Dear Editor:
The latest proposals on changes to the immigration system will be a complete farce if Congress does not take into account the immigrants in this country.
How can President Bush or Senator Daschle know what it feels like to be in our position?
My wife and I have been in the US during the past 3 years under an H1B visa. We both hold advanced degrees and each speak 5 languages. We are young, qualified and have a whole future ahead of us. We came to this country because we were promised that we could integrate very easily and that we would be able to pursue our professional dreams in total freedom in the US.
3 years later and we are still under the same status. The green card process looks like the untouchable apple and our lives in here depend solely on our employer's decision not to fire us. It looks like America likes to benefit from our skills and doesn't like the idea of treating us like human beings. The INS procedures are unlogical, inhumane and very much stricter when compared to the immigration of other civilized countries such as France or definitely Britain. Over there, once you are approved to work, you are almost automatically under the permanent residence path. In here, approval for H1B is pretty easy and it slowly turns into a ticket to hell. Hell translates into green card approval. It is impossible to get any information from the dept of labour or immigration authorities. "You are a foreigner" they reply. We need to speak to your employer.
What president Bush would like to do is give our type of status (H) to the millions of illegals in the US. This status would give complete control to the employers and give the government the right to send someone back when their employer simply decides they are not needed anymore. You've got to be a stupid illegal foreigner to take this deal. It is almost easier remaining illegal.
If this is the true intention of the Bush administration, then this will be the biggest breach of human rights in America. AThis is why we have decided not to believe the politicians' lies anymore and leave this country. We hope that many skilled, qualified and bright foreigners do the same. There is plenty of work everywhere else. And in most western European countries. better rights and much better life styles.
Rafaelo
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