Immigrants owning gas stations....?

Question

How is it that people, usually of arab origin, can come to the USA and open gas stations? Do they get special help as immigrants? Just curious....

These people own gas stations. How else could they drive a HIGH end cars? And live in a upper class commuinity...

Answer 1

Firstly just to state from the offset, I am an immigrant not arab, but european, who doesn't own a gas station!
I can tell you how immigrants open gas stations..........hard work...only buying what you can afford so having a good credit rating...then approaching a franchise company such as Dunkin Donuts or Exxon what ever it is and applying for one. A lot of immigrants may work 14 hours a day at menial jobs and yet have medical degrees etc from back home, so they are not morons. They also have a friend/ family member who is 'in the buisiness' and helps/informs them how they can too. Like if you are applying for a mortgage to buy a house you might ask your sister who has been there /done that. I know many nurse friends who have helped their sisters get in the same business. I am smiling to myself at your question ...do they get special help?.........................Immigrants have to be self reliant. Any handouts from thegovernment and they cant get citizenship...Its a sink or swim thing.
Hope that helps answer your question.

Answer 2

Owning A Gas Station

Answer 3

@Ash....your explanation is much too simplistic without actually and exactly detailing specifically how the Indians/Pakis open business. Fine, some that arrive supposedly have professional degrees, but before anyone American citizen can apply for and receive even a mortgage, they must have positive credit, something that does not happen overnight and something that is NOT going to happen over the period of even three years. And this is taking into consideration that that over 90% of the east Asian immigrants receive minimum wage. When you weigh just these two intangibles, because there are many others that are considered, in the overall scheme of being able to be qualified for a business loan, you would come to the realization that it's easier said than done. There's no question it takes hard work, long working hours but none of these help anyone establish exceptional credit which is one of many criteria financial institutions look at before they decide to give anyone a huge amount of money, especially to open a gas station. It is known for a fact the American government, built schools, hospitals, housing .....AND....provided Cuban immigrants during the 1960's stipends which allowed them to purchase homes and businesses which has contributed to Miami having the international distinction it enjoys today. Having said that, I would find it incredibly difficult to believe this type of shenangian has ceased and more than certain, it has continued in other areas of society, not least of which is the phenomenon of east asians owning a larger share of of businesses that require a huge influx of capital before a bank gets involved.

Answer 4

Good question. Some stold a ton, say like in the PLO and got enough to leave and send money back t the terrorits. Then some just making money and most I have know or wored with are dirt cheap. I remember this gas station a guy took over and said the bathroom was messed up t save on water out of business. Indians own a zillion hotels.

Now here is the deal in my state. The small busienss loan man from the government is given $25,000 under the table to give the motel guy a $2,000,000* loan, then later a "relative " comes over and takes it over and they get another $2,000,000 loan. Check the government stats on this @ gov. org should be on there. Take care. Yes even American government peopel can be worthless money grubbing country traders. * 1999 stats.

Answer 5

Open Gas Stations

Answer 6

Wow....what a question....anyway here's an answer....many come here work at convenience stores work almost 16-18 hours live very frugal save up all that money ...then they borrow money from close relatives collect close to 100-150 k then fund a down payment to lease a store or gas station and work their behinds off again for the next few years and turn profits paying off their local debts. Then they realize they are now living the American Dream. Let me add this as a conclusion....any human being can do this ....they just need a deep desire and a dream.

Answer 7

Apparently, most people coming here dont realize that there are some countries which recieve what is called "preffered status " and recieve different benefits and packaged advantages depending on their country of origin. Greeks at one time were allowed to open a small bussiness( usually a retaurant) and were not liable for any taxes for five years. The black race recieve college education, paid housing,food stamps, and paid transportation while attending school (free) and certain immigrant countrys are able for this assistance as well. No, it is not fair , its just the way it is. I have no knowledge of any European nation having any "preferred status " advantages .

Answer 8

From what I have seen, most of them are of Asian origin, mainly from India or Pakistan, not Arab. There is a difference.They are able to do it because they work hard and long hours, often have many family members contributing, they spent years living very frugally. They are what america is all about. They come here, have nothing, do things the right way and become part of the american dream. Thats what millions of lawful immigrants have done and reaped the rewards. They also help each other, much like many ethnic groups have done over the years.

Answer 9

The cost of moving here and having all of the necessary paperwork, etc. is quite expensive- paticularly from overseas. It is rarely the "poor" that can come here to live- unless they are near enough by that they can skip over the border. The foreigners from across the ocean usually come from families that are not struggling. It is the same with international students on campus. If their family can afford to send them here (with hugely higher tuition rates), and, afford for them not to work while here, and, support them, they are wealthy families to begin with.

I don't know if there are governmental programs or not, but, I do know when I was in college and talked to the international students (from India & Pakistan), that they had a lot of money, and, talked of servants as well as world travels. They drove new Audis and BMWs here, and, didn't work. Mom & dad supported them through their studies- until they went back to their home country.

Answer 10

Most Indian don't own gas stations. They just work part time. Most of them study but they also work.