Many Vietnamese refugees and immigrants have been coming to Massachusetts and Greater Boston area since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Several thousand refugees from Southern Vietnam came to the US after the war to escape political persecution and were resettled. Boston was one of the top 10 resettlement sites for Vietnamese refugees at the time. There are now over 61,000 Vietnamese Americans living in Massachusetts and they are the second largest Asian immigrant group in the region. One of the largest and most important Vietnamese communities in Boston is located in Fields Corner in Dorchester. Vietnamese-owned businesses line Dorchester Ave. This area is also referred to as Boston’s Little Saigon. There are other established thriving Vietnamese communities in Allston-Brighton, Worcester, Quincy, Randolph, Lowell, Lynn, and many more.
The United States and Vietnam now have a strong partnership ever since the trade embargo was lifted in 1994, which lasted almost 20 years. Diplomatic relations between the two countries continue to grow. Many of the first arrivals of Vietnamese immigrants after the war were educated professionals, but many immigrants who followed did not have the same educational opportunities and worked in manufacturing jobs. Many then moved on to working in service occupations like restaurant jobs and transportation. In local communities, Vietnamese workers found niches in floor sanding and nail salon operation. Now, Vietnamese Americans, especially those who are second generation, have been able to attain higher levels of education and work in a variety of different fields and occupations.
If you need help immigrating to MA from Vietnam, contact Boston immigration attorney Giselle M. Rodriguez. Giselle helps clients with the full range of immigration challenges, from visas to citizenship. She is bilingual and works with clients throughout Greater Boston and Massachusetts. Contact Giselle today to discuss your case or read on to find out more about protecting your immigration status in the United States.
Community Resources for Vietnamese Immigrants in Massachusetts
There are multiple organizations in Massachusetts that help Vietnamese communities connect with each other, provide support, help with finding a job, and any other resources you need. VietAID, the Vietnamese American Initiative for Development, is an organization that helps alleviate poverty and provides tools for economic development in the Fields Corner Vietnamese community in Dorchester, MA. They also have a community center located and implemented a state-wide small business assistance program, which has strengthened entrepreneurial growth in the Vietnamese community.
There is also the Vietnamese American Civic Association which provides ESL courses, civic assistance and engagement programs, youth programs, housing counseling, and advocate for community health. Boston Medical Center also has an Immigrant and Refugee Health Center and provides many helpful resources for immigrants in Boston.
Processing Times in Boston
Different application types will have different processing times, so we suggest reaching out to our office as soon as possible if you need immigration assistance on a specific deadline. If you plan to apply for a visa, allow plenty of time for the application process. Visa processing times can range anywhere from 7 to 24 months. If you need your visa in time to meet a school or work deadline, it’s important to plan in advance.
At the USCIS office in Boston, green card applications are taking roughly 14-15 months to process. The processing time for naturalization applications is averaging 8-9 months in Boston. It is important to keep in mind that processing times fluctuate and vary based on application type. Regardless of processing times, we are here to guide you through every step of the process. From consultation, to application prep, to interview readiness, we help you navigate your immigration journey.
Unsure which type of application to pursue? I can help. Contact me to discuss your situation and goals, and I will assist you in selecting the pathway that best suits your unique needs.
Past and Current Clients from Vietnam
Our law office has helped several Vietnamese clients work towards their desired immigration outcome.
An example of one of these clients was an LGBTQ marriage-based adjustment of status case in which the applicant was from Vietnam. The applicant recently had their work permit approved and received it here in the office. They were thrilled to receive it, as it’s a great benefit to have while waiting for the green card.
Another thing we did to strengthen their application was including plenty of evidence. There is a common belief that if a couple has already applied for a fiance visa, they don’t need to submit as much evidence when they want to apply for an adjustment of status. Regardless of whether or not this is accurate, I always submit an abundance of evidence. For this couple, that meant submitting their honeymoon photos, as well as other photos of them together post-marriage.
If you are planning on coming to the U.S. from Vietnam, you can contact my office for help. We’ve worked with clients from Vietnam, and can probably help you, too.