Libra
06-25 11:36 AM
I am paying for my whole GC process, from the labor to 485, my employer JUST supports me
wallpaper 2011 Subaru forester 2.0X
javadeveloper
10-21 10:54 PM
140 APPROVED.
In addition to the first RFE as above,i received one more RFE.In the second RFE they mentioned that education and experience satisfies labour,but wanted more documents from company to prove A2P.Company sent tax returns and got the approval in 6 days.Yet to receive the notice.
Good luck to all waiting for approval.
Congrats!!!Any Idea about minimum salary requirement for Eb2 position?
In addition to the first RFE as above,i received one more RFE.In the second RFE they mentioned that education and experience satisfies labour,but wanted more documents from company to prove A2P.Company sent tax returns and got the approval in 6 days.Yet to receive the notice.
Good luck to all waiting for approval.
Congrats!!!Any Idea about minimum salary requirement for Eb2 position?
Kitiara
10-17 05:22 AM
You like my drawing? Thank you very much. :) I'm not much cop at the fantastic Photoshop stuff - a lot of these guys seem to be able to do them blindfold (Eilsoe, Edwin, I'm talking about you here :) ). I tend to stick more to line art. I did write a tutorial on how to do it for kirupa.com. It's buried under Flash MX - Special Effects - Line Art or something similar. It's cheating really, as I draw by hand first, scan in then trace in Flash. But sometimes you can get really nice effects.
I'm about to try playing around with Fireworks now for those animations. Stupid of me really, I've got it here on my PC, but I never thought of using it. Duh... Fingers crossed it'll work out. As far as I can tell, it's Imageready that's bumping up the file size...
I'm about to try playing around with Fireworks now for those animations. Stupid of me really, I've got it here on my PC, but I never thought of using it. Duh... Fingers crossed it'll work out. As far as I can tell, it's Imageready that's bumping up the file size...
2011 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X
mbawa2574
07-17 06:36 PM
This is supposed to be authentic
more...
skakodker
07-05 01:14 PM
Our current immigration problems are a great reason to unite, to strive to achieve a worthwhile goal. Sure we're facing challenges but, in my opinion, we have a lot to be grateful for. One has only to read the aforementioned CNN article to see just how tough life can be when it chooses to be. My green card problems (only mine, not yours) certainly seem trivial compared to the lifetime of pain life has visited upon those women. Read it-say a prayer for those less fortunate souls-and then resume the struggle with renewed determination.
We will prevail.
CNN is asking us to fix our(India) country first before asking for justice in this(USA) country..............
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/07/05/damon.india.widows/index.html
that is what CNN is doing now.........
We will prevail.
CNN is asking us to fix our(India) country first before asking for justice in this(USA) country..............
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/07/05/damon.india.widows/index.html
that is what CNN is doing now.........
bbenhill
10-07 09:32 PM
Hi, thank u all for the reply .. I will go ahead and go for my vac ..
i guess I am worrying too much ... :-)
i guess I am worrying too much ... :-)
more...
myvoice23
08-11 11:02 PM
It would be great if any one's I485 got approved while their Name Check is Pending?
My I-485 got approved on Aug 7th 2008 from NSC. As far as i know my name check was pending during approval time.
My I-485 got approved on Aug 7th 2008 from NSC. As far as i know my name check was pending during approval time.
2010 2010 Subaru Forester S Edition
reddymjm
02-10 04:05 PM
Guys --
I got 485 Card production order and welcome notice email yesterday . I am assuming that means I got PR . my company has filed for H1 -B extension last week itself . what will happen to that extension , do we need to revoke/withdraw that petition ?
has anyone being in this situation ?
Thanks,
gandalf
Erase the letters H1B from your memory.
I got 485 Card production order and welcome notice email yesterday . I am assuming that means I got PR . my company has filed for H1 -B extension last week itself . what will happen to that extension , do we need to revoke/withdraw that petition ?
has anyone being in this situation ?
Thanks,
gandalf
Erase the letters H1B from your memory.
more...
gcpain
05-19 01:42 PM
Do you thing is it good idea to go for info-pass for enquiry? same time any advice for following question?
