wantMyGC
07-14 07:27 PM
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jul2007/db20070713_687551.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index _businessweek+exclusives
The Gandhi Protests
Denied the permanent U.S. residency they'd been promised, high-skilled workers are taking to the streets in nonviolent protest
Engineers, computer programmers, and tech workers aren't known for outspoken collective action and political protest. But on July 14, up to 1,000 high-skilled, legal immigrants will gather in San Jose, Calif., to express their outrage at the U.S. government's failure to deliver on a promise to hasten the processing of their green-card applications. Many of these immigrants came to the U.S. from India on visas and have been stuck in what they say is an interminable wait for permanent residency and the freedoms it brings.
"We're stepping out to bring this issue to the attention of lawmakers and the public," says Ashish Sharma, 37, who has worked as a manager at a tech firm in Los Angeles for seven years, awaiting his green card. "The debate has been dominated by illegal immigration, but we want to put a spotlight on the hurdles we're facing as a hard-working and law-abiding group. It's time for corrective action."
Sharma says he spent $5,000 flying his wife and children to the U.S. from India to prepare green-card documents that the government originally said it would accept and then later decided not to accept. Tomorrow, he will drive more than five hours to San Jose to meet hundreds of others stuck in the green-card backlog who want to make a public statement about their frustrations.
Long Delays Spur Protests
The rally follows a symbolic action on July 10 in which hundreds of green-card applicants sent flowers to the director of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services in a show of peaceful protest reminiscent of Mohandas Gandhi's nonviolent campaign against British rule before India gained independence in 1947. The idea for both the flower sending and the rally emerged from Immigration Voice, a group that advocates for high-tech immigrants in the U.S. on visas.
The Gandhi protests, though grounded in years of frustration and anger, were sparked by recent events. On June 12, the U.S. State Dept. issued a bulletin promising it was ready to move hundreds of thousands of green-card applicants into the final phase of processing, known as the Adjustment of Status. Visa workers rushed to complete their Adjustment of Status applications for July 2, the first day they could be submitted. Applicants scrambled to gather signatures, birth certificates, and immunization records, many taking off work and rearranging travel plans. But at the beginning of July, the State Dept. retracted the bulletin, explaining the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services had already fulfilled its quota and would not accept further applications. The immigrant community exploded, with critics saying they are the victims of bureaucratic incompetence and a broken immigration policy.
The green-card backlog has emerged because of a mismatch between the number of visa holders and the number of green cards available to them each year. Tens of thousands of foreign workers enter the U.S. on work visas each year, and many apply for green cards. But current government rules limit the number of people who can be admitted to the U.S. from any particular country to 9,800. The result is that for larger countries, including India and China, the wait for permanent U.S. residency now stretches for years. As they wait, visa workers are required to maintain the same job and salary, or they are bumped back to the long queue. That leaves many of the most educated and talented immigrants feeling stuck, sometimes to the point of hopelessness (see BusinessWeek.com, 6/21/07, "One Easy Fix for Immigration").
Joining the Chorus
Many American companies are concerned about the government's immigration policies. Tech companies, including IBM (IBM), Motorola (MOT), Oracle (ORCL), eBay (EBAY), and Intel (INTC), have pressured Congress to allow in more skilled workers on temporary and permanent visas. Google (GOOG), with many immigrants at the company including one of the founders, sent one of its top executives to make the case in Washington (see BusinessWeek.com, 6/7/07, "Immigration: Google Makes Its Case"). Bill Gates, Microsoft's (MSFT) co-founder, also made the trip to Congress to argue for a change in policy (see BusinessWeek.com, 3/8/07, "Gates to Senate: More Visas").
Immigration Voice has for several years been a forum for visa workers awaiting green cards, but it is now becoming a critical organizing tool through its Web site, volunteer leadership, and increased lobbying efforts. Immigration Voice President Aman Kapoor says green-card applicants are busy organizing a series of rallies to take place across the country on one day next month.
