Retrogression Next Steps : Strategic Planning and Organized Movement
I started a new thread with a more generic title to encompass all the retrogression/GC related issues sharing my two cents here. Well, somebody suggested me to post it in this thread as well, though it looks like that we already are in the similar direction. Anyway, here we go folks...
Hello All,
Although being late in this forum, I followed how meticulously members in s1932 thread worked together setting up a perfect example of an organized team work. The very fact people worked together for a common cause in perfect coordination with each other, it is a victory in itself (Good job everyone!).
Now, with a "temporary" setback from the house bill, I am just trying to share my two cents with a limited immigration related information (pardon me!) on what could be our next steps and how we can be more strategic in making our moves in future in addition to our current efforts mentioned in the other threads :
1. Mass movement by calling/faxing/meeting with senators might certainly help us to a great extent, but we should realize that the actual movers and shakers in the political scenario are the powerful industry giants (microsoft/intel/yahoo etc) who hire influential lobbying firms to make things happen at Washington and fund the congress in return along with the foreign governments who engage in similar types of activities. So, a strong group of 300-400k people waiting for their GC's probably will need to do a little more than the current efforts in order to be seen and heard positively in front of the millions of Americans, Washington and the US tech industry.
2. Under the radar, I am sure a slow but powerful movement must already be under way by the American tech industry, IT companies of India, china and related countries and not to mention the governments of these countries to hire lobbyists for immigration related reforms, though these groups must be pushing for different parts of the immigration reform based upon what suits their needs best.
Of all we know the US tech industry and other groups might be pushing their lobbyists only for H1 quota increase but not for retrogression issues at all, since it might be in their interest for them to have us hang loose on the H1 thread for a little longer and than to become permanent residents as they will lose the cost saving benefits on us the day we get H1 tag off our backs. For the most part, the push for H1 quota increase will be more than the push for EB visa capture or retrogression related issues as it is directly linked to the bottom line of the American and Indian companies, especially on a quarterly and yearly basis when they have to look at their balance sheets.
3. However, it wouldn't hurt us to touch base with some lobbyists that could suggest us how the internal lobbying system works in the US. Also, if there could be a way to have US/Indian/Chinese tech industry, Indian/Chinese etc. governments believe that they get affected by the retrogression as well. This will give us a heavier leverage on this effort, high visibility within US and more resources to work with.
Working together in this forum is a good start, however, at some point, we should look into:
1. Expansion out of the current forum by forming strategic alliances with other influential groups and forums,
3. Researching on competitive intelligence of anti-immigration groups and forums,
4. Hiring lobbyists and law firms to provide the necessary guidance and assistance,
5. Setting up informative website(s) that presents our issues and problems with reasonably well backed up facts for our audience and people in general. And also, for removing GC related myths and separating ourselves with illegal immigrants
6. Understanding the fact that people in America are experiencing this change of global competition and respecting it, since accepting any change is difficult and takes some time, especially, if it is not for better.
7. It is their country and we are trying to immigrate here with our professional competence for a better life, not with our arrogant skill and tax comparison attitude with the fellow residents and citizens. Whatever might the fact, certain things are not made obvious, especially, if they have a tendency to get sensitive
8. Avoiding generalization of the perception that Americans are generally poor in math and science succumbing to our technical superiority and losing their jobs to us, or for that matter, boasting that all Indian and Chinese techies on H1 displacing American workers are better techies, and thus, have a rationale to displace others.
9. We should face the facts that the tech industry is trying to exploit, both the H1s and the residents/citizens by juggling people onsite/offshore in contract and full time employment to get the best value in the lowest rate at the end of the day. I think we all know that well.
10. Also, nothing works like threat or fear of future loss. If the industry and government groups are made aware of the possible loss that they could incur because of the retrogression issues, probably they themselves would do our jobs by hiring the most powerful lobbyists to introduce bills in the congress over and over till things get sorted out.
11. The current movement sounds more like pleading our case to the different senators around the country that may or may not work, but, if the same push comes from the industry and the foreign governments (Indian, Chinese etc), then things will certainly be taken on a more serious note than the present.
Again, I am not trying to undermine anybody’s efforts here, our direction and motivation looks good, I am just trying to share my thoughts and suggest future direction in addition to what is already being thought or worked upon. I would appreciate if others could add their comments and suggestions so that we can validate our direction.
In the meanwhile, I will try to get some information on the different lobbyists that generally work on such efforts.
Regards.
.Our fight is here for the legal immigrants. Are you sure you have legal status here?