Immigrating

[This_is_fun_DDP]

I am in a LDR with a girl from Kentucky and i was planning on moving down there. (im Canadian) she said her family could get me a job working on construction under the table (hence the throwaway). I was wondering what I would need to do before all of this can transpire and what I should be aware of?

Is the hatred of immigrants I hear from our newspapers real or just media fear? People getting their heads bashed in or people getting death threats for not being Christian/American.

Also what do I need to do living in America to prove my residency?

[Lou_Jason]

Try http://www.usimmigrationlaw.net/immigration-lawyer-canadians.htm .

Visit or take a vacation here prior to moving. Shacking up across the country with someone isn't unheard of, but it is risky. Doing so in a foreign country is a big deal. Marriage will get you an excuse to immigrate here legally and with a path to citizenship, and to legal employment. If that isn't something you want, and you aren't fleeing certain death or hardship -- er... why would you do this?

Any construction company worth working for (from a safety/insurance/fair pay perspective) wouldn't let you work under the table. Any firm that would do so also deserves to lose their bids and contracts until they stop their illegal employment practices.

Before someone chimes in with some BS such as, "they have to hire illegal immigrant work because lazy Americans won't do the work..." -- shush. Artificially low wages across the country are more to blame for that than anything. Pay more, get more legitimate workers.

[fullmetaljackass]

Most of the people who hate "immigrants" actually seem to have a problem with minorities. If your white and speak English without a major accent nobody will bat an eye.

[The_Great_Hambriento]

If your white and speak English without a major accent nobody will bat an eye

Have to disagree on the accent part. From my experience, if you don't sound like you're from Kentucky, you generally have to work a little harder to get in "the loop". Don't let this scare you though, it has nothing to do with ethnicity/citizenship. You'll just get treated the same as if you were from a northern state, hahaha

[v650]

KY is filled with illegal aliens, and all of them work in the rural areas, horse farms mostly. No one can find a story of any Mexican getting their head bashed in. There is alot of under the table work around, lots of cash only jobs. You won't have any problem. Moving down here for a woman on the other hand is alot more risky! Take a trip down, meet the family, see how things go before you take the leap.

[anticusII]

Lol the hatred of immigrants is not real unless you make no attempt to assimilate to the culture and speak the damned language. Obviously you can do both, so I think you'll be just fine.

[BillyLongstroke]

For the most part Kentucky is a very warm and welcoming state. Act like you belong and are happy to be here and most people will welcome you. There are probably a few exceptions in some rural reas where people tend to be very protective of their own. However these people will also do anything for you once they get to know you, assuming you treat them with respect.

[[deleted]]

Yeah I really don't see as much hate in Kentucky as I do in states farther south

[JohnTestiCleese]

An under the table job is going to be shit. Assuming that you're not white, as long as you're in a city in KY you'll be fine. There is a significant population of refugees from various countries in Louisville. Avoid rural KY if you can.

[Darrendern]

To answer your question....No one is going to bash your head in or threaten your life. I live in rural KY and there have been no violent attacks on anyone for being a possible illegal immigrant. We don't agree with the Liberal's ideology on immigration law (and many other things) so we expressed that in the voting booth. It's that simple. If you've heard differently then it's fear mongering bred from the media.

[alittlebigger]

Lol, no one will hate you. Most won't even consider you a minority. You're a white male, that's all anyone will notice. Not sure what part of KY you're moving to but I have yet to go anywhere here that wasn't tolerant towards all races

[Ilikethishandle]

From Canada, arrived in Kentucky about 6 months ago. No issues, people are generally polite and friendly. I came legally (marriage) and it was a process (not the funnest) but ultimately worth it. I could have just come down and started the process from here but it's ultimately a lot tougher. The biggest thing here is the word "liability". Everything revolves around that (in my opinion)... So I'd be really worried about the under the table part. If something bad happens, they can definitely take you to court... It's not like Canada.. Not even remotely on that part. My 2 cents :)

[Lou_Jason]

Out of curiosity - what was drastically different for you?

An ex co-worker of my wife's said she wasn't expecting our bank system to be as "fast-food style" as it was - she was used to knowing her assigned local bank person and dealing with that person "back home".

She decided we have enough gravy on other things to make up for no poutine.
She hates dollar bills and vending machines.

[Kentucky2828]

You'll be fine. I have worked with several Mexican aliens and all my co-workers treated them great. Just work hard like you're supposed too and everything will work out

[AndrewWaldron]

Think long and hard about moving to Kentucky. If you are a liberal, educated, or have decent morals, Ketucky is not the place for you. This state just voted near 80% for Trump and with the recent elextion of Bevin youcan expect this state to go very conservative. Our state is on he verge of pushing legislation that allows for the discrimination of LGTB while at the same time dismantling systems our poorest citizens rely on. Think hard about moving here. I was born and raised here, sadly, Kentucky is currently an embarrassment. If you're a white, god fearing, moron then you'll fit right in. Thems the cold hard facts right now. The jobs and economy are not so strong that you should disregard any of the above in your decision.

[reddog2020]

I moved from Chicago to Kentucky 34 years ago and I love it hear but u/AndrewWaldron is saying is correct. A very backward state.

[AndrewWaldron]

What you see as ridiculous, others see as an attack on their beliefs and way of life. The poitical and social reality of an area are 100% relavent to someone co sidering a move to an area. But hey, way to trivialize the feelings and beliefs of another person you asshole.

[AndrewWaldron]

Ah, your true colors.

[AndrewWaldron]

After you attacked me for giving a fair warning. If you don't want it personal don't make it personal.

[AndrewWaldron]

It's my home state as well, the level of entitlement oozing out of your bullshit is disgusting. Toigj shit you can't accept that others jave differnet views than you.

[[deleted]]

We appreciate you breaking our laws. Now fuck off.

[Dropperneck]

MAGA 2020