beautifulMind
08-24 12:40 PM
Fragomen Client Alert (08/06/09) - USCIS Expands Employer Site Visit Program (http://www.worldwideerc.org/Resources/Immigration/Documents/fragomen-20090806.html)
August 6, 2009
USCIS Expands Employer Site Visit Program __________________________________________________ _______
Executive Summary
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expanding its unannounced visits to the worksites of employers that sponsor foreign workers. USCIS uses site visits to verify the information in an immigration petition submitted by the employer and to make sure that sponsored workers are complying with the terms of their admission to the United States.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expanding its site visits to employers that sponsor foreign workers. The site visits, which are conducted by USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) unit, are usually conducted without notice. They are used to verify the existence of the employer, the information the employer has provided in immigration petitions, and whether sponsored foreign nationals are working in compliance with the terms of their admission to the United States. If your company is contacted by an FDNS officer, you should call your designated Fragomen professional immediately to discuss options, including the possibility of having counsel present during a site visit.
Though the FDNS unit has conducted employer site visits for several years, it has recently begun to add more staff and broaden its investigative efforts. In the past, site visits usually pertained to already-approved immigration petitions. However, under the expanded program, the agency is more frequently using site visits to verify information in petitions that are pending with USCIS. USCIS could use information obtained during a site visit to decide whether or not to approve a petition. In submitting petitions for immigration benefits, employers subject themselves to reasonable inquiries from the government. Therefore, it is crucial that employers make efforts to cooperate with FDNS officers. A failure to cooperate could jeopardize an employer's pending petitions and its ability to participate in U.S.
immigration programs.
Typically, an FDNS officer will make an unannounced appearance at the petitioning employer's worksite, though occasionally an officer may call the company in advance to notify it of an impending visit. During the site visit, the officer may ask to speak to an employer representative, such as a human resources manager, and may also ask to meet with a sponsored foreign worker. Usually, the officer will have a copy of a specific immigration petition and will seek interviews to verify the information in the petition.
During site visits, FDNS officers typically work from a standard list of questions. Officers commonly ask about the employer's business; the worksite; the number of employees; whether the employer filed the immigration petition in question; whether the foreign national is actually employed by the employer; the foreign national's position, job duties and salary; and the foreign national's qualifications for the position, educational background, previous employment and immigration history, residence and dependents in the United States. The officer may also ask about the employer's overall use of specific immigration programs. In addition to conducting interviews, the FDNS officer may ask to tour the employer's premises or examine the foreign national's work area, and may also request payroll records and other documentation pertaining to the foreign national's employment.
Fragomen is closely monitoring the FDNS site visit program and will issue additional information as we discern investigation trends. If you have any questions about this alert, please contact the Fragomen professional with whom you usually work.
Copyright 2009 by Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
Fragomen Immigration Alerts
August 6, 2009
USCIS Expands Employer Site Visit Program __________________________________________________ _______
Executive Summary
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expanding its unannounced visits to the worksites of employers that sponsor foreign workers. USCIS uses site visits to verify the information in an immigration petition submitted by the employer and to make sure that sponsored workers are complying with the terms of their admission to the United States.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expanding its site visits to employers that sponsor foreign workers. The site visits, which are conducted by USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) unit, are usually conducted without notice. They are used to verify the existence of the employer, the information the employer has provided in immigration petitions, and whether sponsored foreign nationals are working in compliance with the terms of their admission to the United States. If your company is contacted by an FDNS officer, you should call your designated Fragomen professional immediately to discuss options, including the possibility of having counsel present during a site visit.
Though the FDNS unit has conducted employer site visits for several years, it has recently begun to add more staff and broaden its investigative efforts. In the past, site visits usually pertained to already-approved immigration petitions. However, under the expanded program, the agency is more frequently using site visits to verify information in petitions that are pending with USCIS. USCIS could use information obtained during a site visit to decide whether or not to approve a petition. In submitting petitions for immigration benefits, employers subject themselves to reasonable inquiries from the government. Therefore, it is crucial that employers make efforts to cooperate with FDNS officers. A failure to cooperate could jeopardize an employer's pending petitions and its ability to participate in U.S.
immigration programs.
Typically, an FDNS officer will make an unannounced appearance at the petitioning employer's worksite, though occasionally an officer may call the company in advance to notify it of an impending visit. During the site visit, the officer may ask to speak to an employer representative, such as a human resources manager, and may also ask to meet with a sponsored foreign worker. Usually, the officer will have a copy of a specific immigration petition and will seek interviews to verify the information in the petition.
