What is a student visa?About China SACO — Jingqi Tu is far from home. The 15-year-old Beijing native plans to spend the next four years in Maine, studying at Thornton Academy. It’s the best way, he says, to improve his English and get into an American college. “I come here to study. It’s very good […]
from away
Posted inLocal & State
The undocumented immigrant: This man came here on a tourist visa 15 years ago and never left
Who is undocumented?About El Salvador He has been living and working in southern Maine for more than a decade. He pays taxes. He goes to church. But he has no legal immigration status – no citizenship, no valid visa, no green card. And that means he is constantly at risk of being discovered and removed. […]
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State
The childhood arrival: She has just become a nurse, but now politics has upended her world
What is DACA?About the West Indies Sophia studied for her nursing board exam all summer long. After graduating from college in May, the 23-year-old woman returned to her family’s home in Maine. Her summer days were dominated by a prep course and practice tests. A passing score on her licensing exam would mean she could […]
Posted inLocal & State
The student worker: Betul Gulec has twice used a program that fosters cultural exchange
“I was so surprised by every little thing,” said Betul Gulec of experiencing American culture.
Posted inLocal & State
By the numbers: J-1 student worker visas
J-1 visa occupations in Maine, 2017 Maine employers hire thousands of international students to work here each summer. The young people get J-1 visas, which also are used by foreign exchange students. Here is a breakdown of the Maine visits with J-1 visas this year. SOURCE: U.S. Department of StateCHART: Christian MilNeil | @c_milneil Leading […]
Posted inLocal & State
By the numbers: Migrant workers
Federally certified H-2A job positions from Maine employers, by federal fiscal year H-2A visas are given to temporary agricultural workers such as apple or blueberry pickers. Here is the number of jobs that Maine-based employers got permission to fill using H-2A visas. No data was available about how many international workers were actually hired to […]
Posted inLocal & State
Paths of immigrants to Maine differ, but their hopes have echoed through the centuries
Like the rest of the nation, Maine has been a destination for waves of people from away, and their arrivals usually are met by some resistance.