#Dual intent in immigration

[usadvlottery]

Navigating Everlasting Unity: The USA Green Card through Marriage

Embark on a journey of love, commitment, and legal recognition with the USA Green Card through Marriage. This immigration avenue allows spouses of U.S. citizens to establish permanent residency and build a shared future in the United States. From the initial petition filing to the adjustment of status process, couples navigate the intricacies of this pathway, creating a foundation for enduring togetherness. Join us in exploring the steps and requirements that lead to the USA Green Card through Marriage, where love not only binds hearts but also bridges borders for a lasting union on American soil.

[jesncin]

sigh just. What gets me about these pinkwashed readings of my immigrant Clois comics is that they go out of their way to make the only non white character (Lois) functionally useless in the story.

Like if Private Interview really was about "Superman being trans" in those flashbacks (because apparently the brown girl in the past is not the brown woman in the present day) what are Lois and Superman connecting on? When they share their names to each other what's that supposed to be? Their dead names? Geez. It says something that I'm depicting a brown girl surviving a sinophobic riot and people are instead centering it on "no this is about a white man figuring out his gender instead!"

Someone recently said they interpreted Clark and Lana's relationship in Today Tomorrow not working out because Lana is a lesbian and Clark is trans and?? Just because Lana has short hair when she's older and I drew her as a butch? How does Lois connecting to Clark even make sense in that reading. The whole point was allegorizing struggles interracial couples go through, and an Asian American Lois connecting with Clark because she gets it.

I know some people like to sass me by saying "art is all about interpreting your own take" but like. There's such a thing as misinterpretation too. And I'm all too wary of white queer people projecting a more palatable experience on my immigrant comics because they refuse to connect to an experience that's too othering for them. While it's fine to have queer readings of how Superheroes handle dual identities, it becomes an issue when that reading pinkwashes the artists' intention to depict themes of immigration and alienation under xenophobia and racism.

[ceasarslegion]

I find it funny how conservatives don't loop in my family in their anti-immigrant rhetoric.

My family is from the Netherlands. Generations upon generations were born and raised in Amsterdam. Our roots go back centuries in that area. My grandmother married a canadian man and much later, immigrated to Canada to be with him. Their daughter was born in Spain and their son was born in Amsterdam. My mom and my uncle both retain their Dutch citizenship and I had dual dutch-canadian until I turned 18 and the Netherlands made me choose because I had never lived in the country. I was born in canada, and as such automatically received canadian citizenship. I chose canada because I was born and partially raised and currently live here. And because I speak Dutch at an illiterate child's level

By all intents and purposes, I'm from just as much of an immigrant family as my Hispanic-Canadian classmates were. I had both cultures heavily featured in my household. Just last night I was telling my boyfriend about what dutch Santa clause was like and how we always went to the Christmas celebrations at the Dutch immigrant societies where we would tell zwarte piet we were good this year and he'd give us candy from his bag. Instead of cookies and milk, we'd leave a carrot in a wooden shoe for sinterklaas's horses and get candy in its place in the morning if we were good. (Do not start discourse on this post about how zwarte piet is often depicted, I was a literal child and all we saw at that age was a friendly chimney sweep who gave candy to the good children out of his big bag) and instead of presents under a tree, we'd get a knock on the door and run out to a sack of presents at the front door.

And as for food, I grew up on more Dutch cuisine than canadian. Which is quite... practical, for lack of a better term. Lots of meat and dairy. Pickled fish, cooked greens, pea soup, boiled potatoes, everything dipped in mayonnaise and Dijon mustard, including the pickled fish. My boyfriend thinks the palate this diet gave me is a sin against nature but I say sardines out of the can is a yummy treat just for me

When I tell conservatives about this, I get lots of perked up faces and interest in my family's traditions and the fact that we came from the Netherlands. They look at my often blunt way of speaking and nod along and laugh and say "yknow, I can see that! Dutch people are very blunt, I think you picked that up!" And then they ask about my extended family still in Amsterdam and about the times I've visited and ask about where they should go on their future vacations. They often express that it's a shame I had to give up one of my citizenships because "they shouldn't make you give up your heritage :(("

This is very... different from how they respond to people in the exact same situation from different countries. If I was originally from Mexico, or somewhere in Arabia, or India, or anywhere where the dominant demographic isn't white, they'd be singing a very different tune. They'd talk about how I should "go back to my country" and "stop taking canadian jobs" and might even talk about how they'd think my heritage was barbaric or primitive, if they were really daring.

Its almost like "anti-immigration" is just a more acceptable form of straight up racism

[bisphenol-a]

Tomorrow, Friday November 17, the German Bundestag will vote on a draft law that could decide that naturalization for residents would be dependent on a commitment to Israel’s right to exist.

The bill, which includes a law that would change the criminal code, was submitted by the Christian Democratic Party’s (CDU) parliamentary group.

It would impact individuals seeking residency, asylum, and naturalization, and its intent is to “provide better protection against the further entrenchment and spread of antisemitism that has “immigrated from abroad.”

“Since the day of the attack,” the law states in its introduction, “disgusting rallies and demonstrations have also taken place on German streets, expressing unconcealed joy at the deaths of Jews and revealing an alarming level of antisemitism.”

A majority of protests across Germany have not only been peaceful but have only called for the German government to back a ceasefire to stop the genocide of the Palestinian people.

I attended multiple demonstrations across Germany, and the only visible threat to public safety has been from the police. In fact, I was a witness to one demonstration in Frankfurt where the police banned it from taking place mere minutes before it was about to begin. Hundreds of people were met with water cannons, extreme levels of police presence, and kettling by law enforcement that led to the detainment of over 300 people.

In another I attended in Mannheim, the only act of antisemitism committed was a man on the sidelines of our protest raising his hand in a Nazi salute to antagonize and intimidate pro-Palestinian demonstrators. He was arrested soon after, and local publications reported he was, in fact, not a part of our planned demonstration.

In 2022, over 80 percent of all antisemitic crimes in Germany were committed by the German far right, according to the federal police. However, the new draft bill does not include these statistics. Instead, it attributes violent antisemitism with sympathy with “Hamas terrorism,” which they claim is “cheered and propagated on German streets and schoolyards.”

The bill clearly singles out Arabs and migrants, claiming antisemitism in Germany is now only “imported.”

“A significant portion of those are obviously immigrants from countries in North Africa and the Middle East, where antisemitism and hostility towards Israel have a particular breeding ground,” the draft law states, backed by no concrete evidence for such remarkable claims.

It continues: “as well as their descendants, the instruments of residence, asylum and citizenship law must be used more consistently than before- in addition to general means such as criminal law- in order to combat antisemitism in Germany more effectively.”

In summary, the law not only creates a prerequisite where a citizenship application will only be granted if the individual declares a commitment to Israel’s right to exist and swears that they did not pursue any endeavors directed against Israel, but it can also strip the residency status and the citizenship of dual nationals who have been convicted of an antisemitic crime. This would also include a prison sentence of at least one year.

“Maintaining the legal status quo is not an option,” the draft law says, “as the current legal situation is clearly not suitable for effectively combating the specific antisemitism that is widespread among some foreigners in Germany.”

In Germany, what constitutes an “antisemitic crime” is extremely ambiguous. In 2017, the federal government officially adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. Advocates, scholars, and legal experts at the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) as well as other organizations for example, have long criticized the IHRA definition, arguing it redefines antisemitism by wrongly conflating criticism of Israel with anti-Jewish racism.

