i-luv-tofu
07-27 12:40 PM
I am extremely interested in this business. Can somebody please refer me, I am in LA?
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Lasantha
02-13 11:19 AM
There's no POW at least where this topic is concerned. Somebody said that as a joke. ROW of course as Chintu said is Rest Of the World
What is ROW and POW, please? I have seen both used in several posts (I am hoping POW is not Prisoner of War:)) Still learning the immigration lingo!
What is ROW and POW, please? I have seen both used in several posts (I am hoping POW is not Prisoner of War:)) Still learning the immigration lingo!
Openarms
08-17 03:49 PM
Well - world is definitely a beautiful place. World is beautiful because of beautiful good people. Like there is a saying "How is house different from a home? House maybe be beatiful and big but it is a home ONLY if it is a happy place to live" and making the world our home lies in how we make sure that it is a happy place to live.
While your approach towards solving the problems is "education" in my opinion education does help, but that is NOT the only factor. Change happens gradually. Don't we all agree that the most educated people might be the biggest "problem creators"
WRT snathan - he is a personal friend and I know him. He is sympathetic towards poor and downtrodden and wants to fight against injustice etc.....
To snathan - to understand things in a better perspective, I recommend that you try this. Invite 30 hungry, poor, starving people to your house and provide them with food, education, good life and ask them to seek opportunities to better themselves. You may face the following
(1) People may get more demanding
(2) They may fight among themselves
(3) Some might steal from you
(4) Some might get into unethical activities
(5) Some might disrespect you and step over you
(6) They may show more respect to those who did not care for them and curse you for some silly reason.
You might find some good people who really do what you intend them to do.
Why I say this is - there is no GOOD POOR MAN nor BAD RICH MAN - different people behave different in different circumstances.
Did you know that India's independence struggle, American civil liberty struggle were all funded by rich businessmen - they trusted the leaders and gave a lot of money for campaigns for them to be successful.
--- Do these things or ASK our SRK/Politicians/Business Tycoons to do -----
When I say education, you can not just isolate it from mother tree. It is root of the tree... all the branches grow from there...
Like you said give education for those 30 children born from today and come back after 20 years.. see how their lives would be different for better then those 30 unfortunate children who are unable to have education.
Give education for an entire generation of kids for 20 years....and let them figure out their problems...don't just feed them, don't just build homes for them...don't need to solve the problems for them.. let them figure out... that is what going on in USA.
You can not tie INDIA and USA together.... all you are doing is comparing apples to oranges... don't do that...India needs to learn sooooo many things from countries like USA... not comparing to them.
While your approach towards solving the problems is "education" in my opinion education does help, but that is NOT the only factor. Change happens gradually. Don't we all agree that the most educated people might be the biggest "problem creators"
WRT snathan - he is a personal friend and I know him. He is sympathetic towards poor and downtrodden and wants to fight against injustice etc.....
To snathan - to understand things in a better perspective, I recommend that you try this. Invite 30 hungry, poor, starving people to your house and provide them with food, education, good life and ask them to seek opportunities to better themselves. You may face the following
(1) People may get more demanding
(2) They may fight among themselves
(3) Some might steal from you
(4) Some might get into unethical activities
(5) Some might disrespect you and step over you
(6) They may show more respect to those who did not care for them and curse you for some silly reason.
You might find some good people who really do what you intend them to do.
Why I say this is - there is no GOOD POOR MAN nor BAD RICH MAN - different people behave different in different circumstances.
Did you know that India's independence struggle, American civil liberty struggle were all funded by rich businessmen - they trusted the leaders and gave a lot of money for campaigns for them to be successful.
--- Do these things or ASK our SRK/Politicians/Business Tycoons to do -----
When I say education, you can not just isolate it from mother tree. It is root of the tree... all the branches grow from there...
Like you said give education for those 30 children born from today and come back after 20 years.. see how their lives would be different for better then those 30 unfortunate children who are unable to have education.
Give education for an entire generation of kids for 20 years....and let them figure out their problems...don't just feed them, don't just build homes for them...don't need to solve the problems for them.. let them figure out... that is what going on in USA.
You can not tie INDIA and USA together.... all you are doing is comparing apples to oranges... don't do that...India needs to learn sooooo many things from countries like USA... not comparing to them.
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sk2006
08-17 01:07 AM
TSA/CBP officers are no angels and are known to be rude to passengers at times. Having said that, I think we are all over reacting to SRK incident. Even the famous American Ted Kennedy had to face similar situation. GOI should lay off this incident.
Sen. Kennedy Flagged by No-Fly List (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17073-2004Aug19.html)
Would Khan have fared better as Kennedy? (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/world/us/Would-Khan-have-fared-better-as-Kennedy/articleshow/4899589.cms)
If Sen Kennedy can be flagged who the hell is SRK. He is nothing but an actor and there are thousands of them.
Imagine an Indian celebrity getting flagged in India or an indian Politician gets flagged and questioned.
The questioning officer would be suspended or transfered the next day.
