The mood in this country has never been more positive to wards Immigration Reform. However, the anti immigration lobby is very strong and very vocal. It is important that we make our voice heard. It is likely that the CIR bill will be introduced in the House in October, I urge all of you to contact the President and your local representatives voicing your support for this bill. I think that it is important to reform the H-1b program also. The USCIS has made it so difficult for staffing companies to get a H-1b, that in effect the H-1b program does not exist for staffing companies. There is also a need to increase H-1b numbers. Another important reform needed is with reference to Immigrant visa numbers. For many countries the wait to get a Green Card is 5 to 7 years. This is an impossible situation to be in and the only way to rectify it is to increase the Immigrant visa numbers. In order to make your representatives aware of your concerns, please e-mail them.

To contact your Congressman:

http://www.house.gov/

To contact your Senator

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

To contact the White House

The White House,
District of Columbia 20500
Phone: (202) 456-1414
Fax: (202) 456-2461

Website: www.whitehouse.gov

On May 11, 2009 USCIS updated the count of H-1B petitions received and counted towards the H-1B cap on the USCIS website. As of May 11, 2009, approximately 45,000 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed. USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.