DV lottery - socioeconomic issues

[sakura]

Maybe this is another thread about the pros/cons of the DV lottery, but this article posed some really interesting issues about the socio-economic status of DV lottery winners who move to the US:

[quote]The congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV), managed by the U.S. Department of State, offers 50,000 visas each year that grant permanent residency. In 2006 there were 5.5 million applicants. The intent is to increase diversity by bringing in residents from countries with historically low rates of immigration. Mexican, Canadian, Chinese and Indian nationals, for instance, are ineligible; in total 20 countries are ineligible for the 2009 lottery. The DV program is the only U.S. immigration system that does not require the sponsorship of a relative, institution or employer for legal residence.

For applicants, this presents a golden opportunity to pursue the American dream, especially when they leave countries such as Ethiopia that are politically unstable, with bleak job prospects, Wake explained. Applicants need proof of a high school education or its equivalent, or show two years of work experience.

Yet the lack of sponsorship, while a blessing for thousands, is not ideal when there are no orientation or integration services offered by the government. Cultural and language barriers are a problem for many DV lottery winners. Many are in dire need of assistance.

“The downside to the lottery system is that there is no cushion and you have to either sink or swim,â€

[Marco 72]

Of course I know that many winners are skilled and/or have sufficient English, but for others, is there any social assistance programme to help them integrate?

There is no such program. Those who are selected for the DV are often asked to produce an affidavit of support (the exceptions are probably the skilled applicants from rich countries). If they have no friends or relatives who are willing to sign the affidavit of support, they don't get the visa.

[sakura]

Of course I know that many winners are skilled and/or have sufficient English, but for others, is there any social assistance programme to help them integrate?

There is no such program. Those who are selected for the DV are often asked to produce an affidavit of support (the exceptions are probably the skilled applicants from rich countries). If they have no friends or relatives who are willing to sign the affidavit of support, they don't get the visa.

Thanks for the info. Isn't is possible, still, that such people can end up unemployed and/or stuck on low income? And, even with an addidavit of support, if you lack basic English skills, you may find it difficult to integrate, find a job, etc. I'd be interested to see some (official) socio-economic statistics on the 'winners' of this programme...

[Marco 72]

Thanks for the info. Isn't is possible, still, that such people can end up unemployed and/or stuck on low income? And, even with an addidavit of support, if you lack basic English skills, you may find it difficult to integrate, find a job, etc. I'd be interested to see some (official) socio-economic statistics on the 'winners' of this programme...

Me too. However, don't forget that the US has few and not very generous social assistance programs for the poor, none of which are open to new LPR's (with only a few exceptions, like refugees). So a newly arrived LPR who doesn't work probably wouldn't be eligible for anything except private charity.

I don't think it's difficult to find a job in the US, even for an illiterate immigrant who doesn't speak English. Few of the Mexicans who cross the border illegally know how to write even in their own language, and almost none of them speak English, but this doesn't prevent them from finding jobs (working in the fields, in Mexican restaurants, as cleaners, etc). I think it's fair to say that for most able-bodied persons in the US there is no such thing as involuntary unemployment.

My gut feeling is that most DV winners are probably hard workers who wouldn't need social assistance programs anyway. Otherwise, why would they want to go to the US?