Letter to President Obama

[consult.richard]

Hello IV members. I have heard about this group and this is my first post. I recently wrote a letter to the president. I am unsure how much it will change the current EB3 retrogression, however I hope that things will start to change for the better. I'd like to share the letter with you here:

Dear President Obama,

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter as I am sure you receive many. I am writing to you in hopes of promoting change to an issue that is close to my heart, and I believe close to yours as well.

As of November 2009, the current visa bulletins show a backlog of green card approvals all the way back to June 2002 for the employment-based third priority applications (EB3).

The effects of these delays are significant. EB3 consists of many young graduates such as myself, who graduated at the top of our class, who had to compete above and beyond the qualifications of regular graduates at every step of the way, who, like many former immigrants who came to America to seek a better life, are forced to make tough decisions in the face of these long waiting times. Some of us have been laid off, only to be given unrealistically short timeframes to find another job or go back to our home countries after decades of living abroad. Many of us simply wait in fear. Fear of the unknown and what might happen to us in the long years to come. In some ways, these restrictions stagnant those who foster ideas of entrepreneurship by preventing career change, growth and the risk-taking nature of American entrepreneurship that so evidently fuels the spirit and prosperity of this economy.

Intel, eBay, Yahoo!, Sun Microsystems, Google and many other companies were all founded by immigrants who were welcomed by America. Over the last 15 years, foreign nationals have started 25 percent of U.S. venture-backed public companies, accounting for more than $500 billion in market capitalization and adding significant value to our economy. There is a wealth of talent and ambition hidden below the covers of these immigration laws.

I arrived in Boston when I was 16 and I still remember the day I graduated (I was 20 and still couldn’t have a drink because it was illegal!) in 2004. Last month I turned 26, and I realized that I have been here for over a decade. This is the longest I have lived in any country since being on many diplomatic missions around the world with my father. When you were young, your family also lived overseas, so I know you can relate to what it feels like to have a “home country” and to have a desire to prosper and pursue happiness there.

You once said among a crowd of young students that “here in America, you write out own destiny, you make our own future” and I hope that this can one day come true when college graduates can have a realistic goal of becoming permanent residences if they work hard and believe in all that this country has to offer. When you came to Google in 2007 you told us that you would support the H1b program as well as more and faster permanent residents for those who add value to this country. Many of us here at Google as well as beyond the valley were very excited, and we remain hopeful today.

A lot of people laughed when I said that I would send you a letter. They expect me to give up. They expect that you to not read this letter. They will expect that even if you do, nothing will change.

I would like to prove them wrong. I hope that if anything, this letter will allow for a moment of consideration for actions that will speed up processing times for employment based immigration, of which many of us have already sacrificed so much for.

Sincerely,
RW

[bhootia]

This is a good email, honestly expressed.

Originally Posted by consult.richard

Hello IV members. I have heard about this group and this is my first post. I recently wrote a letter to the president. I am unsure how much it will change the current EB3 retrogression, however I hope that things will start to change for the better. I'd like to share the letter with you here:

Dear President Obama,

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter as I am sure you receive many. I am writing to you in hopes of promoting change to an issue that is close to my heart, and I believe close to yours as well.

As of November 2009, the current visa bulletins show a backlog of green card approvals all the way back to June 2002 for the employment-based third priority applications (EB3).

The effects of these delays are significant. EB3 consists of many young graduates such as myself, who graduated at the top of our class, who had to compete above and beyond the qualifications of regular graduates at every step of the way, who, like many former immigrants who came to America to seek a better life, are forced to make tough decisions in the face of these long waiting times. Some of us have been laid off, only to be given unrealistically short timeframes to find another job or go back to our home countries after decades of living abroad. Many of us simply wait in fear. Fear of the unknown and what might happen to us in the long years to come. In some ways, these restrictions stagnant those who foster ideas of entrepreneurship by preventing career change, growth and the risk-taking nature of American entrepreneurship that so evidently fuels the spirit and prosperity of this economy.

Intel, eBay, Yahoo!, Sun Microsystems, Google and many other companies were all founded by immigrants who were welcomed by America. Over the last 15 years, foreign nationals have started 25 percent of U.S. venture-backed public companies, accounting for more than $500 billion in market capitalization and adding significant value to our economy. There is a wealth of talent and ambition hidden below the covers of these immigration laws.

I arrived in Boston when I was 16 and I still remember the day I graduated (I was 20 and still couldn’t have a drink because it was illegal!) in 2004. Last month I turned 26, and I realized that I have been here for over a decade. This is the longest I have lived in any country since being on many diplomatic missions around the world with my father. When you were young, your family also lived overseas, so I know you can relate to what it feels like to have a “home country” and to have a desire to prosper and pursue happiness there.

You once said among a crowd of young students that “here in America, you write out own destiny, you make our own future” and I hope that this can one day come true when college graduates can have a realistic goal of becoming permanent residences if they work hard and believe in all that this country has to offer. When you came to Google in 2007 you told us that you would support the H1b program as well as more and faster permanent residents for those who add value to this country. Many of us here at Google as well as beyond the valley were very excited, and we remain hopeful today.