Sen. Kennedy Flagged by No-Fly List (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17073-2004Aug19.html)
Would Khan have fared better as Kennedy? (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/world/us/Would-Khan-have-fared-better-as-Kennedy/articleshow/4899589.cms)
If Sen Kennedy can be flagged who the hell is SRK. He is nothing but an actor and there are thousands of them.
Imagine an Indian celebrity getting flagged in India or an indian Politician gets flagged and questioned.
The questioning officer would be suspended or transfered the next day.
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samay
07-06 12:03 PM
My LC applied in Feb 2008
LC approved Apr 2008
I-140 Applied May 2008
My 6th yr H1B expires Dec 2008
H1B Maxout Jan 2008
I am short by around 20 days Should i recapture the days by going out of country for 20 days and apply H1B 1yr extension, Will i Qualify for 3 yrs in this case...?
or should i just Apply for I-140 PP in Oct 2008 and 3 yr H1B Extension without worrying about recapturing 20 days.
Hello
In order to qualify for a three year extension one has to have an approved I-140. From the given facts I understand you will be eligible for one year H-1 B extension in February 2008. You can apply for an extension of H-1 B for a recapture of the days you spent outside India. You are not required to get out of US so long as your petition for extension is pending with the USCIS. Alternatively you can apply for premium processing of I-140 (when it commences). The benefit of course will be that you will be able to get a three year extension. You will have to weigh the cost of the PP with the cost of the H-1 B extension.
LC approved Apr 2008
I-140 Applied May 2008
My 6th yr H1B expires Dec 2008
H1B Maxout Jan 2008
I am short by around 20 days Should i recapture the days by going out of country for 20 days and apply H1B 1yr extension, Will i Qualify for 3 yrs in this case...?
or should i just Apply for I-140 PP in Oct 2008 and 3 yr H1B Extension without worrying about recapturing 20 days.
Hello
In order to qualify for a three year extension one has to have an approved I-140. From the given facts I understand you will be eligible for one year H-1 B extension in February 2008. You can apply for an extension of H-1 B for a recapture of the days you spent outside India. You are not required to get out of US so long as your petition for extension is pending with the USCIS. Alternatively you can apply for premium processing of I-140 (when it commences). The benefit of course will be that you will be able to get a three year extension. You will have to weigh the cost of the PP with the cost of the H-1 B extension.
garybanz
12-14 02:01 PM
Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Laws
The Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination are:
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;
the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), which protects men and women who perform substantially equal work in the same establishment from sex-based wage discrimination;
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), which protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older;
Title I and Title V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which prohibit employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the private sector, and in state and local governments;
Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities who work in the federal government;
and
the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which, among other things, provides monetary damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination.
The Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination are:
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;
the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), which protects men and women who perform substantially equal work in the same establishment from sex-based wage discrimination;
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), which protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older;
Title I and Title V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which prohibit employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the private sector, and in state and local governments;
Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities who work in the federal government;
and
the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which, among other things, provides monetary damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination.
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snathan
03-30 12:07 AM
Lets not bring Age into the picture. Manmohan is not much younger either and has had 2 heart surgeries so far. Economy is not the PMs only job. The real power rests with Sonia and my personal opinion is that Advani is a lot more competent than her. Manmohan is just a mask of Congress. "Mukhvta".
I am not bringing age here. By the way I believe MMS is far better than any one else. He may not be a good leader. But see what he has done for the country. He is the one who opened the country's economy. He is the one who brought in the neculear energy to the country - though we are not sure about the out come and may need to wait for another decade to see that.
I couldnt think anythiing like this for Mr.Advani...
I am not bringing age here. By the way I believe MMS is far better than any one else. He may not be a good leader. But see what he has done for the country. He is the one who opened the country's economy. He is the one who brought in the neculear energy to the country - though we are not sure about the out come and may need to wait for another decade to see that.
I couldnt think anythiing like this for Mr.Advani...
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gc_chahiye
06-28 08:03 PM
I am analyzing for EB-2 (India). The current date for EB-2 India was Apr 1 2004 for month of June.
Retrogression started Oct 1 2005. Before Oct 1 2005, persons with PD < Oct 1 2005 (remember PERM) could have submitted I-485. Some (not all remember namecheck) of these would be ready for adj June 1st 2007. These applicants can be divided into 2 categories: those with PD <= Apr 1 2004 and those with PD > Apr 1 2004.
Applicants in first category will get GC in June and applicants in 2nd category will get GC in Jul. These applicants can exhaust 2007 quota.
USCIS is taking 3 weeks for notification of 485's submiited in June. I would be very surprised if they process a June submission in < 3 months. So chances of June applicant using GC number are low.
USCIS knew # applicants in above 2 categories: this appears trivial. If these applicants exhaust 2007 quota, USCIS knew that quota will get exhausted in Jul. The date can be of their choosing since the work involved must be pretty low.