During site visits, FDNS officers typically work from a standard list of questions. Officers commonly ask about the employer's business; the worksite; the number of employees; whether the employer filed the immigration petition in question; whether the foreign national is actually employed by the employer; the foreign national's position, job duties and salary; and the foreign national's qualifications for the position, educational background, previous employment and immigration history, residence and dependents in the United States. The officer may also ask about the employer's overall use of specific immigration programs. In addition to conducting interviews, the FDNS officer may ask to tour the employer's premises or examine the foreign national's work area, and may also request payroll records and other documentation pertaining to the foreign national's employment.
Fragomen is closely monitoring the FDNS site visit program and will issue additional information as we discern investigation trends. If you have any questions about this alert, please contact the Fragomen professional with whom you usually work.
Copyright 2009 by Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
Fragomen Immigration Alerts
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nyte_crawler
03-06 02:08 PM
I filed my I485 mid 2003. I missed the boat end of 2004, some where in 2005 and then in 2007 when my dates were current. My pd is in 2002. People who filed with me have been approved and they are ready for citizenship next year :mad:, while I got my 6th EAD approved
Gravitation
12-17 07:39 PM
My Labor was rotting in BEC, and so I moved to another role, and will now have a PD of 2007 as a new labor will be filed, Rest of the world, EB-3......
Got any predictions?????
Mine are 1 year (if legislation goes through), to 12 years (if it does not.)
I won't be that pessimistic about RoW. I'd say 1-3 years even if nothing passes.
Got any predictions?????
Mine are 1 year (if legislation goes through), to 12 years (if it does not.)
I won't be that pessimistic about RoW. I'd say 1-3 years even if nothing passes.
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msr1234
04-16 05:03 PM
Yes, Today morning
more...
mlkedave
03-06 06:37 PM
o and paddy why isn't klabboration in kirupa lab?
factoryman
06-18 12:37 PM
so, my city / state is : Bellingham/ WA
where he I-94 is issued.
where he I-94 is issued.
more...
ivjobs
11-06 06:44 PM
I dont wish to make this a publicity forum for companies or individuals, But it would be heartening to know about other successful entrepreneurs who have been in the similar shoe of this immigration mess. It would be nice if IV members can post their successful ventures in the yahoo group and inspire other members. Please refrain to advertise but feel free to share your experience as an entrepreneur and your successful ventures in the yahoo group.
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deepimpact
09-17 11:35 PM
do we know how much it is for this year?
For FY2010 it was ~ 10K and it was mentioned some time back on USCIS website that the spillover for FY2011 may be similar. But I guess we won't know until an official announcement is made.
For FY2010 it was ~ 10K and it was mentioned some time back on USCIS website that the spillover for FY2011 may be similar. But I guess we won't know until an official announcement is made.
more...
lazycis
12-28 08:22 AM
RFE for I-140
I had applied for I-140 Dec last year(2006) EB3 and was checking for update and found that an RFE has been sent on Dec 12. To whom is RFE sent....My company had done all the paperwork...is it to our company lawyer or me....Please advise
To company lawyer, since company is the petitioner for I-140.
I had applied for I-140 Dec last year(2006) EB3 and was checking for update and found that an RFE has been sent on Dec 12. To whom is RFE sent....My company had done all the paperwork...is it to our company lawyer or me....Please advise
To company lawyer, since company is the petitioner for I-140.
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transpass
08-01 12:42 PM
I am pleasantly surprised and would like to thank Sen Menendez on behalf of all the IV members in his constituency for sponsoring visa recapture bill in Senate. Few days back when we called his office, his position was different. But because of we all calling and requesting for his support, he graciouly has agreed to take up our case. Speaking with his staff, I came to know that more than thousand calls were made to his office in support of the visa recapture bill.
This is just my thinking...
Sen Menendez vigorously supports family based immigration...I watched the failed comprehensive immigration debate on senate floor almost in its entirety. There, he was like a lone warrior arguing against the senators (Like Sessions) who said CIR bill encourages chain migration, etc...He was totally supporting visas that enable family reunions.
hr 5882 supports recapture of lost family based visas along with those of employment based. So no surprise Sen Menendez introduced the senate version of the house bill...And that's good for us...and we will take it...
This is just my thinking...
Sen Menendez vigorously supports family based immigration...I watched the failed comprehensive immigration debate on senate floor almost in its entirety. There, he was like a lone warrior arguing against the senators (Like Sessions) who said CIR bill encourages chain migration, etc...He was totally supporting visas that enable family reunions.
hr 5882 supports recapture of lost family based visas along with those of employment based. So no surprise Sen Menendez introduced the senate version of the house bill...And that's good for us...and we will take it...
more...
binadh
07-12 01:06 PM
May be someone from NY can start calling/writing clintons office. Help us or return that $$$$.
