rimzhim
02-07 08:00 PM
you have a PD only if you are in a pool that has a restriction on the number of GCs that can be issued in one year. if you are exempt, basically you don't have a PD. That is, it is always current. You do wait for them to finish processing your I-485 for which there will always be a processing date, which may or may not be current for you.
Also, please don't give any such ideas to USCIS; they may like this particular idea :D
I interpret SKILL as follows for US MS.
1. You wait for your PD to become current.
2. When your PD becomes current, you are not counted against the cap.
How can we verify that my understanding of step 1 is incorrect? Thanks.
Also, please don't give any such ideas to USCIS; they may like this particular idea :D
I interpret SKILL as follows for US MS.
1. You wait for your PD to become current.
2. When your PD becomes current, you are not counted against the cap.
How can we verify that my understanding of step 1 is incorrect? Thanks.
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justareader
01-30 05:10 PM
Done
learning01
02-01 03:10 PM
I don't agree with your comment.
Probably it is demoralizing to many. I had written many times., let's not drag individual instances , subjective feelings into a forum discussion which is general in nature.
Here we are not talking, something like, do you believe in god? The thread is 'Are we ...'
Yes, our success has created these issues for us. We are sincere, talented, educated, skilled and experienced. In my view, three things perpetuate this:
- this republican regime, the way its runs government (hence throw the bums out)
- lack of interest in our issues by our predecessors who have GC in their hand, our community leaders
- general introvert nature of Asians(aloof, not interested, not outgoing, not mixing, not greeting etc)
There is one more thing that not many people are aware of.
Let me ask eveybody. Even after all this, why are these Desi consulting companys successful in the market? They have poor quality product (People with forged Resume), they are not charging lower rates, but still they are able to put there people in Projects?
Probably it is demoralizing to many. I had written many times., let's not drag individual instances , subjective feelings into a forum discussion which is general in nature.
Here we are not talking, something like, do you believe in god? The thread is 'Are we ...'
Yes, our success has created these issues for us. We are sincere, talented, educated, skilled and experienced. In my view, three things perpetuate this:
- this republican regime, the way its runs government (hence throw the bums out)
- lack of interest in our issues by our predecessors who have GC in their hand, our community leaders
- general introvert nature of Asians(aloof, not interested, not outgoing, not mixing, not greeting etc)
There is one more thing that not many people are aware of.
Let me ask eveybody. Even after all this, why are these Desi consulting companys successful in the market? They have poor quality product (People with forged Resume), they are not charging lower rates, but still they are able to put there people in Projects?
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Alien
02-13 11:15 PM
I agree with anands26 to an extent. We just need fresh ideas and activities going on while we wait for something to happen.
If we are not able to attract new members at a great rate we should atleast make sure we get to retain the existing strength.Word of mouth can only get you so much.
How about making professional grade media clips and posting the link on different websites? The one on IV we have now looks amateurish and doesnt quite do any justice to the org(with all due respects to the person in the clip). Its all about the outlook. People will tend to take us more seriously if we can do a few slick video clips with statistics,interviews(with different nationals) and such.Recruit an (not so expensive)Ad agency.Seeing is believing.It could probably boost the membership level too.Lets not sell ourselves short.
I also agree with anands26 on attacking the ideas instead of the person. If the leadership needs a slap on the hand so be it. Lets encourage some constructive criticism.Last week we witnessed a lot of personal attacks and guess who was doing it?
Ok, if advertising is too far-fetched, then hold some cultural events and make money on those. Brainstorm with members to find other ways to make money. People are not going to contribute. That is the writing on the wall. There is lack of trust and lack of faith in IV. IV will have to figure out ways to generate cash from other things than member contributions. If I remember correctly, people contributed nearly $200K and have got nothing to show for that.
These suggestions are because you think money is the issue. I don't think it is. It's the lack of good leadership. That is my opinion and it was point of my original posting. Lack of money is being blamed wrongly. But may be I am wrong.
Attack my ideas and not me. Then we can have a debate conducive to achieving our goals.
If we are not able to attract new members at a great rate we should atleast make sure we get to retain the existing strength.Word of mouth can only get you so much.
