55.
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2015/08:
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Volunteers get active at the local level as Congress heads into August recess. Volunteers speak to local offices and attend town hall meetings to urge their representatives to support HR 213 – The Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act. The bill now has 48 bi-partisan co-sponsors.
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55.
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2015/06:
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Immigration Voice holds a congressional reception at the House office building in Washington DC to support HR 213 – The Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act. The event was attended by key congressional staffers, the media and high skilled immigrants from across the country. The champion of the bill Rep. Jason Chaffetz spoke at the event about the importance of the bill and thanked Immigration Voice for the continued efforts and encouraged everyone to push Congress to pass this bill by contacting their local Representatives.
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55.
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2015/06:
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Immigration Voice concludes its second advocacy event of the year 2015. High Skilled Immigrations from across the country converge in DC to petition congress to pass the Bill HR 213 – The Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act. IV volunteers held about 300+ meetings and a meeting at The White House to petition the administration to accelerate implementation of the fixes that were announced by President Obama in November 2014
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55.
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2015/03:
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Immigration Voice launches nationwide campaign to oppose Hatch Amendment #1025 to the Budget resolution that would have increased the H1-B visa cap and exempted advanced degree holders from the H1-B cap without any corresponding increase in green cards or other green card fixes. As a result of the nationwide campaign, Sen. Orrin Hatch withdrew the amendment within 24 hours.
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55.
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2015/03:
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Immigration Voice attends an event thanking President Barack Obama for Executive Action on Immigration organized by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren & Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez.
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54.
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2015/03:
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Immigration Voice Hails President’s Executive Action to Allow Work Authorization for Spouses of Certain H1-B Visa Holders
Press Release
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53.
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2015/02:
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Immigration Voice collects EAD for H-4 stories on behalf of the Administration and for Media Outreach
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52.
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2015/02:
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Immigration Voice hosts the first advocacy event of 2015 where volunteers from all 50 states converge on Washington DC to meet with over 350 Congressional offices and The White House for a discussion in the beautiful "Indian Treaty Room".
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51.
|
2014/11:
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Immigration Voice Hails President’s Executive Action on Immigration
Press Release
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50.
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2014/11:
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Immigration Voice requests specific administrative fixes to the White House and the Department of Homeland Security’s policy makers for the skilled immigration system.
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49.
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2014/07:
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Immigration Voice submits comments and recommendations to further improve the proposed regulation for allowing EAD for certain H4 visa holders. Full comments are available here.
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48.
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2014/06:
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To push for Immigration Reform, around forty five Immigration Voice leaders from across the country meet with over 200 offices of House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
Press Release
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47.
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2014/05:
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Immigration Voice welcomes rules allowing immigrants’ spouses to work and calls for further administrative action to reduce backlogs.
Press Release
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46.
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2014/03:
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Immigration Voice once again in Washington DC, advocating for Immigration Reform. In spite of the weather conditions in Washington DC, members from all across the nation gathered in the nation’s capital to advocate for the reforms. Nearly 150 meetings were held in one day.
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45.
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2013/09:
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Immigration Voice hosts the second advocacy event of the year in Washington DC.
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44.
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2013/04:
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Immigration Voice at AAPI
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43.
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2013/03:
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Immigration Voice gears up for another Washington DC advocacy event. More than 100 IV members gather in Washington DC attended over 200 meetings.
Live updates from advocacy event || My experience
Immigration Voice at White House Briefing || Pictures from the WH Briefing
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42.
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2013/02:
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Immigration Voice at the House Judiciary Committee hearing
Dr. Puneet Arora represents Immigration Voice at the House Judiciary Committee hearing
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41.
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2013/01:
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New Congress (113th) and New Administration (President Obama’s 2nd term) begins
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill in the Senate - IV Donor Forum Only
Immigration Voice recognized as a supporter of I-Squared Act of 2013
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40.
|
2012/09:
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Thousands of legal, high-skilled immigrants march peacefully in Silicon Valley in support of HR 3012
San Jose Summit – IV Rally || San Jose Summit – IV Rally
Immigration Voice Summit Walk to CPA
Immigration Voice Summit CPA Speech
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39.
