pkv
05-07 10:09 PM
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_9186416
Congress penalizes U.S. troops, legal U.S. residents in attempt to punish illegal immigrants
By Ken McLaughlin
Mercury News
Article Launched: 05/07/2008 06:51:18 PM PDT
map loc val immig state
When Congress passed an economic-stimulus package giving hefty rebates to most taxpayers, it tried to make sure that illegal immigrants didn't get any of the cash.
But in doing so lawmakers inadvertently penalized hundreds of thousands of legal U.S. residents - and tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed overseas - simply because their spouses lack a Social Security number.
"Imagine an American soldier in Iraq whose foreign-born wife is waiting for an immigration petition to be approved and doesn't have a Social Security card. Now the couple can't even get a rebate," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose. "That is really stupid."
Others in the predicament include about a million legal residents whose spouses are still overseas because of long immigration queues and hundreds of thousands of H-1B work visa holders in Silicon Valley and elsewhere.
The scope of the problem is only now becoming clear as the government begins mailing out rebate checks. The first checks were electronically deposited in bank accounts last week.
Because illegal immigrants don't have Social Security numbers and instead routinely use "tax identification numbers," Congress banned rebates for taxpayers who use the IRS-issued numbers.
If a married couple files jointly and one spouse doesn't have a Social Security number, the couple won't get the $1,200 checks that other couples will receive. They're also ineligible for the $300 rebate per child. Many Armed Forces members stationed overseas have foreign spouses who can't get Social Security numbers.
William Luong, stationed at a U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, said his fellow seamen resent that they've landed in the same category as illegal immigrants.
"They understand the reason they're getting the shaft," said Luong, 21, who is from the Los Angeles area. "but a lot are frustrated or angry about it."
More than 288,000 troops are stationed overseas, according to the Pentagon - not counting those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many live in places - Korea, Japan and Germany - where extended stays often result in marriages to locals.
The unintended situation developed after the House in late January passed the economic-stimulus legislation at the urging of President Bush. But anti-illegal immigration groups then lobbied the Senate to add the Social Security requirement, fearing that illegal immigrants would get their hands on the checks.
The Federation for American Immigrant Reform - whose members went on radio talk shows to bash the House version of the stimulus bill - has no apologies.
"No law was ever written that doesn't find someone falling through the cracks," said Ira Mehlman, a FAIR spokesman, who said he hoped government officials will come up with some way to help Armed Forces members.
But H-1B visa holders and legal immigrants who are being denied rebates say they want some justice, too.
"If the government collects taxes from us, we should be able to get rebates given to other legal residents, it should be a level-playing field," said Parveen Kumar, an H-1B visa holder who lives in Sunnyvale.
Kumar moved to Silicon Valley from India with his wife three years ago. He now works as an engineer at Intelliswift Software in Fremont. But his wife, Anu, is on a H-4 "dependency visa" that doesn't allow her to work.
After he found out about the rebate law, he went to the Mountain View office of the Social Security Administration and asked if he could get a number for his wife. He was told no.
John Johnston, a spokesman for the Social Security Administration, confirmed on Wednesday that the agency's policy is not to issue Social Security cards simply for the purpose of issuing tax rebates.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there are now between 600,000 and 800,000 H-1B visa holders in the United States. Exactly how many are married to spouses ineligible to work in this country is unclear.
Another group of immigrants - about a million nationwide - are non-citizen green-card holders who are already facing seven-year waits to get permission for their spouses to immigrate to their country.
"I've been in America for well over 20 years, and I consider myself an American," said Amir Nikpouri of Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago. "All I'm trying to do is obey the laws, but this one seems really unfair."
Nikpouri, 31, was married three years ago, but his wife won't be eligible to immigrate from Iran for a few more years.
"We are here legally and paying taxes and enjoying what a married family should be enjoying," said Aung Moe of San Jose, 33, a Burmese political refugee who works as an engineer at Applied Materials. His wife, Mon, is an electrical engineer who is forced to live separately from her husband in Singapore.
"Already we cannot be together, and now she cannot get a Social Security number," he said. "This needs to be fixed."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congress penalizes U.S. troops, legal U.S. residents in attempt to punish illegal immigrants
By Ken McLaughlin
Mercury News
Article Launched: 05/07/2008 06:51:18 PM PDT
map loc val immig state
When Congress passed an economic-stimulus package giving hefty rebates to most taxpayers, it tried to make sure that illegal immigrants didn't get any of the cash.
But in doing so lawmakers inadvertently penalized hundreds of thousands of legal U.S. residents - and tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed overseas - simply because their spouses lack a Social Security number.