"This is not the usual population to go into the streets and protest; it's a group that has remained quiet and follows the rules," says Kapoor. "But people have lost faith in the system, and we have reached a tipping point in terms of frustration. There's an understanding that more dramatic action is needed."
The Gandhi Protests
Denied the permanent U.S. residency they'd been promised, high-skilled workers are taking to the streets in nonviolent protest
Engineers, computer programmers, and tech workers aren't known for outspoken collective action and political protest. But on July 14, up to 1,000 high-skilled, legal immigrants will gather in San Jose, Calif., to express their outrage at the U.S. government's failure to deliver on a promise to hasten the processing of their green-card applications. Many of these immigrants came to the U.S. from India on visas and have been stuck in what they say is an interminable wait for permanent residency and the freedoms it brings.
"We're stepping out to bring this issue to the attention of lawmakers and the public," says Ashish Sharma, 37, who has worked as a manager at a tech firm in Los Angeles for seven years, awaiting his green card. "The debate has been dominated by illegal immigration, but we want to put a spotlight on the hurdles we're facing as a hard-working and law-abiding group. It's time for corrective action."
Sharma says he spent $5,000 flying his wife and children to the U.S. from India to prepare green-card documents that the government originally said it would accept and then later decided not to accept. Tomorrow, he will drive more than five hours to San Jose to meet hundreds of others stuck in the green-card backlog who want to make a public statement about their frustrations.
Long Delays Spur Protests
The rally follows a symbolic action on July 10 in which hundreds of green-card applicants sent flowers to the director of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services in a show of peaceful protest reminiscent of Mohandas Gandhi's nonviolent campaign against British rule before India gained independence in 1947. The idea for both the flower sending and the rally emerged from Immigration Voice, a group that advocates for high-tech immigrants in the U.S. on visas.
The Gandhi protests, though grounded in years of frustration and anger, were sparked by recent events. On June 12, the U.S. State Dept. issued a bulletin promising it was ready to move hundreds of thousands of green-card applicants into the final phase of processing, known as the Adjustment of Status. Visa workers rushed to complete their Adjustment of Status applications for July 2, the first day they could be submitted. Applicants scrambled to gather signatures, birth certificates, and immunization records, many taking off work and rearranging travel plans. But at the beginning of July, the State Dept. retracted the bulletin, explaining the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services had already fulfilled its quota and would not accept further applications. The immigrant community exploded, with critics saying they are the victims of bureaucratic incompetence and a broken immigration policy.
The green-card backlog has emerged because of a mismatch between the number of visa holders and the number of green cards available to them each year. Tens of thousands of foreign workers enter the U.S. on work visas each year, and many apply for green cards. But current government rules limit the number of people who can be admitted to the U.S. from any particular country to 9,800. The result is that for larger countries, including India and China, the wait for permanent U.S. residency now stretches for years. As they wait, visa workers are required to maintain the same job and salary, or they are bumped back to the long queue. That leaves many of the most educated and talented immigrants feeling stuck, sometimes to the point of hopelessness (see BusinessWeek.com, 6/21/07, "One Easy Fix for Immigration").
Joining the Chorus
Many American companies are concerned about the government's immigration policies. Tech companies, including IBM (IBM), Motorola (MOT), Oracle (ORCL), eBay (EBAY), and Intel (INTC), have pressured Congress to allow in more skilled workers on temporary and permanent visas. Google (GOOG), with many immigrants at the company including one of the founders, sent one of its top executives to make the case in Washington (see BusinessWeek.com, 6/7/07, "Immigration: Google Makes Its Case"). Bill Gates, Microsoft's (MSFT) co-founder, also made the trip to Congress to argue for a change in policy (see BusinessWeek.com, 3/8/07, "Gates to Senate: More Visas").
Immigration Voice has for several years been a forum for visa workers awaiting green cards, but it is now becoming a critical organizing tool through its Web site, volunteer leadership, and increased lobbying efforts. Immigration Voice President Aman Kapoor says green-card applicants are busy organizing a series of rallies to take place across the country on one day next month.
