Immigration
Refugee vs immigrant
The terms "refugee" and "immigrant" are used interchangeably to describe someone who is not from a certain country. The two terms actually have different definitions. A refugee refers to someone who has fled their country as a result of war, government, or other tragic happenings. An immigrant chooses to reside in a different country.
What is Immigration?
Immigration is the process of moving to live permanently in a foreign country. Immigrants make up 14.4% of the US population, which is around 47 million immigrants as of 2015 studies.
Tensions about the topic of immigration stem often from fear immigrants coming into the country and taking the American people's jobs. The term "get in line!" is often used as an argument against allowing undocumented immigrants, with the false belief that there is a line to begin with. Another is to "get into the country legally". But what does it mean to get into America legally and why is it do hard for undocumented immigrants to follow these simple rules to live in the US?
Legal Immigration
Legal immigration refers to the immigration of people who have been granted autorization to enter and live in the country. Their residence in the US is recorded as an immigrant, either holding a visa. There are only a few ways to enter the US through the legal process, family-based, work-based, humanitarian reasons and through a lottery.
Family
This category holds the largest number of documented immigrants coming into the US. Only US citizens can sponsor in eligible family members, seeking to live in the US. This means it is not available for undocumented immigrants in the US, visa holders or green-card holders. Family-based sponsorships are not available to family members who fail to meet the requirements to enter the US. Family members who are not parents, spouse and children related to the person sponsoring are limited to visas each year.
Work
People of this category come to the US through work sponsorship from US employers. The immigrant worker must meet a certain requirements and only if the employee cannot find workers in the US who can take the job. Most of the workers in these categories are "highly skilled" such as scientists, though, there are very limited temporary work visas for laborers and the "less skilled". Also, work visas are temporary and workers seeking to have longer or permanant residence in the US might find it very hard to obtain a green card.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
In this category, immigrants seeking residence in the US may come with reasons that make it difficult for them to live in their home country. To be admitted as a refugee, immigrants and/or asylum seekers must have a justified reason that demonstrates fear of being persecuted in their home country based on factors such as religion, ethnicity, etc. Poverty and economic conditions in the immigrants home country is not an eligible reason. The US also requires filing for asylum within the year of entering the US so for the undocumented immigrants that don't have a very hard time justifying their stay through this category.
Visa Lottery
Immigrants not qualified for the previously mentions category can enter into the visa lottery for something called the "Diversity Visa". To be able to apply, applicants are required to have had at least high-school education, and a job experience of at least two years. Also, applicants must not be from certain countries that have high rates of immigration into the US.
For more information on your status in the Visa Lottery, click on this link.
Are These Categories Enough?
No. These categories are not enough for immigrants seeking to live in the US. From the long waits lasting up to 20 years to obtain visas to the requirements that are just not possible for the immigrant to meet, the legal process of immigration makes it hard for people to actually come in legally.
Immigration_ stories told by youth.pdfWant to read immigration stories?
Click the link here or the pdf to read stories written by youth immigrants from around the twin cities.
History on The Term "illegal immigrant" and Why it's Offensive
"Illegal immigrant" is a well known term used when describing a foreigner, sometimes used when spitting hateful words. In recent years, the word has been said to be offensive and suggested to be replaced with "undocumented immigrant." When you mark someone as an "illegal immigrant" you are saying the individual is (in summary) a criminal for existing. The term originated from the 1900's when it was used a slur against Jews by the British.
Resources
American Immigration Lawyers Association: Provides a database of immigration lawyers and legal advocates near you.
Neighborhood House: Often used by new refugees and immigrants based in MN. Provides donations, everyday information, and programming.
Minnesota Compass: Has quick access to immigration information and stats.
Immigration Law Center: Provides legal assistance for low-income immigrants and refugees.
Release MN8: Read the story of 8 men who were detained and some deported.