pitha
05-22 07:25 PM
Aliens with
applications for a labor certification pursuant to section
212(a)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall
preserve the immigrant visa priority date accorded by the date
of filing of such labor certification application.
doesnt the above statement mean people who have filed for labor certification retain there priority date. For example if I140 is cleared and labor certification was done in Jan 2005 then you will retain the jan 2005 priority date.
Checking out this section of the bill :
It says something about preserving priority date. Is there any provision to port the priority date from old system to new system. I am sure there would some sort of concept for priority date in the new system.
Now if we can transfer our priority date from old system we would definitely get some benefit in the new system. Any comments ?
applications for a labor certification pursuant to section
212(a)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall
preserve the immigrant visa priority date accorded by the date
of filing of such labor certification application.
doesnt the above statement mean people who have filed for labor certification retain there priority date. For example if I140 is cleared and labor certification was done in Jan 2005 then you will retain the jan 2005 priority date.
Checking out this section of the bill :
It says something about preserving priority date. Is there any provision to port the priority date from old system to new system. I am sure there would some sort of concept for priority date in the new system.
Now if we can transfer our priority date from old system we would definitely get some benefit in the new system. Any comments ?
wallpaper Helena Christensen reveals
meridiani.planum
10-12 08:37 PM
Hi Friends/Gurus,
My attorney received an RFE on H1B extension last week.
The details of my case are
2004-Oct-01 -- My H1B started
2004-Nov-20 -- I entered the country on H1B for the first time
2008-Dec-25 -- Date till my current work authorization (I-797) is valid
2010-Sep-30 -- Date I complete 6 years under H1B. Since I entered only on 2004-Nov-20 my attorney said my 6 years is up to 2010 Nov 20th
2008-August-10th -- My attorney applied for my H1B extension under normal processing. He requested until 2011-Dec-25th (3 years from current I-797) expiration on the petition instead of 2010-Nov-20th
2008-Oct-8th -- Attorney received the RFE
When the petition for H1B extension was prepared on 2008 July, I asked the employer why the period of intended employment is put as 2011-Dec-25th instead of 2010 Nov 20th. The employer replied that its a usual practice to request 3 years of H1B extension and USCIS will only give the maximum possible
What's the RFE
Now we got the RFE and it says we have requested for an extension beyond 6 years and for getting that we should have a labor certification pending more than 365 days or an approved I-140.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have a labor cert with priority date of 2006 August which was approved but the I-140 was denied on EB2 category for not meeting 5 years of progressive experience. Earlier this year in 2008 April we have filed another EB3 I-140 for the same 2006 Aug Labor
On the H1B extension petition attorney had requested until 2011-Nov 20th instead of 2010 Nov 20th. I saw the H1B extension application and it says Dates of Intended employment as 12/25/2008 till 12/25/2011
Do you think the attorney should have given the intended period only until 11/20/2010?
The attorney contacted me and said they are going to send a copy of my I-94 as of Nov 20th 2004 and a copy of my immigration port of entry stamp on my passport stamped on nov 20th 2004 and request to give the extension. The attorney mentioned that the I-94 and port of entry seal will help USCIS to determine the maximum period of H1B that can be granted
My worry
My worry is INS rejecting the petition saying these kinds of changes in dates (2010 nov instead of 2011 dec) cannot be done in the midde of the process and this will be rejected and we need to file again a new petition. I know that we can work until 240 days if we file for an extension on time. I want to get this extension obtained before 2008 dec 25th so that I don't have to go through a chance of denial after 2008 dec 25th which can put my status into illegal sometimes. I am thinking of premium processign also if the results of the RFE doesn't come by next month (November).
My questions
1) Do you think the attorney should have given the intended period of employment only until 11/20/2010 on the original petition?
2) Please advice me on how we should resopnd to the RFE and what date we should request for.
3) Should we ask USCIS to give extension until 2010 sep 30th if they don't agree for 2010 nov 20th? Does this has to be clearly mentioned in the RFE response letter?
Your help very much appreciated. Please reply to this as my legal stay is based on this.
based on what you have said you are only eligible for an H1 until 2010 for now (because your current PERM application is not old enough to give you the 7th year). To me it looks like your lawyer appears to have screwed up. Even if you had gotten an extension till 2011, it could potentially have landed you in trouble later if USCIS ever goes over these dates again (485 approval time).
