vjone
04-06 03:26 PM
HOUSTON: A federal jury has found five people guilty of conspiring to obtain fraudulent work visas for nearly 90 Indian nationals in exchange for at
least $20,000 per visa, the US Attorney's Office said.
Mahendrakumar "Mack" Patel, 55, Rakesh Patel, 36, Alberto Pena, 38, Bernardo Pena, 38, and Marte Othon Villar Sr, 48, encouraged and induced the illegal immigration of Indian nationals in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars per visa, a statement from the US Attorney's Office said yesterday.
The jury found that Alberto and Bernardo Pena, twin brothers from Brownsville, along with co-defendants had encouraged and induced 87 individuals from Gujarat to unlawfully enter US on temporary H-2B visas, knowing that the Indian nationals did not intend to work for the company that was used to get visas for them.
The brothers also knew that the visa-seekers did not intend to return to India when their 10-month visas expired, a statement said.
Pena twins also travelled to India to assist the Indian nationals with the application process and visited and corresponded with the US Consulate in Mumbai.
Two other co-defendants -- Mack Patel of Ft Worth and Rakesh Patel, a Houston pharmacist -- pleaded guilty for recruiting Indian citizens who were willing to pay $20,000 to $60,000 in exchange for visas to enter the United States
Link : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4359174.cms
least $20,000 per visa, the US Attorney's Office said.
Mahendrakumar "Mack" Patel, 55, Rakesh Patel, 36, Alberto Pena, 38, Bernardo Pena, 38, and Marte Othon Villar Sr, 48, encouraged and induced the illegal immigration of Indian nationals in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars per visa, a statement from the US Attorney's Office said yesterday.
The jury found that Alberto and Bernardo Pena, twin brothers from Brownsville, along with co-defendants had encouraged and induced 87 individuals from Gujarat to unlawfully enter US on temporary H-2B visas, knowing that the Indian nationals did not intend to work for the company that was used to get visas for them.
The brothers also knew that the visa-seekers did not intend to return to India when their 10-month visas expired, a statement said.
Pena twins also travelled to India to assist the Indian nationals with the application process and visited and corresponded with the US Consulate in Mumbai.
Two other co-defendants -- Mack Patel of Ft Worth and Rakesh Patel, a Houston pharmacist -- pleaded guilty for recruiting Indian citizens who were willing to pay $20,000 to $60,000 in exchange for visas to enter the United States
Link : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4359174.cms
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texcan
09-25 09:32 PM
Good news:
EAD production ordered -sept 24.
Details in signature
EAD production ordered -sept 24.
Details in signature
amar123
07-30 02:13 PM
I am primary applicant on our 485 application. Mine and my daughters case doesn't show any LUD. But my husband's status changed to case transferred to local USCIS office. He was on H4 for 6 years and have not used EAD yet. No gaps in Visas. no law violatiobns. Prerry Straight forward case. Recently we applied for Online EAD Renewal.
Any idea why his case might have got transferred ? What should we expect next?
I am really worried.
Interesting Mar 06 EB2 , India?
Thanks,
Amar
Any idea why his case might have got transferred ? What should we expect next?
I am really worried.
Interesting Mar 06 EB2 , India?
Thanks,
Amar
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LostInGCProcess
03-03 12:53 PM
jung.lee,I'd appreciate if you could please respond to my PM whenever you can. Thanks.
more...
furiouspride
08-19 09:14 PM
I had to step out early from the conf call. Just wanted to stop by and say 'Thank You!' to Ms. Reddy for taking time out for us from her busy schedule. Many thanks to Ms. Anu too for making this happen.
vin
06-14 08:43 PM
Yes, I guess there's something FISHY. I really feel the PLOT is to rip of all the $$$ first by making dates current and bring in some crap legislation that'll throw everyone out. What a brilliant scam! Even Harshad Mehta will be impressed :-)
more...
s416504
01-07 03:04 PM
Following info may useful who are looking for SSN on H4
Below is part of a message I posted in another discussion, but this deserves it own discussion. If you are a legal resident of the US, such as an H4, even if you are a child, and you have an ITIN, you can get a Social Security Number, because that is the only way to get the Economic Stimulus Payment.
