Third in a series
Re “New Refugees in America Land on a Generous Cushion”
The children of refugees receive free education at any age.
College students receive financial aid, and they do not have to pay back the money because it is not a student loan. They all receive free medical coverage and all healthcare supplies free of charge. In addition, they have access to free dental and eye care.
All of this help is given to them for five years, although that recently was downsized to four years. Of course, if the person is able to earn a minimum salary within the four years, the financial aid is decreased accordingly.
If the refugees prove their earnings are not sufficient, they continue to obtain the help. When they are over 60 years old, the support continues till the end of their lives. Just a small reminder: These people were someone in their countries. They earned a living in their native lands. Therefore some of them have cash available.
But after arriving in America, all of their money is registered under the name of a close relative to show “no income.”
I assure you that many Americans may not be aware of all these aid resources available in their country.
Somehow, though, refugees are aware of all the details even if they do not know a word of English!
I was listening to a foreign language immigration attorney program on the radio when a woman called and asked how she could obtain such and such help from government? After awhile, the attorney asked her, “From which state are you calling me?” The lady answered and gave the name of the country that she was still living in. The attorney answered, “First, come and enter American soil. Then contact us and we will arrange for you to obtain all of your needs!”
(To be continued)
Dr. Rosemary Hartounian Cohen, who lives in the Fairfax District, received her Ph.D in sociology from the Sorbonne in Paris. She lived in two other countries before moving, with her husband and children, to Los Angeles in 1984. She has published four books in America. Since 1985, she has operated Atelier de Paris, an international art business, on Robertson Boulevard. Her email address is Rosemary@atelierdeparis.com
