ambals03
04-29 04:11 PM
America is bleeding competitiveness | VentureBeat (http://venturebeat.com/2011/04/28/brain-drain-or-brain-circulation-america-is-bleeding-competitiveness/)
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vdesai_8
03-16 12:27 PM
You don't need to buy insurance. The State governments offer free insurance to people who need it. Atleast your family members would qualify for it.
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husamymd
12-30 01:58 PM
Let me put my 2 cents worth. I am one of the members who would be able to contribute $500. Not sure if I can do it on a recurring basis. But you guys wanted to identify the initial group and here I am. Hope that helps
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blogger
06-24 11:25 AM
I agree with you.
We are apply independently since both of us are in H1B status
I presume that this marriage in foreign country may not be valid because the marriage was neither registered in India nor done according to Foreign Marriage Act, 1969, since both of us are citizen of India at this present time.
However; we are working out with our parents to get married and register in India, but unsure when this will happen.
You�re Thoughts please?
It is better to contact a attorney or other relavent family/marraiage law counsulars. It is very important. USCIS treats if vigorosly this issue, as marriage realted fraud is very high in immigration benefits, particularly in FB catagory.
We are apply independently since both of us are in H1B status
I presume that this marriage in foreign country may not be valid because the marriage was neither registered in India nor done according to Foreign Marriage Act, 1969, since both of us are citizen of India at this present time.
However; we are working out with our parents to get married and register in India, but unsure when this will happen.
You�re Thoughts please?
It is better to contact a attorney or other relavent family/marraiage law counsulars. It is very important. USCIS treats if vigorosly this issue, as marriage realted fraud is very high in immigration benefits, particularly in FB catagory.
more...
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windycloud
09-29 04:05 PM
EDIT (correction) - from this link: http://thevisabulletin.com/2008/7th-year-h-1b-extensions-under-ac21-104c-and-106a-statutes-and-uscis-guidance/
Question 2. How early can a request for an H-1B extension beyond the 6th year be filed?
Answer: The April 24, 2003 guidance memorandum is modified in the following manner: a petitioner must establish that the above criteria (see Question 1 outlining requirements under Section 106(a)) were or will be met either on or before the requested start date on the H-1B extension application. Thus, an alien is eligible for an extension of H-1B status beyond the 6th year as long as either the qualifying labor certification application or I-140 petition has or will have been pending for at least 365 days prior to the alien’s requested start date, regardless of whether the H-1B extension application was filed prior to the passage of such period If the alien would no longer be in H-1B status at the time that 365 days from the filing of the labor certification application or immigrant petition has run, thus leaving a gap in valid status, then the extension of stay request cannot be granted.
Question 2. How early can a request for an H-1B extension beyond the 6th year be filed?
Answer: The April 24, 2003 guidance memorandum is modified in the following manner: a petitioner must establish that the above criteria (see Question 1 outlining requirements under Section 106(a)) were or will be met either on or before the requested start date on the H-1B extension application. Thus, an alien is eligible for an extension of H-1B status beyond the 6th year as long as either the qualifying labor certification application or I-140 petition has or will have been pending for at least 365 days prior to the alien’s requested start date, regardless of whether the H-1B extension application was filed prior to the passage of such period If the alien would no longer be in H-1B status at the time that 365 days from the filing of the labor certification application or immigrant petition has run, thus leaving a gap in valid status, then the extension of stay request cannot be granted.
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senthil1
09-08 09:25 PM
Which labor day 2009? 2010 or 2014?
Any News on Schumer's Labor Day announcements?
Any News on Schumer's Labor Day announcements?
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shaileshkaria2525@hotmail
09-19 11:30 PM
I want to share the experience of one of my friends who recently went for visa stamping.
He went to Mumbai Consulate with his family for H1B and H4 visa stamping on 08/25/2009. Here are his basic details.
*He got his H1B approved through October 2011.
*He has his GC process on.
*He had originally come here on B1B2 visa about six years back and got the visa converted into H1B visa.
*His current employer is his third change of jobs and have been with this employer for the past 3 years.
*He has his I 140 approved for about a years time and has EAD, and AP valid through October 2008.
His Experience
Their appointed time for visa stamping was 9.00am and their turn came at about 11.00am.The Visa Officer asked my friend routine questions about how he got his first job and he answered exactly as his lawyer had advised. The VO asked him questions about his current employer, what the company was doing, how many employees did the company have et al. She asked him a specific question as to why he went to the US first and why his family joined him later initially although they got the B1B2 visa together. To this he replied that his sons were students in India and they had their terminal exams in September back then.
