va_dude
01-29 10:21 AM
I'm a bit confused too.
You guys have PDs in late 2004 for EB3 India and your 485 was already looked at?
Are you guys also Jul/Aug 2007 filers?
-va_dude
You guys have PDs in late 2004 for EB3 India and your 485 was already looked at?
Are you guys also Jul/Aug 2007 filers?
-va_dude
sheelalann
05-21 12:44 PM
this is the toughest issue ever discussed on this forum :)
zoozee
08-14 05:44 PM
Hi,
Assuming that one has file for the I-485 - just wanted to clarify that EAD/AP can be filed even if the priority dates are not current. In other words, EAD/AP has no dependency on the priority date being current.
Regards
ZooZee
Assuming that one has file for the I-485 - just wanted to clarify that EAD/AP can be filed even if the priority dates are not current. In other words, EAD/AP has no dependency on the priority date being current.
Regards
ZooZee
Almond
11-11 05:29 PM
Almond, even i used to think "so close and yet so far". but now have understood, i was never close to begin with...:(
it is better to accept the reality than trying to live with fool's gold like i did for about 2-3 years...
kartik, I am amazed by your priority date. Have you done infopass to see what the hold up is? Open the dictionary and you'll see us in the definition of "badluck" lol
it is better to accept the reality than trying to live with fool's gold like i did for about 2-3 years...
kartik, I am amazed by your priority date. Have you done infopass to see what the hold up is? Open the dictionary and you'll see us in the definition of "badluck" lol
more...
factoryman
06-14 05:57 PM
I am speaking from experience. Download the forms needed for filing 485, EAD and AP. Then when your attorney send you his/her set ( normally they do this in 2 stages - one they will send you a draft copy to verify and correct all info - some have online questionnaire; stage two - they send the final forms for you to verify and sign again - this they may do paper copy or online PDF - that cannot be edited - not fill able forms).
So, here I am providing links to all forms that I know are needed. These from uscis.gov site are fill able. Weekend is coming. Fill them, and print and keep them.
When attorney sends papers, compare yours with their and do corrections in theirs ( usually it will have stamps of the firm)
Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status - I-485 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485.pdf)
Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status - I-693 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-693.pdf)
There is a supplemental 693 also for vaccination records.
Biographic Information - I-325 A (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-325a.pdf)
There are A, B, C and other versions. I filled A
Application for Employment Authorization - I-765 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765.pdf)
Application for Travel Document - I-131 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-131.pdf)
Affidavit of Support - I-134 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-134.pdf)
I completed all these forms with 100% correct info- still the Paralegal - made mistakes again and again ( I can't correct the PDF as Adobe PDF writer is 1800 USD). I lost ONE precious week. Hoping to file on 06/01/2007, filed on 06/08. Learn and be wiser from experience, yours and others.
So, here I am providing links to all forms that I know are needed. These from uscis.gov site are fill able. Weekend is coming. Fill them, and print and keep them.
When attorney sends papers, compare yours with their and do corrections in theirs ( usually it will have stamps of the firm)
Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status - I-485 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485.pdf)
Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status - I-693 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-693.pdf)
There is a supplemental 693 also for vaccination records.
Biographic Information - I-325 A (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-325a.pdf)
There are A, B, C and other versions. I filled A
Application for Employment Authorization - I-765 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765.pdf)
Application for Travel Document - I-131 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-131.pdf)
Affidavit of Support - I-134 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-134.pdf)
I completed all these forms with 100% correct info- still the Paralegal - made mistakes again and again ( I can't correct the PDF as Adobe PDF writer is 1800 USD). I lost ONE precious week. Hoping to file on 06/01/2007, filed on 06/08. Learn and be wiser from experience, yours and others.
zinchak
10-19 01:34 AM
Please see this if you have an emergency.
http://boards.immigration.com/showthread.php?t=260914&highlight=guard
Good luck
http://boards.immigration.com/showthread.php?t=260914&highlight=guard
Good luck
more...
