This is how American immigration works
A recent letter writer complained of an alleged lack of “merit immigration visas,” specifically Canadian. He continued by smearing admission of Haitians.
The USA has a long history of charity and helping other countries, not just the Marshall Plan. Natural disasters in Haiti and other nations are the basis of the Temporary Protected Status immigration program.
There are merit-based immigration classes for Canadians and people from other nations. You can be an entrepreneur, have an advanced degree and distinction in your field, or you can be distinguished in a non-academic field. These are immigrant visas for lawful, permanent residence and can lead to naturalization. These do not require sponsorship. Businesses can sponsor skilled and unskilled workers for lawful permanent residence.
Tax dollars do not support immigrants. Family-sponsored immigrants must have an affidavit of support, legally enforceable to maintain each person sponsored at 125 percent of the local poverty level. Welfare is the most audited program. Unauthorized cases must be dropped and repayment is required.
I am a retired immigration officer of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services with tens of thousands of cases under my belt.
William Cubley
Sun City Hilton Head
How to submit a letter
Send letters to the editor by email to letters@islandpacket.com or letters@beaufortgazette.com.
Or you may submit a letter online.
Letters to the editor must be 250 words or fewer and include your first and last names, street address and daytime telephone number so we can verify the letter before publication.
You are limited to one letter per 30 days.
Letters may be edited for length, style, grammar, taste and libel. All letters submitted become the property of The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette.
Letters will be accepted only if they are typed into the body of an email, not sent as an email attachment.
This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 4:04 PM with the headline "This is how American immigration works."