H-1 Cap reached 04/07/08
Maybe we’re jumping the gun here, but HLG expects that the USCIS will shortly announce that that H-1 cap for 2008 has been reached. Now that we’ve filed our cases, and Congress is back in session, we expect to resume regular posting. We’ll be making a survey of calls and communications this week and try and update everyone on the state of the legislation shortly. HLG took most of March off from advocacy on account of the H-1 press.
Several smaller immigration bills have been introduced in the last week. This is positive news. The more pressure that smaller special interest groups – such as our Schedule A legislation – the better that all of us have in enacting some positive legislation.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
59 Responses to this article
HLG…
Thanx for updating us… Wer hoping that the VB for may will move forward… thanx and more power
Dear HLG,
For your kind attention.
http://immigration-law.com/
04/06/2008: House Judiciary Committee Ordered the Following Bills Reported by Voice Vote
On April 2, 2008 the House Judiciary Committee ordered the following bills to be reported::
H.R. 5570, amended, Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 [current law sunsets at the end of September 2008]
H.R. 5060, allow athletes admitted as nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(P) to renew their period of authorized admission in 5-year increments
H.R. 5569, extend for 5 years the EB-5 regional center pilot program
H.R. 5571, extend for 5 years the program relating to waiver of the foreign country residence requirement with respect to international medical graduates
Please stay tuned to this web site for development of these legislative bills.
http://www.savesmallbusiness.org/
Update — April 3, 2008
KEEP UP THE PRESSURE TO CONVINCE CONGRESS TO PASS THE 2008 SAVE SMALL BUSINESS BILL
Never a dull moment here in Washington especially when it involves the H-2B issue. Here’s what we know at this point. On Tuesday Rep Charles Boustany, Jr. (R) from Louisiana began a discharge petition to bring Rep Bart Stupak’s Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act to the House floor for a vote. At the end of this message is a news release from Rep Boustany’s office.
This is a highly unusual move as it circumvents the normal protocol of attaching a bill through a committee or sub-committee. As you know, Save Small Business has advocated passage of S.988/H.R.1843, two bills that provide a clean passage of the H-2B returning worker exemption.
To HLG,
What about “the significant steps” which you said would be public by now?
Your post just says that nothing was done for the last month as you were busy with H1 filings and that because other interest groups have been working hard for their causes that is good news for us.
Any new developments at all?
“Hammond Law Group LLC said…
The meetings went quite well. We’re actually flying back out there tonight for additional ones.
We’re hesitant to predict anything in this political environment. We can definitely say that there are one or two intersting things in the works that should be public in the next 30 days or so.
Mind you, neither is going to be headlined “Retrogression solved for Schedule A Applicants.” But still we’re optomisitc that everyone will see these as significant steps.”
Dear HLG,
For your kind attention.
http://immigration-law.com/
04/06/2008: House Judiciary Committee Ordered the Following Bills Reported by Voice Vote
On April 2, 2008 the House Judiciary Committee ordered the following bills to be reported::
H.R. 5570, amended, Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 [current law sunsets at the end of September 2008]
H.R. 5060, allow athletes admitted as nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(P) to renew their period of authorized admission in 5-year increments
H.R. 5569, extend for 5 years the EB-5 regional center pilot program
H.R. 5571, extend for 5 years the program relating to waiver of the foreign country residence requirement with respect to international medical graduates
Please stay tuned to this web site for development of these legislative bills.
http://www.savesmallbusiness.org/
Update — April 3, 2008
KEEP UP THE PRESSURE TO CONVINCE CONGRESS TO PASS THE 2008 SAVE SMALL BUSINESS BILL
Never a dull moment here in Washington especially when it involves the H-2B issue. Here’s what we know at this point. On Tuesday Rep Charles Boustany, Jr. (R) from Louisiana began a discharge petition to bring Rep Bart Stupak’s Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act to the House floor for a vote. At the end of this message is a news release from Rep Boustany’s office.
This is a highly unusual move as it circumvents the normal protocol of attaching a bill through a committee or sub-committee. As you know, Save Small Business has advocated passage of S.988/H.R.1843, two bills that provide a clean passage of the H-2B returning worker exemption.
Good day HLG.. anybody…
since you(hlg) is expecting for uscis that shortly will announce that H-1 cap for 2008 has been reached, WOULD THIS AFFECT THE EB-3 Category for us Nurses who are in line… hoping for your kind words on this. Thanks and more power..
