Abdi and his Golden Ticket to the US

[barryqwalsh]

In Somali slang, there is a special word for the daydream of starting a new life in a far-off land: it's known as a bofis. And for millions of refugees across Africa, there is one bofis that obsesses people above all - the idea of moving to the West, and in particular to the US.

For most, it remains an impossible dream. But there is one legal way in which even those without wealth or connections can do it - getting a lucky break in the US Diversity Visa Program, better known as the green card lottery. In 2013, nearly eight million people applied for just 50,000 winning tickets, which means that for every 1,000 applicants only six won the chance of a new life.

BBC News - Abdi and his Golden Ticket to the US

 

[Mr. H.]

For the life of me, I can't imagine why anyone would want to come to the U.S. these days.

Oh wait- Obama.

Never mind.

 

[Oldglory1]

In Somali slang, there is a special word for the daydream of starting a new life in a far-off land: it's known as a bofis. And for millions of refugees across Africa, there is one bofis that obsesses people above all - the idea of moving to the West, and in particular to the US.

For most, it remains an impossible dream. But there is one legal way in which even those without wealth or connections can do it - getting a lucky break in the US Diversity Visa Program, better known as the green card lottery. In 2013, nearly eight million people applied for just 50,000 winning tickets, which means that for every 1,000 applicants only six won the chance of a new life.

BBC News - Abdi and his Golden Ticket to the US

Perhaps "immigrants" should try to fix their own countries. We have to have annual quotas for various, sensible reasons. We cannot be the flophouse and employment agency to the whole world in unlimited numbers.

 

[barryqwalsh]

Diversity Visa Program:
Green Card Lottery
DV-2015 Entry Instructions



Diversity Visa DV 2015 Lottery Instructions