How about making professional grade media clips and posting the link on different websites? The one on IV we have now looks amateurish and doesnt quite do any justice to the org(with all due respects to the person in the clip). Its all about the outlook. People will tend to take us more seriously if we can do a few slick video clips with statistics,interviews(with different nationals) and such.Recruit an (not so expensive)Ad agency.Seeing is believing.It could probably boost the membership level too.Lets not sell ourselves short.
I also agree with anands26 on attacking the ideas instead of the person. If the leadership needs a slap on the hand so be it. Lets encourage some constructive criticism.Last week we witnessed a lot of personal attacks and guess who was doing it?
Ok, if advertising is too far-fetched, then hold some cultural events and make money on those. Brainstorm with members to find other ways to make money. People are not going to contribute. That is the writing on the wall. There is lack of trust and lack of faith in IV. IV will have to figure out ways to generate cash from other things than member contributions. If I remember correctly, people contributed nearly $200K and have got nothing to show for that.
These suggestions are because you think money is the issue. I don't think it is. It's the lack of good leadership. That is my opinion and it was point of my original posting. Lack of money is being blamed wrongly. But may be I am wrong.
Attack my ideas and not me. Then we can have a debate conducive to achieving our goals.
more...
badluck
07-18 10:23 AM
Date Delivered To USCIS: July 2
Time Delivered To USCIS: 10.55 AM
Service Center: NSC
Rejected: Dont Know
Time Delivered To USCIS: 10.55 AM
Service Center: NSC
Rejected: Dont Know
zigma
04-19 02:55 PM
Net Income is calculated after expenses (such as administrative and Salaries) have been deducted.
Net Income = Gross Income - Expenses
It is on Net income that the company pays taxes.
A company does not pay anyone from their net income. This is the profit.
Net Income = Gross Income - Expenses
It is on Net income that the company pays taxes.
A company does not pay anyone from their net income. This is the profit.
more...
B3NKobe
06-09 01:41 AM
Nice Job Ankou!! Smooth colouring, :D:D
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anilsal
11-15 02:12 PM
Why do people spread the false propaganda that H1Bs do not pay taxes? This is utter nonsense.
more...
gsc999
07-11 08:43 PM
I just got to this forum through some means and saw this thread. I work at Oracle and so I have sent it to the Oracle mailing lists for their support
---
Vinoddas: thanks for forwarding our message.
Can you also help with putting some flyers at Oracle food canteen? I have been there once. Lot of foot traffic. Please PM me your e-mail address. I will send you the soft copy of the flyer.
---
Vinoddas: thanks for forwarding our message.
Can you also help with putting some flyers at Oracle food canteen? I have been there once. Lot of foot traffic. Please PM me your e-mail address. I will send you the soft copy of the flyer.
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InTheMoment
10-18 11:37 PM
4-6 months after your Notice Date. The date you give your FP has absolutely no relation to the initiation of namecheck by FBI.
The submission for namecheck is generally made to FBI 1-2 weeks after your Notice Date. (The date one's data is entered into the USCIS CLAIMS3 system)
NO..online status wont chnage.
U can either call the 1-800 # or make an infopass appointment 4-6 Months after your first FP. If u plan to call, make sure u call 3-4 times because you might get conflicting info
The submission for namecheck is generally made to FBI 1-2 weeks after your Notice Date. (The date one's data is entered into the USCIS CLAIMS3 system)
NO..online status wont chnage.
U can either call the 1-800 # or make an infopass appointment 4-6 Months after your first FP. If u plan to call, make sure u call 3-4 times because you might get conflicting info
more...
priti8888
07-25 01:03 AM
Advantages of EAD far outweigh the disadvantages. Unmarried individuals of PD 02,03,04(eb3) might have a reason to worry but not the rest.
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karthkc
02-11 01:19 PM
I believe you have to file an amendment to let USCIS know that you intend to continue on H1B after you return using AP OR file for an H1B extension if you are within that timeframe before a transfer.
AFAIK, when you return on AP, you are paroled into the US and the I-94 you get is valid only for the term of your AP. When you send that I94 copy across to USCIS for your H1B transfer, you may have an issue.
I believe this is just procedural since I have seen a lot of people continue working on their H1B for their current employer (Same as GC) after using AP and they have not had any issues.
HTH!
