The Pursuit of Happiness
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Why Immigrate?
Why immigrate to America? Or rather, what changes and opportunities can immigrating to America bring? Many people mention high-paying job opportunities, career development, entrepreneurial chances, children's education, a fair environment, and life security. Beyond these, an important change is the ability to live life the way you want, to live the life you desire, and to pursue personal and family happiness.
The Pursuit of Happyness, a movie starring Will Smith, translates well to "seeking happiness". Creating opportunities is more reliable than passively waiting for happiness to knock on your door. Human rights include the right to leave any country, including one's own, and to return to his country. This is the logic of "Run" (润) — it is an individual's right.
You Only Live Once (YOLO)
A person is not born destined to stay in one place for generations. You have the right to freely plan your life and live it on your own terms.
A Personal Journey
I graduated from Peking University and came to the US over 20 years ago. I obtained my **PhD in Chemistry** from the **University of Maryland**, conducted Postdoc research at the **NIH** (National Institutes of Health), and later earned my JD from **Georgetown Law**.
Shaping a new path wasn't easy. I transitioned from a Scientist to a Lawyer. Like the protagonist in the movie, I have experienced setbacks. I once sent out many resumes with no response, wore a suit to job fairs but found no suitable positions, and waited in office corridors for hiring managers who never showed up.
But America offers opportunities. My college classmate, who had only $300 and a $500 car at age 37, is now a tenured professor at a prestigious North American university with significant assets. We have personally experienced how immigration changed our lives and destiny, creating a better life for ourselves and our children through hard work.
New Weiming Law Group
- ✔ EB-1A & EB-1B (Extraordinary Ability)
- ✔ NIW (National Interest Waiver)
- ✔ EB-5 (Investor Visa)
- ✔ O-1, L-1, H-1B Visas
- ✔ Family Immigration
Contact Us
mcai@nwmlaw.com
The "Red Chamber" Dream
"When the feast at Grand View Garden ends, where do we go?"
Imagine if the characters of the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber discussed their immigration options today. Daiyu as an EB-1A talent? Baoyu applying for NIW?
Perspectives & Stories
Vision: A 700 Million Strong America
"US Constitution requires a census every ten years. From 4 million in 1790 to 330 million today, America's strength lies in its growth."
Can America support 700 million people? We believe so. A populous nation drives innovation, market size, and cultural richness. Immigration is the key. Just as Charles Li (Li Xiaojia) went from an oil rigger to the CEO of HKEX through opportunities in America, countless others can contribute to and benefit from this "Great Experiment".
Article 13: The Right to Move
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 13, states:"Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country."
This is the fundamental logic of "Run" (润). A person is not born to stay in one place forever as a "resource" for others.You Only Live Once. You have the natural right to plan your life freely and live where you choose.
The "Nickel" Parable: Seizing Opportunity
Charles Li (Li Xiaojia), former CEO of HKEX, once said: "If my professor hadn't offered me a scholarship to Columbia Law School, I might be an immigration lawyer for restaurants in California today."
But there is dignity in all paths. As an immigration lawyer myself (with a PhD in Chemistry), I see that opportunity is the differentiator. Whether you are "Nickel" (an element named 'Devil's Copper' but precious in industry) or "Silver", finding your right place—your right market and environment—is what immigration is about.
The Lucky Bell: A Sci-Fi Lesson
In a story by Shinichi Hoshi, a man buys a "Lucky Bell" that rings when he wins a prize. For years, it never rings. He thinks it's broken and buys a new one. The new bell rings immediately! Why? Because the "Lucky Bell" itself was the prize he had won years ago, but he never realized it was signaling its own value.
The Lesson: Opportunities are often ringing right in your hand. The Green Card, the admission letter, the job offer—don't wait until you think you are "ready". Apply now. Take the LSAT. File the NIW. The bell is ringing.
A Lawyer's Journey: The LSAT
"Is 30 too old for Law School?" I asked myself this after getting my PhD. I bought an LSAT book for $1 at a yard sale and let it sit on my shelf. When I finally opened it, I realized: It wasn't that hard.
Don't be like the man with the Lucky Bell. Don't let the book sit on the shelf. I prepared in 2 months, scored well (178 in June), and changed my career.Your future is whatever you make it.
Modern Identity: The "Eileen Gu" Model
"I'm American when I am in the US and I'm Chinese when I'm in China." — Eileen Gu.
The US allows dual nationality. Elon Musk holds citizenship in the US, Canada, and South Africa. Nationality in the modern world is a legal concept, not just a bloodline. Just as the second is now defined by atomic transitions rather than the earth's rotation, nationality is defined by law and choice, not just tradition. We see a future where global citizens contribute to multiple societies, just like the 20 million Asian Americans who are part of the US fabric today.
Reflections on "Second Uncle": System vs. Resilience
The viral story of "Second Uncle" (二舅) touched many with its message of resilience in the face of misfortune. But we look deeper. "Second Uncle" was disabled by a medical accident—a tragedy that, in a developed legal system, would be met with insurance compensation and social support, not just personal endurance.
Don't just "Endure". Changes.While we admire resilience, we believe in systems that protect dignity. In the US, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Medicaid, and medical malpractice laws exist so that tragedy doesn't have to be borne by the individual alone. Immigration, often, is about choosing a system that values your well-being.
The Power of Reading: Why We Immigrate
"Reading is not just for self-education; it is to converse with authors from all times."
Reading books like Gao Ertai's Finding Home (寻找家园) or George Orwell's 1984 helps us understand history and human nature. Understanding 1984 has surprisingly helped many of our clients navigate "Party Membership" issues in their green card interviews—by helping them articulate the nature of involuntary participation. We immigrate not just for material wealth, but for the freedom to write our own stories, unburdened by the cycles of history.
"Your future has not been written yet. No one’s has! Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one!"— Dr. Emmett Brown, Back to the Future