I will give you one example which would clear things as to what this topic is all about! Katrina Kaif is there in Bollywood for more than six years but she is NOT an Indian citizen yet! And to add on it, she has NOT even applied for it!!!

I hope the topic of discussion is clear now! Why just talk about Katrina Kaif? There are hundreds of other such names which can be counted on tips. But first, let us discuss this very interesting case of Katrina Kaif. Her modeling career started at the age of 14 in London itself! Watching her moves, she was offered a Bollywood movie Boom in the year 2003 where she got the opportunity to work with Super Star Amitabh Bachchan! Since then, there is no looking back. Now she is counted as one of the hottest and glamorous actresses of the industry. Her success cannot be ignored too! But ruling millions of Indian hearts does not mean she is an Indian as she is STILL staying on her Employment Visa!

According to some recent reports, foreigners who come to work in India prefer staying on Employment Visa so that they can extend its limit whenever necessary. Now the question which arises here is that “Are these foreigners ashamed of becoming Indian citizens, citizens of that country, which has given name, fame, respect and everything?”

Let us move on to another example: Yana Gupta is a citizen of the Czech Republic and started her glamorous career in the mid-1990s. She is also one of those people who are here on an employment visa!

The surprise package comes when we get to know that none of these Bollywood stars have even applied for Indian Citizenship!!! These people are taking the overall system as a joke. Come here, earn millions, extend their employment visas and go back to their home country when ever they feel like! (Some of them have even expired their visas too, but who cares? As far as the Indian audiences are concerned, they are enjoying their acting, in real and reel life, both)

Other such cases are Deepti Naval, who is a citizen of the United States of America and Salma Agha, who is a UK citizen! Not only is this aspect against the Immigration rules but is hurting the sentiments of Indian audiences who keep these superstars in their hearts but the latter ones are being ashamed of calling themselves as Indians!

The Marriage Visa is issued as per the United States Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for the foreign spouses of US citizens. Certain requirements or terms and conditions have to be followed as per the laws of the United States in order to obtain this visa.

This visa is basically a petition for a family based immigrant. Here, the US citizen files a petition for his immediate relative for an immigrant status. The immediate relatives include spouses, parents and children who are minor and unmarried which also include stepchildren. However, when it comes to stepchildren, this relationship should have been formed before the children were 18 years of age. It has to be realized that this immigrant visa is a form of Green Card only which permits the immigrant to live and work in the US.

Incase, a relative does not fall in the immediate relative category, he would be termed as the derivative beneficiary. So, in such a case, a separate petition has to be filed for each of such relatives.

It has to be remembered that before filing either the K1 Fiancé visa or an immediate relative petition, the major part of the process for immigration should have been done with before the immigrant’s entry into the nation. This is because the immigrant would enter the nation as a Green Card which means that the person would be eligible to find work the day he/she lands in the nation. This means that the background check on the applicant which includes the immigration history of the applicant, bona fides of the relationship etc. are carried out. With this, the applicant is also interview by the consular officers before obtaining a visa.  The interview is conducted at a US Embassy in the native country of the applicant of which the applicant is a citizen.

The requirements for both the marriage visa as well as for the K1 Fiancé visa are more or less similar. The proof provided should be sufficient that the relationship with the US citizen is genuine. Thus, the evidence should include a marriage bona fide which is honest; legitimate as well as sincere. This should prove that the couple is legally and is not trying to evade the laws pertaining to immigration. Also, if the couple was into a previous marriage, they have to prove that it has been terminated before walking into this relationship.

To know more, it is best to contact an immigration and visa who deals with US immigration. He is always updated with the latest and the correct procedure to follow. However, make sure that you are consulting a genuine and a registered expert with a decent amount of experience.

Immigration is a life altering decision which involves an investment of an entire lifetime worth of savings. So, it is important to think at least ten times before taking the plunge. Be it any developed nation such as the United States, United Kingdom or Canada, a strategy has to be formed keeping all the loopholes and the Plan Bs ready. Research and answering all your questions is the key to have a successful immigration. The research never goes waste…if you do not believe it now; time would surely prove it to you. How to go about the process effectively and what to do – all depends on your initial research. So, your first goal should be to have an objective to immigrate. And you should be very clear about it.

So, how would you go about this objective? In other words, why do you want to immigrate? The reasons can be many based on your purpose. Some such instances include:

• I want to pursue my higher studies at a subsidized fee in the United States.
• I would like to invest in the US economy and start a business.
• I am looking forward to better work and life opportunities in Canada. So, I want to immigrate to Canada.
• My company wants me to go to the UK and set up a new office but doing so is better if I am an immigrant and a permanent resident. That gives me much leverage with financial institutions and local business community.
• My husband is a citizen of Australia and so, I would want to immigrate to live with him.
• Quality of life issues such as law and order problems, pollution and corruption are important and therefore, I must migrate to a place where systems work and people can live honorably and without fear.
• I am concerned about the future of my children

The above are few of the many reasons as to why people would want to immigrate to a developed nation. After knowing the reasons behind your immigration plan, the next step is how to go about it. For this, get informed about the kind of visa that is required and whether you are eligible for it or not, how to apply for it, the documents required, the fee that has to be paid, the various procedures that have to be followed and so on.