angelfire76
06-04 02:53 PM
A friend of mine who's an account manager with Wipro said that all their H1 extensions have received multiple RFEs, with the standard wording on each RFE (client contract details, no. of people working at that location, immigration status of the people working at that location, demonstrate that the job is a specialty occupation (H1Bs for janitors anybody? ) ), client letter (even if the H1B is for a project starting 2 months down the line with a valid SOW)
Looks like the adjudicating officers have a standard template which they issue to all non-product companies as RFE. It's plain harassment that's all foolishly thinking that if we drive the H1Bs out then automatically the companies will be forced to hire locally. What they don't understand is that the companies will offshore even more work, as already being done by hiring one GC guy to co-ordinate the rest of the team in India. :rolleyes:
Looks like the adjudicating officers have a standard template which they issue to all non-product companies as RFE. It's plain harassment that's all foolishly thinking that if we drive the H1Bs out then automatically the companies will be forced to hire locally. What they don't understand is that the companies will offshore even more work, as already being done by hiring one GC guy to co-ordinate the rest of the team in India. :rolleyes:
arukala
01-20 03:02 PM
Admin ,
NEW LOOK AFTER A LONG TIME... It is really Good
NEW LOOK AFTER A LONG TIME... It is really Good
more...
gk_2000
05-20 05:26 PM
One who must not be Paid attention to
sent4dc
08-25 06:07 PM
Hi everyone:
I'd appreciate if someone could give me an advice here. I am currently on the 6th year of H1B. It is expiring on Jan 31, 2008. Technically I will need a 7th year extension. My Labor Certification for Green Card (EB2, PD: Dec, 2002) was approved back in July, 07 and I filed I-140 and I-485 concurrently in the end of July. So far I have not received a receipt or anything back from them.
What shall I do in this situation -- can I apply for H1B extension now? Any advice will be appreciated.
I'd appreciate if someone could give me an advice here. I am currently on the 6th year of H1B. It is expiring on Jan 31, 2008. Technically I will need a 7th year extension. My Labor Certification for Green Card (EB2, PD: Dec, 2002) was approved back in July, 07 and I filed I-140 and I-485 concurrently in the end of July. So far I have not received a receipt or anything back from them.
What shall I do in this situation -- can I apply for H1B extension now? Any advice will be appreciated.
more...
bestia
01-27 02:15 PM
These are minor things, although annoying, but I wouldn't worry about them. I guess it's just your GC interview. The good thing is that they are processing your case. I would suggest taking your lawyer with you. When is your interview? Just curious what is the time frame. Good luck.
Siboo
07-30 12:41 PM
:confused: Guys ,
I just checked my I140 approval notice and it shows LUD as July 28th 2007
I am totally confused as to why it shows that since my I140 is approved since a long time .
I have applied for 485 on June 29th 2007 and it reached USCIS TSC on July 2nd 2007.
Does the LUD on my I140 have anything to do with my 485 Application ??
Please advise ?
My I-140 LUD changed to 07/22/2007. (My I-140 got approved in October 2005, I-485 got approved in July 2007).
Looks like some kind of system maintenance.
I just checked my I140 approval notice and it shows LUD as July 28th 2007
I am totally confused as to why it shows that since my I140 is approved since a long time .
I have applied for 485 on June 29th 2007 and it reached USCIS TSC on July 2nd 2007.
Does the LUD on my I140 have anything to do with my 485 Application ??
Please advise ?
My I-140 LUD changed to 07/22/2007. (My I-140 got approved in October 2005, I-485 got approved in July 2007).
Looks like some kind of system maintenance.
more...
BraveMadMan
07-18 10:29 AM
:)
buddyinsd
02-07 01:02 PM
The only diff b/w these illegals vs legals is education. These illegals r uneducated and dont fear law and can go to any extent as opposed to legals who're well educated. At the same time, the Tri-valley situation brings to the fore the credibility of educated indians too!!! All those students came to US "legally" but started violating the law from the word GO by working at Gas stations, Mc Donalds etc...to make ends meet. Infact some even got in very well knowing that it was not completely legal as the guy from the university who was bringing ppl was a desi who worked for the university and forged fake documents for the students.
Overall, the Indian immigrant's image is at stake right now and this might lead to enforcing new laws against legal immigrants (read scrutiny, queries etc...)
Overall, the Indian immigrant's image is at stake right now and this might lead to enforcing new laws against legal immigrants (read scrutiny, queries etc...)
more...
logiclife
04-26 06:16 PM
Be careful with what you post on this thread.