--Karthik
AFAIK, when you return on AP, you are paroled into the US and the I-94 you get is valid only for the term of your AP. When you send that I94 copy across to USCIS for your H1B transfer, you may have an issue.
I believe this is just procedural since I have seen a lot of people continue working on their H1B for their current employer (Same as GC) after using AP and they have not had any issues.
HTH!
--Karthik
more...
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SunnySurya
05-23 03:15 PM
Paskal, Nixtor and other moderators, please run a quick check on dbcd.
I suspect he is same as pointlesswait.
Agree with original post.
Numbers USA people are angry right wing citizens.
Calls from legal aliens who can't vote won't move lawmakers one bit. Money and votes are the only 2 things that matter to politicians.
Pressure groups and lobbyists have far more reach and influence. IV as a group can use lobbyists and other influence to get a lot more done. Individual phone calls are a waste.
DBCD
I suspect he is same as pointlesswait.
Agree with original post.
Numbers USA people are angry right wing citizens.
Calls from legal aliens who can't vote won't move lawmakers one bit. Money and votes are the only 2 things that matter to politicians.
Pressure groups and lobbyists have far more reach and influence. IV as a group can use lobbyists and other influence to get a lot more done. Individual phone calls are a waste.
DBCD
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chanukya
02-05 05:22 PM
IV has to priorotize before going to a lobbyist, with very very few contributions made, its very difficult to have everything bundled into a single request.
Its also unfair that L1 has to work for specific company but L1 spouces can work for any company any job, its so funny, when you think H1 has to work for specfic company and only for specfic job, but spouces can work for any compnay any job any salary without any labor department intervention
Immmigration awareness has increased a lot among US voters, when it comes to threat of their jobs being lost, and democratic senators are very much aware of it, hence CIR is no longer their priority.
I am not fighting but YES, my reason to join IV was to find justice to the H-4 not being able to work when L-1 spouses and Agjob spouses (I read this a year ago) could. Although no promises were made from IV, I was surpired today since nothing was ever said regarding no interest in the H-4 cause when many discussion were in place. Here people contribute for their own benefits, I was here for the H-4s, that is why I transcribed part of the conference calls too, so I was somehow a contributer to a cause that doesn't represnt my interests, but I know it represents the interests of the unmarried folks, or married to IT spouses folks.
Its also unfair that L1 has to work for specific company but L1 spouces can work for any company any job, its so funny, when you think H1 has to work for specfic company and only for specfic job, but spouces can work for any compnay any job any salary without any labor department intervention
Immmigration awareness has increased a lot among US voters, when it comes to threat of their jobs being lost, and democratic senators are very much aware of it, hence CIR is no longer their priority.
I am not fighting but YES, my reason to join IV was to find justice to the H-4 not being able to work when L-1 spouses and Agjob spouses (I read this a year ago) could. Although no promises were made from IV, I was surpired today since nothing was ever said regarding no interest in the H-4 cause when many discussion were in place. Here people contribute for their own benefits, I was here for the H-4s, that is why I transcribed part of the conference calls too, so I was somehow a contributer to a cause that doesn't represnt my interests, but I know it represents the interests of the unmarried folks, or married to IT spouses folks.
more...
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rri195
07-18 03:24 PM
that's delivered date
It seems few applicants who mailed on 6/29 or 6/30 did got RD of 7/2
http://www..com/usa-immigration-trackers/i485-tracker1/
just wondering how ???
It seems few applicants who mailed on 6/29 or 6/30 did got RD of 7/2
http://www..com/usa-immigration-trackers/i485-tracker1/
just wondering how ???
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lskreddy
01-31 10:48 PM
You know, there are often times we all get upset that some stupid questions make it to the list, republican debate was one such yesterday, today's democratic one looked better. I hated that they did not ask our question inspite of it being the 2nd popular one but I personally think the question was too damn narrow for them to care.
For us, it may seem the world but for them it is just a technicality/one of the several points of CIR. Both Clinton and Obama seem to always chime in and act all gung-ho about legal immigration coming first.
Whenever they are asked about any frig'n immigration question, they throw the buzz word 'comprehensive immigration reform' and that folks, covers the entire gamut. The worst part is, on this issue the entire front runners look the same, well, almost. Mitt R is against but John, Hillary and Barack all seem to sing the same koom-ba-yaa song about CIR.