Dear HLG,
Its not surprising to know that H1B Cap is reached. Anyone with decent immigration knowledge would be able to assume that. Websites like Immigration voice.org and the oh law blog are doing great job at posting first hand information regarding OPT and H1B. Info on EB3/ Schedule A is what we expect to be briefed on on this website. Sadly your statement about good news in 30 days is proved to be a false statement and false hope once again….
MORE INFO FOR YOU HLG. Incase you forgot to add these :
4/07/2008: H-1B Cap-Gap and 17-Month STEM OPT Extension Rule Not in Effect Today
* As we predicted earlier, this Interim Final Rule is not published and will not take effect today. Please stay tuned to this web-site for the exact date of federal register publication of this rule.
* H-1B regular cap filing is likely to be closed today. Unconfirmed sources indicate that UPS alone delivered more than 35,000 packets by April 4, Friday. Even though it is not certain how many of these deliveries involved the H-1B regular cap filings, this can be taken as an indication of the amount of filings the CSC and VSC have been receiving. Should the cap have indeed reached, it is likely that the USCIS may release the announcement shortly.
* Since the H-1B cap-gap will not take effect today, there remains a question of the consequences of the H-1B regular cap filings on behalf of the OPTs who have a problem of cap-gap but filed the cap petitions without taking a step to fill the gap by applying for change of status or extension of status through October 1, 2008. For the purpose of the upcoming cap-gap extension rule, the H-1B petition must be pending to continuously remain in OPT status and employment beyond the expiration of current OPT, while since the USCIS rule requires that H-1B petition must be eligible at the time of filing, normally such petition must be denied unless such OPT alien has a proof of a valid nonimmigrant status or in a period of authorized stauy through October 1, 2008 at the time of filing of the petition. This will put such OPT student in a catch 20-20 situation. However, we wonder whether the USCIS can apply the analogy of their announced policy that the USCIS would accept concurrent filings of change of status of dependent status such as F-2, H-4, L-2, etc. and H-1B cap petition and would adjudicate H-1B cap petition after adjudicating the COS applications first which will provide a valid dependent nonimmigrant status through October 1, 2008, and approve the H-1B cap petition inasmuch as the OPT will be in a valid status at the time this new regulation is published in the federal register, hopefully sometime within this week as the new regulation will automatically extend the OPT status and employment authorization through October 1, 2008 in this situation. We hope that the USCIS releases its answer to this question as soon as possible. The USCIS released a Q&A on the new regulation at the end of last week but for unknown reasons, pulled it off during the weekend.
The Oh Law blog.
Your news are just repetition….
Since I passed NCLEX two years back, I am a regular visitor of this site.On March 6th, I was so happy to see that post saying something will happen within next 30days or so…..
Now, you are saying u were busy with H-1 Cap and nothing saying about scheduled A…..?!! Dear HLG, we all nurses here have enough pain and night mare about whole US migration process. We have been put into trauma by agencies, employer, USCIs and NVC etc….but, thank God, still we are survivng and waiting to hear that good news….!! But, now, you, too, turned us down….Why..? Why is that HLG..? What did we do against you…? or…YOU TOO BRUTUS….??!!
This waiting is really killing us…not able to go forward nor turn back…this has become a never ending story….my PD is march 2005 and i’m a nurse from india…..can anyone tell me whether there’s some hope??????
Dear Thomas,
With 2005March PD, you supposed to be in US by this time. Few of my friends who had 2006AugustPD or before already in US. Your case is becoz of ur agent. I am sure….Anyway, wait and see……
TO ANYONE,
what about OCTOBER 2006 PD ANY NEWS
I am with Oct 2006 PD…Still waiting..
hi, my pd is march 31 2005 eb3 philippines(current) nvc waiting for my bigraphic data. I think my agent/attorney is not doing his job, he should have already passed my biographic data before then.One of the bloggers here advice me to fill up a new biographic data and post it directly to NVC is it posible to by pass the lawyer? the nvc said “They are now waiting for the biographic data from the lawyer”
Hi Frus,
My advice is that you call NVC and ask them personally if you can send the biographic data even if it is not from your atty. OR take the risk fill up the form, mail to NVC ASAP then after a few days call them if they are able to accept it…..I know it is frustrating on your part, but you have to do something.
hi leen
how was your interview last April 1? Have you receive your visa already? Im just so happy to hear from you. Good luck!!!
hey guys ,
i don’t see any good news after 30 days , now at least we could see some postings from hlg .
like last years.
starting from april to ……
indian nurses, no one knows what is going to happen wait and wait how long?……
hi , it is very funny to watch this posting from hlg ,” SEVERAL small immigration bills have been introduced “
i think schedule A is also an immigration matter, what happend to that , if they could introduce several bill why not schedule A, it’s clearly tells that no body is working for schedule A relief i hope at least hlg will work for this bill.
go hlg go……
good luck coming months we could see some real positive developments .
an insider from white house .