2. Processing dates for TSC-I485 shows Aug 08, 2007. Is this date recevied date or I485-Notice date?
2. Processing dates for TSC-I485 shows Aug 08, 2007. Is this date recevied date or I485-Notice date?
hair 2011 Subaru Forester XT
ruchigup
06-02 01:49 PM
I know it is overwhelming, when we get email from USCIS about RFE. But be patient it is generally for employment verification, birth certificate, medicals etc. If there is one for spouse it could be for marriage verification.
You need to wait at least 7 days before you should call to check with them. But 7 days is fair time, and 80% (no data backing) of letters are received by then.
You need to wait at least 7 days before you should call to check with them. But 7 days is fair time, and 80% (no data backing) of letters are received by then.
more...
milind70
07-26 09:45 AM
Just noticed that my lawyer has attached marriage certificate of my co-worker in the dependendent's petition. I am waiting for the receipt.
What are the impacts of this mistake? To compound the issue, my wife is flying out next week for a month to India.
Gurus any answers on this is deeply appreciated.
I am pretty sure there could be an RFE or explanation for such kinds of goof ups . I am also sure such goof ups by attorneys are not the first time USCIS must have expierienced ,so they will understand. High volume filings can lead to errors/mistakes
What are the impacts of this mistake? To compound the issue, my wife is flying out next week for a month to India.
Gurus any answers on this is deeply appreciated.
I am pretty sure there could be an RFE or explanation for such kinds of goof ups . I am also sure such goof ups by attorneys are not the first time USCIS must have expierienced ,so they will understand. High volume filings can lead to errors/mistakes
hot Photo: 2011 Subaru Forester
optimystic
11-04 07:32 PM
From 1998 - till date, How many times EB3 priority dates were made current
Since nobody attempted to answer your question, let me give a try.
The answer depends on what is the EB3-PD ? If someone (like me) had a PD of 2001 , then it would have become current more than a couple of times. Just in the last two years my PD became current thrice (including July Fiasco), and am still waiting for my approval.
But if you are asking how many times did EVERYONE became current, then possibly only once (The July '07 fiasco). I can tell this for sure since 2000. I am not aware of any info before that year.
Since nobody attempted to answer your question, let me give a try.
The answer depends on what is the EB3-PD ? If someone (like me) had a PD of 2001 , then it would have become current more than a couple of times. Just in the last two years my PD became current thrice (including July Fiasco), and am still waiting for my approval.
But if you are asking how many times did EVERYONE became current, then possibly only once (The July '07 fiasco). I can tell this for sure since 2000. I am not aware of any info before that year.
more...
house 2004 Subaru Forester XT
me_myself
03-05 01:03 PM
Yes, i will be working in Indian subsidiary for my current employer.
If i am away for 1 year is there a risk of my h1 getting revoked?
If i am away for 1 year is there a risk of my h1 getting revoked?
tattoo usual for the Forester XT.
dearscorpius
11-27 11:07 PM
Thanks for your reply. Since I won't be working for Company A, so I have to tell them the situation. If Company A is willing to keep my H1B with them active, until Company B gets my H1B approved, you think that will be OK for me?
I am not sure, I can use a H1B transfer, from Company A to Company B, since I never work for Company A, so I do not have a pay check from Company A. Would this be an obstacle for me to transfer my H1B from Company A to B?
I appreciate your help!
You can have multiple H1B. If I were you, I wouldnt tell anything to the company A at this juncture.
I am not sure, I can use a H1B transfer, from Company A to Company B, since I never work for Company A, so I do not have a pay check from Company A. Would this be an obstacle for me to transfer my H1B from Company A to B?
I appreciate your help!
You can have multiple H1B. If I were you, I wouldnt tell anything to the company A at this juncture.
more...
pictures 2008 Subaru Forester Xt Sport
JunRN
12-17 06:25 PM
Please state your case such as PD, I-140 approval, previous visas such as H1, F1, etc before we can comment.
dresses 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X
<--JAX-->
05-04 04:58 AM
they were all excellent :tie:
*jax wishes he could do stuff as good as that*
but in the end cybergolds shinyness won it for me
:) :) :)
*jax wishes he could do stuff as good as that*
but in the end cybergolds shinyness won it for me
:) :) :)
more...
makeup 2011 Subaru Forester features
ngopikrishnan
04-06 08:09 AM
sunil68: FYI, my company used the A# from I-140 approval on Form I-129 and that's what was quoted in the H1B approval notice.
