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The story of Karim and Aziza Mohammed is not of impoverished immigrants, but people of elevated status in their homeland. Many Egyptian professionals, like Karim, sought new careers in the United States during the decade from 1967 to 1977 for economic reasons. In an interview, Karim and Aziza described how and why they left Egypt for America, and some ramifications on their family.

Karim studied medicine in Egypt specializing in obstetrics. He established a practice and also joined the faculty at a university in Cairo. Despite his achievements, he still had to work long hours to support his family. Though competition in the Egyptian medical field was limited, so were the incomes in comparison to American incomes. While serving on an international vaccination team in the Gaza Strip, a U.S. physician, noting Karim's mounting frustrations, suggested he should relocate to America. In 1967 Karim decided to move. Many Egyptian...