atlfp
11-14 12:45 PM
He does not worth such attentions!
wallpaper Hannah Montana World
Macaca
11-07 12:15 PM
Another Iowan from Cedar Falls wrote in support of our review of the H-1B program. He is a computer programmer with a master's degree and over 20 years of work experience in that field. He says: Despite all of my qualifications, in the last four years I have applied to over 3,700 positions and have received no job offers. He believes he is in constant competition with H-1B visa holders.
The unemployment rate is 1.8% which is much lower then unemployable rate. Some persons are unemployable. That is, they will not get a job even if H-1B quota is set to 0.
The ONLY way for such persons to get job is with the legilative fix: every American is entitled to a job!
The unemployment rate is 1.8% which is much lower then unemployable rate. Some persons are unemployable. That is, they will not get a job even if H-1B quota is set to 0.
The ONLY way for such persons to get job is with the legilative fix: every American is entitled to a job!
ab_tak_chappan
08-14 08:54 PM
gave a green to chaanakya
2011 Hannah Montana Pictures and
qplearn
09-13 04:14 PM
Administrator - Please delete this posting immediately. It smacks of shameless racism, and we don't want our entire entire community to be tainted by this shameless guy.
I did not understand this posting. Where is the racism?
I did not understand this posting. Where is the racism?
more...
Macaca
11-19 12:41 PM
In War on the Middle Class (http://www.amazon.com/War-Middle-Class-Government-Business/dp/0670037923) Lou Dobbs says H1B workers don't pay taxes.
However, H-1B workers are legally required to pay the same taxes as any other US resident, including Social Security and Medicare. Some H-1B workers are not eligible to receive any Social Security or Medicare benefits unless they are able to adjust status to that of permanent resident. However, if their country of citizenship has a tax agreement with the United States, they are able to collect the Social Security they've earned even if they don't gain permanent residency.
In some cases, H-1B workers pay higher taxes than a US citizen because they are not entitled to certain deductions (eg. head of household deduction amongst many others).
Indian techie slams CNN Lou Dobbs! (http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/10-28a-04.asp) By N. Sivakumar, October 28, 2004
In a book titled "Dude, did I steal your job? Debugging Indian Computer programmers", the author, an Indian software engineer, has slammed Lou Dobbs of CNN for calling the foreign high-tech workers as non-tax payers, and humiliating the enormous contributions of foreign high-tech workforce to the American economy.
"Foreign high-tech workers who come here on H-1B / L1 visas pay every tax that U.S. citizens do, including Social Security and Medicare. But if they return to their homeland, then they will not get any benefits from these programs. The recent recession cost the United States more than half a million foreign high-tech workers who had to return home after paying all these taxes. In fact, Americans owe them money"
The author writes.
"The ignorance to mention the stupendous contributions of immigrant high-tech workers was the primary cause for the anti-Indian atmosphere which is seen among computer professionals lately. Unfortunately, neither the media nor the public understand the foreign high-tech workforce. The net result: those who supported the foreign high-tech worker programs have taken a back seat to play safe, and Indians and others who came here on visas, and worked their butts off to make this country prosper are named 'slaves', 'dummies', and 'enemies'. writes the author, N.Sivakumar.
The book also claims that bringing in foreign high-tech workforce at the right time was the primary reason for America's stupendous high-tech success, and gives statistics and evidence to prove that hadn't America acted quickly, the Europeans would have taken over the software dominance.
The book also outlines the life, struggle and achievements of Indian programmers in America with entertaining facts, and is a prime discussion topic in many anti-outsourcing and immigration websites lately.
However, H-1B workers are legally required to pay the same taxes as any other US resident, including Social Security and Medicare. Some H-1B workers are not eligible to receive any Social Security or Medicare benefits unless they are able to adjust status to that of permanent resident. However, if their country of citizenship has a tax agreement with the United States, they are able to collect the Social Security they've earned even if they don't gain permanent residency.
In some cases, H-1B workers pay higher taxes than a US citizen because they are not entitled to certain deductions (eg. head of household deduction amongst many others).
