billu
08-05 08:26 PM
we live in an apartment and our landlord does not give permission to install antenna, neither do we get any dish tv (indian channel) signal due to trees around the complex. i recently heard about dish iptv where they connect a wire to your internet modem and you can watch desi channels on the tv. does anyone have this service and what has been your experience with it?they have a contract and i want to know if it really works before buying the services. thanks a lot.
wallpaper Heidi Klum, Seal, Kids
rsayed
05-26 09:39 PM
Three years clock ticks from the day filed, one year is down, two to go.
...I like the attitude :)
...I like the attitude :)
dog123
09-18 06:01 PM
I got receipt on August 29 and approval e-mail on Today (September 18th).
Rashesh
Rashesh
2011 Heidi Klum and her husband,
MArch172008
05-22 06:58 PM
As mentioned by my HR attorney applied my labour application electronically on march 17th and forwarded me a case number starting with c , so i am assuming it was appl;ied at chicago center.
Its more then two months now i did not have any update from my HR inturn from attorney.
At the time of aplying attorney did not took any signature either from me or my HR , she said we have to sign at the later stages.
My fear is I might get a query or it may go into incomplete staus as it was not filled properly.
I am not sure if it should be filed in that way ....
Let me know if i am heading in right direction ...
Its more then two months now i did not have any update from my HR inturn from attorney.
At the time of aplying attorney did not took any signature either from me or my HR , she said we have to sign at the later stages.
My fear is I might get a query or it may go into incomplete staus as it was not filled properly.
I am not sure if it should be filed in that way ....
Let me know if i am heading in right direction ...
more...
sreeanne
11-21 03:36 PM
You can contact USCIS and you wont be out of status based on the fact that you dont have I-94 with you. Your information will be in their systems showing that your stay is legal. I think they will issue duplicate I-94 for you.
Above all is my guess but contact USCIS or your lawyer, thats the best way.
Above all is my guess but contact USCIS or your lawyer, thats the best way.
uma001
07-24 03:41 PM
More details are needed to answer this question better.
I think that any time is a good time - it is better to start the process early. If the company is paying for the process - what is the harm. He should go ahead... If he is planning to leave the company and is required to sign some type of agreement to start GC process - then it will be a different story.
Well, If they file it now, they get queries like ' Why do you need this guy when there are so many americans looking for job. Need detailed documentation and business necessities to sponsor green card for this person'...this happened to three of my friends recently.
Finally it is up to you whether you want to go ahead now or later.
I think that any time is a good time - it is better to start the process early. If the company is paying for the process - what is the harm. He should go ahead... If he is planning to leave the company and is required to sign some type of agreement to start GC process - then it will be a different story.
Well, If they file it now, they get queries like ' Why do you need this guy when there are so many americans looking for job. Need detailed documentation and business necessities to sponsor green card for this person'...this happened to three of my friends recently.
Finally it is up to you whether you want to go ahead now or later.
more...
paskal
11-08 10:33 PM
Dear IV members,
The Design and Publicity work group is an active task force dedicated to creating materials to spread IV's message. We are engaged in creating posters, fliers, Cartoons and Videos, and will also be producing web related material, informational handouts and power point presentations. We are looking for active volunteers with specific related skills to work with us on these projects. If you are working in design/media/advertising etc or simply have design/drawing/writing skills and are interested in being a part of this group, please answer to this thread. We are specifically looking for someone with knowledge of the media/advertising and an understanding of web searches especially google search rankings.
We are also looking for volunteers for media contacts and content creation/analysis (needs good writing and analytical skills), work groups.
If you live in the DC area (or even within reasonable driving distance) and would like to participate in lawmaker meetings, please let us know.
Please also see Pappu's request for a volunteer to work as iv-coordinator in a separate thread.
Remember that we cannot accept anonymous members. All these groups will be privy to sensitive information and we must be able to trust our volunteers. So please complete your profiles so that we can contact you.
