Chain migration is a term that has unfairly received more than its share of negative publicity. In reality, chain migration encourages family unity among new immigrants to the United States by providing them with access to already-established familial support systems.
Below is some information that could help you plot your immigration path here in America.
What chain migration entails
The process begins with a single initiating immigrant. That brave individual becomes the first in their family to strike out on their own, facing the perils and pitfalls of life in a strange country where they might not know the language or customs.
Once they have settled in and found housing and work and established themselves as legal permanent residents, they can then become sponsors of spouses, children, siblings, parents and other relatives.
Why it should be a goal for some immigrants
Being a stranger in a strange land is not an easy course to follow. It requires strength and fortitude. Their situation can be greatly eased by sponsoring loved ones to share their lives here in the United States.
It also reduces the need for relatives to enter the country illegally. Having a legal path to permanent residency is preferable to constantly having to look over one’s shoulder for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents seeking to deport them.
Could you sponsor your family members?
If you are an immigrant with a clean record who can afford to sponsor family members, this is definitely something to explore. But the political climate is subject to change in November, so now is the time to take the actions you need to initiate the process.