Indian techie slams CNN Lou Dobbs! (http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/10-28a-04.asp) By N. Sivakumar, October 28, 2004
In a book titled "Dude, did I steal your job? Debugging Indian Computer programmers", the author, an Indian software engineer, has slammed Lou Dobbs of CNN for calling the foreign high-tech workers as non-tax payers, and humiliating the enormous contributions of foreign high-tech workforce to the American economy.
"Foreign high-tech workers who come here on H-1B / L1 visas pay every tax that U.S. citizens do, including Social Security and Medicare. But if they return to their homeland, then they will not get any benefits from these programs. The recent recession cost the United States more than half a million foreign high-tech workers who had to return home after paying all these taxes. In fact, Americans owe them money"
The author writes.
"The ignorance to mention the stupendous contributions of immigrant high-tech workers was the primary cause for the anti-Indian atmosphere which is seen among computer professionals lately. Unfortunately, neither the media nor the public understand the foreign high-tech workforce. The net result: those who supported the foreign high-tech worker programs have taken a back seat to play safe, and Indians and others who came here on visas, and worked their butts off to make this country prosper are named 'slaves', 'dummies', and 'enemies'. writes the author, N.Sivakumar.
The book also claims that bringing in foreign high-tech workforce at the right time was the primary reason for America's stupendous high-tech success, and gives statistics and evidence to prove that hadn't America acted quickly, the Europeans would have taken over the software dominance.
The book also outlines the life, struggle and achievements of Indian programmers in America with entertaining facts, and is a prime discussion topic in many anti-outsourcing and immigration websites lately.
sundarpn
01-05 05:08 PM
Looking at the above, for most folks it has been 10 business days.
more...
gc_on_demand
06-09 12:02 PM
We need active participation from members for the action item listed on this thread. CHC member are taking a very hard stand on the 3 bills introduced by Lofgren. If members (esp. constituents) don't call in large numbers and urge the CHC members to support the bills. The 3 bills may not even see the house floor. CHC members want only one immigration bill (CIR), nothing else is accepted.
Please ask u'r friends and colleagues (who are constituents of CHC lawmakers) to participate in this crucial action item.
Please ask u'r friends and colleagues (who are constituents of CHC lawmakers) to participate in this crucial action item.
2010 Hannah Montana Wallpapers.
santb1975
12-03 08:37 PM
to do this as well and doing it doesn't gaurantee a Good Return on Investment based on the past experience
I know we have set another reminder (with the 100's we already have), what is the biggest reason not to automate it ?
I know we have set another reminder (with the 100's we already have), what is the biggest reason not to automate it ?
more...
ndialani
10-28 07:31 PM
@ vikki76
Where is your case? I am sorry if you have already mentioned it before. If its TSC, please send me a message and I will give you the name of the officer. Please try to call around 4 PM tomrrow.
For all those who have sent me pvt. messages, I will mail you a copy of the letter I sent out to Secretary Napolatino and first lady in the evening today.
Hi Caliguy,
My case is stuck in Texas service center.
Opened SR on 9/8...reply....6 months wait
My spouse SR 9/8....reply....60 days wait
Filled #7001 form
Emailed to Ombudsman...no answer yet.
How can i reach IO .....help me out ....please
Thanks
Where is your case? I am sorry if you have already mentioned it before. If its TSC, please send me a message and I will give you the name of the officer. Please try to call around 4 PM tomrrow.
For all those who have sent me pvt. messages, I will mail you a copy of the letter I sent out to Secretary Napolatino and first lady in the evening today.
Hi Caliguy,
My case is stuck in Texas service center.
Opened SR on 9/8...reply....6 months wait
My spouse SR 9/8....reply....60 days wait
Filled #7001 form
Emailed to Ombudsman...no answer yet.
How can i reach IO .....help me out ....please
Thanks
hair Hannah Montana Wallpaper
pappu
03-29 04:05 PM
Pappu,
I do agree that my success (both personal and professional) depends on:
1) Ability to file I-485 so my wife can start working. She has a MS in Computer Science degree which she acquired while on H4, which in an itself is a major accomplishment. But, she can't do much beyond this. Lots of employers stay away from filing H1 these days. So her best bet is get EAD soon so she can start working.