Then she asked him as to whether he had his credentials with him. He showed her his degree certificates as well as copies of his membership certificates of Chartered Accountancy. She looked at all the originals and then conveyed to him that there were inconsistencies on his certifacates with his original B1B2 visa application and that she will call them later. My friend gave her a copy of his credential evaluation for all the degree certificates.
They were stranded at the consulate for another two hours when another VO announced their names. She was an Indian lady who asked him a silly question about CA institute and as to why he did not mention the name of the city where the institute belonged to. My friend replied that it was an all india institute head quartered in New Delhi. He also conveyed to her that he had given them a copy of his membership as a fellow ( CAs receive the membership certificate as a fellow after they complete public accounting practice as an accountant for five years). She then conveyed to him that she will call him later if required. After about one and half hour further the original visa officer called their name and conveyed to them that there was some further investigation needed to be done on their case. Gave them a yellow letter that stated that he will get an e-mail from the consulate office and they do not need to come back. She gave four VFS envelopes for all of them and asked my friend to wait for the e-mail. She told him that there was nothing to worry about in his case bla bla bla...
My friend and his family had their tickets booked back to US on 08/30/08 from Mumbai. He called his lawyer in US and sought his advise. The lawyer advised that ideally my friend should wait for the e-mail and extend his stay in India. To which my friend replied that he had already availed three weeks of vacation and that he needed to go back to US. They waited with baited breath for the e-mail from the consulate that never came. My friend meanwhile managed an e-mail from his boss that asked him to resume his work on Monday September 02, 2008.
They took the risk and came back to LAX on 08/31/08 and did not encounter any problem using their Advanced Parole documents.
This morning my friend received an e-mail from the Consulate Office in Mumbai that stated that the administrative process for the non-immigrant visa application on his case had been completed and asked him to come at the Consulate on any working day in the morning with yellow letter, VFS envelope, and documents pertaining to visa application. But the last sentence on the e-mail read as under, " Personal appearance is required. Please carry a copy of this email for ready reference."
Gurus! anybody with previous experience like this please share your experience that will help my friend decide as to what he needs to do!
He went to Mumbai Consulate with his family for H1B and H4 visa stamping on 08/25/2009. Here are his basic details.
*He got his H1B approved through October 2011.
*He has his GC process on.
*He had originally come here on B1B2 visa about six years back and got the visa converted into H1B visa.
*His current employer is his third change of jobs and have been with this employer for the past 3 years.
*He has his I 140 approved for about a years time and has EAD, and AP valid through October 2008.
His Experience
Their appointed time for visa stamping was 9.00am and their turn came at about 11.00am.The Visa Officer asked my friend routine questions about how he got his first job and he answered exactly as his lawyer had advised. The VO asked him questions about his current employer, what the company was doing, how many employees did the company have et al. She asked him a specific question as to why he went to the US first and why his family joined him later initially although they got the B1B2 visa together. To this he replied that his sons were students in India and they had their terminal exams in September back then.
Then she asked him as to whether he had his credentials with him. He showed her his degree certificates as well as copies of his membership certificates of Chartered Accountancy. She looked at all the originals and then conveyed to him that there were inconsistencies on his certifacates with his original B1B2 visa application and that she will call them later. My friend gave her a copy of his credential evaluation for all the degree certificates.
They were stranded at the consulate for another two hours when another VO announced their names. She was an Indian lady who asked him a silly question about CA institute and as to why he did not mention the name of the city where the institute belonged to. My friend replied that it was an all india institute head quartered in New Delhi. He also conveyed to her that he had given them a copy of his membership as a fellow ( CAs receive the membership certificate as a fellow after they complete public accounting practice as an accountant for five years). She then conveyed to him that she will call him later if required. After about one and half hour further the original visa officer called their name and conveyed to them that there was some further investigation needed to be done on their case. Gave them a yellow letter that stated that he will get an e-mail from the consulate office and they do not need to come back. She gave four VFS envelopes for all of them and asked my friend to wait for the e-mail. She told him that there was nothing to worry about in his case bla bla bla...
