Senate hearing for "Comprehensive Immigration Reform II" scheduled on Oct 18

[kewl]

Guys,

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary has scheduled a hearing on "Comprehensive Immigration Reform II" on Tuesday, October 18, 2005. Its is quiet encouraging news that Senators are meeting 2nd time to discuss on immigration reforms. Here is the link:

http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=1634

Last time committee met on 07/27/05.

THE ONLY POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO VISA RETROGRESSION IS IN HAND OF THESE LAW MAKERS. SO PLEASE...PLEASE EVERYONE START CALLING/SENDING LETTERS/FAXES/EMAILS TO THEIR AREA SENATORS and MEMBERS of SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. This will push them to discuss visa retrogression issue (and its possible solution). Please tell them that you are part of ISNAMERICA Organization (WWW.ISNAMERICA.ORG) that has huge number of people affected by visa retrogression. Please tell them horrible suffering of law-abiding, tax-paying legal immigrants and 7-8 years wait for gc due to visa retrogression.

Senators/Congressman representative in your area:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/?lvl=L
=> Enter your zip-code and click on "Go".
You will see list of Senators and Congressman in your area. Send to them all.
=================================================================

Committee on the Senate Judiciary:
1) Edward M. Kennedy (MASSACHUSETTS)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=297&lvl=C&chamber=S

2) Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=192&lvl=C&chamber=S

3) Jon Kyl (ARIZONA)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=203&lvl=C&chamber=S

4) John Cornyn (TEXAS)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=31770&lvl=C&chamber=S

5) Sam Brownback (KANSAS)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=255&lvl=C&chamber=S

6) Arlen Specter (PENNSYLVANIA)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=497&lvl=C&chamber=S

7) Orrin G. Hatch (UTAH)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=586&lvl=C&chamber=S

8) Patrick J. Leahy (VERMONT)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=592&lvl=C&chamber=S

9) Charles E. Grassley (IOWA)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=248&lvl=C&chamber=S

10) Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (DELAWARE)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=696&lvl=C&chamber=S

11) Mike DeWine (OHIO)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=456&lvl=C&chamber=S

12) Herbert Kohl (WISCONSIN)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=628&lvl=C&chamber=S

13) Jeff Sessions (ALABAMA)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=269&lvl=C&chamber=S

14) Dianne Feinstein (CALIFORNIA)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=347&lvl=C&chamber=S

15) Lindsey Graham (SOUTH CAROLINA)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=531&lvl=C&chamber=S

16) Russell D. Feingold (WISCONSIN)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=629&lvl=C&chamber=S

17) Charles E. Schumer (NEW YORK)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=402&lvl=C&chamber=S

18) Richard J. Durbin (ILLINOIS)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=210&lvl=C&chamber=S

19) Tom Coburn (OKLAHOMA)
Contact: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=483&lvl=C&chamber=S
=================================================================

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/techworkers/
http://www.isnamerica.org

UNITED WE STAND

 

[applying4gc]

Great information Kewl,

I will re-send e-mails to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the retrogression.

I will also re-send my letters to editors of LA Times, NY Times and Chicago Tribune.

This is the time to make a lot of noise about the retrogression.

Thanks for doing your part!

 

[meg_z]

Is there a draft of letter or talking points readily available?

I am trying to draft a letter to the committe. It would be a great help to have a draft handy.

Please everyone should voice their concerns. I am also planning to have my American friends to write also supporting legal immigration.

Thanks.

 

[neha_wal]

Please post the draft on this forum

please post the draft you are making on this forum I will use the same draft. I will request you to highlight the plight of Visa holders because of 2 recent rulings
1) Discontuining the Visa Issueing within the U.S.
2) giving Drivers permit only upto Visa approval date
3) lathargy of Backlog centers

 

[kewl]

Here is the letter!

Here is the letter to send to senators/congressman/president/industry leaders/AILA/Other organizations. Please change according to your situation. Fax/Email/Mail it. Also call them to eliminate any confusion about visa retrogression with any other issues, cite upcoming immigration reform hearing and follow-up. Please tell them that you are part of ISN AMERICA Organization (WWW.ISNAMERICA.ORG) that has huge number of people affected by visa retrogression so your voice can properly heard.


http://www.isnamerica.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/techworkers/

UNITED WE STAND

 

[deba_sinh]

Lets get it started..everyone

Thanks Kewl. Lets all try to circulate and do our bit by calling, emailing, sending letters. I had already called the senate office of two senators in my area and left a message about the current situation with both. Folks, there are thousands affected. Even if 1/3rd of backlogged cases start calling, there will be upwards of 100K calls. Please start calling the senators and congressmen and do your bit.