Be forewarned that the SSA will put up road blocks. You will likely be denied your first application. However, the law is clear and there is no cost to apply. You also have a right to appeal. A cover letter explaining why you have a RIGHT to a Social Security Number will help support your case. Your letter should refer to the laws and statutes cited below.
The only way to get the stimulus payment is to obtain a Social Security Number for "non-work" purposes. The SSA may issue an SSN to an alien under the following provision:
20 C.F.R. � 422.104(a)(3)
(i) You need a social security number to satisfy a Federal statute or regulation that requires you to have a social security number in order to receive a Federally-funded benefit to which you have otherwise established entitlement and you reside either in or outside the U.S.;
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/422/422-0104.htm
The Social Security Administration is required by federal law to issue Social Security Numbers to legal aliens who require them to receive federally funded benefits under Section 205(c)(2)(B)(i)(II) of the Social Security Act, which states that the Social Security Administration is required to assign an SSN to "any individual who is an applicant for or recipient of a benefit funded in whole or in part with Federal funds."
Here are some documents from official Senate and House websites (senate.gov, house.gov), which refer to the stimulus payment as a benefit. Print these out and attach them to your application.
Lawmakers
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
"Residents of the U.S. territories will also receive the benefit."
Johnny Isakson, United States Senator from Georgia
The benefit would phase out for single people earning more than $75,000 a year and married couples earning more than $150,000.
Johnson (GA04) | Press Release | Rep. Johnson Votes to Stimulate Economy
Americans who earned at least $3,000 in 2007 will receive the benefit, including Social Security recipients and 250,000 disabled veterans. Higher income taxpayers are not eligible and the relief phases out above incomes of $75,000 for a single earner and $150,000 for married couples.
Senator Robert Menendez | Newsroom
"Today's event is a chance to spread the word so that everyone is aware of the steps they need to take to receive this benefit."
News | Senator Pete V. Domenici
This benefit would help an estimated 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans.
EconomicStimulus2008
The 2008 tax instructions will include a worksheet to help those who did not qualify for a payment or those who received a reduced amount determine if they can obtain a benefit when they file their 2008 tax returns next year.
Senate Finance Committee
020808 Econ Stim Staff Summary.pdf (application/pdf Object)
The amount of the credit is phased out at a rate of 5% of adjusted gross income beginning at $75,000 ($150,000 in the case of joint returns). Residents of the U.S. possessions will also receive the benefit�
The law also clearly states that qualified recipients of this benefit must have social security numbers to receive these funds. No other identification number is considered permissible. SEC. 6428 (h) (2) "Identification Number Requirement" states, "For purposes of paragraph (1), the term `valid identification number' means a social security number issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration. Such term shall not include a TIN issued by the Internal Revenue Service."
According to SSA document 20 CFR Part 422 [Reg. No. 22] RIN 0960-AF05 Evidence Requirements for Assignment of Social Security Numbers (SSNs); Assignment of SSNs for Nonwork Purposes, a "valid non-work purpose" results when the "law requires an alien who is legally in the U.S. to have an SSN in order to receive general public assistance benefits (i.e., a public benefit that is means-tested) to which the alien has established Entitlement."
The means-testing provision of H.R. 5140, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 is stated in SEC. 6428 (d) Limitation Based on Adjusted Gross Income.
The federal government has also defined H.R. 5140 as a form of financial relief to persons who fall within certain income categories. According to a Whitehouse publication explaining the means-testing provision of H.R. 5140, "This relief would be available to everyone with adjusted gross income less than $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. It will be phased out for taxpayers above those income thresholds. Taxpayers may qualify by filing a tax return for 2007 and including a valid Social Security number on their tax return." [Fact Sheet: Bipartisan Growth Package Will Help Protect Our Nation's Economic Health, Office of the Press Secretary, February 13, 2008, whitehouse.gov].
Lawmakers included the identification requirements to HR.5140 under the belief that all legal residents of the United States will hold Social Security numbers. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Commissioner of Social Security to "take affirmative measures to assure that social security account numbers will, to the maximum extent practicable, be assigned to all members of appropriate groups or categories of individuals by assigning such numbers" [Section 205(c)(2)(B)(i)] and that all qualified individuals receive "financial relief" under H.R. 5140 according to the stated will and intention of the United States Congress and Senate (as described in the links above).
