British Expatriate Network

January 16 2002

So can we work now, or is it just easier to get a permit?

Sounds good - but from the wording of the Act I doubt that it applies to our teenage kids getting some weekend or Summer jobs ???

Has anyone any ideas of the next step? Do we have to contact the INS and get a 'work authorization' stamp in our passports? I have a feeling if I turn up at the nearest Social Security office to get a SS number (in a very scary, crime-ridden area in Newark) that they'll basically laugh in my face and tell me to go away!

However, I have been a 'trailing spouse' and not worked for seven years, and even then I was a Civil Servant so that hardly qualifies me to work in the US does it? I don't fancy working in Burger King though...!! Maybe I could get a job doing security screening at Newark airport - at least I can speak English unlike most of the current employees there!!!! Heck, I need some good careers advice and no idea how to find it here (sigh) cry

Any idea how long it will take for INS to sort out the regulations on this and get a procedure in place? It is a couple of weeks or a couple of years?

I've been keeping a keen eye on this legislation and v pleased that Georgey W finally signed on the dotted line, thereby reciprocating the UK regulations. About time too!

In terms of implementation timescales .. who knows?... However, it's likely to be months rather than a year + due to the pressure being applied by various companies. The Chamber of Commerce website (http://www.uschamber.org) hosts an organisation called MEWS which has lobbied for this legislation and is keeping track of the process.

Hope this helps. I can't wait to be get work authorisation - I've only been in the USA a few months (due to husband's relocation), and it feels v strange not to be working nor even allowed to work.

S

found a lawyers website that has said that the ins has issued the new regulations. the web page is
http//www.fragomen.com/index2.html
brilliant!!!!!!!!!!yippee!!!!!! grin

found a lawyers website that has said that the ins has issued the new regulations. the web page is
http//www.fragomen.com/index2.html
brilliant!!!!!!!!!!yippee!!!!!! grin

this site actual has the memo that has been sent to all the ins offices
http//www.shusterman.com

hope this helps!! it tells you how to apply etc... grin

Something has occurred to us. My husband is on an L1A visa tied to his company. He cannot change to another company without a green card or a new visa.

I have the L2 and now with the new work permits will be able to (hopefully) get a job. Does this mean I have more flexibility than my husband, Phil or will I be restricted until we have our green cards?

Any info would be great.

no, on the new regulations for the L2 spouses there are no restrictions. You can work anywhere.
hope this helps
smile

yes that does help. Thanks.

Seems a bit unfair, though, doesn't it.

Hi Misty,

I could not find the memo you mentioned about L2 work authorization in the web site
http://www.shusterman.com

In addition, the immigration laywer company
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen and Loewy is the one that is taking care of my immigration issues. I browsed their web site and could not find any reference to L2 work authorization. So I decided to contact them directly. They say that INS has not yet issued the directive for this issue.

Anyway, do you have a copy of the memo by any chance ?

Thanks for your attention.

Jmk

:lol:

I managed to get a document printed regarding the change. The number of the document is HR 2278.

I also found some info from the website

http//www.usvisanews.com/memo1596.html

and

http//www.usvisanews.com/memo1576.html

Hope this helps. I got this printed so I can take it along with my forms to the local social security office incase they don't know anything about it.

I won't be going there for a few weeks as we are about to go on holiday. If you get this soon faily quickly, I would be interested to know how it went.

Hi jmk,
You can view the memo sent to the INS offices on http//www.immigrationlinks.com
and go to immigration news. The guidance memo link is on there smile
Hope this helps