Kris Ramsingh, a legal immigrant from Trinidad who became a U.S. citizen in 2015, has strong opinions about birth tourism and illegal immigration. As a business owner in Virginia, Ramsingh’s journey to citizenship took nearly a decade, and he believes that those who enter the country illegally are a slap in the face to those who came to America the right way.
Ramsingh’s experience becoming an American shaped his support for President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. He believes that the U.S. does not owe anything to immigrants and that coming to America is a privilege not a right. Ramsingh’s story is one of hard work and determination, and he hopes that his perspective will shed light on the challenges faced by legal immigrants.
Ramsingh’s Journey to Citizenship
Ramsingh arrived in the U.S. in 2006 with just $300 and a few suitcases. He and his wife settled in Roanoke, Virginia, where they have lived ever since. As part of the legal immigration process, Ramsingh was required to provide proof of certain vaccines, personal documentation, a criminal background check, and proof of a bank account to demonstrate he would not become a ward of the state.
Ramsingh founded Dominion Custom Upholstery 13 years ago and later launched another company focused on boatworks and interior repairs. He also recently founded Dominion Project International, a missionary organization through which he travels to India, Africa, and the Caribbean to share the Gospel while providing potable water and medical supplies to people in need.
The American Dream and the Role of the U.S.
Ramsingh believes that the American Dream is the idea that you can try something, work hard, and if it doesn’t work out, you can pick up and try again. He feels a special sense of pride in the American flag and recalls living in his home country in 1990 when Muslim insurgents carried out a coup and shot Prime Minister ANR Robinson while taking officials hostage.
When American soldiers arrived in Trinidad, Ramsingh knew they were safe. He believes that America has had a lot of countries’ backs over the years and that the U.S. plays an important role around the world. Ramsingh’s experience shaped his appreciation for the United States and its role in global affairs.
Ramsingh’s Views on Immigration
Ramsingh acknowledges that some of the personal stories surrounding deportations are difficult to watch, but he believes that those situations stem from years of lax enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. He rejects the characterization of Trump as anti-immigrant and believes that Republicans are not anti-immigrant but rather anti-invasion.
Ramsingh believes that Trump is not against immigration but wants to see it done right. He believes that the U.S. government does not owe immigrants anything and that coming to America is a privilege, not a right. Ramsingh’s perspective is shaped by his own experience as a legal immigrant and his work in third-world countries.
