The Benefits of Legal Immigration

Legal immigration affords people many opportunities that are not open to illegal immigrants. They have an established status, can apply for any job they are qualified for and they are protected against deportation. The following article will highlight the ways in which legal immigration is preferable over illegal immigration.

The benefits of legal immigration: Established status

Unlike illegal immigrants who have not received an invitation to enter America, legal immigrants are automatically given a legal status. When their visa expires and they wait for their Green Card, their status will remain. In the meantime, USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) will send out a welcome letter to the legal immigrant. This is proof of status while the Green Card application is processing and serves as a protection against authorities who may have reason to question your status. Once Permanent Resident status is established, legal immigrants can start to think about whether they want to someday apply for citizenship. This is another option that will open more doors to them, if they so wish.

The benefits of legal immigration: Driving privileges

Legal immigrants are entitled to apply for a driving licence, as long as they are able to prove that they are in the country legally. Illegal immigrants are not given this same privilege, although some have been able to fall through the net.

The benefits of legal immigration: No fear of deportation

Legal immigrants do not have to hide in fear of deportation. They can use their real name, rather than assume an alias, and they can conduct their everyday affairs normally. Illegal immigrants, on the other hand, do not know if their friends are true friends or if they will turn them in to the authorities. Then there is the constant fear of being separated from loved ones. Once a deportation order is authorised, illegal immigrants lose the right to apply to live in America again in future.

The benefits of legal immigration: Guaranteed minimum wage