A similar analysis can be done for any other category. Correct me if my dates are wrong.
but if USCIS knew this (that June+July can finish all the numbers for 2007) then why does the visa bulletin talk about retrogression in September timeframe for India/China? Why not August itself?
Retrogression started Oct 1 2005. Before Oct 1 2005, persons with PD < Oct 1 2005 (remember PERM) could have submitted I-485. Some (not all remember namecheck) of these would be ready for adj June 1st 2007. These applicants can be divided into 2 categories: those with PD <= Apr 1 2004 and those with PD > Apr 1 2004.
Applicants in first category will get GC in June and applicants in 2nd category will get GC in Jul. These applicants can exhaust 2007 quota.
USCIS is taking 3 weeks for notification of 485's submiited in June. I would be very surprised if they process a June submission in < 3 months. So chances of June applicant using GC number are low.
USCIS knew # applicants in above 2 categories: this appears trivial. If these applicants exhaust 2007 quota, USCIS knew that quota will get exhausted in Jul. The date can be of their choosing since the work involved must be pretty low.
A similar analysis can be done for any other category. Correct me if my dates are wrong.
but if USCIS knew this (that June+July can finish all the numbers for 2007) then why does the visa bulletin talk about retrogression in September timeframe for India/China? Why not August itself?
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vin13
09-15 12:52 PM
For FY2010 there are very less GC applications filed by ROW & EB1 due to bad economy. If USCIS waits till last quarter then they wont have much visa usage during previous quarters. So it makes sense for USCIS to allocate spill over numbers on a per quarter basis. We never know how it works
I agree that it makes sense for USCIS to allocate spill over numbers on a quarterly basis.
But i doubt if they are allocating spillover quarterly. If they did, then we should have seen steady movements and not a rapid movement of dates in the last quarter.
We should certainly get a clarrification from USCIS about this. This could be a potential administrative change without congress intervention.
I agree that it makes sense for USCIS to allocate spill over numbers on a quarterly basis.
But i doubt if they are allocating spillover quarterly. If they did, then we should have seen steady movements and not a rapid movement of dates in the last quarter.
We should certainly get a clarrification from USCIS about this. This could be a potential administrative change without congress intervention.
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ksvreg
10-15 03:24 PM
If spillover works, logic is simple. Pending applications ~290K. Quot available ~140k
So, in just two years, every category should be current. Lets not scratch our heads.
Please work out the data versus pending/quota/spillover. Do VISA DATES ENGINEERING. And figure out the visa dates process/workflow and put in front of DOS/USCIS to adopt. Or lobby to adopt. or rally to adopt.
Otherwise our math will always be different from DOS/USCIS math on visa dates ;)
So, in just two years, every category should be current. Lets not scratch our heads.
Please work out the data versus pending/quota/spillover. Do VISA DATES ENGINEERING. And figure out the visa dates process/workflow and put in front of DOS/USCIS to adopt. Or lobby to adopt. or rally to adopt.
Otherwise our math will always be different from DOS/USCIS math on visa dates ;)
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unitednations
02-18 11:51 PM
I think we can make some very credible and good arguments for ourselves.
a) The changing demographics require an increased level of immigration. It is upto this country to decide if it wants semi-skilled immigrants (Indian cooks and gardeners) and their siblings/parents, or high-skilled immigrants.
b) It is not really the smartest thing in the world to bring people here from foreign lands, let them work here in high-tech fields, and then send them back after 6-10 years so that they can compete against Americans from OUTSIDE America.
c) A lot of EB-based immigrants have been to American colleges and have graduate degrees. Again, see (b) above. Not the brightest idea to have this American-educated and trained high-skilled manpower forced to go back to India and China, the two main US competitors.
Atleast, not if you are America.
Bottomline is this. If there have been abuses of the system, and any system will be abused, then those need to be fixed. If there are loopholes, they need to be plugged (and people will come up with more loopholes.) But the USCIS should not throw the baby out with the bath water. Either this country values high-skilled immigrants, or it doesn't. The high-skilled immigrants need to know this, so that they can make decisions in their life. The incompetence of USCIS can't be the instrument of public policy making.
I like it.
a) The changing demographics require an increased level of immigration. It is upto this country to decide if it wants semi-skilled immigrants (Indian cooks and gardeners) and their siblings/parents, or high-skilled immigrants.
b) It is not really the smartest thing in the world to bring people here from foreign lands, let them work here in high-tech fields, and then send them back after 6-10 years so that they can compete against Americans from OUTSIDE America.
c) A lot of EB-based immigrants have been to American colleges and have graduate degrees. Again, see (b) above. Not the brightest idea to have this American-educated and trained high-skilled manpower forced to go back to India and China, the two main US competitors.
Atleast, not if you are America.
Bottomline is this. If there have been abuses of the system, and any system will be abused, then those need to be fixed. If there are loopholes, they need to be plugged (and people will come up with more loopholes.) But the USCIS should not throw the baby out with the bath water. Either this country values high-skilled immigrants, or it doesn't. The high-skilled immigrants need to know this, so that they can make decisions in their life. The incompetence of USCIS can't be the instrument of public policy making.