2) Ability to file I-485 gives the benefit of visa-stamp-less travel. We've been postponing traveling to India due to the hassles involved in H1 stamping.
3) Ability to get greencard will give us peace of mind for sure.
I do know IV is working to reduce backlogs, remove per-country quota, admin fixes, and much more. I do not of any other platform that is helping employment based immigrants...which is why I'm participating in the advocacy days and I just contributed $100 towards the cause.
I hope IV slowly but surely gets enough mass of people to become a self-sustaining organization that can make impact to the lives of immigrants. You and other IV volunteers are surely doing a great job.
Thanks.
Thank you for your support
I do agree that my success (both personal and professional) depends on:
1) Ability to file I-485 so my wife can start working. She has a MS in Computer Science degree which she acquired while on H4, which in an itself is a major accomplishment. But, she can't do much beyond this. Lots of employers stay away from filing H1 these days. So her best bet is get EAD soon so she can start working.
2) Ability to file I-485 gives the benefit of visa-stamp-less travel. We've been postponing traveling to India due to the hassles involved in H1 stamping.
3) Ability to get greencard will give us peace of mind for sure.
I do know IV is working to reduce backlogs, remove per-country quota, admin fixes, and much more. I do not of any other platform that is helping employment based immigrants...which is why I'm participating in the advocacy days and I just contributed $100 towards the cause.
I hope IV slowly but surely gets enough mass of people to become a self-sustaining organization that can make impact to the lives of immigrants. You and other IV volunteers are surely doing a great job.
Thanks.
Thank you for your support
more...
franklin
07-11 05:05 PM
Is anyone make PDF about this rally? So, that we can circulate this by mail.
Please use the email that was sent by the core team to every member to circulate to your friends.
This is an ideal time to remind people to update their personal information in the profile.
Please use the email that was sent by the core team to every member to circulate to your friends.
This is an ideal time to remind people to update their personal information in the profile.
hot hannah-montana-wallpapers-004
JazzByTheBay
07-17 10:08 PM
Let's pick up where we left off before this July 2 visa bulletin debacle (and the resulting struggle). Though the whole fiasco did get us our first taste of success, imho, and as such isn't insignificant by any measure.
Jazz
we seized on an opportunity and won a battle.
the war is still to be one.
there is no way this over. we will fight till retrogression ends.
Jazz
we seized on an opportunity and won a battle.
the war is still to be one.
there is no way this over. we will fight till retrogression ends.
more...
house Hannah Montana Blue and Purple
permfiling
04-29 09:17 PM
Insane list ...I lost 50% of my head hair staying in US since last 10 yrs and now loose the rest doing the book keeping...no wonder stone age was fun ;-)
Thanks for this info, but I am a million miles away from ever thinking about these.
Just out of curiosity, why "shred" photocopies, except maybe for better document management and not drowning in paper? :D
Is there some ramification towards citizenship?
btw, Congrats on GC. :cool:
LT
Thanks for this info, but I am a million miles away from ever thinking about these.
Just out of curiosity, why "shred" photocopies, except maybe for better document management and not drowning in paper? :D
Is there some ramification towards citizenship?
btw, Congrats on GC. :cool:
LT
tattoo Hannah Montana Wallpaper
kshitijnt
07-17 09:53 PM
Recapturing lost numbers is not a permanent solution. Per country limit 7% is ridiculous. We need to make sure we are not discriminated against by the per country limit. Its not my fault that someone from Europe doesnt want to come here and not so many from Africa or south america qualify for the EB visas.
more...
pictures Hannah Montana Wallpapers 2008
sam2006
07-18 06:04 PM
what about 3rd July applications?
Mine Reached 3rd july 7:50 AM?
Checks not cleared ...
Mine Reached 3rd july 7:50 AM?
Checks not cleared ...
dresses hannah montana
cygent
01-31 03:41 AM
its at 20, lets move it to top 5!
FYI: You voted NO in this, could you change that?
FYI: You voted NO in this, could you change that?
more...
makeup Hannah Montana
greenmonster
08-04 09:58 PM
I am a July 2007 filer, so far i have never got finger prints on my EAD. First time i did not get a FP notice. I scheduled an info pass appointment and got my FP notice.. gave FP in Feb 2008. I got my first EAD in Oct 2007.
