Hotel Vegas
Understanding Green Cards
RECEIVED Tue., Feb. 10, 2004
Dear Editor,
While I enjoyed your review of "In America" [Film, Dec. 19, 2003] – and the film itself – your closing line containing "after their green cards expire" is wildly inaccurate and strikes a false note.
As a former green card holder (now a citizen) please allow me to gently explain that:
1) The family in the movie does not have green cards (which are tough to get). They cross from Canada illegally, as vacationing tourists ("My daddy's not working," pipes one child – potentially arousing suspicion). They are in the USA illegally, making their story more poignant.
2) Green cards do not "expire" but are renewable indefinitely. I know people who've lived here for 30 years with a green card.
More awareness of and sensitivity to immigration issues would be welcome in future references to this subject – one about which most Americans are abysmally ignorant.
While I enjoyed your review of "In America" [Film, Dec. 19, 2003] – and the film itself – your closing line containing "after their green cards expire" is wildly inaccurate and strikes a false note.
As a former green card holder (now a citizen) please allow me to gently explain that:
1) The family in the movie does not have green cards (which are tough to get). They cross from Canada illegally, as vacationing tourists ("My daddy's not working," pipes one child – potentially arousing suspicion). They are in the USA illegally, making their story more poignant.
2) Green cards do not "expire" but are renewable indefinitely. I know people who've lived here for 30 years with a green card.
More awareness of and sensitivity to immigration issues would be welcome in future references to this subject – one about which most Americans are abysmally ignorant.
Diane Barnet