I like it.
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lvinaykumar
07-10 01:36 PM
I have applied for my Canadian PR. once it comes close i am going to look for a job too. But i still have some time for that ....
All the Best....
All the Best....
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Ramba
05-12 12:26 AM
I am an Indian and my native tongue is not Tamil. I donot consider the issue in Srilanka as Tamil issue. I don't consider it as Indian issue either. I consider it as Srilankan issue.
Hope this addresses some of your questions.
Being a NRI in US, your conclusion is it is a SL issue, not a India issue. This is because you enjoy freedom, safety and opportunity in USA, even though you are just a non-immigrant in USA. Hope it will continue. If your job, safety, security, life becomes danger here, then do not get help from India or Indian consulate in USA; because it is a "US issue" as per your logic.
Hope this addresses some of your questions.
Being a NRI in US, your conclusion is it is a SL issue, not a India issue. This is because you enjoy freedom, safety and opportunity in USA, even though you are just a non-immigrant in USA. Hope it will continue. If your job, safety, security, life becomes danger here, then do not get help from India or Indian consulate in USA; because it is a "US issue" as per your logic.
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vinzen
08-18 09:09 PM
I usually just browse through these forums and I really appreciate the effort put in by the organizers. But this thread gave me an urge to respond and perhaps talk.
First of all, SRK is just a normal human, not a God. The TSA has even questioned many American celebrities. SRK is just a guy with Khan as last name. TSA is not going to take chances and will make sure they do what is needed to protect America. And SRK probably acted like a monkey again and annoyed the TSA guys so they held him up for 2 hours. OK, just kidding. But thing is, Indian government if anything should take a lesson from it. In india if you are SRK or Sanjay Dutt, there are no lines for you..any where. Indians should get angry at that, not this that just happened in the USA. And for God's sake, why would you even want to sympathesize with a character like SRK who has destroyed the indian movie industry?
Now don't tell me I am a traitor. I love India, I love America. I live in America because I like living in America and I have gotten used to the comfort and lifestyle. This doesnt mean that I hate India.
And to the guy who thinks that americasn think Indians are slumdogs or thrid class citizens...please go to india and free up the line for the rest of us. Its your belief that they think you are a slumdog. Perhaps you come across that way to them. Indians are more notorious when it comes to "grading" people based on their color or status and if a few rednecks in America did this to you, don't stereotype the entire country.
Enjoy the life. Life is good. In America and in India. Long wait for the GC? Yes it is a b**ch, but why have you rest your entire life on a decision by USCIS. Enjoy and take risks and blow your money on good things in life...even if you dont get the GC, on your flight back to India you will at least be proud of the fact that you enjoyed your stay in America. Go out, meet people, meet beautiful girls, eat good food, drink whiskey, watch movies, go hiking...so many things to do guys. And if you dont get the GC, tell your friends and family about the stuff you did in America.
Don't ever be that Indian guy in the office. Be a smart global citizen.
First of all, SRK is just a normal human, not a God. The TSA has even questioned many American celebrities. SRK is just a guy with Khan as last name. TSA is not going to take chances and will make sure they do what is needed to protect America. And SRK probably acted like a monkey again and annoyed the TSA guys so they held him up for 2 hours. OK, just kidding. But thing is, Indian government if anything should take a lesson from it. In india if you are SRK or Sanjay Dutt, there are no lines for you..any where. Indians should get angry at that, not this that just happened in the USA. And for God's sake, why would you even want to sympathesize with a character like SRK who has destroyed the indian movie industry?
Now don't tell me I am a traitor. I love India, I love America. I live in America because I like living in America and I have gotten used to the comfort and lifestyle. This doesnt mean that I hate India.
And to the guy who thinks that americasn think Indians are slumdogs or thrid class citizens...please go to india and free up the line for the rest of us. Its your belief that they think you are a slumdog. Perhaps you come across that way to them. Indians are more notorious when it comes to "grading" people based on their color or status and if a few rednecks in America did this to you, don't stereotype the entire country.
Enjoy the life. Life is good. In America and in India. Long wait for the GC? Yes it is a b**ch, but why have you rest your entire life on a decision by USCIS. Enjoy and take risks and blow your money on good things in life...even if you dont get the GC, on your flight back to India you will at least be proud of the fact that you enjoyed your stay in America. Go out, meet people, meet beautiful girls, eat good food, drink whiskey, watch movies, go hiking...so many things to do guys. And if you dont get the GC, tell your friends and family about the stuff you did in America.
Don't ever be that Indian guy in the office. Be a smart global citizen.
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immigrationvoice1
02-14 01:18 PM
You are assuming of course that all those who fall in the India category are Indians - I am not. I'm a Canadian who happened to be born in India and thus fall into that same bucket. My fellow Canadians who were born in Canada and are now in the US all support me in the removal of per country limits. Let us be more accurate and refer to this as the "mood amongst fellow Indian-born applicants", as opposed to "fellow Indians".