Following are some references. Unfortunately I couldn't find the cover letter my company had sent to the USCIS. However I do remember it was a simple cover letter refering to all of the following and attached the print outs of Pearson and Aytes memos. Hope this helps.
3 Year Extension Statute under AC21 �104(c)
�104(c) One-Time Protection Under Per Country Ceiling.
Nothwithstanding section 214(g)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 USC 1184(g)(4)), any alien who–
1. is the beneficiary of a petition filed under section 204(a) of that Act for a preference status under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 203(b) of that Act; and
2. is eligible to be granted that status but for application of the per country limitation applicable to immigrants under those paragraphs may apply for, and the Attorney General may grant, an extension of such nonimmigrant status until the alien’s application for adjustment of status has been processed and a decision is made theron.
may apply for, and the Attorney General may grant, an extension of such nonimmigrant status until the alien’s application for adjustment of status has been processed and a decision is made theron.
USCIS Guidance Memo - AC21 �104(c) - from Pearson Memo, June 19, 2001:
The AC21 104(c) enables H-1B nonimmigrants with approved I-140 petitions who are unable to adjust status because of per-country limits to be eligible to extend their H-1B nonimmigrant status until their application for adjustment of status has been adjudicated. An H-1B nonimmigrant is eligible for this benefit even if he or she has exhausted the maximum 6-year period of authorized stay for H-1B nonimmigrants under 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(4), INA 214(g)(4). The statute states that the beneficiary must:
(a) have a petition filed on his or her behalf for a preference status under INA 203(b)(1), (2), or (3) (an employment based (”EB”) petition); and (b) be eligible to be granted that status except for the per-country limitations.
Any H-1B nonimmigrant who meets the statutory requirements above may be approved as the beneficiary of a request for an extension of H-1B nonimmigrant status until a decision is made on the nonimmigrant’s application for adjustment of status.
1. Procedure for processing “one-time protection” benefits
In order for a nonimmigrant to obtain an extension of H-1B nonimmigrant status under AC21 104(c), a petitioner must file a Form I- 129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the appropriate signature, fees, and supporting documentation on behalf of the nonimmigrant. Existing guidelines in the instructions to the Form I-129W, “H-1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption” for payment of the $1,000 H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account Fee shall be followed. For example, if the petitioner is a nonprofit research organization or the petition is a second or subsequent request for extension of stay filed by that petitioner on behalf of that beneficiary, the petitioner is exempt from payment of the $1,000 H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account Fee. If the petition and request for extension of stay are otherwise approvable, adjudicating officers shall not deny a petition because the nonimmigrant has exhausted the maximum 6-year limit provided for by INA 214(g)(4). Extensions of stay under AC21 104(c) shall be made in increments of three years.
The status of a dependent of an H-1B nonimmigrant is derivative of and linked to the status of the principal H-1B nonimmigrant. Therefore, dependents are eligible for H-4 status upon the filing of an H-1B petition on behalf of the principal alien and the filing of a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with filing fee and all necessary supporting documentation for the dependent. Dependents should be advised to file the Form I-539 concurrently, whenever possible, with the H-1B petition filed on behalf of the principal H-1B nonimmigrant.
Aytes memo - Dec 27, 2005 and refer to the questions in section 3 on page 7.
III. Q & A ON PROCESSING OF H-1B PETITIONS UNDER THE “ONE-TIME PROTECTION UNDER PER COUNTRY CEILING” PROVISION OF �104(C) ALLOWING EXTENSION PAST THE H-1B 6-YEAR LIMIT
Question 1. Must an alien be the beneficiary of an approved I-140 petition in order to qualify for extension of H-1B status beyond the 6-year limit based on �104(c) of AC21?
Answer: Yes. Consistent with prior USCIS guidance on this subject, an approved I-140 petition is required in order for an alien to qualify for an extension of H-1B status beyond the 6-year limit under � 104(c).
Question 2. If an alien qualifies for an extension past the H-1B 6-year limit under �104(c), may an extension be granted for a period of up to three years?
Answer: Yes, provided all other H-1B statutory and regulatory requirements are met (e.g., the petition must request three years, and include a Labor Condition Application covering such period).
