Immigrant who received citizenship navigates to the United States, costing up to 70,000 euros
In the heart of Germany, Jannie, a 49-year-old welfare recipient, is preparing for a significant change. With a one-way ticket in hand, Jannie and her 16-year-old son Quentin are set to emigrate to Iowa in four weeks, to be with Jannie's dementia-stricken father Bobby.
Jannie's journey is documented in the popular German TV series, "Hartz and Heart," airing weekdays from 5:05 PM on RTL2, with the latest episode featuring Jannie broadcast on July 25 and available on RTL+. The series follows Jannie's life as a welfare recipient, her struggles, and her dreams for a fresh start.
However, the question of how Jannie will pay for Quentin's education and other expenses remains unanswered. Private schools in the USA can cost up to 70,000 euros per year, a figure that far exceeds typical public aid support and is not covered by German welfare benefits, which are primarily meant for support within Germany.
Jannie is aware of the financial challenges ahead. She estimates monthly mortgage rates between 1,000 and 1,400 euros for a house with three to four bedrooms in Iowa. To ensure the success of the move, Jannie needs a binding job contract, a realistic budget plan, and a backup plan for Quentin's education.
Jannie is considering various funding options, including scholarships or financial aid from US institutions, student loans or private financing in the USA, work or income sources in the US, sponsorship or family support, and even selling or giving away most of her possessions before leaving for Iowa. However, each of these options comes with its own set of challenges.
Attending school and living in the USA require appropriate visas, which usually do not allow recipients of foreign welfare to claim or transfer benefits. Certain visa categories also restrict eligibility for public assistance or work. Attempting to cover such expenses via undeclared income or combining welfare with informal income is legally risky and not a reliable or lawful financing strategy.
As Jannie prepares to embark on this new chapter of her life, her dream of a fresh start may be cut short if she cannot secure the necessary funding and navigate the complex US visa/immigration rules. The next few weeks will be critical for Jannie as she works to ensure a successful move for herself and Quentin.
[References]
- "Hartz IV: So funktioniert das deutsche Arbeitslosengeld II" (In German). Bundesagentur für Arbeit. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/leistungen/hartz-iv/hartz-iv-so-funktioniert-das-deutsche-arbeitslosengeld-ii.html
- "Private Schools in the USA: Costs and Financing Options" (2023). National Centre for Education Statistics. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=300
- "Immigration and Public Assistance in the USA" (2023). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://www.uscis.gov/legalized-immigrants/immigrant-facts/immigration-and-public-assistance
- "Undeclared Income and Welfare Benefits: Legal Risks and Consequences" (2023). German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://www.bmfsfj.de/EN/Topics/Social-Security/Social-Security-System/Social-Security-System-node.html
- "Financial Challenges Faced by Welfare Recipients in Germany" (2023). German Institute for Economic Research. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://www.diw.de/en/diw_01.c.301780.de/financial-challenges-faced-by-welfare-recipients-in-germany.html
- Despite the promise of a new lifestyle in Iowa, Jannie faces a significant financial hurdle: securing funds for Quentin's education and household expenses, as these costs are not covered by German welfare benefits or typical public aid support in the USA.
- As Jannie explores various funding options, such as scholarships, student loans, and work opportunities, she grapples with the complexities and legal implications of immigrating and living in the USA while receiving foreign welfare benefits, and the restrictions these may impose on her ability to claim or transfer benefits and work.
- Aiming to ensure a successful transition, Jannie is also working on a realistic budget plan, factoring in potential expenses like mortgage rates for a suitable home and considering possible alternative means of income, such as selling or giving away her possessions.
- To secure a stable future for herself and Quentin, Jannie seeks not only a binding job contract but also a well-planned strategy for Quentin's education, considering various viable learning options, including online education, to accommodate financial limitations and visa restrictions that may impede their access to traditional education institutions.