...
For us, it may seem the world but for them it is just a technicality/one of the several points of CIR. Both Clinton and Obama seem to always chime in and act all gung-ho about legal immigration coming first.
Whenever they are asked about any frig'n immigration question, they throw the buzz word 'comprehensive immigration reform' and that folks, covers the entire gamut. The worst part is, on this issue the entire front runners look the same, well, almost. Mitt R is against but John, Hillary and Barack all seem to sing the same koom-ba-yaa song about CIR.
...
more...
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tonyHK12
04-20 06:47 PM
Congrats. Keep those boots hanged up :)
Like I said I have never attacked anybody first, unless I was provoked.
Like I said I have never attacked anybody first, unless I was provoked.
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eyeswe
03-17 05:22 AM
I thought EB2 vs EB3 is mainly determined by what your job requires.. You may have a Masters but if your JD does not require one, the company cannot file you on EB2.
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anzerraja
07-19 08:48 PM
There is a funding drive in this other thread towards reimbursing Aman's expenses.
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10708
Could you please pledge an amount ?
Imagine if Uncle Sam held an auction to allow you to submit I485 EAD AP, what would you have bid for the right to submit?
Maybe $640, $6,400, or even $64,000?
If Uncle Sam charged a fee to submit now rather than waiting for another year or two or three... What would you have paid to submit I485 and get EAD AP AC21?
Alternatively, how much are you going to benefit from EAD AP or AC21?
AC21 -- maybe ability to move jobs and get a few thousand $ pay rise?
AC21 -- maybe not going to the back of the queue -- really worth thousands!
EAD for you and spouse -- maybe a week of salary for someone that could not previously work?
AP -- how much is it worth not to have to waste time and money renewing H1B at an embassy. That's at least a few days of time you don't have to waste (and time is money).
How much will you save from filing under the old fee structure? At least a few hundreds.
Now use that as a guideline for what you are going to contribute to IV.
There are still problems ahead for most....
* retrogression
* BECs for unluck some
* name checks (I personally know someone that it took almost 2 years for).
IV is now the most credible organization there to help get these issues addressed. So let's hand over the $.
(me about $1K so far plus time)
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10708
Could you please pledge an amount ?
Imagine if Uncle Sam held an auction to allow you to submit I485 EAD AP, what would you have bid for the right to submit?
Maybe $640, $6,400, or even $64,000?
If Uncle Sam charged a fee to submit now rather than waiting for another year or two or three... What would you have paid to submit I485 and get EAD AP AC21?
Alternatively, how much are you going to benefit from EAD AP or AC21?
AC21 -- maybe ability to move jobs and get a few thousand $ pay rise?
AC21 -- maybe not going to the back of the queue -- really worth thousands!
EAD for you and spouse -- maybe a week of salary for someone that could not previously work?
AP -- how much is it worth not to have to waste time and money renewing H1B at an embassy. That's at least a few days of time you don't have to waste (and time is money).
How much will you save from filing under the old fee structure? At least a few hundreds.
Now use that as a guideline for what you are going to contribute to IV.
There are still problems ahead for most....
* retrogression
* BECs for unluck some
* name checks (I personally know someone that it took almost 2 years for).
IV is now the most credible organization there to help get these issues addressed. So let's hand over the $.
(me about $1K so far plus time)
tinamatthew
07-18 03:27 PM
I don't know why but we tend to be satisfied with lsmall benefits...
I agree with you "something (EAD and AP) is better than nothing"
But i bet you ..you will find your self in the same situation of agony and endless waiting for the final Green card.
I bet most of the people don't use your ead and AP as it puts you in a gray "Adjustment of status". They are good to have though. But you will see...how painful it is to decide to use them or not..
What i want to say is that being able to apply for EAD and AP is not the end of the battle..you will be stuck in a depressing situation waiting for the final green card.How do i know? .. I went through it...waiting for GC for the past 4 years.
I dont know its FBI or its just the USCIS incompetence but waiting in the final stage is horrible. Every time you travel you are scared...AP as for as my lawyer goes IT does not guarantee 100% entry in to the country.
After you apply for AP its only 1 year H1 increments.
What i am saying why dont we try for the overall improvement of the GC processing. Why dont we be firm about not wasting the GC numbers and recapturing the unused numbers.
