Immigration Sidebar (Revision)

By John Flemming

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Yvel Garcia, a native Nicaraguan and an American citizen for over 24 years, immigrated to the United States in a time when immigration laws were more lax.

Mrs. Garcia arrived in the U.S. in 1984 on a tourist vista and married an American citizen. Unbeknownst to the couple, Mrs. Garcia had to apply for a special visa prior to the wedding.

She states the process was simple, requiring proof of marriage such as pictures from the wedding and documentation of joint bank and credit accounts. “In those years immigration laws were not as strict as they are today and we had no problem applying for the residency,” said Mrs. Garcia.

After the September 11th attacks, many Americans called for a tightening of immigration laws, resulting in measures such as shortening the length of time a U.S. resident may spend out of the country from 6 to 3 months. Currently, a wall is being constructed on the U.S.-Mexican border.

Having previously in her life applied for citizenship in Guatemala and residency in Costa Rica, Mrs. Garcia says that the U.S., even today, possesses the fairest immigration standards and policies.

“I felt [the U.S. standards and policies] were pretty fair. I already had the experience of applying for citizenship in Guatemala and that was not pretty. They treat you like vacas (cattle) for steak! I think the U.S. is very noble with its immigrants”

Considering that many immigrants arrive to the country without much money, Mrs. Garcia says that the U.S. is generous in shouldering the initial burden of granting citizenship to them.
“Its not like most of us come here with a pot of gold under our arms. We come here and are a burden at first, but most of us work very hard towards our American dream and try to contribute positively to American society,” said Mrs. Garcia.

From her other citizenship experiences in various countries Mrs. Garcia views their policies as opportunistic. “The rest of the world only opens their doors if you are bringing something to them, if they’ll get their share first – and like I said most of us don’t have much. America gives you the chance to give back after being provided with all of its wonderful resources”.

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