According to a report conducted by ELSC and published earlier this year, the invocation of the definition almost exclusively targets Palestinian rights advocacy, harming Palestinian and Jewish activists in particular.

Now that Germany has specifically labeled the protests as examples of antisemitism that should be criminalized, there is much cause for concern for pro-Palestinian activists. Already, there have been examples such as the stripping of refugee status from a Palestinian activist from Syria and denying residency to Palestinian doctors who have only been a part of a Palestinian cultural group.

...

“Violent excesses at demonstrations- such as the pro-Palestinian demonstrations in October 2023- must be appropriately sanctioned. However, the increasing abuse of the right to demonstrate can often not be adequately punished,” the draft law says. “The regulation of breach of the peace is too narrow.

We have already witnessed banned demonstrations in cities and violent police arrests detaining people only carrying flags and wearing keffiyehs or simply holding anti-war signs. In Berlin, home to one of the largest Palestinian diasporas in Europe, there have been regular police presence and clear examples of racial profiling, and harassment against anyone who might “look” like they are attending a previously banned demonstration. 

[taamlok]

american trans people who are worried about the status of your passport (or who do not have a US passport at all), please PLEASE look into whether you are eligible for citizenship by descent in any other country. if either of your parents or any of your grandparents were born outside the US (or in some cases had dual citizenship before you were born even if they were born in the US) you might be eligible for a foreign passport.

my mother is british and my father is irish and even though i was born in canada my siblings and i all qualified for both passports. the UK passport only took like a month to arrive and all i had to do was send in my birth certificate, a copy of my mom's, and fill out the same passport form that all UK citizens do. the irish passport was a bit more involved but still really easy as long as i had all the right documents.

even if you have no intention of leaving the US or immigrating to wherever your parents/grandparents are from, having a passport for anywhere means you have options. you can also use your birth certificate or certificate of citizenship (or any other document you have proving US citizenship) to enter canada in case of an emergency. a valid US permanent residency card in addition to your birth certificate is also accepted. stay safe

[claraameliapond]

Canadian filmmaker renounces her Israeli citizenship in response to Israel's ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestine. "Peace is not Israel's goal. I don't know if it ever was". The vast majority of Israeli citizens* are dual citizenship holders, ie they were from another country, were born in another country and in the "ten pound pom" fashion, went to populate the illegal Israeli expansion settlements in Palestine, in support of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

This is how they created and expanded the created nation state of Israel, since its genesis in 1947. It's a system that is still in practice today, whereby Zionists (all Jewish people are eligible, but it's the Zionists who do) can obtain an Israeli citizenship from anywhere in the world, (they do not have to move to live there to obtain one) and travel there short or long term, which many do at at least some point in their lives. All eligible for Israeli citizenship worldwide, under the "right of return", including Israeli Jews, amounts to 25.5 million - Note , displaced Palestinians do not have the "right of return" to their own land, ie the indigenous population of Palestine is not allowed the right of return to their own land, Israel have never allowed this or agreed to this in the various Peace talks, but Israel grants a 'right of return' to people that have no connection to the land, place, who have never set foot there nor have their families or ancestors. And centrally, to people who are from and already live in other, extremely safe countries. In both present day and the entire time the nation state of Israel has existed. (*dual Israeli citizenship holders globally, who currently reside there or not, both in present day and the entire time Israel has existed and occupied Palestine. How do you think Israel was populated? They are not the original population of Palestine. It's a Colonial Settlement and Occupation. A created nation state is not the same thing as a country with an indigenous population, aka Palestine. Pre Israel creation, Colonisation and occupation, Muslims, Christians and Jewish people all lived in Palestine, as it is sacred to many religions. The small Jewish population that existed originally in Palestine were not the population that created, settled or expanded into Israel. That was mainly European Jewish immigrants with the help of the British, and later the UN. Israel is not a peaceful immigration state, it is a brutally violent colonial settlement and occupation that has pushed innocent Palestinians out of their land, and continues to do so. They have never wanted to share. They have stolen Palestine from its indigenous population, and illegally continue to expand. And displaced its indigenous, originary Palestinian population. With constant genocidal intent and action. Peace has never been their goal.

[attorneyssphuket]

Thailand SMART Visa

1.1 Statutory Foundations

Established under Royal Decree on SMART Visa B.E. 2561 (2018)

Amended by Ministerial Regulation No. 377 (2021) expanding eligible sectors

Operates within Thailand 4.0 Economic Model under BOI oversight

1.2 Governance Structure

Primary Authority: Board of Investment (BOI)

Interagency Coordination:

Immigration Bureau (visa issuance)

Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) for tech qualifications

Ministry of Higher Education for academic validation

Technical Review Committees:

Sector-specific panels (12 industries)

Investment verification unit

2. Eligibility Criteria & Qualification Pathways

2.1 SMART-T (Experts)

Compensation Thresholds

Base Salary: Minimum THB 200,000/month (USD 5,800)

Alternative Compensation:

Equity valued at 25% premium to cash salary

Performance bonuses (capped at 40% of base)

2.2 SMART-E (Entrepreneurs)

Startup Metrics

Revenue Test: THB 10M+ ARR

Traction Test: 50,000 MAU

Funding Test: Series A (THB 25M+)

Accelerator Requirements:

DEPA-certified programs

Minimum 6-month incubation

3. Application Process & Technical Review

3.1 Document Authentication Protocol

Educational Credentials:

WES/IQAS evaluation for foreign degrees

Notarized Thai translations (certified by MFA)

Employment Verification:

Social security cross-check (home country)

Three professional references (direct supervisors)

3.2 Biometric Enrollment

Facial Recognition: 12-point capture system

Fingerprinting: 10-print electronic submission

Iris Scanning: Optional for Diamond tier

4. Privilege Structure & Compliance

4.1 Employment Rights Framework

Permitted Activities:

Primary employment with sponsor (≥80% time)

Academic collaboration (≤20% time)

Advisory roles (max 2 concurrent)

Restrictions:

Local employment outside specialty

Political activities

Unapproved commercial research

4.2 Dependent Provisions

Spousal Work Rights:

General employment permitted

No industry restrictions

Child Education:

25% tuition subsidy at partner schools

University admission priority

4.3 Mobility Features

Airport Processing:

Dedicated SMART lanes at 6 airports

15-minute clearance guarantee

Re-entry Flexibility:

Unlimited exits

72-hour grace period

5. Sector-Specific Implementations

5.1 Biotechnology

Special Privileges:

Lab equipment duty waivers

Fast-track FDA approval

50% R&D tax deduction

5.2 Advanced Manufacturing

Incentives:

Robotics import tax exemption

Industrial land lease discounts

THB 500K training subsidy

5.3 Digital Infrastructure

Cloud Computing:

VAT exemption on services

30% energy cost reduction

Cybersecurity:

Liability protections

Gov't certification fast-track

6. Compliance & Monitoring

6.1 Continuous Reporting

Quarterly:

Employment verification

Investment maintenance

Annual:

Contribution assessment

Salary benchmarking

6.2 Renewal Process

Documentation:

Updated financials

Health insurance (USD 100K)

Performance metrics

Fees:

THB 10,000 renewal

THB 1,900 visa stamp

7. Emerging Developments

7.1 2024 Enhancements

Blockchain Specialist Category

Climate Tech Fast-Track

EEC Regional Expansion

7.2 Pending Reforms

Dual Intent Provision

Skills Transfer Mandate

Global Talent Pool

8. Strategic Application Approach

8.1 Pre-Submission Optimization

Compensation Restructuring

Patent Portfolio Development

Professional Endorsements

8.2 Post-Approval Planning

Tax Residence Strategy

Asset Protection

Succession Planning

9. Risk Management

9.1 Common Rejection Reasons

Document Issues (32%)

Qualification Gaps (28%)

Financial Irregularities (19%)

9.2 Operational Challenges

Banking Restrictions

Healthcare Access

Cultural Integration

[thailandlaww]

1. Structural Foundations of the SMART Visa Program

1.1 Legislative Architecture

The SMART Visa operates under:

Royal Decree on SMART Visa B.E. 2561 (2018)

Thailand 4.0 Economic Policy Framework

BOI Investment Promotion Act (No. 4) B.E. 2560

1.2 Interagency Governance

Primary Authority: Board of Investment (BOI)

Implementation Partners:

Immigration Bureau (visa issuance)

Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (tech qualifications)

Ministry of Higher Education (academic validation)

2. Category-Specific Qualification Matrix

2.1 SMART-T (Specialists)

Technical Thresholds:

Salary Floor: THB 200,000/month (USD 5,800)

Experience Validation:

5+ years in qualifying field

Patent holders given priority

PhD waivers for certain disciplines

Industry Prioritization:

Biotechnology (Gene Therapy, Precision Medicine)

Advanced Manufacturing (Robotics, 3D Printing)

Digital Infrastructure (AI, Quantum Computing)

2.2 SMART-I (Investors)

Due Diligence Process:

Phase 1: BOI business plan review (45 days)

Phase 2: Anti-money laundering clearance

Phase 3: Investment tracing audit

2.3 SMART-E (Entrepreneurs)

Startup Validation Framework:

Tier 1 Incubators: DEPA, Thai Venture Capital Association

Minimum Traction Metrics:

THB 10M ARR or

50,000 MAU or

Series A funding

Capital Requirements:

Bootstrapped: THB 600,000 liquid

Funded: Minimum THB 5M valuation

3. Advanced Application Mechanics

3.1 Document Authentication Protocol

Educational Credentials:

WES or IQAS evaluation for non-Thai degrees

Notarized Thai translations

Employment History:

Social security cross-verification

Reference checks with former employers

3.2 Technical Review Process

Stage 1: Automated system screening

Stage 2: BOO specialist committee review

Stage 3: Final approval by Deputy Secretary-General

4. Privilege Structure and Limitations

4.1 Work Authorization Scope

Permitted Activities:

Primary employment with sponsor

Consulting (max 20% time allocation)

Academic collaboration

Prohibited Activities:

Local employment outside specialty

Unapproved commercial research

Political activities

4.2 Dependent Provisions

Spousal Work Rights:

General employment permitted

No industry restrictions

Child Education:

International school subsidies

University admission preferences

4.3 Mobility Advantages

Fast-Track Immigration:

Dedicated SMART lanes at 6 major airports

15-minute clearance guarantee

Re-entry Flexibility:

Unlimited exits without visa voidance

Automatic 48-hour grace period

5. Compliance and Renewal Dynamics

5.1 Continuous Eligibility Monitoring

Quarterly Reporting:

Employment verification

Investment maintenance

Research output (for academics)

Annual Review:

Salary benchmark adjustment

Contribution assessment

5.2 Renewal Process

Documentation Refresh: Updated financials, health insurance

Performance Evaluation: Economic impact assessment

Fee Structure: THB 10,000 renewal fee + THB 1,900 visa stamp

5.3 Grounds for Revocation

Material Changes: Employment termination, investment withdrawal

Compliance Failures: Missed reporting, legal violations

National Security Concerns: Classified determinations

6. Comparative Analysis with Global Competitors

6.1 Strategic Advantages

Tax Optimization: 17% flat rate option

Research Incentives: BOO matching grants

Commercialization Support: THBI co-investment

7. Emerging Policy Developments

7.1 2024 Program Enhancements

Blockchain Specialist Category (Q3 rollout)

Climate Tech Fast-Track (Carbon credit linkage)

Regional Expansion: Eastern Economic Corridor focus

7.2 Pending Legislative Changes

Dual Intent Provision: PR application without visa surrender

Skills Transfer Mandate: Local training requirements

Global Talent Pool: Reciprocal agreements in negotiation

8. Practical Application Strategies

8.1 Pre-Application Optimization

Salary Structuring: Base vs variable compensation

Patent Portfolio Development: Thai IP registration

Local Network Building: Thai professional associations

8.2 Post-Approval Planning

Tax Residence Strategy: 180-day calculations

Asset Protection: Thai holding company formation

Succession Planning: Will registration requirements

9. Critical Risk Factors

9.1 Common Rejection Reasons

Document Discrepancies: Date inconsistencies

Qualification Gaps: Unrecognized certifications

Financial Irregularities: Unverified income streams

9.2 Operational Challenges

Banking Restrictions: Foreign account limitations

Healthcare Access: Specialty treatment approvals

Cultural Integration: Workplace adaptation

10. Conclusion: Strategic Implementation Framework

For optimal SMART Visa utilization:

Pre-qualification Audit: 90-day preparation period

BOI Engagement: Pre-submission consultation

Compliance Infrastructure: Digital reporting systems

Contingency Planning: Alternative category eligibility

[attorneythailand]

Thailand Long-Term Residency

Thailand's long-term residency system presents a multifaceted array of options, each with distinct legal frameworks, bureaucratic processes, and strategic advantages. Unlike many Southeast Asian nations, Thailand maintains a carefully regulated immigration system that balances economic priorities with national security concerns. This exhaustive guide examines all viable pathways to long-term residency, analyzing their legal foundations, practical requirements, and often-overlooked nuances that can determine application success or failure.

2. Permanent Residency: The Gold Standard

2.1 Historical Context and Current Policy

Established under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979)

Annual quota system introduced in 2008 (100 per nationality)

Processing times now exceed 24 months due to security vetting

2.2 Eligibility Deep Dive

Category-Specific Requirements:

Employment: Must demonstrate 3+ years at executive level in BOI company or Thai corporation with minimum THB 1M capitalization

Investment: THB 10M in government bonds or THB 3M+ in qualifying businesses

Family: Spouses require 5+ years of continuous marriage (2 years if with children)

Financial Scrutiny:

Tax records undergo forensic examination by Revenue Department

Bank statements must show consistent balance above THB 500,000

All foreign income must be legally remitted through Thai banking system

2.3 The Hidden Challenges

Language Test: Now includes written component beyond basic conversation

Character Investigation: Includes interviews with neighbors and colleagues

Military Review: All male applicants aged 18-45 undergo additional clearance

3. Elite Visa Program: The Premium Pathway

3.1 Program Evolution

Launched in 2003 as Thailand Privilege Card

Five-tier system introduced in 2021 (from 5 to 20-year options)

8,000+ holders as of 2024, with Chinese nationals comprising 42%

3.2 Structural Analysis

Membership Tiers:

Elite Easy Access (5 years): THB 600,000

Elite Superiority Extension (20 years): THB 2,500,000

Elite Family Premium: THB 1,000,000 per additional member

Operational Realities:

90-day reporting exemptions frequently misunderstood

Work permit limitations for non-BOI companies

Tax implications of multi-year lump sum payments

4. LTR Visa: Thailand's Strategic Talent Acquisition Tool

4.1 Policy Architecture

Approved by Cabinet Resolution on September 14, 2021

Four distinct categories with tailored benefits:

