Year: 2009

Stimulus contains visa restrictions

Just when you thought the quota, the lottery system, the very expensive application costs, and the uber-confusing legal procedures made getting an H-1B visa difficult enough—now there’s more. The recently-passed economic stimulus bill now contains restrictions aimed at deterring companies that receive bailout money from hiring H-1B workers.  Bottom line: it’s going to take a hell of a lot more luck for non-Americans to get a job here. As the country’s unemployment rate steadily increases, the government is becoming more and more protective of its national workforce, and, as a result, more wary of foreign workers.  In fact, the initial proposal, by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), planned to bar companies that receive bailout funds from hiring any H-1B workers.  The current amendment is a little softer—it just makes it very difficult to hire them.  Supporters of the bill insist that, with the current plethora of laid-off workers, companies should be able to easily find the kind of talent they’d find in foreign workers.  Opponents, however, like the American Immigration Lawyers Association …

“I am a TCK” by Alaine Handa

Showcase is a Denizen series exhibiting artist work relating to Third Culture Kids. This work is not produced by Denizen and does not reflect the opinions of the magazine. From Alaine Handa: This was my senior project on Third Culture Kids for my major at UCLA: World Arts and Culture with a concentration in dance studies. The mixed media project was completed in 2005 and featured interviews, dance, poetry and music. The video featured below is an abridged version of the entire piece. To see more of Alaine’s work, visit her website. http://www.denizenmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/TCKshort.mov Choreography by Alaine Handa Interviewees: Nikki Felt, Zachary Tewalthomas, Ryan Tish Dancers: Emily Anderson, Ashley Carvalho, Nancy Chang, Alaine Handa, Faye Lim, Anna Walsh, Erin Yee Lighting design: Susan Havens Project mentor: Victoria Marks, faculty in UCLA’s World Arts & Cultures department

A non-American American

I don’t think anyone ever saw it coming. The creation of a non-American American. In other words, me. Third Culture Kids often mock Americans for thinking that they are the center of the world. But few will admit that the statement is absolutely true. American dominance is prevalent in every corner of the globe. From Microsoft to Britney Spears to Barack Obama, the rest of the world is indoctrinated into American culture. But while the lasting value of American cultural exports is difficult to measure, their international institutions offer a very quantifiable example of their influence. As a consequence of this globalization, you don’t need to set foot in America to be an American. My family is from Hong Kong. I grew up in Singapore. I spent less than three months in America before moving to Chicago for college four years ago. Yet, “I thought you were American!” was one of first things Americans would say to me. That usually came after an introduction (“Hi, I’m Steph”) and a qualifying statement (“I am from Singapore”). …

Part 1: TCK goes to college

I was 17 when I started college in Florida; just months away from being able to legally enter, but not drink at, a club or a bar. Because I had been living in Shanghai the last four years, I didn’t have a driver’s license – only a passport, and my American diplomat card. I got away with acting like a dumb freshman girl who “forgot” my ID a few times, but when my friends and I attempted to go out dancing one night, my ego was completely shot. “Where’s your ID,” the bouncer demanded. “Well, I have this,” I took out my diplomat ID. “My birthday’s right here.” He looked at it puzzled, squinting at the Chinese characters. “What is this? Don’t you have a driver’s license?” Um, no sir, that requires the ability to drive. “My birthday’s right there,” I pointed, hoping maybe he’d just let me in. “No, I can’t take this, I can’t even read this.” He threw it back and me and took the next person in line. I was furious. …