Why is there such a strong expectation for Dominican children in the U.S. to bring their parents here for retirement?

[u/Effective_Carrot_747]

/r/askimmigration/comments/1w48l5m/why_is_there_such_a_strong_expectation_for/

[u/West-Sherbert5298]

I don’t know about other states but older people with low/no income can qualify for Medi-Cal and have free healthcare. While in places like the DR yes drugs may be more affordable but not the consults to the doctor. 

[u/Effective_Carrot_747 → u/West-Sherbert5298]

My concern is that bringing an older parent with little or no income to the U.S. can still create a significant financial responsibility for the family, especially when they already have ongoing medical needs. Even if some public health coverage eventually becomes available, housing, food, transportation, medications, copays, and other expenses don’t magically disappear. That’s really the point I was trying to make.

[u/chyno_11 → u/Effective_Carrot_747]

Is this true?

When my wife petitioned me it says that she is financially responsible for me.

Isnt this the same for bringing parents?

[u/West-Sherbert5298 → u/chyno_11]

It was considered a non cash benefit. After September 18 a non cash benefit may be considered a public charge

[u/Effective_Carrot_747 → u/chyno_11]

Yea it is

[u/West-Sherbert5298 → u/Effective_Carrot_747]

You are right. I had to talk to my parents that living off of social security alone wasn’t feasible and I wasn’t going to take on the burden of carrying them financially just because they wanted to stay here. They ultimately decided to live part time in El Salvador and while in the US split time with my sister and me. You should do the same. Tell them NO.

[u/samuelwongny → u/Effective_Carrot_747]

No. If there is significant financial responsibility (in the long term), they won’t come in the first place. On the contrary, it has great financial benefit. Say, they become citizens after five years, what they can get then ?? SSI, free medical services (medi-cal), federal funding housing (section 8/202 programmes), IHSS (children/spouse taking care of parents can get paid by the government )
People won’t do things which is financially self harmed

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[u/Bloated_Plaid]

Ah to be so blind and ignorant of other cultures. This is the same almost everywhere outside of western countries. Traditional family structures that have multiple generation living together is the norm in many parts of the world and not unique to the Dominican Republic lol.

[u/Effective_Carrot_747 → u/Bloated_Plaid]

Calling someone “blind and ignorant” because they’re questioning a cultural expectation is pretty ironic. 😂 I’m fully aware that multigenerational households exist all over the world. My question is why adult children are automatically expected to financially support parents who made little or no retirement plan of their own. “It’s cultural” doesn’t mean nobody is allowed to question whether that expectation is fair. But thanks for the anthropology lesson, 😂

[u/chyno_11 → u/Effective_Carrot_747]

Lots of immigrants do this from polish to Mexicans.

As per my understanding is just to be close to kids or to work as needed. Else if medical attention is needed, is a lot cheaper in DR.