My friend and his family had their tickets booked back to US on 08/30/08 from Mumbai. He called his lawyer in US and sought his advise. The lawyer advised that ideally my friend should wait for the e-mail and extend his stay in India. To which my friend replied that he had already availed three weeks of vacation and that he needed to go back to US. They waited with baited breath for the e-mail from the consulate that never came. My friend meanwhile managed an e-mail from his boss that asked him to resume his work on Monday September 02, 2008.
They took the risk and came back to LAX on 08/31/08 and did not encounter any problem using their Advanced Parole documents.
This morning my friend received an e-mail from the Consulate Office in Mumbai that stated that the administrative process for the non-immigrant visa application on his case had been completed and asked him to come at the Consulate on any working day in the morning with yellow letter, VFS envelope, and documents pertaining to visa application. But the last sentence on the e-mail read as under, " Personal appearance is required. Please carry a copy of this email for ready reference."
Gurus! anybody with previous experience like this please share your experience that will help my friend decide as to what he needs to do!
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sekharpurna
10-03 08:33 AM
Our (2 adult, 1 kid) FP was done yesterday 10/2 in Alexandria, VA, It took us 1 hr from the time we got in. Make sure to fillup the form quickly to get token number, but it may vary from place to place.
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Saralayar
05-18 09:26 PM
Hello Freinds.
After a long wait of 8 years today i got an RFE i don't know what the RFE is all about and will be waiting to get the letter in the mail, do you know how much time does it takes for the paper RFE to come to your lawyer.
RFE was issued today but unlike the email which i got says the status on hold, thats strange
Current Status: REQUEST FOR INITIAL EVIDENCE SENT, CASE PLACED ON HOLD
is this normal or is this is an indication of something wrong and bad.
Please do advice gurus
Best Regards
Saburi
Saburi,
Did you recieve your RFE?. Please share the details so that we can have an idea of what types of RFEs are coming from USCIS.
After a long wait of 8 years today i got an RFE i don't know what the RFE is all about and will be waiting to get the letter in the mail, do you know how much time does it takes for the paper RFE to come to your lawyer.
RFE was issued today but unlike the email which i got says the status on hold, thats strange
Current Status: REQUEST FOR INITIAL EVIDENCE SENT, CASE PLACED ON HOLD
is this normal or is this is an indication of something wrong and bad.
Please do advice gurus
Best Regards
Saburi
Saburi,
Did you recieve your RFE?. Please share the details so that we can have an idea of what types of RFEs are coming from USCIS.
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snathan
05-20 12:28 PM
Was your question
We are beneficiaries of my husband on a EB3 petition. due to retrogression issue, I want to sue someone. Whom should I start with?
Guys
Lets complete her questions with various possible choices and help her. Happy Friday. :D
May be the husband....
We are beneficiaries of my husband on a EB3 petition. due to retrogression issue, I want to sue someone. Whom should I start with?
Guys
Lets complete her questions with various possible choices and help her. Happy Friday. :D
May be the husband....
more...
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Edison99
06-02 08:15 AM
Congrats satyachowdary on your I-140 approval. Is your I-485 has been approved with or with out interfile request, let me know...
My new EB2 140 is approved with new date, so I sent following email to EBupdate.tsc@dhs.gov on 05/18 and my case is approved on 05/25. You don't have to wait until new I-140 is ported with old 140 date, the following email worked for me.
In the subject line, put : I-485 Multiple I-140s
Body of the email :
Dear Sir/Madam
I request you to kindly approve my pending I 485 case with new approved EB-2 (SRCXXXXXXXXXX) I-140. My I 485 was originally filed with EB-3 (LINXXXXXXXXXX). As per Pearson memo I am eligible to take advantage of priority date from EB3 to EB2.
Please contact me if you need any other information.
My case receipt numbers:
EB-3 : Receipt# LINXXXXXXXXXX with Priority Date XX/XX/2004
EB-2 : Receipt# SRCXXXXXXXXXX with Priority Date XX/XX/2011
I-485: Receipt# SRCXXXXXXXXXX
Primary details:
First name :
Last name :
A# :
485 receipt number :
Spouse Details:
First name :
Last name :
A# :
485 receipt number :
Thanking you
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Ph No :
Email :
My new EB2 140 is approved with new date, so I sent following email to EBupdate.tsc@dhs.gov on 05/18 and my case is approved on 05/25. You don't have to wait until new I-140 is ported with old 140 date, the following email worked for me.
