INS vs Statue of Liberty
Standing high in New York City, the Statue of Liberty has greeted new
immigrants to America for years. It is a sign of freedom and hope-- inviting
the homeless and troubled people the world over to this great and mighty
land... here, read for yourself. This is the words inscribed on the
pedestal for the statue:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
But, INS must not have read these words. In fact, they have a different set of words greeting those who want to immigrate to the United States. Here, read for yourself (taken from Optional Form 167, Rev 6-91 — which does not really mean that it is 'optional'):
The Immigration and Naturalization Act requires an applicant for a visa to establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer at the time of application for a visa, and also to the satisfaction of the United States immigration official at the time of application for admission to the United States, that he or she is not likely at any time to become a public charge.
An applicant for an immigrant visa may generally satisfy this requirement of the law by the presentation of documentary evidence establishing that:
- the applicant has, or will have, in the United State personal funds sufficient to provide support for the applicant and dependent family members, or sufficient to provide support until suitable employment is located;
- the applicant has arranged employment in the United States that will provide an adequate income for the applicant and dependent family members;
- relatives or friends in the United States will assure the applicant's support; or
- a combination of the above circumstances exists.
I guess it's just too costly to properly adjust the wording on the statue's pedestal.