"This is not the usual population to go into the streets and protest; it's a group that has remained quiet and follows the rules," says Kapoor. "But people have lost faith in the system, and we have reached a tipping point in terms of frustration. There's an understanding that more dramatic action is needed."
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immigrant2007
03-21 11:59 AM
I know many people are going to blast me and curse for after reading my post but I think NEw H1b , greencard applicaitons , or any other route that leads to GC should be banned for countries that are severly retrogressed in EB category ...same for the FB based new applications....Doesn;t make sense..one side US business needs H1s so they fight to get it in thier favor but on other side the life of these H1b / L1/L2 guys becomes miserable the moment they get in the GC line.....
nrk
10-29 05:53 PM
Also for me as well
caliguy
Could you please send me the letter that you sent to Sec. NAPOLITANO-. My e-mail address is rongch60@gmail.com.
Thank you.
Ron
caliguy
Could you please send me the letter that you sent to Sec. NAPOLITANO-. My e-mail address is rongch60@gmail.com.
Thank you.
Ron
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chicago60607
09-17 01:03 PM
They are all now driving together to the Panda Express which 2.3 miles away. The Lady from California has opted for Egg Rolls, Veg.Fried Rice and Orange Chicken. She also wants big drink.
more...
pitha
02-05 05:16 PM
My already high regard for IV has increased 10 fold with this clear message of yours. It was high time for all the people issuing threats that�s they would leave IV if there ideas were not accepted by IV, to just leave and do everybody a favor.
Bravo, I salute you for your courage. Hope people will come in line and back IV core decisions and don�t fight each issue.
Either lead or be lead. The people in the core team have come forward sacrificing there personal time and money for our cause. So lets just follow there lead and not fight IV core teams decisions.
Before this thread takes a turn where supporters and opponents of this idea start another forum war, let me say this clearly:
IV is not going to adopt this as an agenda item. The reason is quite simple: H4s not being able to work is low on priority of problems that need to be fixed in order to mitigate retrogression or other consequences of retrogression.
And frankly, we do not have extra kind of support to add new agenda items on our list.
A whopping 200 people signed up for recurring contributions of $20 per month. Out of 8000 people who registered here and got emails about it. However, almost every week, there is no shortage of new ideas and no shortage of opinions on those new ideas from people.
We get $20 deposits each month from 200 people. But as far as opinions are concerned, we get hundreds of them each week. How nice? I wish we had some machine to convert those opinions into dollars.
If you dont agree:
Now, if someone feels offended by this, and feels that H4 issues are orphan issues, or if this organization does not represent them anymore since IV does not want to adopt H4 related issues on its agenda, and if that someone wants to leave, then please leave without any threats and feel free to start your own organization.
And this thread has all the features and ingredients neccesary to become a forum war. If that happens this thread will be deleted.
Bravo, I salute you for your courage. Hope people will come in line and back IV core decisions and don�t fight each issue.
Either lead or be lead. The people in the core team have come forward sacrificing there personal time and money for our cause. So lets just follow there lead and not fight IV core teams decisions.
Before this thread takes a turn where supporters and opponents of this idea start another forum war, let me say this clearly:
IV is not going to adopt this as an agenda item. The reason is quite simple: H4s not being able to work is low on priority of problems that need to be fixed in order to mitigate retrogression or other consequences of retrogression.
And frankly, we do not have extra kind of support to add new agenda items on our list.
A whopping 200 people signed up for recurring contributions of $20 per month. Out of 8000 people who registered here and got emails about it. However, almost every week, there is no shortage of new ideas and no shortage of opinions on those new ideas from people.
We get $20 deposits each month from 200 people. But as far as opinions are concerned, we get hundreds of them each week. How nice? I wish we had some machine to convert those opinions into dollars.
If you dont agree:
Now, if someone feels offended by this, and feels that H4 issues are orphan issues, or if this organization does not represent them anymore since IV does not want to adopt H4 related issues on its agenda, and if that someone wants to leave, then please leave without any threats and feel free to start your own organization.
