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Isn't it already like that? Doesn't matter what reason you came, if you have a baby or have family here you can get a green card and from there apply for citizenship...which for many means they can now get food stamps, free healthcare, etc. As far as I know, he did not come here illegally as he applied for and got temporary visas (which are now expired and he's reached the limit...which I think is 4 6-month visas).Immigration reform needs to address this issue, IMO. If they just go with across the board amnesty, then there likely will be a problem with a flood of immigrants and a burden on states' welfare systems. But for people like my friend who came here to work, has never lived off the state except perhaps for a grant to get his GED, learned English, and wants a legitimate job, it shouldn't be impossible for him, as it is now, to be granted legal status. I know the world and this country is different now, but he reminds me of one of the old-fashioned immigrants as his motive coming here is the same as theirs. To throw a little liberal emotionalism in this: so 100 years ago, hard-working Irish and Portuguese immigrants were welcomed here, but not anymore?The current immigration laws encourage criminal behavior because the only way many of them can stay is through deception. Laws should be changed that encourage hard work and freedom instead.
I don't think the enforcement of current immigration laws have anything to do with "encouraging" criminal behavior. Are you saying that a nation cannot regulate who may or may not become a citizen? That would be absurd, and a denial of sovereignty. Criminal behavior is a personal choice in all but the most extreme circumstances.I realize that this guy is a friend of yours, but really - what are the alternatives here? He stays here in the U.S. illegally OR he goes to his home country and has to work. Where exactly is the problem other than the latter is something he would rather not do? If he were being sent back into a situation where he would be killed by his government then that would be one thing (which is why immigrants being persecuted have a higher "right" to come to the U.S., IMO), but if all he would be facing is having to find a job in his home country, then that's really not a major problem as far as I can see.You can't sacrifice the rights of the U.S. to regulate its own borders and citizenships simply for the economic preferences of foreigners. I agree with Notch - the Irish and others who came here in the 19th century had to abide by the laws existing at that time, and today's immigrants have to do the same.
What about the country or nation they came from? Is it now our responisbility to take care of their citizens?Emotional, personal, however you want to say it, the fact is their is an underlying problem that begins outside of our borders, but because they come here and then cry it now becomes our problem.I'm not against helping people, I'm against catering to a group at the expense of others and ignoring the foundational structure of the issue: it is broke somewhere else and we have grown so PC and lacidaisical that the world KNOWS we'll cave in on not only our principles, but on our very own laws.I will not pretend to know the answer to the solution, but I do know it has to be looked at from the foundation of the issue and any emotions that come in to play had better be strongly checked and grounded to deal with the issue properly. Any other way just puts a band-aid on the whole illegal immigration issue.
What about the country or nation they came from? Is it now our responisbility to take care of their citizens?
Free market capitalism is not what I would consider taking care of him. This person wants legitimate employment and that's all. He wants his own place to live and wants to go to school...both of which he'll pay for himself. This is not the same for one who comes here to get free entitlements, which our current immigration laws allow if you meet certain criteria. I'm trying to contain my emotions because he is a friend, but I am also thinking of who is better for this nation and the freedoms and principles that this nation was built on...the one coming here who we have to support or the one coming here who contributes to society.Current immigration laws (basically): -you can come here if an immediate family member is a citizen (then you can collect welfare and other entitlements with no questions asked)-if you have no family here and want to come to work and contribute to the betterment of the US, and have no criminal record either here or your home nation, oh well..you can't.There's definitely something wrong with any law that allows this to happen. I can understand and agree with your guys argument IF he was here living off the state. Our current immigration laws practically encourage that (sanctuary state). So answer this: if one comes here seeking a better life and is willing to work towards that goal, where's the harm in that?
Current immigration laws (basically): -you can come here if an immediate family member is a citizen (then you can collect welfare and other entitlements with no questions asked)-if you have no family here and want to come to work and contribute to the betterment of the US, and have no criminal record either here or your home nation, oh well..you can't.
I still think that we need to separate the issue of merely working in the U.S. temporarily from becoming a U.S. citizen. The latter is harder than the former, and from what it sounds like, your friend primarily just wants to work here.I remember wanting to bring a friend to the U.S. some years ago and I looked into it, and I recall that with an affadavit of support I could bring a foreign friend into the U.S. Couldn't you do something similar for your friend? Also, from what I understand from foreign friends of mine trying to get into the U.S., it is easier to return to the U.S. if you have established that you a) visited in the past, and b) left the country. In other words, if you establish that you follow immigration rules once, it becomes easier the next time. Even if your friend has to leave, I imagine it won't be too hard for him to come back. The law is not as draconian as you are making it seem.