The Design and Publicity work group is an active task force dedicated to creating materials to spread IV's message. We are engaged in creating posters, fliers, Cartoons and Videos, and will also be producing web related material, informational handouts and power point presentations. We are looking for active volunteers with specific related skills to work with us on these projects. If you are working in design/media/advertising etc or simply have design/drawing/writing skills and are interested in being a part of this group, please answer to this thread. We are specifically looking for someone with knowledge of the media/advertising and an understanding of web searches especially google search rankings.
We are also looking for volunteers for media contacts and content creation/analysis (needs good writing and analytical skills), work groups.
If you live in the DC area (or even within reasonable driving distance) and would like to participate in lawmaker meetings, please let us know.
Please also see Pappu's request for a volunteer to work as iv-coordinator in a separate thread.
Remember that we cannot accept anonymous members. All these groups will be privy to sensitive information and we must be able to trust our volunteers. So please complete your profiles so that we can contact you.
2010 Heidi Klum and Seal have gone
indianabacklog
07-31 12:28 PM
This is insane and scary at the same time. So, the child will have to depart the US at that time as he will no longer be able to get any valid non-immigrant visa (except probably an H1). As immigration intent has been expressed such a child will not be able to get F-1 visa. I would have to research this further as the prospect of my child having to depart the US after the rest of the family gets a GC is just too much for me to bear at this time! I'll pose the question to my lawyer and hear her opinion.
You can convert from an H4 to an F1. The definition of the F1 is not as strict as you might imagine, hope you do not come to this though.
You can convert from an H4 to an F1. The definition of the F1 is not as strict as you might imagine, hope you do not come to this though.
more...
adde72
05-22 09:47 PM
What will happen to people who already made the move hoping to preserve their priority date from previous employer? Isn't this unfair to these folks. Do you think they may be exempt from this? I wish at least.
I assume USICS will accept the Labor's and I 140 until in the old form until the merit based system was introduced .I assume the transition will be like the introduction of PERM
I assume USICS will accept the Labor's and I 140 until in the old form until the merit based system was introduced .I assume the transition will be like the introduction of PERM
hair Heidi Klum#39;s Children Attend
pasupuleti
05-11 11:55 AM
Do you have the phone number?
Do we have to listen to the program to get the phone number?
Thursday afternoon at 2:00 EST, legal immigration will be the topic on NPR’s talk show “Talk of the Nation.” They’ll be looking for people to call in with their stories.
All members, please call in if you have a compelling story on how the broken legal immigration system affects your life and chokes growth, discourages new talent from coming into the country etc. etc.
Avoid bashing illegals or any other groups. Its not IV policy and should not be done.
We've wanted attention to the LEGAL variety of immigration debate and here is your chance to call in, and make your voice heard.
STAND UP AND SPEAK UP.
Do we have to listen to the program to get the phone number?
Thursday afternoon at 2:00 EST, legal immigration will be the topic on NPR’s talk show “Talk of the Nation.” They’ll be looking for people to call in with their stories.
All members, please call in if you have a compelling story on how the broken legal immigration system affects your life and chokes growth, discourages new talent from coming into the country etc. etc.
Avoid bashing illegals or any other groups. Its not IV policy and should not be done.
We've wanted attention to the LEGAL variety of immigration debate and here is your chance to call in, and make your voice heard.
STAND UP AND SPEAK UP.
more...
anilsal
10-30 04:42 PM
I understand what you are saying but its difficult for people to check their typos when posting online. I mean not every one has that time when they are juggling things. It's not M$oft outlook right :) B T W, I am not the one who posted it.
I think if the person misspelt Stanford once, it is fine. If there have been multiple references and he misspelt all of them, then there is a problem.
My opinion (and mine only) is that if we claim high skills/higher education for our immigration, then we should be able to type decent english even with eyes closed. ;)
I think if the person misspelt Stanford once, it is fine. If there have been multiple references and he misspelt all of them, then there is a problem.