Question 3. If an alien qualifies for an extension past the H-1B 6-year limit under �104(c), may more than one extension be granted?
Answer: Yes. USCIS recognizes that in some cases, because of per country visa limitations, it may take more than three years for the alien to be eligible to adjust. Thus, despite the reference to a “onetime protection” a qualifying alien may be granted more than one extension under this provision.
P.S.
1) Pearson memo: http://www.murthaimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/ac21_pearsonmemo_06192001.pdf
2) Aytes memo: http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/AC21Intrm122705.pdf
Please take the above info with a grain of salt and consult your lawyer!!!
Following are some references. Unfortunately I couldn't find the cover letter my company had sent to the USCIS. However I do remember it was a simple cover letter refering to all of the following and attached the print outs of Pearson and Aytes memos. Hope this helps.
3 Year Extension Statute under AC21 �104(c)
�104(c) One-Time Protection Under Per Country Ceiling.
Nothwithstanding section 214(g)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 USC 1184(g)(4)), any alien who–
1. is the beneficiary of a petition filed under section 204(a) of that Act for a preference status under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 203(b) of that Act; and
2. is eligible to be granted that status but for application of the per country limitation applicable to immigrants under those paragraphs may apply for, and the Attorney General may grant, an extension of such nonimmigrant status until the alien’s application for adjustment of status has been processed and a decision is made theron.
may apply for, and the Attorney General may grant, an extension of such nonimmigrant status until the alien’s application for adjustment of status has been processed and a decision is made theron.
USCIS Guidance Memo - AC21 �104(c) - from Pearson Memo, June 19, 2001:
The AC21 104(c) enables H-1B nonimmigrants with approved I-140 petitions who are unable to adjust status because of per-country limits to be eligible to extend their H-1B nonimmigrant status until their application for adjustment of status has been adjudicated. An H-1B nonimmigrant is eligible for this benefit even if he or she has exhausted the maximum 6-year period of authorized stay for H-1B nonimmigrants under 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(4), INA 214(g)(4). The statute states that the beneficiary must:
(a) have a petition filed on his or her behalf for a preference status under INA 203(b)(1), (2), or (3) (an employment based (”EB”) petition); and (b) be eligible to be granted that status except for the per-country limitations.
Any H-1B nonimmigrant who meets the statutory requirements above may be approved as the beneficiary of a request for an extension of H-1B nonimmigrant status until a decision is made on the nonimmigrant’s application for adjustment of status.
1. Procedure for processing “one-time protection” benefits
In order for a nonimmigrant to obtain an extension of H-1B nonimmigrant status under AC21 104(c), a petitioner must file a Form I- 129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the appropriate signature, fees, and supporting documentation on behalf of the nonimmigrant. Existing guidelines in the instructions to the Form I-129W, “H-1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption” for payment of the $1,000 H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account Fee shall be followed. For example, if the petitioner is a nonprofit research organization or the petition is a second or subsequent request for extension of stay filed by that petitioner on behalf of that beneficiary, the petitioner is exempt from payment of the $1,000 H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account Fee. If the petition and request for extension of stay are otherwise approvable, adjudicating officers shall not deny a petition because the nonimmigrant has exhausted the maximum 6-year limit provided for by INA 214(g)(4). Extensions of stay under AC21 104(c) shall be made in increments of three years.
The status of a dependent of an H-1B nonimmigrant is derivative of and linked to the status of the principal H-1B nonimmigrant. Therefore, dependents are eligible for H-4 status upon the filing of an H-1B petition on behalf of the principal alien and the filing of a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with filing fee and all necessary supporting documentation for the dependent. Dependents should be advised to file the Form I-539 concurrently, whenever possible, with the H-1B petition filed on behalf of the principal H-1B nonimmigrant.
Aytes memo - Dec 27, 2005 and refer to the questions in section 3 on page 7.
III. Q & A ON PROCESSING OF H-1B PETITIONS UNDER THE “ONE-TIME PROTECTION UNDER PER COUNTRY CEILING” PROVISION OF �104(C) ALLOWING EXTENSION PAST THE H-1B 6-YEAR LIMIT
Question 1. Must an alien be the beneficiary of an approved I-140 petition in order to qualify for extension of H-1B status beyond the 6-year limit based on �104(c) of AC21?