Assume that all such threads that have lawmakers name in title may be read by someone in their staff so BE VERY CAREFUL in posting stuff that is a comment on any lawmaker.
Restrain would be a good idea.
Assume that all such threads that have lawmakers name in title may be read by someone in their staff so BE VERY CAREFUL in posting stuff that is a comment on any lawmaker.
Restrain would be a good idea.
jkays94
04-01 10:29 AM
IT in canada is in a bad shape.....very difficult to maintain a good job.....people get citizenship after 3 years...and they move to usa on TN visa...
I agree, IT might be in a bad shape in Canada, and indeed, coming back on a TN visa is indeed shorter than waiting for 6/7 years for a GC, not to mention that one gains self driven job mobility.
I agree, IT might be in a bad shape in Canada, and indeed, coming back on a TN visa is indeed shorter than waiting for 6/7 years for a GC, not to mention that one gains self driven job mobility.
more...
gc28262
07-30 07:07 AM
Success Story: Showing a Valid Employer-Employee Relationship (http://shusterman.com/newsletterusimmigrationaugust2010.html#5)
As reported in a previous newsletter, a January 8, 2010 USCIS memo entitled "Determining Employer-Employee Relationship for Adjudication of H-1B Petitions, Including Third-Party Site Placements" has made it more difficult, and sometimes impossible, for IT consulting firms who hire professionals to work at third-party worksites to obtain H-1B status on their behalf.
The stated purpose of the memo by Donald Neufeld, Associate Director of Service Center Operations, is "to provide guidance, in the context of H-1B petitions, on the requirement that the petitioner establish that an employer- employee relationship exists and will continue to exist with the beneficiary throughout the duration of the requested H-1B validity period."
The memo puts particular focus on determining if the employer has demonstrated that it has a "sufficient level of control over the employee." See our H-1B Visa Guide for additional information.
We represent many IT consulting companies, some of which place temporary H-1B workers at client-sites as is common in the industry. In March 2010, we helped one of our corporate clients prepare and file an H-1B extension on behalf of a Senior Systems Administrator who had been working for the same employer since June 2009 in H-1B status authorized by USCIS.
Approximately 3 weeks after the H-1B extension was filed, the USCIS issued a 4-page Request for Evidence (RFE) essentially asking for a laundry list of documents, including Tax Returns of both the petitioner and beneficiary, quarterly wage statements, contracts, photographs of the worksite, etc. to demonstrate that a valid employer-employee relationship existed and would continue to exist for the full duration of the requested H-1B extension of stay. The RFE actually asked for evidence that the employer-employee relationship had existed since the original H-1B approval had been issued (some 9 months before the H-1B extension).
Fortunately, we had forewarned our client of the issues raised by the January 2010 memo and the company was able to provide us with much, if not all, of the requested evidence, including copies of contracts it had in place with the company where the employee was assigned. The contract included language that we brought to the Service's attention stating:
"Contractor shall have sole responsibility to recruit, interview, test, select, hire, manage, train, counsel, discipline, review, evaluate, set pay rates(including the classification of Contractor Personnel as exempt or non-exempt), and terminate the persons who provide the Services hereunder."
and
"On-site Contractor Personnel will be required to acknowledge that they are not employees of CLIENT COMPANY to agree to dispute resolution procedures regarding any dispute they may have concerning their employment by Contractor or concerning their employment status."
We were able to further demonstrate the petitioner's supervision of the employee by showing the hierarchal structure of the organization and evidence that the company had control over the day-to-day activities of the employee through regular service and progress reports.
This case shows the importance of preparing in advance for any possible issues as most RFEs issued by USCIS only allow the petitioner 30 days in which to respond. Because we had anticipated the issues raised in the Neufeld memo, we were able to provide sufficient evidence of the employer-employee relationship to satisfy the USCIS's concerns. This resulted in an H-1B approval notice being issued for our client a short time after our response to the RFE was filed.
In this era of increased scrutiny by the USCIS of most types of petitions, we would not suggest any consulting or staffing agency even consider filing an H- 1B petition if it does not have sufficient evidence of the existence of the employer-employee relationship, including signed contracts between the petitioner and the end-client. It is important to note that in many cases similar to this, the USCIS will only approve the H-1B petition for the duration of the contract between the employer and the end-client. Read more of our Immigration Success Stories.
