<
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australians-living-in-america-anxiety/p88o60wos>
“Kate (not her real name) describes life as an Australian living in the United
States as "dire" right now.
A musical theatre performer and manager of fitness studios, she has been living
in the US for nearly seven years and after marrying her husband this year, she
acquired a green card, which grants her permanent residency and the right to
work.
Kate says New York is "home" to her now. The couple owns an apartment in
Brooklyn, they have two dogs and a wide network of close friends from musical
theatre and the gym.
But she says the attitude towards foreign nationals under the current
administration has made life in the US feel "scary". Kate says these fears were
brought to the surface during her green card interview.
"They grilled me in the interview and asked me questions not even related to
our marriage but about my previous visa and time in the US," she says.
"I was terrified I wouldn't be approved and every time I travel in and out of
the country, there is fear of being deported."
Kate says her husband has taken to waiting nervously outside customs whenever
she flies back into the US, as he is "unsure if I'll get through or not".
Some foreign nationals in Kate's social circle have already left the US due to
political concerns but she also acknowledges the ability to leave is a
privilege.
"Most of my friends are local and worry for their futures, their kids'
futures."
While she says it might sound "extreme", Kate and her friends have all made
contingency plans in case of any sudden changes to the political climate or
their safety.
"My friends and I talk about 'to go' bags. We have a safe spot at one of our
gyms that we will meet at if cellular service goes down; we have cars ready to
go," she says.
"The unexpected could happen at any time and with this government making
irrational decisions at the drop of a hat, it wouldn't surprise me if we need
to move quick and get out of the country."”
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
