Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

Sina · Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 117 Location: Germany

Hi, need help please..

...some would-be refomers are pressing for an overhaul of U.S. admissions criteria. They wnt to cut down on the number of newcomers to the U.S. on family-unificatios visas by...

What �xactly is this kind of visa? Does it imply that the whole family of newcomers are allowed to get into the USA?

Today's economy is a far cry from the turn of the century.
Does it mean that the economy of the USA has developed greatly?

Family reunification has overwhelmed our system. #Again this family reunification....I don't get it. ... Sad

And does cultural assimilation actually mean that one is able to adapt the new country's culture?

People who don't come out of their enclave.
??

Would be very kind if you help me. Smile

Thank you.

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

U.S. immigration law is complex. I've never heard of family-unification visas, but it is certainly plausible. But what is a family? I would imagine that spouses, children and parents of immigrants could have priority, but I doubt it would extend to siblings, cousins, etc.

A far cry implies a drastic change, but it does not tell us whether it was a postive change or a negative change. (Of course, if they are talking about 1900, logic tells us that the change was positive.)

It means that additional immigration for the purpose of reuniting families has stained the economy, governemnt, schools and hospitals, or whatever "the system" refers to in that sentence. (Is there a specific context?)

Yes. (cultural assimilation)

It is common for immigrants from one country to congregate in a certain area. That is, this neighborhood is predominately Colombians, that neighborhood is mostly Koreans, etc. You could call them enclaves. Stores and shops tend to be owned by that group, store signs are often in the group's native language, you'll hear that language on the street, etc... To not come out of their conclave is a reference to the ones who do not (or can not) make an attempt at cultural assimilation. They can survive well enough by staying only in their own community.

Sina · Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 117 Location: Germany

Thanks thanks thanks, your answers are very comprehensible-great! Smile

I get it at last.

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

Hah hah Bud, we posted at exactly the same time!

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

Yeah, I noticed. Great minds not only think alike, but at the same time, too? Laughing