My opinion (and mine only) is that if we claim high skills/higher education for our immigration, then we should be able to type decent english even with eyes closed. ;)
hot Seal Model Heidi Klum and her
Ramba
09-23 02:42 PM
AOS is neither vaild non-immigrant status nor immigrant status. It is a "period of authorized stay" based on contigency of approval of 485. Though, it has work authorization, there is no law clearly says they are eligible for school or any other benefits that immigrants enjoy. Therefore, it is difficult to explain to those have limited knowledge. It is better to get a letter from immigrant lawer to explain to school or just follow what school is suggesting.
more...
house Heidi Klum and Seal with their
suman
12-17 06:20 PM
Thank You all I appreciate.
tattoo Home » Heidi Klum and Seal
kirupa
11-21 05:42 AM
The poll will go live tomorrow (Saturday) :)
more...
pictures Heidi Klum (who looks just
softcrowd
04-23 09:35 AM
Yes, that means your I-140 is "filed" under EB2...But note that USCIS can always comeback & say it "can" or "can not" be approved under Eb2 based on the job description in Labor.
In rare scenarios, USCIS comes back with a "NO" to Eb2, especially if the JOB description in Labor does not suit an Eb2 requirement. But in 99% of the cases, its fine (because, attorneys normally don't file it under Eb2 if its not one).
All the best!!
In rare scenarios, USCIS comes back with a "NO" to Eb2, especially if the JOB description in Labor does not suit an Eb2 requirement. But in 99% of the cases, its fine (because, attorneys normally don't file it under Eb2 if its not one).
All the best!!
dresses Heidi Klum out shopping with
Dipika
12-22 04:56 PM
This have info about Green, Yellow, Pink, White 221g slip and images of it.
221(g) US visa refusal. Blue, pink, yellow, green, white forms at New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai (http://www..com/visas/221grefusal/)
Here one can check the status of 221g slip processing,
Nonimmigrant visas Administrative Processing - U.S. Embassy of the United States New Delhi, India (http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/nivadminprocnewdelhi.html)
221(g) US visa refusal. Blue, pink, yellow, green, white forms at New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai (http://www..com/visas/221grefusal/)
Here one can check the status of 221g slip processing,
Nonimmigrant visas Administrative Processing - U.S. Embassy of the United States New Delhi, India (http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/nivadminprocnewdelhi.html)
more...
makeup Heidi Klum with Seal and kids
gotgc?
09-16 06:13 PM
Hi,
Here is my case specifics:
--------------------------
1. Filed PERM EB3 LC - PD:01/2006 - Approved.
2. Filed EB3 I-140 using LC Sub from my company(company's policy..) - 06/2006 - was pending
3. Filed I-485 using pending LC Sub I-140 - 07/2007
4. Second I-140 Filed - 01/2008 based on my original PERM LC.
5. Second I-140 - Approved - 02/2008
6. Attorney sent AILA Request last month on my pending I-140. Got AILA Response as below
"Talked with the I-140 senior officer this afternoon about this case. We both reviewed the I-140 and the issue with the substitution of the labor cert. It appears that the individual that had the labor cert originally, adjusted off of it. Therefore, we can not substitute it again for the individual listed below. I believe that he has one I-140 already approved and will have to stay with that priority date. Have a good weekend."
7. Based on this, my attorney told me that my first I-140 will be denied soon; but she said that my AOS will continue to be active based on my approved I-140.
8. As my attorney said, Today, I got an CRIS email saying that my LC Sub I-140 is denied.
I have couple of questions now:
1. I am worried about my I-485 since my wofe is working on EAD. My understanding is that if your I-140 is denied, then your I-485 is denied too. But, my lawyer says that since I have an approved I140, they will use that and she is quoting the AILA Response email also. Is it true? or she is just convincing me with her lies.
