Global Immigrant.Org story box:

November 2007: It’s never easy… Leaving everything behind, going towards the unknown, facing its elements while keeping your head above the water. My aim here is to gather a selection of stories and publish them online, throughout the WebPages of GlobalImmigrant.Org. Why, you ask? In hopes of learning something about each other, our differences and similarities, beliefs and perceptions, views and opinions… GlobalImmigrant.Org has been dormant for far too long and so… its revival is around the corner… Should you have any thoughts to share… email them to me and I’ll publish them on GlobalImmigrant.Org Kind regards, Andreea GlobalImmigrant.Org Editor

Please... help!

Our Canadian Immigration Story by: Dave Lympany After 6 weeks in Canada and the finality that we were no longer on vacation hit with a thud – we weren’t going “home”. I'd served 16 years in the Royal Air Force (RAF), so saying goodbye to a “safe” job seemed surreal. The final Christmas and New Year, the emotional family farewell, even the one way flight - it all seemed totally unreal! We found it hard to believe that over 2 years of planning had actually come to fruition and we were starting our new life near Calgary. Well, it was true. I was starting my new job the next day and the temperature was a cool - 25ºC ! We had discussed living in Canada in great length after my wife’s sister had moved to Edmonton with her Canadian husband and were enjoying a lifestyle we could only dream of. We tried a few DIY assessments to see if we would qualify but found ourselves 1 point short of the “pass mark” which was 70 at that time. We decided that we’d have to hire an immigration professional. When we opened up the Immigration Newspaper “Canada News”, the first advert we saw was Access Migration Services who offered a free assessment. We spoke to Kerry Martin and discussed our thoughts. We received the assessment in the post, filled it in and returned it the next day. Kerry decided that we had a good chance of qualifying and so offered us a no visa no fee contract and so the process began. We were inundated with forms and questionnaires and set to researching thoroughly what it all entailed. I assembled my qualifications and sent them to IQAS in Edmonton for a Canadian equivalency. Then I contacted Transport Canada to see if my aircraft maintenance licenses were valid. They weren’t, but I would be able to sit some exams, provide my full career history and work for a minimum of 6 months in Canadian Aviation. It didn’t seem too bad considering I was hoping to move continents! We had to send off for police checks from Germany, the UK police and the RAF police to prove we had no criminal records, once they were back we could submit our application. It was announced that the Canadian Immigration visa system was changing; no-one knew what would happen or when it would come into effect. Kerry kept us informed and was very reassuring during a troublesome time. I had to put in my 18 months notice to leave as the Immigration authorities required an exit date from the RAF – 17th Feb 2003 was the date we chose. We watched the horror of September 11th unfold; the aviation world collapsed and with the rest of the RAF, I became involved in the Afghan War and the unstable world climate that followed. We managed to spend two weeks at Andie's sisters in Calgary during October 2001, fitting in quad biking, hiking, trips to Banff, and also viewing show homes. We were getting a feel for southern Alberta and its opportunities. On our way home the airline (Canada 3000) went bankrupt as we flew into Gatwick on it – another bad sign for my future employment. With the police checks complete, we sent the application off to Kerry, who returned professionally presented paperwork with supporting documents for us to sign and return with the High Commission fees. The new Canadian Immigration system was finally announced with stricter point scoring that was back dated to all applications received after December 18th 2001. Ours had arrived there on 19th December!!!! We wouldn’t qualify under the new rules; Kerry reassured us that as the new system hadn’t been ratified by parliament it wasn’t set in stone. The authorities backed down after threats of legal action by several Canadian Immigration Lawyers, the cutoff date was set as June 1st 2002. All applications processed before then would be under the old rules – we were back in with a chance. In Feb. 2002 our file number arrived – we were being processed; we waited to see if we were to be called for an interview, accepted or declined. The wait was crazy – Kerry kept us busy with regular information mailings on Canada, the reassuring voice on the end of the phone was worth the fee in itself. Andie’s sister was also busy in Calgary phoning around to establish points of contact for me. I had started to look at other employment and began some project management courses. As with my aircraft maintenance licenses I soon realized that UK qualifications wouldn’t readily move to the Canadian system. I contacted the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and found they had an impressive curriculum of courses including several Project Management offerings and some great technical pre-employment courses that had a good history of the candidates finding employment in the field of choice. The call came out of the