My latest EAD ( approved Jul 2010) does not have the finger prints on it. Last time I gave my FP was in June 2009 ( Notice sent by USICS ). Is that something to worry? Is it related to NC ?
My latest EAD ( approved Jul 2010) does not have the finger prints on it. Last time I gave my FP was in June 2009 ( Notice sent by USICS ). Is that something to worry? Is it related to NC ?
girlfriend Wallpapers Of Hannah Montana.
chanduv23
03-13 01:36 PM
I agree with most of your comments here. I am more realistic than most people here in the forums. So, I dont want all ducks in a row and world peace issues sorted out. Because, I know that is not happening anytime soon.
True, in a election year and with all the anti-immigration sentiments around, it is highly unlikely that something will happen in the near future. So, NO. I am not waiting to see some success, before I join the band wagon. When you started IV a few years back, I am not sure you envisioned this many members today. Inspite of having over 25000 members, the admin fix compaign only seem to have received about 10% letters. So, What are the other members doing? Why are they not participating? what is holding them back? That is a question for everyone of us. That is something, I thought every member should reflect upon. We have around 25000 members here in IV. But, we know for a fact that there are atleast a million people waiting in line. How do we reach them and how to get them to actively participate in IV action items?
Like you said, IV is a grass roots organization and it is up to the members to make things happen. But how? Apart from these action items for admin fixes etc, Can't IV have a membership drive? Get more people to join IV and contribute.
I know for a fact, that there are so many people here in Nebraska who have no clue about IV. I have been educating them when I get an opportunity. A Local Chapter could easily solve the problem. But, until now, I had no clue as to what is required to start a chapter. (Thank you Walking_dude). Answers to questions like this is what I meant by transaparency. Not the accounts or donations, as someone suggested in this forum.
Also, When I suggested about honarary payments to core team, I am not trying to belitte anyone in the team. I just thought, that you and other members of the core team should be compensated for all the efforts you put in. After all, these efforts and money you spend is going to benefit me and every other aspiring immigrant of this country. So, It was just a thought.
I will try my best to lay the foundations of IV presence here in NE. I would welcome any suggestions and comments.
It takes time. We all started out like you, in the Tri State Area, and in other cities we targetted grocery shops, distrubuted flyers in major events, had booths and out members tirelessly and selflessly worked and continue to do so. We see more and more members getting motivated as time goes and this is a good sign.
We have started off a lot of publicity campaigns like advertising on local radio, different sites, mailing lists, emails, invite a friend, free legal counsels, meet and greets and it just goes on.......
You are most welcome to take initiative and execute it and IV members will provide you all support u need.
Evey IV member can support IV in some form or the other.
I am personally glad that you are now motivated. Welcome to the band wagon.
True, in a election year and with all the anti-immigration sentiments around, it is highly unlikely that something will happen in the near future. So, NO. I am not waiting to see some success, before I join the band wagon. When you started IV a few years back, I am not sure you envisioned this many members today. Inspite of having over 25000 members, the admin fix compaign only seem to have received about 10% letters. So, What are the other members doing? Why are they not participating? what is holding them back? That is a question for everyone of us. That is something, I thought every member should reflect upon. We have around 25000 members here in IV. But, we know for a fact that there are atleast a million people waiting in line. How do we reach them and how to get them to actively participate in IV action items?
Like you said, IV is a grass roots organization and it is up to the members to make things happen. But how? Apart from these action items for admin fixes etc, Can't IV have a membership drive? Get more people to join IV and contribute.
I know for a fact, that there are so many people here in Nebraska who have no clue about IV. I have been educating them when I get an opportunity. A Local Chapter could easily solve the problem. But, until now, I had no clue as to what is required to start a chapter. (Thank you Walking_dude). Answers to questions like this is what I meant by transaparency. Not the accounts or donations, as someone suggested in this forum.
Also, When I suggested about honarary payments to core team, I am not trying to belitte anyone in the team. I just thought, that you and other members of the core team should be compensated for all the efforts you put in. After all, these efforts and money you spend is going to benefit me and every other aspiring immigrant of this country. So, It was just a thought.
