My son's letter published in USA TODAY

K

khodalmd

Registered Users (C)
USA TODAY published a letter of my son, Brijesh (19). I urge every one to post comment on this article.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/06/green_card_back.html?csp=34

Green card backlog hurts legal immigrants who have earned a better way of life

Brijesh Patel - Baltimore

I am the son and direct beneficiary of a highly skilled, legal immigrant whose employer filed his immigration petition for him years ago. But the current backlog of employment-based, legal immigrants is about a million, and clearing them could take more than 10 years.

Immediately after graduating from engineering school in India, my dad wanted to come to America, a land of opportunity. It took more than 15 years for him to arrive here legally. It was the most exciting time of my life. I earned straight A's during high school, earned a 96 percentile national score in the math portion of the SAT and was accepted by the top three universities in Maryland. But I was very disappointed when I learned that because I didn't yet have a green card, I would only be accepted as an out-of-state student. I also lost a $40,000 scholarship, even though I was pre-approved academically.

This is all because of the green card backlog. I don't know how many more years it will take to approve my case.

I am running against time. I'm about to turn 21, and when I do, my pending application for a green card will be abandoned. I will have to leave the USA or become an illegal immigrant.

The Senate's Dream Act, or the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2007, which was attached to the latest immigration bill, would have allowed children of illegal immigrants to receive needed benefits, such as the opportunity to pay in-state tuition fees, and help them get a green card. That bill was the way to go.

Can the USA afford to lose future inventors and innovators such as Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Intel co-founder Andy Grove?
 
Valid points

See the CNN Money article about "U.S. winning back its competitive edge". It explicitly states the following...

Is the U.S. winning back its competitive edge?
A new study finds that American universities are luring technology entrepreneurs from overseas, fueling a $52 billion startup boom.

By Elaine Pofeldt, FSB Magazine senior editor
June 11 2007: 8:39 AM EDT

(FSB Magazine) -- Maybe the U.S. isn't falling as far behind other nations in math and science education as business leaders fear. A new study suggests that American universities are luring more entrepreneurial talent from overseas than many think, fueling a boom in tech startups here.

.....................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................

Most of the immigrant entrepreneurs came from India, the U.K., China, Japan and Germany, either to study or to work for a U.S.-based corporation. They started a new business 13 years after immigrating, on average.


Source: http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/08/magazines/fsb/immigrant_universities.fsb/index.htm
 
khodalmd said:
USA TODAY published a letter of my son, Brijesh (19). I urge every one to post comment on this article.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/06/green_card_back.html?csp=34

Green card backlog hurts legal immigrants who have earned a better way of life

Brijesh Patel - Baltimore

I am the son and direct beneficiary of a highly skilled, legal immigrant whose employer filed his immigration petition for him years ago. But the current backlog of employment-based, legal immigrants is about a million, and clearing them could take more than 10 years.

Immediately after graduating from engineering school in India, my dad wanted to come to America, a land of opportunity. It took more than 15 years for him to arrive here legally. It was the most exciting time of my life. I earned straight A's during high school, earned a 96 percentile national score in the math portion of the SAT and was accepted by the top three universities in Maryland. But I was very disappointed when I learned that because I didn't yet have a green card, I would only be accepted as an out-of-state student. I also lost a $40,000 scholarship, even though I was pre-approved academically.

This is all because of the green card backlog. I don't know how many more years it will take to approve my case.

I am running against time. I'm about to turn 21, and when I do, my pending application for a green card will be abandoned. I will have to leave the USA or become an illegal immigrant.

The Senate's Dream Act, or the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2007, which was attached to the latest immigration bill, would have allowed children of illegal immigrants to receive needed benefits, such as the opportunity to pay in-state tuition fees, and help them get a green card. That bill was the way to go.

Can the USA afford to lose future inventors and innovators such as Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Intel co-founder Andy Grove?
Click to expand...

Hey, thats a nice article by your son. great work. Hope lawmakers start listening to stories such as this and act accordingly.
 
khodalmd said:
I am running against time. I'm about to turn 21, and when I do, my pending application for a green card will be abandoned. I will have to leave the USA or become an illegal immigrant.
Click to expand...

I had read somewhere that .... if the application is getting aged out soon .. that is applicant is turning 21 ... the 485 is rushed up the queue
 
khodalmd said:
Can the USA afford to lose future inventors and innovators such as Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Intel co-founder Andy Grove?
Click to expand...

Note that all four of the listed came to the States before DREAM act or any other pending legislation has been enacted.

I can relate to a proud father of a teenage son, but I see no action-trigger here. What is the problem? The kid does not qualify for $40K scholarship? Too bad. EB-hopefuls got screwed when rules were changed to allow H1 extensions beyond year six.
 
