Appreciation and Assistance for Those Abroad to File I-485s
Posted Aug 01, 2007
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August 1, 2007
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VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS
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Honorable Zoë Lofgren
102 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
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Dear Congresswoman Lofgren:
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This letter is to thank you profusely for your outstanding work and commitment to helping U.S. businesses and their immigrant employees. I particularly appreciate your personal, passionate involvement during the July Visa Bulletin issue. Your actions have changed the lives of thousands of people, and have permitted our U.S. businesses to retain the workers they sorely need. We also welcome your recent introduction of a bill to eliminate higher filing fees being charged by the USCIS as of July 30th. You are indeed a true friend of both U.S. employers that hire those who come to the U.S. and the immigrants and their families who need your help and support.
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As a co-founder of Immigrants' List, we helped to obtain over 10,000 signatures within a few days to send to Mr. Chertoff in connection with the Visa Bulletin issue. In the Petition we requested at least 46 days of filing time from the date of any change in policy. This request was to allow enough time for individuals who made travel plans, and need to return to the U.S. to make their filings under the July Visa Bulletin. We asked for 46 days, since that is the time that these people would have had under the original July Visa Bulletin, from the date of its original publication (June 12th, 2007), until the expiration of the time for the USCIS to accept I-485s (July 31, 2007).
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In a July 27, 2007 article, sent to thousands of subscribers to our eNewsletter, we acknowledged that the reversal of the USCIS policy was largely due to your personal involvement and strong advocacy. Though it was a team effort, with each person and organization playing a small part, you obviously led the way!
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Per my letter sent last night to Mr. Chertoff, we are requesting a little additional help for a small group of affected individuals, either with more time to file their I-485s (until Friday, August 31, 2007) or some sort of generous parole grant by CBP, with instructions to airlines to ensure that those stuck abroad, awaiting visa appointments will be able to reenter the U.S. These are individuals who departed after the July 2nd USCIS announcement no longer accepting I-485s and before the July 17th reversal of the USCIS decision. They now are unable to return prior to August 17th, as they cannot get nonimmigrant visa appointments at the consulates. If there is any true hope for such individuals and families to have the chance to file their I-485s, I am convinced that you are that hope!
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I am sure that you have made many friends among AILA lawyers and the business and immigrant communities that need the talents of our highly-skilled workers. Personally, I would be honored to support you in any manner possible.
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Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts and concerns with you, to help even more individuals and families who are affected from the fall out of the July Visa debacle. Please contact me by telephone or eMail if you have any questions on this or any other issue.
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Very truly yours,

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Sheela Murthy
Founder and President