With one fifth of the world population born in India, we probably consider everyone who has anything to do with India as "Indians" (as Russell Peters, another Indo-Canadian (Anglo Indian) said, "Indians - the ones from the Convenience stores and NOT from the Casinos!"), its the same thing...."Desis" would be a wider term I believe! We love all !
Welcome...
With one fifth of the world population born in India, we probably consider everyone who has anything to do with India as "Indians" (as Russell Peters, another Indo-Canadian (Anglo Indian) said, "Indians - the ones from the Convenience stores and NOT from the Casinos!"), its the same thing...."Desis" would be a wider term I believe! We love all !
Welcome...
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jonty_11
07-13 01:21 PM
mind u with bigots like tancredo winning their district every election, US is not far beind when it comes to RACISM
Here's an article that appeared in Outlook (India) magazine 8 years ago. Apparently, the situation hasn't changed much since then:
http://outlookindia.com/full.asp?fname=international1&fodname=19990125&sid=1
Canada...The Grass Isn't Greener
Outlook: Jan 25, 1999
It's a dream gone sour. Thousands of Indian immigrants who land up in Canada are, more often than not, greeted with unemployment, racism, culture shocks...
SOHAILA CHARNALIA
"I didn't come here to be a chowkidar. I came here believing it to be a land of opportunity; a country that has never known the nepotism, the corruption, the shortages of India. I find I have only substituted one country for another... certainly not one set of values for another, as I hoped. " For Dr Gurdial Singh Dhillon, who was made to believe his qualifications would land him a good job fast, Canada was a real disappointment. When he did find work, it was that of a security guard. This, when the United Nations has declared Canada the best country to live in.
Some 200,000 people migrate to Canada every year, a majority from Asia. Hong Kong heads the list, followed by India, China, Taiwan and the Philippines. According to the Citizenship & Immigration Canada report, 21,249 Indians migrated to Canada in 1996 alone. (The high commission in Delhi, however, put the figure at 17,682). For many of them, especially those who are qualified professionals, dreams die fast. The life they face is never quite as rosy as made out by money-raking immigration lawyers.
Is the UN report the only reason for the increase in Indian applications for immigration? That, and the fact that it is easier to get entry into Canada than any other western country, says a Delhi-based immigration lawyer. Also, the fastest way of getting immigration to the US is through Canada.
Dhillon's disappointment is echoed by others. "I should have done my own homework before I applied", rues Aparna Shirodhkar, an architect from Mumbai, working as a saleswoman in a department store. "My husband is unemployed. I am the sole earner for a family of four. Sometimes I feel like running back". For Raheela Wasim, who's gone from being a schoolteacher in India to a telemarketer here, the experience was very discouraging, very disheartening. "I started losing confidence in myself. I felt I was not capable of the job market here".
Jobs are the sore point with Indian immigrants. The irony is, they are often more qualified than their Canadian peers, yet they end up with either no work, or with entry-level jobs that have no future. "I was not told that you require a Canadian degree to get a job here", says Paramjeet Parmar, a postgraduate in biochemistry from Bombay University. Parmar works as a telemarketer, which has turned her from an elite professional to an unskilled, daily wage labourer.
Ditto Opinder Khosla, a mechanical engineer from India, who has ended up as a salesman. "I found it difficult to even get an interview call", he says. The Canadian authorities are non-committal about the social and economic devaluation that the country imposes on immigrants.
"You can't come thinking you can just walk in and get a job in your profession", says Isabel Basset, minister of citizenship, culture and recreation, responsible for handling immigrants' woes in Canada's largest province, Ontario. But she admits that the licensing bodies regulating the professions need to be more accepting of people trained elsewhere.
That effort could only come from the government, argues Demetrius Oriopolis, co-author of Access, a government-commissioned report on assessing qualifications of newcomers, a 10-year-old report whose recommendations have still to be implemented. The report suggests certain rules of equivalence should be made binding on the regulatory bodies, which are exclusionist by nature.
But Basset won't even hear of making the regulatory bodies accountable: "We believe in private enterprise with a minimum of government checks. Besides, she argues, the exercise would cost millions of dollars".
Needless to say, the organisations are gleeful. Only professional bodies have the ability to determine what constitutes competence in a particular profession, was the cold response of the spokesperson for the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, an institution that's responsible for the unemployment as well as under-employment of hundreds of qualified chartered accountants from India. They do not grant licences for professional practice, because Indian qualifications are not acceptable.
"What kind of society are we creating? Is it a new form of slavery?" asks an irate Bhausaheb Ubale, Canada's former human rights commissioner. Qualified immigrants work as drivers, guards. If this isn't job discrimination, what is? Dr Ubale lobbied intensely before Indians were accepted in the media. They now hold jobs as reporters and anchors, he says, but a lot more has to be done.
