put my life on hold. I am not able to change jobs, so I am taking a financial hit and I am not able to be with my loved one's because the law does not allow changing geographic locations. For everything so great about this country, I have been highly disappointed with the immigration process.
It's high time you make this process efficient and STOP PLAYING WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES.