Online Documents

While the USCIS has a lot about immigration news and current events that are relevant to the immigrant they do not have a lot about the history of immigration to the United States that is immediately apparent.  For anyone wanting to move to the United States knowing the rich history of past immigrants allow for deeper connections to the country from the start.  The United States is a place of immigration, and those who have settled here have enriched it beyond measure.

Population and cultural change in the United States has been driven by the waves of immigration that exist from the country’s founding.  Migration is not an easy thing for anyone to attempt, yet millions do every year.  Two-thirds of all immigrants are arriving to join family already here. While this is a modern reason for moving to the United States, it has always been one factor.  Historically there are four major waves of immigration.

Colonial immigration brought 175,000 English citizens to the colonies. Over 50% were indentured servants. Totally less then a million people moved to the United States during this period perhaps as little as 400,000 people.  At one time at few as 8 thousand a year immigrated here.

The mid-nineteenth century saw a rise in people entering the country. While part of this was the inclusion of blacks as being able to immigrate to the country along with whites who had always been allowed, the majority was a huge increase in people from Northern Europe calling the United States home. Nearly thirty million people from this region moved to the US as part of this wave.

Early 20th century saw in influx of Jews, Italians, and Slavs all people from Southern and Eastern Europe entering the country. Their numbers were so great that laws and quotas were passed to regulate who could come into the country.

The modern era, post-1965, has seen a large number of people move here from Latin America and Asia. Millions enter this country each year, and sadly a good number of them do so illegally.  This places a bind on those who attempt to come here through legal means as money resources that would go into assisting them settle here are diverted to handle a growing illegal immigrant problem.

Thankfully the USCIS backs diversity and offers half a million green cards to those countries each year who are under-represented by the previous year’s immigration patterns.   Information for this “Green Card Lotto” can be gained through following the official immigration news posted on the government web site.  This gives some people, as many as 1 in 6, a chance to bypass standard visa applications if they qualify.

Knowing about Immigration History can help make it clear why certain rules are in place and explain what needs to be done to work with those regulations. Being able to do this will ensure that applications are filed on time and correctly so that the chances of getting a visa or a green card are much improved.

To many people who dream of making the US a permanent home, US immigration requirements seem very confusing. Not only do laws and regulations change often, but it can be challenging for someone who is just learning English for the first time to understand complicated legal texts. Even English-speakers sometimes struggle to understand the difference between “form n400” and other forms necessary. If you are interested in immigration, here are some places you can turn for help:

1) Your local library. Your local library is an under-used resource. Here, you will find books about immigration written specifically for new immigrants who are just learning to speak the language. A librarian can help you find websites, books, and other materials that will help you understand the immigration process clearly. Keep in mind that most libraries also have ESL (English as a Second language) programs that can help you work on your language skills. This can help you with your immigration process in showing that you are serious about settling in the US permanently.

2) Your school. If you attend a school or take language courses at a school, your school may have resources that can help you. Your school may even have a faculty or staff member who can guide you through the immigration process. Some schools (especially colleges) have attorneys on staff who can guide you through filling out ins forms, or any other documentation you need to submit. Ask your school counselor, international student center or office of registration to find out which services are available to students.

3) Immigration lawyers. Attorneys who specialize in immigration are especially useful if you have a non-standard or unusual application, or you have problems with green card renewal. However, be aware that immigration attorneys charge fees – sometimes high ones. Use this resource sparingly and consult free or low-cost resources first.

4) Multicultural organizations. There are many groups – some hosted by community centers or by churches – that offer services especially for immigrants. Usually, these groups can help you with your immigration application as well as with language classes. You can often find these groups through your local library or through your local phone book. It is a good idea to find such a group in your area, since in addition to immigration help, multicultural organizations also offer wonderful emotional support and social support for newly arrived Americans.

5) Websites. There are many online resources – such as this one – offering help and information about US immigration. Just check carefully when you use online resources, to ensure that the information you are getting is accurate. Also, do not pay for any services or information online that you can get somewhere else for less.