Dear HLG
Sorry to tell you,this news was already published in other sites.We are not expecting this kind of repetetion from you.Please work for Schedule A,other sites are busy with H1.
What is the solution for Indian nurses?I think you are not having that much agents from India.If a lawfirm like you can do something for Schedule A immigration,many agents from India will join with you.
Thanks for coming in the blog again..
TELL ME WHEN TO WRITE TO CONGRESS ABOUT SCHEDULE A FOR KOOKOO, AMERICA NEEDS THIS NURSIE NURSIE!
indian nurses, no one knows what is going to happen wait and wait how long?……
Hai friends,
Here we can adapt Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-cooperation Movement. Please support this. From Now not to post anymore comments on this glog, until HLG’s clear answer comes out for nurses . We don’t want to here anymore comments regarding H1 Visa. Here everybody is waiting for EB3 message. Why The HLG is not anwering to our questions??????….
I am sure HLG is trying their best to give us the info and outcome we need.
To Senti,
If you want people to follow your suggestion, please correct your grammar first.
Hi Redflower,
Correction I did not say April 1, what I said is it would be in april, you can check the previous blog. Soon it will be over and I will inform you guys about it…..
Meanwhile I am still waiting….
Dear Mr.Kumar.
I am not a English Teacher(like you) also i dont have any degree in English literature . I am a poor Nurse (GNM)from India. I am complted my school education in Malayalam Medium villege school. But i completed my IELTS in scoring #8. If there is any grammar mistake on my posting please correct it for me. May God bless you. This not related with EB3 ,so i am posting it for Mr.Kumar… Mone kumara onnu podeeeeeeeaaaa……
All D best HLG
04/08/2008: Rumor Abound of Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Number Substantial Progress Ahead and Lesson from Last Year July 2007 Visa Fiasco
The State Department is approaching a time when they will have to determine the employment-based visa number allocation in anticipation of the rate of consumption of the employment-based immigrant visa numbers by the USCIS and visa posts overseas such that they assure that the employment-based immigrant visa numbers which are allocated for FY 2008 are not wasted. It will be interesting to learn the lessons from the FY 2007 management by the State Department during the last summer leading to the notorious July 2007 Visa Fiasco by making EB visa numbers current in all categories for July. It is true that the State Department may readjust quarterly allocation in the coming May Visa Bulletin to keep a proper balance in the inventory considering the rate of consumption by the USCIS and visa posts. We would like to repost our last June message to give a perspective for the likely visa allocation during the summer:
-06/17/2007: Background of EB-2 and EB-3 Numbers Current
-Unconfirmed sources indicate that the State Department allocated the EB visa numbers for the FY 2007 “conservatively” with the expectation that the USCIS and USDOL would remove backlogs in a fairly rapid pace. Accordingly, at the end of May 2007, reportedly they allocated only 50% of the total annual quota for the EB numbers. Now, since it is not anticipated that the USCIS will produce enmasse I-485 approvals taking out a large number of the EB visa numbers, the State Department was afraid that unless the FY 2007 quota would be used before the end of September 2007, some of the visa numbers would be wasted. From such judgment, the State Department had to open the EB visa numbers current in July so that no EB visa numbers for the FY 2007 would be wasted. Anyway, it turned out to be a good gift for large number of EB immigrants. We thank the State Department for making a timely and right decision.”
-We will watch closely the Visa Bulletin movement during the next two months.
OK……… SENTI.
WAITING FOR EB3 NEWS…………………..
Hi guys,
I’m from the ROW and have been viewing info from your blogs for months. I seem to get more info from you guys than the agency I’m with.
Even though the PD for ROW is at Jul. ’05 I have no friends who have been called by the embassy. As far as I’m concerned the date is just a “date”. Perhaps all the persons from ROW with that PD is already working in the States and approaching the end of their contacts. Any ROW out there with other friends been called?
I have not heard anything mentioned about the FBI’s commitment to reduce the backlog. I do believe that this information is relevant for EB3 as well!?
http://www.govtech.com/gt/283273?topic=117693
Still enjoying the info from this site. All the best to those with interviews shortly. Lets keep faith for good news for all soon.
hi, just called nvc and told me that i can pass a new biographic data personally but needs a barcode from the attorney.
