Are there any laws to protect immigrants turned US citizens from unfairness and inequallity?

Question

I am so heartbroken over what is happening to my family. My parents moved here in 1999 from our native country. It's not a easy decision-to leave everything you know behind..But for the sake of a better education and a brigther future for their kids and better opportunities my parents took a chance, packed everything in a suit case, and moved to the US, where dreams are made. It has been very hard for us for there is loneliness, longing for family and friends, not speaking the language, starting from scratch..etc. My point is people have been unfair to my parents. They have made them pay for things when they didn't have to, they have tricked them into signing papers, they have treated them differently and yes, unfairly. All because of this simple fact-communication. America is supposed to be a place of equality and a powerful country where everything is justified. So, my question is, "How are immigrants who don't speak fluent English protected from being tricked into things?" and what

choice do they have to protect themselves?

Example: My dad has stared his own Construction business. He obviously needs insurance for his company and the insurance people have made my dad pay $2,000 every week for the past 3 weeks because he and/or my mom can't communicate with these people. My parents know this is unfair and they are being forced to pay certain things they don't have to and it's killing them on the inside. We have recieved a new bill for $1,650 just yesterday when we cancelled and switched our insurance company. How fair is this?

Answer 1

The U.S.A. is not about fairness. It is about justice. No one owes you or your parents fairness. That is a child's conception of justice.

It isn't about equality. It is about equal opportunity. No one owes people to share their money, their time, or their property with anyone else. Even so, there is not a right to have most other things other than a public education through highschool and a few other things many other countries just don't have.

Justice can be found. If they defrauded you, you take them to court. If you are in America, there are government agencies that can help with this, assumming you are legal immigrants. If you are, PLEASE go to the nearest government office and ask for help. Someone there will be able to help you get help, if only inexpensive legal assistance (if not free).

There will always be people to take advantage of you. It is worse in most other countries.

Good luck with this. We're cheering for our newest citizens. That's why we set up government offices to help with these issues.

Here are a few key words to know: "consumer protection", "fraud", and also check with the immigration agency.

Didn't they talk to your parents about these things. They are supposed to. Go back over the papers they got when they went through the immigration process and see what they missed about people that can help them in these circumstances.

Answer 2

I ahd a boss that immigrated from India. He is rich and owned the company. He complained about America and how business is done. I argued with him and wondered why is he complaining, He is a multimillionaire with his own company. there are a lot of things bad here, but it's worse in most other countries. You should be glad that your father has his own company, rather than concentrating on the negative. What percent of the people are even capable if building his own company. You could hire a lawyer to review contract or hire a translater. Maybe hire a manager who speaks english too. I don't know what kind of insurance you are talking about, but its expensive. That is why many American businesses start hiring illegal immigrants. They pay them about $12 an hour, but the business save on insurance and legal bills from hiring them. I am glad your father is doing business by the straight and narrow, but America is no longer the land of opportunity. Government leaders has made doing business very expensive. Permits, insurance, and regulations are astronomical. As for English, the court systems do give leeway for those who don't speak English well, depending on where you live. That said, you need a lawyer for that.

Answer 3

I was born a U.S. citizen in 1941. My mother was born a U.S. citizen in 1921. My father was born into a Native American tribe in 1919, and was not a U.S. citizen until 1924. African Americans became citizens after the Civil War. They were citizens before my father, whose ancestors were here long before the Civil War! Where was fairness and equality?

There will always be unscrupulous people; those who will prey on anyone. The best anyone can do is (1) speak the language of the majority (2) read every word in any contractual document (3) seek legal counsel and representation when an injustice is suspected.

After eight years in the U.S., it is unfortunate your parents are lacking the ability to communicate in English. You seem to have a pretty good command of the English language. Perhaps you could help them.

Answer 4

If you believe you have been taken advantage of, or cheated by, an insurance company call your state insurance commissioner. Insurance companies are very heavily regulated. File a complaint. I'll guarantee you there will be an investigation.

