Common Myths About Immigration In The United States

Immigration is a widely debated issue in the United States, with many myths that are perpetuated to sway public perception about the immigration process and the rights of undocumented residents. Some of the myths are so widespread that they travel to other countries, and influence individuals to attempt to circumvent the immigration process.

Other myths romanticize the ease and availability of immigration to the United States, painting those who come illegally as unethical and criminal:

Myth #1 - Being Born In US Grants Rights To Family Of Baby

The idea that having a baby on US soil grants legal rights to the parents and extended family. This "anchor baby" myth is a falsehood based on the birthright clause in the US Constitution guaranteeing citizenship to those born on US soil.

If the parents of a baby born in the US are present in the country illegally, they can be deported if caught, along with their baby. The baby can return to the US at the age of twenty one, with the full rights of citizenship, which includes being able to sponsor their parents for eventual legal residency.

Myth #2 - Marriage Gives The Spouse Rights To Travel In The US

The assumption that when a resident of another country marries a US citizen or permanent resident in their country, they can travel along with their spouse when they return to the US. This belief is a relic of a distant past when soldiers brought their "war brides" home with them after fighting on foreign soil.

Spouses must now remain in their home country until the US citizen or resident completes the long, arduous, and expensive task of navigating the immigration system. Because of widespread marriage fraud, US citizens are often presumed guilty, and must prove their innocence and the validity of their marriage, in a process that may take years to complete.

Myth #3 - Immigration Is A Simple Process

The belief that the immigration process is as simple as in the past. Opponents of granting legal status to undocumented residents often compare the arrival of their distant ancestors to the plight of those who arrive illegally today. Immigration in the past consisted of arriving en masse with fellow countrymen at arrival ports and passing a basic health examination for contagious diseases.

Immigration today involves massive amounts of documentation, thousands of dollars in application fees, and often several years of waiting for a visa number to become available.

Myth #4 - Immigration Attorneys Can Expedite The Immigration

The illusion that immigration attorneys have special connections that can expedite the immigration process. Immigration attorneys are able to help applicants navigate the process and to share their wealth of knowledge and experience. They can pursue every available option for their clients, but they cannot be expected to achieve the impossible. If you are in the process of immigrating to the US, immigration attorneys can prove to be an invaluable asset in achieving your dream.

To learn more, contact a company like Tesoroni & Leroy with any questions you have.