IHOPE FAQ

Why sitting idle will not solve problems.


Based upon theBased upon the USCIS pending applications data, many people think that the backlogs would be cleared in 2-3 years. This is not true. Here is why:

  • EB3 will get immigrant visa numbers only after every category in the world becomes current which includes all EB-2 categories.
  • This USCIS pending application data does not include counselor processing (CP) numbers. For some countries the CP numbers are very high.
  • This USCIS pending application data does not include the people with approved Labor/I-140 waiting to file I-485. Once the dates have become current, those cases will consume all visas and EB-3 (India) especially may still remain in 2001.
  • When the economy improves, many more people will file new GCs. They all will be placed ahead of EB3 (India).
  • 245i numbers and its ripple effects are not over yet. Example: In the past 4 years nearly 100,000 visas have been issued to EB3 India but the Priority Date for  EB3 (India) is still in  2001. You need to ask why.
  • Based on our estimates, EB3-India dates will move very slowly and until a legislative fix is done, we will continue to wait for an unknown number of years.

How are we going to succeed?

  •  We have a clear agenda. Our agenda is to "Eliminate the backlog of the most backlogged category, namely, EB-3".
  • We are working to pass a very simple fix.
  • We are taking a step-by-step approach, to eliminate the EB-3 backlog.
  • We are asking for relief measures to help most retrogressed categories.
  • Congress took less than a month to debate and pass the housing bill (H.R. 3548). Please see the kind of support this bill had (Click here)  This tells us how much importance congress is giving to housing. We will tell the congress here are more than 200,000 people with cash in their hands, who can buy houses but are not buying because of the green card situation. These people are employed and will become citizens one day, why not give them green cards now than later?

Can lawmakers pass legislation for EB-3 category, which will also help other EB categories?

It is possible.  Some options are:

  • Lawmakers pass a bill that exempt people waiting for 5 years or more.
  • Lawmakers pass a bill to port the EB-3 candidates who have waited for more than 5 years to EB-2 category automatically.

Are the results guaranteed?

We are in discussion with some lawyers and like-minded people regarding relief for most retrogressed categories and we remain optimistic that there is a good chance for our plan to pass in congress.

Why not Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR)? Why do we need to address this issue now?

  • The media tells us CIR will happen in 2010. With unemployment rates in double digits, and immigration not even on government’s top agenda, there is very little chance of CIR passing in 2010.
  • Even if CIR happens, it would probably overwhelm the system and add more backlogs.
  • Even with CIR, there is no guarantee that our issues will be resolved. The 2007 CIR was a near disaster for us.
  • We waited for 4 years hoping that something might happen. Let’s not wait for 4 more years.

What do you need to do now?


Contribute to our cause. Participate in our efforts.

  • We need to make a humanitarian appeal to the congress. It is unfair to keep people in limbo for their lives.
  • There are many benefits after getting a GC. Do not get contained with EAD/AP.
  • Every lawmaker that we meet agrees that a 9 year wait for GC is not right.
  • Our cause is right.
  • We will win.