Getting a US Green Card through Education and Work Skills
If US lawmakers have their way, Filipinos and other people waiting for their US Green Card to be granted will have to concentrate on finishing their education first and acquiring related skills before filing their respective application. For the longest time, the privilege of getting a US Green Card seemed to be based on luck more than anything else. This is expected to change sooner than we think as proposals to grant greens cards based on merit related to education and work experience rather than family ties gain ground.
The American Dream – Getting a US Green Card
For many working Filipinos, the American Dream represents the realization of their aspirations for financial and material wealth. America has long been seen as a promised land where the grass is lot greener. This is based on the common belief that such wealth cannot be obtained if they stay here in the Philippines even while exerting the same effort.
The pursuance of the American Dream has been done mostly based on family connections. One member of the family flies to the US to work, establishes himself or herself there, obtain naturalization, and then files a green card application in behalf of the relative/s who seeks to follow. Based on the family reunification program, US immigration authorities are still working on applications filed as early as 1989.
The Proposed Immigration Reform Bill
Under this proposed bill, US will follow the footsteps of countries like Britain and Canada. These countries have been using a system that awards points based on specific criteria. Topping the list of criteria are educational attainment, work experience, specialized skills, relation of work to acquired degree, English language proficiency, and age. Family ties will still be considered but on a much lower scale.
Applicants from countries with low immigration will earn points. Obviously, these particular points will not be earned by applicants from Mexico, China, and India because of the existing big number of immigrants from these countries. There is also a proposed quota-free granting of green cards to people with extraordinary qualifications as researchers and scientists. Clearly, the emphasis is placed on what the applicant can offer to the country instead of the other way around.
The Significance of the Proposed Bill to Filipinos
So how will Filipinos fare in this scenario? Observers agree that the applicants from countries like China, India, and the Philippines are at an advantage with regards to education and skills training. The setback for Filipinos may lie in the fact that Filipino immigrants in the US already comprise a large number.
My Say
The mentality that life is much easier and happier in America as compared to our life here in the Philippines is not about to go away. This is in spite of the fact that many Filipino immigrants have attested to how life can be difficult as well in the so-called “Land of Milk and Honey”. As long as the opportunities here in our country remain unreachable and non-existing for some, Filipinos will continue to leave the Philippines and bring their learning and skills to foreign lands.
joy | chemist2writer
The new conditions are actually great because that means that more workers will be able to get a green card – because he/she deserves it and had worked for it, not just because of blood ties. 🙂
Teresa Martinez
I think having a solid basis for establishing a career or staying in another country is highly beneficial in the long run.
FashionTravels
i have some friends from singapore who went there and very lucky to have found a really good job. They said its not easy but its much more better than staying in the philippines in our own land who doesn’t care to those who’s in real poverty. They said they might be so far away from their loved ones but knowing that they have sure money for education and food is good enough than staying in the PH and get hungry.
Teresa Martinez
That is quite a common view among many Filipinos. We need to remember though that going to another country will not always be the solution although it appears to be for some.
Algene
My dad works as an OFW but not in the US. Just like you, I want to visit other countries as tourists, not as workers.
Teresa Martinez
It would really be something if we could do that. I hope budgetary conditions will permit me to do this in the near future.
Filipino Bloggers WW (@fbwgroup)
I have been to a lot of country and for me, USA is the best place to live primarily for the kids future. American citizen has a lot of advantage working overseas and the pay is bigger. But if you have a good life, great job or a business in the Phils, then green card is not for you. Maybe just a tourist visa.
Teresa Martinez
I have always wanted to see other countries but only as a tourist and never as a place of permanent residence. You are right, if a person has a good life here, there is not much sense in permanently transferring to other places.
Pal Raine
Nice to have a card like this. I’ve been dreaming to have one someday.
Teresa Martinez
Many Filipinos have the same dream as you but not all will be given the chance. No matter, maybe we can all look into possibilities here in our country rather than outside so that all options are open.