"Imagine an American soldier in Iraq whose foreign-born wife is waiting for an immigration petition to be approved and doesn't have a Social Security card. Now the couple can't even get a rebate," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose. "That is really stupid."
Others in the predicament include about a million legal residents whose spouses are still overseas because of long immigration queues and hundreds of thousands of H-1B work visa holders in Silicon Valley and elsewhere.
The scope of the problem is only now becoming clear as the government begins mailing out rebate checks. The first checks were electronically deposited in bank accounts last week.
Because illegal immigrants don't have Social Security numbers and instead routinely use "tax identification numbers," Congress banned rebates for taxpayers who use the IRS-issued numbers.
If a married couple files jointly and one spouse doesn't have a Social Security number, the couple won't get the $1,200 checks that other couples will receive. They're also ineligible for the $300 rebate per child. Many Armed Forces members stationed overseas have foreign spouses who can't get Social Security numbers.
William Luong, stationed at a U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, said his fellow seamen resent that they've landed in the same category as illegal immigrants.
"They understand the reason they're getting the shaft," said Luong, 21, who is from the Los Angeles area. "but a lot are frustrated or angry about it."
More than 288,000 troops are stationed overseas, according to the Pentagon - not counting those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many live in places - Korea, Japan and Germany - where extended stays often result in marriages to locals.
The unintended situation developed after the House in late January passed the economic-stimulus legislation at the urging of President Bush. But anti-illegal immigration groups then lobbied the Senate to add the Social Security requirement, fearing that illegal immigrants would get their hands on the checks.
The Federation for American Immigrant Reform - whose members went on radio talk shows to bash the House version of the stimulus bill - has no apologies.
"No law was ever written that doesn't find someone falling through the cracks," said Ira Mehlman, a FAIR spokesman, who said he hoped government officials will come up with some way to help Armed Forces members.
But H-1B visa holders and legal immigrants who are being denied rebates say they want some justice, too.
"If the government collects taxes from us, we should be able to get rebates given to other legal residents, it should be a level-playing field," said Parveen Kumar, an H-1B visa holder who lives in Sunnyvale.
Kumar moved to Silicon Valley from India with his wife three years ago. He now works as an engineer at Intelliswift Software in Fremont. But his wife, Anu, is on a H-4 "dependency visa" that doesn't allow her to work.
After he found out about the rebate law, he went to the Mountain View office of the Social Security Administration and asked if he could get a number for his wife. He was told no.
John Johnston, a spokesman for the Social Security Administration, confirmed on Wednesday that the agency's policy is not to issue Social Security cards simply for the purpose of issuing tax rebates.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there are now between 600,000 and 800,000 H-1B visa holders in the United States. Exactly how many are married to spouses ineligible to work in this country is unclear.
Another group of immigrants - about a million nationwide - are non-citizen green-card holders who are already facing seven-year waits to get permission for their spouses to immigrate to their country.
"I've been in America for well over 20 years, and I consider myself an American," said Amir Nikpouri of Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago. "All I'm trying to do is obey the laws, but this one seems really unfair."
Nikpouri, 31, was married three years ago, but his wife won't be eligible to immigrate from Iran for a few more years.
"We are here legally and paying taxes and enjoying what a married family should be enjoying," said Aung Moe of San Jose, 33, a Burmese political refugee who works as an engineer at Applied Materials. His wife, Mon, is an electrical engineer who is forced to live separately from her husband in Singapore.
"Already we cannot be together, and now she cannot get a Social Security number," he said. "This needs to be fixed."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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priti8888
07-23 06:39 PM
Same thing came in my mind too....
it must be EB2 or a Schulde A nurse
anyway it good to know that someone got GC...
we are EB3 India---
it must be EB2 or a Schulde A nurse
anyway it good to know that someone got GC...
we are EB3 India---
chanduv23
09-16 01:20 AM
Where there is a will there is a way
THINK ABOUT YOURSELF - THINK WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED AND THINK WHY YOU THINK SO MUCH WHEN YOU HAVE TO GIVE
IS IV ASKING BHIG THINGS?
IV WANTS YOU TO HELP YOURSELF AND HAS GIVEN A WONDERFUL PLATFORM
YOU MAY NEVER DREAM OF SUCH A THING IF YOU WERE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY
THINK ABOUT YOURSELF - THINK WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED AND THINK WHY YOU THINK SO MUCH WHEN YOU HAVE TO GIVE
IS IV ASKING BHIG THINGS?