And this thread has all the features and ingredients neccesary to become a forum war. If that happens this thread will be deleted.
nojoke
10-07 06:26 PM
Almost all Hyderabad house hold has one or more members live in US, who save atleast 15l/year and invest a lot in homeloand which would translate into sustainable stability in AP,India.
Unless US govt. declares bankruptcy, AP real estate would not burst so it would be safe to invest in AP.....
If an aparment costs 70 lakhs and that is renting for 15 thousand, how does it make sense to invest in it? The return on 70 lakhs at 12%(or 10%) is 7 lakhs/year. That is approx. 60 thousand per month. If you buy an apartment and rent it, it gives you 15 thousand. Don't you see the problem? The return on investment is low, very low. The fact that it is renting only for 15 thousand tells us that it is not affordable for most of the average guys in the city. The theory that there are more demand to snap up 70 lakh, 1 crore apartments is simply not true.
Unless US govt. declares bankruptcy, AP real estate would not burst so it would be safe to invest in AP.....
If an aparment costs 70 lakhs and that is renting for 15 thousand, how does it make sense to invest in it? The return on 70 lakhs at 12%(or 10%) is 7 lakhs/year. That is approx. 60 thousand per month. If you buy an apartment and rent it, it gives you 15 thousand. Don't you see the problem? The return on investment is low, very low. The fact that it is renting only for 15 thousand tells us that it is not affordable for most of the average guys in the city. The theory that there are more demand to snap up 70 lakh, 1 crore apartments is simply not true.
more...
pansworld
12-02 01:01 AM
I do not intend to question IV and its members who are pretty diligent about things, are entirely trustworthy and neither have they given us any reason to think otherwise. IMHO the monthly thing does not work. Some people cannot afford monthly payments due to other commitments (some are less fortunate than others). They may opt for one time payments rather than monthly payments.
I think what we need is target oriented funding drives. For example:
What are the objectives for the lobbying effort this year and consequently how much money do we need for lobbying efforts? $100,000, $200,000 or $500,000
By putting collection targets up front we can direct our energies towards that target. I know that every cent counts and every dollar will be beneficial. But if we don't know and don't communicate what our target is we can never focus on the goal. A monetary target for a clear objective is something many people can relate to and a one time payment is more attractive than monthly payments.
Cheers
I think what we need is target oriented funding drives. For example:
What are the objectives for the lobbying effort this year and consequently how much money do we need for lobbying efforts? $100,000, $200,000 or $500,000
By putting collection targets up front we can direct our energies towards that target. I know that every cent counts and every dollar will be beneficial. But if we don't know and don't communicate what our target is we can never focus on the goal. A monetary target for a clear objective is something many people can relate to and a one time payment is more attractive than monthly payments.
Cheers
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adobe howm
08-26 05:49 PM
It' not about being smart. Just common sense. As I mentioned this is a forum meant for US employment based immigration issues.
Per your recommendation, I gave a little thought & this is what I came up with.
Why don't you call or go to ICICI bank and ask for their help to fix our immigration issues ?
ADMINS: Please close this thread.
You are not making any sense at all.
Per your recommendation, I gave a little thought & this is what I came up with.
Why don't you call or go to ICICI bank and ask for their help to fix our immigration issues ?
ADMINS: Please close this thread.
You are not making any sense at all.
more...
gc28262
03-11 01:01 PM
No offense to the OP and Thanks for posting this, but this thread is kind of diverting us from some of the efforts currently in progress, we are again playing the prediction game.
Lets contribute to the FOIA funding drive and get the right information.
thanks,
7zen
This thread should not divert our attention from FOIA action item. We just got some information through senator. It does not have enough details to conclude anything.
This response should help us to focus on what to ask for in FOIA/efforts through senators. It is a pointer that we won't get the required info unless we clearly specify what we want.
Lets contribute to the FOIA funding drive and get the right information.
thanks,
7zen
This thread should not divert our attention from FOIA action item. We just got some information through senator. It does not have enough details to conclude anything.