Wealthy Global Citizens

Wealthy Pensioners

Work-from-Thailand Professionals

Highly-Skilled Professionals

4.2 Underutilized Provisions

Dual intent allowance for citizenship applications

Education subsidies for dependents

Customs exemptions for professional equipment

5. Retirement Visas: The Evolving Landscape

5.1 Financial Requirements Decoded

THB 800,000 deposit: Must be seasoned 3 months pre-application

Income method: Requires notarized foreign pension documents

Combination option: Complex calculation formula

5.2 Insurance Mandates

O-A Visa: Minimum $50,000 coverage

O-X Visa: $100,000 with Thai-approved providers

Exclusion clauses for pre-existing conditions

6. Investment-Based Options: Beyond the Basics

6.1 BOI Privileges

Fast-track PR eligibility (2 years vs standard 3)

Reduced capital requirements for strategic sectors

Special economic zone concessions

6.2 Property Investment Realities

Condominium ownership: No residency rights

Leasehold structures: Maximum 30+30 year terms

Usufruct agreements: Judicial enforcement challenges

7. The Citizenship Pathway

7.1 PR to Naturalization Timeline

Year 0-3: Qualifying period

Year 3-5: Application preparation

Year 5+: Naturalization process

7.2 Hidden Requirements

Thai language exam: Now includes reading/writing at grade 4 level

Civic knowledge test: 50 questions on Thai history and law

Name change procedures: Practical implications

8. Emerging Trends and Future Projections

8.1 Digital Nomad Visa (2025 Pilot)

Expected requirements:

$80,000 annual income

Thai health insurance

Minimum 3-year contract

8.2 Tax Law Revisions

Proposed wealth tax implications

Crypto asset reporting requirements

Inheritance tax considerations

8.3 Regional Competition Analysis

Compared to Malaysia MM2H, Vietnam's new visas

Thailand's competitive positioning

9. Strategic Application Planning

9.1 Document Preparation Framework

Primary Documents: 6-month validity rule

Translation Standards: Certified vs. notarized

Legalization Procedures: Hague Apostille exceptions

9.2 Professional Engagement Strategy

When to use:

Immigration lawyers

BOI consultants

Tax specialists

9.3 Contingency Planning

Appeal processes

Alternative category eligibility

Exit strategies

10. Conclusion: Navigating the Complexities

Thailand's long-term residency landscape requires sophisticated navigation through:

Bureaucratic nuance: Understanding unwritten rules

Financial planning: Multi-year commitment strategies

Legal compliance: Maintaining flawless records

Final Recommendation: Develop a 5-year residency strategy incorporating:

Visa laddering from short-term to permanent options

Tax optimization through timing of asset transfers

Family status planning for dependents

For ongoing updates, monitor:

Royal Gazette publications

Immigration Bureau policy circulars

BOI investment promotion updates

[melodious-oblivion]

doing some roster investigation (as a canadian) and i’m just wondering why some canadians take up an international spot and some don’t? it seems like kailen sheridan and julia grosso are not taking up an international slot on their respective teams but most other canadians are so how does that work? that seems to be skirting the rules a bit when there’s only a select amount of intl slots available per team. and i know those 2 are canadian whereas janine beckie was born in the us so that one makes sense

Great question! Some of them have green cards (Gabrielle Carle, for example, took up an intl designation for the Spirit until this season and then got permanent residency), some of them have dual citizenship, and some of them fit into a fun little Canada category that the NWSL has. There are currently 6 players in the league who are under “Canadian Player Allocation” from way back when that was a thing (stopped at end of 2021) where Canada would pay their salaries and all that. I believe those players include BSG, Sheridan, Chapman, Schmidt, Nichelle, and idk who the 6th is (maybe Quinn if they wrote the rules before they left the league). For Grosso specifically, 🤷‍♀️.

I also think (and I’m sure you didn’t meant it like this but just as a general vibe check) it’s wise to be careful referring to anything regarding immigration or immigration status especially when it comes to the USA rn as “skirting the rules” no matter how innocent your intentions may be, or how low stakes it may seem with it simply being intl spots on a sports team.

[falsealibi]

[  cindy  kimberly.  cisgender  woman.  she/her.  subplot  03. ]  welcome  back  to  montclair  university,  NOVEMBER  SARI  NAVARRO !  according  to  your  student  file  you’re  a  TWENTY-FOUR  year  old  GRADUATE STUDENT,  studying  FASHION DESIGN,  and  funny  enough  you  were  voted  most  likely  to  take  over  the  world  your  senior  year  of  high  school  back  home  in  SAN FRANCISCO,  CALIFORNIA.  i  can  totally  see  it  with  your  unyielding,  secretive  and  abrasive  personality !  but  enough  about  that  —  i  heard  you  were  lizzie  harrington’s  NEXT  DOOR  NEIGHBOR.  makes  sense  when  you  take  into  consideration  your  status  as  a  scholarship  student…  and  the  fact  that  [  redacted  ].  you’re  often  seen  at  the  hollow  bar,  and  you  kind  of  embody  the  sound  of  rain  against  a  windowpane,  energy  drinks  cluttering  up  a  desk,  walking  with  purpose  and  poise,  heavy  bass  playing  through  headphones  as  you  work  out,  the  precise  click  of  a  pen  while  taking  notes…  not  to  mention  people  always  seem  to  hum  difficult  by  gracie  abrams  when  you’re  around,  but  you’ll  always  be  known  on  campus  as  THE  HELLCAT  who  enjoys  mixed martial arts  and  has  10k  instagram  followers…  good  luck  this  semester !

BASICS !

full  name.  november  sari  navarro.

nicknames.  nova, novie, ember.

gender.  cisgender  woman.

pronouns.  she/her.

age.  twenty-four.

birthday.  november  1st.

sexual  orientation.  pansexual  panromantic.

major  +  minor.  fashion design  +  mechanical  engineering.

school  year.  graduate.

PSYCHE !

positive  traits.  ambitious,  strategic,  disciplined,  hardworking,  witty.

negative  traits.  judgemental,  ruthless,  vindictive,  controlling,  guarded.

zodiac  sign.  scorpio.

mbti.  entj-a.

APPEARANCE !

face claim. cindy kimberly.

height. 5 ft. 5 in.

eye color. brown.

hair color. brown.

clothing style. elegant, stockholm.

CONNECTIONS !

mother.  kirana  siahaan.

father.  felipe  navarro.

sibling(s).  two  older  brothers.

pet(s).  none.

relationship  to  lizzie  harrington.  next  door  neighbor.

