If you intend to apply for a green card (adjustment of status) in the United States, you will probably need a medical examination. Any doctor in the state cannot conduct this examination. Instead, USCIS authorizes certain doctors (civil surgeons) who can perform the medical exam required for Green Card applicants.
A part of the procedure for getting a visa is an examination by a panel physician who is different from civil surgeons. They do immigration medical examinations performed outside the United States and its territories.
5 Doctors in Detroit approved by USCIS
Dr. Hilal D Elia, State Fair Clinic
950 East State Fair Road,
Detroit, MI 48203
(313) 366-3700
Dr. Augustine Kole-James, Professional Medical Center East
3956 Mt. Elliott Street,
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 925-4540
Dr. Arvind S Patel, Jefferson Industrial Clinic
2141 East Jefferson Avenue,
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 259-9075
Dr. Ali H Mahmood, AM Medical Center & Urgent Care
13031 Conant Street,
Detroit, MI 48212
(313) 893-5490
Dr. Augustine Kole-James, Professional Health Center
20901 West Seven Mile Road,
Detroit, MI 48219
(313) 532-2000
How to get prepared for the exam?
The medical exam for immigrants is fast and easy. The purpose of this examination is to ensure that you are healthy and will meet the requirements for adjusting your status. The exam includes:
- Examination by a doctor who will ask you specific questions
- A blood draw
- X-rays of your chest
When visiting the doctor, you will have to bring certain things with you. This includes bringing Government-issued photo identification as a passport or a driving license if you are above 14 years old. Persons who are 14 years or younger should have an I.D. that contains important information about them, such as full name, date and place of birth, and one of the parents’ names.
Alternatively, instead of these documents that will justify your identity, you can bring your birth certificate translated in English or an affidavit. Besides, you will have to bring Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, Form I-693, that establishes that you are not inadmissible on public health grounds.
So based on the documents you have to bring, you can suppose that during the examination, a doctor will review your medical history and thoroughly examine you physically at the moment. You will be tested for infectious diseases that can include tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea.
Accordingly, the doctor will complete the Form I-693 that will be sealed and seal it in an envelop right after you it will be ready for you to submit it to USCIS. Therefore, it is advisable to ask for a copy of the filled form before the doctor seals the envelope so you can keep it for yourself.
Remember, the USCIS can reject your application if it is evident that the envelope that ones was sealed has been opened later.
If you noticed any irregularities or you think that doctor’s behavior was inappropriate, you can report the problem to the state medical boards. In Michigan, there are two boards that you can contact for these concerns:
Michigan Board of Medicine
Contact Address
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909-8170
Physical Address: Bureau of Health Professions
611 West Ottawa Street, 1st Floor
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 335-0918
Fax: (517) 241-9416
Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery
Contact Address
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909-8170
Physical Address: Bureau of Health Professions
611 West Ottawa Street, 1st Floor
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 335-1001
Fax: (517) 373-2179
Contact your immigration lawyer in Detroit, Michigan should you have any questions and read more information about immigration in Detroit now.
Throughout history, Detroit was the place where people from all around the world were drawn due to the automotive industry. It has continued to enrich its ethnic picture until today. Michigan’s diverse ethnic population influenced the media, creating more than 20 ethnic media in this area.
The importance of ethnic media for a particular ethnic minority group or ethnic minority community is enormous. Those contribute to rising capacities of ethnic news that will inform minority groups about related concerns. This article will present some of the ethnic media in Michigan that work toward engaging people belonging to diverse minority groups.
Ethnic Media in Michigan
Arab American News
With 35 years of history of award-winning journalism, The Arab American News is the largest, oldest, and most respected Arab American newspaper in the United States. This is an independent media that serves the diverse Arab American community and provides expert local, national, and international political analyses and bilingual content. Their work focuses on social, political, cultural, and religious themes, and especially news of interest to the Arab community.
