If you’re considering moving to or living in the United States, this blog is for you! I’ll be covering all the basics of staying in the US – from visa requirements to finding a job and housing. Plus, I’ll offer tips on what to do if you get stuck and advice for those considering a move to the US.
Immigration Laws
The United States has a number of different immigration laws that you may need to be aware of if you plan on staying in the country. Some of the more important laws include: the Immigration and Nationality Act, the INA; the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, or TVPRA; and, the Children’s Immigration Relief Act.
If you are an immigrant living in the United States, you will likely be subject to one or more of these laws. You should familiarize yourself with them so that you can make informed decisions about your legal status and how to best protect your rights.
Social Security
If you are thinking about staying in the United States, or if you are already here, it is important to understand your social security benefits. The following is a brief overview of social security in the United States.
Social Security is a system of retirement benefits and disability insurance that was created in the 1930s. It is funded by employee and employer contributions, as well as income earned by retirees and their spouses. The main features of the social security system are:
- Social Security benefits are paid monthly, regardless of whether an individual has worked or not.\
- The amount of social security benefits that an individual receives depends on his or her work history and earnings record.\
- Retired workers can receive social security benefits either as a pension or as Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI).\
- Social security benefits can be reduced if an individual owes money on IRS taxes or if he or she has failed to comply with certain requirements such as filing a claim for benefits.
Obamacare
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is a landmark healthcare law that was signed into law by U.S. President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The goal of the ACA is to provide affordable, quality health insurance for all Americans.
One of the main goals of the ACA is to increase the number of people who have health insurance. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Obamacare, “over 20 million Americans have gained coverage through Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or private health insurance coverage” since its passage in 2010. In addition, “about 8 million people have obtained private coverage through new marketplaces created by the ACA and about 7 million people are covered through their employers”.
Despite these successes, there are still areas where Obamacare can be improved. For example, according to an article in Forbes magazine, “while individuals with incomes below 250% of poverty ($27,750 for an individual in 2017) will not be required to have health insurance under Obamacare, many low- and moderate-income families are likely to face significant premiums and out-of-
Taxes
USA residents may be subject to a variety of taxes when living in the United States. While some taxes may be mandatory, others may be optional and subject to change. The following is a list of some of the more common taxes that USA residents may face:
- Income tax: This is the tax levied on an individual’s income. It is computed as a percentage of an individual’s total income and generally ranges from 0% to 35%. Some exclusions apply, such as income received from Social Security benefits.
- Self-employment tax: This tax applies to individuals who are self-employed and employers who have employees who are self-employed. It consists of two parts: an employee part and an employer part. The employee part is based on the percentage of self-employment income that is taxable, while the employer part is based on the amount that the employer pays into social security.
- Sales tax: Sales taxes are levied on most goods and services sold in the USA. They vary by state but, for the most part, they range from 2% to 7%.
- Property tax: This tax is levied on property ownership, including land, buildings, and machinery. It ranges from 1% to
Conclusion
As a US citizen, it is important to stay informed about current events and how they could affect your ability to remain in the country. This blog covers topics such as DACA, the travel ban, and more. By staying up-to-date on these issues, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to leave the United States and keep your family safe.