VB Gate Continues (ZT)
Questions continue to swirl over the announcement that July visa numbers that were current are now unavailable. This flap does not pass the smell test, the laugh test, or any other test. Sadly, family-based immigration advocates and those championing for the undocumented have not fully grasped the implications this event has for all immigration advocates, not just employment-based petitioners. USCIS resources are limited (or so we are told). In order for USCIS to have processed 30,000 petitions in a short period of time, it is reasonable to assume that USCIS pulled resources from family immigration. The upshot? expect longer delays for family visa petitions. Information has been leaking that reveals the motive was driven by USCIS's desire to get more fees. The message that USCIS (a benefits agency) sends through its action is that immigrants can be victimized in the interests of lining USCIS's coffers (today EB immigrants have been vicitimized, FB immigrants will be next).
Filing lawsuits may not be the best method of achieving resolution. This is a political issue. For this reason, immigration advocates must demand redress from Congress. Congress should hold hearings right away on this matter. According to Attorney Jay Solomon, USCIS broke the law. Congress should amend the INA to make EAD and advance parole available at the I-140 stage instead of the I-485 stage to prevent such shenanigans in the future. Nothing gets an Executive Branch agency's attention like money. Congress should postpone the July 30th fee increase while it studies how USCIS can function year round with the same efficiency that it showed in the last two weeks of June.
HR executives of Fortune 500 companies are enjoying the Fourth of July festivities while immigrant workers are shafted. If EB immigrant workers cannot convince their employers to pressure Congress, immigrants can be sure that many abuses will be in store for them in the future.