Visas and the Various Options

¶ … United States within the last few years has attempted to increase diplomatic relations with other countries, especially neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. The best way to do this has been through the U.S. Visa System. With some countries getting H-1B cap exemption to others getting a TN Visa, the United States has provided unique options for some nations. This may enable further diplomacy for those nations or not. It all depends on the actions of both American and non-American citizens.

Rule

American citizens also have some unique options when it comes to visa categories. United States citizens can opt for visas for their non-citizen family members. Although they have to file additional paperwork and it is subject to approval, spouses, children, and other relatives may be approved for a visa. There is an option also of a green card, however the K-3/K-4 Visa is a popular option based on a person's relationship.

To petition for a family member to receive a green card (permanent residence), you begin by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This form establishes the family relationship that exists between you and your relative. Sometimes the I-130 can be filed together with an application for permanent residence, officially known as Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (USCIS, 2015).

Opinion

Many non-American citizens come into the United States. In time, some become U.S. citizens. These U.S. citizens have family in other countries they may wish to bring into the United States. The United States put this visa category into effect in order to avoid American citizens having illegal immigrant relatives or spouses living with them in America. More so, they generated this option to keep U.S. citizens in America vs. venturing out to a country that their loved ones are.

Non-American citizens can benefit from this inclusion option in several different ways.

Justification

1. Recently married couples can bring their non-American spouse into the United States without filing the paperwork that is typical of regular visas like visitor visas, student/exchange visitor visas, immigrant visas, and so forth that often have long wait times. This is especially true for immigrant visas and green cards that may take much longer to process.

2. Other countries citizens who have family in the United may be more inclined to see their families and move into the United States with this option (Travel.state.gov, 2015).

What is a TN visa? A TN visa stands for the visa category of "Professionals under the Rule

North American Free Trade Agreement" and is available only to citizens of Canada and Mexico, under the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)" (Canada.usembassy.gov, 2015). This visa category allows a citizen of a NAFTA nation to work within a professional occupation while residing in the United States provided that

1. 1. The profession the citizen works in is recognized by NAFTA

2. As well as the alien meets the requirements of that selected profession.

3. In addition, the alien will work for a company or business that is a U.S. employer.

Opinion

This kind of agreement not only promotes neighboring countries to send much needed workers into the United States, but it also reduces the number of illegal immigrants working in the United States. Mexico in particular, has many of its citizens working in America illegally, reducing the job pool for American citizens. With this kind of visa, Mexican citizens can work and not have to worry about being underpaid or mistreated. It is an excellent regulatory option for illegal immigrant migration and perhaps with further expansion could reduce the illegal immigrant problem in the United States altogether.

Justification

Immigrants keep venturing into the United States, regardless of visa or no visa. The United States government has to keep the flood of immigrants, in particular Mexico, from increasing to the point of chaos. Therefore, the TN visa option allows some of the Mexican immigration when it comes to labor, to transpire more easily. This ensures the labor force coming in is legal and can be regulated by the government.

Rule

Since the United States has a high shortage of capable workers in certain sectors like engineering, visa options may increase the availability and access to highly skilled laborers. One option is the H1-B visa program. "U.S. businesses use the H-1B visa program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require the theoretical or practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, including but not limited to: scientists, engineers, or computer programmers" (USCIS, 2015). The H1-B visa program grants people from other countries like Australia and so forth to come into the United States and give American companies the skilled employees they need.