The Jewish News
The Jewish News is a trusted source for news, opinions, and stories that affect the Jewish community living in Metro Detroit and beyond. The Jewish News strives to communicate usefully, create engaging news and information reflecting a full range of diverse viewpoints, and advocate positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity.
Latino Press
As the largest and most popular Hispanic publishing company in SE Michigan, based in Detroit, Latino Press is a weekly distributed newspaper, distributed free of charge. They provide services for 25 years, and earned recognition as “the leading voice in the community.”
Michigan Chronicle
The Michigan Chronicle is an information, news, and events company. It covers the interests of the African American community, informing them about important issues. It has been acting as the voice of the community for more than 80 years.
Michigan Korean Weekly
Korean Weekly Michigan was the first weekly magazine of the Korean American Society. Started under the banner of becoming a focal point to protect and grow the Korean society, the newspaper maintains its position as a media for the Korean American community. It tries to overcome the limitations since there are many publications in the form of newspapers in immigration society, but not many media that adequately fulfill the role of the press.
Panorama Hispano News
Panorama Hispano News is the largest of a free monthly community newspaper and online news. They deliver more than 30,000 hard copies of publications to home, businesses, and community partners. In partnership with TBN media, Ogden Newspaper, and New America Media, they get to more than 68,000 readers.
Eagle Country (105.7 FM WCUP)
The Rockin’ Eagle is owned by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and operates studios in Hancock and Baraga. The Rockin’ Eagle signal reaches all of Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon Counties, as well as western Marquette County and parts of Iron, Gogebic, and Dickinson Counties.
WOES (91.3 MHz)
WOES, known as “The Polka Palace.”, is a non-commercial educational high school radio station. It broadcasts from Ovid-Elsie High School. It began broadcasting radio in the Ovid-Elsie area. Run by Kevin Somers, WOES is the highest-powered radio station in Michigan for high school students. Its program offers music, news, and sports, and it hosts student and community DJs.
Contact your immigration lawyer in Detroit, Michigan should you have any questions and read more information about immigration in Detroit now.
As lawyers for the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit (with jurisdiction in Michigan and Northern Ohio), Immigration Lawyers Richard Herman are proud to be partnering with the Consulate for an online session on Facebook and Zoom to talk about current immigration law developments.
On July 28, 2020, Noon (EST), members of the community are welcome to join the free online session.
NEW IMMIGRATION DEVELOPMENTS
This session will include the following topics:
DACA
There is much confusion after the recent Supreme Court decision on DACA— Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The Court ruled that the method used by the Trump administration to terminate DACA was unconstitutional.
The Court did NOT rule that DACA was unconstitutional. This ruling left the door wide open for the Trump administration to issue a brand new termination of DACA. To date, this has not happened. Although USCIS has issued a statement after the Supreme Court decision reiterating its position that DACA itself is unconstitutional.
The White House has sent signals that it intends to terminate DACA, again. However, in the meantime, can individuals apply now for their first DACA? We will discuss it!
H-2B Temporary Seasonal Worker Visas
On June 22, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order,= entitled “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak.” In that Order, he temporarily suspended certain work visas, including the H-2B temporary seasonal worker visa that is often used by workers in landscaping and other seasonal worker industries.
The Order went into effect on June 24, 2020, and shall remain in effect until December 31, 2020, unless otherwise terminated by the President.
Those affected only include the following individuals who are:
(i) Outside the United States on the effective date of this proclamation;
(ii) Do not have a nonimmigrant visa that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation; and
(iii) Do not have an official travel document other than a visa (such as a transportation letter, an appropriate boarding foil, or an advance parole document) that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation or issued on any date thereafter that permits him or her to travel to the United States and seek entry or admission.
Additionally, the Order specifically excludes the following:
“Any alien seeking to enter the United States to provide temporary labor or services essential to the United States food supply chain; and
Any alien whose entry would be in the national interest as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees.”
Herman Legal Group $1,000 Essay Contest: What Do You Think of When You Hear the Word “Immigrant”?