Below is part of a message I posted in another discussion, but this deserves it own discussion. If you are a legal resident of the US, such as an H4, even if you are a child, and you have an ITIN, you can get a Social Security Number, because that is the only way to get the Economic Stimulus Payment.
Be forewarned that the SSA will put up road blocks. You will likely be denied your first application. However, the law is clear and there is no cost to apply. You also have a right to appeal. A cover letter explaining why you have a RIGHT to a Social Security Number will help support your case. Your letter should refer to the laws and statutes cited below.
The only way to get the stimulus payment is to obtain a Social Security Number for "non-work" purposes. The SSA may issue an SSN to an alien under the following provision:
20 C.F.R. � 422.104(a)(3)
(i) You need a social security number to satisfy a Federal statute or regulation that requires you to have a social security number in order to receive a Federally-funded benefit to which you have otherwise established entitlement and you reside either in or outside the U.S.;
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/422/422-0104.htm
The Social Security Administration is required by federal law to issue Social Security Numbers to legal aliens who require them to receive federally funded benefits under Section 205(c)(2)(B)(i)(II) of the Social Security Act, which states that the Social Security Administration is required to assign an SSN to "any individual who is an applicant for or recipient of a benefit funded in whole or in part with Federal funds."
Here are some documents from official Senate and House websites (senate.gov, house.gov), which refer to the stimulus payment as a benefit. Print these out and attach them to your application.
Lawmakers
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
"Residents of the U.S. territories will also receive the benefit."
Johnny Isakson, United States Senator from Georgia
The benefit would phase out for single people earning more than $75,000 a year and married couples earning more than $150,000.
Johnson (GA04) | Press Release | Rep. Johnson Votes to Stimulate Economy
Americans who earned at least $3,000 in 2007 will receive the benefit, including Social Security recipients and 250,000 disabled veterans. Higher income taxpayers are not eligible and the relief phases out above incomes of $75,000 for a single earner and $150,000 for married couples.
Senator Robert Menendez | Newsroom
"Today's event is a chance to spread the word so that everyone is aware of the steps they need to take to receive this benefit."
News | Senator Pete V. Domenici
This benefit would help an estimated 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans.
EconomicStimulus2008
The 2008 tax instructions will include a worksheet to help those who did not qualify for a payment or those who received a reduced amount determine if they can obtain a benefit when they file their 2008 tax returns next year.
Senate Finance Committee
020808 Econ Stim Staff Summary.pdf (application/pdf Object)
The amount of the credit is phased out at a rate of 5% of adjusted gross income beginning at $75,000 ($150,000 in the case of joint returns). Residents of the U.S. possessions will also receive the benefit�
The law also clearly states that qualified recipients of this benefit must have social security numbers to receive these funds. No other identification number is considered permissible. SEC. 6428 (h) (2) "Identification Number Requirement" states, "For purposes of paragraph (1), the term `valid identification number' means a social security number issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration. Such term shall not include a TIN issued by the Internal Revenue Service."
According to SSA document 20 CFR Part 422 [Reg. No. 22] RIN 0960-AF05 Evidence Requirements for Assignment of Social Security Numbers (SSNs); Assignment of SSNs for Nonwork Purposes, a "valid non-work purpose" results when the "law requires an alien who is legally in the U.S. to have an SSN in order to receive general public assistance benefits (i.e., a public benefit that is means-tested) to which the alien has established Entitlement."
The means-testing provision of H.R. 5140, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 is stated in SEC. 6428 (d) Limitation Based on Adjusted Gross Income.
The federal government has also defined H.R. 5140 as a form of financial relief to persons who fall within certain income categories. According to a Whitehouse publication explaining the means-testing provision of H.R. 5140, "This relief would be available to everyone with adjusted gross income less than $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. It will be phased out for taxpayers above those income thresholds. Taxpayers may qualify by filing a tax return for 2007 and including a valid Social Security number on their tax return." [Fact Sheet: Bipartisan Growth Package Will Help Protect Our Nation's Economic Health, Office of the Press Secretary, February 13, 2008, whitehouse.gov].
