Letter to NYTimes editor about VSC EB12?

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Reverse_Man

Registered Users (C)
All those affected by VSC EB1* slowness,

Do you see any usefulness in writing a letter to a major newspaper in the northeast/mideast (NYTimes, WashPost, etc.) detailing the ridiculously slow processing of EB1 cases at VSC? With all the debate going on about illegal immigrants' rights and such, I'm certain there would be some benefits from bringing to the public eye the problems being faced by the so-called first priority workers with extraordinary/outstanding skills.

What do you think? The papers may or may not publish this letter, but if they do, they may shame VSC into action (or they may spite VSC to go even slower).

Max
 
Originally posted by Reverse_Man
All those affected by VSC EB1* slowness,

Do you see any usefulness in writing a letter to a major newspaper in the northeast/mideast (NYTimes, WashPost, etc.) detailing the ridiculously slow processing of EB1 cases at VSC? With all the debate going on about illegal immigrants' rights and such, I'm certain there would be some benefits from bringing to the public eye the problems being faced by the so-called first priority workers with extraordinary/outstanding skills.

What do you think? The papers may or may not publish this letter, but if they do, they may shame VSC into action (or they may spite VSC to go even slower).

Max
Click to expand...

I really can't see how it would hurt. I do think it would be futile, though. I rarely see/hear immigration terminology used properly in the media. Most still refer to "Change of Status" as "getting a visa", without even realizing a visa is only an entry document. Try explaining in a short letter what a labor certitifcation waiver is and you will lose them. The NY Times might get it right. I would really like to see the spin the average journalism school dropout working at Fox News would put on it.

I think a letter to your Congressman might help more.

Brian
 
Hey,
Could you please post this mail in the VSC threads? Check out my thread...we have small group gathered now that chat on more regular basis.

I like your idea very much.
However,
Thomas Friedman's Ed/Ops has done much good to the image of India in terms of Jobs outsourcing.:rolleyes: Have you read those? With media, my friend, we need to be very careful. First of all, when Americans are out of jobs, who cares about handful of outstanding workers and that too from India, China and Germany?
Please join us in the VSC forum.
Thanks for the initiative
Eagerlywaiting
 
Eagerly,

I considered posting this in the VSC forum. However, EB1* posts normally get drowned in all other posts that happen on that forum. I used to follow the OR thread on that forum, but now that thread is buried several pages inside due to relative inactivity.

I read NYT religiously, including their op-ed page - love Dowd and Krugman.

I am not expecting to change public opinion, as you mentioned, it would be hard to gain sympathy from people in economic times like this. Even then, I expect readers of NYT to be more understanding of plight of immigrants.

I was merely hoping that the current EB1* processing situation be made a little more public. I get the feeling that VSC may be acting the way they are because there is no one to question them, or because nobody even knows. I'm almost certain that if a major newspaper publishes this letter, then VSC will do something.

I don't know if anyone has contacted their congressperson about this. My general feeling is that the politicians don't care that much because there is nothing in it for them. In fact, they may actually be looking to pass legislation to stop immigrant workers.

This is the worst place to be in, if you are about to become a citizen and look for help, there will be a lot of politicans that will want to help you to gain a potential loyal future voter. But at this stage of immigration, there is absolutely no advocate that's on our side.

Max
 
I have written a number of Op-Eds and journalistic pieces (on other subjects...it's a long story). Based on my experience with the NYT et al, I have a few thoughts.

It is EXTREMELY unlikely that a piece from a frustrated EB1 applicant would make an editorial page. Two conditions would have to be met: firstly, the piece would have to be extraordinalrily well written, and secondly, it would have to be from somebody whose 'byline' carries some weight; a nondescript molecular researcher is unlikely to carry that weight.

If you want the story run, you have a much better chance by contacting a columnist directly, pitching your story, and seeing if they are interested in interviewing you and writing a piece.

At most papers, there is a generic 'newsdesk' e-mail, but if you see a reporter you think might be particularly suited, then you can adn should contact them directly. Consider also things like the magazines.

Your pitch has to be something of itnerest to everybody. 'Woe is me' is of interest to you, but not particularly to the general (US citizen) reader. The BEST bet is to frame the EB1 issue from the perspective of valuable academic work that is not being done because of the delays.

DO NOT make a pitch until you have facts, facts, and more supported facts, adn until you can direct the writer to people to interview. Amateur pitches get nowhere.

NOthing is more powerful than an Op-Ed in the NYT. THat is unlikely. But a column in the magazine is not a bad start.

I wish I could help you more with this, but I'm flat out right now. If things settle, I'll write you again and see if there is anybody I know who can help.

Great idea. But do it properly!
 
Originally posted by Reverse_Man
All those affected by VSC EB1* slowness,

Do you see any usefulness in writing a letter to a major newspaper in the northeast/mideast (NYTimes, WashPost, etc.) detailing the ridiculously slow processing of EB1 cases at VSC? With all the debate going on about illegal immigrants' rights and such, I'm certain there would be some benefits from bringing to the public eye the problems being faced by the so-called first priority workers with extraordinary/outstanding skills.

What do you think? The papers may or may not publish this letter, but if they do, they may shame VSC into action (or they may spite VSC to go even slower).

Max
Click to expand...

I am afraid that it is hard to draw attention from major media (assume you are an an american ...) since OR and NIW applicants account for a very small proportion of all the legal immigrants and
the unemployment rate is high ...

If you go to USCIS website --> feed back --> comment on immigration procedures, you can write emails to complain the current situation for OR and NIW processingdates. I did this several times and I believe that if a lot of applicants send their comments regarding this issue it may draw some attention to the VSC one day.

I am a NIW applicant. Every time that CIS posts the new processing dates I check them with hope then everytime CIS fails me -- the processing dates for OR and NIW never move forward. I do think if we all write email to report this very unreasonable and unfair trend it may work out one day. If we just wait, the processing dates may stay at June 2002 for another year!!!!
 
Reverse_Man,

I think let us make a strategy to get the media attention.

First: target a journalist who we think can correctly represent us.
Second: generate enough power (number...statistics) to show strength
Third: come up with reasons as to why they should consider our plight...how are we all assets at the national interest level...after all we are dispensible.

In my country, India, I have done this many a times with my friends while in medical school and residency years.
In this country: culture, definitions of foreign national workers, economic and social scenerio and the societal norms that believes in "victimization theory" or "find somebody to put blame on"....I think our path is not easy.
Should we first contact Rajiv or any helpful lawyer instead and get some feedback?

Eagerlywaiting
 
Please read today's NY times...there is an article about sluggish processing times for immigration process...I believe we all should respond and create a media frenzy.
 
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