In a country as diverse as ours, getting citizenship or a visa is an eventual part of the process for people who immigrate here. Legal documentation can relieve stressful tensions about navigating through an unfamiliar legal system and provides the opportunity for a fresh start.
Learning about what immigrants go through to get legal status can help the average American better understand the nuances that come with immigration and how immigration affects communities across the country. As immigrants move through the legal process, their stories show the difficulties and successes of beginning their American dream.
“[Getting a visa] took seven years, and it was really expensive,” junior Nengai Mollel said. “I was supposed to be here when I was two, but the process of getting [a visa] took a long time.”
Navigating the path to legal status in the United States can be challenging. Immigrants often face obstacles such as long waits that can last decades depending on their former country, complicated paperwork, numerous documents, and high fees to afford immigration attorneys.
According to the official website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, getting a green card can take anywhere from months to over ten years, depending on various factors.
“It is a process that has been prolonged over and over again—to the point where it’s almost impossible to gain your Green Card [in order] to gain status as an American citizen,” senior Edson Conn said. “For me specifically, it took about nine years. Nine years to become a citizen.”
The per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% (25,620 people) of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, while the dependent area limit is set at 2% (7,320 people). These numbers are more than just statistics — they represent real people and their journeys.
“I came to America because my father thought it would be a great idea for me [for] better education,” Mollel said. “People back home don’t have education like people here, so [he thought it’d] be a big opportunity for me.”
For many immigrants, their journey involves moving from one place to another to seek better economic opportunities, reunite with family, pursue education, or escape persecution or violence in their home country.
“I was adopted,” Conn said. “First I was taken to a baby’s home. More of an orphanage for kids like me. I spent a year there, and then was adopted and brought to America in 2015.”
The personal stories of immigrants, including students here at West Albany, highlight both the struggles and triumphs experienced on this journey. By understanding these experiences, others can gain insight into the broader immigration system and the ongoing pursuit of the American dream.