In order to raise awareness of the important contributions of undocumented essential workers, the Herman Legal Group is hosting a $1,000 essay contest. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2020.
Submit your essay at ImmigrantStrongUSA@Gmail.com We are seeking thoughtful and creative essays, at least 300 words, in any language, on the topic: What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Immigrant’?
Winners will be announced by September 1, 2020. The firm will be publishing the winning and runners-up essays. Anonymity will be protected unless identification is authorized by the author.
We believe it is important, particularly at this moment in history, for everyone to hear the voices of the undocumented. Particularly important, are those undocumented who are essential workers in industries such as health care and food supply. Risking exposure to COVID, often with limited protections, these essential workers deserve our appreciation.
More importantly, they deserve an opportunity to obtain legal status in the U.S. In the meantime, let’s hear their voices, celebrate their accomplishments, and give thanks for their hard work.
It’s time to change the conversation!
______________________________________________________
El Consulado de México en Detroit, te invita al #Facebooklive #ZOOM dirigido a la comunidad migrante del Norte de Ohio, este martes 28 de julio de 2020 a las 12:00 pm. Contaremos con abogados especialistas en el ámbito migratorio.
For Detroiters, community matters. Besides its rich history and colorful cultural fabric, here you will find people coming together like never before tackling the most pressing social and economic challenges. For the last five years, Detroit’s rate of volunteerism has exceeded the national average.
Among more than 9,000 nonprofits in Michigan, several welcome immigrants and provide help for better integration into the community.
Five Non-profit Organizations
In this article, you will find the list of five non-profit organizations that justify Detroit as being community-focused and providing help to immigrants. Still, we encourage you to look out for more.
Global Detroit
Global Detroit: This regional economic development and community development organization focus on immigrants and global talent. It is developing and implementing inclusive strategies to drive growth and revitalize Detroit and Southeast Michigan and build a vibrant city and thriving global region.
Intending to nurture strong neighborhoods, healthy families, competitive companies, thriving small businesses, and a rich and diverse cultural life, Global Detroit creates strategies to strengthen the region through immigrant inclusion.
The organization is recognized as a decisive leader that, through immigrant integration, advocates for and executes strategies to drive equitable economic growth at the local, regional, and state-level.
International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit
International Institute Of Metropolitan Detroit, Inc. was founded in 1919 and located in a brick cottage in Downtown Detroit. It was an outcome of a group of volunteers who wanted to help legal immigrants to learn English, appreciate democracy and freedom, understand and respect different cultures, and eventually become citizens integrated into their communities.
Today, the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit is a United Way for Southeastern Michigan agency located in Detroit’s vibrant University-Cultural Center / Midtown District. As a non-profit organization, its activities rely upon grants and donations.
Some of their programs include legal services to assist immigrants to become U.S. citizens, interpreter and translator services, English and other foreign language classes, citizenship and GED classes, career development programs, ethnic enrichment programs, financial literacy programs, and many more.
Latino Family Services
Latino Family Services is a community agency providing and coordinating comprehensive human services to residents of Wayne County. Founded in 1971, Latino Family Services has been an asset to the Southwest Detroit community by providing affordable services to its residents, particularly on Latino residents.
They strive to enhance the quality of life for children, youth, adults, and families as a whole, and the developmentally disabled. Providing these services in a culturally competent manner, this organization has the mission to implement its activities through collaboration with individuals, community groups, organizations, and institutions.
The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC)
The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center works as a legal resource center for Michigan’s immigrant communities in Grand Rapid and Kalamazoo. It strives to build a thriving Michigan where immigrant communities experience equity and belonging.
The Center’s program works on building capacities through education and training about immigration law. It emphasizes the complicated relationship between immigration status and immigrants’ rights in areas that include family law and child welfare, access to public benefits, civil and worker’s rights.
They will answer your questions, but also provide support to attorneys and advocates serving low-income immigrants. Besides the technical support they provide to lawyers, they follow and analyze immigration law and immigrants’ rights and advocate for its improvement.
