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International Cuisine Conference on Traditional Asian Diet Panaji, Goa, September 2-5, 2007 - http://www.indologygoa.in Online Media Partner: http://www.goanet.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goans in America - Seeking the American Dream Armstrong Augusto Vaz Aug 23, 2007 Washington : Derick De Silva is returning to Goa after a gap of nine years. His family is ecstatic and so is he. Another Goan Roland Almeida has not seen his daughter in flesh and blood eversince she was born thirteen years back - he has seen her only through the webcam. He too is returning for the first time after his stint in the US. Derick and Roland are the two peculiar examples of Goans, who have stayed for years in the Unites States to work and save for a rainy day. The duo come under increasingly eager Goans who "jumped ship", a verbiage used commonly among seamen community, to find work in US. "Jumped ship", a term which implies a seamen having a valid C 1D seamen visa for US, either not reporting from any of the US port where his ship is anchored or traveling from India to US armed with documents provided by his Indian agent, to prove that he is joining a ship at one of the ports in US. Goans who have jumped ship and are working in US have mostly gone through the second route, from India. An agent's help is sought who charges fees ranging from Rs.2-3 lakhs. And if you do not have an US visa, he arranges for one, with the total fees hovering anywhere in the region between Rs 4 to 5 lacs. Goan seamen take the assistance of agents as it ensures smooth transition of all formalities. Invariably the immigration officers at the main airports of New York, New Jersey, Chicago or in Miami, when presented with travel entry documents, then to make sure will call the 'Company's Office' to verify whether the said company is a fictitious one or not. In case any discrepancies is noticed and if there is no one at the other end to answer the call than it means real trouble. Measures would include options such as deporting the concerned person after cross checking the facts. But Felix Fernandes, a Goan based in New Jersey says in recent years as far as his knowledge goes, there has been only two cases of Goan seamen deported from US back to India. "In my five years in USA I cannnot remember anyone deported on first time entry, most of them have been deported for a later entry. I remember one guy was deported as he had an outstanding payment for blockbuster videos of $30 in his previous stay here and was deported. And another one deported already had a valid US driving licence." Felix informed. Both came back with fresh passports and new US Visa's but the computer data caught them napping with the same name and other details which matched with their earlier passport, hence they were caught and deported back to India . In the US one can get a driving license only in Texas state with a C 1D Visa (ship visa). After getting through the immigration clearance and after calming butterflies in their stomach, it is time for some serious business for the nest few days for the Goans, who have long term plans of working in the US. The next step is applying for a work permit and contacting the Goan network of friends who are spread far and wide since the past five years, in almost all parts of US, informs Sao Jose De Areal-born, former P & O employee Sally Travasso. "For the Goans the first job in the US is working at a Gas station (petrol pump) or in a motel, for emergency purposes until a 'gaubhau' (village brother) can find a job within a month," says Travasso. "Job at the gas station is a cashier job, because in USA unlike in India a customer has to pump his own gas (petrol), once he finishes paying to cashier inside the store. A store is like a mini store and some of them even have a mini restaurant or a deli as they call it here," he adds. And the gas stations in USA, almost 70 per cent are owned by Indians or Bangladeshi, he further informs. The boys working in the gas stations have an eye on quick money and they have set their sights on returning home, only after working for a couple of years. And for this purpose, the Gas station workers are prepared and stay in cramped accommodations with about 6 to 8 boys staying in tiny single bedroom apartments. "The owners employ illegal workers as one does not have to give over time wages along with the benefits, where (in US) legally one is entitled for over time after completing 40 hours per week, while in the gas stations some boys work for about 70 to 80 hours per week." informs one Goan from Cuncolim who does not wish to be quoted. And mind you, not all guys staying put in US are working illegally, some Goans are fortunate to reap the benefits of an amnesty declared for workers during the period from the year 1999 to 2002. Goans working in Indian restaurants owned by the Indian owners have got their green cards through an amnesty from Bill Clinton in 1999 for skilled internationals cooks, this amnesty lasted till June 2002. "If one works legally, one is entitled for health insurance which is very vital here plus will get good benefits as one can get a social security number where one can build good credit and buy a house or open any business life here. However, this depends on how much your credit level is." disclosed Travasso who was one of the beneficiaries of Clinton's amnesty. Restaurant workers are paid by different modes - weekly and monthly, or on tips or on salary, if you get the tips then one's salary works out to around $150-200 per week, with one day off and if you are working for a salary on monthly basis, then it ranges anywhere from $1800-2000, depending on which state one is working, whether it is east coast or the west coast. The cooks are paid mostly on a weekly basis ranging from $500 to 800 per week. In downtown New Orleans waiters are offered $150 per week plus tips and business is brisk and hotels are short staffed, and so waiters can make up to $1000, informed some Goans who have been working there. The guys at the gas stations are paid on hourly basis which could be anything between $8 to $11 per hour, plus other incentives. After all this hard work and slogging the Goans here enjoy their bit with traditional music and have even once been dragged to the police station for their singing and merry making. Last year 16 Goan boys were dragged out of their holes, taken to police stations in Houston for drinking and singing traditional Goan songs late into the night thereby disturbing the peace and calm of the night. Fellow neighbours in downtown Houston recall some who were part of the said group, who were taken to the police stations. However, matter was sorted and all ended well and there were no more hiccups. Every Sunday in San Francisco California, Goan 'Get-Togethers' are arranged with the event starting with beers and barbeque and games such as volleyball, tennis and football. Some get a weekly off and travel to different states in USA as every major city there has a Goan staying, so the traveling guys end up staying mostly free. This month end a Goan 'Tiatr' (drama) is slated for action in Houston. The Goan network of Americans is gradually growing and increasing with every passing month. (ENDS)