Can anyone who has succesfully emigrated to the USA give advice?

Question

If you have emigrated to the United States and now hold a Green Card, could you give me any advice with regard to how to get a card, i.e. if you were placed via an agency or found an employer in the US that is willing to sponsor applicants for green cards. I am having no luck in finding agencies that specialise in finding sponsorships for Green Cards. I basically just want to find an employer who is willing to sponsor me.
Thanks!

Answer 1

That's unlikely - any such agencies are more than like scam artists, looking to take your money without fear of prosecution.

I came here on an L-1 visa; that is an intercompany transfer on the basis of special skills (I have special skills in computing). Companies can also hire on a limited work status H1-B visa, but again only if you have special skills.

For a regular job, the company must advertise the position locally for at least three months; they must conduct 'good faith' interviews, and they must not turn down a qualified candidate in order to hire you. They must keep paper records of the ads placed, and they must have records of each candidate that applies, and each interview. They must be able to demonstrate that none of the US candidates could fill the position.

This is a lot of work and companies are rarely willing to do this unless there is a really good reason to - such as you having a skill that they require and which is not available locally.

Answer 2

You'll need a job thats listed under trade NAFTA (Doctor, Nurse...)
or you could find an employer to sponsor you but thats big $ on their part. I think you've got to be pretty special in what you do for a company to justify spending big bucks on you as opposed to a regular amican citizen. You could also marry an American woman.
Of course you can always apply like us regular schlubs and be on a waitlist (I'm coming up to 6 years now). If you really wanted in though you might consider lacing you're boots up tight and making a run for it. Just watch out for la migra.



Edited to add: It really depends on where you live.

Answer 3

Gee, sorry can't help you on that one. I entered in 1953 and that was a while ago. probably the laws have changed since then.