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2012/08:
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Event in Seattle, Washington
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38.
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2012/07:
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Sen. Grassley removes his hold on HR 3012
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37.
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2012/05:
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IV stands behind SMART Jobs Act of 2012
IV applauds Sen. Coons and Sen. Alexander for introducing Sustaining our Most Advanced Researchers and Technology Sustaining our Most Advanced Researchers and Technology (SMART) Jobs Act of 2012
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36.
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2012:
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HR 3012 – Continued efforts by Immigration Voice
THE LOST DECADE – A DOCUMENTARY ON HR 3012 BY IMMIGRATION VOICE
IV Action Items for Sep 2012
IV Action Items for Jul 2012
IV Action Items for Apr 2012
IV Action Items for Jan 2012
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35.
|
2011/12:
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After successfully working on HR 3012 Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2011 in the House, Immigration Voice channeled its member resources on the Senate. Holding another advocacy event, IV members once again congregated in Washington DC to seek support in the Senate for HR 3012. More than 90 meetings were held with the senate offices.
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34.
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2011/09:
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Immigration Voice members meet with key House Judiciary Committee Members and the Senate offices prior to the introduction of the HR 3012 (Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2011) in the House. IV is the ONLY member run immigration forum to actively advocate for elimination of per country limits and other sensible immigration reforms.
HR 3012 Introduced on Sep 22, 2011 || IV recognized in Rep. Chaffetz Press Release
HR 3012 Referred to Judiciary Committee on Sep 22, 2011 || IV Action Items
HR 3012 Reported by Committee on Oct 27, 2011 || IV Action Items
HR 3012 Passed in the House overwhelmingly on Nov 29, 2011 || IV Legislative Updates || House Session – Part 2
Link to the part of the discussion by Congressman Jason Chaffetz, sponsor of the H.R. 3012, in which Congressman Chaffetz refers to Immigration Voice for helping with the passage of the bill to remove per-country limits.
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33.
|
2011/07:
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Immigration Voice at the Senate Immigration Subcommittee hearing
Dr. Puneet Arora represents Immigration Voice at the Senate Immigration Subcommittee hearing
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32.
|
2011/04:
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Immigration Voice members meet US Congressional Offices, Director of Immigration Policy for Department of Homeland Security and the White House
In another massive advocacy event organized by Immigration Voice, more than 150 members congregated in Washington DC and met with more than 350 House and Senate Offices. The seeds for HR 3012 were sown during this advocacy event, identifying the key offices and working with them.
Meeting was held with the Director of Immigration Policy for the Department of Homeland Security, Francis Cissna
IV members met with the White House staff
Immigration Voice – Live Updates of the Advocacy Event
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31.
|
2010/12:
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Immigration Voice conducts another advocacy event
A small scale advocacy event was organized. IV volunteers met with key legislative offices.
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30.
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2010/06:
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Immigration Voice advocates the US Congress for immigration reform
IV volunteers from all across the country gathered in Washington DC and met with more than 250 congressional offices both on the House and the Senate side.
Immigration Voice – Live Updates of the Advocacy Event
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29.
|
2009/09:
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Administrative Fix for “Same and Similar Occupation Classification”
Immigration Voice requests that jobs within SOC classification of a “major group” be treated as “similar occupation classification” for the purpose of section 106(c) of AC21 Act, clarifying job mobility for an individual with an un-adjudicated application for adjustment of status pending for 180 days or more.
IV forum
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28.
|
2009/09:
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Another successful campaign run by IV members
Streamlining of Security Screen Process for Foreign Scientists: DHS reduced the wait times for Visa stamping for foreign consulates to 2 weeks.
Immigration Voice Campaign
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27.
|
2009/09:
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Successful completion of FOIA Campaign
After filing hundreds of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, USCIS released the data of pending applications on their website.
Immigration Voice Campaign
USCIS Pending Employment Based I-485 Inventory
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26.
|
2009:
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Immigration Voice becomes a member of Compete America. Compete America advocates for reforms for high-skilled immigration in the US.