blue: we had been accepted subject to Medicals and were not being called for an interview! The nearest approved clinic was in Oxford, Andie phoned immediately, the first appointment was eight weeks. We put the house on the market – we needed to know it was sold before we could plan on moving. If we failed the medicals we decided I would still leave the RAF and we would move away from the area. Andie’s parents would let us stay with them if we sold the house. We put the house on the market at the end of June 2002 – and had a buyer in 3 days. The date of sale was set for the 31st August and we would move out on the 29th. We couldn’t believe our luck, but it wasn’t to be all plain sailing! The clinic phoned first, they had double booked us and we’d have to wait an extra two months. Andie had “a bit of a chat” with them and they finally agreed to squeeze us in as an extra appointment after a heated debate! All 4 of us had to have medicals – the kids didn’t have x-rays or blood tests but we each had 40 minutes with the doctor, hearing and blood pressure tests. Even though there were no health issues as far as we knew I managed to stress about the whole deal and ended up failing the blood pressure test. Apart from the embarrassment, I had to have a cardiograph to make sure I was ok. This delayed the medicals being sent back by a week as the cardiograph had to be analyzed by a cardiologist. I didn’t feel too clever! We checked out the different shipping agencies. Kerry recommended PSS shipping - a family run business with a good reputation and a good quote. When we called to book we had almost left it too late. They managed to fit us in as we only had a relatively small load to ship. We agreed on a shared container for the shipping on a door to door service. They would arrive to pack everything on the 28th August. We just hoped the Medicals were OK! While I was deployed away with the Air force, the house sale had stalled due to an argument between the lawyers! We couldn’t sack them as then the whole process would have to start again and there would be no chance of us making a deadline for a currency transfer we had booked. There were large penalties for missing the date. We couldn’t cancel the removals at such short notice either, as it too would incur large penalties. So we were facing moving out to Andie’s parents and leaving the house empty whilst still paying the mortgage, taxes and bills. On top of that the insurance was only valid for 30 days once it was empty and we were booked on flights to Calgary to go house hunting! Eventually, Kerry phoned with the news that we were accepted and just had to sign some documents and send in our passports and photo’s to claim our visas. At last the relief of knowing took away the house nightmare for a day or two. The date was set – January 11th 2003. There is only a 3 month window where the forms were valid so we decided to send the paperwork off once we had returned from Canada as the house drama was starting to become serious. We were about to set off to Canada for a month with the house sale still in limbo. We managed to gain assurances that things were moving behind the scenes and that all would be completed in time for our money transfer, all we could do was board the plane and hope for the best! In Canada, we were recommended a local realtor (Estate Agent). He helped us find a plot of land and reputable builder to build the house of our dreams. We arranged a mortgage (with 35% down you don’t need to have a job for approval) and agreed on the deal – all that was missing was the cash! Eventually, the house sale went through, the money arrived into our Canadian bank in 72 hours. I was astonished (and thankful) at how the transfer went like clockwork. It was time to spend!!!! We went in to sign the house deal with the realtor and wrote out the house purchase agreement. The realtor handled all the negotiations on our behalf but always made sure we agreed to everything. We put down the 10% deposit needed to secure the deal (the rest is paid at possession) and put the house building process into gear. The day after we returned, we gathered up our documents and photo’s and sent them recorded delivery to the High Commission in London. It would take approximately 3 weeks to process and then we’d be on our way. We researched and chose the shipping company for our Golden Retriever which would cost us more to ship than our one way tickets! These one way flights were booked for the 11th January 2003 and it seemed strange paying more to ship a dog than a family of four! The rest they say, is history! We’ve been here 18 months now and can honestly say it has worked out better than we had ever imagined. The first 8 months or so had more stress than I have ever had before and times were extremely hard but now we are settled it’s hard to imagine being back in the UK. The air is clean, scenery amazing and there is so much to do there’s no spare time! The beer isn’t too clever but you can’t have everything! I hope this will give you an insight into Canadian Immigration and inspire rather than disturb!! If you decide to give it a go – good luck! About The Author Dave Lympany immigrated to Canada in 2003 and has constructed a free information website http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com about Canadian Immigration and life in Canada based on his family’s experiences.

