ONEMOREGCSEEKER
07-15 11:16 PM
Thanks RPAT. With this additional clarification I can say that my case is not similar.
In my case, my employer first applied EB3 (pre-Perm) substitution I-140 with LC priority date of Nov-2004 while my EB2 LC was pending. When in Mar-2007 my Perm EB2 LC was approved, employer asked me if I want to continue with EB3 or want to use new EB2 LC. The day I informed my decision to move with EB2 was the day EB3 I-140 was approved. I think then lawyer used Nov-2004 priority date in my EB2 I-140. Approval for EB2 I-140 was received in Nov-2007 and indicated PD of Nov-2004. My I-485 was filed in Aug-07 as concurrent application. Later my company told me that EB3 I-140 was withdrawn. Now my I-485 is still pending and I suspect it has EB3 classification. I have opened SR early this week. Let's see what's the response.
Thanks for your prompt response. Wish you good luck.
In my case, my employer first applied EB3 (pre-Perm) substitution I-140 with LC priority date of Nov-2004 while my EB2 LC was pending. When in Mar-2007 my Perm EB2 LC was approved, employer asked me if I want to continue with EB3 or want to use new EB2 LC. The day I informed my decision to move with EB2 was the day EB3 I-140 was approved. I think then lawyer used Nov-2004 priority date in my EB2 I-140. Approval for EB2 I-140 was received in Nov-2007 and indicated PD of Nov-2004. My I-485 was filed in Aug-07 as concurrent application. Later my company told me that EB3 I-140 was withdrawn. Now my I-485 is still pending and I suspect it has EB3 classification. I have opened SR early this week. Let's see what's the response.
Thanks for your prompt response. Wish you good luck.
wallpaper For the 2011 Golden Globe
Picasa
01-22 02:40 PM
Thakur saa'b & Oil Twist thanks for the suggestions.
Rajiv did you have a loan with ICICI bank and would you please explain how big part of the payment you made that drastically reduced your payment to Rs 1200.
Please check your messages I have sent you PM as well.
Thanks,
This is an option. I did one more trick. Made big part payment and asked them to reduce my EMI. Now I have EMI of Rs. 1200 for next 13 months. No penalty.
Rajiv did you have a loan with ICICI bank and would you please explain how big part of the payment you made that drastically reduced your payment to Rs 1200.
Please check your messages I have sent you PM as well.
Thanks,
This is an option. I did one more trick. Made big part payment and asked them to reduce my EMI. Now I have EMI of Rs. 1200 for next 13 months. No penalty.
k2006
08-25 02:48 PM
Is there any approval for NSC-->CSC-->NSC cases so far ?
2011 Golden Globes - Dianna Agron.
gdilla
02-28 11:59 AM
I have one year left on my second H1. I am EB3, Canadian born category. Just got I-140 approved last week or so. I've been working here in California for the same employer for 6 years. My PD is Nov 04. I feel like I've taken a big career hit. I am so unhappy with my job - and I'm doing my best to improve the situation including having frank discusssion with the management here on how we can do things better. But they are so risk and change averse, it's so frustrating. I'm going to grad school for my MS in Eng Management part time. Alas, I am only 60% done, with another year to go. Let me put it this way, if i had my GC, I would quit tomorrow morning. I'd rather be unemployed than work here. I just want to concentrate on school and move my career towards strategic management, and management consulting, not engineering. I'm considering giving up and moving back home. I don't know if I can stay in this job for what it seems another 2-3 years!!! It's career suicide. I've been slowly trying to look for a better job, and I'm loathe to take on another eng position which I'm sure I can get without a problem. That is because my heart would not be in it. Any suggestions? Is it possible to just go home and continue the GC process? I can finish school remotely, it's not a problem where I am located.