Answer: Yes. Consistent with prior USCIS guidance on this subject, an approved I-140 petition is required in order for an alien to qualify for an extension of H-1B status beyond the 6-year limit under � 104(c).
Question 2. If an alien qualifies for an extension past the H-1B 6-year limit under �104(c), may an extension be granted for a period of up to three years?
Answer: Yes, provided all other H-1B statutory and regulatory requirements are met (e.g., the petition must request three years, and include a Labor Condition Application covering such period).
Question 3. If an alien qualifies for an extension past the H-1B 6-year limit under �104(c), may more than one extension be granted?
Answer: Yes. USCIS recognizes that in some cases, because of per country visa limitations, it may take more than three years for the alien to be eligible to adjust. Thus, despite the reference to a “onetime protection” a qualifying alien may be granted more than one extension under this provision.
P.S.
1) Pearson memo: http://www.murthaimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/ac21_pearsonmemo_06192001.pdf
2) Aytes memo: http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/AC21Intrm122705.pdf
Please take the above info with a grain of salt and consult your lawyer!!!
girlfriend 2011 Subaru Forester
gcpain
05-19 01:31 PM
Hello All,
My I485 was filed at TSC and received date is July 26,2007 and notice date is sept 19,2007. MY EAD and AP and other finger prints are done after two months of filed. My priority date (Jun10, 2003) is current for last two months and it is going to retogress after this month end.There is no update for I485 for me and my wife. Now processing times for TSC shows they are working on Aug 08, 2007 filers. In this case cane youguys advice me on following things?
1. Is it good to take Info pass appointment and go for office before end of this month (as it is going to retrogress) and find out status? Before info pass do i need to get any other enquiry?
2. Processing dates for TSC-I485 shows Aug 08, 2007. Is this date recevied date or I485-Notice date?
3.Does Info-pass enquiry cause any negative effects on my I485 processing?
4. Any other guys in the same boat and what you guys are doing?
I really appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance for your good work.
My I485 was filed at TSC and received date is July 26,2007 and notice date is sept 19,2007. MY EAD and AP and other finger prints are done after two months of filed. My priority date (Jun10, 2003) is current for last two months and it is going to retogress after this month end.There is no update for I485 for me and my wife. Now processing times for TSC shows they are working on Aug 08, 2007 filers. In this case cane youguys advice me on following things?
1. Is it good to take Info pass appointment and go for office before end of this month (as it is going to retrogress) and find out status? Before info pass do i need to get any other enquiry?
2. Processing dates for TSC-I485 shows Aug 08, 2007. Is this date recevied date or I485-Notice date?
3.Does Info-pass enquiry cause any negative effects on my I485 processing?
4. Any other guys in the same boat and what you guys are doing?
I really appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance for your good work.
hairstyles 2011 Subaru Forester Review 08
learning01
02-23 03:06 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/22/AR2006022202446_pf.html
Scientist's Visa Denial Sparks Outrage in India
By Shankar Vedantam
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 23, 2006; A01
A decision two weeks ago by a U.S. consulate in India to refuse a visa to a prominent Indian scientist has triggered heated protests in that country and set off a major diplomatic flap on the eve of President Bush's first visit to India.
The incident has also caused embarrassment at the highest reaches of the American scientific establishment, which has worked to get the State Department to issue a visa to Goverdhan Mehta, who said the U.S. consulate in the south Indian city of Chennai told him that his expertise in chemistry was deemed a threat.
In the face of outrage in India, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi issued a highly unusual statement of regret, and yesterday the State Department said officials are reaching out to the scientist to resolve his case.
"It is very strange logic," said Mehta, reached at his home in Bangalore early this morning India time. "Someone is insulted and hurt and you ask him to come back a second round."
The consulate told Mehta "you have been denied a visa" and invited him to submit additional information, according to an official at the National Academy of Sciences who saw a copy of the document. Mehta said in a written account obtained by The Washington Post that he was humiliated, accused of "hiding things" and being dishonest, and told that his work is dangerous because of its potential applications in chemical warfare.
Mehta denied that his work has anything to do with weapons. He said that he would provide his passport if a visa were issued, but that he would do nothing further to obtain the document: "If they don't want to give me a visa, so be it."