2. I can continue to check the status of my I-485. But, how can I verify my AOS is now tied with my approved I-140? Interestingly, my AP Renewal is approved yesterday and notice mailed (a day before my I-140 denial)
Please let me know guys. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Here is my case specifics:
--------------------------
1. Filed PERM EB3 LC - PD:01/2006 - Approved.
2. Filed EB3 I-140 using LC Sub from my company(company's policy..) - 06/2006 - was pending
3. Filed I-485 using pending LC Sub I-140 - 07/2007
4. Second I-140 Filed - 01/2008 based on my original PERM LC.
5. Second I-140 - Approved - 02/2008
6. Attorney sent AILA Request last month on my pending I-140. Got AILA Response as below
"Talked with the I-140 senior officer this afternoon about this case. We both reviewed the I-140 and the issue with the substitution of the labor cert. It appears that the individual that had the labor cert originally, adjusted off of it. Therefore, we can not substitute it again for the individual listed below. I believe that he has one I-140 already approved and will have to stay with that priority date. Have a good weekend."
7. Based on this, my attorney told me that my first I-140 will be denied soon; but she said that my AOS will continue to be active based on my approved I-140.
8. As my attorney said, Today, I got an CRIS email saying that my LC Sub I-140 is denied.
I have couple of questions now:
1. I am worried about my I-485 since my wofe is working on EAD. My understanding is that if your I-140 is denied, then your I-485 is denied too. But, my lawyer says that since I have an approved I140, they will use that and she is quoting the AILA Response email also. Is it true? or she is just convincing me with her lies.
2. I can continue to check the status of my I-485. But, how can I verify my AOS is now tied with my approved I-140? Interestingly, my AP Renewal is approved yesterday and notice mailed (a day before my I-140 denial)
Please let me know guys. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
girlfriend heidi klum seal children.
sad_angel
05-17 11:51 PM
i filed i-130 for my husband ( he is not in the u.s ) and it has been pending for 20 months . 2 months ago they sent the file to the local office in L.A and 20 days ago they transferred the file to the NBC . is this normal plz :( ????
hairstyles Seal and Heidi Klum took their
vijse
12-20 06:56 PM
CBP = customs and border patrol
defferred inspection site is an office in which there are several immigration and custom officers stationed. What they do there ,i don't know .
defferred inspection site is an office in which there are several immigration and custom officers stationed. What they do there ,i don't know .
shirish
09-02 01:54 PM
I am in the same situation. My lawyer sent the application with out medicals one day before the medical reports reached him.
He is saying, he checked with USCIS customer service, that the medicals do expire after 12 months. So i will have to go for medical exam again when i get RFE.
As explained earlier I proactively decided to send in the medicals with a copy of the receipt notices since I didn't want to waste processing time through RFEs and was under the impression that medicals expire in 12-18 mths. However, when I spoke to the lawyer about this she said: "The medicals do not expire any more . . . let's "keep our fingers crossed" that the medicals make it to your files; we usually wait for CIS to send us an RFE, as that way there is a bar code on the cover letter to help get the medical to the examiner who has the file."
She also said that I wouldn't get any receipt notice or anything regarding the submission. So I guess I'll have to keep my fingers crossed.
He is saying, he checked with USCIS customer service, that the medicals do expire after 12 months. So i will have to go for medical exam again when i get RFE.
As explained earlier I proactively decided to send in the medicals with a copy of the receipt notices since I didn't want to waste processing time through RFEs and was under the impression that medicals expire in 12-18 mths. However, when I spoke to the lawyer about this she said: "The medicals do not expire any more . . . let's "keep our fingers crossed" that the medicals make it to your files; we usually wait for CIS to send us an RFE, as that way there is a bar code on the cover letter to help get the medical to the examiner who has the file."
She also said that I wouldn't get any receipt notice or anything regarding the submission. So I guess I'll have to keep my fingers crossed.
