Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationship?
Jul 2nd 2017, 3:02 pm
#31
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
This same question has been asked at least once before here (possibly by you, Andre).
The problem is that the only USCs that would come to the U.K. (with the odd exception) would be students wanting to move to Scotland for free tuition and disabled/elderly/chronically ill people wanting the NHS.
The only people who would realistically go from the U.K. would be those who have guaranteed employment here or a family support network due to the USA operating a more "pay as you go" approach to services. And most of those can already immigrate anyway without any changes needed to the system. There would be an initial rush of Disney fans who are "desperate to move to Florida" but after a few months with no income or not enough income and the cost of living here they'd be queueing for flights back to Blighty.
The problem is that the only USCs that would come to the U.K. (with the odd exception) would be students wanting to move to Scotland for free tuition and disabled/elderly/chronically ill people wanting the NHS.
The only people who would realistically go from the U.K. would be those who have guaranteed employment here or a family support network due to the USA operating a more "pay as you go" approach to services. And most of those can already immigrate anyway without any changes needed to the system. There would be an initial rush of Disney fans who are "desperate to move to Florida" but after a few months with no income or not enough income and the cost of living here they'd be queueing for flights back to Blighty.
Jul 2nd 2017, 4:19 pm
#32
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
The US is also full of British virtual emigrants that still want to be back in the UK. They use virtual private networks to be back at home virtually. Mainly to watch the old British TV shows.
Jul 3rd 2017, 2:27 am
#35
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
I disagree with the others, I think there is a "special relationship" between the US and UK, in politics, economics, and in military cooperation where for 40 years (and arguably longer) the UK has been an ally of the US and the lead and sometimes the only ally in military adventures, but it won't extend to green cards because the US doesn't want 15%-20% of the population of the UK decamping to the US.
That said, I do foresee a US-UK trade agreement containing an agreement for an "E-4", similar to the E-3 for Australians.
That said, I do foresee a US-UK trade agreement containing an agreement for an "E-4", similar to the E-3 for Australians.
Jul 3rd 2017, 2:37 am
#36
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
I believe that the UK also provided largest supporting force to the GW I/ Kuwait, including pre-invasion reconnaissance by three teams of SAS troops.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 3rd 2017 at 3:02 am.
Jul 3rd 2017, 2:42 pm
#37
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
Libya '86 (UK provided an air base when obviously bases in other European countries would have been much closer, and the same base was used for B52's in the Gulf War and IIRC the Iraq war too), and Iraq in '03 (Australia and Poland were the only two other countries involved in the invasion, and numbers involved were much less than the UK's contribution).
I believe that the UK also provided largest supporting force to the GW I/ Kuwait, including pre-invasion reconnaissance by three teams of SAS troops.
I believe that the UK also provided largest supporting force to the GW I/ Kuwait, including pre-invasion reconnaissance by three teams of SAS troops.
Jul 4th 2017, 1:52 am
#38
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
After all, the political leaders of both the US and UK have continually said over the past 40 years that how special, close, lovable and indeed adorable each other and both countries are to each other. This 'special relationship' goes back to the events of 6th June 1944 and the Normandy Landings, when both countries played a significant part and role together to help free Europe.
So, why don't both effectively put their money where their mouth is, act it out in practice and implement quid pro concessions that any British Citizen can just pop over and legally take any type of job living and working in New York or Los Angeles, and the same for any American who wishes to experience savouring the charm of the old world and living and working in London or Birmingham etc.
After all, the politicians constantly harp on about our close and shared democratic values, a similar culture and the same language.
Could this realistically work in practice, especially post Brexit by trading the 27 EU member states for the 50 US States instead?
The Americans could also use their chance to live and work in the UK to see Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne on the weekends.
So, why don't both effectively put their money where their mouth is, act it out in practice and implement quid pro concessions that any British Citizen can just pop over and legally take any type of job living and working in New York or Los Angeles, and the same for any American who wishes to experience savouring the charm of the old world and living and working in London or Birmingham etc.
After all, the politicians constantly harp on about our close and shared democratic values, a similar culture and the same language.
Could this realistically work in practice, especially post Brexit by trading the 27 EU member states for the 50 US States instead?
The Americans could also use their chance to live and work in the UK to see Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne on the weekends.
