saketkapur
07-27 05:24 PM
ImmInfo Newsletter "Unlawful presence" myths and realities (http://imminfo.com/Newsletter/2009-7/unlawful_presence.html)
Unlawful Presence: Myths and Realities
Ron Gotcher
Recently, the USCIS released a new policy memorandum on the subject of �unlawful presence.� Because of its length and the poor quality of the writing, there has been a great deal of confusion resulting from it. We would like to clarify a few of the more egregious misunderstandings that have taken root as a result of this memorandum.
A person who applies for adjustment of status while in lawful status, and thereafter allows his or her nonimmigrant status to expire is not going to be deported.
The new memo makes it clear that when someone applies for adjustment of status, they are thereafter present with the permission of the Secretary of DHS. As such, they do not accrue unlawful presence even if their nonimmigrant status expires. While technically they may be subject to removal, the CIS does not attempt to remove them for a very practical reason. If the immigration service institutes removal proceedings against someone who is eligible for adjustment of status, that person will simply renew their application before the immigration judge. Immigration will have wasted a great deal of time and energy and accomplished nothing. There is no possible reason that would compel the immigration authorities to change their current policy and begin trying to remove people with valid pending adjustment of status applications.
Nonimmigrants are not required to maintain their status after filing for adjustment of status.
Some writers have said that AOS applicants must continue to maintain their nonimmigrant status after filing for adjustment of status. They are wrong. In many cases, attempting to do so would involve visa fraud and render the applicant ineligible to adjust status. Certain nonimmigrant categories, such as B, F, J, and M are �single intent� categories. If someone who is actively in the process of immigrating to the United States attempted to extend status in a category where they are required by law to have a good faith intent to leave the United States and return to their home country to resume their residence there, that would be an act of fraud. You can swear on the one hand that you intend to return to your home country immediately upon the expiration of your nonimmigrant status, while on the other continue to request permanent resident status in the United States. Filing this type of application would do positive harm to your case.
It is not necessary to maintain H1B status after filing for adjustment of status, and in many cases doing causes harm to the applicant.
There is really only one valid reason for an adjustment of status applicant to maintain H1B nonimmigrant status after filing for AOS. That is the situation where the H1B has a spouse or child who has not filed for AOS and requires an H4 visa in order to remain in the United States. Other than this situation, there is no valid reason for someone to try to maintain H1B status after filing for AOS.
Maintenance of H-1B status is not without cost. The CIS filing fees are $320, plus $500 for the anti-fraud fee it is a first filing (such as an employer transfer), and $750 to $1,500 for the ACWIA fee. This does not include attorney�s fees. There are two other �costs� that must be counted as well. If you travel, you must have a valid H-1B visa to re-enter. This means that you may have expend time and money renewing your H visa. Also, with an H visa, you may not accept work from anyone other than your petitioning employer. Otherwise, you are in violation of your H status.
Historically, I�ve heard three main arguments I�ve in favor of using H-1B. First, there is the �just in case� argument. To me, this falls into the �monsters under the bed� or fear of the dark kind of superstitious dread argument. �I don�t know what might happen, but I want to keep my H-1B just in case.� I�ve always felt that if you can�t articulate the reason for doing something, it isn�t a very good reason.
The second reason is a concern that if the applicant�s I-485 is denied, the applicant can revert to H-1B status. I believe this to be a specious argument also. Most I-485 denials result from I-140 denials. If your I-140 has been approved, the odds of your I-485 being denied drop to almost zero. The two remaining reasons for I-485 denials are status violations prior to filing and fraud. Both of these reasons impact H-1B validity as well and if an I-485 is denied for either reason, it is doubtful that the applicant would be allowed to resume H-1B status.
The third reason, and in my opinion the only valid reason, arises in unusual situations where the principal applicant has applied for adjustment of status but his or her spouse hasn�t. In such cases, it is essential that the principal applicant maintain H-1B status so that the spouse remains eligible for H-4 status.