I work in the aerospace industry. Recently, our company got bought out by another large company. The new company has been shocked and seemingly no experience to having foreign nationals on staff. Because of export and ITAR issues, aerospace is traditionally and mostly gc and citizens only. In a gut reaction, the new company, for fear of violation of US export law, has restricted all FNs to strict hours (8-5 only), with escorts required at all other times. No weekends or holidays whatsoever. As an engineer, I did my best work in the evenings and weekends (because no one bothers me). Now it's very tough to get anything done, although I don't mind escaping here at 5pm everyday. But it's a truly hostile environment for fns now - they audit and restrict us from working on many things. Needless to say that this place will probably never hire another foreigner again. This has been a research oriented facility with many phds on staff, we've needed to attract top talent from around the world to come here. Not anymore. I'm the rare case of joining with only a bachelors. But I joined in 2001, when most were leaving for startups and they had high turnover and needed people.
I work in the aerospace industry. Recently, our company got bought out by another large company. The new company has been shocked and seemingly no experience to having foreign nationals on staff. Because of export and ITAR issues, aerospace is traditionally and mostly gc and citizens only. In a gut reaction, the new company, for fear of violation of US export law, has restricted all FNs to strict hours (8-5 only), with escorts required at all other times. No weekends or holidays whatsoever. As an engineer, I did my best work in the evenings and weekends (because no one bothers me). Now it's very tough to get anything done, although I don't mind escaping here at 5pm everyday. But it's a truly hostile environment for fns now - they audit and restrict us from working on many things. Needless to say that this place will probably never hire another foreigner again. This has been a research oriented facility with many phds on staff, we've needed to attract top talent from around the world to come here. Not anymore. I'm the rare case of joining with only a bachelors. But I joined in 2001, when most were leaving for startups and they had high turnover and needed people.
more...
logiclife
05-30 03:04 PM
As of May 30, 2006, our total contributions stand at $ 137,616.10.
IV team would like to thank all the contributors who have shown a great deal of passion and commitment to this cause and helped us achieve the goal of reaching 130K by Memorial Day.
We are extremely pleased with the enthusiasm of our membership. Almost 30% of our members have contributed funds at some point.
Our contributions not only help us fund the public advocacy and professional help we receive from Quinn-Gillespie, it also represents the strength and commitment of the people who constitute this organization. The amount of funds we get is also a measure of the amount of frustration faced by nearly half a million legal high-skills immigrants who are victims of a broken system. It is also a measure of the strength and resolve of people who want to stand up to an unfair system and fight it.
We thank all our contributors for showing a firm resolve and participating in this effort.
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."
Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)
http://www.rowleycorvette.com/cards/misc0011.jpg
IV team would like to thank all the contributors who have shown a great deal of passion and commitment to this cause and helped us achieve the goal of reaching 130K by Memorial Day.
We are extremely pleased with the enthusiasm of our membership. Almost 30% of our members have contributed funds at some point.
Our contributions not only help us fund the public advocacy and professional help we receive from Quinn-Gillespie, it also represents the strength and commitment of the people who constitute this organization. The amount of funds we get is also a measure of the amount of frustration faced by nearly half a million legal high-skills immigrants who are victims of a broken system. It is also a measure of the strength and resolve of people who want to stand up to an unfair system and fight it.
We thank all our contributors for showing a firm resolve and participating in this effort.
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."
Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)
http://www.rowleycorvette.com/cards/misc0011.jpg
conchshell
08-14 09:34 PM
Thanks ConchShell.
By the way my service center was Nebraska and my Receipt date was outside their processing time. ( I mailed my application on 08/17/2007 and their processing date is 08/10/2007). Looks like they are very conservative when posting their processing dates.
BTW my PD was Oct 2004 and my RD was July12th 2007, ND was August 15t 2007. I am sure this months NSC report will show a good advancement in their processing date.
By the way my service center was Nebraska and my Receipt date was outside their processing time. ( I mailed my application on 08/17/2007 and their processing date is 08/10/2007). Looks like they are very conservative when posting their processing dates.
BTW my PD was Oct 2004 and my RD was July12th 2007, ND was August 15t 2007. I am sure this months NSC report will show a good advancement in their processing date.
more...
rk3817
11-29 01:35 PM
Thanks a lot
2010 Dianna Agron#39;s hair for
Adam
08-20 01:59 PM
I think it looks good :D
more...