In the RFE response ask him to explain that the date should actually be 2010, and see if USCIS is willing to accept the petition as-is (the new period is smaller than the old one in your LCA, so I assume it should be ok).
Ask your lawyer on what basis he expected them to approve it upto 2011? Also, if he accepts it was his fault, ask him if he can make it up to you by making it premium processing and paying the $1k. This is a screwup on his side which is making things needlessly messy for you, thats the least he can do.
My attorney received an RFE on H1B extension last week.
The details of my case are
2004-Oct-01 -- My H1B started
2004-Nov-20 -- I entered the country on H1B for the first time
2008-Dec-25 -- Date till my current work authorization (I-797) is valid
2010-Sep-30 -- Date I complete 6 years under H1B. Since I entered only on 2004-Nov-20 my attorney said my 6 years is up to 2010 Nov 20th
2008-August-10th -- My attorney applied for my H1B extension under normal processing. He requested until 2011-Dec-25th (3 years from current I-797) expiration on the petition instead of 2010-Nov-20th
2008-Oct-8th -- Attorney received the RFE
When the petition for H1B extension was prepared on 2008 July, I asked the employer why the period of intended employment is put as 2011-Dec-25th instead of 2010 Nov 20th. The employer replied that its a usual practice to request 3 years of H1B extension and USCIS will only give the maximum possible
What's the RFE
Now we got the RFE and it says we have requested for an extension beyond 6 years and for getting that we should have a labor certification pending more than 365 days or an approved I-140.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have a labor cert with priority date of 2006 August which was approved but the I-140 was denied on EB2 category for not meeting 5 years of progressive experience. Earlier this year in 2008 April we have filed another EB3 I-140 for the same 2006 Aug Labor
On the H1B extension petition attorney had requested until 2011-Nov 20th instead of 2010 Nov 20th. I saw the H1B extension application and it says Dates of Intended employment as 12/25/2008 till 12/25/2011
Do you think the attorney should have given the intended period only until 11/20/2010?
The attorney contacted me and said they are going to send a copy of my I-94 as of Nov 20th 2004 and a copy of my immigration port of entry stamp on my passport stamped on nov 20th 2004 and request to give the extension. The attorney mentioned that the I-94 and port of entry seal will help USCIS to determine the maximum period of H1B that can be granted
My worry
My worry is INS rejecting the petition saying these kinds of changes in dates (2010 nov instead of 2011 dec) cannot be done in the midde of the process and this will be rejected and we need to file again a new petition. I know that we can work until 240 days if we file for an extension on time. I want to get this extension obtained before 2008 dec 25th so that I don't have to go through a chance of denial after 2008 dec 25th which can put my status into illegal sometimes. I am thinking of premium processign also if the results of the RFE doesn't come by next month (November).
My questions
1) Do you think the attorney should have given the intended period of employment only until 11/20/2010 on the original petition?
2) Please advice me on how we should resopnd to the RFE and what date we should request for.
3) Should we ask USCIS to give extension until 2010 sep 30th if they don't agree for 2010 nov 20th? Does this has to be clearly mentioned in the RFE response letter?
Your help very much appreciated. Please reply to this as my legal stay is based on this.
based on what you have said you are only eligible for an H1 until 2010 for now (because your current PERM application is not old enough to give you the 7th year). To me it looks like your lawyer appears to have screwed up. Even if you had gotten an extension till 2011, it could potentially have landed you in trouble later if USCIS ever goes over these dates again (485 approval time).
In the RFE response ask him to explain that the date should actually be 2010, and see if USCIS is willing to accept the petition as-is (the new period is smaller than the old one in your LCA, so I assume it should be ok).
Ask your lawyer on what basis he expected them to approve it upto 2011? Also, if he accepts it was his fault, ask him if he can make it up to you by making it premium processing and paying the $1k. This is a screwup on his side which is making things needlessly messy for you, thats the least he can do.
Appu
04-08 04:23 PM
Zogby, Time, CNN, ABC news, CBS news to do a poll this way:
Who do you think is right on immigration - the house or the senate?
I bet a majority will say "the senate". That should give the House anti-immigration group some pause.
Right now the house majority is doing very badly in popular polls. With a poll like this, they will learn the wrongness of their ways! Like the senate did in the Schiavo case.
If you do find a poll like this, popularize it by sending it to local news outlets.
Who do you think is right on immigration - the house or the senate?
I bet a majority will say "the senate". That should give the House anti-immigration group some pause.
