Today, I became a proud American citizen—a truly incredible milestone.
I’m deeply grateful to everyone who supported me on this journey, especially: the team at eBay back in 2015. Jennifer Lamorena, Laura Chambers, and Steve Boehm were each instrumental in bringing me to Silicon Valley from London; My exceptional immigration attorney, Meena Rafie, who secured my green card with days to spare. To all of my supportive friends and family over the past decade: thank you. Your encouragement and belief in me have been invaluable.
I'm sure everyone is eagerly waiting to hear about my experience today while crossing the American border. It is getting much, much better and I'm getting much, much advanced in devising ways to remain creative for easiness of being accepted in America.
Today, I was not driving but I was on a RobertQ shuttle. We had to get out of the shuttle to go for border clearance. As the officer was clearing the person in front of me, I took out 2 of my phones which have 3 cameras each. I started looking at them while the cameras were facing at the officer and pretended to be talking to someone.
When I approached the counter I still prioritized my phones over my passport😁.
Here is the conversation:
Officer: where are you to?
Lucy: Tampa, Florida
Officer: what are you going to do in Tampa?
Lucy: to visit a friend
Officer: for how long
Lucy: until the 5th
Officer: what are you doing with the phones?
Lucy: one has my air ticket and the other my boarding pass. I'm keeping them ready to show you sir😉
Officer: No, no I don't need that. Welcome to America
Lucy: thank you sir and have a great day!
It seems like my travel tricks are working. He didn't even look at my luggage and the other person who looked like me was told to run his luggage through the scanner.
The reason why I registered a not-for-profit to support immigrants is not so I can be confrontational. It is so I can be sharing creative and best practices to survive in North America as an immigrant, visible minority, a person who speaks in an accent and a Black person.
You have to go above and beyond to be successful in North America.
My next plan is to apply for Nexus card which makes it more convenient to cross with less questions.
Do you realize I have a 3rd phone which I used to take this photo? He could not deal with all that drama🤣. What do you all think about my creativity? You don't have to be confrontational. You have to be smart. I have survived in North America using my brilliance.
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This #BlackHistoryMonth, my colleague Suzanne Spiteri, PhD is sharing about the history of Black entrepreneurs in Canada, what official data sources can tell us about the state of Black entrepreneurship, and speaking directly to Black entrepreneurs about their experiences in the labour market - read more: https://lnkd.in/gpBNkf_Y
NEW: Did you know that Canada is one of the most entrepreneurial nations in the world, and Black Canadians have been entrepreneurs since the country’s earliest days?
https://lnkd.in/eHVVbbGK#CdnLMI#BHM#BlackHistoryMonth
https://lnkd.in/g79UWfiM Explore the intricacies of the K-1 Visa, aka the "Fiancé Visa," and the financial obligations imposed on the sponsoring American 💍. Is it about love or opportunity? We reveal the legal and financial complexities beyond the 90-day period. 📺#FamilyLaw📺💔 #ImmigrationDrama#LoveOrOpportunity
At Black and Global, we encourage Black Business to embrace the world and endless possibilities. Just like a ship setting sail for new horizons, your business has the potential to explore uncharted markets. Expanding globally isn't just a strategy; it's a journey toward discovering new opportunities and growth. Let fear not anchor you down. With Black & Global, navigate the seas of international trade with confidence.
For Global Readiness and export Support, join Black & Global for Free.
Register here:
https://lnkd.in/gqWB5RcZ
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For Global Readiness and export Support, join Black & Global for Free.
Register here:
https://lnkd.in/gqWB5RcZ#GlobalBusiness#Entrepreneurship#Networking#BusinessGrowth#BlackBusiness#InternationalExpansion#blackandglobalbusinessnetwork#blackexport#bgbnand export
Know an extraordinary immigrant who deserves recognition ⁉️ Nominate them for the 2024 Immigrant Journey Awards! Whether they excel as an entrepreneur, professional, advocate, or embody the spirit of immigration, let's celebrate their remarkable contributions. Nominate today and honor their inspiring journey! 🌟 🏆
Nominate Here: https://lnkd.in/gTTpPrPq 📥
#ImmigrantJourneyAwards#NominateNow#badmuslaw#immigrantjourney#immigrationlaw
Visa. (Treaty Investor)
• The E2 “Treaty Investor” Visa enables individuals who have significant funds to invest to come into the U.S. for the purposes of setting up a business.
