Immigration
Submitted by JPetersen on Mon, 12/10/2007 - 12:27.
So, US Immigration. We hear a lot of talk about it, don't we? What we should be doing, what we have been doing wrong, etc. But it's amazing how many people have such srong opinions on the matter, while having NO idea what the system is even like. I was one from this group for a long time... mea culpa.
I felt very strongly about immigration law. "Well, if our ancestors came here legally, why can't theirs?" etc. Well, truth be told, my ancestors very likely did not have to try and brave mountains of paperwork and a beauracracy that would make the DMV seem like child's play.
You see, my fiancee is Hungarian. I was there for a short time last year when we got engaged, and just fairly recently got back from living there for 3 months. So now, we're attempting to start the visa process.
Now, don't get me wrong... the requirement they are asking aren't extreme ones. But it's hard just to FIND them. I talked to two different lawyers (each who told me completely different things), and searched for a month before I just found what I need.
Now... I'm not stupid.
2+2 here... I, as a home bred American, with English as my native language, had a really hard time doing all this legally. Now imagine you are a man in Mexico who really does not know English that well (especially not the lawyer-speak) with no internet connection (as I've had the advantage of), and trying to come in legally. Hell, if there was a fence between the States and Hungary I'D have been tempted to giver her a boost over.
So, maybe this is where the problem is. Not the basic requirement, or even necessarily the visas themselves... but the horrible beauracracy surrounding it. Streamline the process. Make everything straightforward.
Upon more digging, I've found why I keep getting different storied from different lawyers. The system is currently extremely subjective. Basically putting you at the mercy of whoever is dealing with your visa, and the officer when you actually enter the US.
For example, I was told I would need 2 years tax returns to show I could support my bride-to-be, without becoming welfare cows. Naturally, being only 19 and not yet having two years tax returns, that thought scared the hell out of me. So I finally went straight to the horse's mouth and checked the requirements myself. It said nothing of the sort. It said I can have an official letter from my employer stating my position, salary, and length of time worked/to be worked. However, some consulars will not accept this, but insist on tax returns. WTF?! WHY is this sort of thing left to subjectivity? Should this not be cut and dry?!
Just ranting a bit, and throwing a few more pennies into the debate...
Immigration, not Illegal Immigration
The thing that everyone seems to be over looking is the word "ILLEGAL". I don't care who your are or what nationality you are, if you come across our borders illegally, you are committing a Federal Crime.
After all, if I tried to do the same in another country and they caught me with false documents, a stolen identity and phony driver's license, credit cards and was getting aid from the state and federal governments of that country with those documents, I would be thrown in jail for a VERY LONG TIME!
With the threat of terrorist coming in to the US the very same way, how are we supposed to ever feel safe. Not to mention the fact the illegals are pushing their way into our country, a head of the people trying to come in legally. Now is that fair to them?
Also, I live in California where the majority of the illegals come to live. We have over 2.5 million in our state and most of them, if not all, are getting some form of state and federal assistance. The national news said that for every dollar they pay in taxes, they take our over six dollars in benifits.
Our state used to have the best schools in the nation and now, because of over crowing due to illegal children and the need for translators, our schools are the WORKS in the nation. This State spends over 2.2 billion dollars a year in to pay for illegals, their families and police to protect us against them.
California's gangs have grown ten fold due to illegals and their children. They say they are doing jobs that we won't do or don't want to do, but that's just not the truth. They are taking jobs the we Americans used to love to do and turning them into jobs that none of us can afford to live one. We are now living in a country that has brought back "Slavery" and the way big business in this country get richer and richer, as it's people get poorer and poorer.
I lost my job 6 months ago and I live in the central valley of California. I have a BS Degree in Business and HR Management, but I can't even get a part time, minimum wage job, because I'm not Bi-lingual. Now how is that fair? Isn't that nothing more than "Reverse Discrimination"?
If we could control our borders and not pay for illegal assistance, we would have enough money to pay for health care for every citizen in this state, fix our roads, lower our classroom sizes and better our education system. We would also save millions on police officers, jails, border patrol, drug enforcement and gang violence.
No, I am not against immigration, just "Illegal Immigration" and as a fellow California Citizen, you should be too. This country is loosing millions of our good paying job a year, to companies sending them over-seas for bigger profits. We don't have enough jobs for the people that are here legally, so why can't you all see that this is not a people thing, it's a "I want to survive" thing?
Instead of them fighting and picketing in our country, to make them legal citizens, without giving up their Mexican citizenship or language, go back to Mexico and fight for their rights in their own country. We aren't the ones that made the poor and illiterate!!!!!
It is tough
My spouse immigrated legally here when she was 24 in (84). She did it not speaking much English and did it without the help of a lawyer. The process took her over 6 years and cost less then $500.
I know she faced some problems due to having a birthday during the process. She went from being a minor to being an adult. It caused a delay.
The process should be streamlined some to make things go smoother.
I don't think that would help stop illegal immigration however. A majority of the illegal immigrants couldn't afford or wouldn't meet the requirements for legal immigration. The US is not the toughest country on immigration laws. New Zeland won't let fat people immigrated. If the US refused a fat person entry, all hell would break lose.
The process is not that bad.
overall, it could be a lot worse, yes. Probably about on par with the DMV, maybe some worse (if simply because the subject is more grave and can wreak emotional havoc on you). But that's for ME, as someone born here. Imgaine trying to acquire all this information and making your way through the maze with English not being a native language. Some of that legal-speak was hard for ME to understand :P.
It could be a lotmore streamlined, simple, and cut and dry requirements though. I'm telling you, revamp the system and watch illegal immigration dive and legal immigration rise....
Immigration
You should take advantage of contacting your federal representative. They have caseworkers who work directly with federal agencies and can help answer questions for you. If you don't know what congressional district you live in, call one of the offices below and they can direct you to the appropriate office.
Rep. Costa 495-1620
Rep. Radanovich 449-2490
Rep. Nunes 323-3861
Hope this helps.
My friend, you have hit the nail on the head. Everyone says immigrate legally, but if the immense immigration bureaucracy existed 125 years ago, our current population would probably not yet reach 100 million. I, too, have dealt with the labrynth known as ICE. It amazes me that anyone is able to enter this nation legally.
Coming from Europe back to the US, I have witnessed customs agents filled with rage, screaming in people's faces because they don't understand his instructions, threatening to send them back where they came on the next flight if they don't "shut the hell up and do what I say." I once traveled across East Germany to get to Berlin and the East German border guards were so much more polite than customs officials I have dealt with in the US.
You are correct, it does seem to be up to the discretion of the ICE official, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind the mountain of documents needed or the decisions made. I suggest being as friendly as possible, compliment the official, bow a great deal and let them know they have absolute power. Maybe, just maybe, they might grant you your wish. Sadly, this is how the game is played.
Immigration
The process is not that bad. First of all don't use lawyers, they are after your money and are of no real help in applying. My wife and I just received her Green Card and it only took us a 5 months from the time we submitted it, to get her Green Card in the mail. If you are worried about your income make sure you have a current job that pays above the poverty line (about $20,000 a year) and you can show that you will have the job for some time. You can use the interview to explain this further. Just take your time and fill EVERYTHING CORRECTLY and it will go smooth, but if you mess up anything they will send it back to you.
Lawyers are a waste of time and only use them if you get rejected for a bogus reason. Also, you need to be married already or you will have to apply for that fiancee visa and get married within three months of acceptance and then reapply at your two year anniversary. Good luck.
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