Ask HN: What are the challenges of being an immigrant in the US? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What are the challenges of being an immigrant in the US?

#31

Post by brasscodemonkey » Fri, Aug 06, 2021, 11:17 AM UTC

zxcvbn4038 wrote: post #13

People can be the biggest challenge. You’ll discover that the further you get from the immigrant friendly areas of the east and west coasts. My advice to newcomers has always been to stick to the interstates while traveling within the US, and general feedback has been they thought I was a loon until they drove down a state highway and got pulled over by the cops six times wanting to know if they were lost, or got sta…

I don’t think it’s fair for people to say you’re lying. People in the rural US really can be quite racist. Same in rural anywhere I suppose. I lived in Taiwan for a couple of years and although the racial ignorance does not go as far as racism and violence (maybe except toward southeast Asians) it’s strong. People will stare, comment under their breath, make ridiculous and insulting assumptions about you, call you names, etc. During the pandemic if you didn’t look Taiwanese some people wouldn’t even let you inside their shops or restaurants, they’d request to see your passport and travel history but let Taiwanese-looking people waltz right in.

I do think it’s fair to say people in rural areas of any country have less exposure to people outside of their own little tribe. Hopefully this continues to change as internet becomes more omnipresent.

Re: Ask HN: What are the challenges of being an immigrant in the US?

#32

Post by abc03 » Fri, Aug 06, 2021, 11:37 AM UTC

sdevonoes wrote: post #16

fragmede wrote: post #7

Credit score. As a foreigner, you won't have one. And can't rent an apartment, buy a car, or get a mortgage. Many companies run a credit check as part of the pre-hire background check. If you are able to befriend a local with good credit and get them to trust you so they're willing to cosign, you can work around this, but it's a barrier that is not to be unaware of. Immigrant communities are built on people that do t…

> Credit score. As a foreigner, you won't have one. And can't rent an apartment, buy a car, or get a mortgage. Many companies run a credit check as part of the pre-hire background check. I'm curious. Isn't enough to show your latest payroll? Or, if it's is your very first month, your contract stating how much you'll earn. In Europe there are credit rating companies, but relying on payrolls are a thing as well.

When I lived in the States 10 years ago, my employer had to to get me an international bank account (with credit card) and a cell phone. I had to wait six months to do anything.

Re: Ask HN: What are the challenges of being an immigrant in the US?

#33

Post by runawaybottle » Fri, Aug 06, 2021, 12:47 PM UTC

Many people have mentioned the red-tape around immigration paperwork. One thing not mentioned yet is the emotional aspect. When you come here for an extended period of time you build your life and hopes here. You pray everything comes through and that one day you will get that green card and citizenship, and pray nothing happens with the legal process (loss of employment, deportation, visa issues, etc).

It’s the same as having credit card debt, it will keep you up at night. It takes tremendous coping mechanisms to power through.

Re: Ask HN: What are the challenges of being an immigrant in the US?

#34

Post by psyklic » Fri, Aug 06, 2021, 2:32 PM UTC

gregjor wrote: post #18

zxcvbn4038 wrote: post #13

People can be the biggest challenge. You’ll discover that the further you get from the immigrant friendly areas of the east and west coasts. My advice to newcomers has always been to stick to the interstates while traveling within the US, and general feedback has been they thought I was a loon until they drove down a state highway and got pulled over by the cops six times wanting to know if they were lost, or got sta…

The only challenge you describe is your own bigotry. Your stories do not match the experience of any immigrants I know, including my wife. I can’t imagine where in the US you would find “rural people” who have never seen a non-Caucasian. African-Americans and Mexicans have been in this country as long as white people. One-year-old children don’t form meaningful sentences, not even in rural America where families eat…

I did an internship in a largely white rural town (e.g. ~0.5% black). One of the other interns who was black confided in me that he was uncomfortable walking around town and grocery shopping, since he was stared at constantly.

Re: Ask HN: What are the challenges of being an immigrant in the US?

#35

Post by codegeek » Fri, Aug 06, 2021, 3:30 PM UTC

Plenty of people have already replied about the challenges. I would like to add a few tips that would help a lot as an immigrant.

1. The moment you land in America, you need to try and get a Social Security Number (SSN). As a legal immigrant, you can get this by applying either yourself or through your school/employer etc.

2. Once you have SSN and a decent proof of Address (lease/school letter), go and apply for a local State ID at your local Motor Vehicle Agency. You probably won't be able to geta Driver's License right away BUT many people don't know that you can get a State Identification Card or State ID which is really useful for ID purposes. Carrying your passport everywhere for ID if needed is very inconvenient and frankly opens you up for more scrutiny unfortunately. Get a State ID.

3. Go to a local bank/credit union and ask them for a secured line of credit. In other words, they will ask you to deposit something like $500 and in return give you an actual credit card (not a debit card). This will help you build credit slowly over time. Don't wait for this. Do it as soon as you can. Debit cards in US will not help with building a credit score.

Once you have these in order, you will find it much easier to get other things done.

As an immigrant to the US who is now a citizen for many years, I can tell you that most Americans are friendly and want to help but there is a lot of ignorance as well. Racism etc exist but it is not as common. What really hurts the immigrants is the ignorance and knowledge gap that Americans in general have especially if they have never travelled outside. But most mean well and you just have to be patient and get your ducks in a row. All the best.

Re: Ask HN: What are the challenges of being an immigrant in the US?

#36

Post by renewiltord » Fri, Aug 06, 2021, 5:40 PM UTC

bruceb wrote: post #24

renewiltord wrote: post #5

It’s all the paperwork that’s a nightmare. Drivers licenses, USCIS and it’s fucking endless nonsense, infinite paperwork. Just paperwork paperwork paperwork. Massive taxes without any benefit. And most Americans haven’t a clue how much trouble it is. It’s a constant thundercloud in your life. Anyway, Americans are super friendly and very nice. A few among them are very motivated and the country is unbelievably wealth…

ignore this and go where you want. Go all the weird place you want. Some people need to feel that the country is some hell hole outside of a few cities, it isn't. Also you will pay less, gas will probably be cheaper. Enjoy.

I think the contrast between American opinions and immigrant opinions in this thread should immediately suffice for the reader to draw conclusions.

I should warn you that this will be normal. You will see this. People who will never face what you will will tell you about how it’s perfectly okay and everything is great etc etc.

Talk to other people like you and know a more lived reality.