Immigrating to Canada

Top tips on immigration to Canada by: Oonagh Baerveld O Canada! Canada maintains one of the most open immigration policies in the world, but there’s still a mountain of paperwork standing between you and your Canadian visa. Canada remains one of the world’s top immigration destinations with the Canadian Government seeking to attract the elusive ‘skilled worker.’ To offset declining birth rates, an aging population and fill specific skill shortages, Canada is looking to attract skilled workers to its shores. With its popular points-based Skilled Worker program, the Canadian Government is looking to attract upwards of 250,000 new immigrants in 2006 alone. If you are thinking of immigrating to Canada, or anywhere for that matter, you need to be aware; the process takes time and commitment. Those who take a step-by-step approach to immigration are often the most successful. For your part, researching the type of visa you are eligible for and collecting the necessary documents will be the most time consuming. You’ll likely need to spend a day or so, gathering the necessary paperwork including work history documents, birth and marriage certificates and other ‘proof’ documents. If you have misplaced any of the necessary required documents, it’s important to request replacements from the various government departments at the early stage of your application process as these take time. Several free, online assessments are available to measure individual points for the Canadian Skilled Worker visa and other visa subclasses. Most are attached to migration agencies, but some do offer the assessment service at no cost, with no obligation. Online assessments offer a quick and easy way to gauge whether or not you qualify for a Canadian visa. Canada’s most popular and most flexible visa, the Skilled Worker visa, works on a points-based system. Pass marks are set by Citizenship and Immigration Canada with variables such as education, skills, age and language proficiency assigned a point value. In order to be eligible to apply for the Canadian Skilled Worker visa, the minimum point level of 67 out of 100 must be obtained. Once the pass mark has been attained, it’s important to keep in mind there will be fees, medicals and time factors to take into consideration when applying for a Skilled Worker visa. Essentially, the 100 points are broken down into six categories, each with a different point maximum. Factor one, with a maximum of 25 points, is education. The more educated you are, the more points you are eligible to receive. Factor two is language, and being that Canada is a bilingual country, more points are allotted to those who speak either or both of Canada’s official languages (English and French). With a maximum score of 24 points, at least one language must be spoken with a high level of proficiency. To a maximum score of 21 points, experience rounds out factor three. Points are given on a scale based on one to four year, with four years of qualified experience worth the full 21 points. Factor four is age; ten points for those between the ages of 21-49, with two points deducted for each year above or below. If you have a pre-arranged work placement, subject to Human Resources Development Canada confirmation, you will be eligible for ten points under factor five. The final category, adaptability, makes up the final ten points. Points in this category are awarded for spousal or partner education, previous work and or study in Canada and family relationships in Canada. Canada offers several visa categories for business immigrants. There are three main categories: investor, entrepreneur and self-employed. Investors must demonstrate business experience, a minimum net worth and the ability to invest in the country. Entrepreneurs must demonstrate experience, net worth and are subject to several conditions upon arrival in Canada. Self-employed persons must have the intention and ability to create their own employment and are expected to contribute to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. Work permits, including working holiday maker visas for Canada, are only issued for foreign workers who are going to Canada for a limited time. If you are interested in living and working permanently in Canada, you must apply for permanent residence through the Skilled Worker program. If you have an unusual case, varied work experience, a criminal record, prior immigration offence or any medical problems, you may want to think about employing a migration agent. Migration agents break the visa process into manageable steps and have a firm understanding of immigration legislation. Be sure to use a registered migration agent or Canadian qualified lawyer. You can check the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants’ web site for a listing of all registered agents. Canada is a beautiful and diverse country, getting the right visa takes solid advance preparation. Remember to research, gather your documents early and be patient; the process can run anywhere from six to thirty-two months! About The Author Oonagh Baerveldt is the Communications Manager at Visa Bureau, an independent immigration advisory company. The firm specialises in visas and immigration to Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada. Further details relating to Canadian immigration can be found at www.visabureau.com.

