What is immigration reform
Immigration reform is a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented migrants living in the United States. These are individuals who have worked, and continue to work, hard but can’t afford their health insurance or don’t have access to affordable medical treatment. Undocumented workers also pay taxes that help fund public schools, community programs, and roads that benefit everyone. Some will come to start up businesses of their own, not only in the United States but in other areas of the world too, that is why resources like an investor visa (more here) are an important factor for this, however, immigrants may not know that they are able to do this and do not go through the proper legal channels, which can have them not benefiting from this either.
Political leaders like President Barack Obama introduced immigration reform in 2013 to make healthcare and education more affordable for undocumented families across America.
How to adjust to these changes
Adjusting to the new environment is easy if you plan. A few simple changes can significantly reduce your future out-of-pocket expenses, which means more money in your pocket. Some of the simple changes include:
- Join your company’s health benefits plan. You can still buy an affordable individual health insurance plan directly from a carrier since you have been guaranteed the right to do so under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Your employer is not required to cover uncovered dependents like undocumented adults or children.
- Research all of your healthcare options. Self-employed Americans can buy health insurance plans directly from carriers like WellPoint or United HealthCare certified to sell them on the Federal and State exchanges created by Obamacare. These insurance agents also assist with enrolling in a plan, adjusting your coverage levels, and helping you save money through various tools like a health calculator, $1 prescriptions, and discount drug programs.
- Use tax credits to help pay for healthcare costs. Many of the plans in the exchanges cover all your basic medical needs at little or no cost to you because the Affordable Care Act makes them affordable for everyone. However, if you make too much money to qualify for a subsidy, you can use tax credits to help cover your medical expenses at work.
- Get as much support as possible from a trusted family member or friend. Many people can afford health insurance and other healthcare services with the help of their friends and family members in two ways: borrowing money at low-interest rates or getting free accommodation. If you have it, sell an asset like your home to create some liquidity that you can use to pay your medical bills until you get back on your feet financially. Be sure to check out all of your options before taking this course of action.
Changes that will take place in 2021
Over the next two years, we should expect an even more significant increase in the cost of living. This is partly due to shortages in food and gasoline (due to international sanctions on Iran). The government will try to intervene with price controls, but that won’t solve anything. Food prices will eventually rise about another 60% during this period as well. The government will not be able to control the cost of food and gas. On top of this, we will have to pay more in income taxes (due to the reduced tax revenues from inflation).
This period won’t be any easier for foreigners as well. Instead, we should expect an even more significant number of new immigration restrictions. This is because public sentiment against immigrants will increase, and there’s nothing we can do about it. One thing to keep in mind is that it isn’t possible to adjust to a sudden rise in housing costs the same way you do with gas or food prices. In other words, it’s impossible for people with low salaries to suddenly find better jobs or start their businesses due to higher housing costs.
Tips for success during the adjustment period
There is no denying that there are many different opinions out there when it comes to immigration reform. Some people feel strongly about the new reforms, and others may oppose them for personal reasons or political affiliations. Either way, implementing these changes will not happen overnight, so it’s essential to plan accordingly through what we refer to as “the adjustment period.”
The adjustment period for immigration reform is different for everyone, and each immigrant’s journey will be slightly different. During the adjustment period, it will become necessary to adjust to your new status as an immigrant. It will be essential to adjust your habits, outlook on the future, and financial situation. Adjusting successfully to immigration reform is about making gradual changes that are realistic for you as an immigrant.
Ways to stay informed about future changes and their effects on your life
Check every workplace bulletin board for information about new programs and changes in immigration guidelines. At work, ask your coworkers if they are aware of any pending announcements regarding policy changes on immigration reform and deportations. Subscribe to an online news article source that has pegged itself as a neutral voice with the ability to follow up with accuracy on the impact of these issues well into the future. That way, you will know how best to adjust your life to this new reality. Ensure all implications, including local regulations regarding foreigners entering your state or region, and find out which states seem more welcoming towards immigrants from Mexico and which ones may have conflicting laws regarding entry.
Be careful not to choose a location that is too close to one of the other border states, as those areas will be less likely to accept immigrants.
Future predictions for the US immigration system
There is an exciting way to explore what it means to be in the US and view others. Predicting immigration reform is probably more complicated than predicting economic growth or unemployment rates because policies change dramatically over time. Rapid policy shifts bring changes to the meaning of citizenship and our role in America’s history. Fortunately, we have experience with this kind of shift; The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) passed in 1986 following a dramatic change from one year earlier. IRCA represents such a significant shift that its effects are still felt 30 years later.
As Congress begins debating reforms for US immigration laws, we are already preparing our future responses. While each immigrant will respond differently depending on their situation, we can look at large groups of immigrants to see how they will be affected.
For more information, you may ask or consult with Houston immigration lawyers.
