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HailHailtoMichigan! 
Michigan Fan
Mission Viejo, CA
Member since Mar 2012
5176 posts
| Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 7:13 pm)
Does anyone else find it odd that Europe doesn't attract more Americans who are seeking to live in sophisticated welfare states? For the last decade, America has had one of its major parties adopt a platform that is largely a reflection of the European social democracies.
One would think that with so much exposure to the benefits that living in one of these social democracies offers would come more Americans moving there, but it doesn't happen.
In fact, European immigration to America currently DWARFS the reverse.
I'm not necessarily criticizing people who support this view of government and welfare, but why stay here, when you have so many options across the pond?
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ColaTiger 
LSU Fan
Columbia
Member since Jan 2013
980 posts
 Online
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 7:15 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!)
Believe me, if we could, the girlfriend and I would move to Europe in a heartbeat. But it's hard enough just moving from Louisiana to South Carolina, much less a new continent
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BigAppleTiger
LSU Fan
New York City
Member since Dec 2008
5296 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 7:19 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!)
Because it is not so easy. It took over a year and 50,000 pounds sterling for my employers in London to process my work visa- and that was in the early 90's. If it was easy, I would be there now.
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jamboybarry
LSU Fan
Rill talk
Member since Feb 2011
8422 posts
Online
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 7:20 pm to ColaTiger)
quote:
ColaTiger
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junkfunky
LSU Fan
I can't find my village
Member since Jan 2011
10158 posts
Online
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 7:23 pm to BigAppleTiger)
Does this mean immigrants from Europe are ballers?
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ColaTiger
LSU Fan
Columbia
Member since Jan 2013
980 posts
Online
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 7:24 pm to jamboybarry)
Excuse us if we actually want to experience what the world has to offer as opposed to staying in our Podunk towns plopping out kids and working dead end jobs
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BigAppleTiger
LSU Fan
New York City
Member since Dec 2008
5296 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 7:32 pm to junkfunky)
quote:
Does this mean immigrants from Europe are ballers?
Nope.
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junkfunky
LSU Fan
I can't find my village
Member since Jan 2011
10158 posts
Online
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 7:37 pm to BigAppleTiger)
quote:
Nope.
Is it cheaper/easier to immigrate into the US?
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BigAppleTiger
LSU Fan
New York City
Member since Dec 2008
5296 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 7:55 pm to junkfunky)
Most people I know from Europe who have moved here have done so through the green card lottery, marriage, or just illegally. Of course... professionals from multi-national corporations have an easier time.
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TigerPride10 
Columbia Fan
Seoul, Korea
Member since Jul 2007
9015 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:10 pm to junkfunky)
quote:
Is it cheaper/easier to immigrate into the US?
It really depends on the job. Having lived in Europe, I'd say it's easier for an American, or anyone for that matter, to get a working visa in a Western European country. However, to immigrate permanently to one of those countries is seemingly impossible if you plan to become a citizen.
A positive about US immigration is that we do have relatively easy pathways to citizenship.
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MrCarton 
Alabama Fan
Nashville
Member since Dec 2009
1667 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:11 pm to TigerPride10)
quote:
A positive about US immigration is that we do have relatively easy pathways to citizenship.
Positive for whom?
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TigerPride10
Columbia Fan
Seoul, Korea
Member since Jul 2007
9015 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:14 pm to MrCarton)
quote:
Positive for whom?
For people who want to become a citizen maybe?
Are you a Native American, or did your ancestors become American citizens somewhere along the way?
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kingbob
LSU Fan
St. Amant, LA
Member since Nov 2010
9215 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:19 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!)
language barrier (most Americans can't speak any language other than English), taxes, strict immigration quotas, political differences, civil rights differences, high cost of living, jobs
This post was edited on 2/5 at 8:20 pm
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white perch
LSU Fan
the bright, happy side of hell
Member since Apr 2012
1903 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:26 pm to TigerPride10)
quote:
Are you a Native American, or did your ancestors become American citizens somewhere along the way?
The "native" Americans immigrated here from Asia during the last ice age. All Americans have immigrant ancestors.
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MrCarton
Alabama Fan
Nashville
Member since Dec 2009
1667 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:27 pm to TigerPride10)
quote:
For people who want to become a citizen maybe?
Just checking.
quote:
Are you a Native American, or did your ancestors become American citizens somewhere along the way?
They earned a small plot of land by slaughtering thousands of innocents fighting under Andy Jackson.
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dante
LSU Fan
Kingwood, TX
Member since Mar 2006
2835 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:38 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!)
MICH....we are becoming Europe no need to move. 
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RogerTheShrubber
LSU Fan
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
73820 posts
Online
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:40 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!)
I know a few people over there on work visas. It can be done.
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roygu
Member since Jan 2004
7380 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:47 pm to MrCarton)
quote:
They earned a small plot of land by slaughtering thousands of innocents fighting under Andy Jackson.
Didn't those Pilgrims come to America for similar reasons?
Were the "Native American" more peaceful than the first settlers.
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NC_Tigah
LSU Fan
Member since Sep 2003
40705 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:50 pm to BigAppleTiger)
quote:
It took over a year and 50,000 pounds sterling for my employers in London to process my work visa- and that was in the early 90's
Wut? 
In the early 90's that would have equated to about $87,000.00.
Pardon me for pointing out the obvious . . . . . . but that is one hell of a lot of work visa processing.
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MrCarton
Alabama Fan
Nashville
Member since Dec 2009
1667 posts
| re: Why is there not more American immigration to Europe? (Posted on 2/5/13 at 8:51 pm to roygu)
quote:
Didn't those Pilgrims come to America for similar reasons?
Were the "Native American" more peaceful than the first settlers.
I wasn't there, so I can't say for sure. Based off of how we treat each other today...I would say both sides were pretty ugly about the whole deal.
I was kidding about the slaughtering thousands remark. Everyone knows Chris kyle has the record at 150+...
Kidding, again.
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