The What if I Can't Wait Anymore Thread

I am starting this thread to give an option to people who may be fed up with the inaction of the government pertaining to the DREAM Act.

Unlike the perception of many people living in the US, the US isn't the best country to live in anymore. The political system has become extremely polarized, the constitution might as well not matter anymore thanks to the Patriot Act and the fear of terrorism, and big business and corporations continue to gain a control in the government. I mean a sensible bill like the DREAM Act still hasn't passed yet for pretty lame reasons. We can't have a logical debate on healthcare, and our government can't protect us from harmful chemicals that other countries have banned, because of the power certain industries have.. I'm not sure if you can take it, but I can't anymore.

So, I am looking for options. I may not do it now, but five years down the line I will most likely do something. This may even be if the DA passes at this point...


Here is one idea.

Look at New Zealand.

If you happen to have a college degree, try looking into New Zealand. It is a very nice country to live in with a high per capita, and they have a pretty open immigration policy since they need skilled workers. English is spoken there, so it wouldn't take too much effort to adjust. Finally, it would be much easier to immigrate there compared to immigrating to a country like Canada.

This is just one idea I have come up with, but I hope others can contribute with other ideas. Hopefully it can provide information for those who may be in a bad situation with few options left.

More on why New Zealand:

"In 2004-2005, a target of 45,000 was set by the Immigration New Zealand and represented 1.5% of the total population. However, the net effect was a population decline, since more left than arrived. 48,815 arrived, and overall the population was 10,000 or 0.25% less than the previous year. Overall though, New Zealand has one of the highest populations of foreign born citizens. In 2005, almost 20% of New Zealanders were born overseas, one of the highest percentages of any country in the world. The Department of Labour’s sixth annual Migration Trends report shows a 21 per cent rise in work permits issued in the 2005/06 year compared with the previous year. Nearly 100,000 people were issued work permits to work in sectors ranging from IT to horticulture in the 2005/06 year. This compares with around 35,000 work permits issued in 1999-2000. Around 52,000 people were approved for permanent New Zealand residence in 2005/06. Over 60 per cent were approved under the skilled or business categories."

"Recent statements on immigration by the government have emphasised that New Zealand must compete for its share of skilled and talented migrants, and David Cunliffe, the former immigration minister, has argued that New Zealand was "in a global race for talent and we must win our share".[7]. With this in mind, a bill (over 400 pages long) has been prepared that was sent to parliament in April 2007. It follows a review of the immigration act. The bill aims to make the process more efficient, and achieves this by giving more power to immigration officers. Rights of appeal are streamlined into a single appeal tribunal. Any involvement of the Human Rights Commission in matters of immigration to New Zealand are removed."

Learn more here:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/

what do they give you that makes it better then going to canada?

last i heard canada gave incoming people a lot of stuff, because they are also in very desperate need of skilled people or anyone that is willing to work for that matter.

I know someone that went up there (undocumented here), her kids got free education and they materials were covered, housing was covered, and the crime rate... well... its not anywhere near the rate over here, plus their health care system is very good (i do not recall the detail exactly and don't feel like looking them up) but I am pretty sure is one that is comparable to the one proposed for a totalitarian system where health care is controlled by government and funded by tax dollars that basically covers everyone regardless of income (but i may be confusing it with some that are like that in europe).

then again that person I am talking about left shortly after 9/11, I am sure a lot of things have changed since then, and I have never truly considered such an option.

I totally agree with you and I'm looking at other options too, such as moving to Canada or Australia. My problem is that I still have 2 or 3 years before I finish my undergraduate studies and even after I graduate I won't actually have a career that is in their list of needed jobs. My dream is to become a doctor, and I would have to either go to med school here (which would mean that I'd be a legalized by then, so I wouldn't need to move in the first place), or go to med school somewhere else where I'll have to pay A LOT of money.

I'm close to just giving up on my dream and either moving to one of those countries or move back to my home country, but giving up a dream isn't easy. I've also considered doing something like engineering or computer science (short careers that are pretty profitable) but I just don't have any love for any of those fields. I absolutely hate math and I couldn't imagine hating my job for the next couple of decades until I can do what I want to do (anything in medicine).

Good luck finding a better life somewhere else. I'm so tired of living in this situation, especially because I've had some dental/vision issues and I can't do anything about them because I don't have health insurance nor the money to afford proper health care. It's sad to see my much older parents dealing with health issues, as well.

someone close to me is currently in OZ land. He's doing a masters degree after having graduated w/a bachelor's over here in the states (illegaly mind you). The way he puts it, if you study 2 years in Australia w/a student visa, temporary residency is almost a given.

Canada's gotten a little tough w/the whole political asylum debacle, nut i am considering it now that i've graduated. NZ is another great option but the country is too small for my taste.

I've actually pondered how hard it would be to seek "refuge" for dreamers in one of the 1st world english speaking countries. Uninhabited 1st world countries tend to be a little open to ppl w/professional degrees w/o a job.

Worst case scenario, we're rejected, but at least the media shames the US govm't for not giving us an opportunity and us having to seek it elsewhere; perhaps pushing them to act.

Best case of course is a country begrudging the US (it's really all of them) gives us asylum to show those "intolerant" Americans that their country is better. Mexico would jump at the chance (look at menonites and chinese) at least to its citizens, but I know most people here don't want to move there or learn another language.

I was gonna open a thread w/the idea....but this forum is for a differnt objective altogether....so I apologize for threadjacking.

If I woke up tomorrow and someone said "here is a visa to whatever country except the US" I would seriously take it. I am originally from Mexico ,but I would never want to go back there. It just seems awful. I know obtaining a visa for Spain is harder these days ,but that would be my #1 choice.

I am not majoring in anything that is in demand (Communications) ,so I don't see anyone saying I will take you etc lol

I have been thinking also of new countries. However, Canada and the U.S. share immigration information so it is very likely Canada would find out about someones illegal stay in the U.S.

Being in the field and lifestyle I've ended up in, I've met many people from around the world who would help me move, just the moving process is what is scary as well as the obvious ten year ban from the U.S., so taking in the thought of not seeing your friends or parents for 10 years is a tough one.

I now even think about how my life would be like back in Mexico. Family there isn't doing too bad, but it just seems like it would take me a long time to adjust.


My choices would be Canada (Toronto), Italy, France (Paris), UK (London).


We'll see where this all leads us.

I think the following three countries are the best to try to emigrate to: Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The reason why I said New Zealand, is because they lose about 4000 skilled workers to Australia each year, so they need to replace them. Canada is great, but I'm pretty sure it is more difficult to immigrate there compared to New Zealand.

Immigrating into a EU country is extremely difficult nowadays. You need to have some sort of job offer from one of those countries, and there is a law to offer jobs to people in the EU first, before a person outside the EU. Canada, OZ, and NZ are easier in comparison.

Nah, you didn't hijack it. It is very good information. It's good to know someone in our situation has actually succeeded in moving to Australia. I'm currently applying to medical school, so I can't exactly bail after I get my bachelors degree next year, but I would consider doing my residency in some other country if the DA hasn't passed by then. I just can't see myself sitting around doing nothing in the future.

Also, I know people may have gotten a nursing degree, but may not be able to use them. Nurses and doctors are needed in NZ and OZ land, so I would consider looking into the option of moving there to work.

I just think it is wrong for people to wait for so long, and age out of the DA. I would really like these people to contribute to this thread to know what they are thinking.

I know how you feel.

Maybe you can get a teaching degree on the side also. Countries are always looking for teachers.