Chris Cameron it's GREAT to have you and the other 122 as my fellow American citizens, We NEED you more than ever!!
8
Welcome Chris and thanks for telling us your story with such eloquence. We are honored to have you.
6
Wonderful, uplifting journalism. Gives me hope. Thank you.
6
Beautifully written and just the right tone.
9
I wish the media paid more attention to detail in the policy and practice of "family reunification". There is a big difference between, on the one hand, an immigrant trying to bring his or her spouse and/or children to the USA and, on the other hand, an immigrant pulling out the stops to bring parents, grandparents and others from older generations. We are not living in the 19th century, when immigration often meant never seeing relatives again. (In this day and age it is easy for Americans - to the equal status as such I welcome naturalized Americans - to visit relatives in their countries of birth or elsewhere.)
Furthermore, the issue exploited by Trump and his ilk - the abuse of US welfare programs - is not a red herring; it is not uncommon for "reunified" older immigrants to use - and yes, exploit - the system by hiding assets in their countries of origin, signing over property, cash and securities to children there or in the USA, and other means. Check out the rich professionals whose immigrants parents (not children), having shed legal ownership of all their assets and are in subsidized public housing while they - the doctors and lawyers and software engineers - live a few miles away in McMansions. I wish I didn't know this, because citizenship is a precious thing, and foreigners treating my country as a colony rather than a haven or point of pride is very distressing. In sum, give us your poor, world, but keep your rich.
4
@Martin Daly Look past those little flags the immigrants are waving. That flag waving has little to do with patriotism. It's more like opportunism.
So, who cares? Check out the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics about volunteerism in America. Whites and blacks volunteer most often. That's why we have to stick together. For America's sake.
4
So proud of you and your journalistic journey. Your Grandpa will be smiling down from above and firing one on that!
Enjoyed the article
11
A Beautiful article with a caring description of the process of naturalization in America.The deep respect and candid expression of shown is evidence of a well balanced approach to reporting.This gentleman shows maturity of thought and gives the real feel of well brought up young people from the Caribbean Islands.Congratulations young man,your dear Mom Miss Mandy Haydock has been kind in sharing your acheivemnt with us your St.Vincent Islands Nation countrymen.Thanks for educting us about the process of becoming a US citizen .
10
Great article personalising your journey - proud of you...
10
"Indeed, my “chain” starts seven degrees of sponsorship away, with my father’s sister’s husband’s brother. ..."
I'd guess hundreds of millions of people are legible using such "chain" criteria. Much better to follow Australia and Canada and let in people based on qualifications. Cameron criticizes Trump but he'd be the first in line under the rules Trump is proposing. his jeremiad does sound a bit hollow.
9
@Kai
Trump's wife brought her parents on her chain.
9
@Kai I knew there would be some, like you, who only read this to find a way to find fault with this young man and his journey. Not hollow at all, just a person who is aware that the president has made him a scapegoat, to the enthusiastic, even orgiastic, thrill of his xenophobic supporters.
4
@mmmlk--Yes, and I have yet to hear that they're using welfare or means-tested benefits--unlike many others who are "sponsored" by relatives who do not honor the terms of that sponsorship, the affidavit of support.
The most recent proposal I've heard would let citizens bring their parents on renewable NON immigrant visas provided they could show they had medical insurance. But even parents are a far cry from the chain this young man benefited from.
3