Kholdalmd,
Sorry to hear this. However this is a good way of presenting the issues before the american public and in the media. You need to take it some TV channels, possibly CNN or ABC (first ABC). If one channel covers it, others will follow.... Best wishes!


khodalmd said:
USA TODAY published a letter of my son, Brijesh (19). I urge every one to post comment on this article.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/06/green_card_back.html?csp=34

Green card backlog hurts legal immigrants who have earned a better way of life

Brijesh Patel - Baltimore

I am the son and direct beneficiary of a highly skilled, legal immigrant whose employer filed his immigration petition for him years ago. But the current backlog of employment-based, legal immigrants is about a million, and clearing them could take more than 10 years.

Immediately after graduating from engineering school in India, my dad wanted to come to America, a land of opportunity. It took more than 15 years for him to arrive here legally. It was the most exciting time of my life. I earned straight A's during high school, earned a 96 percentile national score in the math portion of the SAT and was accepted by the top three universities in Maryland. But I was very disappointed when I learned that because I didn't yet have a green card, I would only be accepted as an out-of-state student. I also lost a $40,000 scholarship, even though I was pre-approved academically.

This is all because of the green card backlog. I don't know how many more years it will take to approve my case.

I am running against time. I'm about to turn 21, and when I do, my pending application for a green card will be abandoned. I will have to leave the USA or become an illegal immigrant.

The Senate's Dream Act, or the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2007, which was attached to the latest immigration bill, would have allowed children of illegal immigrants to receive needed benefits, such as the opportunity to pay in-state tuition fees, and help them get a green card. That bill was the way to go.

Can the USA afford to lose future inventors and innovators such as Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Intel co-founder Andy Grove?
Click to expand...
 
Saw it

Read it this morning before I saw your post and was glad to see a letter about legal immigration (most of the others I usually see focus on illegal immigration)



khodalmd said:
USA TODAY published a letter of my son, Brijesh (19). I urge every one to post comment on this article.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/06/green_card_back.html?csp=34

Green card backlog hurts legal immigrants who have earned a better way of life

Brijesh Patel - Baltimore

I am the son and direct beneficiary of a highly skilled, legal immigrant whose employer filed his immigration petition for him years ago. But the current backlog of employment-based, legal immigrants is about a million, and clearing them could take more than 10 years.

Immediately after graduating from engineering school in India, my dad wanted to come to America, a land of opportunity. It took more than 15 years for him to arrive here legally. It was the most exciting time of my life. I earned straight A's during high school, earned a 96 percentile national score in the math portion of the SAT and was accepted by the top three universities in Maryland. But I was very disappointed when I learned that because I didn't yet have a green card, I would only be accepted as an out-of-state student. I also lost a $40,000 scholarship, even though I was pre-approved academically.

This is all because of the green card backlog. I don't know how many more years it will take to approve my case.

I am running against time. I'm about to turn 21, and when I do, my pending application for a green card will be abandoned. I will have to leave the USA or become an illegal immigrant.

The Senate's Dream Act, or the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2007, which was attached to the latest immigration bill, would have allowed children of illegal immigrants to receive needed benefits, such as the opportunity to pay in-state tuition fees, and help them get a green card. That bill was the way to go.

Can the USA afford to lose future inventors and innovators such as Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Intel co-founder Andy Grove?
Click to expand...
 
khodalmd said:
USA TODAY published a letter of my son, Brijesh (19). I urge every one to post comment on this article.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/06/green_card_back.html?csp=34

Green card backlog hurts legal immigrants who have earned a better way of life

Brijesh Patel - Baltimore

I am the son and direct beneficiary of a highly skilled, legal immigrant whose employer filed his immigration petition for him years ago. But the current backlog of employment-based, legal immigrants is about a million, and clearing them could take more than 10 years.

Immediately after graduating from engineering school in India, my dad wanted to come to America, a land of opportunity. It took more than 15 years for him to arrive here legally. It was the most exciting time of my life. I earned straight A's during high school, earned a 96 percentile national score in the math portion of the SAT and was accepted by the top three universities in Maryland. But I was very disappointed when I learned that because I didn't yet have a green card, I would only be accepted as an out-of-state student. I also lost a $40,000 scholarship, even though I was pre-approved academically.

This is all because of the green card backlog. I don't know how many more years it will take to approve my case.

I am running against time. I'm about to turn 21, and when I do, my pending application for a green card will be abandoned. I will have to leave the USA or become an illegal immigrant.

The Senate's Dream Act, or the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2007, which was attached to the latest immigration bill, would have allowed children of illegal immigrants to receive needed benefits, such as the opportunity to pay in-state tuition fees, and help them get a green card. That bill was the way to go.

