Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
Jan 30th 2007, 8:11 pm
#16
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
Take a potential group of poor desperate immigrants.
Make it impossible to gain legal entry.
Make them endure a "survivor" (REAL survivor) border crossing.
If they live, they work very hard for little pay and can't complain for fear of being deported.
If they do ANYTHING wrong, they have no rights to stay so boot them out.
Sounds like an ideal labour force for a dictatorship.
Jan 31st 2007, 1:59 am
#17
_____________________
Joined: May 2004
Location: Guess!
Posts: 179
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
Scarlett,
I could have phrased things more carefully, but Rete was correct about what I meant: marriage to a USC has meant you and your children have had a far, far easier immigration experience than others -- it isn't even *possible* for most others.
I am in no way implying that you were after a green card to live in the Promised Land
, merely commenting about the relative ease of the process. I am glad you feel settled here, I only wish that more people were eligible to immigrate based upon skills assessment as is done in Canada and Australia, or by increasing the number of DV visas and only excluding those born in three countries because they contribute the lion's share of current immigrants though illegal and legal immigration and work-based immigration.
I could have phrased things more carefully, but Rete was correct about what I meant: marriage to a USC has meant you and your children have had a far, far easier immigration experience than others -- it isn't even *possible* for most others.
I am in no way implying that you were after a green card to live in the Promised Land
, merely commenting about the relative ease of the process. I am glad you feel settled here, I only wish that more people were eligible to immigrate based upon skills assessment as is done in Canada and Australia, or by increasing the number of DV visas and only excluding those born in three countries because they contribute the lion's share of current immigrants though illegal and legal immigration and work-based immigration.
Jan 31st 2007, 3:25 am
#18
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
http://travel.state.gov/pdf/DV_2008_Final.pdf
I also think that a political deal must have been made by one of the Kennedy clan to allow people born in Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom) to enter the diversity lottery particularly as those of us born in England, Scotland and Wales are excluded.
And the reason why a country or territory is excluded is because in the last 5 years, over 50,000 green cards have been given based on employment or family relationships. Eligibility is reassessed each year.
It's such a pity that the diversity lottery isn't open to *all* nationalities
Jan 31st 2007, 3:27 am
#19
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
With the exception of spouses, partners and dependent children of Australian citizens and permanent residents, there are very strict restrictions on family based migration to Australia.
Jan 31st 2007, 3:33 am
#20
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
The reason it's easier to migrate on a skilled basis to Australia (compared to the US) is partially because it's much harder to emigrate on a family basis.
With the exception of spouses, partners and dependent children of Australian citizens and permanent residents, there are very strict restrictions on family based migration to Australia.
With the exception of spouses, partners and dependent children of Australian citizens and permanent residents, there are very strict restrictions on family based migration to Australia.
But then those on H Visa's are not on immigrant visa's anyway, but temporary work visa's.
Jan 31st 2007, 3:37 am
#21
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
The point I'm making is that if the US closed down the visa categories for siblings, adult children, parents etc there would be plenty more GCs available for the employment based categories. Result - less time.
Jan 31st 2007, 3:43 am
#22
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
Definitely do away with the Lottery.
And I am pretty certain the system would remain as painful.
But we have not mentioned up and coming "Guest" Workers, or just come here and wait for the next Amnesty.
Jan 31st 2007, 3:44 am
#23
Arrogant ****
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
H Visas are dual-intent. Calling them "temporary work visas" over-simplifies the situation. There are many advantages to any country that welcomes highly skilled workers, such as those eligible for H visas, and the current situation with priority date retrogression and people timing out on their H visas before getting a GC is not in America's best interests in my opinion.
Jan 31st 2007, 4:29 am
#26
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,542
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
I will now make the best of it. I am happy here now, but hope one day he may want to try life over there again. The fact that we had an 'easier' ride is cancelled out by the fact that it was not an objective to be here.
Other than the sunshine and beaches, I have a harder life than I ever did and can not imagine why someone would be desperate to get here. I could have spent the amount of time on the beach that I do now with my previous 7 weeks vacation time if that had been my objective.
Jan 31st 2007, 4:38 am
#27
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
H Visas are dual-intent. Calling them "temporary work visas" over-simplifies the situation. There are many advantages to any country that welcomes highly skilled workers, such as those eligible for H visas, and the current situation with priority date retrogression and people timing out on their H visas before getting a GC is not in America's best interests in my opinion.
As I said in my opening comment, the time everything takes is the problem, I am sure most H visa applicant would rather move with a GC. As it stands the people who suffer are those who only do want to move for a short period, the allocation is swallowed up by those intending to stay.
Jan 31st 2007, 6:55 am
#28
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Should it be easier to immigrate to the U.S.?
Most western European states ARE included in the DV lottery.
http://travel.state.gov/pdf/DV_2008_Final.pdf
Similarly, mainland China is excluded but Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan are all treated as separate jurisdictions.
And the reason why a country or territory is excluded is because in the last 5 years, over 50,000 green cards have been given based on employment or family relationships. Eligibility is reassessed each year.
Eligibility is based on birthplace - not nationality.
http://travel.state.gov/pdf/DV_2008_Final.pdf
Similarly, mainland China is excluded but Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan are all treated as separate jurisdictions.
And the reason why a country or territory is excluded is because in the last 5 years, over 50,000 green cards have been given based on employment or family relationships. Eligibility is reassessed each year.
Eligibility is based on birthplace - not nationality.