A lot of people laughed when I said that I would send you a letter. They expect me to give up. They expect that you to not read this letter. They will expect that even if you do, nothing will change.

I would like to prove them wrong. I hope that if anything, this letter will allow for a moment of consideration for actions that will speed up processing times for employment based immigration, of which many of us have already sacrificed so much for.

Sincerely,
RW

[chanduv23]

Originally Posted by consult.richard

Hello IV members. I have heard about this group and this is my first post. I recently wrote a letter to the president. I am unsure how much it will change the current EB3 retrogression, however I hope that things will start to change for the better. I'd like to share the letter with you here:

Dear President Obama,

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter as I am sure you receive many. I am writing to you in hopes of promoting change to an issue that is close to my heart, and I believe close to yours as well.

As of November 2009, the current visa bulletins show a backlog of green card approvals all the way back to June 2002 for the employment-based third priority applications (EB3).

The effects of these delays are significant. EB3 consists of many young graduates such as myself, who graduated at the top of our class, who had to compete above and beyond the qualifications of regular graduates at every step of the way, who, like many former immigrants who came to America to seek a better life, are forced to make tough decisions in the face of these long waiting times. Some of us have been laid off, only to be given unrealistically short timeframes to find another job or go back to our home countries after decades of living abroad. Many of us simply wait in fear. Fear of the unknown and what might happen to us in the long years to come. In some ways, these restrictions stagnant those who foster ideas of entrepreneurship by preventing career change, growth and the risk-taking nature of American entrepreneurship that so evidently fuels the spirit and prosperity of this economy.

Intel, eBay, Yahoo!, Sun Microsystems, Google and many other companies were all founded by immigrants who were welcomed by America. Over the last 15 years, foreign nationals have started 25 percent of U.S. venture-backed public companies, accounting for more than $500 billion in market capitalization and adding significant value to our economy. There is a wealth of talent and ambition hidden below the covers of these immigration laws.

I arrived in Boston when I was 16 and I still remember the day I graduated (I was 20 and still couldn’t have a drink because it was illegal!) in 2004. Last month I turned 26, and I realized that I have been here for over a decade. This is the longest I have lived in any country since being on many diplomatic missions around the world with my father. When you were young, your family also lived overseas, so I know you can relate to what it feels like to have a “home country” and to have a desire to prosper and pursue happiness there.

You once said among a crowd of young students that “here in America, you write out own destiny, you make our own future” and I hope that this can one day come true when college graduates can have a realistic goal of becoming permanent residences if they work hard and believe in all that this country has to offer. When you came to Google in 2007 you told us that you would support the H1b program as well as more and faster permanent residents for those who add value to this country. Many of us here at Google as well as beyond the valley were very excited, and we remain hopeful today.

A lot of people laughed when I said that I would send you a letter. They expect me to give up. They expect that you to not read this letter. They will expect that even if you do, nothing will change.

I would like to prove them wrong. I hope that if anything, this letter will allow for a moment of consideration for actions that will speed up processing times for employment based immigration, of which many of us have already sacrificed so much for.

Sincerely,
RW

Richard,
A lot of similar kind of efforts have been ongoing for years now with groups like IV lobbying and other individual or groups writing to their law makers, companies lobbying , writing to President etc..... Everyone is aware of the backlogs including the President himself.
While it seems to us that this is a critical issue for us, we gotta realize how politics work. Politcians are wary and cautious about stuff. Especially stuff that deals with jobs, immigration, economy etc..... which in their point of view are extremely sensitive issues.
Well, they do want to fix issues for us because they do understand the issues - it is beneficial to all parties if issues such as ours are fixed but then - this is the age of internet and fast communication and those opposing us have been able to well organize themselves (something we can never achieve) they managed to communicate effectively about how there has been misuse of visas and how a lot of Americans are without jobs and took this into a very sensitive angle. So anything that can happen to help us is being severely thwarted and leave the law makers in a status quo.
With a more pressing issue of illegal immigration and border protection - where sensitivity is extremely higher especially because the entire border protection is challenged and on the other side, there is a strong hispanic population which is a vote bank and as such Hispanics being fastest growing minority ( cannot call the community minority anymore) and more lobbying power - immigration reform is totally focussed on border protection , fraud prevention, and figuring out a way to legalize the illegal immigrants and to even start doing something towards it - the economy neeeds to get better, other issues like, enforcing border protection and fraud prevention and putting systems in place takes priority. Thats why we see ICE visits, fraud prevention from DOL etc...

What can we do - hang in there - organize ourselves, keep lobbying - and thats what we all do not do

[Leo07]

Email sounds very sincere and honest. Thanks Richard!
4-5 months ago, I sent a similar one through WhileHouse.gov. Outcome: I'm subscribed to their emails everyday

Guys, let's not discourage and denigrate people who try something, It speaks low of ourselves.

Best!

[jediknight]

It's better to try and fail rather to never try at all.

