The concept of the American Dream is woven into the fabric of U.S. history, but it’s interesting to note how many people misunderstand its true constitutional value. In fact, the American Dream represents the ideal that the government should protect each person’s opportunity to pursue growth, prosperity and their own idea of happiness.
When founding the constitution, the Founding Fathers legally protected these values to create a society that was attractive to anyone with a desire to better themselves. In turn, this helped to establish a nation that was built on the hard work and ambition of immigrants, with this trend has continued for centuries.
Under the administration of Donald Trump, however, immigrants have been demonized while the subject has been elevated to the national agenda like never before. This is affecting even long-term and legal immigrants, who may find it increasingly difficult to bring their families with them to the States.
DACA, the Dreamers and a Tough Stance on Immigration
There are more than 42.4 million immigrants living in the U.S., some of whom have been questioning their futures of late despite having made a positive contribution to American society.
This is best embodied by Donald Trump’s long-standing pledge to scrap the Daca program, which affords temporary protection to undocumented migrants who arrived in the U.S. as children.
This group, which numbers 787,580 and whose members are commonly referred to as ‘dreamers”, have since become a pawn in Trump’s political games as the President looks to secure funding for his so-called border wall.
Of course, the border wall is further evidence of Trump’s anti-immigration stance, as is his desire to implement a travel ban from specified Islamic nations.
These measures deliberately target both legal and illegal immigration, and while neither has proved successful to date they’re indicative of an administration that wants to divide communities and twist the core values of the constitution.
Is this Affecting Immigrants who Want to Relocate their Family to the States?
The hostile environment being created by Trump’s administration is challenging for all immigrants, particularly those who wish to reunite with their family in the States.
In fact, this is also a challenging task for U.S. citizens, who must petition for specific family members to join and go through an extended application process for a K3 or K4 visa (depending on the relationship in question).
However, both permanent residents (green card holders) and immigrants with refugee status face much more significant restrictions when applying for their families to join them.
Both are only allowed to petition for spouses and unmarried children younger than 21 to join them, for example, although in the case of the latter these constraints apply to the age of infants at the time that the application for asylum was submitted.
Also, those with refugee status must submit such applications within two years of entering the States, or at least 24 months after their asylee categorization was first granted.
Regardless of your status, there’s no doubt that attempting to bring family with you into the States is more challenging than ever before, which is why you’ll need to liaise with immigration lawyers if you’re to move forward and optimize your chances of completing a successful application.
This can also help you to understand the complexities of your specific circumstances, and take the necessary steps towards being reunited with your loved ones.