GreenCard4US
03-20 04:57 PM
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200903210312.htm
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Washington (PTI): In a blow to Indian professionals, the U.S. on Friday announced additional measures for hiring of foreign specialists under the H-1B visa work programme making it more difficult for the companies receiving federal aid money to hire overseas workers.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the measures to enforce the provisions of the new Employ American Workers Act (EAWA) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which prohibits hiring of H-1B visa holders by American companies who receive the federal aid money. Indian nationals account for bulk of the coveted H-1B visas.
These measures come about ten days before the USCIS starts accepting petitions for new H-1B visas for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2009.
"Under this legislation any company that has received covered funding and seeks to hire new H-1B workers is considered an 'H-1B dependent employer'.
All H-1B dependent employers must make additional attestations to the U.S. Department of Labour (DOL) when filing the Labour Condition Application (LCA)," the USCIS said.
"USCIS reminds petitioners that a valid LCA must be on file with DOL at the time the H-1B petition is filed with USCIS," it said.
This means that if the petitioner indicates on its petition that it is subject to the EAWA, but the Labour Condition Application does not contain the proper attestations relating to H-1B dependent employers, USCIS will deny the H-1B petition, the statement said.
Besides, the USCIS is revising Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, to include a question asking whether the petitioner has received covered funding.
USCIS is expected to post this revised form on its web site in time for the next cap subject to H-1B filing period that begins on April l.
While USCIS encourages petitioners, whenever possible, to use the most up-to-date form, USCIS will not require use of the revised form in time for the start of the filing period for fiscal year 2010, it said.
At the same time, USCIS urged H-1B petitioners who have already prepared packages for mailing using the previous Form I-129 (January 2009 version) to complete only the page in the revised version of the Form I-129 (March 2009) which has the new question on EAWA attestation requirements and to file this single page with the prepared package.
USCIS said EAWA applies to any Labour Condition Application (LCA) and/or H-1B petition filed on or after February 17, involving any employment by a new employer, including concurrent employment and regardless of whether the beneficiary is already in H-1B status.
The EAWA also applies to new hires based on a petition approved before February 17, 2009, if the H-1B employee had not actually commenced employment before that date.
However, EAWA does not apply to H-1B petitions seeking to change the status of a beneficiary already working for the employer in another work-authorised category. It also does not apply to H-1B petitions seeking an extension of stay for a current employee with the same employer.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Washington (PTI): In a blow to Indian professionals, the U.S. on Friday announced additional measures for hiring of foreign specialists under the H-1B visa work programme making it more difficult for the companies receiving federal aid money to hire overseas workers.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the measures to enforce the provisions of the new Employ American Workers Act (EAWA) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which prohibits hiring of H-1B visa holders by American companies who receive the federal aid money. Indian nationals account for bulk of the coveted H-1B visas.
These measures come about ten days before the USCIS starts accepting petitions for new H-1B visas for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2009.
"Under this legislation any company that has received covered funding and seeks to hire new H-1B workers is considered an 'H-1B dependent employer'.
All H-1B dependent employers must make additional attestations to the U.S. Department of Labour (DOL) when filing the Labour Condition Application (LCA)," the USCIS said.
"USCIS reminds petitioners that a valid LCA must be on file with DOL at the time the H-1B petition is filed with USCIS," it said.
This means that if the petitioner indicates on its petition that it is subject to the EAWA, but the Labour Condition Application does not contain the proper attestations relating to H-1B dependent employers, USCIS will deny the H-1B petition, the statement said.
Besides, the USCIS is revising Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, to include a question asking whether the petitioner has received covered funding.
USCIS is expected to post this revised form on its web site in time for the next cap subject to H-1B filing period that begins on April l.
While USCIS encourages petitioners, whenever possible, to use the most up-to-date form, USCIS will not require use of the revised form in time for the start of the filing period for fiscal year 2010, it said.
At the same time, USCIS urged H-1B petitioners who have already prepared packages for mailing using the previous Form I-129 (January 2009 version) to complete only the page in the revised version of the Form I-129 (March 2009) which has the new question on EAWA attestation requirements and to file this single page with the prepared package.
USCIS said EAWA applies to any Labour Condition Application (LCA) and/or H-1B petition filed on or after February 17, involving any employment by a new employer, including concurrent employment and regardless of whether the beneficiary is already in H-1B status.