We had a small revolt (peaceful way) and its successful.We dont want to stop there.
LETS FIGHT FOR THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENT OF THE GC PROCESSING
I hope you guys are with me..looking for your comments
Have you ever had to stay at home AGAINST your wishes?
Have you ever wondered if all your technical skills would still be usable when you finally get that EAD?
Have you ever wondered if the employer would still want you after you been out of circulation for so many years?
Well.... if you have ever asked your selves these questions, then you may well as say I am ready to wait for that GC
I agree, let us fight for the overall improvement of the GC processing, BUT I say after Aug 17th
I agree with you "something (EAD and AP) is better than nothing"
But i bet you ..you will find your self in the same situation of agony and endless waiting for the final Green card.
I bet most of the people don't use your ead and AP as it puts you in a gray "Adjustment of status". They are good to have though. But you will see...how painful it is to decide to use them or not..
What i want to say is that being able to apply for EAD and AP is not the end of the battle..you will be stuck in a depressing situation waiting for the final green card.How do i know? .. I went through it...waiting for GC for the past 4 years.
I dont know its FBI or its just the USCIS incompetence but waiting in the final stage is horrible. Every time you travel you are scared...AP as for as my lawyer goes IT does not guarantee 100% entry in to the country.
After you apply for AP its only 1 year H1 increments.
What i am saying why dont we try for the overall improvement of the GC processing. Why dont we be firm about not wasting the GC numbers and recapturing the unused numbers.
We had a small revolt (peaceful way) and its successful.We dont want to stop there.
LETS FIGHT FOR THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENT OF THE GC PROCESSING
I hope you guys are with me..looking for your comments
Have you ever had to stay at home AGAINST your wishes?
Have you ever wondered if all your technical skills would still be usable when you finally get that EAD?
Have you ever wondered if the employer would still want you after you been out of circulation for so many years?
Well.... if you have ever asked your selves these questions, then you may well as say I am ready to wait for that GC
I agree, let us fight for the overall improvement of the GC processing, BUT I say after Aug 17th
sobers
02-22 12:31 PM
Whether it is logical or not, whether we like it or not, the issues of illegal and legal immigration are intrinsically tied up (to the disadvantage of skilled workers, of course:-()
Anyhow, this appeared in today's Wall Street Journal...it may forbode a taste of things to come..or not come..this one focusses on the DREAM Act which is geared to provide in-state tuition to illegal immigrants..
---------------
Should Illegal Immigrants Get Tuition Help?
States' Varying Stances on College-Education Benefit Illustrate Congress's Overhaul Task
By JUNE KRONHOLZ
February 22, 2006; Page A4
WASHINGTON -- An emotional state-level dispute over college tuition shows how tough it will be for Congress to overhaul immigration laws and extend citizenship benefits to the country's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants.
Four years ago, California passed a law granting in-state tuition to students who were in the U.S. illegally but had graduated from a California high school. Eight other states followed, allowing illegal immigrants to attend public colleges for in-state student fees -- usually less than half what out-of-state students pay.
DiAnna Schimek, a Democrat who heads the Nebraska Senate's education committee, says she has pushed for an in-state tuition bill for illegal immigrants as a matter of compassion and economic calculation. "These children didn't bring themselves" but were brought by their parents, she says. "It's only a good investment on our part to make certain they are productive citizens."
But attitudes have been hardening as an estimated 400,000 illegal immigrants flood in yearly. "That's an alarm to the people here ... it's a drain on the economy," says Rep. Glenn Donnelson, a Utah Republican who heads an education committee in his state.
So while some legislators want to extend tuition benefits to illegal immigrants in their states, others are calling for laws to deny the benefit -- or take it back.
Lawmakers in Utah, Kansas and New Mexico -- which passed in-state tuition benefits only two or three years ago -- now are waging uphill fights to repeal them. Massachusetts legislators last month rejected a bill to offer in-state tuition benefits to illegal immigrants.
Six states are considering measures that would deny in-state tuition, tuition waivers or state scholarships to illegal immigrants. In New York, which offers in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, and Virginia, which recently passed a law offering benefits to some, bills have been introduced to bar illegal immigrants from attending public colleges.