There is one other important consideration with respect to maintaining H-1B status while applying for adjustment of status (AOS). I�ve seen situations involving individuals who elected to stay in H status while applying for AOS and traveled abroad using their H visas and were laid off unexpectedly while abroad, or other saw their H petitioner go out of business suddenly. All were left high and dry overseas with no way to return to the US. If they tried to use their H visas, they would be guilty of visa fraud at entry and thus ineligible for adjustment of status.
Finally, AOS applicants who have given up H status should understand that there is nothing to prevent them from re-applying for H classification should something go disastrously wrong with their AOS application. If the applicant is still eligible for H classification, there is nothing to prevent them from re-acquiring it later.
Employment authorization documents (EAD) are presently valid for one year at a time, unless you have an approved I-140, in which case they will issue them for two years. Advance parole (AP) documents are presently valid for only one year. The EAD/AP combination provides an applicant with a simple, inexpensive alternative to trying to maintain H status while applying for AOS. More importantly, EADs give an applicant job flexibility. With an EAD, an AOS applicant who wishes to exercise his or her right to job portability need only show an EAD card in order to accept new employment immediately. Similarly, an applicant who travels and uses AP as a re-entry document need never bother with having to make an appointment and apply for a new visa while abroad.
Finally, the CIS is now looking closely at the issue of unauthorized employment after filing for AOS. With an EAD, as long as you keep it current, it is impossible for you to engage in unauthorized employment. With an H1B, you are very strictly constrained by the LCA and H petition terms. If you or your employer deviate in any way, you risk violating your H status and thereafter engaging in unauthorized employment. The EAD path is far safer.
Ron Gotcher
Copyright � 2009 The Gotcher Law Group, PC - All Rights Reserved
Unlawful Presence: Myths and Realities
Ron Gotcher
Recently, the USCIS released a new policy memorandum on the subject of �unlawful presence.� Because of its length and the poor quality of the writing, there has been a great deal of confusion resulting from it. We would like to clarify a few of the more egregious misunderstandings that have taken root as a result of this memorandum.
A person who applies for adjustment of status while in lawful status, and thereafter allows his or her nonimmigrant status to expire is not going to be deported.
The new memo makes it clear that when someone applies for adjustment of status, they are thereafter present with the permission of the Secretary of DHS. As such, they do not accrue unlawful presence even if their nonimmigrant status expires. While technically they may be subject to removal, the CIS does not attempt to remove them for a very practical reason. If the immigration service institutes removal proceedings against someone who is eligible for adjustment of status, that person will simply renew their application before the immigration judge. Immigration will have wasted a great deal of time and energy and accomplished nothing. There is no possible reason that would compel the immigration authorities to change their current policy and begin trying to remove people with valid pending adjustment of status applications.
Nonimmigrants are not required to maintain their status after filing for adjustment of status.
Some writers have said that AOS applicants must continue to maintain their nonimmigrant status after filing for adjustment of status. They are wrong. In many cases, attempting to do so would involve visa fraud and render the applicant ineligible to adjust status. Certain nonimmigrant categories, such as B, F, J, and M are �single intent� categories. If someone who is actively in the process of immigrating to the United States attempted to extend status in a category where they are required by law to have a good faith intent to leave the United States and return to their home country to resume their residence there, that would be an act of fraud. You can swear on the one hand that you intend to return to your home country immediately upon the expiration of your nonimmigrant status, while on the other continue to request permanent resident status in the United States. Filing this type of application would do positive harm to your case.
It is not necessary to maintain H1B status after filing for adjustment of status, and in many cases doing causes harm to the applicant.
There is really only one valid reason for an adjustment of status applicant to maintain H1B nonimmigrant status after filing for AOS. That is the situation where the H1B has a spouse or child who has not filed for AOS and requires an H4 visa in order to remain in the United States. Other than this situation, there is no valid reason for someone to try to maintain H1B status after filing for AOS.