As per this report Indian-Americans raise $2Million. Can we get some help from her to raise our issues?
source: http://www.nysun.com/article/57238
If you think this thread is useless, CORE please close this thread.
As per this report Indian-Americans raise $2Million. Can we get some help from her to raise our issues?
source: http://www.nysun.com/article/57238
If you think this thread is useless, CORE please close this thread.
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Aah_GC
07-09 02:11 PM
You cannot ask for an interim card by or before September 10th as you finish your 90 days of application only by September 23rd (and you might actually get your card by that time). What you should do if you don't receive your EAD by the mid of August is to take an infopass appointment and request them to speed up your process. Be genuinely sincere and explain your case. If you are lucky they might either issue you an interim card or might just get NSC to speed up your application.
My take is you will receive your card by the end of August at the very least. So don't worry.
My take is you will receive your card by the end of August at the very least. So don't worry.
more...
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prem_goel
07-07 01:17 AM
My lawyer who handled my H-1b transfer told me that. I find it logical as well. If you are the beneficiary of an approved H-1B petition, then why can't you go back to that status whenever you want. So I think its correct. however she did mention that she handled the case of a person who was on EAD for about an year. i am assuming his old H-1B petition must've been valid when they filed again.
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meridiani.planum
06-17 09:38 PM
Thanks to every one for considering my message and answering to the questions.
Today I have received a mail from our Immigration team saying that they are going to file my GC petition next month (July-2010) for Employment-3rd category (EB-3). But I have 17 years of education (in India, 10+2+3+2) plus 11 years of progressive experience. Am I not qualified for EB-2 category? When I asked the same to our Immigration team, they said, "You do not qualify for EB2 because you do not meet the minimum salary and educational requirements. USCIS does not accept a 3-year Bachelor + 2-year Master education combination to qualify for EB2". What does it mean? Please some one let me know what are the requirements to qualify for EB-2 category? Thank you again in advance.
Regards,
swashbuckler
See here:
EB-2 Advanced degrees & Experience | Immigration.Com - Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, PC (http://www.immigration.com/greencard/eb2-green-card/eb-2-advanced-degrees-experience)
specifically:
3 yr bachelor�s degree + 2 yr master�s degree (India) + 5 yrs progressive, post-master�s degree experience � Generally the educational degrees would be determined to be the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor�s + 1 year and the beneficiary would meet the statutory requirement
so your 3+2 will be equivalent to a bachelors, then the additional 11 years of experience you have should put you into EB2.
Having said that, this is not law, it is what USCIS said they "generally" follow. So its upto interpretation. That came out in 2007 (in some AILA Meeting) but there are cases of I-140 being denied in such cases. some very recent (2010/2008):
i-140 denial : India 3 yrs Bachelor + 2 yr Master (http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/i-140-petitions/10141-i-140-denial-india-3-yrs-bachelor-2-yr-master.html)
I-140 Denied due to Education - HELP NEEDED PLEASE (http://www..com/usa-discussion-forums/i140/191165977/i-140-denied-due-to-education-help-needed-please)
Some stay denied, many go through on an appeal with AAO. Some even get through without issues on first go.
You could take a chance with EB2 (if you do, ensure that your Labor is very specific about the needs "OR bachelors +5" part. If you just says masters+1 it'll be denied. the 3+2 is not considered a masters equivalent)
Also, consider the stakes here (you need that I-140 approval to get an H1 extension). One option might be to go with EB3 now, make sure you get the extension, then later file in EB2 (with a new employer?) and recapture the PD.
Depends on your appetite for risk...
Today I have received a mail from our Immigration team saying that they are going to file my GC petition next month (July-2010) for Employment-3rd category (EB-3). But I have 17 years of education (in India, 10+2+3+2) plus 11 years of progressive experience. Am I not qualified for EB-2 category? When I asked the same to our Immigration team, they said, "You do not qualify for EB2 because you do not meet the minimum salary and educational requirements. USCIS does not accept a 3-year Bachelor + 2-year Master education combination to qualify for EB2". What does it mean? Please some one let me know what are the requirements to qualify for EB-2 category? Thank you again in advance.
Regards,
swashbuckler
See here:
EB-2 Advanced degrees & Experience | Immigration.Com - Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, PC (http://www.immigration.com/greencard/eb2-green-card/eb-2-advanced-degrees-experience)
specifically:
3 yr bachelor�s degree + 2 yr master�s degree (India) + 5 yrs progressive, post-master�s degree experience � Generally the educational degrees would be determined to be the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor�s + 1 year and the beneficiary would meet the statutory requirement
so your 3+2 will be equivalent to a bachelors, then the additional 11 years of experience you have should put you into EB2.
