Labor Substituton Risky Now
I would advise you to first thoroughly check the facts of the labor, an not just not merely rely on the Priority Dates.
1. Ever since the Nick Mandalapa case and the Computech cases (do a Google Search) USCIS has been particularly strict in adjucating substituted LCs. This is because there is widespread fraud and abuse associated with the LC substitution process. In fact the USCIS is actively considering abolishing LC substitution process.
Read this recent story from Murthy.com
http://www.murthy.com/news/n_lcsubs.html
Secondly, perhaps equally significantly, the current movement and PDs is not reflective of the true trend. Even though both PDs may be progressing almost equally since the past 1 or 2 months, I remember that just six months ago, EB-3 India was retrogressed at June 2002 and then become totally unavailable (before retrogressng to Jan 1998 while the OCt bulletin), while EB-2 India was still current. In other words someone who started their PERM LC petition in 2005 under Eb-2 India could have filed their LC approved (PERM takes about 2 months) , filed I-140/1485, and have had their approval by end 2005. On the other hand, someone who was Eb-3 India with a PD of three years earlier would still be waiting in line. Indeed I know many EB-2 folks who got their petition approved in half or third of the time that EB-3 folks did (who are still waiting in line despite having PD's of 2-3 years earlier).
And third, there is the impending impact of 245(i) cases that will soon be churned about by the Backlong CEnters. A big proportion of these 300,000 cases are EB-3 and have PDs around April 30, 2001 (which was the deadline for filing). What this means is that movt of Eb-3 PDs will grind to a halt when CIS reaches this date. Indeed that is why even China EB-3 have hardly moved and are still a April 22, 2001. And India EB-3 category is usually much more heavily subscribed than China EB-3. Scroll over this forum or do a web search on 245(i) and you will seen what I mean. This is no secret.
Friend, consider these three facts seriously before you jump the gun. In fact this is what I will advise to other newcomers too. But more importantly, instead of simply word of mouth comments, thouroughy check out these facts for yourself.