Maintenance of H-1B status is not without cost. The CIS filing fees are $320, plus $500 for the anti-fraud fee it is a first filing (such as an employer transfer), and $750 to $1,500 for the ACWIA fee. This does not include attorney�s fees. There are two other �costs� that must be counted as well. If you travel, you must have a valid H-1B visa to re-enter. This means that you may have expend time and money renewing your H visa. Also, with an H visa, you may not accept work from anyone other than your petitioning employer. Otherwise, you are in violation of your H status.
Historically, I�ve heard three main arguments I�ve in favor of using H-1B. First, there is the �just in case� argument. To me, this falls into the �monsters under the bed� or fear of the dark kind of superstitious dread argument. �I don�t know what might happen, but I want to keep my H-1B just in case.� I�ve always felt that if you can�t articulate the reason for doing something, it isn�t a very good reason.
The second reason is a concern that if the applicant�s I-485 is denied, the applicant can revert to H-1B status. I believe this to be a specious argument also. Most I-485 denials result from I-140 denials. If your I-140 has been approved, the odds of your I-485 being denied drop to almost zero. The two remaining reasons for I-485 denials are status violations prior to filing and fraud. Both of these reasons impact H-1B validity as well and if an I-485 is denied for either reason, it is doubtful that the applicant would be allowed to resume H-1B status.
The third reason, and in my opinion the only valid reason, arises in unusual situations where the principal applicant has applied for adjustment of status but his or her spouse hasn�t. In such cases, it is essential that the principal applicant maintain H-1B status so that the spouse remains eligible for H-4 status.
There is one other important consideration with respect to maintaining H-1B status while applying for adjustment of status (AOS). I�ve seen situations involving individuals who elected to stay in H status while applying for AOS and traveled abroad using their H visas and were laid off unexpectedly while abroad, or other saw their H petitioner go out of business suddenly. All were left high and dry overseas with no way to return to the US. If they tried to use their H visas, they would be guilty of visa fraud at entry and thus ineligible for adjustment of status.
Finally, AOS applicants who have given up H status should understand that there is nothing to prevent them from re-applying for H classification should something go disastrously wrong with their AOS application. If the applicant is still eligible for H classification, there is nothing to prevent them from re-acquiring it later.
Employment authorization documents (EAD) are presently valid for one year at a time, unless you have an approved I-140, in which case they will issue them for two years. Advance parole (AP) documents are presently valid for only one year. The EAD/AP combination provides an applicant with a simple, inexpensive alternative to trying to maintain H status while applying for AOS. More importantly, EADs give an applicant job flexibility. With an EAD, an AOS applicant who wishes to exercise his or her right to job portability need only show an EAD card in order to accept new employment immediately. Similarly, an applicant who travels and uses AP as a re-entry document need never bother with having to make an appointment and apply for a new visa while abroad.
Finally, the CIS is now looking closely at the issue of unauthorized employment after filing for AOS. With an EAD, as long as you keep it current, it is impossible for you to engage in unauthorized employment. With an H1B, you are very strictly constrained by the LCA and H petition terms. If you or your employer deviate in any way, you risk violating your H status and thereafter engaging in unauthorized employment. The EAD path is far safer.
Ron Gotcher
Copyright � 2009 The Gotcher Law Group, PC - All Rights Reserved
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eb3_nepa
01-15 11:29 PM
Unless the country cap is removed from EB immigration - things will not change for folks from India.
Have you noticed that when it comes to giving amnesty, there is always a special clause that exempts illegals from country caps? Ever wonder why?
Coz the illegals are already HERE and form a GREAT voter base. These are people who are not very educated (most barely have any education), they band together and can be easily influenced. That makes them an EXCELLENT source of future votes. Educated folks like us can see through the nonsense that politicians promise. Also it is a simple numbers game: LESS than 1 million legal immigrants v/s 13 million Illegal immigrants.
Do we still wonder why?
Have you noticed that when it comes to giving amnesty, there is always a special clause that exempts illegals from country caps? Ever wonder why?