Can the USA afford to lose future inventors and innovators such as Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Intel co-founder Andy Grove?
Click to expand...

It's wonderful. You and your son did a great job. A legal immigrant who is working, paying taxes and contributing to economy for years not got getting green card. See now, congress wants give green cards to illegal immigrants who jumped over the fence. The law is not fair and law makers should realize this.

In my view, who ever worked legally for 5 years (or at the end of H1B) in United States should get Green Card automatically.
 
Thanks to everyone who commented on the story. Actually we submitted detailed logical story but USA TODAY has edited as usual. The story we submitted is as follow:

May 28, 2007

You might be surprised that a 19 year pre-medicine undergrad freshman, who never got less than A grade in math and science and persuaded career goal to be a MD PHD in medicine, is monitoring how Congress is moving forward with Immigration bill.

On May 21, 2007, I was totally despondent when my dad informed me about a Compromised Comprehensive Immigration bill, so called “Great Bargaining,” is not addressing Green card backlog of high skilled legal immigrants. I am a son and derivative beneficiary of high skilled legal immigrant whose employer filled his immigration petition under Employment Based category 2. The current backlog of Employment Based legal immigrant is around a million, which will take more than 10 years to clear, if current Immigration bill get signature of the President in current form.

Immediately after graduation from engineering school in India, my dad, whose family is dedicated to the value of Mahatma Gandhi, had seen a dream of America, a land of opportunity. It took more than fifteen years for him to land in the United States legally. Before entering to the United States legally, we accepted Canadian Citizen.

It was very easy for me and my family to adapt an American culture as we spend quite a few years in Canadian society. It was most exciting time of my life with Catonsville high school. I earned straight A grades during my high school tenure, earned 96 percentile national wide in Math SAT, performed substantial volunteer work with St. Agnes Hospital, Math Honor society, and Red Cross society. Due to my extraordinary academic performance and extra curriculum activity I was accepted from top three Universities of Maryland state. My disappointment could not be any greater. I was accepted as an out of state tuition fees as I didn’t have a green card (Our application of adjustment of green card is pending due to backlog). This was just a scratch on my heart but actual stab came later when I lost scholarship of $10,000 per year even though I was pre-approved academically. The reason; I don’t have green card due to backlog!

Last year, the immigration bill, which had favorable provisions for high skilled legal immigrants, was killed in House. I had very high hope for Immigration bill 2007 but again got bitter pill as this bill is not addressing current backlog of Employment based immigration; Just 90,000 green cards per year for the backlog of more than one million. I don’t know how many more years will it take to approve my case? The immigration bill in current form will award green cards to 12 millions illegal immigrants, who broke the law and punish legal high skilled immigrants, who contribute to economy. Employment Based and Family Based legal category will have 10% per country cap, which heap on backlog further and further. On other hand, 12 millions green cards for illegal immigrants will not have any per-country quota!!

My peak of the frustration follows now. I am running against a time; I am approaching 21 years and as soon as I turn 21, my pending Adjust of Status application for green card will be abandoned. I will have two options in this case: leave USA and loving parents behind or be out-of Status (illegal status). Neither my family nor I prefer illegal status in any case. The Dream act attached with current immigration bill will allow kids of illegal immigrant an in-state tuition fees and they will have automatic green card in three years!! The kids of high skilled legal immigrants have an indefinite wait for green card and will be thrown out of the country, if they turn 21 years.

All my class mates started paid job work this summer to earn few thousand bucks for next term of school fees but I selected to do full time volunteer work at medical school of University of Maryland for cancer research project as I am dedicated to my long term career goal. The new generation of The United States is loosing interest in Math and Science. Can USA afford to loose future Einstein, Enrico Fermi, Sergey Brin, Andy Grove, and Vinod Khosala?

The current Immigration bill being discussed in the Senate, if enacted in current form, will not only close the doors, but also throw out the future scientist, doctors, engineers, and research professionals.
 
Don't worry you guys...i have been ripped off of same opportunities. I was offered same scholarship in florida when i was there on TD visa. I had to return back to Canada because i aged out. Went to medical school and I am in my third year right now....still AWAITING in THE QUEQE....hopefully soon before i start my residency. You're story seem exactly like mine. what a co-incidence huh????

