Year of the Snake

(Robert Mullins) During our week-long Tet holiday, I had lots of free time so I decided to do some reading about the Year of the Snake. To most Americans, including me, a snake is associated with venom and danger, but from what I read, in Vietnam a snake is considered a symbol of luck. Thus, many people believe that 2013 will be a year of prosperity and peace.

I also read that for centuries, the worship of snakes became one of most ancient belief practices of the Vietnamese people and that this is the Year of the Water Snake Quy Ti (癸巳), which only comes around once every 60 years. And the Vietnamese people are very proud of their legend “Descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy” which explains their origin as children of a Bird Mother (Au Co) and a Serpent Father (Lac Long Quan).

The year of the snake brings hope to debt-ridden who people believe the New Year will bring opportunities to lift them out of poverty. This could be a year of opportunity for those who stay focused, pay attention to detail, and perform their due diligence.

In Vietnamese belief, 2013 will be a wealthy year, when reproduction of all kind is blessed and love is definitely the only thing that humans will think of. In the old days, people wanted to have a boy baby at the beginning of the year and a girl baby at the end of the year. I guess that our modern economy has put an end to this wish.

But I guess that there are still a lot of unmarried people hoping to find their ideal partners during the New Year by going to pagodas or forests for flower buds to “hai loc” (harvest the luck).

During the first three days of the Tet I did not do any house cleaning. To be honest, that was just due to laziness rather than a fear of sweeping out good luck.

I read about all of the benefits that can be derived from snake products, but I have to admit that I am not attracted to snake oil and snake wine or to special dishes made from snake meat. If I am given a choice of snake or KFC, I will choose the chicken every time.

What will the Year of the Snake bring to the immigration field? It seems clear at this time that nothing will change for Vietnamese families. All the attention in Washington is focused on how to legalize the eleven million illegal immigrants in America.

Despite both the truths and the legends, myths and superstitions about astrology and the zodiac, for most people, their best luck and hopes are a combination of the wishes of many people and their hard work. Tet always marks the starting point for better times!

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Q.1. Will there be any developments in immigration that would help Vietnamese people?
A.1. Our biggest hope right now is that the Supreme Court will decide not to accept the government challenge to the CSPA ruling of the 9th Circuit Court. If that happens, then thousands of aged out children left behind in Vietnam will be eligible for speedy processing and issuing of immigrant visas.

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Q.2. What about Vietnamese who are in the US illegally? Can they hope for a Green Card?
A.2. There is a new procedure using the form I-601A, starting next month, for immediate relatives of US citizens who are in the US illegally. They will be able to apply for a provisional waiver. If CIS approves the waiver, they can return to Vietnam for a visa interview with almost certain success.
 
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