Immigration; in search of a fresh start.

  

                                             

 

Immigration: Far beyond simply welcoming

       Immigration to the United States is the international movement of individuals, who do not possess American citizenship, towards the United States to study, work and live in the country. It is one of the leading sources for population growth and cultural changes throughout the history of the United States.  In absolute terms, the United States has the largest immigrant population among all the countries in the world, totaling more than 47 million people in 2015. This represented 19.1% of the 244 million migrants around the world, representing 14.4% of the US population as a whole.

    Immigration Process

Upon landing in the United States, going through immigration on American soil can already be quite an experience. Although the visa for Brazilians (my case) is required before leaving Brazil, our countrymen and citizens from all over the world are subject to a series of inquiries by immigration agents. The most frequent questions are related to proof of stay, return ticket and also if you know someone in the country. In addition to these, they may ask the questions that they deem relevant at the time.  JFK Airport, in New York, is one of the nation's leading airports, serving as a transit route for thousands of immigrants daily. After you go through immigration and collect your luggage, you will automatically be directed to the customs queue, where you will be questioned by an official

  Anyone who has visited the country at least once since 2008 or travels with a B1 / B2 or D visa can process through the Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks, which are already available at major airports in the country. If you can, be sure to use them. In addition to being more practical, they avoid the large queues for interviews at immigration kiosks.  It is worth noting that the traveler who opts for totems does not need to fill out form 6059B distributed on the plane. All responses will be entered on the digital system screen.

When leaving the plane, just follow the signs and go to the immigration zone. There, there will be indications on which queue you should stay. Generally, only family members living in the same household can go to the immigration booth together. Otherwise, the interview will always be individual.

NECESSARY DOCUMENTS 

  

At first, you must present only the passport with the American visa (Remember that it is necessary to have a visa to enter the United States). A tip carry printed documents that can be requested, but only present them if the immigration agent requests.

At check-in, or inside the plane, you will receive a blue, customs form. remembering that I-94 form is no longer necessary. 

 The customs form questions are simple and basic, there is no reason to worry ; your full name, mother's father's name, age, and so on.

- The queue in immigration may be unique or separate. This will depend on which airport you will arrive at. You can arrive and be promptly attended or stay three hours in line. It will depend a lot on the movement.

-  Remove your passport from any protective cover you are using. Many officers do not like to welcome you so. Give only the passport and the form.

- It gives nothing that has not been requested.

- Answer the questions directly. Be direct.

-  The officer asks basic questions like: Reason to travel, how many days it will be, who you are going to, if you have a friend in the United States, how much money you have, what your profession is, things like that. Always be true!

- Families will be able to do the immigration together. Friend, boyfriend or anyone without relationship should pass alone by immigration.

-  Even if you are traveling with credit cards it is important to always carry cash. The officer may ask to see your money, so don't lie.

-  Lightweight printed, hotel bookings printed, car rentals, tours and everything else that is already booked. even if you stay at the house of a relative or friend

-  You will have to put your fingerprints and take a photo.

- Although travel insurance is not required to enter the United States, you'd better have it. 

                       

                                                              formulário 6059B 

 If you do not speak English, you can request a translator. I suggest you do this if you do not understand the questions. It is better to request a translator than answer one of the questions in error and thus have the input denied.

The whole process, when there are no problems, does not usually take more than 10 minutes.

After you go through immigration, you will pick up your luggage and proceed to customs. This line is fast. Some travelers are randomly chosen to carry their luggage through the x-ray. If the officer decides to open his suitcase to check a suspicious object. 

  If you make only one connection, right after the customs, there will be airline employees to return your luggage.

After these steps, you will be officially in the United States.

               

                             

    US Immigration Documents 

- Passport

- Roundtrip ticket (the confirmation that the airline sends via email)

-  Reservation of the hotels / inns where you will be staying

 - If possible, letter from the company confirming that you work there

   

Immigration USA - Letter from the Company where you work

- Proof of purchase of the dollar.