In the subject line, put : I-485 Multiple I-140s
Body of the email :
Dear Sir/Madam
I request you to kindly approve my pending I 485 case with new approved EB-2 (SRCXXXXXXXXXX) I-140. My I 485 was originally filed with EB-3 (LINXXXXXXXXXX). As per Pearson memo I am eligible to take advantage of priority date from EB3 to EB2.
Please contact me if you need any other information.
My case receipt numbers:
EB-3 : Receipt# LINXXXXXXXXXX with Priority Date XX/XX/2004
EB-2 : Receipt# SRCXXXXXXXXXX with Priority Date XX/XX/2011
I-485: Receipt# SRCXXXXXXXXXX
Primary details:
First name :
Last name :
A# :
485 receipt number :
Spouse Details:
First name :
Last name :
A# :
485 receipt number :
Thanking you
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Ph No :
Email :
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shreekarthik
02-25 11:34 PM
Bear in mind the following
You dont need to pay any tax in India for money that you withdraw from your 401k for only upto two years after you return back to india. (your are no longer a nri and the 2 years is the buffer)
For any money you withdraw after 2 years, you need to tay tax in US (which shouldnt be a lot if you withdraw little by little and you being non-resident of usa) and also pay tax in india (which could be quite a bit)
If you have GC then you can take out ur 401k in 2 installments (because u have RNOR status for 2 years) and file tax as a resident in USA (because of GC).
If you don't have GC then please take all ur 401k in one shot in the year you leave. Otherwise you'll pay 10% penalty and then 30% tax to USA because you will be a Non resident as for as US is concerned in the next year.
You dont need to pay any tax in India for money that you withdraw from your 401k for only upto two years after you return back to india. (your are no longer a nri and the 2 years is the buffer)
For any money you withdraw after 2 years, you need to tay tax in US (which shouldnt be a lot if you withdraw little by little and you being non-resident of usa) and also pay tax in india (which could be quite a bit)
If you have GC then you can take out ur 401k in 2 installments (because u have RNOR status for 2 years) and file tax as a resident in USA (because of GC).
If you don't have GC then please take all ur 401k in one shot in the year you leave. Otherwise you'll pay 10% penalty and then 30% tax to USA because you will be a Non resident as for as US is concerned in the next year.
more...
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prdgl
02-19 09:06 PM
I have been thinking lately about the CIR and SKIL bills.
Though I did read some of the benifits of SKIL bill, I am not sure what's the reality is going to be IF Skil bill is passed.
Will the advanced degree holders (even in EB3) will get to apply for I-485 immediately. IF not, is it just that its going to raise the number of visas per country. If so, anybody know how much of raise in visa numbers its going to happen.
Also how far are we from this CIR or SKIL bill being passed ?
any thoughts
Though I did read some of the benifits of SKIL bill, I am not sure what's the reality is going to be IF Skil bill is passed.
Will the advanced degree holders (even in EB3) will get to apply for I-485 immediately. IF not, is it just that its going to raise the number of visas per country. If so, anybody know how much of raise in visa numbers its going to happen.
Also how far are we from this CIR or SKIL bill being passed ?
any thoughts
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sweet_jungle
12-07 12:30 AM
My wife went for her biometrics today and what a surprise, her date of birth on the system was wrong.
She only had DL on her and no passport. So, the ASC staff took her biometrics but refused to correct her DOB, claiming that passport was needed.
So, we called up USCIS and upon description of the problem,were immediately transferred to level 2. Level 2 looked at the cases and confirmed that DOB was wrong on I-485. It was correct in I-765 and I-131. She said that the only way to correct it was to take infopass and present passport and DL.
It is now more or less clear that DOB mismatch has caused her EAD to be stalled for so long.I have already got my EAD.
Moral of the story : take passport for FP, infopass, etc. all the time.
Our EADs and APs were filed separately with I-485 courier receipt. What a mess !!
lets see what happens at infopass.
She only had DL on her and no passport. So, the ASC staff took her biometrics but refused to correct her DOB, claiming that passport was needed.
So, we called up USCIS and upon description of the problem,were immediately transferred to level 2. Level 2 looked at the cases and confirmed that DOB was wrong on I-485. It was correct in I-765 and I-131. She said that the only way to correct it was to take infopass and present passport and DL.
It is now more or less clear that DOB mismatch has caused her EAD to be stalled for so long.I have already got my EAD.
Moral of the story : take passport for FP, infopass, etc. all the time.
