Immigration law anyone?? I've got questions.

[Morgana LaFey]

This is really silly (kinda), but maybe something worth talking about.

Had a roofing job done on my house last week. The workers were non-English speaking Latinos -- presumabley Mexican, but I can't know. I asked the foreman (a white U.S. citizen) if they were legal -- ONLY because I know that undocumented aliens get exploited wage-wise. He assured me they were perfectly legal. I left it at that.

BUT I have a friend who's sooooo anti-illegal, I was telling her about my experience (not good but not the workers' fault, AFAIC) and was quick to assure her they were legal -- and she wrote back assuring me I probably didn't know what I was talking about. My husband thinks they're legal, BUT we don't actually know how people become legal. I think the company is well-enough established with a good reputation that it wouldn't want to risk that. OTOH, I don't know for sure.

So my questions: under current immigration law, what are the avenues for someone to become a legal resident and worker if you're not a natural born citizen or the spouse of one (the latter of which doesn't even necessarily ensure you'll be granted permanent status)?

The only other one I know of, but don't know the details, involves asking the U.S. from within your own native country for a visa -- what kinds of visas are there?

So, what do you think are the chances my presumed-Mexican workers are legal and properly documented?

[Morgana LaFey]

1. Not of any interest to anyone, I suppose. I'd sure hate to have

to let my "friend" think she won this discussion. C'mon, ya'll. Help me out here. Doesn't ANYone know about current immigration policies and procedures?

[Cerridwen]

2. I'm not sure what to tell you other than what I found at

the U.S. Dept. of State website. http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1326.html

They could be here as employer-sponsored or family-sponsored and a few other classifications.

I've also know of situations along the southern border in which the person lives south of the border but works, legally, north of the border as they are each within driving distance. I didn't check your profile to see if this might apply to you.

I have no idea how long the process might take.

edit: fixed link

[Morgana LaFey]

7. Thanks so much!

[EFerrari]

3. What I don't get is why we fault the hardworking people instead

of the government policy that created this situation.

That has worked for most of the history of this country to subvert democracy in Latin America and keep up the flow of cheap labor who had no recourse to the law.

But, we blame workers? :wtf:

[Morgana LaFey]

8. I hope you're not referring to me.

In my "friend's" case, and I'm sure many others as well, it's racism, pure and simple.

[Cerridwen]

4. Edit: this was in reply to post #3 and I'm too lazy to move it. :D

Because corporations are too big and scary to take on?

Because too many have a love-affair with business and think that business should be allowed to do whatever it wants to make a profit?

Because greed is good?

I think I'll stop now. Too many reasons to type out.

[Edweird]

5. Just out of curiosity, how did you decide on this particular contractor?

[Morgana LaFey]

6. Their professionalism

and the fact that they're about the ONLY sufficiently large company in the area. We got 2 quotes. I wanted a 3rd but couldn't find anyone to come out and DO one. Most of the others were either commercial only OR they were no-go's from the start, like answering the phone themselves from out on the job, doing the work.

Also word of mouth, sorta -- from several of those signs that they put up in your yard.

Why do you ask? What method would you propose?