A personal immigrant story

Were you naturalized and sworn in?

Social Security is not welfare, neither is reading assistance in school.
You will be fine..

 

I get your point

But the question asked of the german was why he was still just a green card holder when he could have applied for citizenship long ago

 

He’s not a citizen.

 

ok..

 

I am eligible for SS and Medicare after 10 years on the green card, which I have passed. However, the changes and new enforcement of the public charge rules are apparently applied to CHANGES in immigration status (nobody really knows, because the new rules are unclear). So, if I, or someone in my family (I count as an immigrant household, even though I am the only immigrant in it), would need public assistance, it could potentially be used to deny naturalization, which I am planning to pursue in the near future.

I already stated in this and another thread that it is unlikely for me to be affected by these new rules. However, a couple of years ago, the anti-immigrant policies were only targeting illegals. Now, they are going after legals too. Who knows what will come next based on this anti-immigrant sentiment, which definitely makes me feel very unwelcome in the country. And I am not the only one. A Chinese grad student in my lab is scared to visit home, because he fears he'll not be able to get back to the US. These anti-immigrant sentiments will have consequences, if the rest of the world will start viewing the US as a country they'd rather not deal with.

Note that I consider the US my second home and that I appreciate the opportunities I have had. After all, my wife and kids are Americans.

 

I personally feel that your perspective is misdirected and also the current debate over immigration is not because of people with the story like yours.

 

Is it possible the Germany's state retirement benefits might be in play here. You can and will collect US social security retirement benefits as a permanent resident if you met the contribution requirements which it appears you have. Do you have a financial advisor?, who could recommend a attorney to research and completely define your position. Most importantly don't take anybody's word for anything on this forum.

 

Meaning he’s not committed to America but wants America to be committed to him

 

If he becomes a citizen would he lose his accumulated benefits?

 

LOL, say the ones who feel victimized by immigrants.

I knew I took a risk coming to the US, I was aware of potential roadblocks. I am just pointing out the consequences of anti-immigrant sentiment on people who Trump may consider the "good" immigrants.

 

Hah, that's funny, I have an American wife and two kids who want to be American, not German. You really think I am not committed?

 

You want duel citizenship and refuse to become an American if you dont get it

 

Does someone in your household need public assistance? If not, then it’s irrelevant. What’s the purpose of letting someone become a citizen who is already in need of public assistance? They have nothing to contribute for the most part.

I work with engineers from India, Russia, China, and the Netherlands. Every single one of them is here as a permanent resident without citizenship. They all come and go as they please.

We can trade anecdotes all day long, but the laws are clear. If you’re a permanent resisent with your travel documents you’re fine for re-entering.

 

Doubtful.

If you got your green card through your wife, she had to agree to support you, even if you divorced her.

There have been no "barrages" against green card holders.

There have only been "barrages" against those who come here and abuse immigration.

It doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about.

Oh, and thanks for being a responsible immigrant. You're the kind of immigrant America wants.

 

He wants all the perks of being a US citizen without being one. He could have been a citizen years ago but he would have to file a 'retention permit' in Germany to maintain dual citizenship. It's easier to complain about Trump on a message board.

The law is the law, if any immigrant who hasn't attained citizenship mooches off our system, then in the eyes of our immigration laws, they are immediately here illegally. That means anyone here on any kind of visa or a legal permanent resident....if they get any kind of welfare....POOF, they are subject to deportation proceedings. Too bad if you can't read the rules or follow them. It's the way it should be.

And if any Germans want to become citizens here and retain their German citizenship, here is the link to the required permit:

https://www.bva.bund.de/DE/Services...=B55AB90A989C62E7AF3B8006A7C77FBC.intranet661

 

He’s pissed at trump because germany wont let him play both ends against the middle

 

As I said, some people won't understand, if you never had the experience. Those are usually the ones who like to scapegoat immigrants, which is partly what this policy is about.

I am not going to justify myself against people like you, it is useless.

 

Welcome! As others have noted, you're exactly the kind of immigrant we want here in the US, so you should have no ill feelings about the current or even future restrictions on immigration. We're battling against illegals and those who come here to feed off of our generous welfare benefits, not those who add value to our economic system like you. So relax, get out an American flag, and wave it proudly.

 

someone being a public charge isn't anything new...it's been a part of our immigration laws for over 100 years If you don't like the laws of the United States you don't actually have to be herehttps://www.uscis.gov/news/fact-sheets/public-charge-fact-sheet

 

Thank you. I'll definitely keep celebrating the 4th of July . I think the point of my message is that anti-immigrant sentiment also has impacts on the immigrants that Trump supposedly likes, as an indirect effect.

 

The point of your message was you were trying to play the victim card and bash Trump. You're not fooling anyone. As @struth said, it has been the law for a long time and if you don't like it, you don't have to be here. You've got one passport, and it ain't from the U.S. of A. And you've got no one to blame but yourself.

 

I heard this from a Chinese-American woman who was a lawyer in New York, who represents little old Chinese ladies who have overstayed their visas. They, too, are not the kind of immigrants we're worried about.

 

I heard this from a Chinese-American woman who was a lawyer in New York, who represents little old Chinese ladies who have overstayed their visas. They, too, are not the kind of immigrants we're worried about.

 

He’s not even playing the victim card, he’s talking about social security and Medicare that have nothing to do with the “public charge” rule.

 

I'm a Trump follower, and I'm strongly in favor of immigration control. But that is not anti-immigration, it means we need logical control; just as you would have of your own front door.
Now If what you say is true and I were an immigration officer with the power, I would be stamping your citizenship papers, shaking your hand and welcoming you as a new American citizen.

There is a problem with the complexity of rules- not only in immigration, but in most areas of business and law. I would apologize for the inability of the written laws to apply common sense and sound judgment, but they often fail to do that well. I would assume your qualifications for citizenship have long been met, and it would seem to me we should always welcome people who contribute to the nation.