It was her first time on a plane. Anna Santos, a native to the Fogo island of Cape Verde sat trembling in the arms of her older cousin. At only nine years old, Santos was on a flight under a temporary student Visa to the United States.
“I was afraid. I was leaving my mom, my dad – my whole country behind.”
Unknowingly, Santos would later become one of the 11 million undocumented immigrants that reside in the United States.
The Migration Policy Institute, estimates that 71% of these undocumented immigrants are birthed in Mexico and Central America. Only 13% of these immigrants are birthed in Asia and the remaining 16% are from the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Canada, Oceania, and Europe.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests that …show more content…
They also risk the chance of not being admitted for immigration because of the limit on refugees yearly.
Despite the hardships of the immigration process, the number of people who want to immigrate to the United States are drastically higher than the amount available each year. In response, the number of individuals waiting for citizenship begin to accumulate. This results in a long waiting list that can last years.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa program is a second option for individuals who do not qualify for citizenship through family, through employment opportunities, or through refugee or asylum statuses.
The program provides green cards to countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. However, countries with high rates of immigration, such as Mexico do not qualify for this program.
To be eligible for this program, applicants must meet the education and work experience requirements. In addition, since the program is very popular amongst immigrants, the chances of receiving a green card through this program is very
“I was afraid. I was leaving my mom, my dad – my whole country behind.”
Unknowingly, Santos would later become one of the 11 million undocumented immigrants that reside in the United States.
The Migration Policy Institute, estimates that 71% of these undocumented immigrants are birthed in Mexico and Central America. Only 13% of these immigrants are birthed in Asia and the remaining 16% are from the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Canada, Oceania, and Europe.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests that …show more content…
They also risk the chance of not being admitted for immigration because of the limit on refugees yearly.
Despite the hardships of the immigration process, the number of people who want to immigrate to the United States are drastically higher than the amount available each year. In response, the number of individuals waiting for citizenship begin to accumulate. This results in a long waiting list that can last years.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa program is a second option for individuals who do not qualify for citizenship through family, through employment opportunities, or through refugee or asylum statuses.
The program provides green cards to countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. However, countries with high rates of immigration, such as Mexico do not qualify for this program.
To be eligible for this program, applicants must meet the education and work experience requirements. In addition, since the program is very popular amongst immigrants, the chances of receiving a green card through this program is very