Freedom House
Freedom House is a temporary home for indigent survivors of persecution worldwide seeking asylum in the United States or Canada. Upholding a fundamental American principle, Freedom House provides safety for those who seek freedom.
They give a continuum of care and services to residents of Michigan and other refugees in need. Believing that all people are equal and deserve just treatment, Freedom House advocates for systemic change that will more fully recognize the rights of asylum seekers.
The organization can provide education, social and legal services for refugees and victims of human trafficking who are applying for asylum in the United States, but also social and site facilities such as food, clothing, social network development, and housing search and relocation services.
Members of Freedom House will support its clients by accompanying them to their Chicago asylum interview, delivering critical moral support and legal advocacy.
Also, they have partnered up with medical providers and Wayne State University’s Global Health Alliance, so clients also have access to healthcare and healthcare education.
Contact your immigration lawyer in Detroit, Michigan should you have any questions and read more information about immigration in Detroit now.
US. Citizenship and Immigration Services is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. With more than 19,000 government employees and contractors working, it has 200 offices across the globe.
USCIS administers the nation’s legal immigration system. It is a safeguard of the integrity and promises to fairly and efficiently adjudicate requests for immigration benefits. Yet at the same time, USCIS protects Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring American values.
If you moved to Michigan from abroad, you would certainly have to visit the local USCIS office in Detroit, so this article will make sure you get to know this important immigration actor.
The USCIS Office is located at 11411 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, MI 48214. It serves the state of Michigan. You can do many things online, but if you need to go there in person or call the office to obtain specific information, you can do that from Monday to Friday with working hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Also, if you are heading up to the site, be aware that federal laws forbid you to have weapons like firearms, knives, pepper spray, and ammunition at any USCIS facility, regardless of possessing a permit for a firearm. If you do not respect these rules, you may be imprisoned or end up getting a fine.
The USCIS local office serving citizens and residents of Detroit is led by the Field Office Director, Michael Klinger, and District Director Mirash “Mick” Dedvukaj.
The office’s entrance is designed to provide full access to people with disabilities, and there is a free parking lot.
As a part of the Department of Homeland Security, the USCIS provides some of the following services:
- Verifying legal right of the individuals to work in the United States
- Immigration of family members
- Working in the United States
- Humanitarian programs
- Adoptions
- Civic integration
- Genealogy
As already mentioned, many of the USCIS functions you can complete online. So, if you want to save time or reside out of the state at the moment, there are options for completing a bunch of tasks via the Internet.
For example, you can ask for help for the Green Card and apply for it, fill out Employment Authorization Documentation and ask for the assistance, obtain Adoptions or Citizenship information, or download forms that you need.
When filing your documentation, you need to make sure you submitted at the right place, which doesn’t have to be the same for all applications or as the address of the USCIS local office. For example, if you intend to file the Form I-485 Supplement A, you will find the right address to file a form here.
Processing time also differs depending on not only the place you have filed the forms but also from one month to the next. Detroit belongs to the group of cities with the fastest processing times when it comes to naturalization, with an approximate wait time of 6.6 months (or more precisely from 6 to 11 months).
Similarly, if you file I-485, Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, it will take you between 6.5 to 13 months. Longer wait time is for those submitting the Form N-600, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate when the wait time can exceed up to 18 months.
You might also like to read more about immigration in Detroit, MI, or contact your immigration lawyer in Detroit, Mi.
In Michigan, more than half of all immigrants have naturalized U.S. citizens. Furthermore, Detroit is the fifth-fastest city in the United States for naturalization with an approximate wait time of 6.6. months.
If you are thinking of being naturalized in the United States, you should know that there are three ways on how you can earn U.S. citizenship:
- By being born in the United States or certain American territories;
- By having parents who are U.S. citizens at the time of birth, if you were born abroad;
- By applying for naturalization.