Immigrants – The True And Untold Story Of America

Immigrants – The True And Untold Story Of America by: Geela During economic and social uncertainty people feel the urge to find a scapegoat. So they blame their misfortunes on somebody, anybody, just so they don’t have to take personal responsibility and look in the mirror first. The fear of the unknown, which is inherent in human nature, eventually leads to the overwhelming and irrational urge to hate accompanied by the desire to destroy or get rid of the perceived “threat.” Immigrants, particularly those who are not from European countries, fall into this unholy category. Immigrant bashing is at an all-time high, especially in states such as California where the percentage of immigrants is the highest in the nation. Virtually every time we hear about immigrants in the news, it’s not about celebrating their many contributions, sacrifice or heartwarming love and loyalty for this country, but rather about how they break the laws and drain the system. Never mind that law-breakers and bloodsuckers are found in every group of people. A contributing factor to our beliefs about immigrants is the perception that they are uneducated and a liability, and therefore undeserving of what America has to offer. This negative image is perpetuated not only by the media but also by various special interest groups, including some self-serving politicians who would try to divide and conquer by spreading hatred. Not only do immigrants become the butt of jokes, but they also become a convenient target for discrimination, bias and prejudice, all of which inspire feelings of low self-esteem and an inferiority complex born out of feeling like second-class citizens who are not welcomed here, unless of-course they happen to be Arnold Schwarzenegger. The blame game is not only inconsistent with the American way, but it is equally unfair and destructive. Above all, it’s hypocritical. That’s because whether people realize it or not, America is a nation of immigrants. The fact is that every American is either an immigrant or a descendent of an immigrant. In fact, immigrants are the true story of America. There are countless inspirational stories of immigrants who made a tremendous difference and contributed to the fabric of the American heritage. What many are unaware of is the untold story of immigrants who sometimes risk their lives to come to the Land of Opportunity, many came for religious and political freedom. They work unbelievably hard, often in poor conditions, and are faced with enormous challenges and struggles (from adapting to a new culture and learning a new language to biases and prejudices), just to get a piece of the American Dream. Immigrants have to leave their families and homeland for the chance to improve the quality of their lives. But too often they end up feeling like a stranger in a strange land (even though they have a deep love for this country). They wind up feeling “in it, but not of it,” no matter how hard they try to assimilate into the American culture. Like anything else in life, there is good, bad and ugly in every group of people (including immigrants). In a country that presumably prides itself on fairness and justice for all, it seems strange that people would look down on immigrants when immigrants typically love this country more than those were born here. The never-ending attack on immigrants is symptomatic of something much larger. It’s a reflection of intolerance for differences (i.e. lack of acceptance). It’s also an indication that while we may be living in a space age, morally and spiritually we still live in the stone age. The use of such a narrow definition in describing people as this or that is a reflection of limited awareness. It is through increased awareness and the understanding of the unity of life, that acceptance is possible. It is through acceptance that peace and cultural harmony are possible, which ultimately leads to total prosperity and a free and thriving society. So go ahead and love’em or hate’em – but also know that immigrants are simply a fact of life that can not and should not be ignored. Perhaps a more productive way of dealing with this emotionally charged issue is by increasing the level of our awareness of the true story of immigrants while celebrating their contributions that helped shape the fabric of a society and heritage we’ve come to know and love as America. And the next time the urge of bashing immigrants hits you, stop and ask yourself, “Am I being fair and intellectually honest, or am I just venting my own personal frustrations and mirroring my own inadequacies?” Better yet, why not be the change you wish to see in society? And why not shift the focus from a narrow definition and scope of humans (such as: black, white, or immigrant/non-immigrant) to a much larger definition that’s inclusive and more accurately reflective of our true identity which is beyond any artificial barrier of color, race, place of origin or even religion. Why not simplify things by adopting only one definition: Decent human beings (those who contribute to society) and indecent human beings (those who are grabbers and destroyers). Why limit your rainbow of happiness and prosperity to one color when you can enjoy the whole spectrum? Think of all the opportunities for attaining total prosperity and even cultural harmony and real peace. These are limited only by our imagination. When you live by the mantra “live and let live,” guided by the power of love rather than love of power, it’s easy to celebrate the contributions of immigrants and the diversity which is the mosaic of life. Now that makes both good sense and good economics for every one. About The Author Copyright © 2004-2005, Geela Author of “The American Dream” http://www.Geela.com Geela is an award winning singer/songwriter/composer, columnist, and author of the best-selling book “THE AMERICAN DREAM,” her true- life story of how she came to America as a young immigrant with nothing and overcame incredible obstacles to achieve mega-success. She founded ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD to help children and promote a culture of peace and harmony. Get a free sample of her music and her book at http://www.Geela.com.

