How to legally immigrate to the USA from Dominican Republic?
I've done a little research and have become a bit confused. Most Americans are against illegal immigrants, but not opposed to legal immigrants. But how many have actually researched legal immigration? If the US government provides no legitimate path to legal immigration, must illegal immigration be tolerated?
Case in point:
There are many fine, well educated, moral and law abiding Dominicans. But, to gain lawful entry into this country is all but impossible.
The Diversity Visa program has been closed to Dominicans since 2005 (possibly longer but I can't find any statistics). So today a Dominican has zero chance of getting a green card and eventually citizenship through the Diversity Visa Program.
The US states that you can get a green card from an employer. That sounds good on paper, but it's not practical or plausible. (Other than becoming a Au Pair which is a temporary green card). For a US company to hire a foreigner, they have to prove that no one possesses the skill sets they are looking for within their own country first. Again, this makes sense. You dont want to take away jobs from Americans and give those jobs to foreigners. So officially this makes sense. But in practicality, it denies everyone in the Dominican Republic a right to a visa.
Yes, you can still "buy" your way into the USA. I think you need at least $150,000 USD the last time I checked. Again, this illuminates 99.9% or more of Dominican. Limiting legal immigration to mostly drug lords and corrupt politicians.
If you have a family member already in the USA, you can have them apply for a green card on your behalf. It's a difficult processes, but it can be done. If you have no family member living legally in the USA, you are s.o.l.
Then, there is marriage to a US Citizen. This is completely acceptable, and applies to just about anyone.
So, after all my research, this is what is confusing to me. It seems as though the only plausible and legal means to enter the USA as a legal immigrant from the Dominican Republic is through marriage. Am I missing something here?
If I have my Bachelors Degree in Communications, and a Masters Degree in Architecture, I also have no civil or criminal violations. I'm an outstanding and productive member of society, but would like more and perceived better opportunities to grow as well as contribute to society. What are my choices on legal immigration into the USA? The way I see it, and from what I have read, my only option is marriage to a US Citizen.
Am I correct? Or missing something here?
Yak Rider:
Remember I am generally and loosely referring to Dominicans. The US government only supplies a path to people with relatives in the USA or though marriage. That is my basis of fact. Falsehood of my original question? Let see, the question I asked was "How to legally immigrate to the USA from Dominican Republic?" You make no sense. Unless, to paraphrase what you are trying to say "Either hope you can find a relative in the USA that will pave your way, or marry a US Citizen". Sounds like my only options to me.
ibu guru:
I totally agree with your first to paragraphs. The last two are not correct. There are more opportunities in the USA than all the Caribbean countries combined. I have first hand knowledge of this. I have been to about 90% of the Caribbean countries as well as every country in Central America and most of them in South America as well.
Are far as Americans emigrating to Dominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, and Belize. I have done serious homework on
done serious homework on that. And am extremely smart in that regards (thank you). I have been to ever one of those countries, and know of many American citizens in each and every country you mentioned. The purpose in which Americans are there, is not for more opportunity. But to protect the assets that they have acquired while living and working in the USA.
Raelyn:
You are correct that I am assuming that anyone who wants to immigrate to the US should be able to (as long as certain criteria are met, of course). You said "There is no universal legal or natural right to immigrate." I was assuming that since the USA was a country founded on and by immigrants, that would still be a core value of that country. And people would still be willing to fight for, and embrace the idea on which the USA was founded. I think I am wrong.