IV WANTS YOU TO HELP YOURSELF AND HAS GIVEN A WONDERFUL PLATFORM
YOU MAY NEVER DREAM OF SUCH A THING IF YOU WERE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY
2011 2002 Hyundai Elantra Hyundai
thomachan72
06-04 11:37 AM
OK here is a question.
Person working for past 4 years in the US.
Applied LC this February (2/26/07)
wants to go to canada, work there for a year and then reenter may be next year.
According to the new point based GC system--
1) Will the person get points for the 4 years of work in the US? (those 4 years were continuous, however, the person applies for GC after the canadian break of lets say 1 year)
Person working for past 4 years in the US.
Applied LC this February (2/26/07)
wants to go to canada, work there for a year and then reenter may be next year.
According to the new point based GC system--
1) Will the person get points for the 4 years of work in the US? (those 4 years were continuous, however, the person applies for GC after the canadian break of lets say 1 year)
more...
x1050us
09-16 07:36 PM
Here you go another first time contributor. Just pulled the trigger for $100.
Google checkout order #768184044370985
Google checkout order #768184044370985
vgayalu
04-01 10:19 AM
Hi All,
I'm new to immigration Voice. I've read abt this in immigration portal and understand that a group of people are leading this. I wish them all the best and i extend my full support. Also i heard that this group is collecting funds. Can someone please point me where would i contribute.
Thanks
RAJ
SWA: Virginia
SWA Receipt Date (Priority Date): October 31,2002
EB2 - RIR
Forwarded to Philadelphia Regional DOL on June 22, 2004
BEC Case Number: P-04282-*****
45 Day Letter Received and Replied : Feb 2005
Congrtualations on taking good descission ( To Contribute Immigration voice.) You can see link in the bottom of the home page of Immigration voice.
I'm new to immigration Voice. I've read abt this in immigration portal and understand that a group of people are leading this. I wish them all the best and i extend my full support. Also i heard that this group is collecting funds. Can someone please point me where would i contribute.
Thanks
RAJ
SWA: Virginia
SWA Receipt Date (Priority Date): October 31,2002
EB2 - RIR
Forwarded to Philadelphia Regional DOL on June 22, 2004
BEC Case Number: P-04282-*****
45 Day Letter Received and Replied : Feb 2005
Congrtualations on taking good descission ( To Contribute Immigration voice.) You can see link in the bottom of the home page of Immigration voice.
more...
she81
08-13 04:48 PM
I am exactly in the same situation. Sometimes I feel that I should just dump the EB3 application (PD: 12/04) and start a brand new EB2. Maybe the EB2 PD of say 12/08 will end up to be better than EB3 12/04.
I believe everyone is thinking in the same direction... but if and only if we're able to come out of the blackhole called I-140.
I believe everyone is thinking in the same direction... but if and only if we're able to come out of the blackhole called I-140.
2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2001-2006
WAIT_FOR_EVER_GC
09-01 03:28 PM
Landed here on jan 1st, 1998 (F1)
Survived 2 recessions
No hope as labour filled in eb3
Dude you need to get serious about this. It will take you 21 years if the system does not change. Upgrade to EB2.
Survived 2 recessions
No hope as labour filled in eb3
Dude you need to get serious about this. It will take you 21 years if the system does not change. Upgrade to EB2.
more...
rajeshalex
08-04 05:36 PM
Originally Filed at TSC Jul 07. EB2
XFRD to NSC in Nov 07
No LUD for an year.
XFRD to NSC in Nov 07
No LUD for an year.
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sri1309
08-14 10:54 AM
I would name such a fund "Visa recapture fund" or something that clearly identifies our requirement. But again, we will not be very loud if you contribute to such funds as, when compared to many others who contribute, our number is very small.
We must be able to push ourselves forward with the clear banner and express ourselves.
Sri.
We must be able to push ourselves forward with the clear banner and express ourselves.
Sri.
more...
SEP03NY
08-12 04:05 PM
One of my friend got receipt for I-140 and I-1485, He send on July 30th to Nebraska Service center. I have send on the 2nd July still waiting.
Thanks
Thanks
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485_se_dukhi
07-20 03:16 PM
Senators who abstained:
1. Obama (D-IL)
2. Brownback (R-KS)
3. Byrd (D-WV)
4. Lott (R-MS)
5. Johnson (D-SD)
Maybe writing to these senators and explaining our part of the story may help them at least see our point of view.
1. Obama (D-IL)
2. Brownback (R-KS)
3. Byrd (D-WV)
4. Lott (R-MS)
5. Johnson (D-SD)
Maybe writing to these senators and explaining our part of the story may help them at least see our point of view.
more...
