I am not going to comment about many responses on the comedy channel post , but I have the eldest case since 2001 with no progress since then, I hope that close this subject.
My story is very similar to PBEC IS KILLNG MY LIFE, so I can not add new but I would like to add few points, the impact on our life due to this long process:
Work, experience impact:
- There is no flexibility in growing (promotions, raises) during the waiting time.
- There are possibilities of abusing by the sponsor company like unpaid overtime, discrimination between US and none US workers.
- There is no flexibility in changing employer once the first 6 years on the H1B are reached, which is the case for all 300,000 who are waiting.
Financial impact:
- Since spouses can not work, there are no other financial sources for the family.
- There are many restrictions on the loans and mortgages for none US citizens.
- There is no sold equity for most of the H1B families, such as: houses for example, due to the risk of buying.
Social impact:
- Marriage: Marriage in jeopardy, because educated spouse (in my case: MS on computer Sc.) can not work for many years (4 years in my case).
- Travels: Restrictions (almost impossible) to update visas and travel to homeland with out facing too many risk factors.
- Children: over 18 years can get in trouble during the process of obtaining their green card.
Discrimination:
- Driver license has Red line stating the immigration status.
- Banks and mortgage companies asking for status and give different rates and respect.
- (Some) work environments is using this delay to overwork the none US workforce.
PBECIsKillingMe said:
Story:
Came to US in 2001. Before, I and my wife used to run computer business together. I came here on H1 and my wife on H4. She can not work here on H4 visa and every month once or twice I have to hear from her: because of H4 I am wasting my talent.
My elder son is 7 years old and younger one is 2 years. I desparately need to buy house. I have enough down payment also BUT just because I don't steady legal status; can't buy house. By any chance if DOL or USCIS rejects my GC application, I have to go back to India, so don't want to take risk of buying house.
Family life is affected big ways because of this delay. I don't understand one thing: labor is justification of job need. If a person is working with a company for more than 3 years in similar position - what better proof DOL requires that the guy is fit for the position? Why do they need to go for scrutiny IF THE SAME DEPARTMENT IS APPROVING PERM CASES FOR SIMILAR POSTION FOR SAME COMPANY !
Anyway, my 2 cents (with frustration)