Green Card Tease

If you are a skilled foreign worker (or at least know someone closely), you probably heard about what's been going on with USCIS reversal of a surprise opportunity for permanent residency.

On June 12, 2007, USCIS published a Visa Bulletin which stated that all skilled foreign workers that were waiting to apply for an 'adjustment of status' through employment, were allowed to apply immediately. This especially was a rare opportunity for workers from India, China, Mexico and Philippines that have to wait upwards of 4 years to even apply. Without questioning their motivations, tens of thousands of foreign workers like me scrambled to get our applications in by meeting our lawyers and getting all the paperwork done, paying for medical exam. Due to the short notice, many workers and their dependants that were abroad had to change their plans overnight and come back to the U.S. as required for the process. This meant changes in even wedding plans for some friends of friends I know.

On July 2, they announce that a new bulletin has been issued, effectively reversing the June 12 bulletin and they were no longer accepting any new applications. I didn't have sufficient time to apply and the money I already spent was a loss. Successful applicants who were able to file before June 30, must have gone to enormous trouble with time, effort and money and they have it even worse. If their applications weren't part of the first 140,000 for the entire current fiscal year, then their applications were being returned as being rejected outright.

Needless to say, this disappointed everyone and devastated quite a lot of people. According to Murthy.com, the AILF is filing a class action lawsuit already. A congresswoman disapproves.

(news) H-1B Visa program expanded

H-1B Visa program has been expanded to include another 20,000 visas (read here). I thought it was a good idea when I read the headlines, but obviously its being seriously discouraged and has strings attached. American Universities invest so much in foreign students for the latest advancements in technology, and now its a bad idea to use their skills in the market? I understand that the current economy cannot help but try and preserve as many jobs as possible to US citizens, but I also think that a good competition will let the US tech industry stay in the international lead. That's a postive for the economy itself again right? So what if the big companies are trying to cut costs by employing cheap labor? They are trying to stay afloat in this tough economy and keep it running. I'd say consider the visa program again and increase the cap further. Things will get better, I'm sure of it.