I hope it works out for you...cuz it sure didn't work out for me...but look at it this way..you can always return back to canada and get into a reputable university. You might NOT even need to come back to US if you get into a canadian medical school...It will be US loss (losing a prospective doctor)
 
I admire the courage of your son. My daughter is in a similar position now.With a PD of july2006 we were told by our lawyer that once age out is written on the top of the AOS application it is usually taken out and given attention. To date we have not even received a receipt notice. so much for that thought expressed by the lawyer.In 1 month my daughter will be 21 and will be joining the ranks of illegals. She lives legally in the US since she was 13 years old .Attended high school and now in college. I wrote my senator some time ago but no assistance was given.He said that the immigration bill would have solved such problems but the republicans did not support the bill. I think that it is time all professionals who filed for AOS to rally against this policy that is breaking up families of legal immigrants.Some people may not have and age out cild now , but the slow pace of processing is sure to produce more age outs next year and the years to come.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
khodalmd said:
USA TODAY published a letter of my son, Brijesh (19). I urge every one to post comment on this article.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/06/green_card_back.html?csp=34

Green card backlog hurts legal immigrants who have earned a better way of life

Brijesh Patel - Baltimore

I am the son and direct beneficiary of a highly skilled, legal immigrant whose employer filed his immigration petition for him years ago. But the current backlog of employment-based, legal immigrants is about a million, and clearing them could take more than 10 years.

Immediately after graduating from engineering school in India, my dad wanted to come to America, a land of opportunity. It took more than 15 years for him to arrive here legally. It was the most exciting time of my life. I earned straight A's during high school, earned a 96 percentile national score in the math portion of the SAT and was accepted by the top three universities in Maryland. But I was very disappointed when I learned that because I didn't yet have a green card, I would only be accepted as an out-of-state student. I also lost a $40,000 scholarship, even though I was pre-approved academically.

This is all because of the green card backlog. I don't know how many more years it will take to approve my case.

I am running against time. I'm about to turn 21, and when I do, my pending application for a green card will be abandoned. I will have to leave the USA or become an illegal immigrant.

The Senate's Dream Act, or the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2007, which was attached to the latest immigration bill, would have allowed children of illegal immigrants to receive needed benefits, such as the opportunity to pay in-state tuition fees, and help them get a green card. That bill was the way to go.

Can the USA afford to lose future inventors and innovators such as Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Intel co-founder Andy Grove?
Click to expand...


Hi

Like to invite you to share your story at www.expatvoice.org in the aging out thread.

We have written our own draft legislation to amend the cspa and need help raising awarness to all senators and congressmen

Can you help us?
 
Not to detract from the substance of your son's msg but...

Univ of Maryland (I think it is the ill informed Finance guys) misguides students. They do give in-state tuition to H4 students. You should be able to get the uniform guidelines adopted by the entire Univ of MD System from Google. My son went there and we gave in-state for 3 years. They also provide departmental scholarships to H4 students if they otherwise qualify. When the student is about 20 years and 6 months old, apply for F1 and USCIS approves such cases (and does NOT by itself make your child ineligible for the derivative Immigrant Visa, because F1 is a PURE non-immigration intent visa). These might be moot points now, if you have applied for 485 during June/July/Aug. Again the Univ says it is going to charge out of state tuition on the SEVIS etc but charged us in-state on F1.

I understand the pain of not being able to work or even take paid internship, even being deprived of getting on to the list of Maryland Scholar's program etc... Your taxes are needed, benefits even if marginal, sorry, you dont qualify!

As regards CSPA, it is probably moot now, as I think you may have filed 485 for your child by now!

H



khodalmd said:
USA TODAY published a letter of my son, Brijesh (19). I urge every one to post comment on this article.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/06/green_card_back.html?csp=34

Green card backlog hurts legal immigrants who have earned a better way of life

Brijesh Patel - Baltimore

I am the son and direct beneficiary of a highly skilled, legal immigrant whose employer filed his immigration petition for him years ago. But the current backlog of employment-based, legal immigrants is about a million, and clearing them could take more than 10 years.

Immediately after graduating from engineering school in India, my dad wanted to come to America, a land of opportunity. It took more than 15 years for him to arrive here legally. It was the most exciting time of my life. I earned straight A's during high school, earned a 96 percentile national score in the math portion of the SAT and was accepted by the top three universities in Maryland. But I was very disappointed when I learned that because I didn't yet have a green card, I would only be accepted as an out-of-state student. I also lost a $40,000 scholarship, even though I was pre-approved academically.

This is all because of the green card backlog. I don't know how many more years it will take to approve my case.

I am running against time. I'm about to turn 21, and when I do, my pending application for a green card will be abandoned. I will have to leave the USA or become an illegal immigrant.

The Senate's Dream Act, or the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2007, which was attached to the latest immigration bill, would have allowed children of illegal immigrants to receive needed benefits, such as the opportunity to pay in-state tuition fees, and help them get a green card. That bill was the way to go.

Can the USA afford to lose future inventors and innovators such as Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Intel co-founder Andy Grove?
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top