GCcomesoon
03-16 03:54 PM
Hi
It seems like we all have to wait till march 27th to understand the impact .Please make us understand how this makes good news for legal immigrants.There is no mention of any thing here.Frankly in the last 10 days after this bill started getting discussed, we have hardly heard anyone speaking about us.Its only guest worker,illegal immigration,border security.
Its not being pessimistic here ,Please give us some realistic picture.
We all understand & appreciate each other efforts,time,money spend in this cause.Especially hats off to Voice team.
Lets hope we all the see the fruits of "labor" soon
Thanks
GCcomesoon
__________________________________________________ _______________
pilid
Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not to be pessimist but I tend to agree with learning01 that Nothing is going to happen. This is election year and it will be difficult to get such sweeping and comprehensive legislation passed. Having said all this, I will continue to support IV as I think these efforts will eventually pay off.
learning01, I laud your efforts. However, I am not sure what incentive any employer has to really help with this cause. Sure worth trying though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by learning01
Newt said Nothing is going to happen on this Specter or any other immigration bills in Senate. The conference with House will not agree to anything.
I also sincerely believe that Nothing is going to happen I say, these senators are doing CYAs; they will bitch it to media, their constituents, hey look, we did attempt these immigration reforms.
I am talking from my long experience and wisdom and take it from me. The only force that can improve the pitiable conditions of Indian and Chinese due to retrogression and lack of visa numbers is the big corporate employers . Each one whose LC is approved, whose I-140 is approved, who is waiting to file for adjustment of status AND who are indispensable to the employer / work at this stage should write to the HR/ Immigration/ Attorney.
I am in such a position. I am a technical lead in my IT department. PD Nov 2001. I write about these issues and the difficulties once in a month my team manager, or project manager or Immigration department.
pilid
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#14 Today, 09:18 PM
beppenyc
Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 51
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I tend to agree too that nothing will happen, too much talking, too much BS, but, I can only hope that the republicans know that they can loose the house control, so, maybe they will prefer to have something more conservative than nothing.
beppenyc
View Public Profile
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#15 Today, 09:43 PM
ragz4u
Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 183
Looks like the committee has brokered a deal :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
Originally Posted by beppenyc
I tend to agree too that nothing will happen, too much talking, too much BS, but, I can only hope that the republicans know that they can loose the house control, so, maybe they will prefer to have something more conservative than nothing.
Check out the following article from the OC register here http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister...le_1053340.php
If this is true, this seems to be good news for us. The McCain Kennedy bill is the most pro-immigrant of the bills and if thats what becomes the Comprehensive Immigration Bill, we all might end up happy!
WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today reached agreement on proposals for a new guest-worker program and a plan to allow the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States to become permanent residents.
Less than 24 hours after most experts and Capitol Hill watchers believed the committee would be unable to get a bill to the Senate floor by Majority Leader Bill Frist's March 27 deadline, committee Chairman Arlen Specter had brokered deals between some key senators on the complex issue.
No formal votes were taken and committee staffs were preparing to spend the next 10 days drafting language that would put in place the compromises reached. It appeared that at least a dozen of the 18 members on the panel would be prepared to back this deal. The committee plans to meet first thing in the morning on March 27. It is not yet known whether Frist will allow the panel to finish and send its bill to the Senate floor or if he still plans to bring up a more limited, possibly enforcement-only measure.
But even if nothing scuttles the compromise between now and when lawmakers get back from recess, and if the Senate passes a bill with these elements, there would remain a steep battle to get agreement from the House. The House passed an enforcement-based measure in December that doesn't include a guest-worker program or a plan for undocumented immigrants in the United States now.
Early this afternoon, Frist announced his intention to introduce a bill before next week’s recess that would deal with enforcement of immigration laws but will not include any of the controversial guest-worker or illegal immigrant provisions. Officials in Frist’s office say he is doing this to ensure that there is a bill ready on the floor if the committee fails to pass one. If Specter does get a bill out of committee, said Frist press secretary Amy Call, that could be substituted for the majority leader’s measure.