Right now the house majority is doing very badly in popular polls. With a poll like this, they will learn the wrongness of their ways! Like the senate did in the Schiavo case.
If you do find a poll like this, popularize it by sending it to local news outlets.
2011 Helena Christensen reveals
franklin
06-22 08:24 PM
Your choice - you can follow the instructions sent by UCSIS and hope for a smooth processing of I 485, or ignore the instructions and be sure to have delays
more...
kondur_007
08-21 08:14 PM
Thanks for your opinions.
Sorry, I should have included my Category EB2 and Country India in the original post.
I am leaning more towards AC21 as well. But not sure how it will affect the overall scenario (as far as paperwork right now and may be years from now).
I have been patient enough for 5+ years and one thought says "stick it out" the other says "enough is enough, its time to move on"
I am sure there are many on the board like me, and I guess I am looking for some courage, either way.
I would add one more thing: make sure to get an advise from a good competent lawyer, as in certain cases it is advisable to send AC21 package to USCIS and in others not. There is no clear law or memo on this. But a competent lawyer should look at everything and make that decision.
In any case, my personal opinion is: If you have a good offer, MOVE ON. You will be just fine.
Good Luck.
Sorry, I should have included my Category EB2 and Country India in the original post.
I am leaning more towards AC21 as well. But not sure how it will affect the overall scenario (as far as paperwork right now and may be years from now).
I have been patient enough for 5+ years and one thought says "stick it out" the other says "enough is enough, its time to move on"
I am sure there are many on the board like me, and I guess I am looking for some courage, either way.
I would add one more thing: make sure to get an advise from a good competent lawyer, as in certain cases it is advisable to send AC21 package to USCIS and in others not. There is no clear law or memo on this. But a competent lawyer should look at everything and make that decision.
In any case, my personal opinion is: If you have a good offer, MOVE ON. You will be just fine.
Good Luck.
navin80
06-20 09:30 AM
I am in a similar situation. But my employer previous employer says he would file for 485 only if I return to my old company.
so, If I need to go back to him,
1. Do I need to transfer my H1B back to the old company. My 797 expires in Nov'08
so, If I need to go back to him,
1. Do I need to transfer my H1B back to the old company. My 797 expires in Nov'08
more...
jliechty
July 25th, 2005, 08:29 PM
This is my first attempt...
Flat conversion with ACR (exp: +0.30, shadows: 0, brightness: 50, congrast: 25, sat. 0) into the sRGB color space (no need to work in a wider space as nothing was clipping with sRGB)
Light curve to increase contrast slightly
USM (amount 17%, radius 50 pixels, threshold 0) for local contrast
Image resize down for web with Bicubic Sharper
Smart Sharpen (amount 59%, radius 0.3, remove lens blur, more accurate)
convert from RGB/16 to RGB/8 and save as JPEG quality 9
That was done in a few minutes... No guarantee that I could do better if I spent more time on it, and caveat viewer that my monitor isn't calibrated at the moment because I'm waiting on XP x64 drivers from Gretag Macbeth, so if I were to guess, I would speculate that on a properly calibrated monitor the shadows wouldn't be quite as deep as I see them here, but that's a WAG.
I may try again tomorrow (er, later today - it's past my bedtime) with a bit more on the "creative" side - dodging, burning, and other selective adjustments.
Flat conversion with ACR (exp: +0.30, shadows: 0, brightness: 50, congrast: 25, sat. 0) into the sRGB color space (no need to work in a wider space as nothing was clipping with sRGB)
Light curve to increase contrast slightly
USM (amount 17%, radius 50 pixels, threshold 0) for local contrast
Image resize down for web with Bicubic Sharper
Smart Sharpen (amount 59%, radius 0.3, remove lens blur, more accurate)
convert from RGB/16 to RGB/8 and save as JPEG quality 9
That was done in a few minutes... No guarantee that I could do better if I spent more time on it, and caveat viewer that my monitor isn't calibrated at the moment because I'm waiting on XP x64 drivers from Gretag Macbeth, so if I were to guess, I would speculate that on a properly calibrated monitor the shadows wouldn't be quite as deep as I see them here, but that's a WAG.
I may try again tomorrow (er, later today - it's past my bedtime) with a bit more on the "creative" side - dodging, burning, and other selective adjustments.