As reported in a previous newsletter, a January 8, 2010 USCIS memo entitled "Determining Employer-Employee Relationship for Adjudication of H-1B Petitions, Including Third-Party Site Placements" has made it more difficult, and sometimes impossible, for IT consulting firms who hire professionals to work at third-party worksites to obtain H-1B status on their behalf.
The stated purpose of the memo by Donald Neufeld, Associate Director of Service Center Operations, is "to provide guidance, in the context of H-1B petitions, on the requirement that the petitioner establish that an employer- employee relationship exists and will continue to exist with the beneficiary throughout the duration of the requested H-1B validity period."
The memo puts particular focus on determining if the employer has demonstrated that it has a "sufficient level of control over the employee." See our H-1B Visa Guide for additional information.
We represent many IT consulting companies, some of which place temporary H-1B workers at client-sites as is common in the industry. In March 2010, we helped one of our corporate clients prepare and file an H-1B extension on behalf of a Senior Systems Administrator who had been working for the same employer since June 2009 in H-1B status authorized by USCIS.
Approximately 3 weeks after the H-1B extension was filed, the USCIS issued a 4-page Request for Evidence (RFE) essentially asking for a laundry list of documents, including Tax Returns of both the petitioner and beneficiary, quarterly wage statements, contracts, photographs of the worksite, etc. to demonstrate that a valid employer-employee relationship existed and would continue to exist for the full duration of the requested H-1B extension of stay. The RFE actually asked for evidence that the employer-employee relationship had existed since the original H-1B approval had been issued (some 9 months before the H-1B extension).
Fortunately, we had forewarned our client of the issues raised by the January 2010 memo and the company was able to provide us with much, if not all, of the requested evidence, including copies of contracts it had in place with the company where the employee was assigned. The contract included language that we brought to the Service's attention stating:
"Contractor shall have sole responsibility to recruit, interview, test, select, hire, manage, train, counsel, discipline, review, evaluate, set pay rates(including the classification of Contractor Personnel as exempt or non-exempt), and terminate the persons who provide the Services hereunder."
and
"On-site Contractor Personnel will be required to acknowledge that they are not employees of CLIENT COMPANY to agree to dispute resolution procedures regarding any dispute they may have concerning their employment by Contractor or concerning their employment status."
We were able to further demonstrate the petitioner's supervision of the employee by showing the hierarchal structure of the organization and evidence that the company had control over the day-to-day activities of the employee through regular service and progress reports.
This case shows the importance of preparing in advance for any possible issues as most RFEs issued by USCIS only allow the petitioner 30 days in which to respond. Because we had anticipated the issues raised in the Neufeld memo, we were able to provide sufficient evidence of the employer-employee relationship to satisfy the USCIS's concerns. This resulted in an H-1B approval notice being issued for our client a short time after our response to the RFE was filed.
In this era of increased scrutiny by the USCIS of most types of petitions, we would not suggest any consulting or staffing agency even consider filing an H- 1B petition if it does not have sufficient evidence of the existence of the employer-employee relationship, including signed contracts between the petitioner and the end-client. It is important to note that in many cases similar to this, the USCIS will only approve the H-1B petition for the duration of the contract between the employer and the end-client. Read more of our Immigration Success Stories.
seetheavatar
09-22 10:22 AM
Yes we got the card after a month.
It went to a place where we never lived not sure how it went there.
Anyway we didnt get the notices yet.
Just the card.
I'm in a similar situation and I opened an SR today. Did you see any movement?
Thanks,
It went to a place where we never lived not sure how it went there.
Anyway we didnt get the notices yet.
Just the card.
I'm in a similar situation and I opened an SR today. Did you see any movement?
Thanks,
rick_rajvanshi
08-29 12:56 PM
I am kind of thinking of getting a template kind of system where in members can involve and put in their thoughts and once an article ( of some interest) reaches to a final stage and gets approved by the majority it would be forwarded to the news papers / Journals.
I am not sure how much time it takes, but let me try out crystallizing the thoughts towards this end.
Would be great, if few people can join me in this endeavor. PM folks/writers who wish to involve themselves in this process.
This is a process that has to evolve and please do not have expectations as to see results right away.
However, if some one is ready to take the lead.... Please take over...