Naturalization allows foreign citizens or nationals to be granted the U.S. citizenship upon fulfilling the requirements set by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA):
- Being a permanent resident for at least five years and meeting all other eligibility requirements.
- Being a permanent resident for three years or more and being eligible to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen.
- Having qualifying service in the U.S. armed forces and meeting all other eligibility requirements.
- Having parents who are U.S. citizens, but you are outside of the United States and meeting all other eligibility requirements.
How to Apply for Naturalization?
Firstly, if you consider that you meet the above-mentioned requirements and you want to apply for naturalization, you will have to file Form N-400 with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
This petition contains information about you, such as the birth date, means of entry to the United States, occupation, and lists of spouses and children if there are some.
After you fulfill your Petition for Naturalization (you can see the exact instructions on USCIS website provided above), you will need to file your documentation with your local USCIS office, which in this case will be the office in Detroit, but make sure to put the right address that you can find on the form.
If your Application for Naturalization has been properly filed, USCIS will initially maile you a letter confirming receipt of your application, formally known as Form I-797C, Notice of Action. It approximately arrives between 2 or 3 weeks after filing the petition.
If you failed to file your Form N-400 properly, USCIS might send a Notice of Action that it has rejected the petition or send a Request for Evidence asking for additional items. Since this can significantly delay your request, it is imperative to prepare the N-400 correctly and submit all required documents following the filing instructions.
Afterward, you will receive an appointment notice assigning your biometrics appointment date, time, and location (The nearest USCIS Application Support). To conduct a security clearance and criminal background check, the USCIS requires all applicants to be fingerprinted, so do not be alarmed; it is part of the standard procedure.
Naturalization Ceremony
Upon successfully submitting your application, you will have to take the Oath of Citizenship.
Naturalization ceremonies are held across the state each year. In Detroit, taking the Oath of Citizenship takes place at The Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse, but ceremonies can sometimes be held at other sites. If you would rather bring a relying person with you instead of going alone, you are free to bring guests to this welcoming ceremony.
At the entrance of any Federal Court facility within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, visitors will have to provide a valid picture for identification and pass through a magnetometer.
Bear in mind that you cannot have firearms, knives, explosives, or any other weapon, and unfortunately, not even cell phone. Still, you can bring in a digital camera and make sure that you have caught memories from your naturalization ceremony.
When coming for a naturalization ceremony, it is advisable to learn more about it, maybe try to hear about other people’s experience, and plan your arrival time accordingly so you can get through the procedure, make it on time, and feel confident during this special event.
Need more immigration information for Detroit, Michigan? Contact your immigration lawyer in Detroit now!
Contents
- Introduction
- Short History of Migrations in Detroit
- What Attracts Immigrants to Detroit Today?
- Job Opportunities for Immigrants in Detroit
- Integrations in Detroit
- Education
- Healthcare
- Ethnic Festivals
- Sports and Recreations
- Local Ethnic Media
- Lawyers and Borders Attorneys in Detroit
Introduction
Detroit, Michigan, is a city that certainly has what to offer. There are many reasons Detroit’s population has been on a steady decline over the last half-century. Some of those are the cost of living, which is below the national average and more affordable housing than in other major American cities.
Following trends across Michigan state whose about 7% of residents are immigrants and almost 1 in 12 residents is a native-born U.S. citizen with at least one immigrant parent, this the fourth largest city in America continues attracting people who consider changing their place of residence. Detroit’s immigration remains an integral part of its shape.
If you have recognized yourself as a person who’s attracted to what Detroit has to offer, keep reading. This article will provide you with firm reasons to follow your dreams and help you better understand your potential new environment.
Short History of Migrations in Detroit
Immigrants have played a vital role in Detroit’s history and diversity in Southeastern Michigan. If you want to move here, you’d be wise to learn about the city’s past. Detroit is known for its rich history, and much of it can be attributed to movements that continue to shape the city.