2010 0414-helena-christensen_bd.jpg
sledge_hammer
02-18 12:08 PM
If the question is whether AC21 can be used or not, then the answer is YES. If the question is whether it is legal or not, then the answer is illegal. If the applicant never had the intention to work for the company that filed for GC, then it is fraud.
Besides, with VSG Inc. in such a big mess, who knows what USCIS is going to decide about these cases!
Incorrect.
As per Yates memo (link (http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/I140_AC21_8403.pdf))
It should be noted that there is no requirement in statute or regulations that a beneficiary of a Form I-140 actually be in the underlying employment until permanent residence is authorized. Therefore, it is possible for an alien to qualify for the provisions of �106(c) of AC21 even if he or she has never been employed by the prior petitioning employer or the subsequent employer under section 204(j) of the Act.
______________________
Not a legal advice.
US citizen of Indian origin
Besides, with VSG Inc. in such a big mess, who knows what USCIS is going to decide about these cases!
Incorrect.
As per Yates memo (link (http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/I140_AC21_8403.pdf))
It should be noted that there is no requirement in statute or regulations that a beneficiary of a Form I-140 actually be in the underlying employment until permanent residence is authorized. Therefore, it is possible for an alien to qualify for the provisions of �106(c) of AC21 even if he or she has never been employed by the prior petitioning employer or the subsequent employer under section 204(j) of the Act.
______________________
Not a legal advice.
US citizen of Indian origin
more...
Queen Josephine
August 9th, 2005, 07:42 AM
I am trained as a physicist, and crossed polarizers are a common method of managing light in physics experiments, so I decided to try that here.
You can't use circular polarizers like most of us have for our autofocus DSLRs. Stacked C-polarizers don't black out, because they are both filtering the same light.
With two polarizers you get weird rainbow effects from diffraction, and the whole scene tends to the purple/UV.
Always nice to have a scientist on board seeing possibilities we sometimes miss. Thanks for the great explanation Michael!
You can't use circular polarizers like most of us have for our autofocus DSLRs. Stacked C-polarizers don't black out, because they are both filtering the same light.
With two polarizers you get weird rainbow effects from diffraction, and the whole scene tends to the purple/UV.
Always nice to have a scientist on board seeing possibilities we sometimes miss. Thanks for the great explanation Michael!
hair super: Helena Christensen
TigerAmit
09-23 04:55 PM
Hows your question relates to this thread ? Did you post your concern in error ?
more...
fionaapple20
11-27 03:54 PM
I have the same set of questions - posted in another thread - http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15716
hot helena christensen eyes. Model Helena Christensen attends a screening of
vadicherla
05-08 12:15 PM
Contribution $25 for this month.
Subscription Payment Sent (Unique Transaction ID #11R03083P3635964R)
In reference to: S-1RN47603HG965415U
Subscription Payment Sent (Unique Transaction ID #11R03083P3635964R)
In reference to: S-1RN47603HG965415U
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uma001
09-08 03:22 PM
points mentioned in posts 2,3 4 and 5 are 100% correct.
points mentioned in post 6 can be considered but companies wont agree for that, They wont accept the suggestions/points given by employee.
Exactly same thing happened in my case. Our company prepared position description,posted ads and just before filing PERM,they said we got enough resumes and we found candidates. We cannot file green card. If economy improves after 6 months we will review the scenario and start the process all over again and I was schocked to hear that answer. They received 25 resumes for my position.
Friends,
Green card dream is over. Now it's the time to get back to India or other countries.
points mentioned in post 6 can be considered but companies wont agree for that, They wont accept the suggestions/points given by employee.
Exactly same thing happened in my case. Our company prepared position description,posted ads and just before filing PERM,they said we got enough resumes and we found candidates. We cannot file green card. If economy improves after 6 months we will review the scenario and start the process all over again and I was schocked to hear that answer. They received 25 resumes for my position.
Friends,
Green card dream is over. Now it's the time to get back to India or other countries.
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gcwait2007
12-06 06:43 PM
My brother chose to leave USA on his own, after working for 6 years, without applying GC. He was getting 120K here in USA. In India, he joined Oracle Corp and his salary is almost same (about Rs.55Lacs). Indian salaries are becoming excellent these days.
more...
pictures Helena Christensen, Amber
GIDOC
07-18 01:47 AM
We should still encourage Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren to look into why this happened in the first place. This should not happen again.
dresses Helena Christensen´s luminous
mmanurker
10-17 03:11 PM
Just an advice, please do not accept 1099 from your consulting company. I had the experience and paid a lot more in tax at the end of the year than I would have paid in W2 as 1099 is considered as business income. You'll be paying more taxes than W2.
