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-   -   GC Lotto (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/gc-lotto-206551/)

OwenF Jan 30th 2004 9:14 am

GC Lotto
 
Does anyone know why UK citizens are excempted from entering the annual Green Card lottery?

I would love more than anything to emmigrate to the US but I don't qualify for entry by the usual channels (investment, talent or marraige).

Given the relationship between our two countries it just seems a little bit unfair to me. Am I right or wrong.

Jabba1 Jan 30th 2004 10:03 am

The GC lotto is all about diversity. It is also used as a sort of hand out to third world countries with needy populations. Poverty stricken and war torn nations are included because their populations must endure such hardships that immigration is likely the only way out. The UK is neither diverse enough (from the US), nor poverty stricken enough to qualify. The only exception is Northern Ireland.

BlueScottyGirl Jan 30th 2004 10:23 am

Isn't it also something to do with the high immigration from the UK?...as so many brits already emigrate there they don't allow us to enter, giving people from other countries a chance?

I agree though, "shoulder to shoulder" and all that but it's harder for a Brit to emigrate there than anyone else (and I understand it's as hard doing it the other way round too).

And to think we almost became an American state all those years ago..........:rolleyes:

dunroving Jan 30th 2004 12:50 pm


Originally posted by Jabba1
The GC lotto is all about diversity. It is also used as a sort of hand out to third world countries with needy populations. Poverty stricken and war torn nations are included because their populations must endure such hardships that immigration is likely the only way out. The UK is neither diverse enough (from the US), nor poverty stricken enough to qualify. The only exception is Northern Ireland.
Are you saying that NI is poverty-stricken? Or that it's the exception to all of these rules? I always thought that NI was included mostly to do with the NI lobby among Politicians like Edward Kennedy. Maybe that's an urban myth.

OwenF Jan 30th 2004 1:37 pm

If Northern Ireland is eligable for the lottery and Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom then why aren't other UK nations allowed. Maybe there should be one year when the lottery is opened to the UK. Me first.

Manc Jan 30th 2004 1:46 pm


Originally posted by OwenF
Maybe there should be one year when the lottery is opened to the UK. Me first.


They don't need to open the UK to the Diverse lottery. Over 50,000 UK citizens have entered the USA permanently within the last 3 years via other means which effectivley shuts the door on the Lottery.

Ray Jan 30th 2004 2:03 pm


Originally posted by dunroving
Are you saying that NI is poverty-stricken? Or that it's the exception to all of these rules? I always thought that NI was included mostly to do with the NI lobby among Politicians like Edward Kennedy. Maybe that's an urban myth.
No myth...started back in JFK days ...to help the Kennedy clan

NC Penguin Jan 30th 2004 2:40 pm

Re: GC Lotto
 

Originally posted by OwenF
Does anyone know why UK citizens are excempted from entering the annual Green Card lottery?

I would love more than anything to emmigrate to the US but I don't qualify for entry by the usual channels (investment, talent or marraige).

Given the relationship between our two countries it just seems a little bit unfair to me. Am I right or wrong.
I believe the explanation about which foreign citizens are eligible for the diversity lottery can be found on the US government website about the diversity lottery itself.

As to your comment about the relationship between the UK and the US, it's precisely because there is an existing close relationship with so many Brits emigrating to the US (mostly on employment and marriage related visas) that we (with the exception of N. Ireland) are illegible.

You may not realise but Mexican nationals (perhaps also Chinese?) may already be off the eligible list for the diversity lottery because many thousands of Mexicans have emigrated to the US in the last few years. The countries whose citizens are eligible is revised annually.

Also, once you move to the US, the day-to-day level of diversity at grassroots level, in my opinion, is debatable.

Jabba1 Jan 31st 2004 7:46 am


Originally posted by dunroving
Are you saying that NI is poverty-stricken? Or that it's the exception to all of these rules? I always thought that NI was included mostly to do with the NI lobby among Politicians like Edward Kennedy. Maybe that's an urban myth.
I don't doubt for a minute that some strings were pulled to get NI into the lotto. Who knows, maybe some more strings will be pulled on behalf of the entire UK. Then again, maybe not- don't ya just love politics.:rolleyes:

Jabba1 Jan 31st 2004 7:56 am


Originally posted by BlueScottyGirl
And to think we almost became an American state all those years ago..........:rolleyes:


I suppose if the UK were an American state, it would automatically solve all immigration problems for UK citizens. There would no longer be a need for any UK citizen to move to the US because they would already be in the US. heh. :D

jemetpl Jan 31st 2004 10:53 am


Originally posted by Jabba1
I suppose if the UK were an American state, it would automatically solve all immigration problems for UK citizens. There would no longer be a need for any UK citizen to move to the US because they would already be in the US. heh. :D
Sounds good to me. It has to be better than being part of the European (Soviet) Union.

OwenF Feb 3rd 2004 10:00 am

I second that.

You know how a transvestite often complains that they are 'a woman born in a man's body'? They get understanding, therapy, advice, councelling, surgery and everything else to help them achieve their ambition.

I often feel like an American born in the wrong country and I get nothing. It sucks.

Jabba1 Feb 3rd 2004 11:35 am


Originally posted by OwenF
I second that.

You know how a transvestite often complains that they are 'a woman born in a man's body'? They get understanding, therapy, advice, councelling, surgery and everything else to help them achieve their ambition.

I often feel like an American born in the wrong country and I get nothing. It sucks.
Er.....sorry, but while they may have come out with a sex change operation, they have yet to come out with any type of surgery that turns Brits into Americans. :confused:

Manc Feb 3rd 2004 12:57 pm


Originally posted by OwenF

I often feel like an American born in the wrong country and I get nothing. It sucks.
you could be from Chad or Libya or somewhere equally as nasty. be grateful you were born in a country with running water and inside shitters.
:rolleyes:

Manc Feb 3rd 2004 1:11 pm


Originally posted by Jabba1
they have yet to come out with any type of surgery that turns Brits into Americans. :confused:
It's called an N400 isn't it?


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