Jul 9th 2017, 4:06 am
#39
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
I think if the US and the UK ever get around to a bespoke FTA there will be some sort of non-immigrant category, similar to E-3 most likely. However the quota for EB will still be the same so it doesn't help much in relation to becoming an LPR. The quota will probably be a few tens of thousands so easier to get than H-1B.
By definition, an FTA isn't going to include provision for permanent residency, because it's not pertinent.
NAFTA provides for TN-1 and TN-2 and there is no quota on those two, but Canadians and Mexicans still have to go through the same immigration procedure. So it's really easy to get into the US and work there, but remaining there permanently is still hard.
Anyway with this fool in the White House I can't see it happening anytime soon and I'm dubious that the UK will actually leave the EU in 2019. It's either going to happen very soon when they come with some sort of temporary EFTA/EEA halfway house, or it will take years and years.
By definition, an FTA isn't going to include provision for permanent residency, because it's not pertinent.
NAFTA provides for TN-1 and TN-2 and there is no quota on those two, but Canadians and Mexicans still have to go through the same immigration procedure. So it's really easy to get into the US and work there, but remaining there permanently is still hard.
Anyway with this fool in the White House I can't see it happening anytime soon and I'm dubious that the UK will actually leave the EU in 2019. It's either going to happen very soon when they come with some sort of temporary EFTA/EEA halfway house, or it will take years and years.
Jul 9th 2017, 4:13 am
#40
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
Just on this "special relationship" tripe, I do cringe when British commentators refer to the UK as the "closest ally" of the US. First of all historically, they're technically traitors to the Crown, I realize that's ancient history but on the other hand, a circle jerk attitude to it seems inappropriate.
Secondly, the closest ally to the US is plainly Canada, which is also a member of the G7 and NATO. And you can coherently argue Australia and Japan and other countries are closer allies given the gigantic US bases they host and Australia has an FTA with the US, the UK does not.
Secondly, the closest ally to the US is plainly Canada, which is also a member of the G7 and NATO. And you can coherently argue Australia and Japan and other countries are closer allies given the gigantic US bases they host and Australia has an FTA with the US, the UK does not.
Jul 9th 2017, 4:40 am
#41
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
Actually, when we moved to Canada I asked myself that very question about Canada. Everywhere pictures of the queen, Governor General, crown lands, royal this and that, streets named after the royal family and past famous British statesmen. But special privileges for Brits to live in Canada (or vice versa)? No way. It always seemed a bit hypocritical and anachronistic to me, this symbolic fiefdom to England.
Jul 9th 2017, 4:55 am
#42
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
Well some clever commentator many years ago put it much better than I ever could: "The difference between the United States and Canada is that the United States is a slave to modernity and Canada is a slave to tradition."
We have to do this to distinguish ourselves from the US. Everything in Canada has to be a little bit different than in the US. SIN instead of SSN. ITN instead of ITIN. Revenue agency instead of revenue service. The list is truly endless.
But the main thing is to maintain the monarchy. I never really paid any attention to the Royal family until I lived in Canada but I think they're more important here than in the UK as they are an emblem of how we're not Americans. In Québec they have a distinctive culture and language, but English-speaking Canada needs something.
You don't go up the freeway or the motorway, you go up the King's Highway.
We have to do this to distinguish ourselves from the US. Everything in Canada has to be a little bit different than in the US. SIN instead of SSN. ITN instead of ITIN. Revenue agency instead of revenue service. The list is truly endless.
But the main thing is to maintain the monarchy. I never really paid any attention to the Royal family until I lived in Canada but I think they're more important here than in the UK as they are an emblem of how we're not Americans. In Québec they have a distinctive culture and language, but English-speaking Canada needs something.
You don't go up the freeway or the motorway, you go up the King's Highway.
Jul 9th 2017, 5:06 am
#43
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
Yes, well put. And add the pomp of parliament in Ottawa, changing of the guard in bearskin hats, red uniforms, and it's pretty complete. I'd say Australia is also along these lines, but maybe not quite as intense about it as Canada.
Last edited by Richard8655; Jul 9th 2017 at 5:10 am.
Jul 14th 2017, 2:47 pm
#44
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
Nowhere near as intense. No pomp and ceremony like that over here.
Jul 14th 2017, 4:01 pm
#45
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Re: Should British Citizens get Green Card concessions due to the special relationshi
Donald Trump has just said that the USA has a special relationship with France, their longest allies, pointing out that it was France who helped them defeat the British, and not a lot of people know that. (No Donald, you are the only one who didn't know that )
