🗽Emigrating to the U.S.? Here are Some Helpful Hints
By Diane Harrison
Moving to the United States is an exciting transition. Sometimes people who are new to the U.S. may not understand some of the culture and perspectives of its citizens. For immigrants preparing to make the big move, there are some things to keep in mind that will help ease the transition. Immigrationcourtside.com shares a few in the guide below.
The U.S. is a Melting Pot
The U.S. values independence and freedom to live with a variety of liberties.This translates into a unique melting-pot culture of diversity.
1. Americans originate from all over the world; 44.8 million immigrants lived in the U.S. as of 2018.
2. The U.S. values religious freedoms and human rights above all else. A lot of families are interfaith, meaning one spouse may be of the Jewish faith while their partner is Buddhist or Christian. There are interfaith communities that support the spiritual needs of many religions under one roof as a way to unite people.
Our Politics Vary
One of the most interesting aspects of U.S. politics is the diversity of our parties, and all voters coming together to elect constituents through a fair electoral process.
3. There are three political parties in the U.S.; Republicans, Democrats and Independents. Each of these parties value democracy but have differing beliefs about how it is best accomplished.
4. Our political system relies on the democractic process of voting for elected officials. Qualified immigrants can apply for voting ability.
Getting and Sending Support
The U.S. offers programs to assist immigrants in need of assistance in everyday life. If an immigrant does not need assistance but wishes to send funds to loved ones back home, there are reliable ways to facilitate that need.
5. There are companies that offer funds transfers at reasonable rates. If there were family in India for example, immigrants could relax knowing that their funds were being sent safely.
6. U.S. citizens are charitable and enjoy sharing their blessings with others. During holiday seasons such as Hanukkah and the Christian holiday of Christmas, Americans are particularly generous, providing gifts, food, and assistance to people in need, including immigrant populations from around the world.
Immigrants Have Rights and Benefits
Those who have immigrated to the U.S. have rights and systems in place to support their needs, and these have been developed as a way to reduce poverty among immigrant populations.
7. Immigrants who are working on assimilation in the U.S. may find that our resources and benefits are helpful. You are not on your own, so reach out for support.
8. For legal representation, immigrants can reach out and access free or reduced-cost attorneys.
9. Immigrants own and operate 1 in 5 U.S. businesses. You can do it, too.
10. Register your business as an LLC with the state to help protect yourself from liability.
11. People who have made the move to the U.S. may wish to become residents and can follow these logical steps toward citizenship.
Moving to the United States is exciting and thrilling, but it can also be scary and overwhelming. However, knowing what to expect can help alleviate some of that stress.
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5 ways to engage with immigrants this week! — From Immigrant Food:
https://mailchi.mp/4f1861b1de43/5-ways-to-engage-with-immigrants-this-week-10077018?e=16814f5ced
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Immigration Doesn’t Just Mean Coming To America. These 4 Books Are Good Reminders.
Author Ocean Vuong recommends four books on the immigrant experience — but he wants to de-center America in these stories: “Immigration is a species-wide legacy,” he says, and always has been.
Read in NPR: https://apple.news/AHF0mzKuBSD2sndcvfNlLXw
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The Founding Debtors and their slaves
https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=ec5606cc-8bcf-4912-9774-cc57daf2c71e&v=sdk
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Los Angeles Times: My family’s reparations dilemma
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This week’s GOP clown is Paul Gosar — and the ringmaster isn’t doing anything to stop him
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/02/paul-gosar-kevin-mccarthy-clown-show/
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The Fourth is for Complainers:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/03/fourth-is-complainers/
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Inclusion is patriotism of the highest order
The Founders entrusted us with the tools to fix what they were unwilling to repair.
Opinion by Darren Walker
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/02/inclusion-is-patriotism-highest-order/
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On July 4, recognize the Black and Indigenous soldiers who helped win the Revolutionary War
George Washington’s army might not have been able to beat the British without Black and Indigenous men. It’s time to set the record straight, for all Americans.
Opinion by Bonnie Watson Coleman
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opini
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St. Louis Newspaper Bashes GOP, Josh Hawley For ‘Contempt’ Of Democracy:
“Plenty of words come to mind to describe … actions by one of America’s two major political parties,” the editorial reads. “‘Patriotic’ is nowhere among them.”
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The panic over critical race theory is an attempt to whitewash U.S. history – The Washington Post
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Critical race theory’s opponents are sure it’s bad. Whatever it is.
The movement’s critics demonize it, then dismiss it:
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Maybe it’s time to admit that the Statue of Liberty has never quite measured up:
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Today’s GOP: Only the Incompetent Need Apply:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/01/opinion/republicans-incompetence.html
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WHEN BAD PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE NEGATIVE ROLE MODELS: A Run-In With Donald Rumsfeld When I Was In College Changed The Course Of My Life
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-rumsfeld-princeton-encounter_n_60de4430e4b0e01b6b1c6b89
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What does it mean to be American? Ask an immigrant
We are at an inflection point. After the departure of Trump, his xenophobia and racism continue to shape how we understand both immigration and what it means to be American. How do we challenge this worldview?
One way is to recognize that because xenophobia is an inextricable part of systemic racism in the U.S., it must be fought alongside racism. We need to examine and protest the unequal treatment of immigrants as part of this structure. We must counter the narratives that identify immigration as a threat with facts: COVID-19 is not the “Chinese virus.” Immigrants are essential workers, constituting 17% of the civilian labor force. About two-thirds of Americans say that immigrants strengthen the country.
http://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=69fd3116-862c-4d16-914c-2c974205a5d5
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Special thanks to Diane Harrison for her always thoughtful, informative, and accessible “Health Care PSA” contribution to the “July 4, 2021 Edition of Courtside.”
The quote about unequal justice in the last item by Erika Lee underscores the dis-service that AG Garland is doing by failing to eradicate the “Dred Scottification” of migrants, primarily those of color, in our Immigration Courts.
His unwillingness to date to make the obvious personnel moves necessary to replace inadequate and weak judges and administrators with a diverse group of progressive experts who would bring due process, fundamental fairness, and racial and gender equality to our broken, biased, and dysfunctional Immigration Courts will continue to make American democracy fall well short of our stated ideals! The failure of the Biden Administration to “connect the dots” between racism and institutionalized xenophobia, particularly at EOIR, is highly disappointing, to say the least!
🇺🇸🗽Due Process Forever! Happy July 4!🎆🎇
PWS
07-04-21