• With an overall approval rate of 89%, the E2 investor visa has one of the highest approval rates for all U.S. visas.
• An advantage of the E2 visa is that it can be extended indefinitely, for as long as the business is viable.
• Requirements
o Being a citizen of an E2 Visa country.
o Starpoint Brands Focus countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Francia, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, Paraguay, UK. Complete list: Treaty Countries
(state.gov)
o Controlling ownership of the business (50% or more).
o Substantial Investment (minimum 150K according to many Immigration Attorneys).
o Money should be at risk.
o Investment must not be viewed as marginal. Must have a good chance of generating sufficient
income to provide for the visa holder and any family. o The business must have its own dedicated premises. o 2 or more employees.
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Know an extraordinary immigrant who deserves recognition ⁉️ Nominate them for the 2024 Immigrant Journey Awards! Whether they excel as an entrepreneur, professional, advocate, or embody the spirit of immigration, let's celebrate their remarkable contributions. Nominate today and honor their inspiring journey! 🌟 🏆
Nominate Here: https://lnkd.in/gDZQeKs 📥
#ImmigrantJourneyAwards#NominateNow#badmuslaw#immigrantjourney#immigrationlaw
The international “connector”. Investments, Wine, Modular Housing, Hospitality, Entertainment , R&D, distribution, manufacturing, “sustainability”, esports, health tech
The other day I was having a conversation with a big events manager, and when I shared with him that I had lived in Finland for over 10 years and now split my time, the first thing that he said was "oh, the Happiest Country in the World". My response was that this designation is also a joking point among the Finns. I clarified that I believe that the Finns are among the "most content" people around. While such a simplified catch-all-phrase has great marketing potential in a rushed world, it is fair to state that the reality is that Finns have it pretty good. They have "won the lottery".
But such contentedness has also proven to put the Finns at a disadvantage, by producing an attitude and business culture of accepting a status-quo of doing "just enough". Where having a government-paid job was looked upon as being more prestigious than being an entrepreneur. Where "playing it safe" was elevated and taking risks was foolish and belittled. Where putting on seminars with pretty power-points was "just enough" in regards to international growth, where the comment of "oh, somebody else is tasked to do it" was an excuse for not taking things further, where government-paid gatekeepers and bureaucrats prevented many good people and opportunities to take hold (and many have simply chosen to go elsewhere), where filing paperwork focused on attracting more government funds took precedence over a "project" producing tangible results.
And as I prophetically tried to remind them over the last 10 years, such contentedness and "doing business as usual" will also put them at a disadvantage in numerous areas which are directly affected by geopolitics and international economic competition. Unfortunately, my advise to many to "focus West" instead of near-always "looking East and South" was not heeded, and Finland (especially its eastern segment) literally "hit a wall" when Russia invaded Ukraine and its eastern markets and goals evaporated overnight.
Fortunately, the grassroots attitudes of many Finns has changed (especially after Finland joining NATO), and there has been a major focus to correct their mistakes from the past and refocus. I admire the Finns for being able to become agile in such a way and refocus. Such a change is not easy and they are proving to be wise enough to "stop throwing good money after bad money". The world will benefit from a strong and confidant Finland.
I am proud to call Finland "home", and will remain committed to help
After months of ongoing discussions on the future of the Golden Visa Program, there is a new proposal on the table from the Socialist Party
Know all about the changes here:
https://lnkd.in/dq9BYAV9
Regardless, we stress that the Golden Visa program is still running, with all options, at least until July, so until then we can submit new processes.
#anabrunoassociados#lawfirm#goldenvisaprogram#goldenvisa
AK Poku | The Immigrant’s Lawyer ✊🏿 | Green Cards 🇺🇸 U.S. Citizenship 🇺🇸 American Dreams | AK Poku Law, PLLC | 🌎 akpokulaw.com 🌎| ☎️+1 (802) 780 0564 ☎️
Global Operations, Technology, and Data Servant Leader
3moIan I’m so proud for your achievement…gosh that journey started so long ago. And your persistence paid off. Congrats you damn yankee!!