What were your reasons for immigrating to the U.S.?
· I fled to support my family their life was risk in their country and my country doesn’t accept me because of supporting US missions in Africa.
What was the biggest barrier in coming to the United States?
· Acquiring US Visa and going through immigration interviews.
Do you feel treated as an equal in the US?
· Majority of people treat us equal and very few number of people don’t understand this concept.
What is one thing you would like to see changed about the immigration process?
· Work permit must be provided earlier than waiting for six months. In this process US government will save more money.
· We should be provided some skillful training depending on our previous work experience, so we can adjust in a fast-paced work environment of US. Training will help the immigrant to get better job, make better income which will help US to have skilled employee and immigrant can handle his/her expenses by this income.
How do you perceive people who have come to the US illegally, instead of going through the process of getting a green card?
· Illegally entered immigrant must be heard first and then supported or punished depending on their case. Because by ignoring them, they might get killed.
How has the news media coverage of immigration impacted your opinion of the United States?
· Media is the main source to provide guidance in many ways. United states is a free country and their leader have the right to decide for the citizen of this country.
Have you faced discrimination while you have resided in the United States?
· No
Has your standard of living improved since coming to the United States? Yes/No; In what ways has your standard of living improved or declined?
· Yes. The way of living here is way better in many ways. Such as getting good health care, best food availability, kids have best school environment and protection. Adults have chances to study further and improve their life. There are lot of places to visit for entertainment. People and government are friendly and supportive.
Have resources been provided to you? If so which ones have you utilized? Are you still able to utilize them or did you only have a certain length of time you were able to utilize them?
· My wife was here before me. So basically, I did not ask for any benefits. Instead I took my son from day care and started taking care of him at home while waiting for my work permit to arrive. I am doing my HISET certification. Adult education center is providing me free education and there is no fee for the tests.
What resources weren’t provided that you wish would have been provided to you?
· Counseling and guidance. So, I can be useful to the US at the earliest.
What exactly is the process in getting your green card?
· I as an asylum seeker, I must wait for my interview to get the I94 and then the green card it might take up to 5 years.
What are your thoughts on Trumps position on immigration?
· Trump thoughts are based on freedom of speech right. But I believe there is congress and Court Judges to provide justice to the affected.
Most immigrants come to America to provide a better life for their families do you feel you can still do that now that you are here?
· Yes, I do, and most importantly making my kids life safe.
What are your thoughts/opinions on both the Dream Act and USA Act of 2018?
· I have to accept whatever the Dream Act and USA Act of 2018 to provide.
Do you participate in programs or events with other immigrants? If so how has this shaped who you are today?
· No because I don’t have people here from my country.
How does being a non-U.S. citizen in the U.S. affect your life?
· I miss my parents and I wish to see them.
Reference
Hussain, K. (2018). Personal interview with J. Basaldua
What were your reasons for immigrating to the U.S.?
· Asylum
· Cabinda in territory illegally occupied by the Angola Government and the regime is against those not support them with occupation of territory (Cabinda)
What was the biggest barrier in coming to the United States?
· The biggest Barrier, the protocol of building Credit score
Do you feel treated as an equal in the US?
· Yes, I do
What is one thing you would like to see changed about the immigration process?
· Process Waiting time for Asylum interview
How do you perceive people who have come to the US illegally, instead of going through the process of getting a green card?
· Who come illegally has to go through process if not qualified should be deported (Government care)
How has the news media coverage of immigration impacted your opinion of the United States?
· A lot of conflict of interest in media coverage and its being difficult to understand the real government agenda or the position of parties (Rep and Dem).
Have you faced discrimination while you have resided in the United States?
· No
Has your standard of living improved since coming to the United States? Yes/No; In what ways has your standard of living improved or declined?
· I was working in Oil and Gas in Angola as Driller for different companies and worked has expat in different countries. I had good Quality of living in Angola kids in private schools.
· In what ways has my life standard Improved: Health, Safe, Quality of education for my kids and social Life.
· Note: Financially my life decline but am safe.
Have resources been provided to you? If so which ones have you utilized? Are you still able to utilize them or did you only have a certain length of time you were able to utilize them?