Hopefully, many more will write such letters.

- JK

[consult.richard]

Thanks guys.

I know chances are things won't change soon. But if we do nothing, there is 0% of things happening. At least we're trying to do something here.

For me, this EB3 retrogression is forcing a lot of young graduates back into their home countries. Now with a 5 year wait time (My priority date is 2007) I am starting to question whether I can wait that long as well.

Please feel free to copy, emulate, edit. These issues will have a greater effect if we all write in. You can contact the white house and the president here:
Contact the White House | The White House

Thanks, great to see an active community here online!

-Richard.

[guropovi]

We already sent letter to previous precident like this. But no improvement. Everyone is deaf. No one hear our screams. Waste of time and energy. Any how best of luck.

[IAF]

Good effort. I am sure this can only help it has no negative impact.
Let us keep the flow. Especially with EB3.

[joydiptac]

Originally Posted by consult.richard

Hello IV members. I have heard about this group and this is my first post. I recently wrote a letter to the president. I am unsure how much it will change the current EB3 retrogression, however I hope that things will start to change for the better. I'd like to share the letter with you here:

Dear President Obama,

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter as I am sure you receive many. I am
Sincerely,
RW

Hey I wrote a similar letter urging President Obama to consider putting a cap on the maximum GC processing (wait) time of EB immigration to a max 5 years irrespective of Country and Category. No one should have a problem to that.
I added another idea in order to curb illegal immigration - Have a 1 year unskilled visa. Punish any employer employing unskilled labor without this visa. Labor dept can decide how many visas they want to dole out per month.

Moto:
Educated, Intelligent & wealthy immigrants enriches US.
Cheap labor keeps US industry competetive.

n'
Joy

[consult.richard]

Good points.

I am impartial to illegal immigration to be honest, but to hinder legal immigration of ambitious and motivated young graduates just doesn't make any sense to me. We've sacrificed our lives, our families to be here.

Maybe we can travel back in time and send back the Mayflower too. I jest to alleviate the pain of the situation :|

-RW

Originally Posted by joydiptac

Hey I wrote a similar letter urging President Obama to consider putting a cap on the maximum GC processing (wait) time of EB immigration to a max 5 years irrespective of Country and Category. No one should have a problem to that.
I added another idea in order to curb illegal immigration - Have a 1 year unskilled visa. Punish any employer employing unskilled labor without this visa. Labor dept can decide how many visas they want to dole out per month.

Moto:
Educated, Intelligent & wealthy immigrants enriches US.
Cheap labor keeps US industry competetive.

n'
Joy

[vinzak]

Great letter, Richard. Maybe all of this will fall on deaf ears, but then maybe it won't. But try we must!!! So don't be discouraged by naysayers.

A suggestion I have from reading yr letter is that we but together a book that shows profiles of some of us who are stuck in the EB logjam. It will contains details like our backgrounds, how long we've been in this country, our educational qualifications, family ties to the US, hopes and dreams etc.

Maybe by putting a human face on all of our troubles, we can be more convincing about our pain.

Also, reading you letter an article came to mind abt someone similar to you. Assuming yr not the same person . This article is very well written and puts a human and economic face on the EB backlogs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/business/12immig.html

[rayoflight]

Well Written Richard. Kudos to you. Post us the reply from the white house. I have a positive feeling your letter will be read by the POTUS

Cheers,
Rayoflight

[yestogc]

Yes, let's all keep the fire burning within ourselves, we just all cannot sit on one side and expect a miracle to happen.

Few steps by all active members will surely lead to us getting closer to our goal.
Great work

[joydiptac]

Originally Posted by consult.richard

Good points.

I am impartial to illegal immigration to be honest, but to hinder legal immigration of ambitious and motivated young graduates just doesn't make any sense to me. We've sacrificed our lives, our families to be here.

Maybe we can travel back in time and send back the Mayflower too. I jest to alleviate the pain of the situation :|

-RW

Richard,

Please, please don't send back the Mayflower... then there will be no Thanksgiving long weekend or the Black Friday sale .

I have nothing against legalizing the current batch of illegals. But in future there should be very strong enforcement on the employers. Let the unskilled come & legally work here. Let them apply for immigration once they find permanent jobs. Fair?

Sorry for the little side track, but IMO this US policy of legalizing the illegals from time to time is a never ending losing battle. It serves no good to the country.
It does not hinder future illegals from crossing the border in search of unskilled open positions. Only imported labor will do certain types of farm work. As soon as the current illegals become legal - guess what? they move on to higher paying jobs. Keeping the demand at the lowest rung ever present. In the process attracting fresh batch of illegals.

Since CIR can only be passed with a logical stop to illegal immigration that is why it is important to have a solid plan. Just plain amnesty will not make it past both houses.

And without CIR we will be in this mess forever.

Just my thoughts, for what its worth.

n'
Joy

[letstalklc]

Very Good letter Richard, Instead oif sitting without doing any thing, Always better to try some thing...Hope for the best (next year first quarter)....