How To Succeed As An Immigrant In The USA

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.

I know it’s been difficult to witness the images on social media of our fellow Haitian immigrants being chased by Border Patrol agents on horseback, wielding whips. While I understand that crossing the border illegally is not the right approach, the inhumane treatment of our people makes it feel as though the horrors of our past are repeating in the present.

For those who have made it through, and for those about to embark on this journey, let me be the first to tell you the truth, if you haven’t heard it already, and to prepare you for what lies ahead.

Real Talk

When you live in a country where technology only becomes available after it’s obsolete on the international market, everything you see on television can seem like heaven on earth.

As a first-generation Haitian-American immigrant raised in Haiti, I used to think that when people talked about their lives in the United States, they were describing a different country than the one I came from. To those who have never traveled, some make it sound like you don’t need to do much—the government will take care of everything, almost like a big brother.

There’s some truth to that, which I’ll explain below, but for the most part, it’s far from reality. If, like many others, you dream of succeeding, helping your parents and family back home, and laying the foundation for the next generation, let me show you how things really work and what to expect.

Learn from the past

Many have gone before us, so there’s no need to start from scratch. The best thing you can do is ask questions, learn from their experiences, make necessary adjustments, and improve. But be mindful—it’s just as easy to lose your way.

For instance, many of my friends are foreign-born and have become police officers, CFOs, doctors, electricians, and more. On the other hand, some, despite knowing better, fell victim to the ‘get rich quick’ mentality. It’s easy to be tempted by shortcuts, but remember: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Those who choose to ignore the past miss out on its real power. There are valuable life lessons to be drawn from it.

Self-worth is more important than what you consume

There’s nothing wrong with wanting nice things. In fact, I recommend getting high-quality, long-lasting items—especially if you don’t want to keep spending money on replacements. For example, I’m no fashion expert, but I don’t mind investing in quality clothing every few years. Yes, I said years. The same goes for my car. I’m a big fan of BMWs, and in 2010, I bought a 2006 model, which I plan to drive until the engine or transmission gives out.

But that’s beside the point. What I truly recommend is that you invest in yourself first. You don’t necessarily need to go to school to start making money. If you have trade skills, use them to your advantage. If not, take a look around and see what people need help with, or consider side hustles that don’t require much to get started.

Here are some websites I recommend, many of which I still use today:

YouTube can be used for almost anything. You name it, and I’m sure someone is teaching it.
Codecademy for programming skills.
Udemy is a platform for online courses taught by thousands of instructors.
CreativeLive, as the name suggests, is for anything creative, particularly photography and craft.
Coursera for courses is usually put together by universities and colleges.
Treehouse for web development and design.
LinkedIn Learning for individual video-based courses and skills for business professionals.

Don’t limit yourself, and don’t let material possessions define who you’re striving to become. Focus on investing in yourself today for a better future

A single failure does not define you

Everything in life requires balance. Just like a battery needs both positive and negative charges to work, the same is true for successful people. Many of them have faced significant failures before they could build a legacy for future generations.

Make the most of your failures and turn them into opportunities. Don’t stop at the bottom of the mountain—keep climbing. Remember, failure is just an event that happens at a specific point in time. We all have to face our fears at some point, but it’s important to stay optimistic.

Don’t be afraid to fail. Yes, it sucks, but life doesn’t end there. What’s crucial is maintaining a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with great people who you can learn from

No one will come to your aid

This is something I had to learn the hard way. Growing up in the islands, it was common to see how anything you do can work for or against you, whether or not your parents are present. In a tight-knit community, your next-door neighbor has a level of authority similar to your parents—not entirely, but you get the idea. If you need help, they’re there. If you do something wrong, they’ll call you out on it and let you know.

As I mentioned earlier, in the United States, there are many support groups and government assistance programs available if you qualify. These can help with housing, medical needs, and financial support for as long as you need it. I’ve seen it countless times.

However, there’s a catch. If you become too comfortable and aren’t willing to give up some of those benefits when you could be contributing more to your community, you risk becoming permanently dependent on the system—which is something you don’t want. These programs are designed to help you survive, not necessarily help you grow.

Get out of your comfort zone and explore new opportunities. What’s your backup plan if these programs were to end tomorrow? Family and friends can only support you for so long—we’re all dealing with our own struggles and responsibilities.

Make the decision to save and invest.

Now that you’re in one of the greatest countries in the world, take full advantage of the opportunities around you, especially if you’re young. Don’t wait until you’re physically unable to work or find yourself working past retirement age to handle things you could have taken care of earlier by saving and investing.

Contrary to what many believe, you don’t need a large sum to start investing. You can begin with as little as $5. First, create a budget and set aside three to six months’ worth of expenses for an emergency fund. Then, start investing as soon as you can.

Trust me, you don’t want to end up making the financial mistakes I’ve made. If you’ve read my previous posts, you know what I’m talking about. I’m not saying I would’ve reached financial independence if I had known what I know now—because none of us can predict the future, just like we can’t predict the stock market. But I can guarantee that if you start now, the outcome will be much more positive. Just like the market, which has its ups and downs in the short term, it always trends upward in the long term. Let your money work for you, not against you.

My financial rule is that if I can't pay for it within my budget, I can't afford it. Period.

In The End

I understand why so many of us leave our homeland in search of a better life elsewhere—whether it’s due to poor living conditions, the inability to provide for our children, or a broken healthcare system, among other reasons.

If I were in your situation, I might have taken the same risk. But since I haven’t experienced it firsthand, I can’t claim to fully share your distress. That being said, remember that life doesn’t end there.

Don’t dwell on the past, and don’t worry about what could have been. Focus on creating and living in the present.

If you have any questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Photo by Elias Castillo

**Valuable Resources I Use Daily:

Empower offers a free account to assist you in managing your net worth and investment portfolio. Your asset allocation and portfolio performance are so obvious and easy to grasp that I can't get enough of them. It's an excellent tool for anyone keeping track of their investments.

Robinhood is a platform that does not charge commissions. You can start investing with as little as $1 in stocks, ETFs, and REITs. It's simple to operate and navigate. Sign up now to receive a free stock.