Lawmakers included the identification requirements to HR.5140 under the belief that all legal residents of the United States will hold Social Security numbers. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Commissioner of Social Security to "take affirmative measures to assure that social security account numbers will, to the maximum extent practicable, be assigned to all members of appropriate groups or categories of individuals by assigning such numbers" [Section 205(c)(2)(B)(i)] and that all qualified individuals receive "financial relief" under H.R. 5140 according to the stated will and intention of the United States Congress and Senate (as described in the links above).
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jsb
03-23 03:12 PM
Hello Sleuths,
:) I appreciate your logical thinking and attention to detail! Yes, I've a worldwide roaming cell phone whose number is listed in Bay area, but I can receive calls wherever cellphone signal reaches.
I had included my cell phone number in my letters to IO earlier and he first called my office number and then tried my cell.
Hope the IO was not just checking if you still work for the employer you listed in your application. Not finding you in your office, and your telling him that you are out of country for an extended period may raise some flags.
:) I appreciate your logical thinking and attention to detail! Yes, I've a worldwide roaming cell phone whose number is listed in Bay area, but I can receive calls wherever cellphone signal reaches.
I had included my cell phone number in my letters to IO earlier and he first called my office number and then tried my cell.
Hope the IO was not just checking if you still work for the employer you listed in your application. Not finding you in your office, and your telling him that you are out of country for an extended period may raise some flags.
more...
delhirocks
06-14 06:16 PM
With dates current (even if they are for a few months), I wand this CIR to just go away. I would rather take my chances with the old process, then face something that is highly likely to be detrimental to us.
Come to think of it...If I (most of us) have our EAD's (spouse can work, job is portable)...would I really mind waiting to get my GC for 5 years...
Come to think of it...If I (most of us) have our EAD's (spouse can work, job is portable)...would I really mind waiting to get my GC for 5 years...
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qualified_trash
11-30 01:22 PM
Does anyone have any insight on this thing called "Last Action Rule"?
Scenario:
1) Visa stamp till Feb 28,2007.
2) Extension of 3 year H1B based on approved I140 starting March 1,2007.
3) International travel, returning to the US on Feb 3.
Now at the port of entry, the officer takes an action of saying your I-94 is valid till Feb 27. Basically this invalidates your previous H approval that starts from March 1. Some "Last Action Rule".
Reference: http://www.murthy.com/news/n_cosapp.html
Has anyone gone through this?
Basically the idea is that the person has to get a new H1B stamp when in India for the extension.
Well the information in the link to Murthy's article that you submitted clearly states the I94 will not invalidate your future approval. so your extension is valid.
I am not sure what your question is?
Scenario:
1) Visa stamp till Feb 28,2007.
2) Extension of 3 year H1B based on approved I140 starting March 1,2007.
3) International travel, returning to the US on Feb 3.
Now at the port of entry, the officer takes an action of saying your I-94 is valid till Feb 27. Basically this invalidates your previous H approval that starts from March 1. Some "Last Action Rule".
Reference: http://www.murthy.com/news/n_cosapp.html
Has anyone gone through this?
Basically the idea is that the person has to get a new H1B stamp when in India for the extension.
Well the information in the link to Murthy's article that you submitted clearly states the I94 will not invalidate your future approval. so your extension is valid.
I am not sure what your question is?
more...
immiusa
06-22 06:47 AM
Hello,
My application also returned for the same reason (no I485 receipt notice attached) from Phoenix. Not sure what to do at this time. I never received I485 receipt notices. Hence, I have attached biometric notices in place I485 receipt notices. I have added a cover letter requesting to expedite the process. I am not sure if this request caused some mental disturbance on the person who is supposed to work on my application and may have sent me rejected notice.
My application also returned for the same reason (no I485 receipt notice attached) from Phoenix. Not sure what to do at this time. I never received I485 receipt notices. Hence, I have attached biometric notices in place I485 receipt notices. I have added a cover letter requesting to expedite the process. I am not sure if this request caused some mental disturbance on the person who is supposed to work on my application and may have sent me rejected notice.
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rbharol
01-23 11:41 PM
"Representative Elton Gallegly (R-CA) introduced H.R. 133, Citizenship Reform Act of 2007, which would limit citizenship by birth to children born to at least one permanent resident or citizen parent."
Does this mean that if we do not have green cards our childern born here are not citizens. Am I understanding it right..