This response should help us to focus on what to ask for in FOIA/efforts through senators. It is a pointer that we won't get the required info unless we clearly specify what we want.
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BMS1
11-11 12:18 AM
I-485 is mostly about the eligibility of the individual (like medical, illegal presence, fraud etc.) and so getting rejected at I-485 stage is not that common (especially after the approval of the underlying immigration petition). And if it does get rejected, more often than not, the individual may never be eligible for permanent residence due to the same reason. So usefulness of H1-B as back-up is of very limited narure.
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nviren
04-12 01:44 PM
My second contribution of $100 is in the mail and on the way.
Thanks,
Thanks,
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ElectricGrandpa
06-19 05:23 PM
cool one brightspark.
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gc_on_demand
12-08 12:32 PM
I sent message.. Please sent asap..
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asterix
01-30 08:58 PM
I am a LEGAL immigrant how has waited in the line for Green Card for 10 years. I've paid my taxes, social security, medicare and followed the law. Immigration bureaucracy and inefficiency at USCIS has meant more than 250K of Green Cards within legal limits have gone waste leading to a very long wait for legal immigrants.
Please tell me what I should do - Wait another 10 years? Go back to home country? or jump the fence?
Guys I added one more question, a little succinct. Please vote for this along with others hopefully one of these will be picked. Thanks
Please tell me what I should do - Wait another 10 years? Go back to home country? or jump the fence?
Guys I added one more question, a little succinct. Please vote for this along with others hopefully one of these will be picked. Thanks
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pbojja
10-02 11:12 PM
EB2 india/china... see this..
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21828
and then see this
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21833
ab bajao ghanti... aur chup chap baithe raho
(translation: sit there like a paraplegic in the line and do nothing ... while a massive line jumping is in process... you will keep seeing while all these EB3 "bodyshopped consultants" will continue to slowly port their PDs and get approved ahead of you.. EB2 I/C is in for a really really long wait.
Honestly, these consultants don't even have an H1B worthy job: its not a permanent job offer. They don't get paid fulltime. Let alone their eligibility for a GC ....what a scam!
.
Can you please give a back ground of yours before talking about others ? Are you CEO of some company ?
First learn to complete your profile ...look at the 485 mailing and receive dates ..
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21828
and then see this
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21833
ab bajao ghanti... aur chup chap baithe raho
(translation: sit there like a paraplegic in the line and do nothing ... while a massive line jumping is in process... you will keep seeing while all these EB3 "bodyshopped consultants" will continue to slowly port their PDs and get approved ahead of you.. EB2 I/C is in for a really really long wait.
Honestly, these consultants don't even have an H1B worthy job: its not a permanent job offer. They don't get paid fulltime. Let alone their eligibility for a GC ....what a scam!
.
Can you please give a back ground of yours before talking about others ? Are you CEO of some company ?
First learn to complete your profile ...look at the 485 mailing and receive dates ..
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pdakwala
07-12 12:43 AM
Things are messy at this time everywhere. There is not a single individual who know what will happen. The only thing that we all know is that we all are so frustrated, because of the USCIS and DOS action.
PLEASE SHOW UP IN THE RALLY IN SAN JOSE on Saturday.
PLEASE SHOW UP IN THE RALLY IN SAN JOSE on Saturday.
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zerozerozeven
12-08 02:02 PM
i sent my comments on change.gov on how the immigration system needs a overhaul
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hoping12
02-21 12:30 PM
Hello All,
I am also in the similar suituation.
Left company A and joined company B(H1B transfer approved), Company B applied for I140 using labor substitute.
But when i am checking my previous company A's H1b status it is showing 'The case is reopened'.
I am very much worried about the same.
Some suggestions will be very much helpful.
I am also in the similar suituation.
Left company A and joined company B(H1B transfer approved), Company B applied for I140 using labor substitute.
But when i am checking my previous company A's H1b status it is showing 'The case is reopened'.
I am very much worried about the same.
Some suggestions will be very much helpful.
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vin13
09-17 11:27 AM
Guys, we have come this far now..be patient...hang in there.