I will try my best to lay the foundations of IV presence here in NE. I would welcome any suggestions and comments.
It takes time. We all started out like you, in the Tri State Area, and in other cities we targetted grocery shops, distrubuted flyers in major events, had booths and out members tirelessly and selflessly worked and continue to do so. We see more and more members getting motivated as time goes and this is a good sign.
We have started off a lot of publicity campaigns like advertising on local radio, different sites, mailing lists, emails, invite a friend, free legal counsels, meet and greets and it just goes on.......
You are most welcome to take initiative and execute it and IV members will provide you all support u need.
Evey IV member can support IV in some form or the other.
I am personally glad that you are now motivated. Welcome to the band wagon.
hairstyles Hannah Montana season 3
RandyK
11-06 11:50 AM
Senator Grassley sponsored H-1B Supplemental Fee legislation which the Senate passed but collapsed at the conference a few days ago. Yesterday, in the "unrelated" "Farm" Bill session, the Senator requested a ten-minute time and made the following statement on the Senate floor. Abstract of the statement -"It Ain't Over T'll It is Over."
Mr. President, earlier this year, the Senate tried to solve the very complex and emotional issue of immigration reform. The immigration bill we considered included border security, interior enforcement, and amnesty. It also included many needed reforms to our legal immigration process. I said throughout the debate that Congress needs a long-term solution to the immigration issue. We cannot pass a bandaid approach that includes a path to citizenship for law breakers; rather, Congress needs to improve our legal immigration channels. I firmly believe companies want to hire legal workers, and people want to enter the United States legally. If we fix our visa policies, we can restore integrity to our immigration system, and all parties can benefit. But if we cannot pass a comprehensive bill--and I think as time goes on it is going to look more difficult as we go into an election year--if we cannot pass such a comprehensive bill, I think that we should consider passing legislation we can agree on. I am taking the floor at this time to talk about the H-1B visa provisions that were included in the immigration bill and ask my colleagues to take a second look at these needed reforms. Many companies use H-1B programs. It has served a valuable purpose. But we need to reevaluate how this program operates and work to make it more effective. The H-1B program was officially created in 1990, although we have brought foreign workers legally into our country for over 30 years. It was brought into existence to serve American employers that needed high-tech workers. It was created to file a void in the U.S. labor force. The visa holders were intended to file jobs for a temporary amount of time, while the country invested in American workers to pick up the skills our economy needed. We attached fees to the visas that now bring in millions of dollars. These fees and the dollars that come with it are invested in training grants to educate our own workforce. We use the funds to put kids through school for science, technology, engineering, and math skills. We provide students with scholarships with the hope that they will replace imported foreign workers. Unfortunately, the H-1B program is so popular, it is now replacing the U.S. labor force rather than supplementing it. The high-tech and business community is begging Congress to raise or eliminate the annual cap that currently stands at 85,000 visas each year. These numbers do not include and account for those who are exempt from the cap. For instance, we don't count employees at institutions of higher education or nonprofit research organizations. We don't count those who change jobs or renew their H-1B visa. My point is, we have many more than 85,000 H-1B visas distributed each year. I am here to tell my colleagues that increasing the visa supply is not the only solution to the so-called shortage of high-tech workers. Since March of this year, the Senator from Illinois, Mr. Durbin, and I have taken a good look at the H-1B visa program. We have raised issues with the Citizenship and Immigration Service as well as the Department of Labor. We have asked questions of companies that use the H-1B visa, and I have raised issues with attorneys who advise their clients on how to get around the permanent employment regulations. I would like to share what I have learned. I want to give some fraud and abuse examples. Unfortunately, there are some bad apples in the H-1B visa program. In 2005, a man was charged with fraud and misuse of visas, money laundering, and mail fraud for his participation in a multistate scam to smuggle Indian and Pakistani nationals into the United States with fraudulently obtained H-1B visas. The man created fictitious companies, often renting only a cubicle simply to have a mailing address. He fabricated tax returns and submitted over 1,000 false visa petitions. Another man pled guilty last August to charges of fraud and conspiracy. This man and an attorney charged foreign