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| Subject: Immigration queues and choices |
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We know someone who just received U.S. green card after waiting 11 years. 10 years is not unusual they say. I was shocked. Others told us that Canada PR wait times are nothing compared to U.S.
I sometimes get the impression some who apply to Canada would prefer USA. Both countries offer good, similar opportunities and lifestyle. But they choose Canada because of difficult green card delays and obstacles last few years.
I´m curious if these wait times have affected where people here have decided to apply. Or if Canada is truly the country of choice.
[30-03-2008,18:58]
[**.53.224.249]
Richard |
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(in reply to: Immigration queues and choices)
11 years - wow.
Richard, you know my political views so don´t run off in fright. There was an op-ed on the CNN website by Glen Beck that was extremely interesting. Talked about the US deficit, the cost of the war and the looming cost of an aging population. He figures the US is going to economically collapse.
Now, my own question... do people look at the long term economic stability of a country when making such a huge life decision? Do you think they basing their decision on historical myth or unrealistic expectations?
[30-03-2008,20:42]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Immigration queues and choices)
Yes, that goes to the heart of my point and question. Given the current problems with the U.S. economy and international relations, is the myth of the American dream still there for immigrants coming to North America?
To put it another way, is Canada just an alternate back door with it´s more tolerable processing and easier acceptance of immigrants? Or has Canada caught up in people´s minds and become a preferred destination?
Glen Beck may be on to something. Tonight ABC Nightly News brought up the possibility of depression in the U.S. I agree the image of America as ultimate destination has long been sandblasted in people´s minds around the world. Yet reality is another thing and views may slowly change.
[30-03-2008,21:42]
[**.53.224.249]
Richard |
(in reply to: Immigration queues and choices)
hmmmm, perhaps this is the Coke, Pepsi debate!
I am trying to figure out where all those people went to live who have lost their homes to the sub prime nightmare.
Have a look at what I have linked.
http://www.competitivealternatives.com/download/default.asp
[30-03-2008,22:04]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Immigration queues and choices)
I think at this moment for most immigrants who are processing their green card, Canada is still a "back up" plan or second choice (given the 11 yr timeframe... LOL)
Canada has been known to be a small brother, if the US goes into recession and Canada comes out stronger then I think people might begin to change their opinion. At this point the US still demands a lot of economic clout, something has to happen that can really prove that Canada is not dependent on US anymore.
[30-03-2008,22:34]
[**.112.73.220]
Raj |
(in reply to: Immigration queues and choices)
Let me star of by saying that Richard is correct, the Immigration system in the US is ridiculous, Humiliating and exhausting! how do i know? Personal experience, I have lived in the US (legally) for the past 7 years and I am no where near becoming a citizen nor Permanent Resident, no arrests, College degree, my entire family lives here, etc... So what im i doing now? well I am looking north, Within days i was able to complete all the requirements and for the first time i actually felt welcome.
AS far as Glen beck you can not take the guy seriously at all, I have a Masters Degree in International Economics and I have seen his show plus i read his book, he has little to no background in Economics, international politics or any other related field.
Is Canada a back up? for some it is, for others is the only choice.
[30-03-2008,23:28]
[**.186.211.70]
Enrique |
(in reply to: Immigration queues and choices)
It was not long that we happened to see the most recent Stat about US/Canada inter migration. What did we see there? Just keep in mind the immigration process itself, how tough US GC is compared to Canadian PR.
I can refer also the past 3/4 years US immigration data showing Canadians getting US GC are increasing. It is also against the slow US economy and super fast canadian booming economy. In that sense we should´ve observed a dramatic drop in Canadians granting US GC.
By the book, Canadian social life standard is higher than the US. Though there is a high imbalance in the inter migration rate aganist this theory and easy Canadian immigration process.
This is the picture of US/Canada. Needless to say about other countries who are sub standard than the North Amercia. Where would they chose or prefer can easily be explained by that.
US has many dark sides..economy now is very slow I also sense that. Though I wouild say that US is very lucky that they have some critics like you guys mentioned. Nothing is new, US passed also some severe slow time in the hostory but eventually got away. So, if some folks may wait and pray for their total disastar they will have to be very sorry and console their mind by some other way.
