More Help From Americans...

[el Chi]

Hello!
Cheers for all the info kindly given on the US medical system, however now I need your help once more: This time immigration.
Basically, how do you go about getting a Green Card?
Would it be possible for illegal immigrants (or their children) to get Green Cards?

Please don't turn this thread into a tirade of immigrant-directed abuse. The medical thread just avoided becoming an all-out Yank-bashing thread, but only just.

Cheers!

 

[palindrome]

Originally posted by el Chi
illegal immigrants (or their children) to get Green Cards?

not sure on green cards, but i know if a child of an illegal immigrant is born here, he/she is automatically a citizen.

(at least i think? please correct me if im wrong)

 

[Direwolf]

I do know that it is possible for illegal immigrants to get citizenship by taking a test after a certain number of years (7?). Children born in the US are citizens automatically.
There's actually been a recent controversy regarding the government giving identification to illegal immigrants.

 

[DimitriPopov]

They gave them drivers lisences , not just identification.

Im not sure enough on those immigration policies to tell you. I live in Ohio afterall , not exactally the land of immigration

 

[Aknot]

Im sorry if you are an ILLEGAL how do you get citizenship? If you are Illegal you are just that. ILLEGAL.

 

[Direwolf]

By applying for it after a certain amount of time. Illegal immigration cannot be stopped, so we do what we can to discourage, and help those who have lived here long enough to be of value.

 

[alehm]

All I know is there is a big push in the United States to give free health care, drivers liscneses, and voting rights to illegal aliens. All the benefits of being a citizen without having to pay any taxes AND not having the goverment have files on you.

Of course the American public isn't too thrilled about it but the politicians are not wanting to miss any votes.

 

[Direwolf]

I'm not much aware of any real big push like that at all around here. (Northeast)

 

[palindrome]

Originally posted by Direwolf
I'm not much aware of any real big push like that at all around here. (Northeast)

heh what state? Im in MA :cheese:

 

[Fender357]

Thats funny because I cant get a drivers licens even though im 18 because I cant aford insurance. It seems like total bs that illegal immigrants can get a drivers licens and im pretty sure they cant aford insurance. All they do is get insurance for when they get their drivers license and then cancle it. More than half of the people in LA are driving illegaly.
It just pisses me off.
Sorry for not giving any usefull info

 

[LoneDeranger]

Ok I sort of went through the process so I know:

1. If you're a legal alien (have a greencard) you can apply for citezenship in 7 years or so.
2. Legal aliens are either refugees or there is a lotterry process for green cards where a certain number of immigrants are allowed from each country.
3. You can also get certain visas (work, educational) but they are not permanent.
4. You can get citezenship by joining the military.
5. There is no good way for an illegal alien to obtain "legal" status, let alone citezenship. The best way would probably be to marry someone who is a US citezen which lets them become a legal resident (and eventually a citezen after 7 years).
6. Illegal residents and people whose visas expired are at a real risk of being deported.

 

[palindrome]

Originally posted by Fender357
Thats funny because I cant get a drivers licens even though im 18 because I cant aford insurance. It seems like total bs that illegal immigrants can get a drivers licens and im pretty sure they cant aford insurance. All they do is get insurance for when they get their drivers license and then cancle it. More than half of the people in LA are driving illegaly.
It just pisses me off.
Sorry for not giving any usefull info

I hear ya. I got my liscence about a month ago and insurance is looking to cost more than a car!

 

[el Chi]

So if someone was an illegal immigrant, then they could apply for citizenship after seven years? Or would that not work?


By the way, I really really appreciate all the help you people have given me with my research into this and the medical system - it's been invaluable.

 

[Direwolf]

I was under the impression that someone with an experied green card or some other illegal status could still apply for ctizenship, provided they met certain standards. I'm not an immigration expert either though, so that could be wrong.