nationals thousands of dollars to fraudulently obtain H-1B visas. He provided false documents to substantiate their H-1B petitions. The Programmer's Guild, a group representing U.S. worker interests, filed over 300 discrimination complaints in the first half of 2006 against companies that posted ``H-1B visa holder only'' ads on job boards. Anyone can go on the Internet and find jobs that target H-1B visa holders. There are more than just national anecdotes, however. Everyday Americans are affected. Since looking into the H-1B visa program, some of my constituents have come to me and spoken out against abuses they see. One of my constituents has shared copies of e-mails showing how he is often bombarded with requests by companies that want to lease their H-1B workers to that Iowan. There are companies with H-1B workers who are so-called ``on the bench,'' meaning they are ready to be deployed to a project. Hundreds of foreign workers are standing by waiting for work. Some call these H-1B ``factory firms.'' This Iowan even said one company went so far as to require him to sign a memorandum of understanding that helps the H-1B factory firm justify to the Federal Government that they have adequate business opportunity that requires additional visa holders. It is a complete falsification of the market justification for additional H-1B workers. These firms are making a commodity out of H-1B workers. They have visa holders but are looking for work. It is supposed to be the other way around. There should be a shortage or a need, first and foremost. Then and only then do we allow foreign workers to fill these jobs temporarily. Another constituent sent me a letter saying that he saw firsthand how foreign workers were brought in while Iowans with similar qualifications were let go. He tells me he is a computer professional with over 20 years experience. He was laid off and has yet to find a job. He states: I believe [my employer] has a history of hiring H-1B computer personnel at the expense of qualified American citizens. Another Iowan from Cedar Falls wrote in support of our review of the H-1B program. He is a computer programmer with a master's degree and over 20 years of work experience in that field. He says: Despite all of my qualifications, in the last four years I have applied to over 3,700 positions and have received no job offers. He believes he is in constant competition with H-1B visa holders. I received a letter from a man in Arizona who works for a company that employs dozens of H-1B workers. When he asked his supervisor why so many foreign nationals were being hired, the head of human resources said: If the company has an American and a person from India, both with the same skill set, the company will hire the person from India because they can pay them less. These are firsthand stories from U.S. workers. I ask those begging for an increase in foreign workers to explain these cases to me. Why are Americans struggling to get jobs as software developers, data processors, and program analysts? Senator Durbin and I inquired with several foreign-based companies that use the H-1B program. Rather than sending a letter to all companies that use the program, which would be over 200 companies, we decided to start our investigation with foreign-based entities. Our intention was to learn how foreign companies are using our visas. We learned that the top nine foreign-based companies used 20,000 visas in 2006. Think of what a high percentage that is of the 85,000, just nine foreign-based companies, 20,000 visas in the year 2006. I say that twice for emphasis. It just so happens that Indian companies are using one-third of the available visas we allocate each year, but there is more to learn. We are not done asking questions. We, meaning Senator Durbin and I, continue to talk to U.S.-based companies and companies in our own States that use the program. The Citizenship and Immigration Service also has concerns. Our review has prompted discussion among the executive branch, businesses, labor unions, and workers, and workers are the ones we are concerned about. So we are not the only ones asking questions. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service is also worried about fraud in the program. This agency's investigative arm, that subdivision called the Fraud Detection and National Security unit, is doing a fraud assessment of the H-1B and L visa programs. I asked the unit to brief my staff on their work, and they reported they are not finished with analyzing the data. Senator Collins of Maine and I put the agency on notice that we are anxiously awaiting this report so we may continue our quest to reform the program appropriately. In the meantime, the bill Senator Durbin and I introduced includes measures to rein in the abuse. It goes a long ways to close some loopholes to protect American workers. It is our hope that these measures will bring the program back to its original mission; that is, to help U.S.-based companies find highly skilled workers to fill the shortage for a temporary period of time. That is what the H-1B visa program is all about. Under current law, companies can bring in foreign workers on an H-1B visa without first attempting to hire an American.