This bill will not even be discussed.
Does this mean that if we do not have green cards our childern born here are not citizens. Am I understanding it right..
This bill will not even be discussed.
more...
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dce.deepak
03-31 03:45 PM
Done
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adhantari
06-16 10:52 AM
If I get married to gal who is here in USA, before my I 485 aproval, and if my I-485 aprove before priority date available, is there any way my wife can apply for Green card? and get it with me?
unmarried then why not marry a US citizen..... that will take care of all your "problems" says AjameriBaba..... :D
unmarried then why not marry a US citizen..... that will take care of all your "problems" says AjameriBaba..... :D
more...
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FinalGC
05-13 08:43 AM
I would go with the prediction in the Jan 2010 Visa Bulletin:
WHAT ARE THE PROJECTIONS FOR CUT-OFF DATE MOVEMENT IN THE EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCES FOR THE REMAINDER OF FY-2010?
Based on current indications of demand, the best case scenarios for cut-off dates which will be reached by the end of FY-2010 are as follows:
Employment Second:
China: July through October 2005................CHINA IS ALREADY AT NOV 2005...SO THIS HAS HAPPENED
India: February through early March 2005.........ONE MONTH BEHIND HERE....NOT BAD WITH THE PREDICTION
If Section 202(a)(5)were to apply:
China and India: October through December 2005 ..................THIS IS THE SPILLOVER CHANCES FOR JULY-SEPT 2010....MOST LIKELY IT WILL CLOSE AT JAN 1, 2006
WHAT ARE THE PROJECTIONS FOR CUT-OFF DATE MOVEMENT IN THE EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCES FOR THE REMAINDER OF FY-2010?
Based on current indications of demand, the best case scenarios for cut-off dates which will be reached by the end of FY-2010 are as follows:
Employment Second:
China: July through October 2005................CHINA IS ALREADY AT NOV 2005...SO THIS HAS HAPPENED
India: February through early March 2005.........ONE MONTH BEHIND HERE....NOT BAD WITH THE PREDICTION
If Section 202(a)(5)were to apply:
China and India: October through December 2005 ..................THIS IS THE SPILLOVER CHANCES FOR JULY-SEPT 2010....MOST LIKELY IT WILL CLOSE AT JAN 1, 2006
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rc0878
09-18 03:51 PM
Applications were sent to NSC on July 19th' 2007. I got my receipt numbers today and all three numbers (I485, EAD & AP) start with WAC ### ### ####. The online status for the applications say that the 485 application was transfered to Texas Service Center and the EAD & AP applications were sent to Califorina Service Center.
Also just fyi, my I-140 app. is pending at NSC since Dec' 2006. So now I am all over the country :-) Don't know its good or bad. Any idea anyone?
Best of luck to all....
Also just fyi, my I-140 app. is pending at NSC since Dec' 2006. So now I am all over the country :-) Don't know its good or bad. Any idea anyone?
Best of luck to all....
more...
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gcnirvana
05-24 06:58 PM
Where did you see/hear this?
Hello All,
My take: these talk radio hosts cannot do anything for our cause. They spend all the time in radio. Only lobbying works and that too a focussed effort. Our focus must be in getting the message across to the Judiciary Commitee members, then as many senators as possible. Next step will be with the house members and this is the most difficult task.
IV is doing this and the results are there in the form of amendments. On another track, Sen Cornyn has introduced a good point in his SKIL bill Section 402. This I am sure is the result of letter from someone affected by retrogression / backlog.
So, we can get results only by presenting our problems directly to Senators and Congressman.
Hello All,
My take: these talk radio hosts cannot do anything for our cause. They spend all the time in radio. Only lobbying works and that too a focussed effort. Our focus must be in getting the message across to the Judiciary Commitee members, then as many senators as possible. Next step will be with the house members and this is the most difficult task.
IV is doing this and the results are there in the form of amendments. On another track, Sen Cornyn has introduced a good point in his SKIL bill Section 402. This I am sure is the result of letter from someone affected by retrogression / backlog.
So, we can get results only by presenting our problems directly to Senators and Congressman.
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seeniraj
03-31 12:30 PM
Thanks
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eb3_nepa
06-22 05:21 PM
Ok Va_labour,
Give someone else a chance to comment like a core member :) You have posted 3 consecutive posts on here, Twice.
