Very Important E2 Reform Info.

[Nina]

I have just been speaking with Joshua Barker who is one of congresswoman Heather Wilson's aides. He told me that the Wilson Bill is going nowhere until it has around 100 congresspersons as co-sponsors!! Right now we have 3. What we have to do is contact as many congresspersons as possible and demand that they read the Wilson Bill and co-sponsor it. The fact is that most of them are not aware of the bill and shy away from anything to do with immigration. We must get some media coverage so that Americans will support us - we have to raise awareness as a matter of urgency. Joshua Barker said it is surprising how something like this can snowball once it gets rolling - so contact as many people as possible, write to your local paper, whatever you can think of - just get busy!

[chris]

Well said Nina. I think you can look at the bill two ways. You can look at it in terms of what it means to us as the visa holders and the parents of any kids. The other way of looking at it and I think this is where it is easier to sell, is to look at it in terms of what benefits are there to the US and its people by this amendment.
If you look at it simply in terms of kids, their education and thus the investment in them made by the US taxpayer. To have them stay and become a part of this country means that the US reaps the investment they made in those kids. For the adults, it also means that with a sense of belonging through LPR, then those businesses will more likley floursih to greater degree than they would otherwise, simply because E2'rs can see beyond the horizon.

[kirtida8]

well put Chris. I am contacting as many people as I can to get the info out and will report back with who's on board. I know that Sue was trying to get a mailshot out to all the senators etc but has been busy, but maybe this could get done in the next week or so?

[anne boland]

I have been in touch with Adam Brookes the Washington correspondent for BBC America. He ran a piece on our company a year or so ago. Hopefully I can persuade him to give us some air time. Are you guys ready for your close up?

[kirtida8]

I have been in touch with Adam Brookes the Washington correspondent for BBC America. He ran a piece on our company a year or so ago. Hopefully I can persuade him to give us some air time. Are you guys ready for your close up?

Always Anne LOL. I have left a voicemail for Victor Ramos of the Sentinel, but have no idea if he will call me back. Maybe Sue will have better luck? Also there is a thread with #'s for the associated press - so who's up for calling them?

[Susie]

Hi

Just called Anna Gorman of the LA Times, who is calling me back today

Think we have to be careful of what we say if we need the American public on our side. IMHO we should stress that we love America (which we do, ) but just cannot cope with the stress and strains of visa renewals, expecially having to fly 4,500 odd miles just to get an interview then fly back again

Also if we ask for too much we will get nothing, so also feel our site needs to focus on our aims but at the same time can mention that we support Heathers efforts, just imho

[Susie]

Thanks so much Nina and Ann,

I am always willing to go on camera, talk to the media, just keep putting the word out about our aims and site,

We will continue to grow, the more members the louder our voices will be heard

[McSporran]

Hi

Just called Anna Gorman of the LA Times, who is calling me back today

Think we have to be careful of what we say if we need the American public on our side. IMHO we should stress that we love America (which we do, )

I agree 100% with you on this Sue, but I think we'd better hope then that any reporter doesn't read many of the threads/posts on the forum...as this most certainly isnt the sentiment expressed on occation. Or at least that they see the negative comments made about their country/countrymen as born from frustration with the immigration service - fingers crossed.

[Nina]

Susie,

Chris is right, this has to be about the benefits to America and its citizens. Those I have enlightened are appalled at our plight, but I'm sure more will help when they realise how E2 investors are good for America through our investment and our children. Any media coverage should concentrate on that area first, and our desires second.

I have just emailed Neal Boortz of Talk Radio asking him to urge his listeners to email their congresspersons. Hope it helps.

[chris]

Susie,
I know exactly what you mean about the stresses and strain on us and the time and cost of going to London, yahdy yah, but that means precisely nothing to the average joe, because it has no benefit to him only a benefit to us. If we are to sell our plight to the Americans you have to sell it on the basis of the benefits to them. In sales parlance it's called features and benefits. List the features of whatever it is you're selling, then push the benefits of those features to the customer. It doesn't matter whether you're selling pens, vacation homes or immigration reform it's exactly the same principle. We have to look at it in those terms to sell successfully.

[OberonSH]

Has anyone thought of contacting talk show programmes? Or popular radio stations?

[Munish]

Spot on Chris, spot on! I was going to make the point you made on the other thread but you got there first.

[bobinalbuquerque]

E2. .........To most( general public,political representatives & aides) it simply is a letter & number with no meaning.The opportunity at the present time is that of developing awareness with congress representatives.Josh Baca's point that currently politicians are running scared of anything that involves immigration is very true.
The real value that E2 people bring to this country is commerce/business through employment and investment .Consequently in contacting representatives/aides I do think it important to communicate with their "small business" specialist first.Indeed one of Heather Wilson's key points was the inability to plan for your small business with your hands somewhat tied behind your back.
Chris touched on a point recently with regard to striving for change when he mentioned the plight of ageing out kids.Sadly it might well be that the Heather Wilson's bill will never come to fruition, but for now there is a real opportunity to create awareness of the E2 like never before. A goal of this site has been to communicate for the 'unheard voice" and that certainly applies to E2 kids.Uniquely disadvantaged through their teenage years with work experience opportunities and faced with the prospect of a one-way ticket upon reaching 21 it really is a human tragedy.However, the fact that the Dream act is still around does mean that should it finally take-off we are better positioned to lobby for inclusion of our E2 kids........and that ultimately could open yet another door .................................................. ..