BIOGRAPHY !

november  sari  navarro  was  born  and  raised  in  san  francisco,  california  as  the  youngest  of  three  children  (and  only  daughter)  in  a  family  that  valued  perseverance,  intellect,  and  self-sufficiency  above  all  else.  her  mother  was  an  indonesian  immigrant  and  professor,  while  her  father  worked  as  a  mechanical  engineer,  spending  more  time  designing  than  parenting.  still,  they  didn't  have  too  much  supporting  them,  and  sari  quickly  learned  that  ambition  was  what  it  would  take  to  build  her  own  life.

from  an  early  age,  november  was  one  thing  above  all  else:  ambitious.  she  was  an  overachiever  in  every  field.  she'd  spend  hours  working  on  schoolwork,  and  hours  after  learning  how  to  fix  cars  in  her  oldest  brother's  garage.  she  threw  herself  into  anything  and  everything:  martial  arts  and  self  defense  courses,  artwork,  mechanics.  in  high  school,  that  same  ruthless  ambition  earned  her  the  title  of  “most  likely  to  take  over  the  world”,  and  the  truth  was—she  believed  it.  she  had  no  intention  of  letting  anyone  outwork  her.

despite  that  all,  november's  first  love  ended  up  being  clothes.  she  spent  hours  sketching  designs  in  the  margins  of  her  notebooks,  turning  old  thrifted  clothes  into  something  new,  wearing  anything  and  everything  that  made  her  feel  powerful.  she  eventually  realized  she  liked  the  attention  it  commanded.  clothes  were  her  armor.

but  being  an  artist  wasn't  enough.  she  knew  that.  ambition  alone  wouldn't  pay  the  bills,  and  she  had  learned  young  that  no  one  was  going  to  hand  her  success.  so  she  made  a  plan:  a  dual  focus  on  the  two  things  she  loved  most.  artistry  and  practicality,  hand  in  hand.  she  eventually  earned  a  degree  in  fashion  design  with  a  minor  in  mechanical  engineering.

she's  now  attending  montclair  as  a  graduate  student,  still  relying  on  the  scholarship  she  has  in  hand.  truthfully,  money  is  still  hard  to  come  by,  and  she's  had  to  turn  to  some  creative  (and  risky)  ways  to  make  a  bit  of  spare  cash.  but  she  keeps  moving  forward.

she  lives  next  to  lizzie,  and  truthfully,  she  envied  her—it  was  a  bit  irritating  for  november  to  see  people  who  coasted  by  so  easily.  nonetheless,  the  thought  of  someone  who  was  so  close  to  her  orbit  being  gone  is  .  .  .  alarming  to  her.  she's  not  even  certain  she  wants  to  be  involved. 

WANTED CONNECTIONS !

academic  rival:  someone  who's  just  as  ambitious,  just  as  relentless,  and  just  as  unwilling  to  lose.  the  two  of  them  have  been  butting  heads  for  a  while  now—competing  over  grades,  internships,  or  who  can  pull  off  the  most  impressive  project.  maybe  there's  a  level  of  mutual  respect  there,  or  maybe  it's  pure  animosity,  but  either  way,  it  might  even  be  their  twisted  idea  of  fun.

blackmailer:  someone  who  knows  november's  secret!  they  have  something  to  hold  over  her  head,  and  they're  not  afraid  to  use  it  to  earn  some  extra  money  (whether  that's  a  product  of  their  need  or  simply  for  their  own  amusement  and  feeling  of  control).

best  friend:  the  one  person  november  actually  lets  in.  someone  who's  managed  to  stick  around  despite  her  guarded  nature,  who  sees  past  her  walls  and  refuses  to  let  her  push  them  away.  they  know  the  real  her  better  than  most,  and  she  probably  lets  herself  soften  a  bit  whenever  they're  around.

someone  indebted:  she  doesn't  do  favors  for  free,  so  sometimes,  debts  come  in  forms  other  than  cash.  maybe  this  person  came  to  her  with  a  wrecked  car,  an  engine  problem  they  couldn’t  fix,  or  something  even  shadier  that  required  her  help.  she  helped  them  out—no  questions  asked—but  now?  they  owe  her.  and  she  always  collects.

the  one  she's  trying  to  protect:  she  certainly  isn't  the  type  to  be  self-sacrificing,  but  for  some  reason,  she  feels  a  strong  protectiveness  over  this  person.  maybe  they're  younger  or  more  naive,  or  maybe  she  just  sees  too  much  of  herself  in  them.  she  might  even  consider  them  to  be  a  sibling  figure  of  sorts,  whether  they  know  it  or  not.

other  ideas  include  .  .  .  a  rival  designer,  someone  to  teach  self  defense  to,  flings,  crushes  (one-sided  or  otherwise),  a  rich  kid  who  never  had  to  struggle (who  gets  on  her  nerves  so  much)!

[valyalyon]

1 The Phoenix Man

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CRY Master List or #LYONCRY

DIVIDERS

CW: mentions of intoxication, some time skips/unclear language but no non-con, smut in a dream, followed by a stalking nightmare. Sudden ending that will be continued in 2 Phoenix Man when it comes out. MDNI. 3K Words.

Future date, unknown.

When Ysabel returned to her ancestral homeland, she wasn’t looking for anything other than a reconnection to her roots.

She was born in Olahia, a former colony of Espine, that to modern day still had an immigration agreement with Espine.

For anyone descended from the Espine colonizers, they were all born with dual citizenship and could be accepted into Espine without question at any point.

Ysabel was aware of this, so arriving and settling down in Espine was a million times easier than it would have been for anyone else.

She started working, and for weeks that was all she did. She had to work to take care of herself and Calista, to get a roof over them and food in her daughter’s belly.

The young mother got everything together within less than two weeks, always making sure that Calista never went hungry or slept in an unsafe space.

She prioritized her daughter, thinking of nothing else during that time.

Within a month of having moved into their apartment, Ysabel decided to go out with some friends she had met.

She left the teenage daughter of one of her friends with Calista, but she had every intention of making it home before midnight.

…

Ysabel was dancing with her friends in the center of a packed club when she first noticed Salvatore. He was a tall Afro-Espine man with strong, large shoulders and defined muscles.

He was wearing a red shirt with two buttons at the top that were unbuttoned. He was standing by himself at the bar, having a drink and scanning the crowd with deep, dark eyes.

Ysabel made eye contact with him, and she felt like she almost knew him.

She averted her gaze quickly in her shyness, continuing to dance with her friends, and deciding to forget about the man.

It wasn’t long before Salvatore finished his drink, and made his way through the crowd of people.

It was easy for him, people stepped aside when he walked by. 6’4” and intense looking. His energy was so strangely powerful, yet mysterious.

When he got to the group of women dancing together, he instantly looked around for the blue-eyed one he’d seen.

He knew when he had looked at her that she was short in height, but up close it was even more drastic because he couldn’t see the young women among the others until she stared up at him.

Her eyes were wide, pale blue, and gazed up at the taller man with a frightened expression as he reached for her.

The man took her arm, they were right beside each other, but he wasn’t pressing against her, speaking to her loud enough for her to hear over the music, “I want to dance with you. Can we?”

The man had spoken to her in Spanish.

Ysabel, in all her several years of being sheltered, never experienced this before. A man coming up to her and dancing this close?

She hadn’t danced with anyone except a high school boyfriend, and her husband, both in private or a small school party.

She didn’t even know what to say, but her friends were speaking out before she could respond, “take her, take her! She’s single!”

The young woman’s timid blue eyes gave away her nerves to Salvatore, who loosened his grip on her hand.

“If you don’t want to, I’ll go, no worries…” He smiled at the shy woman, not wanting to make her even more uncomfortable.

Ysabel found herself thinking his Spanish was so hot, and dropping her eyes to his hand on hers. Her heart skipped a beat, his hand was massive compared to hers.

She tried to take a breath, then she nodded her head up at him, smiling, “let’s dance, then…”

When the young woman agreed, she turned around, and started dancing against him.

Salvatore didn’t waste a second, his mind already spinning from his interest in the woman, but his hands rushed to her hips.