It may hurt some, but in the immigration world US is still no. 1 choice way ahead of the others.
[30-03-2008,23:37]
[**.207.127.42]
DC |
(in reply to: Immigration queues and choices)
but DC, what Richard is suggesting is that reality is that GC applicants started their process under the Clinton administration and a strong economy back in 1998! The story line has changed significantly. Are people blindly moving forward with a plan simply because they still think the economy is as it was 10 years ago? Do they have any idea what the dollar has done on the international market, do they know that manufacturing jobs are drying up... or do they gloss over the challenges simply because it is the golden land of the United States of America.
[31-03-2008,00:20]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Immigration queues and choices)
What Enrique says is also what we´ve seen. A 50+ year old (in this group we know) started her green card process last year, but decided she´s too old to wait 10 years and is going back to her home country. It is humiliating and discouraging to say the least.
Canada´s current system is reasonable and humane, and immigrants do feel wanted and welcome. The proposed new restricted changes will be statistically correct, yet at the same time closed and heartless like the U.S.
I´d also be interested in DC´s response to Sharon´s point above.
[31-03-2008,00:42]
[**.53.224.249]
Richard |
(in reply to: Immigration queues and choices)
Sharon and Richard,
Honestly that question may be 100% accurately answered after few years when we can have the stat of the trend.
Though, so far I clearly don´t think that there is any downward interest in US immigration. Of course in the economic downturn, US govt. may restrict the H-1B quota, that wouldn´t necessarily mean that US loses it´s
attraction.
I may add a little though here in my support, especially in regard to increasing Canadians granting US GC. GC process is not in one step, it is bascially 4 steps. You have all oppurtunities in between to withdraw from these lenghthy process and return to your home. If US loses it´s attraction then we wouldn´t see increase in the no. of Canadians. Many of them would´ve returned back home instead of contributing the increasing GC granted number. If they find that US is becoming loser...then why would they wait and spend some good amount to have the GC from a future collapsed country? US economy was going down and Caanadian one was hiking up not suddently, but over the past few years.
US may be in slow period now, though I don´t see any dramatic upside down at least in the near future. Can´t warrant how long it stays, but surely can say that still that time is still long way when we would see stories of Doctors driving cab or Engineers flipping burgers on regular basis or some articles/websites emerging to warn prospectve immigrants into the US.
If such days come then US would stop immigration at the lowest, without going into any "debate" that why there are so many immigrants are un/under employed.
[31-03-2008,01:15]
[**.207.127.42]
DC |
(in reply to: Immigration queues and choices)
The US has much more opportunities than Canada, and that is a fact. We need to look at what the immigrants are wanting to do... if they are running from present hell, and need a safe heaven, then Canada will be their destination for sure as they can get in within 2-3 yrs on an average, some maybe even sooner.
Immigrants like myself have been in the queue for 2 yrs for green card, and even though I may get the actual green card in say 11 - 2 = 9 years from now (LOL), I´m free to change jobs and do everything except vote. But I know for sure right now that I can provide my family with a better life in the US than in Canada (at this moment, and I don´t see a big change in that in the near future !)... and its only because of my skills being in more demand in the US compared to Canada, in other words better opportunities.
Hard fact.... poor people in all countries ARE POOR ! If I move to Canada right now, my life style will be de-graded for sure, not because Canada is better or worse than US, but just because my earning potential will be compromised.
Are you well to do in US and will be in Canada too if you move.... ok you can go crazy with comparing the 2 countries before you decide where to live.... good luck.
Now, I admit I am talking about skilled workers, for people who are kinda in their 60s or so the criteria may be different.
One thing we need to consider is the necessity to understand what people from the third world countries are looking for, because they are the bulk of the immigrants. Immigrants like Richard are moving from a developed country to another developed country, so their criteria are more sophisticated as they are discontent with a developed country. And the other end is that just because someone immigrates to Canada does not always mean that they have made some major evaluations, it could be just because .... another hard fact.... its the easiest to get in, well maybe not anymore in the next few months.
Anyway, my point is that I don´t think we can look at the immigrants to the US and tell them that hey.... its going to be hell out there so come to Canada right now to save yourselves !!
[31-03-2008,02:52]
[**.112.73.220]
Raj |
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