While skilled men may not be able to find jobs, their less qualified wives find it easier because they accept whatever comes their way. In several cases, the wives earn and support their husbands who are busy upgrading themselves, by studying for a Canadian degree. The working wife sometimes slogs away at three jobs. Sumitra starts at 7 am at her first job, teaching immigrants English; her second job as telemarketer starts at 4 pm. She gets back home around 8 pm, after which she begins selling cosmetics and household goods door to door. Till midnight. Sumitra supports three students, her husband and two school-going children.
The other problems Indians face here are the high taxes, high mortgage payments for new homes and the sort of hidebound laws that the benign anarchy back home hardly prepares them for. "You can't run a red light, you can't escape from a hit-and-run site even if you are just the witness, you can't smoke in public. Too many rules, so different from home", says Harminder Singh.
Two 'Indian' practices that do exist here, however, cause immigrants the maximum trouble. They are sifarish baazi (nepotism) and mufat ka kaam (free work). The Canadians, of course, have given them sophisticated terminologies, the former is referred to as 'networking' and the latter, 'volunteerism'. In a country where you are never encouraged to 'drop in' to meet someone, where the fax, the computer or the phone is used to complete most transactions, a job-seeking immigrant often has the phone put down on him. Polite but firm secretaries block access, unless the caller can drop a magic name that can help him gain entry. It takes at least a year for even the most enterprising immigrant to get to know somebody who can help him, before he can get a job at all.
'Networking' goes hand in hand with 'volunteerism'. Many immigrants put in a year of free service before they are given the job. Most writers and anchors of Asian origin are given only part-time jobs, paid by assignment and with no fringe benefits. The company insists on the word 'freelance' on their business cards, to make it clear they have not been hired by the company, and hence can't demand higher pay or any benefits. They can, and often are, fired at will.
Perhaps the greatest problem in Canada is the one that is least articulated--racism. According to a diversity report on Toronto (said to be the most ethnically diverse city in the world), the year 2000 will see its minority becoming its majority that is, 54 per cent of Toronto's population by the end of the millennium will be non-Whites. Keeping that in mind, it warned, if the discrimination against them in education, employment, income and housing, or incidents of hate are not addressed, it will lead to a growing sense of frustration.
"All our problems exist because of racism", sums up Anita Ferrao, who works in a firm. Anita has worked for them for three years and has got neither promotion nor raise. "As an Indian immigrant, you can never reach the top. They'll see to that. It's better to bring in some money here and start a business. It's the only way you'll do well here and be respected. "
But then if life is so tough here, why do people give up everything back home and come? The answer is the rosy picture of North America, inculcated right from childhood. Everything 'American' is considered superior. Better food, better homes, better life.
Here's an article that appeared in Outlook (India) magazine 8 years ago. Apparently, the situation hasn't changed much since then:
http://outlookindia.com/full.asp?fname=international1&fodname=19990125&sid=1
Canada...The Grass Isn't Greener
Outlook: Jan 25, 1999
It's a dream gone sour. Thousands of Indian immigrants who land up in Canada are, more often than not, greeted with unemployment, racism, culture shocks...
SOHAILA CHARNALIA
"I didn't come here to be a chowkidar. I came here believing it to be a land of opportunity; a country that has never known the nepotism, the corruption, the shortages of India. I find I have only substituted one country for another... certainly not one set of values for another, as I hoped. " For Dr Gurdial Singh Dhillon, who was made to believe his qualifications would land him a good job fast, Canada was a real disappointment. When he did find work, it was that of a security guard. This, when the United Nations has declared Canada the best country to live in.
Some 200,000 people migrate to Canada every year, a majority from Asia. Hong Kong heads the list, followed by India, China, Taiwan and the Philippines. According to the Citizenship & Immigration Canada report, 21,249 Indians migrated to Canada in 1996 alone. (The high commission in Delhi, however, put the figure at 17,682). For many of them, especially those who are qualified professionals, dreams die fast. The life they face is never quite as rosy as made out by money-raking immigration lawyers.
Is the UN report the only reason for the increase in Indian applications for immigration? That, and the fact that it is easier to get entry into Canada than any other western country, says a Delhi-based immigration lawyer. Also, the fastest way of getting immigration to the US is through Canada.
Dhillon's disappointment is echoed by others. "I should have done my own homework before I applied", rues Aparna Shirodhkar, an architect from Mumbai, working as a saleswoman in a department store. "My husband is unemployed. I am the sole earner for a family of four. Sometimes I feel like running back". For Raheela Wasim, who's gone from being a schoolteacher in India to a telemarketer here, the experience was very discouraging, very disheartening. "I started losing confidence in myself. I felt I was not capable of the job market here".
Jobs are the sore point with Indian immigrants. The irony is, they are often more qualified than their Canadian peers, yet they end up with either no work, or with entry-level jobs that have no future. "I was not told that you require a Canadian degree to get a job here", says Paramjeet Parmar, a postgraduate in biochemistry from Bombay University. Parmar works as a telemarketer, which has turned her from an elite professional to an unskilled, daily wage labourer.
Ditto Opinder Khosla, a mechanical engineer from India, who has ended up as a salesman. "I found it difficult to even get an interview call", he says. The Canadian authorities are non-committal about the social and economic devaluation that the country imposes on immigrants.
