The United States' economy, politics, culture, advanced modern social life, and the high-quality social welfare benefits available to its people are unmatched by many other countries. As a result, the lives of the American people are often envied by those in many other nations. Let us take a look at the welfare benefits in the United States.
1. Newborn children: Any child born in the United States to individuals in the country (including those who entered illegally) is considered a U.S. citizen. They hold a U.S. passport, are not restricted in the duration of their stay outside the United States, and may enter and exit the country freely for life. Upon taking the oath of citizenship at age 18, they legally enjoy all rights and privileges of a U.S. citizen, including the immediate ability to sponsor a spouse, children, and, upon reaching age 21, parents for U.S. immigration.
2. Student tuition: Before the age of 18, all primary and secondary education in the United States is compulsory and tuition-free (excluding private schools). In contrast, agencies in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou currently charge over $20,000 USD per year for primary and secondary school study abroad programs in the U.S. For university (including graduate and doctoral studies), residents pay local tuition rates. Taking California as an example, at a mid-tier California public university, international students pay over $12,000 USD in annual tuition, while "locals" pay just over $2,000 USD per year at a California State University. If a child completes three years of high school and four years of university in the U.S., tuition savings alone can amount to approximately 500,000 RMB.
3. Scholarships: For ordinary Chinese citizens interested in applying for scholarships at U.S. universities, they must compete with outstanding individuals from all over the world for a very limited number of scholarships open to foreign nationals. However, Green Card holders have access to a much wider range of scholarships than those available to foreign students. This is because many U.S. scholarship-granting institutions restrict their awards to "Americans" (including those with U.S. permanent residency). Therefore, after immigrating to the U.S., a child's chances of obtaining a scholarship are far greater than those of an overseas student.
4. Student loans: Green Card holders over the age of 18 can apply for various types of student loans in the same year they receive their Green Card. For example, when attending a top-tier private U.S. university, annual tuition can be as high as $30,000 USD. When a Green Card holder wishes to pursue a two-year master's degree, they can secure a loan of $60,000 to $70,000 USD. If they cannot find a job after graduation, they are not required to repay the loan; once they find employment, they repay it in installments over the years, typically using only one-fifth to one-tenth of their monthly salary. In the United States, no one is unable to attend school due to financial hardship.
5. Benefits for immediate family: Once a Green Card holder marries a foreign national, they can immediately apply for a Green Card for their spouse and their spouse's unmarried children under the age of 21.
6. Government job placement assistance: The U.S. government has specialized agencies that provide free job search assistance to its residents. Green Card holders simply need to register their skills, expertise, and interests with these departments, and they will provide free job placement services. Additionally, these departments offer free training in basic skills (such as computer literacy and English) to help job seekers find employment.
7. Employment freedom: There are no restrictions on Green Card holders working in the United States. To protect the interests of its own citizens, many jobs in the U.S. (such as high-tech, biochemical, military research, production, and security work) are not open to foreign nationals, even if they possess the corresponding knowledge and expertise. This situation puts foreign students at a significant disadvantage when competing with American students for jobs after graduation. Green Card holders, however, do not need to worry, as they can transition from a "disadvantaged position" to an "advantaged position."
8. Retirement benefits: After accumulating ten years of tax records (with a minimum requirement of approximately $50 in actual taxes paid per month), individuals can receive a U.S. federal government pension (typically $1,000 to $1,200 USD per month) for life upon retirement (usually at age 65). For many immigrants, the number of years they receive pension benefits exceeds the number of years they worked and paid taxes.
9. Unemployment benefits: If an applicant, their spouse, or even their children are unemployed after obtaining a Green Card, the government will provide free job search assistance. After having six months of tax records, one can report unemployment to the relevant local U.S. department and receive government unemployment benefits (ranging from $400 to $1,200 USD per month).
10. Life insurance and funds: Green Card holders can take advantage of certain life insurance and fund-linked insurance products that are not available in China and are exclusive to the United States, allowing individuals to have a higher income after retirement.