Coz the illegals are already HERE and form a GREAT voter base. These are people who are not very educated (most barely have any education), they band together and can be easily influenced. That makes them an EXCELLENT source of future votes. Educated folks like us can see through the nonsense that politicians promise. Also it is a simple numbers game: LESS than 1 million legal immigrants v/s 13 million Illegal immigrants.
Do we still wonder why?
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centaur
02-23 09:42 AM
There are 2 types of J-1. One is for researchers with no clinical training (practice of medicine), this does not require 2 yrs HRR. The other J-1 is for training in clinical medicien and requires HRR.
Paskal,
You mentioned that if one has a J1, the 2 Yr. HRR applies. I am not sure if it is true for all "categories" of J1 visas.
A friend of mine has come on a J1 visa for six months (research scholar), and on her DS2019, the visa officer has noted that the 2Yr. HRR is not applicable. Also, her visa does not say that she is subject to INA 212(e).
Could you please throw some light on the following:
- Inspite of the visa officer's determination, is she still "a marked man"?
- If you are subject to the 2 Yr. HRR, is mentioned on your visa?
By the way, her research:
- Is not funded by any govt. agency
- Has nothing to do with medicine
I will really appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks.
Paskal,
You mentioned that if one has a J1, the 2 Yr. HRR applies. I am not sure if it is true for all "categories" of J1 visas.
A friend of mine has come on a J1 visa for six months (research scholar), and on her DS2019, the visa officer has noted that the 2Yr. HRR is not applicable. Also, her visa does not say that she is subject to INA 212(e).
Could you please throw some light on the following:
- Inspite of the visa officer's determination, is she still "a marked man"?
- If you are subject to the 2 Yr. HRR, is mentioned on your visa?
By the way, her research:
- Is not funded by any govt. agency
- Has nothing to do with medicine
I will really appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks.
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vhd999
06-21 12:18 PM
Thanks for the update...
Did you have to redo the medical or the USCIS was happy with the original medical exam that was submitted in April 2004?
Did you have to redo the medical or the USCIS was happy with the original medical exam that was submitted in April 2004?
more...
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telekinesis
09-06 04:02 PM
Thanks...again :P
I am never happy with my footer and still am not happy with it; I wish kirupa allowed music because transition effect like the ones in my footer went to a techno track but I took it out before I published it :*(, so I will most likely update it later today and a totally maxed out version on monday. By then I should have my intro done, ya know, for certain people to view a sneek peek message me on AIM.
I am never happy with my footer and still am not happy with it; I wish kirupa allowed music because transition effect like the ones in my footer went to a techno track but I took it out before I published it :*(, so I will most likely update it later today and a totally maxed out version on monday. By then I should have my intro done, ya know, for certain people to view a sneek peek message me on AIM.
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sujith1
07-09 10:04 PM
I guess Priority mail would have been a better option - The real question is do they go and pickup from the PO
more...
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msadiqali
06-19 06:27 PM
The Western Media's double standards are well known..When facing a cold war with Russia, the US and West ignited the passions of muslims and used them against the communists.
All the islamic movements started from this only and from US support in the background.
At that time all of them were called as warriors or mujahids or heroes.
After Russia collapsed, they started calling them Terrorists..Everybody knows that..
Atlast Obama acknowledged that in Cairo speech.
Now with regards to Israel, why should the Palestinians pay for the Holocaust is what Ahmedinijad is asking..The Palestinians did not do Holocaust..It was Europe which involved in Holocaust..Not just Nazi Germany, anti Jews sentiment was prevalennt in all of Europe,.,
Why did Israel throw out Palestinians out of their land..that is the question from Iran..
If Israel can have 200 nuclear weapons, why cant Iran have one?
All the islamic movements started from this only and from US support in the background.
At that time all of them were called as warriors or mujahids or heroes.
After Russia collapsed, they started calling them Terrorists..Everybody knows that..
Atlast Obama acknowledged that in Cairo speech.
