Cultivando sueños STEM: caminos de los inmigrantes hacia los Estados Unidos
Estados Unidos ha sido durante mucho tiempo una tierra de oportunidades, especialmente para aquellos con talentos excepcionales en los campos de la ciencia, la tecnología, la ingeniería y las matemáticas (STEM). Para los aspirantes a profesionales STEM de todo el mundo, Estados Unidos ofrece un camino hacia la residencia permanente y, eventualmente, la ciudadanía estadounidense a través de varias vías de inmigración.
El camino hacia la residencia permanente legal
Obtener la residencia permanente legal, a menudo denominada adquisición de una Tarjeta Verde, es un hito importante para cualquiera que busque establecer una carrera a largo plazo en los Estados Unidos. Abre las puertas a una amplia gama de oportunidades y puede servir como un trampolín para convertirse en ciudadano estadounidense. El proceso para obtener la residencia permanente legal varía según la categoría de visa de inmigrante basada en empleo que se persiga, pero generalmente implica dos o tres pasos esenciales.
Paso 1: Certificación Laboral (Formulario ETA 9089)
For most applicants, typically sponsored by employers and filing under the EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa categories, the journey begins with filing an Application for Permanent Employment Certification, commonly known as a labor certification, with the Department of Labor (DOL). The primary goals of this application are:
- To demonstrate that the labor market in the geographical area of the permanent job offer has been thoroughly tested, confirming that there are no qualified U.S. workers available and willing to accept the offered position.
- To establish that hiring the beneficiary (the prospective immigrant worker) will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
The approval of this labor certification application is pivotal, as it forms the foundation for the subsequent stages of the immigration process.
Step 2: Immigrant Visa Petition and Adjustment Application
Once the labor certification application is approved by the DOL, the petitioner submits the certified labor certification along with an immigrant visa petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Depending on the applicant's location and immigration status, there are two potential paths:
- If the applicant is in the United States, they can file an adjustment application with USCIS.
- If the applicant is outside the United States or not pursuing an adjustment of status, they can file an immigrant visa application with the Department of State (DOS).
Priority Dates and Visa Availability
Upon approval of the immigrant visa petition, the applicant is assigned a priority date. This priority date is a critical component in determining the order in which immigrant visas become available. Applicants can proceed with filing an adjustment application or requesting a visa through a consulate once an immigrant visa becomes immediately available.
The availability of an immigrant visa depends on various factors, including the employment-based classification being sought and the applicant's country of chargeability, typically their country of birth. In general, EB-1 immigrant visas tend to be immediately available to all qualifying applicants, regardless of their country of origin. However, for EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visas, there may be waiting periods, especially for nationals of China and India.
USCIS Resources: Visa Availability and Priority Dates
Navigating the complexities of visa availability and priority dates is crucial for immigrants on their path to lawful permanent residence. The USCIS provides valuable resources, such as the Visa Availability and Priority Dates webpage, to help applicants understand the process better. This resource outlines the DOS Visa Bulletin process, explains how immigrant visas are allocated, and provides insights into consular processing.
Para los profesionales de STEM, estos caminos de inmigrantes presentan oportunidades interesantes para contribuir con sus talentos a los Estados Unidos mientras construyen carreras satisfactorias. Comprender las complejidades del proceso de inmigración y mantenerse informado sobre la disponibilidad de visas y las fechas de prioridad son pasos esenciales en este extraordinario viaje hacia el logro de su sueño americano en el mundo STEM.