Immigration laws have understandably become more strict after 9-11. He spoke with a lawyer already and I found another one who specializes in immigration issues. I could probably be like a character witness for him but I don't know of much else.
I know at least back then I would have had to show a certain level of income which basically ensured that my guest would have a place to stay while here.
Yeah, but that wasn't immigraton in the same sense we're talking now. That was colonization and dominaton.
Yeah, but that wasn't immigraton in the same sense we're talking now. That was colonization and dominaton.
Devils advocate here.. but don't you think think that is what is happening now in a subversive way?I think one can look at the influx, the change in our society, the PC attitude that is growing and look at the demographics that say that Latinos will be the majority of the citizenry of the US by 2025... colonization and domination by a different standard...
No, not at all. The majority of immigrants are coming here to work and get a better life, they're not here to eliminate the native population or place us on reservatons. And any of this PC crap is our own doing. If the 1or 2% population of Muslims in Cambridge MA are pushing for school days off during Muslim holidays, that's not the Muslims' fault, it's the school department's decision for caving to such a ridiculous demand.
I don't know… China knows how to beat us ultimately… through commerce… They are going to choke us financially into submission… Why not those countries south of the border saturating the US "innocently" with immigrants to push the balance? I don't think that is too far fetched... and we would fall for it hook, line and sinker.
Regardless of why the illegals are coming, the trends say that demographically they will outnumber the descendants of European stock (whites), within at most 2 generations. That is colonization and domination. Once they outnumber us, they can use the power of the ballot to ensure their domination. Do not forget that Hispanics tend to vote as a block, unlike white people. I don't have a problem with immigration, it is obvious the country needs or can sustain it or they wouldn't keep coming. My problem is the way it is happening. It is no longer the 19th century and we have no (for our purposes) empty land to expand into. I would love to see immigration made easier, I would also love to see immigrants forced to integrate or leave.For example, I am currently going to stay in Germany at least until my son finishes school in 5 years, then I will probably move back to the States. I had to get a German Aufenthaltstitel, which is essentially a German version of the US Green Card. Not only was it easier to get, it was way cheaper. It cost me €110 to get versus almost $3,000 for my alone and another $2,000 for my son. It is good for two years, which is when my passport expires. I can renew it indefinitely after two years, but, I have to take an integration course and pass a test giving me a SprachZertifikat, Language Certificate that certifies my basic fluency in German to renew. The class lasts about six months and is 99% paid for by the German government. I will start mine in January and I already speak enough German to read a paper and get a job, in fact, my German is better than that of some the natives, at least the type that would be on Jerry Springer in the US. Even with the language course, their are still integration issues in Germany, but the Germans are aware of them and seek solutions. The same cannot be said of the US.By contrast, there is no language requirement for legal residence in the US, mainly because the left claims that would be discriminatory. This leads to a sub-society of people who do not speak enough English to get by in the larger economy. I am not just speaking of Hispanics here, there are sub-communities from all over the world in the US. The Somalis in Michigan come to mind, as do some Chinese communities out west. Once a person goes through the process of getting a Green Card (and it is very painful), they have to do it again every ten years until they die. or leave the country. Once again, the problem is not immigration, it is the lack of Integration. I know I sound like I am advcating big-government here, but I am not. I am advocating for some kind of process to integrate immigrants and let join society at large instead of stay in the shadows. Absent integration any discussion of immigration is pretty much a dead letter before it even starts.
Regardless of why the illegals are coming, the trends say that demographically they will outnumber the descendants of European stock (whites), within at most 2 generations. That is colonization and domination. Once they outnumber us, they can use the power of the ballot to ensure their domination.
Exactly...it doesn't take weapons or battle to colonize and dominate any longer.
I would love to see immigration made easier, I would also love to see immigrants forced to integrate or leave.
And truly enforce the policy. Make it law, enforce the law and don't bend or get wishy-washy about it...
By contrast, there is no language requirement for legal residence in the US, mainly because the left claims that would be discriminatory. This leads to a sub-society of people who do not speak enough English to get by in the larger economy.
And who believe things are owed to them. I can't afford or am too lazy to follow the process so I will break the law instead. Degenerates our society as a whole.
Once again, the problem is not immigration, it is the lack of Integration. I know I sound like I am advcating big-government here, but I am not. I am advocating for some kind of process to integrate immigrants and let join society at large instead of stay in the shadows. Absent integration any discussion of immigration is pretty much a dead letter before it even starts.
Said it better than I ever could have...
