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< Back to current issue of Immigrant's Weekly
Dear Editor:
This is a comment to the discussion following the “Open Letter” from Gisela
Boecker.
I’m a German immigrant, have been honored with a permanent resident visa but
had my share of troubles during the process. I would like to comment on some
of the things said:
a) Attorney Murray: “My advice to any of your readers who are suffering at
the "cruel hand" of the INS is to seek legal advice, and pay the price it
take to resolve your problem..”
I really had to laugh about that: My personal experience seeking legal
advice is, that the same question presented to 4 different immigration
attorneys resulted in 3 different answers. The question presented to two
different INS information officers also resulted in two different answers
(more details at the bottom of this email, if you’re interested). Problems
can not be solved by seeking (and paying) legal advice, if the laws are so
unclear, that in many cases there are no answers. THAT is the real trouble
with US immigration.
b) Anonymous corporate in-house immigration specialist: “The one bad
assumption that the Boeckers and many others make is that being good,
law-abiding, tax-paying, family-oriented people somehow qualifies you for a
green card in this day and age. Do the Turkish Gastarbeiters in Germany
enjoy such rights? In response to such naivete, I would have to say, "Get
over it!". ”
The Boeckers didn’t assume that “being nice people” would make them eligible
for a green card, they assumed that investing a lot of money in this country
would reward them with the green card. Because THAT IS what the law promises
to investors. It’s very understandable that they now feel cheated.
German immigration laws leave a lot to desire, and are quite unfair, but I
fail to see how that is a justification for flaws in US immigration laws.
c) Gisela Boecker : “Why is the INS not telling us, don’t bother go home…”
This the real trouble and what really drove me nuts during my immigration
process. I’m thinking: if the American people decide that they don’t want me
here: FINE WITH ME! I go somewhere else where the weather is good and I’m
welcome. It’s your country, you decide whom you want to have here. BUT:
don’t tell me for years, that you’re glad to have me here and want to keep
me (“IT expert”, had "hot" skills during the 90s), then, after I’ve build up
a personal and professional live here, try to kick me out and treat me like
a beggar.
PLEASE, PLEASE make up your mind about whom you want to have here and then
make clear and understandable laws, reflecting that. Be fair to the people
you invite here. Make people aware when you send them their temporary visas,
that they always have to be prepared to take the next flight home, without
so much as a days notice (“no grace period for laid off H1B workers”). That
way they are not going to settle down and invest money and most will leave
rather sooner than later. Don’t promise Green Cards, if you don’t intend to
keep your promises.
Best regards, |
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