Immigrant / Refugees

The following are principles leaders use to help refugees and immigrants thrive and be successful:

Develop a personal plan or mission statement; “Begin with the End in Mind”

1. Strive for legal presence; apply for residency as soon as possible

a.     Path to permanent immigration

                                               i. Immigration based on national quotas

                                              ii. Visa for marriage to a U.S. citizen

                                            iii. Request of a family member who is a U.S. Citizen

                                            iv. Temporary Student Visa; H1-B employment visa

                                              v. Asylum, based on qualifying conditions

                                            vi. Domestic violence petition

b.     Temporary Visas

                                               i. Seasonal Worker

                                              ii. Tourist (generally for up to 6 months)

                                            iii. Student Visa

                                            iv. Extra-ordinary or special medical procedure or treatment

2.     Obey the laws; for example:

a.     Obtain insurance for automobiles

b.     Avoid driving under the influence of drugs

c.     Avoid all forms of domestic or social violence

d.     Avoid buying, selling, or taking illegal drugs

e.     Avoid shoplifting and any other form of theft

f.      Use accurate personal identification

3.     Obtain a Social Security Card or get an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)

a.     Apply for an ITIN with IRS

b.     Use to pay income taxes (this is important when obtaining permanent residency authorization)

4.     Learn English

a.     Socialize daily with English-speaking friends and family

b.     English Connect 1, 2, & 3

c.     Community or college courses

d.     Intensive English learning program

e.     Listen to the news and music in English

5.     Secure employment to meet living expenses and establish a budget: 

a.     Set up a bank account for financial transactions

b.     Start a savings account

c.     Avoid getting into debt

d.     Avoid being scammed and get-rich promises

e.     Establish good credit

6.     Join and participate in a church or social group; get to know your community

a.     Participate in service

b.     Establish good friendships for yourself and children

c.     Visit museums

7.     Choose affordable housing and transportation

a.     Begin with modest accommodations

b.     Share housing with extended family or sponsors when necessary

c.     Consult a knowledgeable friend or mechanic before purchasing a car

d.     Avoid non-essential expenses (high end cell phones/cell phone plans, expensive electronics, consumer loans for furniture)

8.     Create and follow a plan to increase your earnings through education or training

a.     Choose a career you will enjoy

b.     Work with a mentor or trainer

c.     Steadily continue down the path to get the right training and education

9.     Help your children excel in school and attend a higher education institution; for example:

a.     Get a trade certificate from a technology, communication, health, or business administration school (follow Pathways)

                                               i. Information technology, computer technician

                                              ii. Administrative assistant, business office management

                                            iii. Certified nurse assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

b.     Become a licensed electrician, plumber, certified mechanic, construction craftsman, Registered Nurse (RN), etc.

c.     Obtain a professional degree in teaching, medicine, sociology, psychology, business, accounting, law, science, engineering, computer scientist, art or language, etc.

10.  Buy an affordable home as early as possible

a.     Home ownership locks down monthly payments

b.     Home ownership brings financial security and helps make retirement possible

c.     Avoid home equity loans if possible- especially if the loan involves variable interest rates or balloon payments