Why is Fragomen pushing me to start my green card process ?
I’m an Indian born, on H1B and I have an I-140 approved ( in 2015 ) with my previous employer with priority date in mid 2014. Since the EB2 category priority date moves way to slow for Indians i don’t want to start my Green Card process with BlackRock right away cause they ask you to sign a repayment clause stating I need to pay them back for all the legal and processing fees if I leave them before 2 years after getting my green card. Which as an Indian means I’ll be working here for life or will have to pay them $10k-20k
Why did you sign such an employment contract? Specially if you read it, you should have disputed it before joining
I haven’t bro ... and that’s why they won’t start my Perm process ... but they are pushing me to sign it, so they can start the process
It’s firm based ... not an immigration related law
Yeah it’s not everywhere - only some shady companies do it - because they know that talent will leave . I would say that you should not agree to give them anything - it’s crazy for you to wait so many years - but if that secures prioriry date why not ? Your future better Tc can buy it off
If you hold-off and don't sign, what happens? Fragomen will have a file open for your case. If you don't respond, and if you're a good performer, or if you tell Fragomen of your reluctance - say you're doing it for your family or something that they cannot object - and you cannot commit to (unknown) X+2 years right now - and let them pass that back to HR. Document everything, including notes from phone discussions with names, dates, times.
They just won’t start my GC process and since they can keep extending my H1B on the I-140 from previous employer they’ll keep doing that ... that’s why I’m waiting for the current priority date to move a bit closer to mine.
Makes sense. Don't tick anyone off. Just delay it and say that you'd prefer to review it closer to priority date, if at all.
That really sucks. Google paid for my marriage based green card fees and lawyers last month and I'm leaving in 2 weeks 😂
Wow I didn’t know employers sponsored marriage based GC processing too
Ask Fragomen to fuck off - tell them you have an approved I140 why will you need another one ? If your PD was is 10/11 timeframe maybe it might make sense as dates might get current but with 2014 PD - no need to coast at a company . You can keep changing jobs
Fragomen @ BLK suck really bad. Even if you ask them to file it they will find a way to screw it up. Have worked at another firm which also used fragomen but the team there was top notch. Anyways, to answer your question, consult a good immigration lawyer. It is worth it. Good ones charge a few hundred dollars an hour which I think is worth it given the risk. Make sure that you will be fine. As for BLK's refund the fee thing, I don't know if they can enforce it. I always thought it was a deterrent. I'll find out next week when I give notice.
What do you mean by “born on H1B”?
Oh grammar nazi
Oh you edited the post, thanks. FYI “I’m an Indian” is sufficient. They’re just trying to be helpful to you. If you don’t want to do it, just tell them so. I’m pretty sure it’s not an elaborate scheme to make you pay 10-20k when you leave and yet make no money off of it for themselves.