First thing we should do is to highlight our issues on our own website ( IV.org ). At this moment we are not even doing that. For example, today's "Processing date bulletin" which came out exactly 15 days late and that too with dates traveling back in time should be highlighted first on our own web site.
IV home page has not been updated for past 3 months or so.
Why not put these kind of painful headlines on our home page first big , bold highlighted ( eg "USCIS screws immigrants again with latest visa bulletin" ) and then dedicate few lines to it with proper links to last month's and current bulletin.
Now forward these links to news hungry journalist who will automatically investigate and write in their papers and journals.
Dedicate few inches of space for today's IV headlines on our home page first.
I am not sure how much time it takes, but let me try out crystallizing the thoughts towards this end.
Would be great, if few people can join me in this endeavor. PM folks/writers who wish to involve themselves in this process.
This is a process that has to evolve and please do not have expectations as to see results right away.
However, if some one is ready to take the lead.... Please take over...
First thing we should do is to highlight our issues on our own website ( IV.org ). At this moment we are not even doing that. For example, today's "Processing date bulletin" which came out exactly 15 days late and that too with dates traveling back in time should be highlighted first on our own web site.
IV home page has not been updated for past 3 months or so.
Why not put these kind of painful headlines on our home page first big , bold highlighted ( eg "USCIS screws immigrants again with latest visa bulletin" ) and then dedicate few lines to it with proper links to last month's and current bulletin.
Now forward these links to news hungry journalist who will automatically investigate and write in their papers and journals.
Dedicate few inches of space for today's IV headlines on our home page first.
smsthss
11-15 01:13 PM
I am working as a full time emp and not as a consultant. So i think i dont have to worry about client letters.
So according to you, i am eligible for another 3 year extension based on approved I-140 irrespective of whether my I-485 has been filed or not?
What i have been reading in some forum is that, if you have an approved I-140 and if your I-485 has not been filed due to retrogression, then you are eligible for 3 year extension. If you have an approved I-140 and if you have already filed your I-485, then you are eligible only for 1 year extension.
If anyone has been in such a situation, if you know please let me know which one is correct.. or please forward me to any article.
smsthss:
1. You are eligible to get 3 H1B year extension based on an approved I-140. However it is up to the Immigration officer to grant you the appropriate term. The appropriate term will depend on the employer paperwork that can suggest that there is atleast 3 years worth of work available for you to do.
2. Two of my friends got their H1B extensions on the basis of approved 140 (after their 6th year). One of them provided the client letter proving that there is a lot of work for another 3 years but got an extension for 1.5 years only. My other friend submitted client work order showing work for 6 months but that guy got an H1B extension for 3 years.
Your best bet is to provide all the paperwork and request extension for 3 years and leave it up to the IO to make the decision. (Certain things are beyond our control, but the things that are must be handled well)
So according to you, i am eligible for another 3 year extension based on approved I-140 irrespective of whether my I-485 has been filed or not?
What i have been reading in some forum is that, if you have an approved I-140 and if your I-485 has not been filed due to retrogression, then you are eligible for 3 year extension. If you have an approved I-140 and if you have already filed your I-485, then you are eligible only for 1 year extension.
If anyone has been in such a situation, if you know please let me know which one is correct.. or please forward me to any article.
smsthss:
1. You are eligible to get 3 H1B year extension based on an approved I-140. However it is up to the Immigration officer to grant you the appropriate term. The appropriate term will depend on the employer paperwork that can suggest that there is atleast 3 years worth of work available for you to do.
2. Two of my friends got their H1B extensions on the basis of approved 140 (after their 6th year). One of them provided the client letter proving that there is a lot of work for another 3 years but got an extension for 1.5 years only. My other friend submitted client work order showing work for 6 months but that guy got an H1B extension for 3 years.
Your best bet is to provide all the paperwork and request extension for 3 years and leave it up to the IO to make the decision. (Certain things are beyond our control, but the things that are must be handled well)
Blog Feeds
07-03 05:50 PM
DHS Leadership Journal Has Just Posted the Following:
Guardians,
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/photos/Thad_Allen.jpg (http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/photos/Thad_Allen.jpg)
Later today, I will be relieved as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard by Admiral Robert Papp. It has been an honor to serve as your Commandant for the past four years and I am confident in Admiral Papp's ability to lead the Service during a period of tremendous changes, challenges, and opportunities. The value of the U.S. Coast Guard (http://www.uscg.mil/) has never been greater than it is today and it is the men and women of our great Service who truly make it all possible.