· Fist I use TANF, I had opportunity to take aspire Program provided by DHHS (FEDCAP). I used the program on waiting time of immigration process (Work permit).
What resources weren’t if you wish would have been provided to you?
· I think I had it all
What exactly is the process in getting your green card?
· I am still on waiting time for asylum interview
What are your thoughts on Trumps position on immigration?
· I think President Trump does not know what he really wants, is unstable president and unpredictable.
Most immigrants come to America to provide a better life for their families do you feel you can still do that now that you are here?
· Yes, I think am self-sufficient now and still doing my best for my contribution to the country(US)
What are your thoughts/opinions on both the Dream Act and USA Act of 2018?
· DACA has to be fix by giving Citizenship to the Dreamers; a lot of families are being split, parents are being deported while married with citizenship.
· US government spent money for education on dreamers, that was big investment. In my opinion if the dreamer gets deported it would considered as money loss.
Do you participate in programs or events with other immigrants? If so how has this shaped who you are today?
· No
How does being a non-U.S. citizen in the U.S. affect your life?
· Citizenship is treated both officially and colloquially as an individual-level status.
Reference
Luemba, F. (2018). Personal interview with J. Basaldua
What were your reasons for immigrating to the U.S.?
· Angola, male, 40… political issues
What was the biggest barrier in coming to the United States?
· The biggest barrier to come to USA is Visa
Do you feel treated as an equal in the US?
· Yes, I do
What is one thing you would like to see changed about the immigration process?
· Time for the interview
How do you perceive people who have come to the US illegally, instead of going through the process of getting a green card?
· I do not recommend to do that…
How has the news media coverage of immigration impacted your opinion of the United States?
· I was afraid before get clarified
Have you faced discrimination while you have resided in the United States?
· No
Has your standard of living improved since coming to the United States? Yes/No; In what ways has your standard of living improved or declined?
· Yes, Life Quality
Have resources been provided to you? If so which ones have you utilized? Are you still able to utilize them or did you only have a certain length of time you were able to utilize them?
· No, transportation to the interview
What resources weren’t provided that you wish would have been provided to you?
· Transportation to the immigration
What exactly is the process in getting your green card?
· Getting permanent residence
What are your thoughts on Trumps position on immigration?
· Good job on organizing the system
Most immigrants come to America to provide a better life for their families do you feel you can still do that now that you are here?
· Yes, I do, after starting work
What are your thoughts/opinions on both the Dream Act and USA Act of 2018?
· It was a good achievement
Do you participate in programs or events with other immigrants? If so how has this shaped who you are today?
· No, I don’t
How does being a non-U.S. citizen in the U.S. affect your life?
· Not working before work permit
Reference
Rodrigo, C. (2018). Personal interview with J. Basaldua
What were your reasons for immigrating to the U.S.?
· Political reasons
What was the biggest barrier in coming to the United States?
· The Visa
Do you feel treated as an equal in the US?
· Yes, I do
What is one thing you would like to see changed about the immigration process?
· The time frame
How do you perceive people who have come to the US illegally, instead of going through the process of getting a green card?
· n/a
How has the news media coverage of immigration impacted your opinion of the United States?
· n/a
Have you faced discrimination while you have resided in the United States?
· No, I have not
Has your standard of living improved since coming to the United States? Yes/No; In what ways has your standard of living improved or declined?
· No, still the same for a while
Have resources been provided to you? If so which ones have you utilized? Are you still able to utilize them or did you only have a certain length of time you were able to utilize them?
· TANF/food stamps, I still able to utilize them
What resources weren’t provided that you wish would have been provided to you?
· n/a
What exactly is the process in getting your green card?
· n/a
What are your thoughts on Trumps position on immigration?
· n/a
Most immigrants come to America to provide a better life for their families do you feel you can still do that now that you are here?
· Yes, I do
What are your thoughts/opinions on both the Dream Act and USA Act of 2018?
· n/a
Do you participate in programs or events with other immigrants? If so how has this shaped who you are today?
· No, I don’t
How does being a non-U.S. citizen in the U.S. affect your life?
· I few aspects like some jobs does not accept non-us citizen, some job positions require citizenship
Reference
Evandro, J. (2018). Personal interview with J. Basaldua