"You can't come thinking you can just walk in and get a job in your profession", says Isabel Basset, minister of citizenship, culture and recreation, responsible for handling immigrants' woes in Canada's largest province, Ontario. But she admits that the licensing bodies regulating the professions need to be more accepting of people trained elsewhere.
That effort could only come from the government, argues Demetrius Oriopolis, co-author of Access, a government-commissioned report on assessing qualifications of newcomers, a 10-year-old report whose recommendations have still to be implemented. The report suggests certain rules of equivalence should be made binding on the regulatory bodies, which are exclusionist by nature.
But Basset won't even hear of making the regulatory bodies accountable: "We believe in private enterprise with a minimum of government checks. Besides, she argues, the exercise would cost millions of dollars".
Needless to say, the organisations are gleeful. Only professional bodies have the ability to determine what constitutes competence in a particular profession, was the cold response of the spokesperson for the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, an institution that's responsible for the unemployment as well as under-employment of hundreds of qualified chartered accountants from India. They do not grant licences for professional practice, because Indian qualifications are not acceptable.
"What kind of society are we creating? Is it a new form of slavery?" asks an irate Bhausaheb Ubale, Canada's former human rights commissioner. Qualified immigrants work as drivers, guards. If this isn't job discrimination, what is? Dr Ubale lobbied intensely before Indians were accepted in the media. They now hold jobs as reporters and anchors, he says, but a lot more has to be done.
While skilled men may not be able to find jobs, their less qualified wives find it easier because they accept whatever comes their way. In several cases, the wives earn and support their husbands who are busy upgrading themselves, by studying for a Canadian degree. The working wife sometimes slogs away at three jobs. Sumitra starts at 7 am at her first job, teaching immigrants English; her second job as telemarketer starts at 4 pm. She gets back home around 8 pm, after which she begins selling cosmetics and household goods door to door. Till midnight. Sumitra supports three students, her husband and two school-going children.
The other problems Indians face here are the high taxes, high mortgage payments for new homes and the sort of hidebound laws that the benign anarchy back home hardly prepares them for. "You can't run a red light, you can't escape from a hit-and-run site even if you are just the witness, you can't smoke in public. Too many rules, so different from home", says Harminder Singh.
Two 'Indian' practices that do exist here, however, cause immigrants the maximum trouble. They are sifarish baazi (nepotism) and mufat ka kaam (free work). The Canadians, of course, have given them sophisticated terminologies, the former is referred to as 'networking' and the latter, 'volunteerism'. In a country where you are never encouraged to 'drop in' to meet someone, where the fax, the computer or the phone is used to complete most transactions, a job-seeking immigrant often has the phone put down on him. Polite but firm secretaries block access, unless the caller can drop a magic name that can help him gain entry. It takes at least a year for even the most enterprising immigrant to get to know somebody who can help him, before he can get a job at all.
'Networking' goes hand in hand with 'volunteerism'. Many immigrants put in a year of free service before they are given the job. Most writers and anchors of Asian origin are given only part-time jobs, paid by assignment and with no fringe benefits. The company insists on the word 'freelance' on their business cards, to make it clear they have not been hired by the company, and hence can't demand higher pay or any benefits. They can, and often are, fired at will.
Perhaps the greatest problem in Canada is the one that is least articulated--racism. According to a diversity report on Toronto (said to be the most ethnically diverse city in the world), the year 2000 will see its minority becoming its majority that is, 54 per cent of Toronto's population by the end of the millennium will be non-Whites. Keeping that in mind, it warned, if the discrimination against them in education, employment, income and housing, or incidents of hate are not addressed, it will lead to a growing sense of frustration.
"All our problems exist because of racism", sums up Anita Ferrao, who works in a firm. Anita has worked for them for three years and has got neither promotion nor raise. "As an Indian immigrant, you can never reach the top. They'll see to that. It's better to bring in some money here and start a business. It's the only way you'll do well here and be respected. "
But then if life is so tough here, why do people give up everything back home and come? The answer is the rosy picture of North America, inculcated right from childhood. Everything 'American' is considered superior. Better food, better homes, better life.
more...
makeup %IMG_DESC_9%
rajsenthil
05-01 05:43 PM
And who told you that they are being opressed - have you been to Sri Lanka and if yes which places did you visit to see the Tamils being opressed .
The terrorists who come to fight in J&K from Pak say they are fighting because Indian Army and govt is opressing the Muslims . Is that true also ?
Seriously I don't care - my personal opinion that in this particular case it is none of our ( India's ) business to meddle in Sri Lankan affairs when they are on the verge of getting rid of a menace they have . Terrorism is not a solution of anything . Only peaceful times can bring happiness and prosperity.