During the above process, it is essential that you do not get confused. To avoid this, it is best to hire a registered immigration consultant who would be able to guide you through the process. This would help clear the road map further.

It has to be noted that successful immigrants in various nations have always had clear plans which has led to the accomplishment of their goals. Thus, even a consultant would be of help only if you know what you want. Good Luck!

Immigration has been quite a debate in the United States with the immigration bill introduced in Arizona. But now, another debate has emerged in the form of immigrant babies. No wonder it is the time for elections and so, targets are formed from all sides.

Some of the lawmakers from the Republican side are suggesting changing a part of the 14th Amendment which permits natural citizenship to all those born in the United States. According to Sen. Lindsey Graham, many immigrant women cross the borders illegally just to deliver a child who would then be an American citizen. This has been termed as “Drop and Leave”.

In 2008, an estimated number of 340,000 babies were born in the United States. These babies were born to illegal migrants. This is as per the study conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center. It has been claimed that the more than eighty percent of the children born were born to mothers who have been residing in the nation for a minimum of a year.

Keeping the above aside, it can also be said that the Republican lawmakers are trying to bring out terms and conditions to procreate in the nation. But then, how would such a plan is implemented? This would simply mean deploying immigration agents at every corner of the nation or may be turning the nurses and the doctors into immigration officials. In other words, a category called undocumented babies would come into picture.

On the other hand, there was no such concept as illegal immigration in 188 when the 14th Amendment was sanctioned. This was because all the immigrants were permitted to reside in the nation. More so, no immigration laws or policies were created then. Walking into the nation was free and people used to come in boats or even cross the borders from Mexico or Canada.

So, simply removing the concept of birthright for these children is not the answer. Above all, it is not a child’s fault to have illegal migrants as parents.

According to the 14th Amendment, any child born in the United States is automatically a citizen of the nation. This also includes those children who are born to parents who are not the citizens of the United States. But with the current issue of illegal immigration being the debate, this amendment is being questioned. Many leading Republicans are urging to reconsider this 14th Amendment.

In order to curb illegal immigration, few Republican senators have said that such children, especially born to parents who are illegal migrants should not be accepted as US citizens, despite being born in US. According to Senator Lindsey Graham, just crossing the borders only to deliver a child should not be the reason. With the intent to ensure that their children are US citizens motivates these undocumented migrants to cross the borders illegally.

Since there are already about 11 million undocumented migrants in the United States, adding more to the number through illegal means and projecting them as being legal is something which cannot and should not be tolerated by the government of any nation.

It has also been proposed by the Senate GOP leaders to not have a system of automatic citizenship unless one of the parents is a citizen of the US. The citizenship clause in the 14th amendment came about 1868 so as the freed slaves could obtain a citizenship.

On the other hand, the Democrats feel that the Republicans are giving way to anti-immigration extremists and thus, doubting the very Constitution they have sworn to preserve.

Above all, this change could only be brought out after a Constitutional amendment has been brought about. For this, it is important to get the consent of two-thirds majorities from both the Congress chambers and from three-fourths of the states.

The plight of Tanya Bloomfield, a Nova Scotia transgendered woman, currently living in Canada does not seem to end at all. She is originally from Ireland who came to Canada in 2006 and has been living in Canada since then. She has made lots of friends here and has invested a lot in business which she stared in Canada only.

She is now been asked by Canada Immigration authorities to leave the country but she does not wants to leave the country because in Europe she will have to face the rejection from people for her being a transgendered woman. She applied for temporary residence permit which was refused by the immigration officials and they even asked her to leave the country.

Bloomfield is a responsible citizen who became a hero for her friends and community people when she contributed lot of money to support the lesbians, bisexuals, gay and transgendered community in Scotiabank Blue Nose marathon. She has her own computer business outside Chester, N.S. but the Canada Immigration Authorities has refused to give her temporary work permit.

In a situation like this, her lawyer has advised her to seek refugee protection now. She has rested all her hopes now in seeking the refugee status in Canada. She is hoping that her appeal for refugee status would be accepted on the basis of her being a transgendered woman. She feels that going back to Europe could prove to be very dangerous to her. If her application as a refugee status will be accepted, then she will be able to stay in Canada for next 18months otherwise she has to leave Canada by the end of August.

By now, it is a known fact that the United States requires immigrants to possess visas before crossing the borders and work afterwards. Those who have tried are also aware that getting visas can be often difficult. Many people found that an employment offer in hand which is from a US employer who is likely to sponsor themselves for a visa is the ideal way to enter the US. Even though, it seems an easier way, there are still obligations attached to this process. Let us have a look at them:

• Applicants must have the skills that are required or approved in the US.
• Applicants being members of the professions with bachelor degrees would also help.
• The applicants must have been recruited in a managerial/executive position for a minimum of one year in the previous three years. The organization or firm which has employed the applicants must have its operations in America. The applicants must also be willing to serve the same organization in the US.
• The applicants must demonstrate special ability in business/arts/science with which they would be able to benefit the US economy, or the cultural/educational/welfare aspects of the nation.