Now with regards to Israel, why should the Palestinians pay for the Holocaust is what Ahmedinijad is asking..The Palestinians did not do Holocaust..It was Europe which involved in Holocaust..Not just Nazi Germany, anti Jews sentiment was prevalennt in all of Europe,.,
Why did Israel throw out Palestinians out of their land..that is the question from Iran..
If Israel can have 200 nuclear weapons, why cant Iran have one?
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indyanguy
01-14 09:14 PM
Thanks for all the replies.
All big cities have MIT Enterprise Forum chapters, you can meet and network with a lot of accomplished people there. There are plenty volunteer opportunities.
ampudhukode- I have sent you a PM.
All big cities have MIT Enterprise Forum chapters, you can meet and network with a lot of accomplished people there. There are plenty volunteer opportunities.
ampudhukode- I have sent you a PM.
more...
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Daisy
05-25 04:35 AM
Fax sent
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iwantmygcnow
10-15 09:42 AM
I am new to IV. what is an SR?
more...
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Legal
08-03 12:23 PM
Sounds like a good idea.
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apahilaj
09-29 10:55 AM
thank you guys for responding...
I've called them couple of times but they always say that the FP notice has not been mailed but has been ordered (whatever that means).
I'll call them again next week and try to open a SR.
may be they are random again as usual in issuing FP notices as well...they might not be going strictly by the notice dates.
appreciate your responses guys...
I've called them couple of times but they always say that the FP notice has not been mailed but has been ordered (whatever that means).
I'll call them again next week and try to open a SR.
may be they are random again as usual in issuing FP notices as well...they might not be going strictly by the notice dates.
appreciate your responses guys...
more...
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ajay_hyd
06-21 02:53 PM
Congratulations!!!!!
Would you plz confirm us on the Birth Certificate?
Me & my husband got our Birth Certificates in 2005 with all the correct birth details. Do you think we might still need affidavits for Late Registration of Birth?Please throw some light on this as there's lot of confusion going on this.
thanks, i used b'certificate when i field in 2004. i got my BC in 2003 on a trip to india. i think the rules might have been different then, i had no RFE's.
Would you plz confirm us on the Birth Certificate?
Me & my husband got our Birth Certificates in 2005 with all the correct birth details. Do you think we might still need affidavits for Late Registration of Birth?Please throw some light on this as there's lot of confusion going on this.
thanks, i used b'certificate when i field in 2004. i got my BC in 2003 on a trip to india. i think the rules might have been different then, i had no RFE's.
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gcformeornot
12-06 12:24 PM
case transfered from CSC to NSC. See signature for details.
more...
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lostinbeta
09-06 03:22 PM
Hey, thanks Hojo, it took me a while to get that text to work correctly on the board. Darn CSS. I was trying to use span tags when I really needed to use div tags.
Your footer doesn't show Hojo? I right click and it says Movie Not Loaded.
Your footer doesn't show Hojo? I right click and it says Movie Not Loaded.
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dilipb
02-13 03:54 PM
What all countries in the world require is young intelligent sensible people like us to become politicians....so that we can make fast changes and make this world a more interesting place to live in.
but but but....
but but but....
more...
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shortchanged
08-28 12:34 PM
Thank you !This whole thing has cost me a lot.I had to cancel the airtickets,the travel agent charged 300.00/ticket. $1500.00.I am sitting at home for 3 weeks as the vacation is not cancelled,as I can't carry it over to next year,per employer's policy.I wished I could finally go home first time,after 6 years in the US,now that is not happening anytime soon.
I suffered lot of anguish on september 30,2005 when I filed with a PERM certified labor that morning, my attorney took his sweet time to give it to FedEx, it indeed reach VSC at 7PM, so they rejected my application, as the next working day oct 3,2005, my country's PD jumped 6 years back to 11/1999 from current!I see a few cases of 485 approvals for persons who sent their forms on the same day 30/2005!
So even though I feel a lot weight off my chest as you do, it still rankles, as I was always on top of these things and even offered the attorney to be there on September 30,2005, and was willing to fly to Vermont even at the last moment, but he could not keep those packages ready to hand it to FedeEx. He did not faul to collect the fee for his NON-service anyway.