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25.
|
2008/06:
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Administrative Fix Campaign
2 Year EAD announced by USCIS for all foreign nationals who have filed for Adjustment of Status
USCIS
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24.
|
2008/04:
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Immigration Voices works with Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-16) on reforming high skilled employment based immigration system. Successful introduction of 3 bills in the House by Rep. Lofgren. This included elimination of per country limits, a fair concept that no other organization or business interest had ever advocated until this time. Immigration Voice successfully advocated these bills, brought in co-sponsors and received support from other interests for these bills.
HR 5882: To recapture employment based immigration visas lost to bureaucratic delays and to prevent losses of family and employment based immigrant visas in the future.
Sponsor: Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] (introduced 4/23/2008) Cosponsors (31)
HR 5921: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per country level for employment-based immigrants and to end the spill-over of unused immigrant visa numbers between employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Sponsor: Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] (introduced 4/29/2008) Cosponsors (24)
HR 6039: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize certain aliens who have earned a master's or higher degree from a United States institution of higher education in a field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics to be admitted for permanent residence.
Sponsor: Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] (introduced 5/13/2008) Cosponsors (34)
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23.
|
2007/09:
|
Immigration Voice advocates for Immigration Reform
IV Volunteers from all across the country gathered at the US Capitol to meet with the congressional offices, both in the Senate and the House advocating for immigration reform.
More than 125 meetings with congressional offices
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22.
|
2007/09:
|
Immigration Voice hosts a peaceful march in the nation’s capital, Washington DC
About 1000 high skilled legal immigrants from all across the US Continent gathered in Washington D.C in a peacefully rally to the US Capitol to protest long delays and backlogs in the employment based immigration system. IV thread.
Media coverage:
New York Times
Washington Post
BBC
California News – Orange County Register
Paid Advertisement in the Roll Call
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21.
|
2007/07:
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Immigration Voice launches massive Flower Campaign
Immigration Voice launches a massive Flower Campaign. Hundreds of flowers were sent to the Director of USCIS, Emilio Gonzales as part of a symbolic and peaceful protest over a “flip-flop” by the State Department and the USCIS.
Media coverage:
Wiki News
IBNLive
Reuters
NPR
Washington Post
New York Times
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20.
|
2007/07:
|
San Jose Rally
Mercury News covers IV San Jose Rally
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19.
|
2007/07:
|
Immigration Voice on July 2007 Visa Bulletin reversal
Immigration Voice brings news of July 2007 Visa Bulletin reversal
More updates on July 2007 Visa Bulletin reversal
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18.
|
2007/02:
|
Immigration Voice hires the top lobbying firm Patton-Boggs as its new lobbying firm.
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17.
|
2007/01:
|
The new congress comes into session in Jan 2007 and the Democratic leadership of the Senate takes up Immigration as one of the priorities of the year.
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16.
|
2006/12:
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Immigration Voice participates in a symposium: Movement of Global Talent: The Impact of High Skill Labor Flows from India and China.
Jay Pradhan of Immigration Voice is one of the panelists.
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15.
|
2006/06:
|
Immigration Voice in the news
Pratik Dakwala of Immigration Voice was interviewed by KTVU, a Fox affiliate of San Francisco.
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14.
|
2006/06:
|
Last minute efforts for interim relief fail
In the second week of December 2006, during the lame-duck session, there was an effort in place to have an interim relief provision in the last minute bills, however due to nature of last minute legislations without any floor debate, unanimous consent was needed. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama and then-chairman Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin opposed such a provision.
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13.
|
2006/06:
|
Other highlights of S.2611.ES
Excludes dependents from the Employment-based green card quota but there is a limit of 650,000 on the annual EB quota
Exempts advanced degree holders from the United States from the annual EB green card quota
Mandates that the Department of Labor clear the Labor Certification backlogs in 9 months.