He, as a man, was supposed to guide every movement even if they weren’t dancing chest to chest. He moved to the beat of the music, with the songs only getting hotter as the two continued to dance.

Ysabel moved her hips and feet along, her arms reaching back to touch his arms at one point. Then, Salvatore turned her around to face him.

She was so much smaller, with Salvatore leaning slightly back as he pulled their hips closer to one another.

Their legs moved so well together, their bodies seemed to fit each other in some crazy way. The man placed his hand on the young woman’s lower back, their eyes never breaking contact as they faced each other.

Salvatore had many thoughts, and many unanswered questions. He wanted to understand every element of this woman before him.

Still, they danced.

They couldn’t stop, even if they had been going for several minutes.

They were addicted to the feeling of their bodies touching. It was unreal, Ysabel had never felt this way before.

His eyes were interesting to Ysabel, while they looked dark at first, they seemed a honey tone now that they were closer. It seemed to reflect the light, and in all white flashes she’d see the honey dew they had.

Her heart felt like it would explode in her chest.

She couldn’t bare to tear herself from him, but when she peaked past his head and saw the time, she started to pull away, “I have to go.”

The man nodded his head, but he spoke in her ear as he let go of her, “what’s your name?”

“Ysabel Solis,” the young woman told him, but started to walk out of the dance floor, looking in every direction for her friends.

Salvatore had noticed them walking out, so he followed the girl to tell her, “Salvatore Guerrero, your friends walked out. Let’s see if they’re outside?”

The young woman quickly double backed to the dance floor, confirming her friends were no longer there and rushing out the front doors.

The designated driver had been the mother of Calista’s nanny but Ysabel had seen her drinking vodka on the dancefloor.

To her horror, when she walked outside, her friend had drove off in her car, despite the drinks she had. Immediately, Ysabel began thinking about the nanny.

If the driver safely made it to pick up her daughter from Ysabel’s house, what would happen to the teenager if her drunk mother crashes the car?

Ysabel was panicking when Salvatore came out the doors. He noticed the anxiety on her face, rushing to her side, “it’s okay, I can walk you home or we can get a ride. I’m sorry they left you.”

“No, no, that’s not the problem! She’s going to my house to pick up her teenager, my daughter will be alone but also, what if she crashes with her daughter in the car? I have to call the police!”

Salvatore shook his head, he already had his phone on and was dialing who Ysabel believed to be the police.

The conversation had no introduction, purely just a statement from the man to whoever responded, “there’s a drunk driver going down South Main, have someone pull her over.”

The man easily described the color, make, model, and year of the vehicle, mentioned how many passengers were in the car.

At first, Ysabel thought the man must have been joking or making fun of her when he hung up the call so easily. Then, she heard police sirens screaming down South Main.

Her eyes showed her confusion, staring up at Salvatore with her sweet eyes, “um… Was that a coincidence?”

“No, do you want to walk over there and ID her or? Here, he sent me a picture,” the man opened a text message he had received just as he spoke.

It was a live-photo taken on an iPhone, with red and blue police lights in the background that moved when the photo was played, followed by a scan of the license plate details as the officer walked.

The audio cut off towards the end, but Ysabel vaguely heard the officer begin to say some variation of “good evening” when he arrived at the window.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s her car and license plate… Those numbers are familiar,” the young woman told the man, who then read out loud another text, “yes, that’s her name. That’s her.”

“Cool, he’ll take care of it then… Do you need company on your walk home?” the man offered his hand to her after he sent out a confirmation text to his friend.

Ysabel was still confused, and while she didn’t want to let her guard down, she couldn’t lie that she still wanted to spend time with the man.

She knew she had to get home quickly, though, so she was really hoping he was a good man.

They had to walk in the same direction as her friends had gone, and Ysabel was able to confirm that her friends had in fact gotten pulled over.

Her friend was out on the street doing field tests in front of a marked police vehicle with all their lights on her.

The police officer was watching her from the sidelines, his face barely visible to Ysabel but she knew he was watching her friend.

Ysabel turned after a little while down a lesser used side street.

She blushed as she walked beside Salvatore, but the man was trying to make conversation as he looked around them, “you’re not from Espine. Where are you from?”

“Olahia,” Ysabel whispered, but turning her eyes up to study Salvatore.

The man was busy just making sure they were safe, eyeing every direction for any potential threat to the small woman he was escorting home, “that’s a beautiful island. Do you miss home?”

“Of course,” she told him, continuing to walk until she reached another street, turning there.

This street was even smaller and at the end of the street there was a two story apartment complex. Ysabel lived on the 2nd floor in an inner building of the community, in a two bedroom.

When she got to the building, she noticed a man standing at the bottom of the stairs looking in every direction nervously.

Salvatore stepped in front of her the moment he noticed the man and realized that Ysabel needed to get past him, “excuse us.”

“Is my daughter here? She said she was,” the man was pulling out his phone and showing Salvatore a picture of a young girl.

Ysabel quickly nodded her head and stepped forward, “yes, she’s here, I’m so sorry. Thank you for coming to get her. I’ll have her come down right now. Again, thank you so much.”

The young woman beelined up the stairs to her door, telling Salvatore he could follow, so he did.

By the time he made it up the stairs, Ysabel was already exiting the apartment with the teenager, thanking her over and over for her help.

Ysabel handed the teen a $40 tip on top of everything she had already paid her for the night, and the teen looked really excited about it, thanking the older woman before running down to her dad.

When Salvatore walked into the apartment, he had no expectations and no brash desires that he would act on. He just wasn’t that type of man.

The young woman joined him in the living area and encouraged him to sit on the couch while she checked on her daughter.

The man did as she asked and sat himself down, looking around the little home with curiosity. Her little home was all mostly white or pink but very minimalist.

Ysabel checked on Calista, saw she was asleep and kissed her little head to make sure she was still breathing.

Then Calista moved, and whispered “mama” in her sleep, causing Ysabel’s heart to swoon.

She kissed the girl’s hair again, but pulled away quickly, as the girl continued into her dreams now that her mama was home.

Ysabel returned to the living area and found Salvatore looking around, his honey eyes meeting her and stopping his scanning, “your home is beautiful. Your daughter is lucky to have such an independent mom.”

“Thank you,” the young woman blushed and rolled her eyes slightly as she walked towards the man to sit beside him, “I’m lucky to have her. Do you have any kids?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he nodded his head, smiling at her as he showed his lock screen with a little girl, “this is her… my little Carmen.”

….

It was more drinks, more drunk dancing in the living room, that lead to both of them stumbling to Ysabel’s room.

When they entered the room, their kissing intensified, and Ysabel reached to take off the man’s shirt, her lips trembling as she breathed out, “you’re so strong.”

“I don’t know if we should do this,” Salvatore commented, his hand squeezing hers, “you drank a lot.”

“So? You did, too and here you are hard. What’s the problem?” The young woman’s eyes were showing an intensity that Salvatore had never seen before.

The man was attractive, he had a life before her, but she was different. He couldn’t bring himself to act out his desires on her when she seemed so vulnerable in that moment.

The sweetness in her blue eyes was startling, the softness of her lips and touch were dizzying to the older man.

Still, Salvatore knew he shouldn’t give in, “let’s just get some sleep… I don’t want you waking up regretting this decision.”

Ysabel was surprised by his response, but she couldn’t argue with him too much. Her world was spinning from all the alcohol she’d drank through the night and her body was feeling heavy from the exhaustion.