 

[meg_z]

Voicing our concerns to the Senators

Thanks Kewl for the sample letter.

I have sent to 7 so far. Saw one message on Senator Kennedy's site from one of us.

It seems more people are interested in fighting with some of the disrupting memebers on this forum than voicing the concerns.

Worthy or not, it is better than being idling.

 

[marlon2006]

I called and spoke with a couple of representatives from the Washington State. The way I approach this situation is this:I explain the Employment Base lack of visa numbers and request and suggest an increase to end or minimize this problem for the EB folks. So far the two representatives told me they are aware of this problem. I refrain from supporting the McCain bill specifically because that bill is primarily pro illegal alien and I have received reports that letters from the techworker group at USCongress.org is already pissing off lots of Americans, who are going against such McCain-illegal sanctuary bill. More the anti-illegal aliens see support for such McCain bill, the more they will get pissed off at it and campaign against it. I will repeat: we just want to solve the legal Employment Base part. We don't want to encourage any bill that is buying enemies against our cause. I will keep asking for an increase in EB numbes instead of supporting such S.1033 McCain bill. My humble opinion.

Thanks Kewl for the sample letter.

I have sent to 7 so far. Saw one message on Senator Kennedy's site from one of us.

It seems more people are interested in fighting with some of the disrupting memebers on this forum than voicing the concerns.

Worthy or not, it is better than being idling.

 

[neha_wal]

Guys this is the link you can write to your representative, I changed the text to specify I am writing for the cause of documented aliens. I have also written what I wrote. I urge you guys to forward the same.

http://capwiz.com/aila2/home/

I have changed the text of the bill as I do not support the bill in its current form. I am just requesting to support the cause of the legal residents (documented workers) who cannot adjust the resident statuses because of Visa number retrogression. Most of the people affected by this Green Card visa numbers unavailability are the H1B workers, who are living here, legally, for years. Paying taxes, and adding value to the U.S. economy and knowledge pool.

I urge you to support the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S. 1033). This bill offers the necessary fix to our broken immigration system: comprehensive reform that combines tough enforcement measures with rational laws that make sense in today's world. This bipartisan and bicameral measure seeks to transform our immigration system into one that is safe, legal, controlled and orderly. It would:

Fix Our Broken Borders: This bill would create a much needed national strategy for border security and enhanced border intelligence. Such initiatives are aimed at deterring those who mean to do us harm but still allow for the orderly, controlled flow of goods and people.

Allow People Who Are Here the Opportunity to Earn their Adjustment: This measure would give undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. who work hard, pay taxes, are learning English, and pass security clearances the opportunity to earn their permanent residency. This measure also includes strict fines and penalties for those already in this country and tough punishments for employers who hire undocumented workers. It would mandate the creation of a secure identification document and an employment eligibility confirmation system so employers will know that people seeking work are here legally.

Reunify Families: This bill would clear out the long backlogs in family-based immigration that keep close family members separated, some for up to twenty years. Such long separations make no sense in our pro-family nation, reflect poorly on us, and ultimately encourage illegal immigration.

I urge you to support the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S. 1033). By tackling the tough issues, it would address the problems that have long plagued our current immigration system and help make us more secure.

 

[charlotteperson]

Follow to Join affected because of regression

Hi

I am really stuck. I got married just before I got my GC (pd 2001) around 3 months back. I wasnt expecting it to come. But now my husband is stuck. I have applied for the I-824 (FTJ). And acc to this retrogression, looks like it will take 3 years.

The new laws, would it help my case ? Whom should I go to pplead my case ?

Any help would be appreciated.

It is painful to be separated (

Thanks

 

[HBG2001]

Separate thread for Follow-To-Join

Charlotteperson,
There is a separate thread for follow to join.
http://boards.immigrationportal.com/showthread.php?t=96693&page=2&pp=15
Pl. see some of the messages posted. We have to wait and see how the dates are moving. My guess it it may not take 3 years.