The scientist told Indian newspapers that his dealing with the U.S. consulate was "the most degrading experience of my life." Mehta is president of the International Council for Science, a Paris-based organization comprising the national scientific academies of a number of countries. The council advocates that scientists should have free access to one another.
Visa rejections or delays for foreign academics after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks have led to widespread complaints by U.S universities and scientific organizations, but the new incident comes when things are improving, said Wendy White, director of the Board of International Scientific Organizations. The board was set up by the National Academy of Sciences and has helped about 3,000 scientists affected by the new policies.
"This leaves a terrible impression of the United States," said White, who has seen a copy of the consulate's form letter to Mehta. In an interview yesterday, she added that top scientists had worked with senior State Department officials to reverse the decision before Bush's visit next week. "We want people to know the U.S. is an open and welcoming country."
Mehta's case has especially angered Indians because he was a director of the Indian Institute of Science and is a science adviser to India's prime minister. He has visited the United States "dozens of times," he said, and the University of Florida in Gainesville had invited him to lecture at an international conference.
State Department spokesman Justin Higgins denied yesterday that the United States had rejected Mehta's visa and said the consulate had merely followed standard procedure in dealing with applicants with certain kinds of scientific expertise.
In his written account, the scientist said that after traveling 200 miles, waiting three hours with his wife for an interview and being accused of deception, he was outraged when his accounts of his research were questioned and he was told he needed to fill out a detailed questionnaire.
"I indicated that I have no desire to subject myself to any further humiliation and asked that our passports be returned forthwith," he wrote. The consular official, Mehta added, "stamped the passports to indicate visa refusal and returned them."
Higgins declined to address why the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi had taken the unusual step of saying it "regrets" that Mehta was "upset by the visa interview process."
In its statement, the embassy said: "At the United States mission in India, and to varying degrees at every U.S. mission worldwide, certain cases involving high technology issues are among those that require review before consular officers in the field are authorized to issue a visa."
White said that issuing a visa would solve the immediate problem, but that it would be more difficult to undo the damage caused by the dispute. Mehta is a high-profile example of the hurdles imposed by the new visa procedures. They require all applicants to appear in person for interviews that are done in only a few locations in large countries such as India, White said.
"If you tell an American, 'If you want a visa to go to India, you have to go to Dallas, Chicago, L.A. or New York, and while you are there, you are going to be fingerprinted, photographed and asked about everything you have done in your research for the last 40 years,' we would find this procedure untenable as Americans," she said.
Mehta said in his written account that he had been invited by the University of Florida, where he has previously been a distinguished visiting professor. White said she expected the International Council for Science, also known as the ICSU, to issue a statement today about the case involving its president.
White and William Wulf, president of the National Academy of Engineering, acknowledged that young American consular officers in foreign countries have been under tremendous pressure since the Sept. 11 attacks.
"Making the wrong decision would be career-ending, so they play it safe, not really understanding the macroscopic implications of their decision," Wulf said. "Denying a visa to the president of ICSU is probably as dumb as you can get. This is not the way we can make friends."
�*2006*The Washington Post Company
Scientist's Visa Denial Sparks Outrage in India
By Shankar Vedantam
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 23, 2006; A01
A decision two weeks ago by a U.S. consulate in India to refuse a visa to a prominent Indian scientist has triggered heated protests in that country and set off a major diplomatic flap on the eve of President Bush's first visit to India.
The incident has also caused embarrassment at the highest reaches of the American scientific establishment, which has worked to get the State Department to issue a visa to Goverdhan Mehta, who said the U.S. consulate in the south Indian city of Chennai told him that his expertise in chemistry was deemed a threat.
In the face of outrage in India, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi issued a highly unusual statement of regret, and yesterday the State Department said officials are reaching out to the scientist to resolve his case.
"It is very strange logic," said Mehta, reached at his home in Bangalore early this morning India time. "Someone is insulted and hurt and you ask him to come back a second round."
The consulate told Mehta "you have been denied a visa" and invited him to submit additional information, according to an official at the National Academy of Sciences who saw a copy of the document. Mehta said in a written account obtained by The Washington Post that he was humiliated, accused of "hiding things" and being dishonest, and told that his work is dangerous because of its potential applications in chemical warfare.
Mehta denied that his work has anything to do with weapons. He said that he would provide his passport if a visa were issued, but that he would do nothing further to obtain the document: "If they don't want to give me a visa, so be it."