I did not travel to SL but had one my classmate from SL. He is an SL Tamilian and joined me in my school. His parents were taken for interogation and they never returned. Father was killed during interogation and mother died in between the clash. He was bundled in the truck by his neighbor and shifter to India. I dont believe that SL Tamils are treated equally. I really hope that there would be an end to their sufferings. It is unfair to make an incorrect statement. Their own Army Chief Pon Sekara made a open statement that the SL Tamils has to live like a secondary citizens. When thousands of innocent people are dying and trying to justifying is equal to committing the murder.
The blunder LTTE did is assassinating Rajiv Gandhi. But again Indira Gandhi was assasinated. Even the SL PM Rajapakse assassinated the editor who has written a column about the civilians sufferings.
I accept that terrorism is not the solution. It is easy to tell that way from a safe place and hidden from the truth.
The terrorists who come to fight in J&K from Pak say they are fighting because Indian Army and govt is opressing the Muslims . Is that true also ?
Seriously I don't care - my personal opinion that in this particular case it is none of our ( India's ) business to meddle in Sri Lankan affairs when they are on the verge of getting rid of a menace they have . Terrorism is not a solution of anything . Only peaceful times can bring happiness and prosperity.
I did not travel to SL but had one my classmate from SL. He is an SL Tamilian and joined me in my school. His parents were taken for interogation and they never returned. Father was killed during interogation and mother died in between the clash. He was bundled in the truck by his neighbor and shifter to India. I dont believe that SL Tamils are treated equally. I really hope that there would be an end to their sufferings. It is unfair to make an incorrect statement. Their own Army Chief Pon Sekara made a open statement that the SL Tamils has to live like a secondary citizens. When thousands of innocent people are dying and trying to justifying is equal to committing the murder.
The blunder LTTE did is assassinating Rajiv Gandhi. But again Indira Gandhi was assasinated. Even the SL PM Rajapakse assassinated the editor who has written a column about the civilians sufferings.
I accept that terrorism is not the solution. It is easy to tell that way from a safe place and hidden from the truth.
girlfriend %IMG_DESC_14%
mallu
02-13 11:53 PM
....... If it wouldn't be Europeans, there wouldn't be technological advanced United States and we wouldn't want immigrate here. We are not migrating to Kongo or Sierra Leone, don't we?
That is right. Those who came here before 200 - 300 years ago and their descendants have built a strong nation, to which every one wants to immigrate. Those who waiting in line ( and working here ) also doing the nation building and feel who got here earlier built laws/rules to weed the later batch of immigrants.
That is right. Those who came here before 200 - 300 years ago and their descendants have built a strong nation, to which every one wants to immigrate. Those who waiting in line ( and working here ) also doing the nation building and feel who got here earlier built laws/rules to weed the later batch of immigrants.
hairstyles %IMG_DESC_11%
rbalaji5
03-30 02:02 PM
So yo unever know this guys when they will change and what. I need food when I am hungry and need a place to place to sleep when I am tired. I dont care whether Rama has temple or not.
Congress Ruled us more years than BJP since we got independence.
Still you are hungry , looking for food and looking for a place to sleep.
Change We Need. Letz try BJP or Lalu ( :=) this time.
Congress Ruled us more years than BJP since we got independence.
Still you are hungry , looking for food and looking for a place to sleep.
Change We Need. Letz try BJP or Lalu ( :=) this time.
sachug22
09-15 03:25 PM
Hi ocpmachine,
But in 2008 and 2009 EB2 India got the maximum share of the spill over visas. But still the dates are in the first month of 2005. So hardly EB2 India moved forward about 6 months to 9 months in the duration of 2008 and 2009 with the help of spill overs. That too in this bad economy where there would be comparatively less labors applied than the previous years.
vdlrao,
I agree the forward movement will be slow, and i am expecting it to go pass PD of 2005 in 2010 fiscal year. In 2009 CIS has many EB2-ROW application pending, and they have processed most of them by now(in 2009). So for 2010, unless they see flood of new applications (from EB2 ROW) we will see EB2-India pass 2005 PD in 2010.
But in 2008 and 2009 EB2 India got the maximum share of the spill over visas. But still the dates are in the first month of 2005. So hardly EB2 India moved forward about 6 months to 9 months in the duration of 2008 and 2009 with the help of spill overs. That too in this bad economy where there would be comparatively less labors applied than the previous years.
vdlrao,
I agree the forward movement will be slow, and i am expecting it to go pass PD of 2005 in 2010 fiscal year. In 2009 CIS has many EB2-ROW application pending, and they have processed most of them by now(in 2009). So for 2010, unless they see flood of new applications (from EB2 ROW) we will see EB2-India pass 2005 PD in 2010.
bayarea07
07-22 03:41 PM
Good one
This is my reply to these Amway leeches: Whenever I am asked What I do for living/where do I work.
My Reply (with straight face): I work for a Law firm. We specialize in frauds and scams law suits. Quick as a wink they disappear after hearing this. This has worked so far.:D
This is my reply to these Amway leeches: Whenever I am asked What I do for living/where do I work.
My Reply (with straight face): I work for a Law firm. We specialize in frauds and scams law suits. Quick as a wink they disappear after hearing this. This has worked so far.:D
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