Relax man, if you want the core team to reply that badly, either send them a PM or email them. :)
Give someone else a chance to comment like a core member :) You have posted 3 consecutive posts on here, Twice.
Relax man, if you want the core team to reply that badly, either send them a PM or email them. :)
coolio
06-14 06:14 PM
Exactly....I don't say this a trick by USCIS to divert our attention but that will definitely be the result. Everyone here (except with the older priority dates) will face retrogression very soon. Please try to understand this folks.
Everyone will file for 485 and will get stuck in the backlog, before you know if, it will be Oct-08 and then they will scrap the old system and make everybody file under the point system. Which of course would be a nightmare as the USCIS or one of its derivatives would not be able to cope with the flood of application. At the end of the day all of us would be 1000s of dollar down and would still be posting here complaining about the process.
Bottom line is, with a limit of 20 amendments, one can be assured there won't be one looking out for us out on the fringes.
Everyone will file for 485 and will get stuck in the backlog, before you know if, it will be Oct-08 and then they will scrap the old system and make everybody file under the point system. Which of course would be a nightmare as the USCIS or one of its derivatives would not be able to cope with the flood of application. At the end of the day all of us would be 1000s of dollar down and would still be posting here complaining about the process.
Bottom line is, with a limit of 20 amendments, one can be assured there won't be one looking out for us out on the fringes.
arnet
09-20 01:54 PM
IV team, please consider the following:
1. IV can post free ads in classifieds like sulekha, indiainfo, craigslist, free ad newspaper, etc.
2. also IV can contact all indian/asian associations and Asian student association in US to place an free ad in their websites/magazine/email newsletter (some have annual magazine, some has monthly newsletter). tell them how IV helps its members in visa/gc related issues including free legal advise.
3. IV can place free ad/info on notice boards in indian/pak/chinese restaurants, indian/pak/chinese groceries, temples, conference halls, etc...
4. increase IV site listing in search engine results. any combination of keywords in gc or visa should bring IV site in top 10 like when searching any US visa (like H1/H4/H1B/F1/J1 etc.), gc related keywords (like I-485, PERM, labor, I-140, immigrant, FingerPrinting, etc). This can be achieved for a little money and this can be done by contacting yahoo/msn and other SEO (Search Engine Optimization) companies. Our members can help us in this regard.
5. Send newsletter email to all IV members atleast ONCE a month and ask them to contact their friends/coworkers/their company employees to join IV.
This newsletter will request members to contact indian/asian association in their local area for membership drive.
Also request them to send feedback to improve IV and to increase publicity and membership.
6. Create "Free Legal Advise for Employers/Schools Only", where employers/schools can send visa/gc related questions and attend conference call during this session. This is an addition to the current one which we have now (which is for open public).
also request these employers to place IV information on notice board in all office branches, also ask them to request these employers to give IV information in welcome package. same for colleges we can contact international student counsellor or concerned persons to give IV information in information package to foreign students who join their college.
7. Create an email like "employerslist@immigrationvoice.org" and mention this in contactus page. Every month newsletter will rquest IV members to send "employers name/address/phone and contact person name/email" to this email so that we can keep the employer information private. Ask them whether IV can use their name to contact them.
This employer should hire foreign graduates, or who sponsors H1B or GC even J1/Business visa etc... in this way, if we collect their names/contact info, we can contact them and request them to place or send email to their employees about IV. They might refuse but we convince saying that IV is providing "free legal counsel for Visa/GC" for both Employers/Employees where they can opinion about their visa/gc related questions and explain how IV helps in getting rid of GC backlogs and advocates H1 increase etc....
8. Create "Contact Us" page with a form inaddition to what we have.
following fields like: from, category, subject, how they heard about us, comments/feedback. This category can be general, questions for free legal advise, feedback, etc.
how they heard about us: give options like IV member/search engine/college/employer/friend/family/association, other etc., if they choose others, they have to tell what it is, this will help us to concentrate on marketing in the area through which we received more membership.
9. Not sure how this is done but check. Do email marketing from hotmail/yahoo, etc. most people give for less than 50$ for 1000 emails, get list of emails specific to people who has occupation in IT who are in US and send email to them.