After the Change of Command ceremony, I will continue to serve as the National Incident Commander for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill for some period of time but I wanted to take this final opportunity to thank you for your tremendous commitment, dedication, and courage over the past four years.
When I became the Commandant in 2006, I issued a number of orders that I thought were necessary to meet the challenges we faced then and set the conditions for future success. With your help we have accomplished a great deal. We transformed our acquisition process, enhanced our marine safety capability and capacity, created a new and more effective support structure for our Reserve Forces, stood up the Force Readiness Command and Deployable Operations Group, created the Maritime Enforcement Rating, and transformed our maintenance and logistics processes. At the same time we met operational challenges in piracy off the Horn of Africa, the tsunami in America Samoa, the earthquake in Haiti, and more recently the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We accomplished all of that without losing focus on our broader mission set. We continued to interdict drugs and made major strides to eliminate the use of self propelled semi-submersibles. We deployed wireless biometric capability to significantly reduce illegal alien migration. At the same time we saved countless lives.
In the last six years, we have also strengthened our relationships within the Department of Homeland Security. Through the completion of the first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (http://www.dhs.gov/qhsr), we helped mature the Department and build the Nation's homeland security enterprise.
In the process we enhanced our ties to the Department of Defense. We held unprecedented staff talks with the Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army Corps of Engineers and the National Guard Bureau. The Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and I cosigned "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower" and Naval Operating Concepts. We forged stronger bonds with our interagency partners in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Maritime Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and the Department of the Interior. Finally, we strengthened our international ties with our hemispheric partners and through the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum and North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum. Together, we raised the visibility of Coast Guard missions to our external stakeholders and our international partners.
The common thread connecting each of these of initiatives and actions, and my overarching goal as Commandant, was for the Coast Guard to become more change-centric - to sense changes in our operational environment and have the courage to make course corrections before problems overwhelm us or we have terms dictated to us externally. To do that we must become more diverse, adapt to new technologies, and embrace social media as well. I believe we have become more change-centric and a learning organization that capitalizes on lessons learned. Nowhere has this been more evident than in our responses to the devastating earthquake in Haiti and in our leading role to the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The world has seen the value of the U.S. Coast Guard in action. We protect, defend, and save America's maritime interests wherever they are at stake - that is the legacy you have left for our future Guardians to embrace.
In spite of our operational successes, challenges remain. Our operations are not risk free and we have known the pain at the loss of shipmates from USCGC HEALY, MSST Anchorage, CG 6505, and CG 1705. Our promise to them is to prevent future accidents and insure we create the safest possible environment for our personnel. The Coast Guard will meet future challenges because of our multi-mission nature, bias for action, and the incredible talent and dedication of our people. As we look to the future, I encourage each of you to be insatiably curious, to be life-long learners, to look after your shipmates, and, finally, to seize every chance to apply your leadership skills, talent, and competencies when the opportunity presents itself.
I am incredibly proud of all our active duty members, reservists, civilians and auxiliarists. No matter how fiercely the winds of change swirl around us, our people stabilize the Service. You are America's Maritime Guardians and your country needs you now more than ever. It has been my extraordinary honor to have been your Commandant and I am excited to see where you will take the organization in the future. Fair winds.