H1B CAP REACHED LIMIT!!!
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/H-1B_8Apr08.pdf
For Indian nurses, keep on praying and hoping that soon retrogression will end.We will just hope that some positive results will be out soon.
No chance in May visa bulletin Also……
Visa appointments of chennai consulate published. Only 3 E3 people got chance.
http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/appointment_schedule.html
I checked chennai website…!! There are two E people got visa interview. One’s PD is 2008 July….??????? Other one is 2005MAy…!! I don’t know waht is happening…??!!
kuwait,
why did u say so? do u have a good source on this news?
kuwait, even good lawyers tries to avoid giving prediction on vb. EB’s might move forward but saying they will become current base on chennai consulate website is really a senseless and insensitive prediction and you are misleading people in this blog.
How come there’s no VISA buletin released for May.Chennai consulate released for the month of May
I checked Mumbai consulate website there is no iterview schedule for the month of may.
Dear Kuwait,
Thats not true. First of all, MDR case number is not PD. MDR case number is assigned by NVC or consulate. The PD can be any date.
The E3 case numbers for May interview in Chennai consulate might fall into following scenarios.
The EB3 AOS(Adjustment of status) candidates in US with current priority date (lets wait for visa bulletin for current priority dates) using Attorney certified I- 140 (AC I- 140) to get faster green card through consular processing.
Another scenario is spouses of EB3 AOS candidates in US who opted for consular processing.
If you see the interview schedule of previous months in Chennai consulate you can see atleast 5 – 10 EB3 candidates always.
If visa bulleting becomes current, there will hundreds of E3 numbers for interview. Check the interview schedule of 2007 July from the archieves.
If you have any other good source which made you tell that visa bulletin will become current, then kindly share.
Dear Kuwait,
Thats not true. First of all, MDR case number is not PD. MDR case number is assigned by NVC or consulate. The PD can be any date.
The E3 case numbers for May interview in Chennai consulate might fall into following scenarios.
The EB3 AOS(Adjustment of status) candidates in US with current priority date (lets wait for visa bulletin for current priority dates) using Attorney certified I- 140 (AC I- 140) to get faster green card through consular processing.
Another scenario is spouses of EB3 AOS candidates in US who opted for consular processing.
If you see the interview schedule of previous months in Chennai consulate you can see atleast 5 – 10 EB3 candidates always.
If visa bulleting becomes current, there will hundreds of E3 numbers for interview. Check the interview schedule of 2007 July from the archieves.
If you have any other good source which made you tell that visa bulletin will become current, then kindly share.
kuwait, you can actually delete your own comment. clearly you are not doing your homework.
is it a wise decision to work in Canada while waiting for my PD to be current? your reponse is highly appreciated.. tnx
Hi Breech,
What is your PD?
If you cannot wait for your PD to be current then go ahead with your application in Canada, But they said that you still need to take the Board exam in Canada, and it takes a year to process the papers.
The decision is yours to make, if you are financially stable then I suggest you wait for your PD to be current, if your PD is 2007 then you apply in canada, if 2006 then just wait….
Think wisely…
Goodluck and Godbless
Dear Kumar,
May be you can first delete your own following comment, since you too not doing your home work.
” kumar said…
thomas, i do think the reason is that chennai cannot handle the interviewes alone on april that is why they extended it till may.”
Chennai consulate or for that matter no consulate extend the interviews. Interviews happen on the specific date and time.
The interview schedule for May that you see on the Chennai consulate website is according to the April visa bulletin, which I agree is not published yet by DOS.
Usually chennai consulate publishes next month interview schedule one or two days in advance of Visa bulletin, because they get an advance copy of visa bulletin from DOS and accordingly schedule the interviews.
We unfortunate souls come to know the visa bulletin only when DOS publishes it officially. So the good news is official visa bulletin will be published soon.
No body is a perfect here, including me. We are here to learn and share. Its really rude to comment, to delete the post, that you can understand now when I commented the same on your post.
God bless all of us.
Dear Kumar,
May be you can first delete your own following comment, since you too not doing your home work.
” kumar said…
thomas, i do think the reason is that chennai cannot handle the interviewes alone on april that is why they extended it till may.”
Chennai consulate or for that matter no consulate extend the interviews. Interviews happen on the specific date and time.
The interview schedule for May that you see on the Chennai consulate website is according to the April visa bulletin, which I agree is not published yet by DOS.