Firstly, most immigrants to the United States and Detroit came from northern and western Europe, and later they were followed by eastern and southern Europeans. Detroit once was the third-largest U.S. settlement for immigrants.
Early Detroiters were the European settlers that arrived in Southeastern Michigan in 1701. Following the French and Indian War, Detroit got new habitants – British traders. This gave a new look to the city, but it began to grow after it passed into American hands along with the migration of “Yankees and Yorkers.”
In the nineteenth century, large numbers of Irish and Germans arrived in Michigan, but Detroit was also a picked destination for immigrants from England, Scotland, and Scandinavian countries. Later on, before the restrictions on migrations, Detroit immigrants were drawn from Russia, Hungary, Italy, Greece, and other European countries. However, the largest Detroit immigration group was Canadians.
The main reason for the boom years of immigration in Detroit was the rapid expansion of the automobile industry. Besides people from most of the European countries, this migration also drew people from American farms, as well as miners from Pennsylvania and Indiana, because of a simultaneous coal-mining slump. There was a small African American community that existed in Detroit for more than 150 years.
However, During this Detroit immigration, African Americans coming from the southeast were a significant part of it.
These various migrations of people from all around Europe made Detroit a place for Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Jewish, until restrictive laws passed and severely limited all immigration.
After World War I, Detroit experienced some of the worst economic conditions of any city in America, which virtually stopped Detroit’s immigration. However, migrations began again during World War II as Detroit started to convert to military production, and the primary labor force came from American farms once again.
In the post-war years, the state started to relax strict immigration laws periodically and to accommodate displaced persons and refugees from various parts of the world. Eventually, besides displaced Europeans, thousands of Arabic, Hispanic, Asian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese immigrants came to Detroit.
What Attracts Immigrants to Detroit Today?
Living with little municipal support for years, Detroiters developed a strong network of clubs, neighborhood associations, and community groups to get things done.
These groups provide residents with a sense of belonging and organize neighborhood cleanups, celebrations, patrols, gardens, development plans, housing stabilization, and much more. Thanks to these robust existing systems, it’s often easy to get involved and provide immediate support to the neighborhood.
This makes Detroit one of the most welcoming cities in the United States. Furthermore, access to many state offices makes even greater support for newcomers. Immigrants in Detroit can easily cope with the necessary bureaucracy and quickly get things done without having the urge to travel for it to distant cities.
Besides, job labor market, space for entrepreneurs, top education, and medical institutes, Detroit made sure that immigrants have access to the most significant state offices.
Here, you will find:
- Michigan- Detroit USCIS Field Office
- IMMIGRATION COURT Detroit, Michigan
- Application Support Centers
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Border Patrol station in Detroit
- 38 Foreign consulates in Detroit, MI.
In the Michigan region, you may find more than 9000 non-profits. In Detroit, nonprofits serving immigrants that you will most probably come across are the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit and Global Detroit.
Now when you see that this city provides newcomers for security, let’s look further into how Detroit is going to make you love it and feel like home in it.
Job Opportunities for Immigrants in Detroit
Most people move from where they were born to look for an opportunity for better jobs and the space for development. But why do so many of them choose Detroit?
In 2014, it was estimated that because of the role immigrants play in the workforce helping companies keep jobs on U.S. soil, the immigrants living in Detroit helped create or preserve 1768 local manufacturing jobs that would have otherwise vanished or moved elsewhere.
In an opinion article, Steve Tobocman, executive director of Global Detroit and John Austin, director of the Michigan Economic Center, highlighted the main key points of seeing immigrants as the main prosperity drivers in Michigan.
In 2017, over 23,000 of entrepreneurs were immigrants, and in the same year in Detroit, startups received more than $62M from venture capital firms.
Moreover, Detroit has been considered one of the top 10 innovative hubs in the United States, outranking cities like Chicago, Denver, and Portland. Innovations in the auto industry are well-known since 75% of the U.S. automotive industry R&D investment is located in Michigan. But, other areas like tech and the life sciences are seeing a surge in development too.
