Many things can prove challenging for immigrants when it comes to moving to the United States. Among these are immigration matters. There are a wide variety of rules regarding who is eligible to immigrate to America. Also, the process for applying for visas that would allow one to live and work in the U.S. can have a wide range of complex aspects.
Given how much an immigrant’s plans for the future can be riding on what happens in immigration matters, what guidance an individual from a foreign country who desires to move to the U.S. has when trying to navigate such matters can be incredibly impactful. Skilled immigration attorneys can advise such individuals on what visas they may have eligibility for given their circumstances. Such lawyers can also provide such individuals with advice and legal support throughout their efforts to achieve their immigration goals.
Another thing that can prove difficult in relation to moving to the U.S. are the logistics related to making a home for oneself in a new country. Among the things that can impact these efforts are the economic conditions in the place one ends up living and the strength of the immigrant community in this place. These things can vary a lot between states.
So, not all states are the same when it comes to the challenges and opportunities for immigrants living there. A recent analysis endeavored to determine which states are currently the “best” for immigrants.
In determining how favorable of conditions a given state has for immigrants, the analysis looked at federal data on the following factors:
- The percentage of the state’s residents that are foreign-born.
- The percentage of the green cards issued in the U.S. that went to residents of the state.
- The household income of immigrants.
- The unemployment rate of immigrants.
- The poverty rate of immigrants.
The analysis found California to be the best in the nation when it comes to conditions for immigrants.
In your opinion, how immigrant-friendly is California? What things do you think communities in California can do to help make the transition to living in the U.S. easier for immigrants?
Source: 24/7, “Best States for Immigrants,” Michael B. Sauter, April 10, 2017