The scientist told Indian newspapers that his dealing with the U.S. consulate was "the most degrading experience of my life." Mehta is president of the International Council for Science, a Paris-based organization comprising the national scientific academies of a number of countries. The council advocates that scientists should have free access to one another.
Visa rejections or delays for foreign academics after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks have led to widespread complaints by U.S universities and scientific organizations, but the new incident comes when things are improving, said Wendy White, director of the Board of International Scientific Organizations. The board was set up by the National Academy of Sciences and has helped about 3,000 scientists affected by the new policies.
"This leaves a terrible impression of the United States," said White, who has seen a copy of the consulate's form letter to Mehta. In an interview yesterday, she added that top scientists had worked with senior State Department officials to reverse the decision before Bush's visit next week. "We want people to know the U.S. is an open and welcoming country."
Mehta's case has especially angered Indians because he was a director of the Indian Institute of Science and is a science adviser to India's prime minister. He has visited the United States "dozens of times," he said, and the University of Florida in Gainesville had invited him to lecture at an international conference.
State Department spokesman Justin Higgins denied yesterday that the United States had rejected Mehta's visa and said the consulate had merely followed standard procedure in dealing with applicants with certain kinds of scientific expertise.
In his written account, the scientist said that after traveling 200 miles, waiting three hours with his wife for an interview and being accused of deception, he was outraged when his accounts of his research were questioned and he was told he needed to fill out a detailed questionnaire.
"I indicated that I have no desire to subject myself to any further humiliation and asked that our passports be returned forthwith," he wrote. The consular official, Mehta added, "stamped the passports to indicate visa refusal and returned them."
Higgins declined to address why the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi had taken the unusual step of saying it "regrets" that Mehta was "upset by the visa interview process."
In its statement, the embassy said: "At the United States mission in India, and to varying degrees at every U.S. mission worldwide, certain cases involving high technology issues are among those that require review before consular officers in the field are authorized to issue a visa."
White said that issuing a visa would solve the immediate problem, but that it would be more difficult to undo the damage caused by the dispute. Mehta is a high-profile example of the hurdles imposed by the new visa procedures. They require all applicants to appear in person for interviews that are done in only a few locations in large countries such as India, White said.
"If you tell an American, 'If you want a visa to go to India, you have to go to Dallas, Chicago, L.A. or New York, and while you are there, you are going to be fingerprinted, photographed and asked about everything you have done in your research for the last 40 years,' we would find this procedure untenable as Americans," she said.
Mehta said in his written account that he had been invited by the University of Florida, where he has previously been a distinguished visiting professor. White said she expected the International Council for Science, also known as the ICSU, to issue a statement today about the case involving its president.
White and William Wulf, president of the National Academy of Engineering, acknowledged that young American consular officers in foreign countries have been under tremendous pressure since the Sept. 11 attacks.
"Making the wrong decision would be career-ending, so they play it safe, not really understanding the macroscopic implications of their decision," Wulf said. "Denying a visa to the president of ICSU is probably as dumb as you can get. This is not the way we can make friends."
�*2006*The Washington Post Company
sumanitha
12-16 06:53 PM
Not to question you or something, my understanding is that, you can file a 7th year extn based on I-140 .. Has the rule changed?
File an H-1B extension while the PERM appeal is pending, asking for one year extension beyond the 6th year. It will be approved with proof of the pending appeal. Then, file a prepare a new PERM filing, withdraw the appeal, and file the new PERM case. With LUCK, you will be able to get the PERM approved and Premium Processed the I-140 before the termination of the 7th year H-1B.
Best regards,
Charles
File an H-1B extension while the PERM appeal is pending, asking for one year extension beyond the 6th year. It will be approved with proof of the pending appeal. Then, file a prepare a new PERM filing, withdraw the appeal, and file the new PERM case. With LUCK, you will be able to get the PERM approved and Premium Processed the I-140 before the termination of the 7th year H-1B.
Best regards,
Charles
needGCcool
08-08 06:56 PM
I also have receipt numbers beginning with WAC and filed in NSC. I was able to open a SR last month for self and spouse. During my infopass apt, the IO suggested that I could also open a SR by calling USCIS if I believe my case is not being processed within their window.
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