The man noticed the flush in her cheeks and knew what was about to happen before it did, lifting her up just as her body started to go limp.

He laid her on the bed, on her side, and knelt down at her side, stroking her hair gently with his hand as he whispered, “Ysabel…”

Her eyes opened half way, a sleepy mumble escaping her lips.

“Are you okay?” Salvatore asked in a quiet voice, his fingers pressing against her warm forehead.

“Dizzy… too much to drink,” Ysabel whispered tiredly.

The man nodded his head, “I’ll let myself out so you can have some sleep.”

“No, don’t go,” her groggy voice begged as her eyes opened slightly wider, before falling closed, “stay… Sleep with me.”

Not wanting to argue with the young woman, Salvatore agreed and took off his shoes, then his pants to get in the bed.

Once he joined her, he laid on his side not wanting to invade her space. He was laying with his eyes closed on his back, trying to fall into sleep, when he felt a shuffling in the bed, followed by Ysabel’s warm body turning towards him.

In her sleepy state, she turned and laid her head on his large chest, continuing to dream peacefully.

Salvatore wrapped one arm around her waist, and with the other arm reached across his chest and held onto her arm. He breathed in the scent of her hair as he practiced his deep breaths and soon joined her in the land of the sleeping.

…

Ysabel faded into dreams fairly quickly after falling asleep.

It started with Salvatore’s hand on her waist, followed by a harsh kiss, then she was up against a wall with her legs wrapped around his waist.

The room was burning from one corner, but neither one pulled away.

Clothes fell off and Ysabel spread her legs to welcome in Salvatore.

Before he did, though, the dream quickly changed.

Ysabel was now running through the woods, branches crunching under each stomp. She was running out of breath and there was a fire consuming the trees in every direction.

As the fire spread, Ysabel ran faster, but she was quickly running out of air.

She stopped to catch her breath. Heaving breaths came in, followed by choking exhales and then loud guttural gags.

Just before she started to throw up, she heard a familiar voice screaming furiously through the woods, “YSABEL!”

Her heart pounded harder in her chest, the world spun faster around her as the trees continued to burn. Without thinking, she started running again.

She heard his voice getting closer with each loud step, Cain’s rage clear in every scream of her name.

The panic filled her chest, and Ysabel shot out of the dream world.

Her eyes opened as she shot up quickly in bed, breathing heavily and looking around in the dark room for the time.

4:00A.M. read a clock near her bed.

Ysabel felt the warmth of another body beside her on the bed, and she tried to steady her breath as she felt the bed shifting.

Salvatore felt her sudden jolt and was waking up, slightly groggy, “are you alright?”

“Yes… Sorry, I had a nightmare,” the young woman’s voice trembled as she spoke. She noticed she was in a state of undress, and barely remembered the prior night.

A flush came over her cheeks as she asked in a whisper, “did we sleep together?”

“No, no… We were kissing and you brought me in here. You took off your dress but I stopped us from going any further, then I put you to bed,” Salvatore’s voice was calm, but he started to adjust slowly, getting himself to a sitting up position, “you asked me to stay, but — if you’re uncomfortable, I can go.”

“Stay,” Ysabel repeated, reaching in the darkness to touch his chest, and blushing as she did, “thank you for not taking advantage of me.”

The man nodded his head, “no real man takes advantage of a woman.”

Wanna write another apology but nooo one cares lol.

I hope everyone enjoys this post, sorry that there isn't clear smut in this one, the next couple of posts will hopefully make up for this.

[gossipsnake]

Describe your character's voice. Do they speak with an accent? Are there certain words they use more often, or certain quirks to the way they talk (such as using filler words or mumbling)? Are they soft-spoken, or typically louder? Do they like the sound of their own voice, or is it something they try to avoid listening to when possible?

//This is one that I have had sitting around in my inbox for a hot minute because I've wanted to like sit down and really think about it and meta hour was the perfect time to do so.

Anita definitely speaks English with an accent. Even though she grew up very wealthy in Mexico she never learned English while she lived there because her parents felt it was beneath them - they were powerful and prominent lamia with no intention of ever leaving Mexico. Around age 16, when she knew she wanted to go to college in the US, she likely began to try and teach herself some English - largely through consuming American media.

When she immigrated to the US at 18 it was an immersion learning experience and she learned how to speak English fluently while in school throughout the south. This consisted of living in Texas for 4 years for undergrad, then in New Mexico for 2 years for her masters degree, followed by 6 years in North Carolina for her dual PhDs. The result being that she has a noticeable accent and her cadence, tone, and slang use in English is linked to the American southwest and south-east. I tried to find a video of what her accent would sound like because Karla Souza does not have a noticeable accent when speaking English but it was pretty hard to find something that felt accurate, I would say it is most similar to Ana de la Reguera's accent.

When she speaks English she takes extra effort to annunciate clearly, especially when teaching, which causes her to speak slower than she would in Spanish. When she speaks in Spanish her tone is somewhat more relaxed and she talks pretty fast, she doesn't mumble but she doesn't over annunciate either. In both language she uses filler words with an average frequency, is on the louder side, and is very expressive with her face and hands when she talks.

Unsurprisingly... Anita loves the sound of her own voice.

[gehisimmigrationservice]

What is the Key Difference between L1A Visa and Other Work Visas for Professionals?

Work visas play a crucial role for professionals seeking employment opportunities abroad. They provide the legal authorization to work in a foreign country and are often a requirement for securing employment in another country. Understanding the key differences between work visas is essential for professionals to make informed decisions and choose the most suitable visa based on their specific circumstances and career goals. Work visas come in various types, each with unique characteristics, requirements, and benefits. Professionals need to understand these differences to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and fully leverage the advantages offered by each visa category. By comprehending the nuances of various work visas, professionals can make informed decisions that align with their career objectives and increase their chances of success in securing employment abroad. One notable work visa option for professionals is the L1A visa. The L1A visa is designed for intracompany transferees, allowing multinational companies to transfer executives or managers from a foreign branch to a branch or subsidiary in the United States. It offers several distinctive features that set it apart from other work visas.

One key characteristic of the L1A visa is that it does not require the sponsoring employer to undergo the lengthy labor certification process typically required for other work visas like the H-1B. This exemption streamlines the application process, making it more efficient and less time-consuming for professionals and employers.

The L1A visa is nonimmigrant for intracompany transferees with managerial or executive positions. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the transfer of key personnel within multinational companies.

By allowing executives and managers to work in the United States, the L1A visa promotes the efficient operation and growth of multinational businesses by leveraging their existing talent and expertise.

To be eligible for an L1A visa, an applicant must meet specific criteria:

Qualification as an Executive or Manager: The applicant must demonstrate that they hold a managerial or executive position within their current employment. These roles typically involve making significant decisions, supervising a team or department, and having a high level of authority and responsibility within the organization.

Required Experience and Skills: The applicant should have relevant experience and skills that make them well-suited for the managerial or executive position. This can include prior work experience, leadership abilities, specialized knowledge, and advanced professional qualifications.

Employment by a Multinational Company: The applicant must be employed by a multinational company with a qualifying relationship between the foreign entity (where the applicant is currently employed) and the U.S. entity (where the applicant will be transferred).

Initial Period of Stay: L1A visa holders are initially granted a period of authorized stay in the United States. Typically, this period is up to three years for new L1A visa applicants and up to one year for L1A visa applicants establishing a new office in the United States.