This forum is like a balm to a lot of people:)
I suffered lot of anguish on september 30,2005 when I filed with a PERM certified labor that morning, my attorney took his sweet time to give it to FedEx, it indeed reach VSC at 7PM, so they rejected my application, as the next working day oct 3,2005, my country's PD jumped 6 years back to 11/1999 from current!I see a few cases of 485 approvals for persons who sent their forms on the same day 30/2005!
So even though I feel a lot weight off my chest as you do, it still rankles, as I was always on top of these things and even offered the attorney to be there on September 30,2005, and was willing to fly to Vermont even at the last moment, but he could not keep those packages ready to hand it to FedeEx. He did not faul to collect the fee for his NON-service anyway.
This forum is like a balm to a lot of people:)
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waiting4gc02
11-19 12:46 PM
do u have ur approved i-140?
Yes, my I-140 is approved.
Yes, my I-140 is approved.
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abhishek101
05-18 06:44 PM
that is not bad thinking that all the stories we heard about hundreds of people who were friends' friend and were deported at EWR.
While I understand for those 3 people it is virtually a nightmare, but it does bring things into perspective.
While I understand for those 3 people it is virtually a nightmare, but it does bring things into perspective.
srkamath
08-06 04:52 PM
Friends, I Received the magic email today!
Yes - I cant believe my eyes, my I-485 has been approved today and card production ordered.
I do have a question: I could not file for my wife's i-485 in July/2007. So, we filed for my wife's application on Aug/01/2008 (Did a overnight express mail on July-31st) as my PD is current as of Aug-1st. So far her application check has not been deposited.
What will happen now? Is she out of status? I am getting really concerned. Gurus help me out?
Thanks in advance.
A green dot guaranteed for the response :)
Some details:
I-485 Receipt Date: July/2/2007
I-140 Approval Date: July/3/2006
PD: 02/02/2006
There is a follow to join provision, i'm not very sure about the details but, i believe that you can apply for her 485 before you get your's approved.
You might want to research this. Good luck.
Yes - I cant believe my eyes, my I-485 has been approved today and card production ordered.
I do have a question: I could not file for my wife's i-485 in July/2007. So, we filed for my wife's application on Aug/01/2008 (Did a overnight express mail on July-31st) as my PD is current as of Aug-1st. So far her application check has not been deposited.
What will happen now? Is she out of status? I am getting really concerned. Gurus help me out?
Thanks in advance.
A green dot guaranteed for the response :)
Some details:
I-485 Receipt Date: July/2/2007
I-140 Approval Date: July/3/2006
PD: 02/02/2006
There is a follow to join provision, i'm not very sure about the details but, i believe that you can apply for her 485 before you get your's approved.
You might want to research this. Good luck.
gc@waiting
07-21 06:27 AM
Does anyone have any experience with the name variations (the same old LNU/FNU stuff) leading to I485 rejection? I have the following names used in various combinations on multiple visa stampings (B, L1, H1B, H1B,H1B....).
FNU FirstName
FirstName LNU
FirstName LastName(as in birth certificate)
LNU FirstName
My Birth certificate has the complete "firstname lastname", while the degree certificate/credentials only have the first name, the most recent I94 & 797 have the name similar to the birth certicate (SSN has FirstName LNU). I485 applied under the birth certificate name with an AFFIDAVIT as advised by my attorney explaining the confusion about the name.
A greatly appreciate anyone shedding some light on this, thanks in advance.
FNU FirstName
FirstName LNU
FirstName LastName(as in birth certificate)
LNU FirstName
My Birth certificate has the complete "firstname lastname", while the degree certificate/credentials only have the first name, the most recent I94 & 797 have the name similar to the birth certicate (SSN has FirstName LNU). I485 applied under the birth certificate name with an AFFIDAVIT as advised by my attorney explaining the confusion about the name.
A greatly appreciate anyone shedding some light on this, thanks in advance.
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