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Immigration Decisions - Irene Menard Irene live in Massachusetts on the southeast coast, about 20 miles from Cape Cod. She is a registered nurse and has been in health care for 25 years. As yet single, she devotes her free time to crafts and the fine arts. Computers are starting to become quite a hobby, too! Her other interests include billiards, photography, painting, candle making, needlework and a lot else. Irene loves to travel, but only to places that are remote and off the regular circuits. She finds discovering an area, without all the touristy stuff, quite an adventure.

Many a times, I find it difficult to understand and take in stride the immigration decisions that the United States Government makes. Working at the health center, I come across immigrants from all around the world. Since many don't speak English, and have little or no education, they get assistance to support themselves, actually becoming dependent on the government for their existence. The US is a melting pot; and "a land of opportunity". This assistance, as many would believe, should be temporary, while they take the "opportunity" to learn to communicate and pick up skills that will enable them to become part of the work force and society. Unfortunately, this is just not the way it works most of the times.

Recently, I met 2 Spanish-speaking couples, in 20's, with 2 children each. The wives were sisters and had brought their husbands in for physical checkup. Each presented an EADC (a government disability form). Each of these strapping young men claimed to have a back disability. Having been to school only until grade four, neither could read and write even their own native language. Their wives were quite anxious to see them get permanent disability status. As I have never seen any other forms; Isn't their one that would assist them temporarily while they develop language and work skills? (Oh! By the way, these families came from a US possession and are very healthy and not fleeing oppression!)

On the other hand, I met a family of refugees from Russia. They had some basic assistance from the government for health care, but most assistance came from a group in the area who sponsors such families. The father was already learning English. Kept his reliable Russian/English dictionary with him; and had started working for a person in their community. The little girl, about 10 years old, had been exposed to TB somewhere during their ordeal, and needed glasses, having flunked the vision screening test I gave her at 20/200. The poor thing was so devastated that she might need glasses, she ran over to her mother and started crying. A few months later, the mother came in with a school form to be completed. She was planning to attend school to first learn English, then decide what field she would study later. The 2 children were already in school and learning English rapidly. I saw the girl in the hall not too long afterwards, she looked so much healthier! In contrast having been very thin and almost gaunt appearing; she had now gained weight, color in her cheeks, her hair were shiny and cut in a popular style, with her glasses on and smiling! WOW!

In comparing the two stories, I have no hassles with the government providing health care and support to the needful. No issues again with temporary assistance and retraining. What I don't really understand is, why the government makes those, already trained, well versed with the local language, hale and hearty, jump through hoops to get the "card" that allows them to work? The first families, well, since I have nothing much nice to say, I better let it pass.

As regards the second family; I see them eventually becoming quite productive as they are making good use of the "opportunities" presented to them. It is hard sometimes, in my nursing practice, to remain non-judgmental. I try not to think about comparing people's situations. (I do sometimes have to vent my frustrations; however, it helps me keep in perspective. LOL!) What helps me stay on track, is, "Be careful of what you want, or you may surely get it!" In the long run, and maybe not in a material sense, those who are not true to themselves will lose out. That is for sure.

Until we connect again....