Usually chennai consulate publishes next month interview schedule one or two days in advance of Visa bulletin, because they get an advance copy of visa bulletin from DOS and accordingly schedule the interviews.
We unfortunate souls come to know the visa bulletin only when DOS publishes it officially. So the good news is official visa bulletin will be published soon.
No body is a perfect here, including me. We are here to learn and share. Its really rude to comment, to delete the post, that you can understand now when I commented the same on your post.
God bless all of us.
Dear Kumar,
I mistakenly wrote April Visa bulletin instead of May Visa bulletin.
Kindly ready April visa bulletin as May visa bulletin.
Thank you.
Dear Kumar,
I mistakenly wrote April Visa bulletin instead of May Visa bulletin.
Kindly ready April visa bulletin as May visa bulletin.
Thank you.
hi leen!
My pd is on June 2007, I’m now eligible to take the CRNE in Canada. my papers were assessed by CRNBC in less than 3 mos. My plans in going there is thru working visa that has a timeframe of less than a year processing..
tnx!
abilash, i stand corrected so i deleted my comment. how about you? the guy himself has requested to delete his own comment. anyways, this blog is not for being rude or not but for healthcare professionals who wants to get the correct and true updates regarding visa matters. be objective.
Hi LEEN/other Guys with some ideas
With the priority date at the end of July 2006 AD from ROW(Rest of the world)will get immigration visa in this fiscal years?????
You predicted further movement of visas for EB-3 in coming months.
leen said…
Hi Breech,
What is your PD?
If you cannot wait for your PD to be current then go ahead with your application in Canada, But they said that you still need to take the Board exam in Canada, and it takes a year to process the papers.
The decision is yours to make, if you are financially stable then I suggest you wait for your PD to be current, if your PD is 2007 then you apply in canada, if 2006 then just wait….
Think wisely…
Goodluck and Godbless
Eda moneeeeeee Kumar…aaaaaa,
Mundadirikkada,, Allenkil ninne Amerikkaku Vidilla. I am very poor in english grammer.Kumaran valiya Sir allle.
Another immigration bill introduced yesterday. Should be another pro H1B bill.
S.2839
Title: A bill to provide emergency relief for United States businesses and industries currently employing temporary foreign workers and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Cornyn, John [TX] (introduced 4/10/2008)
Text not yet available, it maybe the 3rd pro H1B bill introduced over the last couple of months. So H1B workers, physicians, athletes, religious workers, H2B workers all in the news yet nothing about Schedule A. I guess HLG’s next post will just be about the May Visa Bulletin.
May 08 VB published at India Consulate! E3 India – Nov 2001
E3 ROW – March 2006
Hoping E3 Phil is the same as E3 ROW as per previous VBs.
But most probably it is!!!
Hi to All,
Let’s just admit it HLG and the other law firms are not doing anything for real to help for the cause of Schedule A. They are all just riding on the issue…
E3 Philippines is just lucky to be on track…does HLG is saying that this is their effort…NO definitely its not…
We at the E3 Philippines are sad for the slow paced of E3 India. Those who are in line are also human that needs to be treated fairly and has dream that needs to be fulfilled…
If only HLG/Chris has a conscience…and If only they are really doing the lobbying effort squarely…we will never reach this kind of point…Admit it HLG…you are only for money…
Sorry for the words…truth hurts!!!!
Hi potential,
It’s just my hints, as Bolog said in India Consulate already published EB3 Row March 2006, so we need to stay positive….
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.
com/Bill_in_US_over_illegal_
Indian_migrants/articleshow/
2944197.cms
Hi Guys,
It seems likely that Phil EB3 is march 2006
, Congrats in Advance to those with same PD’s…….anyway I’m excited for all of you and I’ll keep my finger cross for the meantime, waiting for the NVC to post the VB…
Goodluck.
MAY 2008 VISA BULLETIN:
Employment-Based:
India: EB-1=C, EB-2=01/01/2004, EB-3=11/01/2001, EW=01/01/2003, EB-4=C
ROW: EB-1=C, EB-2=C, EB-3=03/01/2006, EW=01/01/2003, EB-4=C
http://www.immigration-law.com/
i guess many will be happy if eb3 would reach mar 2006.. again goodluck everybody..
let’s hope for the best
its for real!!!!!may 2008 visa bulletin is out..
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_4205.html
congratulations for the current pd’s.. told you guys, its worth waiting for.. for the rest, patience is a true virtue.. God Bless..:-)