In 2019, the bipartisan non-profit New American Economy released a new analysis. The data demonstrated the vital role of immigrants in revitalizing Detroit’s economy. Detroit again ended up on the list of top 25 U.S. cities for small businesses.
The number of incubators and accelerators is also increasing. More than a dozen of it is in and around Detroit, and even more than 40% of funded startups in the Detroit area are information technology companies. Southeastern Michigan has more tech-related jobs anywhere else in the Midwest, creating top-notch job opportunities for its qualified residents.
Integrations in Detroit
Inclusion and diversity have been the backbone of Detroit. According to the New American Economy rankings, Detroit was ranked as a Top Ten city in 2018, among America’s 100 largest cities for its integration policies and the socioeconomic success of its immigrant and refugee residents.
The Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) plays an essential role in the integration of immigrants. OIA helps immigrants integrate into the community. The promotion of economic development within immigrant communities across Detroit is one of the key aims that OIA strives to.
Supporting new and existing immigrant communities and residents, OIA creates diverse programs and ensures access to resources and programs. It encourages the efforts to make Detroit a welcoming city for immigrants and existing residents alike.
On its way to achieving these goals, OIA collaborates with federal, state, and local governing bodies, non-profit organizations, and community stakeholders.
Created to help grow Michigan’s economy, the Office of Global Michigan works on retaining and attracting global talents, focusing areas of work on licensing, workforce training, education, housing, healthcare, and quality of life. Its programs promote the skills, energy, and entrepreneurial spirit of immigrant and refugee communities and analyze such an environment.
It also cooperates with state agencies that provide immigrants and refugees, helping to overcome barriers to access. It also has a responsible and influential task – to recommend Governor on necessary policies and programs.
To make this recommendation more purposeful, it closely collaborates with refugee resettlement agencies, economic development organizations, ethnic service providers, non-profits, universities, etc.
Detroit truly welcomes its new citizens. There are citizenship and naturalization ceremonies that are taking place across the country each year.
Education
Universities in Detroit also strive to make the time during studies more convenient for its students. Most immigrants in Michigan have pursued an education at or above the college level.
There are some of the best universities in the state in the Michigan area, and here, we will list those that have opened international offices to help immigration students:
- University of Michigan: With a 200-year relationship with Detroit, the University of Michigan can boast one more thing: its students come from more than 120 countries. As such, Michigan University has well-organized The Office of International Affairs that welcomes its students in a thriving international community, helping them transition to student life in the United States and support them during their stay.
- The University of Detroit Mercy is the largest and most comprehensive Catholic University in Michigan. It was firstly founded in 1877, but in 1990, it consolidated with Mercy College of Detroit and formed the University of Detroit Mercy. Within its international service, University educates and enforces immigration regulations, ensures the compliance of the university and immigration students, and advises newly admitted and current F and J visa holders.
- Wayne State University: Gaining its first accreditation in 1915, Wayne State University strives to be a thriving institution known for academic and research superiority, seeing their students as successful professionals. It is located at the heart of Detroit’s cultural center, surrounded by museums, theaters, and close to major professional sports venues. It has also opened the Office of International Students and Scholars in place for all questions and concerns of students coming abroad.
Healthcare
Healthcare facilities are vital at any stage in life. They become even more important if you have to think about your children’s health or if you are nearing retirement age.
Easy access to good healthcare can exponentially increase your quality of life, so be on the lookout for towns and cities with good hospitals and medical schools. Often, there will be a correlation between cities and the quality of healthcare.
Detroit is home to some of the top-ranking medical institutions in the state, such as:
- University of Michigan | Michigan Medicine
- Beaumont hospital
- Detroit Medical Center
- Henry Ford Health System
- St. Joseph Mercy Health System
- Ascension Hospital
- McLaren Flint Hospital
- Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Also, some medical institutions have international offices to ensure their international patients are treated equally and get the necessary medical help.