- Proof of goods from the country of origin (car, house, companies, etc.)

 - Proof of car rental (if applicable)

 - Roadmap (if touring trip)

- Proof of life insurance

 - If you're staying at a friend's house, this friend's invitation letter

Immigration USA - Invitation Letter

- International credit card (if any), dollar or checking account to prove that you can keep it while there.

- Proof of enrollment in school, college, university, etc.

- In short, evidence of your connection to your country and that you will return to your land.

How long can  stay in the US with a tourist visa?

In 90% of cases, immigration agents grant 6 months' stay in the United States on a tourist visa. In the other 10% of cases, they will only guarantee the time they think is fair for their trip. This happens if the Immigration Officer suspects for some reason of your real reason to be there in the USA.

How long can  stay in the US with a work visa?

If you have a B1 / B2 visa with a validity of 10 years, it does not mean that you can stay in the US for 10 years, when you arrive at the airport, your time of stay will be determined by the immigration agent, but usually the vast majority of travelers they get a term of six months for travel.

How long can study with a tourist visa?

If you want to study a load greater than 18hs / week or stay for longer than 3 months, you need a study visa! If you go with a tourist visa to study for up to 3 months, you have the right to stay for up to 6 months in the US.

Green Card

The green card, officially the US Permanent Resident Card, is a permanent immigration visa issued by the US authorities. Unlike other types of visas, it does not restrict or limit the actions of those who have it.  All other types of visas are temporary and linked to their specificity, while the green card is permanent and unlinked. For example, the study visa does not allow you to work, the work visa only allows you to live in the US while working for the company that sponsored the visa. The green card holder can leave and enter the United States, work in any region and study for more affordable prices. The only restriction is not to stay for more than a year or successive very long periods outside the United States because, as it is a permanent immigration visa, it is assumed that the person who owns it wishes to effectively reside in the United States.

Preference to Green Card

 First preference: priority workers, including foreigners with extraordinary skills, professors, lawyers and prominent researchers, as well as some managers and executives of multinationals;

Second priority: members of professions who hold an advanced degree or persons of exceptional ability (including individuals qualified under the National Interest Waiver visa);

 Third priority: specialized professionals as well as other qualified professions;

Fourth Preference: entrepreneurs or investors intending to create jobs in the country.

Once you are in one of the categories eligible for the Green Card, you will need to complete Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Resident), including all documents proving your status as an immigrant, as well as payment of fees according to their age and category 

                                   

                                                                    Green Card

   Documents required to attach to the form include  criminal record, birth certificate, passport copy (page containing your American visa), 2 passport photos taken less than 30 days old, and other details that may vary by category. which you are applying.

Once the information has been completed and all documents requested have been completed, the immigrant should forward them to the address related to his / her visa  type or condition in or outside the United States.

Any citizen to leave their country to another country needs a passport and a stay visa. The passport is a document issued by the Federal Police or similar agency of the country of origin, and aims to prohibit people sought by the police or in debt with the evadam of the country. The visa is an agreement signed between countries, which is granted by embassies and consulates of the destination country, and is aimed at controlling the economy and national security. Illegal immigration is a worldwide social problem. Developed and developing countries need to legalize illegal immigration of people who want to work and study . As for immigrants illegal criminals, they yes, should be arrested and deported to their home countries.

  

                  

                            

    "There is a misunderstanding when it comes to immigrants. Unemployment will not fall by restricting immigration. Unemployment happens because there is a poor distribution of labor among those who are able to work. Immigration increases as much as consumption and labor. Immigration strengthens not only the domestic economy of a sparsely populated country, but also its defensive power"

                                                                                                                  Albert Einstein 

    

                                          

           


    "Only with the contribution of all of us will it be possible
       to live in a society of respect and equality.
        If we take off our armor,
       we will see that deep down we are all the same."


-ANA PAULA MENEZES-