Finally, I'll add this for your information. The United States is not a fair country. You won't find the word fair in the Declaration of Independence or The Constitution of the United States. There is no inalienable right to fairness.

What you have is the right to be treated equally before the law. I suggest you use the law to redress your complaints.

Answer 5

Insurance companies arn't stupid...they no how lawsuits work. Especially insurance companies that handle businesses like your parents are starting. No insurance company will charge you extra money because you can't speak a language. Either your parents don't understand the bill, and are blaming it on a language barrier, or someone is just flat out lying. And its not the insurance company, they arn't dumb enough to risk a million dollar lawsuit.


Not to mention the fact...if i was in a foreign country where nobody spoke english, i wouldn't expect them to bend over backwards to help me. I have pride. I would help myself. An american insurance company shouldn't have to make special exceptions because their customer doesn't understand.

Edit- One more thing I wanted to add, if your parents signed something, is the the insurance companys fault for presenting it? Or your parents fault for signing something they don't understand. If someone presented something to me in spanish (obviously i don't speak it well enough to understand) there is no way i would sign it. I have enough common sense to know not too. Your parents feel like they are being "tricked" when most likely they just don't understand. And obviously you understand english perfectly based on your question in the first place, why don't you help them?

Answer 6

The U.S. is a very generous country even if your legal or illegal. We have organizations that assist "anyone" if they have been ripped-off. E.G. Better Business Bureau, Attorney General, the D.A., News Media, etc. You speak and write English well, where were you. I just finished arguing with a contractor who tried to take advantage of my Mother. He keeps asking for more money, but not enough work is getting done. And she is American English speaking. Get the point? Did you and your family expect the Red Carpet when you immigrated to America. My sister is a Legal secretary for an Immigration Atty. and talks about stories where other "Latinos" are taking their (immigrants) money with promises of making them a citizen, meanwhile there no where to be found. You just have to be alert and use common sense.

Answer 7

How can you move to a country and not bother learning the spoken langaue? How is he starting a business with out even knowing the primary language. People need to take care of them selves you can't expect everyone is going to rush to help you because your from another country! Take a look at the AMERICAN BORN HOMELESS!
American ins't responsible for your dreams.. You are. What is this fantasy people have about America? this is so unreal. People are people! there are evil people and there are honest respectibale people in all parts of the world not just America. People THIS IS REALITY! not a game show.

Answer 8

No, human beings like the 2nd person to respond to isn't the reason there is such an "unfairness". You stated verbal substitute as a "straight forward actuality" yet whilst signing contracts and such it somewhat is needed! the easy actuality and it somewhat is unhappy is that there are shady peeps accessible and the regulations that look after us from them are to enforce the contracts agreed upon and it somewhat is the duty of the two events to understand and agree totally to what's written in them earlier they sign. The shady peeps could be taking benefit, yet whilst it comes all the way down to it, it is your duty to look each and every thing over and make sure you at the instant are not getting the shaft. every physique, any race, gender, or nationality can fall sufferer in the event that they don't take precautions for themselves.

Answer 9

I'm so sick and tired of hearing about immigrants who come to this country, milk it for all its worth and then COMPLAIN.

WHERE THE HELL ARE OUR RIGHTS AS AMERICAN CITIZENS? WE'RE THE ONES BEING VIOLATED - NOT YOU.

If you're going to move to another country it's blatantly obvious that first you should learn the history and language of the country because we shouldn't have to accomodate you because you were too lazy or stupid to learn the customs of this country.

Sorry, but I really don't have any sympathy for you at all. Should of done things the legal way like everyone else who has respect would have done - those who follow the legal route are required to pass a citizenship test.

Americans are getting sick and tired of getting the shaft because of some immigrant who's having a "poor me" complex. For god's sake - get over it and get legal, or get the fxck out.

Answer 10

English is the primary language in this nation. Can you help your parents out with this? I know many who cannot speak English that take a translator with them when they are doing business so these types of misunderstandings to not happen.