-Thanks
HBG2001

Hi

I am really stuck. I got married just before I got my GC (pd 2001) around 3 months back. I wasnt expecting it to come. But now my husband is stuck. I have applied for the I-824 (FTJ). And acc to this retrogression, looks like it will take 3 years.

The new laws, would it help my case ? Whom should I go to pplead my case ?

Any help would be appreciated.

It is painful to be separated (

Thanks

 

[marlon2006]

The S.1033 bill does very little to secure the US borders. This bill a big amnesty to illegals and it is pissing off lots of Americans who are fed up with people breaking the laws in the US (illegal aliens).

Guys this is the link you can write to your representative, I changed the text to specify I am writing for the cause of documented aliens. I have also written what I wrote. I urge you guys to forward the same.

http://capwiz.com/aila2/home/

I have changed the text of the bill as I do not support the bill in its current form. I am just requesting to support the cause of the legal residents (documented workers) who cannot adjust the resident statuses because of Visa number retrogression. Most of the people affected by this Green Card visa numbers unavailability are the H1B workers, who are living here, legally, for years. Paying taxes, and adding value to the U.S. economy and knowledge pool.

I urge you to support the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S. 1033). This bill offers the necessary fix to our broken immigration system: comprehensive reform that combines tough enforcement measures with rational laws that make sense in today's world. This bipartisan and bicameral measure seeks to transform our immigration system into one that is safe, legal, controlled and orderly. It would:

Fix Our Broken Borders: This bill would create a much needed national strategy for border security and enhanced border intelligence. Such initiatives are aimed at deterring those who mean to do us harm but still allow for the orderly, controlled flow of goods and people.

Allow People Who Are Here the Opportunity to Earn their Adjustment: This measure would give undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. who work hard, pay taxes, are learning English, and pass security clearances the opportunity to earn their permanent residency. This measure also includes strict fines and penalties for those already in this country and tough punishments for employers who hire undocumented workers. It would mandate the creation of a secure identification document and an employment eligibility confirmation system so employers will know that people seeking work are here legally.

Reunify Families: This bill would clear out the long backlogs in family-based immigration that keep close family members separated, some for up to twenty years. Such long separations make no sense in our pro-family nation, reflect poorly on us, and ultimately encourage illegal immigration.

I urge you to support the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S. 1033). By tackling the tough issues, it would address the problems that have long plagued our current immigration system and help make us more secure.

 

[sunjoshi]

Frustrating Voice messages

I've made more than 15 phone calls the past 3-4 days to various senators/congressmen's offices and all I get is voice messages. I wonder if even someone listens to them. I've also sent out tonz of emails to the above group, and obviously no responses (yet).

I'm trying my 2 cents worth, but makes me wonder if I'm shouting at the top of my lungs in the middle of a desert!!

 

[meg_z]

I agree

People on this thread are writing to the Senators regarding retrogression, not to suport any of the bills.

I called and spoke with a couple of representatives from the Washington State. The way I approach this situation is this:I explain the Employment Base lack of visa numbers and request and suggest an increase to end or minimize this problem for the EB folks. So far the two representatives told me they are aware of this problem. I refrain from supporting the McCain bill specifically because that bill is primarily pro illegal alien and I have received reports that letters from the techworker group at USCongress.org is already pissing off lots of Americans, who are going against such McCain-illegal sanctuary bill. More the anti-illegal aliens see support for such McCain bill, the more they will get pissed off at it and campaign against it. I will repeat: we just want to solve the legal Employment Base part. We don't want to encourage any bill that is buying enemies against our cause. I will keep asking for an increase in EB numbes instead of supporting such S.1033 McCain bill. My humble opinion.

 

[kewl]

Sent FAX to Senators/Congressman/Judiciary committe/President/Others

Guys,

I have sent FAX to following Senators/Congressman on Saturday asking their help to resolve employment based immigrant visa retrogression:

Edward M. Kennedy (MASSACHUSETTS)
Jon Kyl (ARIZONA)
John Cornyn (TEXAS)
John McCain (ARIZONA)
Sam Brownback (KANSAS)
Arlen Specter (PENNSYLVANIA)
Orrin G. Hatch (UTAH)
Patrick J. Leahy (VERMONT)
Charles E. Grassley (IOWA)
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (DELAWARE)
Mike DeWine (OHIO)
Herbert Kohl (WISCONSIN)
Jeff Sessions (ALABAMA)
Dianne Feinstein (CALIFORNIA)
Lindsey Graham (SOUTH CAROLINA)
Russell D. Feingold (WISCONSIN)
Charles E. Schumer (NEW YORK)
Richard J. Durbin (ILLINOIS)
Tom Coburn (OKLAHOMA)

President George Bush
Judd Gregg (R - NH)
John E. Sununu (R - NH)
Rep. Charles Bass (R-2, NH)

TAMAR JACOBY
AILA
ILW.COM

Hope everyone is doing the same.