Our EADs and APs were filed separately with I-485 courier receipt. What a mess !!
lets see what happens at infopass.
more...
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psaxena
06-25 02:33 PM
Please suggest the best time suitable for everyone for the conf call, today evening or tomorrow anytime.
Excellent initiative ! Let's do it !
Excellent initiative ! Let's do it !
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copsmart
10-09 10:26 AM
I haven't tried visitor/business visa, but I got a transit visa for Germany once with an expired H1B stamping in passport. I got that visa from German Counsulate in Boston, MA.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
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pappu
06-06 11:10 AM
Good points.
Cann't travel outside usa, because of too many restrictions on h1/h4 visa holders.
yes this can be a newsworthy story from an emotional perspective and views from prominent behaviour scientist to reaffirm our sentiments.
Cann't travel outside usa, because of too many restrictions on h1/h4 visa holders.
yes this can be a newsworthy story from an emotional perspective and views from prominent behaviour scientist to reaffirm our sentiments.
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chanduv23
10-09 05:32 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^
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snathan
08-16 12:35 PM
My son was on B1 and then on H4. B1 was stamped in 2000 for 10 years. He was with me in US for 4 years and had 1 stamping of H4 in his passport after 2000. He moved to Canada in 2005 but still visits me on B1 which was issued to him before his H4 stamping and B1 was never cancelled. I am not sure about L1..
RV
When I went for H1B stamping my B1 was cancelled and I was told one can not have more than one visa at the same time.
RV
When I went for H1B stamping my B1 was cancelled and I was told one can not have more than one visa at the same time.
santb1975
06-06 11:11 PM
I will keep you posted.
Admins / Folks,
Any updates on this!
06/06/2008: U.S. STEM Advance Degree Numberical Limit Exempt Immigration Bill Introduced in the Senate
There is a bill pending in the House which was introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California which is similar to this new Senate bill which was introduced yesterday by Sen. Barbara Boxer of California. The House bill is H.R. 6039 and the Senate bill is S. 3084. Both of these bills propose to exempt U.S. advanced degree holders working for the U.S. employers from the numerical limit in the employment based immigration. The full text of the House bill is posted on May 11, 2008.
Admins / Folks,
Any updates on this!
06/06/2008: U.S. STEM Advance Degree Numberical Limit Exempt Immigration Bill Introduced in the Senate
There is a bill pending in the House which was introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California which is similar to this new Senate bill which was introduced yesterday by Sen. Barbara Boxer of California. The House bill is H.R. 6039 and the Senate bill is S. 3084. Both of these bills propose to exempt U.S. advanced degree holders working for the U.S. employers from the numerical limit in the employment based immigration. The full text of the House bill is posted on May 11, 2008.
god_bless_you
06-14 09:14 PM
From Today's Lou Dobb's....
Tonight, congressional leaders are unable to break a deadlock and begin work on an immigration reform compromise. A provision in the Constitution could kill the Senate immigration bill and chances for immigration reform this year.
LOUISE SCHIAVONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It could be a real procedural holdup or just a good excuse. But for now, immigration legislation is stalled on what could be the road to nowhere.
Here's the problem...
SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R), ALABAMA: A notice has been served on the Senate that a blue slip will be filed, which, in effect, says they will not consider the bill in the House because it has a revenue enhancement in it, a tax provision in it.
SCHIAVONE: A blue slip is like a legislative traffic ticket. A blue slip would be slapped on the Senate bill because, besides a guest worker program, a wall at the border, punishment for employers who hire illegals, and so on, the measure includes tax provisions, including one requiring illegal aliens to pay back taxes and another making U.S. workers overseas pay more taxes than they do now.
What's wrong with that? The Constitution says tax laws start in the House, not in the Senate. The same way, for example, that it's the Senate, not the House that confirms judges and cabinet secretaries.
REP. TOM TANCREDO (R), COLORADO: If they shot the Senate bill over here, it would be shot down in about a heartbeat simply because, for one thing, no revenue-raising bill can originate in the Senate. There's a constitutional problem.
So it can be stopped. I mean, they can try it. Have them send it. That's fine with me, because that's the end of it.
SCHIAVONE: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist suggests tacking the immigration bill on to a benign House tax bill that's been on the Senate docket so that it has a House bill designation. But Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid wants assurances that no other legislation will hitch a ride on that train. Senator Frist's office says he has offered those assurances.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCHIAVONE: And Kitty, it gets even more complicated than that. Congressman Tancredo says that lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol went home for Memorial Day and heard lots of protests about that Senate immigration bill and the eventual amnesty it offers, leaving some on Capitol Hill to wonder if in this election year it might just be better to let the clock run out on this session of Congress and start fresh next year -- Kitty.
