A series of events has led to many Brazilians abandoning their lives in North America to return to Brazil.<\/b><\/p>\n
The New York Times reports that immigration policy in the USA, the falling dollar, and the sub-prime lending have all contributed to a dramatic turning of the tide for Brazilians living in the USA. Many of the reasons for living in the USA have now disappeared or diminished, for example the once dramatically greater earning potential of an American job over a Brazilian job. Additionally, Brazilian immigrants, many of whom are in the country illegally after arriving on now-expired tourist visas, now face the realities of non-renewable expired drivers’ licenses. Inability to operate a car alone is enough to paralyze one’s entire existence in this country.<\/p>\n
A large number of the Brazilians who are in the USA illegally, it ought to be noted, have tried fervently to gain citizenship to no avail. There is no doubt that if the process to become a legal citizen were easier – or at least more feasible – that many of these well-adjusted, affluent Brazilians would stay here and continue to participate in their communities and business endeavors. The irony is arguably that citizenship is very hard to attain partly because of the illegal immigration problem in the US right now. It is a real Catch-22 as far as I can see it.<\/p>\n
This is a very interesting issue; I encourage everyone to comment at the bottom of this post.<\/p>\n
Edit: PMarca provides an interesting resource for understanding the best arguments<\/a> of the great USA immigration debate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A series of events has led to many Brazilians abandoning their lives in North America to return to Brazil. The New York Times reports that immigration policy in the USA, the falling dollar, and the sub-prime lending have all contributed to a dramatic turning of the tide for Brazilians living in the USA. Many of…<\/p>\n