Individuals who are the members of the professions with bachelor degrees, as well as those with special ability do not necessarily need to have a job offer from a US employer. Without a job offer, they can be able to apply own visas.

Besides the above, getting a Diversity Immigrant Visa is one more option to enter the US. On a yearly basis, the United States issues 50,000 of this visa.

Another option is family category. There is a chance for an individual to obtain a US visa, if he/she has a close family member residing in the US. The sponsor must either be a citizen or a permanent resident in the United States. In other words, US citizens are permitted to apply for visas for their spouses/siblings/children/parents. And PRs are eligible to apply for visas for their spouses or children, but not married ones.

The Canada day witnessed 50 people taking oath to become Canadian citizen on this occasion! The group was attired with natives from 21 different nations and was welcomed by the Jason Kenney, the Immigration minister of Canada. The minister was found saying that this day marked as one of the most important days in the lives of new immigrants and it is the day which witnesses their becoming a part of an amazing story.

After the oath was taken, the new immigrants were found singing “O Canada” and the ceremony ended up with them taking snaps with the minister and other eminent personalities present at the occasion.

One of the citizens, Ehsan Haque, said that this is the day for which he was waiting throughout his life. He went on to say that he is decked with a proud feeling and at present he is feeling extremely lucky as if it has become a dream come true. The man hails from Bangladesh and he moved to the country almost four years back. He applied for the Canadian citizenship, along with his spouse and a daughter.

Same is the case with another citizen, Leroy Spence, who felt speechless after taking the oath. For all these people, the moment was truly one of the best in their lives. It is an unbelievable situation.

The ending of the ceremony was marked by a cake cutting ceremony, decorated in red and white hues.

A Muslim preacher who was barred the entry from Britain last week for his bad behavior and conduct is banned in Canada also where he was due to give his words in an upcoming event hosted by Toronto.

Dr. Zakir Naik’s speeches include the element of terror in it. The man from Mumbai is an applauded lecturer in India and serves a role model for the Muslim community all over the world. His views are entirely different from what other religious leaders have to say on other controversial topics.

These views have led to his exclusion from Britain and now Canada; both the nations need an Indian citizen to go through the vista formalities before entering the premises. The news have become so popular over a span of few days that even a community has been created on a very famous social networking site stating “Keep Zakir Naik Out of Canada.”

He said that capital punishment should be given to homosexuals. In addition, his views are lined with the fact that a person who abandons Islam as faith deserves nothing less than a death penalty. Here are some of his other views too. It was in the year 2009, where he posted a video warning people against beating the spouse on the face or leaving any mark on it. Before that his views were that a man has all the freedom to beat his spouse “lightly”. He also mentioned it somewhere that western women are more prone to rape as they wear wrong dressing and revealing attire (that’s what the community said)

Delhi is one of the oldest cities of India and its beautiful Mughlai architecture gives it an ancient and traditional look. But the beauty of Delhi is incomplete without its lush green huge gardens such as Lodhi garden, Mughal garden or Garden of Five Senses to name a few.

We make our most beautiful memories of our childhood in gardens and parks only where, a place where we tend to meet many of our childhood friends. Sometimes we have played there, sometimes fought too, but no matter what, it was always our daily routine to go to the park to meet our friends and play with them. Wasn’t it wonderful? During summer vacations, visiting the park in the early morning with grandparents or family dinner at India Gate formed the most cherished memories of our life. I still can not forget that how eagerly I used to wait for my summer vacations because during those holidays I used to spend the best of the mornings with my grandfather at “Lodhi Garden,” enjoying the cool breeze and delicious ice candies. What a fun it was!

Those were the happiest days of my life when I was simply carefree and unaware of harsh realities of the world. Every time I pass through lodhi road, it enlivens my childhood memories, making me feel nostalgic. But the growing pollution and space problem in Delhi is making the government think twice before allotting any space for parks and gardens for public use.

But isn’t it sad that we are losing our parks which are the lungs of the city, as they help in maintaining the oxygen level in the air, giving a fresh and green look to our city. But what’s more upsetting is the attitude of delhites towards the maintenance of our public places. While strolling inside the park and enjoying the cool breeze, we hardly bother to dump our garbage in the dustbin. Plucking flowers or playing sports like cricket and football spoils the beauty of the garden and we should try not doing such activities.

Being a responsible citizen, we must realize that it’s our duty as well to take good care of our public places. After all, these parks are one of the main medium for maintaining our health. We all go for walk and many yoga communities hold yoga session in the morning in these gardens only. They forms the most important activity of our daily routine without which our health and lives could be greatly affected. So, next time before doing anything which you think could spoil its beauty, you must seriously consider that how it benefits you and others.