PHILLIPS: Interesting stuff. Thanks very much. America's opinions on illegal immigration and border security should affect the legislation Congress adopts and the one that President Bush signs. In his news conference this morning, however, President Bush explained the crucial role of public opinion in a democracy.
Senator Jeff Sessions says the Senate ignored the will of the people in passing an amnesty bill for illegal aliens that would cost taxpayers tens of billions each year. A CBO report Sessions commissions says that the bill will also do nothing to stop illegal aliens entering this country. I asked Senator Sessions what the purpose of the Senate immigration bill is, if not to stop the flow of illegal aliens?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R), ALABAMA: That was the purpose, but the CBO numbers are based on the Senate bill. And they say, in a fact, there's no change in illegal immigration for 10 years. It would be 700,000 to 900,000 a year. If anything, that's certainly no less and maybe more than the current rate. So it really belies the argument that this bill is going to make any progress on enforcement. It certainly does not appear to.
PILGRIM: What does that say about the value of this bill, sir?
SESSIONS: Well I think it again is another indication that it is unacceptable, that it's terribly flawed, should never become law and will not do what it promises. It promises to enforce the border. And that's proven to be false. I think I've already said that, but the CBO confirmed it. Workplace enforcement is not there. And the future flow plans to allow millions coming in in the future at a much higher rate are just unprincipled and not valuable, not good for the United States. So we definitely need to review this legislation.
PILGRIM: House Speaker Dennis Hastert has said that he wants to take a long look at this bill and potentially hold hearings. Do you think hearings are appropriate? They're certainly not normal.
SESSIONS: No, they're not normal. But you know, the House has none of this so-called comprehensive approach to immigration. Theirs was focused primarily on enforcement. And so if they're going to consider the comprehensive bill at all, they absolutely should study it. We never had enough hearings in the Senate. This bill just basically came up and moved through with very few hearings directly related to the gray issues on immigration.
We just didn't discuss the real important issues in any significant way. For example, we've never considered whether or not we ought to adopt what Canada does, and that is to have a point system. Why haven't we even discussed that? It seems to me it makes an awful lot of sense.
PILGRIM: All right, you know, could this immigration reform bill be hammered out behind closed doors with the congressional leadership? Do you see it going that way?
SESSIONS: Well, that's a very dangerous thing. The American people's confidence in the government on a question of immigration is very low. They're very cynical. And if anyone thinks they can hammer out a bill and then ram it through without the American people being alerted, I think they're in for big trouble and just further erode public confidence in what we're doing.
PILGRIM: The Senate -- procedurally the Senate bill has to be attached to a House bill to avoid a constitutional issue. Would you support a unanimous consent to send to it the House?
SESSIONS: You know, I haven't made a decision about that. My personal view is we need to discuss this bill more. No one senator can block a bill from being considered, but can provide an opportunity for more debate. So we'll be looking at that.
PILGRIM: And timetable-wise, if this doesn't get to the House and Senate by August 1st, do you think it will make it at all in this session?
SESSIONS: You know, it may not. Then again, something could happen. But from what I'm hearing from the House, that they're so concerned about the viability of the comprehensive language in the Senate bill, not that they're so against the comprehensive bill, but just that they are uneasy and unaccepting of what we've done, then I think it's got a long way to go to become law, frankly.
Tonight, congressional leaders are unable to break a deadlock and begin work on an immigration reform compromise. A provision in the Constitution could kill the Senate immigration bill and chances for immigration reform this year.
LOUISE SCHIAVONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It could be a real procedural holdup or just a good excuse. But for now, immigration legislation is stalled on what could be the road to nowhere.
Here's the problem...
SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R), ALABAMA: A notice has been served on the Senate that a blue slip will be filed, which, in effect, says they will not consider the bill in the House because it has a revenue enhancement in it, a tax provision in it.
SCHIAVONE: A blue slip is like a legislative traffic ticket. A blue slip would be slapped on the Senate bill because, besides a guest worker program, a wall at the border, punishment for employers who hire illegals, and so on, the measure includes tax provisions, including one requiring illegal aliens to pay back taxes and another making U.S. workers overseas pay more taxes than they do now.
