Why do people want to emigrate to the United States?

I'm a Chinese American, my family and I immigrated to US some 10 years ago, and became citizen a few years later. 

Here's the reasons we decided to move to the US, I imagine these probably apply to many Chinese Americans as well: 

• Overall superior basic living conditions, which include: better air quality, cleaner water, greener cities and suburbs, better roads and bridges (they don't collapse)... You can't buy these thing in China, no matter how rich you are, you breathe the same polluted air like everyone else.
• No poisoned food. Food safety is a huge problem in China. From street food to milk to restaurant food, you're never sure if it's safe. There's a famous joke saying "You can't honestly say you're a Chinese unless you've eaten everything on the periodic table". While in the US, the most you have to worry about are probably bad sushi and Monsanto.
• Better, less exam-focused primary education system. This is probably one of the most important reasons many Chinese families try to move to the US. The elementary and middle schools in China are brutal. It's heavily exam- driven, and it's really not good for overall development of the child. There's a lot of memorizing, a lot of test preparation. The last 3 years of high school is just a 3 year long exam preparation class for university entrance exam. There's no way to  escape it, and many parents don't want their children to be limited like that. Especially with the "one family,one child" policy. A lot of people tried to send their kids here to attend middle/high schools even if they themselves can not come over.
• Better universities with more freedom. China has some pretty good universities, like Peking University and Tsinghua University. However, unless you did well in that once-in-a-lifetime university entrance exam, you won't have other opportunities. US universities offers a lot more freedom, you can transfer department, or even universities. You can improve your GPA and go to a better university midway. This is a huge plus compared to the rigid Chinese universities.
• Better grad schools. The reason I separate grad school and 4 year college is because it attracts different people. Going to US grad school is still the most accessible method to go to the US. It is very hard for a Chinese to apply for US Visa, and getting an F1 (Student Visa) through grad school is the cheapest way. And Chinese grad schools suffer from corruption like other Chinese organizations. Students don't feel that they can do anything in grad school other than being the slave labor for their advisers. I guess US grad schools also have similar problems, but it's a lot better.
• Overall better social welfare system, especially if you can get green card or become a citizen. You can actually buy land and house (Chinese government only allows people to buy the use rights of a land, you don't own the land or the house). If you rent, the landlord can drive you off anytime he/she wants (yeah... renting law in China sucks, reason why people want to own their own home). Better health care, better unemployment insurances, better domestic violence support, less corrupted justice system... overall, safer, easier to live in the US.
• More freedom. This is a personal experience, but since I'm lucky that I entered the US with green card, so it may not be true to people who struggle with their visa. I think I have a lot more options to do what I want to do with my life. And the general ideology is that you can do whatever you want, be whoever you want, as long as you work hard and don't give up. I'll say regular Americans have better chance working towards their dream and succeed than regular Chinese people.

Now I sound like a total traitor, praising America over the motherland. US is not perfect, if it's up to me, I'd live in one of those welfare states. But I really like being an American.

Source - http://www.quora.com/The-United-States-of-America/Why-do-people-want-to-emigrate-to-the-United-States

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Why Hire an Immigration Attorney for Obtaining Family-Sponsored Visas?

Why Hire an Immigration Attorney for Obtaining Family-Sponsored Visas?

If you wish to come to the U.S. to live permanently and you have a relative who is a permanent resident in the U.S., you may be able to obtain permanent residence through family-sponsored immigration.

However, for many people who are in the process of immigrating to the U.S, a common question they come across is whether or not to hire an immigration attorney. There is no mandate that says you need to hire an attorney to file your petition for immigration to the U.S. However, note that the family immigration visa process can get quite complicated at times, given the number of documents that must be submitted to USCIS, and given the different requirements of what type of visa is being sought. So you will most likely find the complete visa process a lot easier once you hire an experienced and reliable immigration attorney.

An Immigration Lawyer Posses Deep Knowledge of Immigration Law

Immigration laws and procedures are complex and change frequently. An attorney who has specialization in immigration will be familiar with all the nuances of the law and can leverage them on your behalf efficiently. Also, he will keep up with the frequent changes taking place in the law and will make sure that you follow current procedures for filing your case.

An Immigration Lawyer Can Be Your Advocate

Since lawyers are all bound by client-attorney privilege, you can communicate to them anything you want. Knowing everything about you, your lawyer can advise you on a host of issues and restrictions on work and travel that you may face and can significantly increase your chances of getting approval for your petition.

An Immigration Lawyer Ensures All the Documentation is Thorough and Submitted Timely

The right forms you need to file depend on the type of visa you are applying for. Also, the process of putting together all the applications is usually time-consuming and complex. An attorney ensures that all necessary documentation is thorough and submitted and prepares the petition more quickly.

Ultimately, deciding whether or not you need an immigration attorney is a personal choice. For many, immigrating to the U.S. is probably one of the biggest life experiences one may go through in his or her life, and because of the complexities of immigration law, one should have a legal representative to help it go smoothly.

                                                   

Employment-Based Visas: An Overview of the Different Types

Whether you are a business professional, or investor seeking a visa, or you represent a U.S. organization, university, or any other group that employs foreign nationals, you may need information on employment-based visas and related legal concerns. Given below is a discussion regarding different types of employment visas and their specific requirements.

Employment-Based Visas 

Employment-based immigration is broadly divided into five categories, each with its own annual limits on the number of visas available. Eligibility for all of these visas is subject to an employer’s ability to show that there are no U.S. personnel available to fill the particular position for which you are being appointed. The specified policy behind this requirement is the intent to protect U.S. workers by making sure that U.S. residents have maximum access to the job market.  

Category 1

The first category visa provides permanent residency to ‘priority workers’. Priority workers are people of extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, arts, business or athletics. These people are usually outstanding professors and researchers, and executives and managers working in multinationals.

Category 2

This type of visa is for ‘professionals who hold advanced degrees’ and for ‘persons of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, and business’. This means this visa is allowed to professionals holding an advanced degree or baccalaureate degree plus a minimum 5 years of significant experience in the specialty, and individuals of outstanding ability in the sciences, arts and business.

Category 3

This category visa allows foreign nationals who are ‘skilled workers’, ‘professionals’ or other type of workers to come into the U.S. to get hold of permanent residency. This means this category is for

·         Professional workers with a bachelor's degree in the U.S. or foreign equivalent degree.

·         Skilled workers with a minimum two years training or experience and

·         Unskilled workers whose skills are in short supply in the U.S. 

Category 4

This visa is for ‘special immigrants’ including ‘religious workers’. To qualify for this visa you must have been a member of a religious denomination (for at least 2 years) that has an authentic non-profit, religious organization in the U.S. Also, you must have been performing ministry, vocation, professional, or other work constantly during those two years.

Category 5

This is an immigrant ‘investor visa’ that grants permanent US citizenship to investors who seek to enter the U.S. for the purpose of establishing a new commercial enterprise.