The most likely scenario, said ardent supporters of immigration reform who were pleasantly stunned by today's events, is that this will end in a stalemate, only to be brought up again in the next Congress. But they say it's important that the Senate go on record as supporting comprehensive change.
For the first time, Specter, R-Pa., who said he spent hours on the phone last night with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., agreed to Kennedy's plan to deal with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. Specter would have allowed these people to work indefinitely but not get green cards. Kennedy wanted to give them a path to legalization.
Specter agreed this morning with Kennedy's approach, provided that these illegal immigrants would not be able to start legalization proceedings until the backlog of 3 million people now waiting in countries around the world for their chance to come to the United States legally get their green cards.
The deal reached on a new guest-worker plan says that 400,000 new guest workers would be allowed into the country each year. Under the proposal authored by Kennedy and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that number would have been unlimited. But Kennedy, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, agreed to a cap and also agreed that after working for two years, these new guest workers would have to go back to their home countries and reapply for another stint as guest workers, one that could last up to six years. But first they'd have to stay in their home countries for one year.
Built into this compromise, however, is a chance for these workers to get a waiver and not go home based on how long they have been employed here or if they are considered essential to a U.S. employer's business.
The plan also allows guest workers to apply for permanent U.S. residency, something not included in either Specter's bill or the other major proposal under consideration, the bill by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
Kennedy essentially compromised with Cornyn, who chairs the immigration subcommittee. The deal takes parts of each of their proposals.
Not all members of the committee agreed with these compromises.
Kyl said he still believed the illegal immigrants would get preference over those waiting legally in line overseas because the undocumented would be able to stay in the U.S. and work until their turn at a green card came. Those waiting to come here legally don't have that option, he said.
And several committee members most opposed to a guest-worker program – most notably Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., were not at this morning's session.
__________________________________________________ _______________
It seems like we all have to wait till march 27th to understand the impact .Please make us understand how this makes good news for legal immigrants.There is no mention of any thing here.Frankly in the last 10 days after this bill started getting discussed, we have hardly heard anyone speaking about us.Its only guest worker,illegal immigration,border security.
Its not being pessimistic here ,Please give us some realistic picture.
We all understand & appreciate each other efforts,time,money spend in this cause.Especially hats off to Voice team.
Lets hope we all the see the fruits of "labor" soon
Thanks
GCcomesoon
__________________________________________________ _______________
pilid
Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not to be pessimist but I tend to agree with learning01 that Nothing is going to happen. This is election year and it will be difficult to get such sweeping and comprehensive legislation passed. Having said all this, I will continue to support IV as I think these efforts will eventually pay off.
learning01, I laud your efforts. However, I am not sure what incentive any employer has to really help with this cause. Sure worth trying though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by learning01
Newt said Nothing is going to happen on this Specter or any other immigration bills in Senate. The conference with House will not agree to anything.
I also sincerely believe that Nothing is going to happen I say, these senators are doing CYAs; they will bitch it to media, their constituents, hey look, we did attempt these immigration reforms.
I am talking from my long experience and wisdom and take it from me. The only force that can improve the pitiable conditions of Indian and Chinese due to retrogression and lack of visa numbers is the big corporate employers . Each one whose LC is approved, whose I-140 is approved, who is waiting to file for adjustment of status AND who are indispensable to the employer / work at this stage should write to the HR/ Immigration/ Attorney.