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12.
|
2006/06:
|
Immigration Bill is not taken up by the House
The Senate version of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, S.2611.ES, was not reconciled with the House and the House of Representatives held hearings on Immigration but did not pass any legislation nor did it hold a conference committee with the Senate.
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11.
|
2006/05:
|
Managers’ Amendment and S. 2611 pass with Immigration Voice goals
Immigration Voice and Quinn Gillespie Associates, with the help of Sen. Specter and Sen. Kennedy, has its goals written into the bipartisan Managers’ Amendment to S.2611, the Hagel-Martinez Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill. Highlights of S.2611.ES:
Removes the hard country cap for the EB category
Sets 3 year extensions for the Employment Authorization Document and Travel Document
Immigrants may file for Adjustment of Status even with visa number unavailability
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10.
|
2006/05:
|
Hagel-Martinez compromise immigration reform introduced in Senate. Highlights of this bill:
Increase of the Employment-based Green card quota from 140,000 to 450,000; skilled categories get 70% of this total
Excludes dependents from the Employment-based green card quota
Increases the per-country quota from 7% to 10% but also makes it a hard cap. Unused Green cards would likely slip down all the way to the EB5 unskilled category, and would not be used in the highly skilled category that they were intended for. Backlogs would increase.
Exempts advanced degree holders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math who have worked for 3 years in a related field from the EB quota.
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09.
|
2006/04:
|
Aman Kapoor, founder of Immigration Voice interviewed on Fox News Weekend Live
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|
08.
|
2006/04:
|
Sen. Brownback: S.Amdt.3341 amends S.2454, first Senate Immigration bill
Immigration Voice confers with Sen. Brownback’s (R-KS) staff and succeeds in introducing Amendment #3341 to S.2454, the first Senate Immigration bill. This bill did not pass cloture, and hence the amendments were never voted on.
The highlights of these amendments were:
Removal of the hard country cap on Employment-based Green cards
Ability to file for Adjustment of Status even without visa number availability
Skilled green cards recaptured from 2001-2004 to be available to the skilled categories only
3 year extensions for H1B, Employment Authorization, and Travel Documents
Improves STEM exemption and drops the three year experience requirement
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07.
|
2006/04:
|
Hard country cap in original Senate Comprehensive Immigration bill
S.2454, the original Senate Comprehensive Immigration Bill, increased the per-country quota on Employment-based green cards to 10% - but also mandated a hard country cap on these visas. Highlights of this bill:
Increase of the Employment-based Green card quota from 140,000 to 290,000; skilled categories get 70% of this total
Excludes dependents from the Employment-based green card quota
Increases the per-country quota from 7% to 10% but also makes it a hard cap. Unused Green cards would likely slip down all the way to the EB5 unskilled category, and would not be used in the highly skilled category that they were intended for. Backlogs would increase.
Exempts advanced degree holders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math who have worked for 3 years in a related field from the EB quota.
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|
06.
|
2006/04:
|
Washington Post story on Immigration Voice.
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|
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|
05.
|
2006/02:
|
Roll Call article is first on Immigration Voice.
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|
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|
04.
|
2006/02:
|
After meeting several lobbying firms, settle on Quinn Gillespie Associates. QGA agrees to work for IV, knowing IV has only 300 members and just a few thousand dollars in the bank.
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03.
|
2006/01:
|
Started Immigration Voice (IV) web site. On 7th and 8th January, 2006, a select group of IV core members meet in D.C.
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02.
|
2005/12:
|
Some of the active posters on Immigrationportal.com Internet forums called Senate offices in support. Budget bill passes but high-skilled immigration provisions taken out in Senate-House Conference. At this time Aman Kapoor aka WaldenPond called for a conference call to form an organization. And so was born Immigration Voice, as we now all call IV. After a few phone calls, select members decided to meet in Washington, D.C. to discuss the action plan.
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|
01.
|
2005/12:
|
Senate budget bill contains ability to file for Adjustment of Status even with visa number unavailability. Immigrants with Adjustment of Status pending may get Employment Authorization and Travel Documents; they may change employment to similar jobs; dependents may work; and they can travel freely in and out of the country.
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