The EAWA also applies to new hires based on a petition approved before February 17, 2009, if the H-1B employee had not actually commenced employment before that date.
However, EAWA does not apply to H-1B petitions seeking to change the status of a beneficiary already working for the employer in another work-authorised category. It also does not apply to H-1B petitions seeking an extension of stay for a current employee with the same employer.
hair and Dianna Agron - InStyle
Uncertain
04-28 04:05 PM
Please explain why not?
I think if 5000 people from EB3 India with PD in 2007 moved to EB2, then that means 5000 people are reduced from the EB3 India queue?
I think if 5000 people from EB3 India with PD in 2007 moved to EB2, then that means 5000 people are reduced from the EB3 India queue?
more...
jindal_sanjeev
06-23 03:12 AM
Hi,
I wanted to know how critical are the tax returns for GC processing. I am asking this because i have filed the tax returns for 2006 as married even though i got married in January'07.
Now my marriage certificate reflects jan'07 and the tax return for 2006 was filed as joint.
Will this be of issue in the processing? Is there a way out from this, like readjust the tax returns?
Any help in this regard with be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
I wanted to know how critical are the tax returns for GC processing. I am asking this because i have filed the tax returns for 2006 as married even though i got married in January'07.
Now my marriage certificate reflects jan'07 and the tax return for 2006 was filed as joint.
Will this be of issue in the processing? Is there a way out from this, like readjust the tax returns?
Any help in this regard with be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
hot dianna-agron-golden-globes-red
sunny
04-28 01:28 PM
Add my second contribution of $200 to this great effort.
Come on guys before it gets too late.
Good job IV core team and all the volunteers.
Come on guys before it gets too late.
Good job IV core team and all the volunteers.
more...
house Glee#39;s Dianna Agron aka Quinn
kukitron
10-03 03:10 PM
Hello,
My wife is applying for a good job at the European Union, and I do not see why can't she get accepted. We've been stuck in this mess for a while and I am getting tired of irrespectful treatment when entering the country, even when you are here legally, limited career, etc,etc
We can legally work in Europe, but how is the market in Belgium for an electrical engineer (firmware, hardware, project manager exp)?
Anybody have any experience or know something about it? salaries, cost of live, etc
Regards
My wife is applying for a good job at the European Union, and I do not see why can't she get accepted. We've been stuck in this mess for a while and I am getting tired of irrespectful treatment when entering the country, even when you are here legally, limited career, etc,etc
We can legally work in Europe, but how is the market in Belgium for an electrical engineer (firmware, hardware, project manager exp)?
Anybody have any experience or know something about it? salaries, cost of live, etc
Regards
tattoo Dianna Agron brought even more
eagerr2i
07-21 02:24 AM
For degree evaulation , pls visit AERC web site at www.aerc-eval.com/ There are other agencies as well that do these evaluations.
After that take CBEST, if you clear the exam, apply for admission to a credentail program. It will take about 50-60 credit hrs to complete the program. It will include about 4 months of teaching a 2 different schools which is called as directed teaching.Also you need to clear a battery of 3 exams called CSET which establishes subject matter competency in the subject credential you are working on. After that you apply to the Commission of Teacher Credentialing at the state capital and you get your certificate. Depending on haw fast you go, it could take any where between 2 years to 3.5 yrs to finish the program. Jobs are plenty in areas of Math, Physics for sure. Schools look for delivery style and communication skills a lot.
Take a look at your time left on H1B , make sure that ur wife can complete the program within your 6 year of H1B else she would not be able to convert from H4 to H1 unless you get your GC or EAD. Pls email me if you have any additional questions.
Salary is so-so about 50 K starting in CA, but good thing is that you work for only 9.5 months and your vacation and schedule could sync with that of kids and you could spend a good amount of time with kids unlike the other 8-5 jobs...!
After that take CBEST, if you clear the exam, apply for admission to a credentail program. It will take about 50-60 credit hrs to complete the program. It will include about 4 months of teaching a 2 different schools which is called as directed teaching.Also you need to clear a battery of 3 exams called CSET which establishes subject matter competency in the subject credential you are working on. After that you apply to the Commission of Teacher Credentialing at the state capital and you get your certificate. Depending on haw fast you go, it could take any where between 2 years to 3.5 yrs to finish the program. Jobs are plenty in areas of Math, Physics for sure. Schools look for delivery style and communication skills a lot.