Meanwhile, lawsuits challenging in-state tuition for illegal immigrants have been filed in California and in Kansas. "There's something wrong with giving a benefit to an illegal that we don't even give to citizens of other states," says state Rep. Becky Hutchins, a Kansas Republican leading a repeal effort there.
The tuition laws generally require illegal immigrants to have attended a local high school for three years, to have graduated or earned a high-school equivalency and to sign an affidavit promising to legalize their immigration status as soon as they are eligible.
Promoters expect few students to actually take up the benefit. Dropout rates are high and academic scores generally are low among Hispanics, who account for the majority of illegal aliens. And even in-state tuition, which averages about $5,500 this year, may be out of reach for children whose parents typically hold minimum-wage jobs.
Kris Kobach, a University of Missouri law professor who brought a federal suit against the Kansas program, says 221 illegal immigrants are enrolled in Kansas public colleges this year, and that even when the benefit becomes widely known, the number probably wouldn't exceed 2,700.
Even so, in-state tuition laws have become flashpoint among some voters who feel they haven't any other way to protest illegal immigration. Federal laws allow illegal immigrants to use emergency medical services, and a 1982 Supreme Court decision entitles their children to public education through high school.
Rod Adair, a New Mexico state senator who introduced unsuccessful legislation to repeal his state's immigrant-tuition benefit, says he was acting "in response to my constituents. They're frustrated."
Prof. Kobach's suit contends Kansas's in-state tuition benefit violates a federal law that prohibits states from giving any benefit to an illegal alien that they don't also extend to all U.S. citizens.
Among his plaintiffs, Heidi Hydeman, an Iowa native, says she was charged out-of-state tuition by the University of Kansas, though she lived in Kansas for six years and paid Kansas income tax for three years while attending the school. "I thought it was unfair," says Ms. Hydeman.
Mr. Donnelson, the Utah legislator, says Utah would face a $34 million bill if a similar suit were filed there, and current out-of-state students were refunded the difference between in-state tuition and the nonresident tuition they pay.
But legislators' doubts go beyond that. Although illegal immigrants who get the tuition benefit pledge to legalize their status, there is almost no way they can do that under current laws. And even with a college degree, there is almost no way for illegal immigrants to legally get a job.
For years, congressional supporters have promoted a measure, called the Dream Act, that would clear up those problems. States would be allowed to offer in-state tuition to illegal-immigrant students who, in turn, could become citizens.
In 2003, almost half the Senate cosponsored the Dream Act. But the Dream Act's prospects have faded, and this year its pivotal supporter, Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, withdrew as a sponsor. "Realistically, the Dream Act will not pass" and should be included in an overhaul of immigration laws, he said.
But the tensions fueling opposition to in-state tuition laws are the same ones making it hard for Congress to pass immigration overhaul. A coalition of pro-business Republicans, Democrats, immigrant-rights groups and labor unions wants new federal laws that would let illegal immigrants eventually become citizens.
They are being stymied, however, by social conservatives, who worry about being culturally overwhelmed by immigrants, and by Republican national-security hawks, who are demanding that Washington cut off illegal immigration first. The tension prevented the U.S. House from taking up immigration overhaul last year, and is complicating the Senate's efforts to pass it this year.
Write to June Kronholz at june.kronholz@wsj.com
Anyhow, this appeared in today's Wall Street Journal...it may forbode a taste of things to come..or not come..this one focusses on the DREAM Act which is geared to provide in-state tuition to illegal immigrants..
---------------
Should Illegal Immigrants Get Tuition Help?
States' Varying Stances on College-Education Benefit Illustrate Congress's Overhaul Task
By JUNE KRONHOLZ
February 22, 2006; Page A4
WASHINGTON -- An emotional state-level dispute over college tuition shows how tough it will be for Congress to overhaul immigration laws and extend citizenship benefits to the country's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants.
Four years ago, California passed a law granting in-state tuition to students who were in the U.S. illegally but had graduated from a California high school. Eight other states followed, allowing illegal immigrants to attend public colleges for in-state student fees -- usually less than half what out-of-state students pay.
DiAnna Schimek, a Democrat who heads the Nebraska Senate's education committee, says she has pushed for an in-state tuition bill for illegal immigrants as a matter of compassion and economic calculation. "These children didn't bring themselves" but were brought by their parents, she says. "It's only a good investment on our part to make certain they are productive citizens."
