According to TGTT – The United States has long been considered a promised land for many people around the world seeking asylum, education, research, and work. But is it still the land of “great dreams” today?
Mr. Tran Duc Canh has over 40 years of living, studying, and working in the U.S. He spent 16 years holding various positions appointed by the governor of Massachusetts, such as Director of Training and Human Resource Development; Immigration; and Social Welfare. He also held other positions such as a member of the Northeastern University Council and an admissions advisor for Harvard University. In an interview with TGTT, he emphasized: Education remains the prerequisite for opening doors to new horizons.
After taking office on January 20th, President Trump immediately signed an executive order on refugees and banned visas for some countries. How do you view this policy in the midst of thousands of rumors causing anxiety among Vietnamese people who want to come to the U.S. today?
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has announced or signed several executive orders that he had promised voters during his campaign. These new proposals have caused significant controversy within the U.S. and around the world.
One of President Trump’s most controversial executive orders is the Executive Order: Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorists Entry Into the United States, signed on January 27th, which temporarily or permanently bans certain groups from entering the U.S., including: a) temporarily suspending refugee admissions into the U.S. for 120 days while proposing to reduce the number of refugees entering the U.S. in the fiscal year 2017 from 110,000 to 50,000; b) permanently banning Syrian refugees from entering the U.S.; c) not issuing visas or allowing entry into the U.S. (including those with permanent resident status) to citizens of seven countries: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, for 90 days, except those with diplomatic visas.
Immediately, this order was challenged by the Attorney General of Washington state. The Federal Court in Washington state struck down the order. The Trump administration appealed, but the Federal Court of Appeals (The 9th Circuit of Appeal) officially rejected the appeal on February 9, 2017. The reason is that the Immigration Act of 1965 prohibits the U.S. government from discriminating in visa issuance based on race, nationality, or country of origin. The court ruled that President Trump’s order violated this law because it targeted seven “Muslim” countries.
On March 6, President Trump signed a new order, which is somewhat lighter, suspending the refugee program for 120 days for review, including Syrian refugees, rather than permanently banning them as in the previous order; at the same time, Iraq was removed from the list of banned countries. This new order is being challenged by states like Washington and Hawaii and is likely to be struck down, but it is currently a subject of debate.
This order does not affect Vietnamese people, so there is no need to worry.
How does this policy affect Vietnamese students currently in the U.S. and those preparing to come to the U.S.?
Although the initial order was struck down by the Federal Court, it has significantly affected the mentality of foreigners, especially Vietnamese families whose children are studying abroad, visiting relatives, or traveling for work, making them think that the U.S. is no longer friendly or attractive for studying abroad… I can understand those concerns.
I believe that students currently studying or planning to study in the U.S. have nothing to worry about, as the order does not affect countries other than the six mentioned and refugees entering the U.S. However, I would also advise students and tourists not to violate or abuse the time allowed on their visas. In the future, the U.S. may impose stricter controls and take stronger measures against those who overstay their visas, including deportation.
Currently, what minimum standards do Vietnamese students need to meet to study in the U.S., and if they are denied a visa without reason, is there a chance for a second or third attempt?
I cannot speak on behalf of U.S. immigration officers. However, based on my knowledge and many years of experience, the simple answer is: 1) The student must be accepted by a middle or high school or university; 2) The student or family must prove they meet the financial requirements to cover at least one year of study expenses and be issued an I-20 by the school. If the student is on a scholarship, the school or organization will provide sponsorship documentation. After receiving the I-20, the student can apply for a student visa interview. Proving financial capability, English proficiency, and good test scores are very important factors for obtaining a student visa.
If a student is denied a student visa the first time, a second or even a third interview can be requested. When re-interviewing, the student should demonstrate what has changed or improved compared to the previous rejection. Simply going back for another interview without any new information is unlikely to result in a visa approval and will incur additional fees.
The United States has long been considered a promised land for many people around the world seeking asylum, education, research, and work. But is it still the land of “great dreams” today?
More than anyone else, I understand and empathize with the circumstances of refugees around the world. For over four decades, I have always advocated for America… as a “safe haven” of the world, when people have no other options. I have worked with American politicians and international organizations for two decades, lobbying to admit and resettle millions of people in the U.S. The majority of Americans support this view and are proud that America is a country with a tradition of welcoming immigrants.
Each year, the U.S. accepts about 800,000 people to settle (permanent residence) in the U.S. through various means: family reunification, work, investment… The number of refugees admitted to the U.S. each year is only about 10 – 15% of the total number of people settling. Additionally, the U.S. attracts over 100,000 people to live and work with permanent residence status, along with about 100,000 people (in some years up to nearly 200,000 people) on long-term work visas. This is a significant “gray matter” source from various parts of the world, contributing to the U.S. economy and society. In IT companies, new technology companies, hospitals, research centers, and large universities in the U.S., you will find that immigrants, particularly from Asia, play a crucial role.
The question is why does America always lead in every development? Because America always values and creates opportunities for “gray matter” to thrive, no matter where it comes from. America needs and constantly rejuvenates to continue developing… there is no better development formula than continuing to attract and effectively utilize the brainpower of immigrants. The law does not allow anyone, including the U.S. President, to exceed the permitted limits. Therefore, America remains and will continue to be the land of opportunity, especially with the current good economic growth.
Thuy Nguyen conducted the interview