10. Consider this after trying above options: pay-per-click(PPC)/Adsense (google). for this, we need to spend some money, but some companies are giving 50$ for new customers, after that they will charge us. we can bid very low for PPC.
Thanks everyone for being patient and supporting us. The work is happening at all ends and it is an uphill task.
We really need to increase our membership. Higher membership will mean us looking tall when we meet lawmakers. Please all try to help us spread the word of IV to everyone you know that is stuck in retrogression. We represent at least half million people but we currently not even have 6 thousand members. Thus we have to bring lot many people into IV. I would encourage everyone to pls. register on this forum instead of being visitors.
Pls try to help us increase our membership in your own capacity, in any way you can. This is something everyone on this forum can help us.
1. IV can post free ads in classifieds like sulekha, indiainfo, craigslist, free ad newspaper, etc.
2. also IV can contact all indian/asian associations and Asian student association in US to place an free ad in their websites/magazine/email newsletter (some have annual magazine, some has monthly newsletter). tell them how IV helps its members in visa/gc related issues including free legal advise.
3. IV can place free ad/info on notice boards in indian/pak/chinese restaurants, indian/pak/chinese groceries, temples, conference halls, etc...
4. increase IV site listing in search engine results. any combination of keywords in gc or visa should bring IV site in top 10 like when searching any US visa (like H1/H4/H1B/F1/J1 etc.), gc related keywords (like I-485, PERM, labor, I-140, immigrant, FingerPrinting, etc). This can be achieved for a little money and this can be done by contacting yahoo/msn and other SEO (Search Engine Optimization) companies. Our members can help us in this regard.
5. Send newsletter email to all IV members atleast ONCE a month and ask them to contact their friends/coworkers/their company employees to join IV.
This newsletter will request members to contact indian/asian association in their local area for membership drive.
Also request them to send feedback to improve IV and to increase publicity and membership.
6. Create "Free Legal Advise for Employers/Schools Only", where employers/schools can send visa/gc related questions and attend conference call during this session. This is an addition to the current one which we have now (which is for open public).
also request these employers to place IV information on notice board in all office branches, also ask them to request these employers to give IV information in welcome package. same for colleges we can contact international student counsellor or concerned persons to give IV information in information package to foreign students who join their college.
7. Create an email like "employerslist@immigrationvoice.org" and mention this in contactus page. Every month newsletter will rquest IV members to send "employers name/address/phone and contact person name/email" to this email so that we can keep the employer information private. Ask them whether IV can use their name to contact them.
This employer should hire foreign graduates, or who sponsors H1B or GC even J1/Business visa etc... in this way, if we collect their names/contact info, we can contact them and request them to place or send email to their employees about IV. They might refuse but we convince saying that IV is providing "free legal counsel for Visa/GC" for both Employers/Employees where they can opinion about their visa/gc related questions and explain how IV helps in getting rid of GC backlogs and advocates H1 increase etc....
8. Create "Contact Us" page with a form inaddition to what we have.
following fields like: from, category, subject, how they heard about us, comments/feedback. This category can be general, questions for free legal advise, feedback, etc.
how they heard about us: give options like IV member/search engine/college/employer/friend/family/association, other etc., if they choose others, they have to tell what it is, this will help us to concentrate on marketing in the area through which we received more membership.
9. Not sure how this is done but check. Do email marketing from hotmail/yahoo, etc. most people give for less than 50$ for 1000 emails, get list of emails specific to people who has occupation in IT who are in US and send email to them.
10. Consider this after trying above options: pay-per-click(PPC)/Adsense (google). for this, we need to spend some money, but some companies are giving 50$ for new customers, after that they will charge us. we can bid very low for PPC.
Thanks everyone for being patient and supporting us. The work is happening at all ends and it is an uphill task.
We really need to increase our membership. Higher membership will mean us looking tall when we meet lawmakers. Please all try to help us spread the word of IV to everyone you know that is stuck in retrogression. We represent at least half million people but we currently not even have 6 thousand members. Thus we have to bring lot many people into IV. I would encourage everyone to pls. register on this forum instead of being visitors.
Pls try to help us increase our membership in your own capacity, in any way you can. This is something everyone on this forum can help us.
