John Valdez’s Legal Blog

Good news in the immigration field is hard to come by lately.  Indeed, it seems that the lines for green cards are hopelessly long.  The November Visa Bulletin did little to change things.

The new Visa Bulletin reports that the wait for a 3rd preference immigrant visa is seven years for those in the world-wide category.  If you are from India, the wait is a year longer.  For those with master’s degree who fit into the second preference category, the Visa Bulletin is current unless you are from China (a four year wait) or India (nearly a five year wait). 

 The Family-based categories also remain ridiculously backlogged.  Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens face a line requiring a six year wait for most people.  If you are from Mexico, the wait is seventeen years!  A brother or sister petition for Philippine nationals is worthless until you have waited twenty-two years!

I certainly hope that Congress and the President address these backlogs in a new Comprehensive Immigration Bill.  Unfortunately they have their hands full with health care issues, but, being an optimist, I am hopeful that next year they will fix many of the system flaws that have been present in the immigration process for years. 

 In the meantime, if you have an immigration issue, contact us.  The immigration attorneys with Garg & Associates will be happy to look for the best available methods to address your immigration concerns.