Take a look at your time left on H1B , make sure that ur wife can complete the program within your 6 year of H1B else she would not be able to convert from H4 to H1 unless you get your GC or EAD. Pls email me if you have any additional questions.
Salary is so-so about 50 K starting in CA, but good thing is that you work for only 9.5 months and your vacation and schedule could sync with that of kids and you could spend a good amount of time with kids unlike the other 8-5 jobs...!
more...
pictures dianna agron quotes.
GCNaseeb
10-31 01:39 PM
I just called USCIS and spoke to an Immigration Officer. He said I have to resubmit both I-131 and I-765 alongwith original EAD and AP document to the service center from where I received both my EAD and AP. I also need to submit copy of original forms or a birth certificate to prove the error from USCIS in order to waive fees.
He also said Infopass is only for enquiry and won't help in typographical errors.
I guess, whole new process would take another 3-4 months; what a mess :mad:
He also said Infopass is only for enquiry and won't help in typographical errors.
I guess, whole new process would take another 3-4 months; what a mess :mad:
dresses Dianna Agron
ski_dude12
05-04 02:51 PM
So is it safe to assume that the extended H1B will not get invalidated even though the basis of extension was approved I-140 + pending I-485 and later the I-485 got denied.
Going to the original question. The H1B doesnt get invalidated.
The rules and available interpretations and memos talks only about the condition to "grant the extension". No where it mentioned a condition to invalidate an already granted extension.
Going to the original question. The H1B doesnt get invalidated.
The rules and available interpretations and memos talks only about the condition to "grant the extension". No where it mentioned a condition to invalidate an already granted extension.
more...
makeup curly Dianna+agron+hair+up
scubadude
May 27th, 2005, 09:04 AM
The background are the bleachers, and the white blob in the upper right is the white T-shirt on another spectator.
I see what you mean, though. It will give me some things to play with as I continue to explore Photoshop.
I see what you mean, though. It will give me some things to play with as I continue to explore Photoshop.
girlfriend Golden globe curlsdianna agron
ss777
12-17 02:30 PM
Did you mean DIA POE ?
Its Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia
Its Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia
hairstyles alex pettyfer golden globes.
EB3June03
06-15 04:55 PM
I got an email from my lawyer who indicates the RFE is related to my medical missing from the 483 package we sent. I am pretty positive we sent it, but seems like USCIS has some way to firing a RFE.
Anyway, my lawyer is asking me that getting a new medical done would be better as that is quick and more pratical. Don't know if that might be true.
Any ideas for those who got RFE for medical?
Anyway, my lawyer is asking me that getting a new medical done would be better as that is quick and more pratical. Don't know if that might be true.
Any ideas for those who got RFE for medical?
supers789
07-18 04:10 PM
I have i140 approved from previous employer with PD Nov 2005 (which became current with Aug bulletin). New employer has not yet started GC and my 6 years of H1B are getting over in next 6 months.
Can I get 1 year h1B extension based on the fact that I have i140 approved. Please note that its approved with old employer and I cannot file 485 with him.
Thanks!
Can I get 1 year h1B extension based on the fact that I have i140 approved. Please note that its approved with old employer and I cannot file 485 with him.
Thanks!
sobers
02-10 10:55 AM
It is important because this article distinguishes "skilled" immigration versus "unskilled" immigration. This country needs more of the former as enounced several times by leaders of industry, academia and politics, but the latter issue is somewhat controversional because of its largely "illegal" nature in the U.S.
Regardless, this goes to show policy makers here need to be 'smart' and enourage 'smart' people to contribute to this country, as the Europeans are starting to do now...
EU's New Tack on Immigration
Leaders Talk Up 'Brain Circulation' To Cure Shrinking Work Force
By JOHN W. MILLER
February 10, 2006; Page A8
BRUSSELS -- Faced with a shrinking work force, Europe's leaders are looking for ways to attract talented foreigners, even as some countries on the Continent close their borders to other immigrants willing to work for lower wages.
