Why do Mexicans have to emigrate illegally? Does it cost money legally, or is there some other restriction?

Question

I don't understand why people have to run across the border instead of going through the legal process. Could someone please clarify?

People, when you answer, could you please star this question? I really think a lot of people could learn from your answers because I'm sure there are others out there who were as in the dark as I was.

Just to clarify, I'm not asking this question accusingly. I genuinely just wanted to know the situation; I'm not placing blame or shame on anyone.

Answer 1

They don't anymore, thanks to retard cities like New Haven, CT who are going above federal law and giving legal ID's to illegal immigrants. A few cities in CA are not far behind them. It's sad.

Answer 2

The Green Card or the American citizenship is not given just because you would ask for it.

Let’s say you’re a French engineer and an American company hires you.
Then you would get a work visa so you can work is USA while still being French.

After a few years (five years as I recall but the law may have changed), you can apply for a green card, if you can prove that you are not taking a job away from an American. Your company, with high lawyer expenses, has to try to find an American to do your job by putting an add in the Wall Street Journal or whatever, and when they cannot find one (like a bilingual American willing to work for little money), then you can get your green card.so you can work in USA as long as you want, providing you do not leave the country for more than a year. You’re a US resident, not a US citizen. (there is also the Green Card Lottery, with a definite number of winners per country, you may get lucky...or not).

Then, if you want, you can become an American citizen so you do not have to worry about leaving the country and having to come back within a year by applying for citizenship. You have to fill out some papers (like all the countries you traveled to…) renounce your previous nationality (very American, other countries do not do that) and past a test about your knowledge in the English language and the American history and do numerous fingerprinting stuff over several years.

This is just one example…if you’re a refugee from a country like Cuba, then you can stay in USA because of political asylum so all those Cuban are safe and legal as soon as their feet land on the beaches of Florida (of course, most of them just drown before that).

Unfortunately for the Mexicans, their country is not Communist so they cannot ask for political asylum.

Answer 3

Well there are many reasons why Mexicans emigrate illegally. Some wnat for their kids to have freedom and be born in the U.S. with-out having to take a test. Many mexicans don't realize though that they could simply enter the U.S. legally and get a green card and not take a test unless they're ready. If they have a green card they just can't vote, but they still can have a job!

Answer 4

ALRIGHT HERE WE GO....

First Mexicans are not the only ones emigrating to the US illegally. Alot of other latinos do as well.
Next yes it cost alot alot of money that they dont have. There is lots of restrictions. It takes time and moeny some thing that they dont have. Some thing the US took away from them.

Check out the crossing borders program located in tijuana, mexico. great program teaches you alot if you are open minded.

Answer 5

It is a long process - costs can be in the thousands. Unless you have a family member or a sponsor who is willing to stand behind you for the entire process. Unfortunately when they are crossing the borders their lives are being sacrificed by The Coyotes. Families still have to pay whether they make it or not. But remember it is not only the Mexicans who are crossing our borders.

Answer 6

My husband overstayed his visa, we met and married a year later, we have spent over 4,000 in legal fees to make him "legal", we pay taxes with an ITID number, as well as taxes on his income for his country. We are lucky, some people want a better life, but can not afford to pay for lawyers, immigration fees, sponsors..it is a very lengthy process, and stressful, they even want to see wedding and honeymoon photos.. I guess by the time of our next interview they will KNOW we are 100% a couple because we will be fighting due to the stress!! lol

Answer 7

Unless you marry a U.S. citizen or resident or have some other preference (e.g. lottery), you must show that you possess a skill that is needed in the U.S.

USCIS is currently working on applications received in 1998 and most of those applicants will be rejected.

Those who are sophisticated enough, get tourist visas and overstay (most "illegals" are overstays, not fence-jumpers)

Getting a visa to even visit the U.S. is not easy. The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:
1) The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
2) They plan to remain for a specific, limited period; and
They have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.

Even if you have a sponsor or plan to marry, getting a visa is not easy (or automatic) for a poor unskilled person. So if you are poor and unskilled, your only choice is to jump the fence.

Answer 8

It is extremely difficult to immigrate to the united states. It costs money, it costs time and its not guaranteed. With the state of poverty Mexico is in, its no wonder that Mexicans want to immigrate to a place where jobs are available and quality of life is better. However, the fact that many are poor make it nearly impossible to immigrate. I can't blame them for trying to enter the United States illegally. I say good for you for trying to better your life and your families lives. Not many Americans can truly understand what it is to live in a poverty stricken situation. It is easy to condone what you don't fully understand.
So to answer your question, yes it costs money and yes there are restrictions. To really answer your question in depth you should research the topic with immigration (I'm sure they have a webpage) and by asking around.

Answer 9

Besides the high cost to register to a new country to get citizenship, may be its because developed countries state some qualifications that an immigrant to possessed such as can speak english and its' national language, and have expertise in any fields that is beneficial to the country's development and there is also a quota for a country to give approval for an immigrant to stay in the country so that majority of job opportunities are ensurely conquered by local citizen to avoid jobless among local citizen, and make sure that local citizens dont left behind in getting government benefits such as subsidies, housing shcemes,scholarships,medical subsidies,charities, and others and also to preserves their rights so that the country's government will not be ruled by other races from other countrys-nationality spirit is important. The other reason is may be some government wants to reduce its population because of limited area and to reduce poverty, so it is hard for an immigrant to apply for citizentship in a country, may be those are the reasons why they immigrate illegally because of those terms. However there is no doubt that money is the main reason. U see, my country Malaysia have faced the illegal immigrants issue since early 90's, and i've read a lot about this, and I used to do essays about illegal immigration during my school life in the past. So, if you want to talk more about this just contact me at [e-mail], so that we can have more coversation and increase such general knowledges like this issue, i can show you some articles, and may be we can share opinion and do some discussion. But it's only if you would like too, it's up to you! Good luck in your research. Bye!

Answer 10

It takes several years to become a legal citizen. And it's expensive. And there are restrictions that have to do with criminal background, etc. If a Mexican were to come to the US wishing to be a citizen they'd have to get a visa (green card) and work and pay taxes and establish residency and wait several years for the process of paperwork and everything.
So, while many immigrants are paying big bucks and going through the process legally others are just looking for an easy way out of being responsible. They want to come here and disregard our laws.

Answer 11

Time, money ,education ,health,no arrest record, An speaking English.That's the legal way. Or put a No in front of all the answers .Then sneak in.With the amnesty bill defeat there being deported.By the will of 200+million USA citizens.