 

[kewl]

I think you should try to talk with immigration head @ Senators/congressman's office. Most of time I was successful to talk with their immigration head (or head of immigration) who can better understand our concern.

So keep it up...calling them is the best and most effective approach where you can explain your problem (visa retrogression) exactly by eliminating possibility of confusion sometime with other issues.

I've made more than 15 phone calls the past 3-4 days to various senators/congressmen's offices and all I get is voice messages. I wonder if even someone listens to them. I've also sent out tonz of emails to the above group, and obviously no responses (yet).

I'm trying my 2 cents worth, but makes me wonder if I'm shouting at the top of my lungs in the middle of a desert!!

 

[meg_z]

Finished sending emails to all the senators listed by Kewl

Guys,

I have sent FAX to following Senators/Congressman on Saturday asking their help to resolve employment based immigrant visa retrogression:

Edward M. Kennedy (MASSACHUSETTS)
Jon Kyl (ARIZONA)
John Cornyn (TEXAS)
John McCain (ARIZONA)
Sam Brownback (KANSAS)
Arlen Specter (PENNSYLVANIA)
Orrin G. Hatch (UTAH)
Patrick J. Leahy (VERMONT)
Charles E. Grassley (IOWA)
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (DELAWARE)
Mike DeWine (OHIO)
Herbert Kohl (WISCONSIN)
Jeff Sessions (ALABAMA)
Dianne Feinstein (CALIFORNIA)
Lindsey Graham (SOUTH CAROLINA)
Russell D. Feingold (WISCONSIN)
Charles E. Schumer (NEW YORK)
Richard J. Durbin (ILLINOIS)
Tom Coburn (OKLAHOMA)

President George Bush
Judd Gregg (R - NH)
John E. Sununu (R - NH)
Rep. Charles Bass (R-2, NH)

TAMAR JACOBY
AILA
ILW.COM

Hope everyone is doing the same.

 

[MDGUTS1307]

Good Job Folks !

Good Job Folks ! This is the way to do it. Lets address the problem we face: retrogression and not support any of the current bills.

The politicians need to understand our problems. We should also highlight how retrogression adversly affects the average american citizen. There are a lot of professional folks affected: Doctors, professors, Engineers, IT professions, etc.

Remember that the rule was amended earlier this year when they realized that retrogression was affecting nurses, physical therapists, etc (50K visas going to Schedule A) . So, the politicians will act once they realize the magnitude of the problem.

 

[StillAlive]

IMPORTANT NEWS: We Need Your Help!!

http://www.immigration-law.com

AILA has reported that the Senate Judiciary Committe is markedup a very important legislative bill on October 20, 2005, coming Thursday, to discuss the Budget Reconciliation and Immigration proposal that can give some relief to the current H-1B blackout and EB immigrant visa number retrogression. According to the AILA, the proposal includes the following:
Recapture of 300,000 unused H-1B numbers
Recpature of 90,000 unused EB immigrant visa numbers
Exempting spouses and minor children of EB principal aliens from the annual EB quota limit
Permit filing of I-485 even during the visa number retrogression.

AILA states that it is vitally important that the people in business community and scientific and research organizations reach out tothe following members of the Senate Judiciary Committee as urgently as possible:

Arlen Specter (R-PA) Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Ranking

Orrin Hatch (R-UT) Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
Charles Grassley (R-IA) Joseph Biden (D-DE)
Mike DeWine (R-OH) Herbert Kohl (D-WI)
Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Russ Feingold (D-WI)
John Cornyn (R-TX) Charles Schumer (D-NY)
Sam Brownback (R-KS) Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
Please call (202)224-3121 Congressional switchboard and obtain their email addresses or through their websites as quickly as possible: It is "extremely" important that everyone participates in this last minute campaign. For the talking points, please click here.

 

[santosh_30]

Can someone post the numbers to call..and fax numbers....