When you apply for a green card in the United States, you will probably have to get a medical examination that can be conducted only by a doctor who is authorized by USCIS. In Detroit, there are more than a hundred of authorized doctors.
Ethnic Festivals
We already mentioned how rich Detroit’s history is. Still, when it comes to Detroit’s musical heritage, it can outrank many other cities if we talk about the number of talents per total population.
Some of the musical legends are from Detroit, as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Yusef Lateef, and the list goes on. By hosting a population from around the globe, this artistic community cherishes its diversity by ensuring that visitors, but in the first place themselves, learn about the unique groups that make the city so special.
Here are some of the ethnic festivals that Detroit hosts each year:
- Arab and Chaldean Festival was established as a non–profit community organization, and it has hosted artists from all over the Middle Eastern community.
- African World Festival is organized by The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to explore and celebrate the rich cultural legacy of African Americans.
- St. Joseph Oktoberfest is an annual event that celebrates German culture. This festival takes place at Detroit’s St. Joseph Catholic Church
- Caribbean Cultural Festival celebrates the rich traditions of the various nations in the sunny, tropical region. For the three days, you enjoy Caribbean music and participate in Zumba and Salsa workshops, eating a variety of authentic food and beverage options.
- American Polish Festival will present you with a diverse mix of local music, polkas, folk dancers, arts and crafts.
- Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade proudly works on the promotion and preservation of Hellenic heritage.
Sports and Recreations
If you like outdoor activities than after finding out about what Detroit can offer you, you will consider it one more advantage to move here.
You can spend your leisure time visiting some beautiful places such as Belle Isle Conservancy, Palmer Park, River Rouge, The Riverwalk, Chandler Park, or Historic Fort Wayne, or you can explore some of the sports and recreation opportunities in the Metro Detroit area. Joining recreation clubs can be an excellent place to meet other people as well.
As a home of the most prominent clubs in prevalent sports in the United States such as Detroit Pistons an NBA team, Detroit Lions in NFL league, Detroit Tigers Baseball team, or MLB Detroit Red Wings in Hockey, this “City of Champions” creates opportunities for those more ambitious wishing to start a professional sports career.
Immigrants have had a notable role in Detroit’s sports life during history, but they continue to exemplify how diverse communities can synergically make outstanding results.
Detroit’s Tigers justified this by winning four consecutive division titles and more regular games than any other team in Major League Baseball in the same year. At this time, three key players in the team’s success were born in Venezuela: Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, and Anibal Sanchez.
Local Ethnic Media
Ethnic media is formed with a particular ethnic minority group or ethnic minority community in mind. Detroiters recognize the importance of ethnic media in a community composed of people all around the world.
Its presence raises the capacity of ethnic news to inform and engage audiences belonging to diverse minority groups on broader public issues. Communities having well-established ethnic media strive to build a more inclusive participatory democracy.
In Michigan, you will find more than twenty ethnic media. Media organizations such as New Michigan Media, The Jewish News, The Arab American News, and Latino are only some of the dozens of ethnic media that help in building bridges among ethnic, minority, and immigrant communities in Detroit.
They deliver various and relevant information in hundreds of thousands of readers, viewers, and listeners in the Michigan media market.
Lawyers and Borders Attorneys in Detroit
It may be complicated and confusing for some people to maneuver through the naturalization and court process. Yet, Detroit is home to some outstanding, experienced immigration lawyers in Detroit and border attorneys.
If you need an immigration lawyer, you can contact the Herman Legal Group whose offices are close to USCIS and Immigration Court, and are experienced in serving many clients at these offices.
Moreover, speaking over 12 languages, including Russian, Arabic, Spanish, and Japanese, lawyers within Herman Legal Group are professionals who will listen to you and profoundly obtain relevant facts to provide you with the best advice regarding your status.
Besides, there are other prominent law offices specialized in immigration law, such as Alan Reiter, PLLC, Legalquest Network, and many more that you can check out on our list of top-ten immigration attorneys in Michigan.