I am in such a position. I am a technical lead in my IT department. PD Nov 2001. I write about these issues and the difficulties once in a month my team manager, or project manager or Immigration department.
pilid
View Public Profile
Send a private message to pilid
Send email to pilid
Find all posts by pilid
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#14 Today, 09:18 PM
beppenyc
Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 51
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I tend to agree too that nothing will happen, too much talking, too much BS, but, I can only hope that the republicans know that they can loose the house control, so, maybe they will prefer to have something more conservative than nothing.
beppenyc
View Public Profile
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#15 Today, 09:43 PM
ragz4u
Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 183
Looks like the committee has brokered a deal :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
Originally Posted by beppenyc
I tend to agree too that nothing will happen, too much talking, too much BS, but, I can only hope that the republicans know that they can loose the house control, so, maybe they will prefer to have something more conservative than nothing.
Check out the following article from the OC register here http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister...le_1053340.php
If this is true, this seems to be good news for us. The McCain Kennedy bill is the most pro-immigrant of the bills and if thats what becomes the Comprehensive Immigration Bill, we all might end up happy!
WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today reached agreement on proposals for a new guest-worker program and a plan to allow the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States to become permanent residents.
Less than 24 hours after most experts and Capitol Hill watchers believed the committee would be unable to get a bill to the Senate floor by Majority Leader Bill Frist's March 27 deadline, committee Chairman Arlen Specter had brokered deals between some key senators on the complex issue.
No formal votes were taken and committee staffs were preparing to spend the next 10 days drafting language that would put in place the compromises reached. It appeared that at least a dozen of the 18 members on the panel would be prepared to back this deal. The committee plans to meet first thing in the morning on March 27. It is not yet known whether Frist will allow the panel to finish and send its bill to the Senate floor or if he still plans to bring up a more limited, possibly enforcement-only measure.
But even if nothing scuttles the compromise between now and when lawmakers get back from recess, and if the Senate passes a bill with these elements, there would remain a steep battle to get agreement from the House. The House passed an enforcement-based measure in December that doesn't include a guest-worker program or a plan for undocumented immigrants in the United States now.
Early this afternoon, Frist announced his intention to introduce a bill before next week’s recess that would deal with enforcement of immigration laws but will not include any of the controversial guest-worker or illegal immigrant provisions. Officials in Frist’s office say he is doing this to ensure that there is a bill ready on the floor if the committee fails to pass one. If Specter does get a bill out of committee, said Frist press secretary Amy Call, that could be substituted for the majority leader’s measure.
The most likely scenario, said ardent supporters of immigration reform who were pleasantly stunned by today's events, is that this will end in a stalemate, only to be brought up again in the next Congress. But they say it's important that the Senate go on record as supporting comprehensive change.
For the first time, Specter, R-Pa., who said he spent hours on the phone last night with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., agreed to Kennedy's plan to deal with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. Specter would have allowed these people to work indefinitely but not get green cards. Kennedy wanted to give them a path to legalization.
Specter agreed this morning with Kennedy's approach, provided that these illegal immigrants would not be able to start legalization proceedings until the backlog of 3 million people now waiting in countries around the world for their chance to come to the United States legally get their green cards.
The deal reached on a new guest-worker plan says that 400,000 new guest workers would be allowed into the country each year. Under the proposal authored by Kennedy and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that number would have been unlimited. But Kennedy, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, agreed to a cap and also agreed that after working for two years, these new guest workers would have to go back to their home countries and reapply for another stint as guest workers, one that could last up to six years. But first they'd have to stay in their home countries for one year.
Built into this compromise, however, is a chance for these workers to get a waiver and not go home based on how long they have been employed here or if they are considered essential to a U.S. employer's business.
The plan also allows guest workers to apply for permanent U.S. residency, something not included in either Specter's bill or the other major proposal under consideration, the bill by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
Kennedy essentially compromised with Cornyn, who chairs the immigration subcommittee. The deal takes parts of each of their proposals.
Not all members of the committee agreed with these compromises.
Kyl said he still believed the illegal immigrants would get preference over those waiting legally in line overseas because the undocumented would be able to stay in the U.S. and work until their turn at a green card came. Those waiting to come here legally don't have that option, he said.
And several committee members most opposed to a guest-worker program – most notably Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., were not at this morning's session.
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