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hopefullegalimmigrant
12-26 05:26 PM
Hi
I'm wondering how many are still awaiting advanced parole? I am travelling in a months time, and do intend to go for H1 stamping but at the same time expecting my AP to come through before I leave. Whats up with this delay? Anyone else in the same situation? Please respond.
I applied on Aug 10 - Nebraska
I'm wondering how many are still awaiting advanced parole? I am travelling in a months time, and do intend to go for H1 stamping but at the same time expecting my AP to come through before I leave. Whats up with this delay? Anyone else in the same situation? Please respond.
I applied on Aug 10 - Nebraska
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funny
09-12 02:41 PM
Looks like backward clock is the most popular idea so far.
Now,
There are two scenarios someone suggested to me in the office:
Scenario 1: Send these indiviudually (one per person).
Scenario 2: Send collectively a set of 10 backward clocks, with a greivance/protest letter , where as 10 represents month of October and signed by IV.
only 30 people have voted so far....and we are talking about organizing 70,000 People.....Most of the users come here to get the latest news related to GC and to get answers to their questions....50% of users won't even log in to the site if they don't have any "URGENT Question" or "Need Help.."( I know that 50% of my friends don't log in to the site everyday) Type of questions to Post...I bet more then half of the users won't be aware of these efforts that we are trying to put in. I think we need to first inform everybody that IV needs theirs support. we should send emails to every users to come and check the site..
Now,
There are two scenarios someone suggested to me in the office:
Scenario 1: Send these indiviudually (one per person).
Scenario 2: Send collectively a set of 10 backward clocks, with a greivance/protest letter , where as 10 represents month of October and signed by IV.
only 30 people have voted so far....and we are talking about organizing 70,000 People.....Most of the users come here to get the latest news related to GC and to get answers to their questions....50% of users won't even log in to the site if they don't have any "URGENT Question" or "Need Help.."( I know that 50% of my friends don't log in to the site everyday) Type of questions to Post...I bet more then half of the users won't be aware of these efforts that we are trying to put in. I think we need to first inform everybody that IV needs theirs support. we should send emails to every users to come and check the site..
more...
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gc4me
07-06 01:56 PM
Because I don't have enough time left of my H1B so that I can get a new I-140 approval before my H1B expires. I am in my 7th year. The only option I have is to port my PD. But I don't have I-140 approval copy, only the receipt #.
why cant u go to another employer...I think if ur current employer is not willing to file 485 for u..then u have NO OPTION BUT TO SWITCH EMPLOYER....
why cant u go to another employer...I think if ur current employer is not willing to file 485 for u..then u have NO OPTION BUT TO SWITCH EMPLOYER....
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ashutrip
06-20 01:16 PM
Yes, maybe we try for pre-approved labor before July end?
what on earth is that supposed to be?
what on earth is that supposed to be?
more...
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govindk
06-03 10:26 AM
Contributed $100 just now
(Receipt ID: 3118-4400-XXXX-XXXX).
------------
$200 contributed so far
(Receipt ID: 3118-4400-XXXX-XXXX).
------------
$200 contributed so far
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ys2jax
07-06 08:39 AM
here is the link
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?18
I cannot believe CNN is completely ignoring this story which appeared in NYT, WSJ, FORBES and a 100 other newspapers
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/06/us/06visa.html?hp
there was a serious security lapse in issuing green cards, FBI Security check was bypassed, the USCIS might have given the visa to even terrorists.
why is CNN completely turning a blind side to this story, i am appalled by the CNN staff who choose to ignore this story.
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?18
I cannot believe CNN is completely ignoring this story which appeared in NYT, WSJ, FORBES and a 100 other newspapers
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/06/us/06visa.html?hp
there was a serious security lapse in issuing green cards, FBI Security check was bypassed, the USCIS might have given the visa to even terrorists.
why is CNN completely turning a blind side to this story, i am appalled by the CNN staff who choose to ignore this story.
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gsvisu
07-13 05:07 PM
My 2.5 Cents.
We need to start a Letter Campaign next.
A focussed uniform format with some lead from IV. But now focus on San Jose,CA's rally efforts.
We need to start a Letter Campaign next.
A focussed uniform format with some lead from IV. But now focus on San Jose,CA's rally efforts.
Libra
09-11 11:37 AM
thank you ramprabhum.
kate123
02-25 05:17 PM
I would be the most happiest person if that happens :D
i think dates won't (and should not ) move much. So at the end of year we can see big jump and then may be people like me can file i-1485.
Thank's
mdix
i think dates won't (and should not ) move much. So at the end of year we can see big jump and then may be people like me can file i-1485.
Thank's
mdix
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