Plans touted by Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini, the man charged with developing common immigration policies for the European Union, range from a new EU-wide "green card" that would allow skilled workers already in the 25-nation bloc to change countries without extra paperwork, to special temporary permits for seasonal workers.
"The U.S. and Australia have stricter rules, but they get the right people to immigrate, and once they're in, they integrate them, and give them benefits, education and citizenship" much faster than in the EU, Mr. Frattini said in an interview. Europe's work force is expected to shrink by 20 million people between now and 2030, according to the European Commission, and businesses complain regularly about a shortage of highly skilled personnel, even as unemployment rates in many EU countries remain high.
In Mr. Frattini's vision, a North African engineer could go to work in Europe, earn good money and return regularly to his hometown to start and maintain a business. Immigration policy in Europe is still up to individual countries. To sell the idea, Mr. Frattini uses the term "brain circulation" to counter accusations of a "brain drain" -- a phrase often used to criticize rich countries for sucking the talent and stalling the development of poor regions.
The challenge for Mr. Frattini is that in the face of pressure from unions and politicians worried about losing jobs to lower-wage newcomers, most EU national governments are jittery about welcoming more immigrants. Only three of the 15 Western European EU nations, for example, have opened their labor markets to the bloc's eight new Eastern European states.
While some countries are likely to resist opening their labor markets until forced to do in 2011, attitudes might be changing. Last weekend French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy echoed many of Mr. Frattini's ideas and proposed special immigration permits for skilled workers.
Plans to attract more immigrants are also a tough sell in developing countries that would lose their graduates and scientists. Mr. Frattini argues that successful migrants benefit their home economies when they work in Europe, because money they send home is an important part of many poor nations' gross domestic products.
In concrete terms, Mr. Frattini says the EU would promote brain circulation by including non-EU citizens in job databases and funding language and job-training courses in immigrants' home countries. Mr. Frattini also wants to develop work visas that will allow immigrants to return to start businesses in their home countries, without losing the right to work in Europe.
Some economists are skeptical. It is often difficult for immigrants to return home, and if economic conditions were good enough to merit investment, they probably wouldn't have left in the first place. "People left for a reason," says Jean-Pierre Garson, an economist at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The International Monetary Fund says immigrants dispatched $126 billion to their home countries in 2004 -- up from $72.3 billion in 2001 -- but there aren't any official figures on how much immigrants invest in businesses in their native countries.
So, would brain circulation work? Some immigrants say they agree in theory that investing accomplishes more than cash remittances. Anecdotal evidence suggests investments that pay off require patience, hands-on involvement, start-up capital and participation by local residents.
"Building is better," says Eric Chinje, a World Bank official living in Virginia who until recently had returned every two years to his hometown of Santa, Cameroon, with bags stuffed with dollars. "I'd take $5,000 and distribute among 100 to 200 people," he says. Three years ago, the 50-year-old Mr. Chinje set up a microcredit bank with the condition that villagers buy shares in the bank. Hundreds did, by getting money from relatives overseas, he says.
The bank started in April 2004 with a capital base of $50,000. So far, it has lent money to a cooperative to fund a storage facility and a truck to carry fruits and vegetables to city markets.
For an investment to really take off and make the kind of impact sought by Mr. Frattini, immigrant entrepreneurs say they need capital and connections.
Kemal Sahin came to Germany in 1973 from a small mountain village in central Turkey. He started the company he now runs, Sahinler Group, one of Europe's biggest textile companies. Mr. Sahin employs 11,000 people, including 9,000 at plants in Turkey, where he started moving production in 1984 to take advantage of skilled, inexpensive labor. His knowledge of Turkish, local customs and regulations allowed him to set up an efficient operation, he says. "I was familiar with how things work in Turkey, and it was easier for me than for my German colleagues to invest there."
--Andrea Thomas in Berlin contributed to this article.
Write to John W. Miller at john.miller@dowjones.com1
Regardless, this goes to show policy makers here need to be 'smart' and enourage 'smart' people to contribute to this country, as the Europeans are starting to do now...