So always stick to W2 when you are getting your salary from your consulting company. If Consulting company is paying you in 1099, then they do not pay Payroll taxes on your salary and thus save money. If they are paying you in w2, which they are supposed to(you being on H1), they have to pay payroll taxes themselves.
apart from payroll tax is'nt the employer suppose to pay employer tax which I suppose is anywhere between 8 to 12 % depending on the state it is operating? or is payroll tax same as employer tax? what other taxes does an employer has to pay if he hires a person on W2? appreciate inputs on this.
So always stick to W2 when you are getting your salary from your consulting company. If Consulting company is paying you in 1099, then they do not pay Payroll taxes on your salary and thus save money. If they are paying you in w2, which they are supposed to(you being on H1), they have to pay payroll taxes themselves.
apart from payroll tax is'nt the employer suppose to pay employer tax which I suppose is anywhere between 8 to 12 % depending on the state it is operating? or is payroll tax same as employer tax? what other taxes does an employer has to pay if he hires a person on W2? appreciate inputs on this.
more...
makeup Helena Christensen wore a long
tnite
07-26 02:17 PM
I live in Jersey City. I am planning to move to NYC. My company and job location stays the same. I have filed my I-485 (received July 23rd) with I-140pending. I don't have my I-485 receipt notice, only I-140 receipt.
1) Is it safe to change one's residence(different state) ?
2) How do I update my address for I-485 so that I get the receipt notice at the new address ? As far as I know USCIS stuff is not forwarded by USPS.
Thanks
Funny that you're talking about moving and I thought about my life for a moment and here it is :
I was supposed to move couple of months ago to Stamford, CT (ninety miles form where I live and work now) but decided to stay after the July bulletin became current.I informed the apt mgmt that I want to extend the lease .
I didnt want to move after hearing horror stories from folks who did(Some of them did not get the FP notices, receipts and all that stuff).
Then sent in all the papers on July 2nd. USCIS came out and said we are not going to accept. I waited for a week. Nothing was happening so decided to move by the end of August.Called in the Mgmt and informed that I will move out by the end of August.
The came July 17th , when USCIS reversed their decision to accept. I called in the mgmt and told them some excuse and ask them to extend the lease by another month. Never ending uncertainity continues......
This is my story folks.Some may want to know Why I want to move, My wife got her project in jersey city and we decided that living in Stamford,CT would be half way for each of us and that was the only way we could live together. 90 miles drive each way for me and 11/2 hr each way for her .
End of the day, thats what matters.
1) Is it safe to change one's residence(different state) ?
2) How do I update my address for I-485 so that I get the receipt notice at the new address ? As far as I know USCIS stuff is not forwarded by USPS.
Thanks
Funny that you're talking about moving and I thought about my life for a moment and here it is :
I was supposed to move couple of months ago to Stamford, CT (ninety miles form where I live and work now) but decided to stay after the July bulletin became current.I informed the apt mgmt that I want to extend the lease .
I didnt want to move after hearing horror stories from folks who did(Some of them did not get the FP notices, receipts and all that stuff).
Then sent in all the papers on July 2nd. USCIS came out and said we are not going to accept. I waited for a week. Nothing was happening so decided to move by the end of August.Called in the Mgmt and informed that I will move out by the end of August.
The came July 17th , when USCIS reversed their decision to accept. I called in the mgmt and told them some excuse and ask them to extend the lease by another month. Never ending uncertainity continues......
This is my story folks.Some may want to know Why I want to move, My wife got her project in jersey city and we decided that living in Stamford,CT would be half way for each of us and that was the only way we could live together. 90 miles drive each way for me and 11/2 hr each way for her .
End of the day, thats what matters.
girlfriend By Helena Christensen For
anilsal
12-19 10:19 PM
What is "CPB defferred inspection site"?
Details please....
Details please....
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Ann Ruben
07-06 06:04 PM
Hi Raj,
"as long as the new company can provide me a future job offer, when the PD is current the GC can be approved."
Well, not exactly. The above statement is true only as long as you do not abandon your AOS application. To make sure that USCIS does not find that you have abandoned your AOS application you should maintain the validity of your Advance Parole if at all possible. Alternatively, if you maintain a current H-1 visa for the new employer, there is a reasonable argument (but not a guarantee) that, despite your absence abroad, you have not abandoned your AOS application. Finally, if after working overseas for the new company for at least one year, the company successfully files an EB-1 I-140 petition for you, you (and your family) can immigrate via Consular Processing in the EB-1 preference category using your old EB-3 priority date if necessary.