Mr. President, earlier this year, the Senate tried to solve the very complex and emotional issue of immigration reform. The immigration bill we considered included border security, interior enforcement, and amnesty. It also included many needed reforms to our legal immigration process. I said throughout the debate that Congress needs a long-term solution to the immigration issue. We cannot pass a bandaid approach that includes a path to citizenship for law breakers; rather, Congress needs to improve our legal immigration channels. I firmly believe companies want to hire legal workers, and people want to enter the United States legally. If we fix our visa policies, we can restore integrity to our immigration system, and all parties can benefit. But if we cannot pass a comprehensive bill--and I think as time goes on it is going to look more difficult as we go into an election year--if we cannot pass such a comprehensive bill, I think that we should consider passing legislation we can agree on. I am taking the floor at this time to talk about the H-1B visa provisions that were included in the immigration bill and ask my colleagues to take a second look at these needed reforms. Many companies use H-1B programs. It has served a valuable purpose. But we need to reevaluate how this program operates and work to make it more effective. The H-1B program was officially created in 1990, although we have brought foreign workers legally into our country for over 30 years. It was brought into existence to serve American employers that needed high-tech workers. It was created to file a void in the U.S. labor force. The visa holders were intended to file jobs for a temporary amount of time, while the country invested in American workers to pick up the skills our economy needed. We attached fees to the visas that now bring in millions of dollars. These fees and the dollars that come with it are invested in training grants to educate our own workforce. We use the funds to put kids through school for science, technology, engineering, and math skills. We provide students with scholarships with the hope that they will replace imported foreign workers. Unfortunately, the H-1B program is so popular, it is now replacing the U.S. labor force rather than supplementing it. The high-tech and business community is begging Congress to raise or eliminate the annual cap that currently stands at 85,000 visas each year. These numbers do not include and account for those who are exempt from the cap. For instance, we don't count employees at institutions of higher education or nonprofit research organizations. We don't count those who change jobs or renew their H-1B visa. My point is, we have many more than 85,000 H-1B visas distributed each year. I am here to tell my colleagues that increasing the visa supply is not the only solution to the so-called shortage of high-tech workers. Since March of this year, the Senator from Illinois, Mr. Durbin, and I have taken a good look at the H-1B visa program. We have raised issues with the Citizenship and Immigration Service as well as the Department of Labor. We have asked questions of companies that use the H-1B visa, and I have raised issues with attorneys who advise their clients on how to get around the permanent employment regulations. I would like to share what I have learned. I want to give some fraud and abuse examples. Unfortunately, there are some bad apples in the H-1B visa program. In 2005, a man was charged with fraud and misuse of visas, money laundering, and mail fraud for his participation in a multistate scam to smuggle Indian and Pakistani nationals into the United States with fraudulently obtained H-1B visas. The man created fictitious companies, often renting only a cubicle simply to have a mailing address. He fabricated tax returns and submitted over 1,000 false visa petitions. Another man pled guilty last August to charges of fraud and conspiracy. This man and an attorney charged foreign nationals thousands of dollars to fraudulently obtain H-1B visas. He provided false documents to substantiate their H-1B petitions. The Programmer's Guild, a group representing U.S. worker interests, filed over 300 discrimination complaints in the first half of 2006 against companies that posted ``H-1B visa holder only'' ads on job boards. Anyone can go on the Internet and find jobs that target H-1B visa holders. There are more than just national anecdotes, however. Everyday Americans are affected. Since looking into the H-1B visa program, some of my constituents have come to me and spoken out against abuses they see. One of my constituents has shared copies of e-mails showing how he is often bombarded with requests by companies that want to lease their H-1B workers to that Iowan. There are companies with H-1B workers who are so-called ``on the bench,'' meaning they are ready to be deployed to a project. Hundreds of foreign workers are standing by waiting for work. Some call these H-1B ``factory firms.'' This Iowan even said one company went so far as to require him to sign a memorandum of understanding that helps the H-1B factory firm justify to the Federal Government that they have adequate business opportunity that requires additional visa holders. It is a complete falsification of the market justification for additional H-1B workers. These firms are making a commodity out of H-1B workers. They have visa holders but are looking for work. It is supposed to be the