Okay, so what does someone have to do to come to the US legally?

Question

I admit I'm ignorant on the subject and would like to be enlightened.

After reading all the answers posted to a question about illegal immigrants, I was overwhelmed by the amount of these responses: "They should just come here legally."

Okay... so what exactly does that entail? How long of a process is that? Is it extremely difficult? Can anyone come into the United States?

So... how can someone legally enter the United States?

Answer 1

There are basically 9 legal ways to live/work in the US. They are explained in layman's language here: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulaski%27s_Ways:_How_to_Live_and_Work_in_the_USA

The highest priority classification in US immigration law is an Immiediate Relative: a spouse, minor child or parent of a US citizen.
Do you know how long it takes to get one of them 'here'?
A YEAR.

There is little incentive to follow the rules and even when you're Number One in line it STILL takes a year.

"Just come here legally' is not even an option for the vast majority of people. And the more people from a given country that break the rules, the harder it becomes for other citizens of that country to visit, study or immigrate to the US.

Answer 2

They have to apply for a visa at the U.S. Immigration Office. Depending on what kind of visa they get, they would have a limited time to live here, although many visas are renewable. Once a visa has been received, they could apply for permanent legal residence, after which they are free to apply for citizenship when they have legally lived here as a permanent resident a minimum of 60 months.

Answer 3

Go to uscis.gov for the options. The issue is that many more want to come than our services can provide for, and since we pay for those services and need them for ourselves, we don't want them swamped and failing. Plus, to the extent people are too poor to pay their way for services like $10,000 per child per year in schools, their better life is at our direct expense. Because of all of that, and not wanting wages needed to pay for services driven down to where they can't support necessary taxes, we limit how many people, and particularly how many poor people can come.

With some countries, like Mexico, we have so many preferences going to family in immigration (particularly since the 1986 amnesty) that there are very few slots for poor people left. However, we let in more people from Mexico than from any other country, and more people generally than any other country in the world.

If you are skilled, you have a better shot at it, but that is because of the 'family chain migration' which does have a down side of filling all slots so those without family here have a hard time coming, unliess they have particularly needed skills.

Limits means the answer is often no, but there would be nothing worth coming for or worth paying taxes for if the billions of poor in the world were all allowed in. The lifeboat is already sinking.

Answer 4

I think there are a number of websites dedicated to answering your question precisely and accurately. Unfortunately, there are a number of laws and regulations that come into play, that pertain to not only the country one is trying to enter, but also their own country where they are immigrating from. So read up, get educated, that would be my advice!

Answer 5

http://www.uscitizenship.info/?ad=adwords&keyword=ins

It is very helpful if you possess an advanced degree, are highly skilled, and/or can help the American economy versus becoming a drain upon it and upon America's social programs. This country has enough bums and low-lifes...we don't need imported rift raft. This includes illegals who think that if they just work hard and stay out of "trouble" they are good people...If you are being identified as an "illegal" by this country, you are NOT a good person as far as America is concerned. You must obey ALL of our laws, ESPECIALLY our immigration laws,obtain legal status,and, only then will you be embraced by the US and bestowed your citizenship rights.

For those illegals who don't care about US laws and are going to do what they want to do anyway, I have less than zero pity for them. These kind of weak, impatient,sneaky, criminal,selfish, lazy people cannot offer anything of value to this country. Quite frankly, if I were in your situation, I would not be able to stand myself until I made my situation right with this country. If I were dumb as a rock, I would apply for a student visa, if I must be in America, and KILL myself reforming my mind, learning English, learning about the US government and US history, developing a conscience, developing marketable skills, making myself invaluable to America and living my life correctly versus subjecting myself to living like some animal ...20 people shacking up in a very small house or apartment....never being relaxed or at ease...always jumping when there's a knock at the door...I could not live like that...I would not.

Answer 6

i admire that lots of the solutions that show rationality, compassion, and discernible concept are given low scores till they are ultimately hidden from view. This basically quantities to a form of censorship - if a remark does not in nice condition into your slender-minded worldview, no one could study it! It baffles me which you're all so gung-ho approximately helping American patriotism, yet you haven't any longer have been given any regard by any skill for the liberty of speech or the subculture of communicate and dissent that characterizes an extremely democratic society. thank you to betray your ideals, hypocrites! Evelyn j, i'm unhappy that your solutions save getting such low scores that Yahoo solutions hides them. you seem as though a outstanding, sensible man or woman. all human beings could take it sluggish to look with the aid of her concepts on immigration (she has weighed in on quite a few questions of this project) and surely provide her perspectives some concept. and in step with probability do a sprint analyze different than watching inflammatory marketing campaign classified ads (you adult adult males do understand that those are examples of sensationalistic propaganda, proper?).

Answer 7

File the necessary paperworks and pay the immigration fees. Undergo the thorough screening and pass everything.
Now that is legal!

Answer 8

student visa, work visa, tourist visa... there are a lot of ways to come here legally for different purposes. takes up to a year or so to finish dealing with embassies and paperwork. costs from 500 to 2000 dollars... not that bad.

Answer 9

There are different laws for different countries so the answer is 'it depends'! I think they apply first in their home countries. We take in millions a year so it can't be all that difficult. I think the ones who scream that it is too difficult are the criminals who can't get in.

Answer 10

this people here think that it is easy to apply for citizenship or residency, most of the people who comes here illegally is because they have nothing in their country, and they cannot wait to apply and being accepted... i think it would probably could take like.... years!!! for an application to be accepted.. i know that most americans doesn't want us to be here, but it is the fastest way to do what we have to do, sorry...