Moving to the United States for permanent residence implies a complete change of life: from professional activities to household habits. The author of the blog "Immigrant's Alphabet" on Yandex. Zen spoke in more detail about what changes await new immigrants in the States.
Calendar.
At first, it is difficult to get used to the fact that calendar spring in the States does not begin on March 1, but on the 20th or 21st. Similarly, summer begins here on the 20th of June, winter - on the 20th of December, right after Christmas. The working week here starts not from Monday, but from Sunday.
Insurance. In the USA, there are many types of different insurance: car insurance, life insurance, property insurance in case of natural disasters, and others. Sometimes the employer pays the insurance in full or in part, but if this does not happen, then you should apply for the purchase of the policy yourself. The cost of insurance is determined individually for each case.
Health insurance depends on the number of family members, their age, and most importantly, income. Low-income US residents can take advantage of the free health insurance program.
Taxes “Those who work on a W2 (that is, in a state, equivalent to a job with an entry in the employment book) receive a salary after deduction of tax. Those who work on a 1099 (independent contractor, self-employed) pay their own taxes once a quarter,” says the author. In addition, tax returns must be filed every year. If you overpaid during the year, the state will return the money to you.
Each state as a separate state. Many states have their own laws, fines, and regulations that you also need to get used to. And if you plan to move from one state to another, you should find out about all the changes in advance, so as not to get into an unpleasant situation and accidentally violate the local law.
Also, taxes, prices, and salaries differ in each state. Incomplete price on the price tag. You have to get used to the fact that the state tax must be added to the amount on the price tag, which, as a rule, is not written, but announced at the cash register. Each state has its own tax (some do not have it at all), yes, in New York, for example, 8.875%, in New Jersey - 6.625%.
Units of measurement.
In the USA, a different measurement system is used, so you will have to forget about the usual kilograms, liters and centimeters.
You will have to learn to convert everything to gallons, pounds, etc. Most immigrants over time relearn and get used to the local units of measurement. Freedom and responsibility.
Here you have to take responsibility for your life, Americans are not used to blaming the state, mayor, neighbor or anyone else for their troubles. As for freedom, here it is not permissiveness, but a synonym of responsibility. rules. In the States, there are strict rules, and all local residents strictly follow them.
Here it is almost impossible to "negotiate" and get something "for free". Credit cards and credit rating. In the USA, many people live on credit, but this does not mean living in poverty and up to the ears in debt.
The USA has a competent credit system. Credit card holders can receive pleasant bonuses in the form of cashback and other incentives.
People with a good credit history can count on a reduced interest rate on a mortgage. But a good credit rating will be only if you avoid delays and repay payments on time. Simplicity, benevolence and pragmatism. It is much easier to communicate with Americans, they are open to dialogue and, what is important, friendly to the interlocutor.
Americans may not always smile sincerely, but even a fake smile is more pleasant to see than true anger. Asylum cases will now be handled by the Immigration Service: what will change The workload of the immigration courts is so great that the staff cannot cope with the volume of work assigned to them. If earlier the case was considered for several months, now the applicants have been waiting for a final decision on their issue for years.
The Department of Homeland Security, together with the Department of Justice, decided to redirect all asylum cases to the Immigration Service.
This also applies to those immigrants who request asylum at the border. Previously, all such cases were immediately sent to immigration courts.
Already after 6-8 months, the refugee was summoned to the first hearing. Those foreigners who submitted applications while on the territory of the United States immediately fell under the jurisdiction of the immigration service, their cases were not considered in courts.
The case was brought to court only if the immigration service refused asylum. But now, to relieve immigration courts, absolutely all storage cases will be handled by the immigration service. Immigration attorney Tatyana Edwards said this isn't too rosy news, and here's why: “Biden thinks he's going to unburden the courts this way. But at the same time, he forgets that there is a huge number of people who have been waiting for a decision on asylum for many years.
Those who applied to the asylum directly to the service. They have been waiting since 2015 to be called for an interview. Now imagine that a million more new cases will pile on top of these old cases. Most likely, they will be considered first. And then the "old" may not wait for a decision in their case at all.
