Moving to San Diego using AC21
I haven’t posted on this blog in weeks now. Too busy with tons of things going on in my personal and professional lives I guess. Professionally, I took up a job in San Diego, CA. I am excited about the move. It was a difficult decision because I am going from being a generalist to a specialist that knows just one thing - Opentext Livelink. The other reason why it was such a tough move is because what I really want to do is take my online marketing business further. But the darn “same or similar” requirement makes that too risky in my case. Those familiar with EADs and AC21’s know that anyone in my situation work legally on things outside of my day job as long as I have a full-time occupation in a “same or simlar” job function to what my original labor petition was approved for.
My green card petition is pending and adjudiction is likely to take 5-10 years. My priority date April 2007 and USCIS is currently processing May 2001 petitions). OK, agreed I came to this country to be in Information Technology - went to grad school, got my degree, got a job in H1-B, Etc. - same thing that thousands of immigrants do. But is it fair to REQUIRE me to stay in that same job function or even career for a decade or more?
I saw Milk earlier this month and I felt like immigrants are a similar bunch really. The Government calls us “Alients” as if we are from a different planet and our rights are restricted. Now, Gay people could have left the country and settled in some part of the world where they have more acceptance. But that’s not what they did - over time their rights, right here, were recognized. I understand immigrants are not citizens, but the process of becoming a permanent resident just cannot take 10 years, period, and if it HAS to be like that, then they cannot have all these restrictions on us during that period.
I’ll write a more detailed note on the same or similar requirement and how that is too restricting for many.
But for now, I am moving to San Diego guys - the land of the 70 degree climate all year long. Very excited about the move but I am going to miss my friends in Las Vegas a whole bunch. Had the most amazing group here that clicked like a charm. San Diego does have a great table tennis club and some amazing players. I play a lot of table tennis - my USATT rating is 2257 now, 2314 at my peak, so that’s exciting. I also like hiking and playing beach volleyball during my spare time, whatever little there is of it.
More coming from San Diego soon..
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May 5th, 2010 at 1:36 am
Great website and great post. I so hear you about the restriction to stay in the same job function and same job for 10 years. This is 2010 for god sake. People change jobs and careers frequently. Somehow we need to get the word out. What can I do? I’ve been in the same job since 2000 and I desperately need a change.
May 5th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Fredrik,
Thanks for the kind words. Go for it!! Don’t wait just because…I’ve come to the realization that a little risk is needed to have a good life here….worst case, I am ok going back if they really think I don’t deserve a green card just for switching jobs. I believe they should care more about my ability as a person to contribute to this economy - not in a specific job.
May 5th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
[...] for instance, the AC21 nightmare that restricts you to same or similar jobs. Or stupid H4 visa restrictions that restricts you from [...]