Sincerely,
Admiral Thad W. Allen
Reposted from the U.S. Coast Guard's iCommandant (http://blog.uscg.dhs.gov/) blog. Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7013398738785291364-1824635971714777308?l=journal.dhs.gov
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DHS_LeadershipJournal?d=yIl2AUoC8zA (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DHS_LeadershipJournal?a=RBHzjpmLkYI:knrlY4jnSt4:yI l2AUoC8zA) http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DHS_LeadershipJournal?i=RBHzjpmLkYI:knrlY4jnSt4:V_ sGLiPBpWU (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DHS_LeadershipJournal?a=RBHzjpmLkYI:knrlY4jnSt4:V_ sGLiPBpWU) http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DHS_LeadershipJournal?i=RBHzjpmLkYI:knrlY4jnSt4:F7 zBnMyn0Lo (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DHS_LeadershipJournal?a=RBHzjpmLkYI:knrlY4jnSt4:F7 zBnMyn0Lo)
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DHS_LeadershipJournal/~4/RBHzjpmLkYI
More... (http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DHS_LeadershipJournal/~3/RBHzjpmLkYI/commandants-change-of-command.html)
Guardians,
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/photos/Thad_Allen.jpg (http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/photos/Thad_Allen.jpg)
Later today, I will be relieved as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard by Admiral Robert Papp. It has been an honor to serve as your Commandant for the past four years and I am confident in Admiral Papp's ability to lead the Service during a period of tremendous changes, challenges, and opportunities. The value of the U.S. Coast Guard (http://www.uscg.mil/) has never been greater than it is today and it is the men and women of our great Service who truly make it all possible.
After the Change of Command ceremony, I will continue to serve as the National Incident Commander for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill for some period of time but I wanted to take this final opportunity to thank you for your tremendous commitment, dedication, and courage over the past four years.
When I became the Commandant in 2006, I issued a number of orders that I thought were necessary to meet the challenges we faced then and set the conditions for future success. With your help we have accomplished a great deal. We transformed our acquisition process, enhanced our marine safety capability and capacity, created a new and more effective support structure for our Reserve Forces, stood up the Force Readiness Command and Deployable Operations Group, created the Maritime Enforcement Rating, and transformed our maintenance and logistics processes. At the same time we met operational challenges in piracy off the Horn of Africa, the tsunami in America Samoa, the earthquake in Haiti, and more recently the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We accomplished all of that without losing focus on our broader mission set. We continued to interdict drugs and made major strides to eliminate the use of self propelled semi-submersibles. We deployed wireless biometric capability to significantly reduce illegal alien migration. At the same time we saved countless lives.
In the last six years, we have also strengthened our relationships within the Department of Homeland Security. Through the completion of the first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (http://www.dhs.gov/qhsr), we helped mature the Department and build the Nation's homeland security enterprise.
In the process we enhanced our ties to the Department of Defense. We held unprecedented staff talks with the Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army Corps of Engineers and the National Guard Bureau. The Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and I cosigned "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower" and Naval Operating Concepts. We forged stronger bonds with our interagency partners in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Maritime Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and the Department of the Interior. Finally, we strengthened our international ties with our hemispheric partners and through the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum and North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum. Together, we raised the visibility of Coast Guard missions to our external stakeholders and our international partners.
The common thread connecting each of these of initiatives and actions, and my overarching goal as Commandant, was for the Coast Guard to become more change-centric - to sense changes in our operational environment and have the courage to make course corrections before problems overwhelm us or we have terms dictated to us externally. To do that we must become more diverse, adapt to new technologies, and embrace social media as well. I believe we have become more change-centric and a learning organization that capitalizes on lessons learned. Nowhere has this been more evident than in our responses to the devastating earthquake in Haiti and in our leading role to the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The world has seen the value of the U.S. Coast Guard in action. We protect, defend, and save America's maritime interests wherever they are at stake - that is the legacy you have left for our future Guardians to embrace.
In spite of our operational successes, challenges remain. Our operations are not risk free and we have known the pain at the loss of shipmates from USCGC HEALY, MSST Anchorage, CG 6505, and CG 1705. Our promise to them is to prevent future accidents and insure we create the safest possible environment for our personnel. The Coast Guard will meet future challenges because of our multi-mission nature, bias for action, and the incredible talent and dedication of our people. As we look to the future, I encourage each of you to be insatiably curious, to be life-long learners, to look after your shipmates, and, finally, to seize every chance to apply your leadership skills, talent, and competencies when the opportunity presents itself.
I am incredibly proud of all our active duty members, reservists, civilians and auxiliarists. No matter how fiercely the winds of change swirl around us, our people stabilize the Service. You are America's Maritime Guardians and your country needs you now more than ever. It has been my extraordinary honor to have been your Commandant and I am excited to see where you will take the organization in the future. Fair winds.
Sincerely,
Admiral Thad W. Allen
Reposted from the U.S. Coast Guard's iCommandant (http://blog.uscg.dhs.gov/) blog. Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7013398738785291364-1824635971714777308?l=journal.dhs.gov
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