New Poetic Work By Ethiopian Immigrant Promotes Respect, Courage And Cultural Sensitivity

New Poetic Work By Ethiopian Immigrant Promotes Respect, Courage And Cultural Sensitivity by: Kifle Bantayehu McLean, VA - "The Healing Conscious" tells the story of an Ethiopian immigrant boy on his fascinating journey to America and adulthood. Author Kifle Bantayehu, a 23 year-old second-generation Ethiopian immigrant, recounts this poignant tale in poetic format. His inspirational collection of poems reflects the final words and thoughts of a dying man who traveled across the world, raised a family and became successful-finally fulfilling the American dream. These poems, written in a uniquely modern style, reflect a journey of sacrifice, courage and strength. "The ideals of cultural preservation, respect and love intertwine with each person encountered along the narrator's journey and serve as inspiration to all people, regardless of race religion or sex," states the introduction of the book. Bantayehu says there have been very few work works of poetry written and published by Ethiopian authors. And he feels as though he's breaking new ground for this genre of literature by combining the English language with Ethiopian culture. "The Healing Conscious" is available for pre-order at Borders and Barnes & Noble. It's also available online at Amazon.com and books.lulu.com at discounted pricing. Part of the proceeds from book sales will be donated to Ethiopian Children's and Orphans' Association, Inc. (ECOA), 46664, Africare, the African AIDS Initiative and other organizations working to promote HIV awareness and helping those affected in Sub-Saharan and East Africa. Bantayehu says he wrote the book-which is based on the lives of his parents- to tell the compelling story of an immigrant, who through much pain and sacrifice, was able to leave his homeland of Ethiopia with an equally-strong and motivated woman, and raise four children in the best possible environment for education, opportunity and happiness. "Although, there are many wonderfully unique stories and novels depicting the lives of immigrants in America of backgrounds ranging from Italian, Irish, Chinese, and English, there has been little said of the sacrifices and contributions of the Ethiopian immigrant community residing in the United States," Bantayehu said, explaining his motivation. "Not only do we, as Ethiopians, possess over 2,000 years of a rich, cultural heritage, but we are a loving, caring and hard working people from whom the values of family, sacrifice, respect and camaraderie can be learned." "The Healing Conscious" is meant to inspire immigrants and others to have faith in their dreams because anything is possible. It also seeks to stir cultural consciousness and sensitivity. Many people and the world community at large, don't take the time to understand a culture or society other than their own, Bantayheu says. And stereotypes, misconceptions, and hatred arise from our lack of knowledge. "Whether Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim or any other ethnic or religious background, we all breathe the same air, feel fear, feel joy, shed tears, laugh, and love," he says. "Those innate qualities make us human." Given the fears and prejudices that have arisen from the September 11 tragedy, "The Healing Conscious" promotes important principles for the entire global community to embrace and practice. For more information about the book, please contact Kifle Bantayehu via phone / fax at (703) 628-3229 / (703) 448-0515 or email at kifle@globalcbp.com Additional information may be located at the following website: www.thehealingconscious.com. About The Author Kifle Bantayehu is a second-generation Ethiopian born in the United States in 1980. He grew up in Mexico, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and the United States. In 2002, he received his B.A. Degree from the University of Virginia and currently resides in Virginia, USA. He is a Distinguished Member of the International Society of Poets. kifle@globalcbp.com