Why do parents of USCs get priority but adult siblings don't?

[aussie_jason 195]

I'm failing to see the logic in that as surely in most cases a sibling would have higher earning potential than a parent and hence be able to pay more taxes plus be less of a burden on society. Did they just draw that line in the sand to reduce the overall number of immigrants?

[SAT 9,609]

Good point. But I think this rule goes back to the old ancient days when family values are first to honor thy parents.....

[kzielu 1,147]

I'm failing to see the logic in that as surely in most cases a sibling would have higher earning potential than a parent and hence be able to pay more taxes plus be less of a burden on society. Did they just draw that line in the sand to reduce the overall number of immigrants?

It's supposed to be family re-unification, not bringing in tax paying workforce - that's probably why. Adult siblings have their own lives, they live separately with their families anyway in most of the cases and I fail to see the reason why they even should be eligible...

I have a brother in Poland, did not even think about petitioning him, nor he has any interest in immigrating. And - like in many other case but especially here - line between re-uniting family and bringing people in because they want to live in US is very thin.

[SAT 9,609]

Also a good point. But that's just 1 experience out of millions. For siblings in some impoverished nations, I'm sure the view is different.

[SusieQQQ 11,585]

I'd guess family reunification is an important aspect, also many children end up supporting their parents too. Although I know of people who have not brought their parents over just because they can't afford medical care for them.

Under US immigration law a parent is defined as an immediate relative, but siblings aren't (in the same way married children or children over 21 aren't).

Edited March 10, 2014 by SusieQQQ

[aaron2020 11,651]

Also a good point. But that's just 1 experience out of millions. For siblings in some impoverished nations, I'm sure the view is different.

Think American.

While other world views are interesting, they don't drive US immigration laws.

Think American.

The US's concept of immediate family members are mom, dad, children, and parents. It's not adult brothers and sisters with their own families.

US laws = US logic about family relationships and priorities for immigration.

Think how American families are set up. Not how foreign families are set up.

[aussie_jason 195]

Yeah but I wouldn't say it is American for adults to live with their parents and the rule doesn't go both ways if a parent is trying to bring an adult child over so it just seems odd to me.

Disclaimer: I posed this question as I would love for my brother to join me here as out of all my family he and I are the closest but it seems the only viable pathway for him would be to happen to fall in love with a USC as unlike me he doesn't qualify for any of the work visas .

[SAT 9,609]

Think American.

While other world views are interesting, they don't drive US immigration laws.

Think American.

The US's concept of immediate family members are mom, dad, children, and parents. It's not adult brothers and sisters with their own families.

US laws = US logic about family relationships and priorities for immigration.

Think how American families are set up. Not how foreign families are set up.

I dunno why you're quoting me dude.....

But I agree with ya. And I do think American.

These immigration laws are family based according to our laws. I know that.

These are also ancient laws. It's about family, not function.....

[MacUK 983]

It's like asking why adult USC children can petition for parents when a minor child can not.

My kids are in the US, I am not. I have no desire to live in the US but if I did then I wouldn't be able to because my kids are under 21.

I'd like to think that when my kids are 21 they won't need their father, they'll be independent enough on their own.

The time when they could use having their father in their life is now, when they're 11 and 10!

But them's is the rules so there's not much that can be done about it.

In fact I'd rather have them here in the UK with me anyway.

[aaron2020 11,651]

It's like asking why adult USC children can petition for parents when a minor child can not.

My kids are in the US, I am not. I have no desire to live in the US but if I did then I wouldn't be able to because my kids are under 21.

I'd like to think that when my kids are 21 they won't need their father, they'll be independent enough on their own.

The time when they could use having their father in their life is now, when they're 11 and 10!

But them's is the rules so there's not much that can be done about it.

In fact I'd rather have them here in the UK with me anyway.

Minors can not petition because of the anchor baby phenomenon.

In the old days, an illegal alien who had a baby on US soils could stay and get a green card. People got sick of illegal aliens getting rewarded for breaking the law, so the law was changed so anchor babies were no longer a quick and easy path for green cards for those who break US immigration laws.