ji journey

[cat2]

I believe I have lurked in the board ever since it was formed, posted elsewhere
and drawn lot of hope from others, here's my journey
I came with family, was not fresh when I started off
applied for J1 6/93, denied ( potential immigrant), reapplied and joined residency
7/93,
applied for J1 waiver 7/97( Clinton adm changed rules for applicants that yr in 96 bill, before you would apply for green card and get EAD directly to work, just had to complete your contract of 2 yrs then lot of fraud took place, now had to go for H1 but was for 3 yrs only then)
USDA sponsoring agency then went on a shut down mode for 4-5 mo to investigate fraud, no income with family survived somehow,received waiver 10/97, h1 12/97, spouse could not work as simultaneous application for i-485 and receive EAD as it is now was not possible then
completed 3 yrs 12/00, received gr card 8/02 ( TSC was about about 11/2 yr behind, overload of 245i, 9/11 etc.),
moved 10/03 from MUA
applied n-400 5/07, int 1/08, some delay to reconcile files from diff svc centers
will oath 2/28 ( hopefully this will be the end)
so fellow JI's hang in there, feel for all of you, I believe that when you compare yourself with others give yourself a 10 yr handicap if you have to do all by yourself in the american dream unless of course you are young , enthusiastic or have additional support mechanism here.
Honestly this has been one hell of a journey, I do not know if I knew all of it 16-17 yrs ago I would have the stamina for it. I really envy the family green card people.
maybe others can enlighten fellow Ji's in their journey
you are doing a good job hadron keep it up

 

[alterego2]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Don't forget to voice support for those coming to these shores like you did at each given opportunity. That is the vow I have taken for having to endure this journey. EB immigrants, especially physicians endure a lot in this system.
You are right in that coming in another way if you can is far better.
Most people don't mind the HPSA/MUA requirement, many even believe it a fair request by the country, however the rules around it are poor and need to be streamlined, that is for damn sure. The NIW is through service that is documented to be needed and of benefit the country, yet the process is made so miserable for the beneficiaries. Lots of parties to blame for this, including one simple fact. Those in it are fearful to speak up and fight it, and those who have endured it often wish to forget about the traumatic experience. Neither should be the case.

Good luck.