InTheMoment
05-07 09:13 PM
And...can you please tell where you got this translation and what verse are you referring to ?!!!
I totally understand the emotional point of someone being want to be a Indian Citizen but I have to stress there is no other country in the world like U.S.A. This is the country where every human being is treated with utmost respect (don't try to show me exceptions - U.S. is a country where most of things are close to being perfect imaginatively), have freedom to say anything they want without getting intimidated and U.S is a country I believe will be the last bastion for humanity when terrosists/fundamentalists spread their tentancles and take over the world by force or other means (if not now probabbly in the next 100-150 years). Hypocrisy is relatively less. We Indians live in a dream world nurtured by the Indian politicians, who try to inject doses of patriotic non-sense into the masses while they themselves stove away million of dollars in Swiss banks. 70% of Indian population lives below poverty line and the educated masses of India think that their country will become a super power by 2020. Politicians like Mayawati play caste politics and dream of taking the top most post while our liberal media, without a wee-bit of shame, extends its highest support for them. Corruption is part of our daily life and we are part of the everyday corruption but we still find no fault in our society. Our population growth is beyond control while not a single politician is concerned about the stress it is going to create on our natural resources in the future. Our education system is in shambles but our great politicians fight for increasing the reservation system to different castes just for the sake of garnering more votes. And the list goes on. Alas���God help India.
FYI: I am a Indian and haven't even started my greencard process, for the same emotional reasons you mentioned, intending to R2I soon. Given a choice and circumstances, I would have opted for U.S.C as "I have no hope for this world neither do I wish for it" - quoting Bhagawan Krishna from Bhagavad Gita.
I totally understand the emotional point of someone being want to be a Indian Citizen but I have to stress there is no other country in the world like U.S.A. This is the country where every human being is treated with utmost respect (don't try to show me exceptions - U.S. is a country where most of things are close to being perfect imaginatively), have freedom to say anything they want without getting intimidated and U.S is a country I believe will be the last bastion for humanity when terrosists/fundamentalists spread their tentancles and take over the world by force or other means (if not now probabbly in the next 100-150 years). Hypocrisy is relatively less. We Indians live in a dream world nurtured by the Indian politicians, who try to inject doses of patriotic non-sense into the masses while they themselves stove away million of dollars in Swiss banks. 70% of Indian population lives below poverty line and the educated masses of India think that their country will become a super power by 2020. Politicians like Mayawati play caste politics and dream of taking the top most post while our liberal media, without a wee-bit of shame, extends its highest support for them. Corruption is part of our daily life and we are part of the everyday corruption but we still find no fault in our society. Our population growth is beyond control while not a single politician is concerned about the stress it is going to create on our natural resources in the future. Our education system is in shambles but our great politicians fight for increasing the reservation system to different castes just for the sake of garnering more votes. And the list goes on. Alas���God help India.
FYI: I am a Indian and haven't even started my greencard process, for the same emotional reasons you mentioned, intending to R2I soon. Given a choice and circumstances, I would have opted for U.S.C as "I have no hope for this world neither do I wish for it" - quoting Bhagawan Krishna from Bhagavad Gita.
go2roomshare
03-14 05:07 PM
Looking at discussion going on here, its sure that IV have financial problems & only 5% (of total 8000 members) are contributing for the cause. Now, if we restrict IV website for "paid" visits, dont you think that IV membership is reduced by 95% to only 400 paying members?
Instead of making "Paid" web site, I think Moderators needs to delete derogatory posts & block such userids.
That is not a good option that would stop/reduce new members significatly, when IV goes to DC to represent our self, we have to say ' we are only 400 members ' There will be lot of difference in infuence factor when we are saying we are 400 to 8000
Instead of making "Paid" web site, I think Moderators needs to delete derogatory posts & block such userids.
That is not a good option that would stop/reduce new members significatly, when IV goes to DC to represent our self, we have to say ' we are only 400 members ' There will be lot of difference in infuence factor when we are saying we are 400 to 8000
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