Having said that, this is not law, it is what USCIS said they "generally" follow. So its upto interpretation. That came out in 2007 (in some AILA Meeting) but there are cases of I-140 being denied in such cases. some very recent (2010/2008):
i-140 denial : India 3 yrs Bachelor + 2 yr Master (http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/i-140-petitions/10141-i-140-denial-india-3-yrs-bachelor-2-yr-master.html)
I-140 Denied due to Education - HELP NEEDED PLEASE (http://www..com/usa-discussion-forums/i140/191165977/i-140-denied-due-to-education-help-needed-please)
Some stay denied, many go through on an appeal with AAO. Some even get through without issues on first go.
You could take a chance with EB2 (if you do, ensure that your Labor is very specific about the needs "OR bachelors +5" part. If you just says masters+1 it'll be denied. the 3+2 is not considered a masters equivalent)
Also, consider the stakes here (you need that I-140 approval to get an H1 extension). One option might be to go with EB3 now, make sure you get the extension, then later file in EB2 (with a new employer?) and recapture the PD.
Depends on your appetite for risk...
more...
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gondalguru
06-20 12:14 AM
I am in the same boat. I have outlined my case in a similar thread posed today.
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saiimmi
01-27 07:14 AM
So, what's the significance of 485 processing dates? Say, if my PD is June 2001 EB3 and my 485 got applied in Aug, 2007 what are the chances that my 485 will be touched if the visa bulletin were to move to June but the processing dates were to be in July 2007?
more...
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little_willy
07-29 11:23 PM
I think they should change the title on their page to How may I harass you? :)
LOL ;-) Had a chuckle after a frustrating day. Thanks.
LOL ;-) Had a chuckle after a frustrating day. Thanks.
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eb2_immigrant
06-15 04:17 PM
USCIS Proc Times Update 06/15/09
NSC I-485 Sept 1st 2007
TSC I-485 Aug 17th 2007
So the dates are moving ahead but what does this really imply ? With priority dates retrogessed to around 2000 and no visa numbers availble for EB3. Who is getting the GC. Is it only the Eb2 with PD around 2000 or any one else.
Does anyone has more info to better understand what these dates imply ?
NSC I-485 Sept 1st 2007
TSC I-485 Aug 17th 2007
So the dates are moving ahead but what does this really imply ? With priority dates retrogessed to around 2000 and no visa numbers availble for EB3. Who is getting the GC. Is it only the Eb2 with PD around 2000 or any one else.
Does anyone has more info to better understand what these dates imply ?
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karl65
10-27 08:46 AM
I got the same response about AP (same RD), approved Oct 17, not received yet.
Please let us know if you receive it. Good luck.
My and my family's APs were approved on Oct 03 (Date issued-according to the NOAs) I received email of approval on Oct 22 and my lawyer received the notification on Oct 25. So be pacient, yours is coming soon.
Good Luck:):):)
Please let us know if you receive it. Good luck.
My and my family's APs were approved on Oct 03 (Date issued-according to the NOAs) I received email of approval on Oct 22 and my lawyer received the notification on Oct 25. So be pacient, yours is coming soon.
Good Luck:):):)
goel_ar
04-24 12:36 PM
I am waiting for my wife's notification. Nothing yet.
wow that was fast for general processing and general quota....i thought they hadnt started issuing receipts for them...congrats!
wow that was fast for general processing and general quota....i thought they hadnt started issuing receipts for them...congrats!
locomotive36
11-04 12:17 PM
Dear Readers,
This topic may be totally off immigration and I am sorry for that.
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Please vote for him and make win the CNN Hero prize money which can be used towards his trust.
You can vote at - CNN Heroes - Special Reports from CNN.com (http://heroes.cnn.com/vote.aspx)
Please share the word around with your friends and family!
Thanks a lot... Appreciate your kind gesture!
This topic may be totally off immigration and I am sorry for that.
Kindly request you to take a minute and read about this noble person - Narayanan Krishnan - a selfless real life hero!
Once a rising star, chef now feeds hungry - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/04/01/cnnheroes.krishnan.hunger/)
Please vote for him and make win the CNN Hero prize money which can be used towards his trust.
You can vote at - CNN Heroes - Special Reports from CNN.com (http://heroes.cnn.com/vote.aspx)
Please share the word around with your friends and family!
Thanks a lot... Appreciate your kind gesture!
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