| Immigrating to the United States hasn't been this | | | | Visa Waiver Program. Nationals of these countries, |
| difficult since before 1965. In 1965 President Johnson | | | | which include most European countries and a few |
| allowed the borders to be relaxed to enable a lot more | | | | others, have been able to come to the United States |
| people from a wider array of countries to visit and to | | | | with just their passports and more than likely be |
| immigrate. Although lots of people have successfully | | | | allowed to enter. However, something that is not being |
| and legally immigrated to the United States since 1965, | | | | talked about much is Homeland Security's (DHS) new |
| many more seem to have taken advantage of their | | | | ESTA Program as described on the State |
| Visitor Visas and never returned to their home country. | | | | Departments website: |
| This illegal immigration along with the September 11, | | | | "ESTA is Required: Effective January 20, 2010, the |
| 2001 attacks has led to our borders becoming rigid and | | | | Department of Homeland Security is transitioning to |
| non-porous again, at least to legal visitors and | | | | enforced compliance of the Electronic System for |
| immigrants! | | | | Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirement for VWP |
| Myth Number 1 - If you are married to a U.S. citizen | | | | travelers. Therefore, VWP travelers who have not |
| you will automatically obtain residency. | | | | obtained approval through ESTA should expect to be |
| This myth is widely held to be fact around the world. | | | | denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the United |
| True, marriage to a United States Citizen (USC) is | | | | States". |
| often the only way for many people to be able to live | | | | ESTA applies to all those people who just recently |
| and work in the United States. | | | | were able to jump on a plane with their passport and |
| So although marriage might be the only way to live | | | | enter the United States. Now they have to apply, at |
| and work in the United States, marrying a USC does | | | | least a week before their flights, or cruises, etc. with an |
| not guarantee that you will get that Immigrant Visa | | | | application similar to the I-94W form that they formerly |
| (Green Card). You still have to go through a long | | | | filled out enroute, and costs $14.00. It is good for 2 |
| vetting process-the Marriage Visa Application, or the | | | | years though. Wow! Anyone else starting to feel |
| Fiancé Visa Application. Two years after receiving | | | | claustrophobic? The United States is starting to wall |
| your Green Card you will have to apply for | | | | itself off from the outside world, at least to all the good |
| Adjustment of Status (AOS) which will finalize your | | | | people who want to come here. Terrorists and illegal |
| status as a resident of the United States. The AOS | | | | immigrants will always find a way in. |
| isn't guaranteed either, so you could get denied | | | | Myth Number 4 - Once you are granted a visa, you |
| residency at this point. | | | | are automatically allowed to enter the country at your |
| Myth Number 2 - Anyone can get a Visitor Visa to the | | | | Port of Entry (POE) when you arrive. |
| U.S. | | | | No, this isn't true either. No matter what piece of paper |
| It is hard to believe but many United States citizens | | | | you have in hand when you arrive at your POE, no |
| don't have a clue how difficult it is for most foreigners | | | | matter how long and hard you worked to get this |
| to get a Visitor Visa to come here. The main | | | | piece of paper, the immigration officer that you meet |
| categories of Visitor Visas are Tourist and Student. | | | | as you go through the Immigration line has the power |
| Because of the pressure from so many people | | | | to stop you from entering if that officer believes that |
| coming on Visitor Visas and just staying, there are | | | | you shouldn't have received that piece of paper. |
| regions, such as the West Indies, and countries, such | | | | The difficulty, hardship and expense that people go |
| as Mexico, from which almost virtually no regular | | | | through to get to the United States legally is an issue |
| person can now get a Visitor Visa. | | | | that more Americans should take notice of. You never |
| Myth Number 3 - People from countries in the Visa | | | | know when you might become personally affected by |
| Waiver Program (VWP) can enter the U.S. with just | | | | United States legal immigration policy, or what passes |
| their passports. | | | | as policy. Be informed! |
| There is a short list of countries that are part of the | | | | |