What's wrong with that? The Constitution says tax laws start in the House, not in the Senate. The same way, for example, that it's the Senate, not the House that confirms judges and cabinet secretaries.
REP. TOM TANCREDO (R), COLORADO: If they shot the Senate bill over here, it would be shot down in about a heartbeat simply because, for one thing, no revenue-raising bill can originate in the Senate. There's a constitutional problem.
So it can be stopped. I mean, they can try it. Have them send it. That's fine with me, because that's the end of it.
SCHIAVONE: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist suggests tacking the immigration bill on to a benign House tax bill that's been on the Senate docket so that it has a House bill designation. But Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid wants assurances that no other legislation will hitch a ride on that train. Senator Frist's office says he has offered those assurances.
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SCHIAVONE: And Kitty, it gets even more complicated than that. Congressman Tancredo says that lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol went home for Memorial Day and heard lots of protests about that Senate immigration bill and the eventual amnesty it offers, leaving some on Capitol Hill to wonder if in this election year it might just be better to let the clock run out on this session of Congress and start fresh next year -- Kitty.
PHILLIPS: Interesting stuff. Thanks very much. America's opinions on illegal immigration and border security should affect the legislation Congress adopts and the one that President Bush signs. In his news conference this morning, however, President Bush explained the crucial role of public opinion in a democracy.
Senator Jeff Sessions says the Senate ignored the will of the people in passing an amnesty bill for illegal aliens that would cost taxpayers tens of billions each year. A CBO report Sessions commissions says that the bill will also do nothing to stop illegal aliens entering this country. I asked Senator Sessions what the purpose of the Senate immigration bill is, if not to stop the flow of illegal aliens?
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SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R), ALABAMA: That was the purpose, but the CBO numbers are based on the Senate bill. And they say, in a fact, there's no change in illegal immigration for 10 years. It would be 700,000 to 900,000 a year. If anything, that's certainly no less and maybe more than the current rate. So it really belies the argument that this bill is going to make any progress on enforcement. It certainly does not appear to.
PILGRIM: What does that say about the value of this bill, sir?
SESSIONS: Well I think it again is another indication that it is unacceptable, that it's terribly flawed, should never become law and will not do what it promises. It promises to enforce the border. And that's proven to be false. I think I've already said that, but the CBO confirmed it. Workplace enforcement is not there. And the future flow plans to allow millions coming in in the future at a much higher rate are just unprincipled and not valuable, not good for the United States. So we definitely need to review this legislation.
PILGRIM: House Speaker Dennis Hastert has said that he wants to take a long look at this bill and potentially hold hearings. Do you think hearings are appropriate? They're certainly not normal.
SESSIONS: No, they're not normal. But you know, the House has none of this so-called comprehensive approach to immigration. Theirs was focused primarily on enforcement. And so if they're going to consider the comprehensive bill at all, they absolutely should study it. We never had enough hearings in the Senate. This bill just basically came up and moved through with very few hearings directly related to the gray issues on immigration.
We just didn't discuss the real important issues in any significant way. For example, we've never considered whether or not we ought to adopt what Canada does, and that is to have a point system. Why haven't we even discussed that? It seems to me it makes an awful lot of sense.
PILGRIM: All right, you know, could this immigration reform bill be hammered out behind closed doors with the congressional leadership? Do you see it going that way?
SESSIONS: Well, that's a very dangerous thing. The American people's confidence in the government on a question of immigration is very low. They're very cynical. And if anyone thinks they can hammer out a bill and then ram it through without the American people being alerted, I think they're in for big trouble and just further erode public confidence in what we're doing.
PILGRIM: The Senate -- procedurally the Senate bill has to be attached to a House bill to avoid a constitutional issue. Would you support a unanimous consent to send to it the House?
SESSIONS: You know, I haven't made a decision about that. My personal view is we need to discuss this bill more. No one senator can block a bill from being considered, but can provide an opportunity for more debate. So we'll be looking at that.
PILGRIM: And timetable-wise, if this doesn't get to the House and Senate by August 1st, do you think it will make it at all in this session?
SESSIONS: You know, it may not. Then again, something could happen. But from what I'm hearing from the House, that they're so concerned about the viability of the comprehensive language in the Senate bill, not that they're so against the comprehensive bill, but just that they are uneasy and unaccepting of what we've done, then I think it's got a long way to go to become law, frankly.