Should I transfer my H1B with the new company, or it's not required? My job offer will be from the Indian company, and not the US company.
If you maintain your Advance Parole validity, an H-1 transfer to the new company would not be necessary.
"In case of business travel, until the PD is current, if I don't have AP renewed which visa should I travel on? As I won't be paid directly from the US counterpart of the company, I am not sure if I can travel using H1 for short time.
Could traveling on B1 visa consider it as abandonment of GC process?"
You raise an important point. Travelling on a B-1 visa would certainly be considered an abandonment of your AOS application. Similarly, if you are found not to be "employed" by a US company because you are not on the US payroll, you would not be entitled to enter in H-1 status.
Ann
"as long as the new company can provide me a future job offer, when the PD is current the GC can be approved."
Well, not exactly. The above statement is true only as long as you do not abandon your AOS application. To make sure that USCIS does not find that you have abandoned your AOS application you should maintain the validity of your Advance Parole if at all possible. Alternatively, if you maintain a current H-1 visa for the new employer, there is a reasonable argument (but not a guarantee) that, despite your absence abroad, you have not abandoned your AOS application. Finally, if after working overseas for the new company for at least one year, the company successfully files an EB-1 I-140 petition for you, you (and your family) can immigrate via Consular Processing in the EB-1 preference category using your old EB-3 priority date if necessary.
Should I transfer my H1B with the new company, or it's not required? My job offer will be from the Indian company, and not the US company.
If you maintain your Advance Parole validity, an H-1 transfer to the new company would not be necessary.
"In case of business travel, until the PD is current, if I don't have AP renewed which visa should I travel on? As I won't be paid directly from the US counterpart of the company, I am not sure if I can travel using H1 for short time.
Could traveling on B1 visa consider it as abandonment of GC process?"
You raise an important point. Travelling on a B-1 visa would certainly be considered an abandonment of your AOS application. Similarly, if you are found not to be "employed" by a US company because you are not on the US payroll, you would not be entitled to enter in H-1 status.
Ann
crazyghoda
01-21 01:26 PM
You have absolutely nothing to worry about. I left one job on Nov 24th and joined my next on Dec 6th (almost 2 weeks). I willingly took a break since I was moving to a new city and needed time to check out neighborhoods and find a new apartment, etc.
If you didnt move, just say you needed to take a break and spend time with family or travel around or whatever. Most americans i know take atleast a week or 2 off between jobs so its perfectly normal.
If you didnt move, just say you needed to take a break and spend time with family or travel around or whatever. Most americans i know take atleast a week or 2 off between jobs so its perfectly normal.
raysaikat
05-31 12:18 AM
Thanks a lot, Raysaikat.
I appreciate the response.Here are a few of my immidiate thoughts....
1)I have been unemployed for a little over 180 days now.The key question is what is the penalty for remaining in the country for doing so?
This is the year when most people actually did NOT get jobs...I am guessing there are a lot of people in my position.
There are two things: (i) out of status, (ii) unlawful presence. Unlawful presence is a narrower concept (a subset of out of status) with severe consequences: a person who has been unlawfully present for 180 days to 365 days is barred for 3 years from reentering; a person who has been unlawfully present for more than 1 year is barred from reentering for 10 years.
It is a complicated matter to determine if your "out of status" days have become "unlawfully present" days. I am not qualified to make that judgment: you need to ask an immigration lawyer, or your school's International Student's Office. I suspect that you are merely out of status and not yet unlawfully present:
In this document, "out of status" is defined as what I am referring to as "unlawful presence".
212(a)(9)(b) Out of Status Penalty Law: This section of law provides [snip]
* For purposes of this provision of the law only, a person who has violated the terms of their status, but who has not remained in the US past their fixed status expiration date as shown on their papers will not be considered to be “out of status” unless and until a government agency has officially informed them that they are “out of status.” In other word, it is possible for to be “out of status” for purposes of filing an extension or change of status in the US, but not be “out of status” for purposes of this penalty provision of the law.
[snip...]