But attitudes have been hardening as an estimated 400,000 illegal immigrants flood in yearly. "That's an alarm to the people here ... it's a drain on the economy," says Rep. Glenn Donnelson, a Utah Republican who heads an education committee in his state.
So while some legislators want to extend tuition benefits to illegal immigrants in their states, others are calling for laws to deny the benefit -- or take it back.
Lawmakers in Utah, Kansas and New Mexico -- which passed in-state tuition benefits only two or three years ago -- now are waging uphill fights to repeal them. Massachusetts legislators last month rejected a bill to offer in-state tuition benefits to illegal immigrants.
Six states are considering measures that would deny in-state tuition, tuition waivers or state scholarships to illegal immigrants. In New York, which offers in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, and Virginia, which recently passed a law offering benefits to some, bills have been introduced to bar illegal immigrants from attending public colleges.
Meanwhile, lawsuits challenging in-state tuition for illegal immigrants have been filed in California and in Kansas. "There's something wrong with giving a benefit to an illegal that we don't even give to citizens of other states," says state Rep. Becky Hutchins, a Kansas Republican leading a repeal effort there.
The tuition laws generally require illegal immigrants to have attended a local high school for three years, to have graduated or earned a high-school equivalency and to sign an affidavit promising to legalize their immigration status as soon as they are eligible.
Promoters expect few students to actually take up the benefit. Dropout rates are high and academic scores generally are low among Hispanics, who account for the majority of illegal aliens. And even in-state tuition, which averages about $5,500 this year, may be out of reach for children whose parents typically hold minimum-wage jobs.
Kris Kobach, a University of Missouri law professor who brought a federal suit against the Kansas program, says 221 illegal immigrants are enrolled in Kansas public colleges this year, and that even when the benefit becomes widely known, the number probably wouldn't exceed 2,700.
Even so, in-state tuition laws have become flashpoint among some voters who feel they haven't any other way to protest illegal immigration. Federal laws allow illegal immigrants to use emergency medical services, and a 1982 Supreme Court decision entitles their children to public education through high school.
Rod Adair, a New Mexico state senator who introduced unsuccessful legislation to repeal his state's immigrant-tuition benefit, says he was acting "in response to my constituents. They're frustrated."
Prof. Kobach's suit contends Kansas's in-state tuition benefit violates a federal law that prohibits states from giving any benefit to an illegal alien that they don't also extend to all U.S. citizens.
Among his plaintiffs, Heidi Hydeman, an Iowa native, says she was charged out-of-state tuition by the University of Kansas, though she lived in Kansas for six years and paid Kansas income tax for three years while attending the school. "I thought it was unfair," says Ms. Hydeman.
Mr. Donnelson, the Utah legislator, says Utah would face a $34 million bill if a similar suit were filed there, and current out-of-state students were refunded the difference between in-state tuition and the nonresident tuition they pay.
But legislators' doubts go beyond that. Although illegal immigrants who get the tuition benefit pledge to legalize their status, there is almost no way they can do that under current laws. And even with a college degree, there is almost no way for illegal immigrants to legally get a job.
For years, congressional supporters have promoted a measure, called the Dream Act, that would clear up those problems. States would be allowed to offer in-state tuition to illegal-immigrant students who, in turn, could become citizens.
In 2003, almost half the Senate cosponsored the Dream Act. But the Dream Act's prospects have faded, and this year its pivotal supporter, Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, withdrew as a sponsor. "Realistically, the Dream Act will not pass" and should be included in an overhaul of immigration laws, he said.
But the tensions fueling opposition to in-state tuition laws are the same ones making it hard for Congress to pass immigration overhaul. A coalition of pro-business Republicans, Democrats, immigrant-rights groups and labor unions wants new federal laws that would let illegal immigrants eventually become citizens.
They are being stymied, however, by social conservatives, who worry about being culturally overwhelmed by immigrants, and by Republican national-security hawks, who are demanding that Washington cut off illegal immigration first. The tension prevented the U.S. House from taking up immigration overhaul last year, and is complicating the Senate's efforts to pass it this year.
Write to June Kronholz at june.kronholz@wsj.com