Post by deb on May 16, 2010 12:11:51 GMT -5
I recently had the opportunity to discuss the immigration issue with a naturalized U.S. citizen. The views of this individual on immigration reform, illegal immigrants and the effects of illegal immigration on the economy reflect the views of many conservative citizens.
I was told that the process of becoming a citizen was lengthy, expensive and very beneficial to immigration lawyers. This particular person was given the option to fast track her citizenship by first becoming a South African citizen. This option would have required denouncing her British citizenship, and then seeking her U.S. citizenship as a South African citizen. The immigration attorney did not seem to understand why this option was offensive.
The government, the attorneys and often times the citizens have lost sight of what it means to have an allegiance to a country - and to value what that allegiance means as it relates to citizenship.
This person was able to eventually obtain dual citizenship - which allowed an expression of where the person's allegiance and loyalty lay.
It is no wonder that so many see citizenship as merely an opportunity with no responsibility of loyalty. I believe this contributes to the disregard of our laws and the entitlement attitudes that we see surrounding illegal immigration.
The privilege of being in the U.S. is not to be taken lightly. If our laws are disregarded by a person present in the country, what is the basis of assuming that any loyalty or respect to our country exists?
I don't oppose legal immigration. I have friends who are naturalized citizens, and I've always been happy when they were sworn as citizens. Those I know contribute, respect our laws and celebrate the opportunities that abound in the U.S.
I oppose allowing any illegal immigrant an advantage in becoming a citizen. Many ask about the children who were brought here as illegals at a young age and have been educated in the U.S. The only exception that I would make for them is that they voluntarily return to their native country and seek re-admission to the U.S. legally. Once they are here legally, they will have the ability to enroll in college, find work and enjoy the benefits that others who are legally present enjoy.
What about the anchor babies? I suppose that will be the choice of the parents. The anchor babies are legally U.S. citizens, but they are also wards of their parents. The children can return to the parent's country, and when the parents are legally admitted into the states, they can return. The other option would be to leave the child citizens with a U.S. citizen until the parents get their paperwork in order.
As I said, I don't oppose legal immigration. I expect (and reasonably so) anyone seeking admission to this country to abide by the laws, declare an allegiance to the United States, learn the language and contribute to the support of the government. These are responsibilities of citizenship that those of us born here uphold.
I was told that the process of becoming a citizen was lengthy, expensive and very beneficial to immigration lawyers. This particular person was given the option to fast track her citizenship by first becoming a South African citizen. This option would have required denouncing her British citizenship, and then seeking her U.S. citizenship as a South African citizen. The immigration attorney did not seem to understand why this option was offensive.
The government, the attorneys and often times the citizens have lost sight of what it means to have an allegiance to a country - and to value what that allegiance means as it relates to citizenship.
This person was able to eventually obtain dual citizenship - which allowed an expression of where the person's allegiance and loyalty lay.
It is no wonder that so many see citizenship as merely an opportunity with no responsibility of loyalty. I believe this contributes to the disregard of our laws and the entitlement attitudes that we see surrounding illegal immigration.
The privilege of being in the U.S. is not to be taken lightly. If our laws are disregarded by a person present in the country, what is the basis of assuming that any loyalty or respect to our country exists?
I don't oppose legal immigration. I have friends who are naturalized citizens, and I've always been happy when they were sworn as citizens. Those I know contribute, respect our laws and celebrate the opportunities that abound in the U.S.
I oppose allowing any illegal immigrant an advantage in becoming a citizen. Many ask about the children who were brought here as illegals at a young age and have been educated in the U.S. The only exception that I would make for them is that they voluntarily return to their native country and seek re-admission to the U.S. legally. Once they are here legally, they will have the ability to enroll in college, find work and enjoy the benefits that others who are legally present enjoy.
What about the anchor babies? I suppose that will be the choice of the parents. The anchor babies are legally U.S. citizens, but they are also wards of their parents. The children can return to the parent's country, and when the parents are legally admitted into the states, they can return. The other option would be to leave the child citizens with a U.S. citizen until the parents get their paperwork in order.
As I said, I don't oppose legal immigration. I expect (and reasonably so) anyone seeking admission to this country to abide by the laws, declare an allegiance to the United States, learn the language and contribute to the support of the government. These are responsibilities of citizenship that those of us born here uphold.