“....and prove all sorts of things before they could come and live here.”
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Back in the 50’s, those immigrants who had a desirable industrial trade needed by the US, were placed in front of the line.
I was thinking about a good friend of mine whose wife is English and they have two children. Getting her green card was a nightmare ordeal for the two of them. Even with their two children born here in the U.S. She had to leave to go back to England every few months and reapply for a visa even though they were married.
Once the Green card came through she has lived her ever since.