Skilled Immigrants turn to K Street

The Washington Post ^

[The Lion Roars]

On the December day when Congress killed a budget amendment that might have allowed him to become an American a little sooner, Aman Kapoor started a movement. He did not march through streets, carry signs, wave a flag from here or there. He did not walk off the job or file out of school. The computer programmer simply went online to a message board tracked by thousands of people in his predicament: highly skilled foreigners waiting years for their green cards. Immigration reform proposals before Congress have sparked a nationwide political debate. "I think we can do better and really create the impact with organized effort," he wrote. "To achieve this we need a group of individuals who have shown commitment and motivation in this forum." The next night, a dozen people living across the United States shed their Internet handles -- Kapoor's was "WaldenPond," a nod to his hero, Henry David Thoreau -- and addressed one another by name on a conference call that lasted an hour. Today, just four months later, the organization they dubbed Immigration Voice boasts 3,000 members; a fundraising goal of $200,000;

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Seems like everyone but American citizens have the ear of the DC pols.

[VeniVidiVici]

So what is keeping all these disatisfied aliens from returning home?

[Prokopton]

Although I'm fiercly against the invasion of illegal aliens, I would listen to these legal workers.
Why not base all immigration on persons with skills needed by the U.S.? Or would this be too pro-American?

[farlander]

Ummm... the *EXISTING* law works exactly like that. I spent 10 years in the process. It was worth it.

So, just ENFORCE the d@@n law! If we need workers, fine. Illegals, get the heck out and get back in line.

[Prokopton]

That's how the H-1B program works but that's just one of many legal immigration programs. Maybe all legal immigration should be based on needs of the U.S., with a possibly more streamlined process.

BTW, congratulations on gaining your desired legal status.

[stopem]

Unless we get smart and band together and get a lobbyist group and donations to get our point across. YES it's come to this!

[stopem]

"Under a proposal introduced by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), the number of employment-based green cards being issued would increase from 140,000 to 290,000. Currently, no one country is supposed to take up more than 7 percent of the allotment, though unused green cards can be redistributed to countries that have already met their quota. That has made possible migrations in excess of 7 percent from nations such as India, China, Mexico and the Philippines. Under the proposal, the per-country cap would be increased to a hard and fast 10 percent. Proponents say this would prevent one country from dominating the category and would retain jobs for native-born Americans.

Specter, anyone who votes for him should see the facts about him.

Already reached the quota of green cards with legal immigrants!!

[stopem]

PING

We need to get a lobbyist and get donations to be heard by politicians. I am serious!

[AirForceBrat23]

My boyfriend is here on an H-1 (from India) and his employer has just started his green card paperwork. He (my boyfriend) doesn't want to marry me UNTIL he has his green card - that way he'll know he earned it on his own, without being a leech. Unfortunately, if it takes 10 years to get a green card, we'll both be 37 or 38 when it happens, and I'd kind of like to have kids before that! LOL!

[dennisw]

Although I'm fiercly against the invasion of illegal aliens, I would listen to these legal workers.
Why not base all immigration on persons with skills needed by the U.S.? Or would this be too pro-American?

At least these people are skilled. But why are we admitting the uneducated hordes from Mexico and the 3rd world? A lot of wealthier people want them to be their rent-a-serfs who do household chores, cut grass, wait on them in restaurants, change their sheets in some hotel I could never afford.

It's idiocy. Australia, Canada, New Zeeland only take skilled immigrants.

[dennisw]

Never mind the illegals... we take in far too many legal immigrants from Mexico. If it were up to me there would be zero immigration (legal and illegal) from Mexico and Central America for ten years. We've done more that enough for these ingrates who I see agitating and demanding in our streets.

I wish I never heard of Mexico or Muhammad.