EU's New Tack on Immigration
Leaders Talk Up 'Brain Circulation' To Cure Shrinking Work Force
By JOHN W. MILLER
February 10, 2006; Page A8
BRUSSELS -- Faced with a shrinking work force, Europe's leaders are looking for ways to attract talented foreigners, even as some countries on the Continent close their borders to other immigrants willing to work for lower wages.
Plans touted by Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini, the man charged with developing common immigration policies for the European Union, range from a new EU-wide "green card" that would allow skilled workers already in the 25-nation bloc to change countries without extra paperwork, to special temporary permits for seasonal workers.
"The U.S. and Australia have stricter rules, but they get the right people to immigrate, and once they're in, they integrate them, and give them benefits, education and citizenship" much faster than in the EU, Mr. Frattini said in an interview. Europe's work force is expected to shrink by 20 million people between now and 2030, according to the European Commission, and businesses complain regularly about a shortage of highly skilled personnel, even as unemployment rates in many EU countries remain high.
In Mr. Frattini's vision, a North African engineer could go to work in Europe, earn good money and return regularly to his hometown to start and maintain a business. Immigration policy in Europe is still up to individual countries. To sell the idea, Mr. Frattini uses the term "brain circulation" to counter accusations of a "brain drain" -- a phrase often used to criticize rich countries for sucking the talent and stalling the development of poor regions.
The challenge for Mr. Frattini is that in the face of pressure from unions and politicians worried about losing jobs to lower-wage newcomers, most EU national governments are jittery about welcoming more immigrants. Only three of the 15 Western European EU nations, for example, have opened their labor markets to the bloc's eight new Eastern European states.
While some countries are likely to resist opening their labor markets until forced to do in 2011, attitudes might be changing. Last weekend French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy echoed many of Mr. Frattini's ideas and proposed special immigration permits for skilled workers.
Plans to attract more immigrants are also a tough sell in developing countries that would lose their graduates and scientists. Mr. Frattini argues that successful migrants benefit their home economies when they work in Europe, because money they send home is an important part of many poor nations' gross domestic products.
In concrete terms, Mr. Frattini says the EU would promote brain circulation by including non-EU citizens in job databases and funding language and job-training courses in immigrants' home countries. Mr. Frattini also wants to develop work visas that will allow immigrants to return to start businesses in their home countries, without losing the right to work in Europe.
Some economists are skeptical. It is often difficult for immigrants to return home, and if economic conditions were good enough to merit investment, they probably wouldn't have left in the first place. "People left for a reason," says Jean-Pierre Garson, an economist at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The International Monetary Fund says immigrants dispatched $126 billion to their home countries in 2004 -- up from $72.3 billion in 2001 -- but there aren't any official figures on how much immigrants invest in businesses in their native countries.
So, would brain circulation work? Some immigrants say they agree in theory that investing accomplishes more than cash remittances. Anecdotal evidence suggests investments that pay off require patience, hands-on involvement, start-up capital and participation by local residents.
"Building is better," says Eric Chinje, a World Bank official living in Virginia who until recently had returned every two years to his hometown of Santa, Cameroon, with bags stuffed with dollars. "I'd take $5,000 and distribute among 100 to 200 people," he says. Three years ago, the 50-year-old Mr. Chinje set up a microcredit bank with the condition that villagers buy shares in the bank. Hundreds did, by getting money from relatives overseas, he says.
The bank started in April 2004 with a capital base of $50,000. So far, it has lent money to a cooperative to fund a storage facility and a truck to carry fruits and vegetables to city markets.
For an investment to really take off and make the kind of impact sought by Mr. Frattini, immigrant entrepreneurs say they need capital and connections.
Kemal Sahin came to Germany in 1973 from a small mountain village in central Turkey. He started the company he now runs, Sahinler Group, one of Europe's biggest textile companies. Mr. Sahin employs 11,000 people, including 9,000 at plants in Turkey, where he started moving production in 1984 to take advantage of skilled, inexpensive labor. His knowledge of Turkish, local customs and regulations allowed him to set up an efficient operation, he says. "I was familiar with how things work in Turkey, and it was easier for me than for my German colleagues to invest there."
--Andrea Thomas in Berlin contributed to this article.
Write to John W. Miller at john.miller@dowjones.com1