It is not clear to me what should be regarded as the "fixed status expiration date" in your case. In the best case, that is the time your 12 month OPT expires and from that time you will start to accrue unlawfully present days. In the worst case, that is the time when your 90 days of OPT period expired, which means that you have already accumulated more than 180 days of unlawful presence and you will be barred from reentering US for 3 years.
Again, if you need to know this, please consult an immigration lawyer. Your school's international students' office should also be able to help you. But in my experience, they are not able to deal with complex situations and usually gives too conservative an answer that will save their behind should there be any complications. Once one staff of my school's ISSO asked me to apply for CPT for working in the UK! Thankfully the actual advisor was more knowledgeable. However, the advisors are not immigration lawyers.
2)How does USCIS actually track who is employed and who is not?
They may have multiple methods if they actually launch an investigation, but usually they will check their records the next time you apply for a VISA, inside or outside US. E.g., if you want to apply for H1-B, you will have to show that you are not out of status.
3)If I were to catch the next flight back home (India), will I face problems while leaving the US/or entering India?
Nope. You can merrily exit US. Entering home country of course is in the jurisdiction of the authority of your home country. Assuming you are an Indian citizen, they cannot prevent you from entering.
I.e., you will have no problem at all.
4)Can I get a letter from a firm/company stating that I was doing an unpaid internship with them?(which will be counted towards the employment period)Are there any repurcursions for the company?
Any thoughts/opinions wouldbe most appreciated.
Thanks!
My only suggestion is not to walk the path of doing fraudulent activities for staying in the US. If that means going back to India, please do so. Perhaps you will have an equally bright career in India.
I appreciate the response.Here are a few of my immidiate thoughts....
1)I have been unemployed for a little over 180 days now.The key question is what is the penalty for remaining in the country for doing so?
This is the year when most people actually did NOT get jobs...I am guessing there are a lot of people in my position.
There are two things: (i) out of status, (ii) unlawful presence. Unlawful presence is a narrower concept (a subset of out of status) with severe consequences: a person who has been unlawfully present for 180 days to 365 days is barred for 3 years from reentering; a person who has been unlawfully present for more than 1 year is barred from reentering for 10 years.
It is a complicated matter to determine if your "out of status" days have become "unlawfully present" days. I am not qualified to make that judgment: you need to ask an immigration lawyer, or your school's International Student's Office. I suspect that you are merely out of status and not yet unlawfully present:
In this document, "out of status" is defined as what I am referring to as "unlawful presence".
212(a)(9)(b) Out of Status Penalty Law: This section of law provides [snip]
* For purposes of this provision of the law only, a person who has violated the terms of their status, but who has not remained in the US past their fixed status expiration date as shown on their papers will not be considered to be “out of status” unless and until a government agency has officially informed them that they are “out of status.” In other word, it is possible for to be “out of status” for purposes of filing an extension or change of status in the US, but not be “out of status” for purposes of this penalty provision of the law.
[snip...]
It is not clear to me what should be regarded as the "fixed status expiration date" in your case. In the best case, that is the time your 12 month OPT expires and from that time you will start to accrue unlawfully present days. In the worst case, that is the time when your 90 days of OPT period expired, which means that you have already accumulated more than 180 days of unlawful presence and you will be barred from reentering US for 3 years.
Again, if you need to know this, please consult an immigration lawyer. Your school's international students' office should also be able to help you. But in my experience, they are not able to deal with complex situations and usually gives too conservative an answer that will save their behind should there be any complications. Once one staff of my school's ISSO asked me to apply for CPT for working in the UK! Thankfully the actual advisor was more knowledgeable. However, the advisors are not immigration lawyers.
2)How does USCIS actually track who is employed and who is not?
They may have multiple methods if they actually launch an investigation, but usually they will check their records the next time you apply for a VISA, inside or outside US. E.g., if you want to apply for H1-B, you will have to show that you are not out of status.
3)If I were to catch the next flight back home (India), will I face problems while leaving the US/or entering India?
Nope. You can merrily exit US. Entering home country of course is in the jurisdiction of the authority of your home country. Assuming you are an Indian citizen, they cannot prevent you from entering.
I.e., you will have no problem at all.
4)Can I get a letter from a firm/company stating that I was doing an unpaid internship with them?(which will be counted towards the employment period)Are there any repurcursions for the company?
Any thoughts/opinions wouldbe most appreciated.
Thanks!
My only suggestion is not to walk the path of doing fraudulent activities for staying in the US. If that means going back to India, please do so. Perhaps you will have an equally bright career in India.
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