[lxh11]

When I first came across your site last month, I was struck by how convulted the E2 was. I suggested you concentrate on one core issue. Keeping your message simple and focused on the business aspect.

The one thing that differentiates you from other immigrants on different visas is the economic aspect. You need to show facts & figures about how your business affects the local economy. Paragraph after paragraph of words just does not hit home. Graphs and pie charts are visual, that is way more effective than words.

One thing that strikes me - and disregard if you will, but unless you realize how your aims appear to someone outside your situation, you won't be successful.

Many verbalize that they understand the E2 is not the way to LPR or GC, but you want your children who grow up here to get LPR or GC, that could then lead to sponsoring you the parents, is in effect a way for E2ers to get a GC.
Long road I know, but still it's a way for E2ers to get GC - through their kids. The average person would look upon this as somewhat suspicious.

[SHEILA 13]

I dont know any E2 people "hanging on" for their kids to sponsor them !!!!

[lxh11]

because it's not a possibility at the moment. However if it was, many many people would be only too glad to get in line to be sponsored by their kids.

Again, unless you look at how your situation is perceived by those on the "outside" you will miss (or ignore) valuable ways to re-word or talk about your situation.

[Susie]

When I first came across your site last month, I was struck by how convulted the E2 was. I suggested you concentrate on one core issue. Keeping your message simple and focused on the business aspect.

The one thing that differentiates you from other immigrants on different visas is the economic aspect. You need to show facts & figures about how your business affects the local economy. Paragraph after paragraph of words just does not hit home. Graphs and pie charts are visual, that is way more effective than words.

One thing that strikes me - and disregard if you will, but unless you realize how your aims appear to someone outside your situation, you won't be successful.

Many verbalize that they understand the E2 is not the way to LPR or GC, but you want your children who grow up here to get LPR or GC, that could then lead to sponsoring you the parents, is in effect a way for E2ers to get a GC.
Long road I know, but still it's a way for E2ers to get GC - through their kids. The average person would look upon this as somewhat suspicious.

There are various ways our site could have gone or go for the future

One is educate the immigration lawmakers that there is an enconomic benefit to rewarding E visa holders to obtain a green card , as in Heather Wilson Bill

Or

Aim for the compassionate reasons that all children (even illegal children) should be treated equally, have no choice where their family bring them to live and should be given a pathway to green card like the L or H1 b dependent children. In turn these children could sponsor their parents at 21 years of age

Bearing Heather's office was focused on the economic rasons for rewarding E visa holders, we felt we would get our voices heard if we asked for compasssion and for all children to be treated equally.

I do hope you can attend our next committee meeting and help with marketing ideas for the way forward for our site[/QUOTE]

[Susie]

Has anyone thought of contacting talk show programmes? Or popular radio stations?

Hi

I have tried several talk (TV) shows and have not had any interest, however

there are plans for a series of 12 radio programs featuring yours truley and others. Hopefully this is set for the new year.

I have also been live on WDFM Bud Hedginger show (sorry spelling) and still have a contact there so maybe I can call for another talk show

If you could make some calls on behalf of expatsvoice to see if you have any luck I would be grateful

[JulieC]

The value to the US is the crucial thing, they educate our children for free and yet reap no benefit and waste this ressource by not keeping them when they are educated. Does it make any sense??

I dont think whether something looks suspicious really comes into it. Despite it being a visa of non immigrant intent, it is known that 60 percent of F1 students stay in America after graduation and get Hib and eventually green cards. Yet no one sees this as suspicious or thinks their parents are sending them to be educated in the US so that at some time ten years hence they can themselves be sponsorred! If Strive or the replacement act had have been passed it would have eliminated or severely restricted by capping the right of kids to sponsor their parents anyway so the writing is on the wall for this one anyway.

[gwensvilla]

Hi gwen here - first posting - another aspect of the E2 - is currently I am sitting on the fence as to whether to apply or not -whether to come to the USA or not -frightened I may be refused a visa and the implications of that - and thats a huge concern as I have property in Florida - so here I am sitting with a chunk of cash - 30 yrs of business experience and a long background of creating employment for others - but a fear of committing all of that to the american economy as I am aware I could do the deed and then discover after |I jump thru all the hoops - invest my time and money - create a viable business and jobs and then be refused a renewal and be kicked out!! They are missing out on alot of potential investors and investment income!! and that affects their economy by stifling opportunity - it goes without saying that if people who have already made that commitiment pulled the plug (or have it pulled for them) then there is a loss of business and employment - and that could amount to a significant amount!!! Maybe the senaotirs should consider that angle. Gwen

[kirtida8]

:welcome: Gwen - hope to know you better. You have made valid points which we are hoping to put to them - so fingers crossed. Hope you do decide to make the move - although look at all aspects and if you have any questions - please feel free to ask.

