We are very well aware of the much, much more dire circumstances of other immigrant families, and we wouldn’t dare compare our situation to theirs. We don’t mean to disrespect that, but we feel trapped and scared nonetheless.
My wife and I are permanent residents in the US. We came here to do our PhDs, which is how we met. She has a stable and relatively well paying job, while I’m working for a struggling startup that, if I’m being honest, will probably not last much longer. Neither of these companies have a meaningful international presence.
We want to give our daughter a better starting point in life than we had. So, although we have the option of going back to either of our home countries (China/Chile), this would almost feel like a step backwards, not because we don’t love our counties, but because Jobs in our industries barely exist there, if at all, not to mention that raising a family without a solid support network is tough in either place.
On the other hand, as it is becoming increasingly apparent, we are not welcome here, and the prospects for people with surnames like ours are bleak. We both grew up hearing about dictatorships, corruption, poverty… and, well, I guess I don’t have to explain why we are scared and reluctant to raise our child in these conditions.
There are few other countries where we can make a lateral move, income-wise, though of course one should factor in public services and quality of life, so it’s not that simple. We’d be more than happy to move somewhere with a lower income if it means having the safety we’re not getting here.
I realize there’s no actual questions here, we’re just so anxious every day and don’t know what our next steps should be. Do we power through it, stay and hope for the best? Do we “give up” and find a way to make life work in China/Chile, switching careers or whatever that may mean? Do we try to move somewhere else? Is there even a place where the far right isn’t steadily gaining power?
Comments
I think the worst parts of this whole thing is that not only do they detain some of these individuals for weeks, but they also split the families up in some cases and then randomly send them to different countries. Its pretty inhumane imo.
If I was a Chinese or Chilean permanent resident I’d look into a lateral move to a more stable country, or if I could go home and find decent employment, iI’d do that. Trump admin just allocated a wild amount of money to the immigration gestapo and shit is going downhill super fast. Get out while you can and before one of you gets sent to El Salvador or gets identified for revocation of PR. Better to be proactive now, than reactive in a crisis
Have you considered Canada? It’s not perfect, but no country is. You wouldn’t have to learn a new language. It would likely be cheaper to move your stuff to compared with outside of North America. Culturally you both, and very importantly your daughter, could probably adjust really quickly.
Flee. Try to get residency in western Europe, perhaps new Zealand, Australia, or Canada. Gotta do your research
The US isnt safe, and it is going to get so much worse. Republicans are not going to allow fair elections, and they will not give back power.
Run while you can
Leave if you have to look over your shoulders every day. That’s no way to live. I was thinking about this on the NYC subway yesterday. Being July 4, there was extra security all over the city in the form of military guys. Every time I passed them I got nervous. And I’m a 5th generation New Yorker! I cannot imagine how immigrants felt. In the subways, for instance, you’re a sitting duck.