Advantages of the L1A Visa:

Dual Intent: L1A visa holders are allowed to have dual intent, which means they can pursue a permanent residency (a green card) while on a temporary work visa. This provides flexibility for professionals who wish to explore long-term career opportunities in the United States.

No Prevailing Wage Requirement: Unlike other work visas, such as the H-1B visa, the L1A visa does not require employers to demonstrate that they are paying the prevailing wage. This can simplify the application process for both the employer and the employee.

Potential Pathway to Permanent Residency (EB-1C): The L1A visa can serve as a pathway to permanent residency through the employment-based immigrant visa category EB-1C. This category is specifically designed for multinational managers and executives who have been employed abroad and are being transferred to a managerial or executive position in the United States.

[frillability]

I am Cuban American, the first generation of my family to be born in the US. My mother and her side of the family immigrated at great cost. We are so fortunate to be here. My family wasn't wealthy. Many Americans who travel to Cuba are only shown specific areas of Cuba; they are reserved for tourists and only tourists. My mother and I cannot go to Cuba right now because there is a chance she would not be admitted back into the US as her birth certificate is Cuban, (despite being a US citizen,) at the will of the Cuban government.

"Cuba does not recognize the U.S. citizenship of Cuban-born U.S. citizens who maintain residency status in Cuba. The Cuban government requires Cuban dual nationals to enter and depart Cuba using Cuban passports. Cuban-born U.S. citizens who maintain their residency status in Cuba will be treated as Cuban citizens and may be subject to Cuban restrictions and legal obligations. "

So, if the government wasn't feeling particularly honest and decided it could prove she had been maintaining residence in Cuba all this time, even though that is not true, it could be within its power to not recognise my mother's US citizenship.

Same sex marriage was not legalised until 2022. Fidel does not deserve any of the credit. This article from 2008 cites the beginning of the decline of his health. He wrote a letter 18 February 2008 stating his intentions to step down from leadership, his brother, Raúl, to officially take his place.

Lydia Smith of The Independent writes in 2018, "In a country which incarcerated LGBT people for most of Fidel Castro’s rule, the island’s capital now has gay clubs and bars and celebrates Pride every year."

"Cuba has changed drastically. In 1959, Castro came to power after leading a revolution that toppled the corrupt government of Fulgencio Batista.

Soon afterwards, police began to round up gay men. In the 1960s and 1970s, many LGBT people were imprisoned or forced into 're-education camps'.

Homosexuality was viewed as going against the ideal of the hypermasculine revolutionary – and was therefore deemed incompatible with the regime.

Homosexuality was viewed as going against the ideal of the hypermasculine revolutionary – and was therefore deemed incompatible with the regime.

'We would never come to believe that a homosexual could embody the conditions and requirements of conduct that would enable us to consider him a true revolutionary, a true communist militant,' Fidel Castro told an interviewer in 1965."

Many articles I skimmed through boasted Cuba's free trans surgical healthcare introduced in 2008. Mariela Castro, Raúl's daughter, was the director of The National Center for Sex Education and was the individual who advocated for it. If anyone, she should be credited, if my reading is correct. It only became possible after Raúl took office.

However, there is a very important note in a Wikipedia article that I would like to confirm. (If anyone has more information on it, please DM me, it has no citation, and I couldn't find further research.) In the article on LGBT rights in Cuba, contained the main table, and under the Gender identity heading reads:

"Gender change allowed since 2008; Surgery not required since 2013."

Surgery seems to have been required for gender change in Cuba until 2008. Being gay was a crime until 1979. He seems to blame his imprisonment of gay people on "Keeping one step ahead of the CIA."

Cuba also still deals with a significant amount of racism and classism. You don't hear about it because powers that be don't want you to. They want you to think that the revolution worked. They'll make you believe it when you visit. But unless you are Cuban and you weren't given an early pass out, you don't know our families' nightmares. Want to see the real Cuba? Ask a Cuban who wants to show you.

Imma get called a tankie for this even tho it's not really a tankie opinion but I always find the bizarre vitriol for Castro weird cuz yeah the dude had problems but he's also like the only politician to be like "Hey I fucked up homophobia fucking sucks I'm so sorry for that I'm going to fix that" and proceeded to make such great changes to lgbt rights in Cuba that they have some of the most progressive LGBT laws in the world and possible some of the best trans care in the world. Like, what USA politician has been like "yeah I fucked up that was wrong of me and I'm gonna change that" and tangibly changed shit for the better. You just don't get that here.

[marionblogsblog]

Safety Pin Necklace

Fashion has long been more than just a means of self-expression—it's a powerful language that communicates ideas, emotions, and even movements. One of the most unassuming but deeply symbolic accessories to gain popularity in recent years is the safety pin necklace. This small, industrial item turned jewelry carries with it a powerful message that spans history, activism, and individuality.

Origins of the Safety Pin in Fashion

Though safety pins were invented in the 19th century for practical use, they found their first major fashion moment in the 1970s with the rise of the punk movement. Punks used safety pins as accessories—often piercing them through clothing or even skin—to reject mainstream fashion and express rebellion. What began as a symbol of anarchy and nonconformity evolved over time into a broader cultural and social statement.

A Symbol of Solidarity and Allyship

One of the most significant meanings attached to the safety pin necklace emerged in the wake of political and social unrest, particularly after the Brexit vote in the UK and the 2016 U.S. presidential election. In both cases, individuals wore safety pins as a sign of allyship with marginalized communities, particularly immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others who felt vulnerable in a climate of growing hostility.

Wearing a safety pin necklace became a quiet but visible way to say: “You are safe with me.” It signaled that the wearer was a person who could be trusted to offer support and stand against hate, discrimination, and intolerance.

Fashion Meets Purpose: The Modern Safety Pin Necklace

In contemporary fashion, the safety pin necklace is more than a trend—it's a statement. Designers like Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and even high-street brands have embraced the motif. Celebrities and influencers have adopted it not just for its aesthetic edge, but also for its layered meaning.

The necklace serves a dual purpose: stylish and symbolic. Depending on how it's worn—gold, silver, oversized, minimalist—it can signify rebellion, protection, support, or all three. It's not uncommon to see it layered with other chains or personalized with charms, giving wearers the freedom to personalize their message.

LGBTQ+ and Queer Identity Connections

For some in the LGBTQ+ community, the safety pin necklace also serves as a code of visibility. In queer fashion, symbolic jewelry often functions as both armor and identifier. The safety pin necklace is subtle, but those in the know recognize its intention. It can act as a signal of shared values and safe community spaces, especially important in environments where openness is not always possible.

Personal Empowerment and DIY Culture

The safety pin also ties into themes of resilience and resourcefulness. Making a necklace out of a household object reflects DIY culture and creativity, especially among younger generations. For many, the act of crafting their own jewelry—especially using something as humble as a safety pin—is an empowering expression of independence.

Some people wear it as a reminder of personal strength—as if to say, “I’ve been through challenges, but I’ve held it together.” This meaning resonates with individuals who have overcome adversity and now wear their safety pin necklace as a badge of emotional armor.

Conclusion: More Than Just an Accessory

The safety pin necklace may seem like a simple accessory at first glance, but its meaning runs deep. From punk rebellion to modern-day solidarity, from political resistance to personal empowerment, this small object has carried powerful messages through generations. Whether you wear it as a fashion statement, a sign of support, or a symbol of strength, the safety pin necklace proves that sometimes the smallest symbols hold the most meaning. Visit the official website of blissdiamond.com