[bobinalbuquerque]

"Create a viable business & jobs and then be kicked out" I would say to Gwensvilla that should you do that then your fears are totally unfounded.

You also mention about missing out on potential investors and investments.A couple of points to be remembered is that it is the embassy's responsibility to ensure that the business meets the marginality requirement.In fairness to the embassy personnel that perform this task they have to view it in black and white raw data and not through rose tinted specs.Although a turned down applicant may well feel agrieved it just might be the case that the embassy official saved him a lot of heartache and potential financial ruin.

[gwensvilla]

I wasnt particularly referring to marginal businesses (that do need to be weeded out)- and hence the current attraction and increased uptake of the E5 investment visa. I also think most of us have heard of people with more than viable businesses who have had to leave. just pointing out they are discouraging entrepreuners from emigrating and missing out on big bucks. Gwen

[chris]

I take Gwens point 100%.
If you want to attract investment, you have to create a +ve climate in which to do it. If you fill that climate full of umms and err's and maybe's then people will not be inclined to put funds 'at risk'. The latter are the Embassy words, not mine. Investment should be a calculated risk, not a gamble and the Embassy shouldn't be a casino.
For E2, the main thrusts in any case should be the inward investment/job creation and for the family unit of said E2 investor, there should be a clear path for their children beyond 21. I don't think we need to spell out in big letters any end game by way of GC sponsorship, simply the fact that children who came, usually with little say in the decision making process, are heavily invested in by the US taxpayer and end up more immersed in the 'USA' proper than their parents. Thus for them it is much harder to make a transition back to their 'home' country. Just think that one through for a moment - your child enters the US education system and they learn about the US and its place in the world. They do not learn about the UK and its place in the world. They grow up knowing the customs and values of this country not the UK and to cap it all they speak as Americans, something that probably most of us as adults never do. So for them 'ageing out' is really as BobinA put it, 'a human tragedy'.
I may be out of step here, but I also believe that the scrutiny of the Embassy on visa renewals is such that we do have a chunk of landlocked souls (I am one) that are more than scraping along the bottom, but not necessarily doing multi-million dollar turnover numbers. I get the distinct impression that the Embassy and, I feel the USCIS too, when they scrutinise E2 applications, look at the P&L and that's all. They do not look at it against the backdrop of the state of the US economy and they should do. During the course of the Bush Presidency, the US economy has had to endure events (inflicted and self-inflicted) that previous presidency's have not and hence the economy has bumped along the bottom a lot since 2000. Unless you live under a stone, you cannot help but notice how the high oil prices and the house market has really affected the general economy. All that impacts on anyone's business, whether they are US or UK. Yet, the E2 applicant is scrutinised by State and USCIS as if the US economy is hunky dory. With that type of scrutiny, it would not be surprising if UK investors were somewhat turned off or US based E2'rs ran scared of the Embassy.

[anne boland]

We have a thriving business in the UK and came here to start a sister company. We were granted just 12 months on an L1 visa to make a go of it. Although we turned a profit in that period of time and employed a US citizen our business was deemed "mariginal". Of course we paid taxes on our profit to the US government, but were refused a renewal! We were then advised to change to an E2 visa with that same business. The renewal was then approved. What worries me most is the inconsistency within the USCIS.

[anne boland]

Update from Adrian Mirabilio, ( Congressman Mack's assistant ). She has asked that we now send all emails directly to Congressman Mack via his web site as she has been "swamped" with emails! Well done all ! Keep them coming!

Anne

[Grumpy]

Update from Adrian Mirabilio, ( Congressman Mack's assistant ). She has asked that we now send all emails directly to Congressman Mack via his web site as she has been "swamped" with emails! Well done all ! Keep them coming!

Anne

Well done Anne, I would like to send an e-mail so can you post the web address for Congressman Mack here for myself and anyone else who needs it

[Susie]

Hi

Spoke to my immigration attorney who is prepared to write an e-mail direct to Congressman Mack e-mail address,

Can we clarify which e-mail address (please post here) we should be sending to so I can pass onto James

[kirtida8]

His mailing addresses are:

804 Nicholas Parkway E.
Suite 1
Cape Coral, FL 33990
Main: 239-573-5837
Fax: 239-573-5837

115 Cannon House
Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2536
Fax: 202-226-0439

Sorry couldn't get his email address, but you can email him directly from his website.

[charliesmum]

Put his name in on Google, go to the Contact page and it will give you the option to e-mail.

Zoe

[Nina]

Here's Connie Mack's email - http://mack.house.gov

[Kitty]

e-mail on its way