other way around. There should be a shortage or a need, first and foremost. Then and only then do we allow foreign workers to fill these jobs temporarily. Another constituent sent me a letter saying that he saw firsthand how foreign workers were brought in while Iowans with similar qualifications were let go. He tells me he is a computer professional with over 20 years experience. He was laid off and has yet to find a job. He states: I believe [my employer] has a history of hiring H-1B computer personnel at the expense of qualified American citizens. Another Iowan from Cedar Falls wrote in support of our review of the H-1B program. He is a computer programmer with a master's degree and over 20 years of work experience in that field. He says: Despite all of my qualifications, in the last four years I have applied to over 3,700 positions and have received no job offers. He believes he is in constant competition with H-1B visa holders. I received a letter from a man in Arizona who works for a company that employs dozens of H-1B workers. When he asked his supervisor why so many foreign nationals were being hired, the head of human resources said: If the company has an American and a person from India, both with the same skill set, the company will hire the person from India because they can pay them less. These are firsthand stories from U.S. workers. I ask those begging for an increase in foreign workers to explain these cases to me. Why are Americans struggling to get jobs as software developers, data processors, and program analysts? Senator Durbin and I inquired with several foreign-based companies that use the H-1B program. Rather than sending a letter to all companies that use the program, which would be over 200 companies, we decided to start our investigation with foreign-based entities. Our intention was to learn how foreign companies are using our visas. We learned that the top nine foreign-based companies used 20,000 visas in 2006. Think of what a high percentage that is of the 85,000, just nine foreign-based companies, 20,000 visas in the year 2006. I say that twice for emphasis. It just so happens that Indian companies are using one-third of the available visas we allocate each year, but there is more to learn. We are not done asking questions. We, meaning Senator Durbin and I, continue to talk to U.S.-based companies and companies in our own States that use the program. The Citizenship and Immigration Service also has concerns. Our review has prompted discussion among the executive branch, businesses, labor unions, and workers, and workers are the ones we are concerned about. So we are not the only ones asking questions. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service is also worried about fraud in the program. This agency's investigative arm, that subdivision called the Fraud Detection and National Security unit, is doing a fraud assessment of the H-1B and L visa programs. I asked the unit to brief my staff on their work, and they reported they are not finished with analyzing the data. Senator Collins of Maine and I put the agency on notice that we are anxiously awaiting this report so we may continue our quest to reform the program appropriately. In the meantime, the bill Senator Durbin and I introduced includes measures to rein in the abuse. It goes a long ways to close some loopholes to protect American workers. It is our hope that these measures will bring the program back to its original mission; that is, to help U.S.-based companies find highly skilled workers to fill the shortage for a temporary period of time. That is what the H-1B visa program is all about. Under current law, companies can bring in foreign workers on an H-1B visa without first attempting to hire an American.
anands26
02-13 07:04 PM
A lot of people, including me have lost faith in IV. They are not going to pay. We don't know what IV is working on and we don't believe it can do anything. The sooner IV accepts it, the better. I have seen this personally in talking to people and you can see the evidence with less than 300 people contributing. IV needs to produce results first.
Before you ladies jump on me with your (p)curses for personal attacks, read on.
IV needs to figure out other ways to generate cash if it thinks that would help. One way would be advertising on the site. I think IV has built this website well and it is an asset it needs to use NOW. I believe IV can charge up to $10,000 a day for advertising on the website. That would be $300,000/month or $3.6 million a year. Even $3000/day would result in over $1 million. That should not be very difficult to do.
Before you ladies jump on me with your (p)curses for personal attacks, read on.
IV needs to figure out other ways to generate cash if it thinks that would help. One way would be advertising on the site. I think IV has built this website well and it is an asset it needs to use NOW. I believe IV can charge up to $10,000 a day for advertising on the website. That would be $300,000/month or $3.6 million a year. Even $3000/day would result in over $1 million. That should not be very difficult to do.
B3NKobe
06-02 02:57 AM
Maniaci: The design of that is absolutly awsom, im loving it a whole 100%. However id hate to say this but its not really a skin but more of a modification. It wont be accepted in the voting, i really feel bad for saying that as it is such a great mod you did,
Ben :D:D
Ben :D:D
No comments:
Post a Comment