Paul's Story (An Immigrant Speaks Out Against Amnesty)

American Rattlesnake ^ | April 15, 2013 | Gerard Perry

[OddLane]

The depressingly familiar “debate” we’re having over the aptly named Gang of Eight’s amnesty plan has covered a lot of territory, most of it found within well-maintained Potemkin villages created by a barely credible fourth estate. We, along with others of a similar disposition, have already explained the stupendous innumeracy-to say nothing of intellectual bankruptcy-of the Republican Party’s volte-face on illegal immigration. In the future, we’ll explore how the open borders left has succeeded in framing this debate, which-as Mark Steyn points out-consists to a large degree of ruling contrary opinions-or even established facts which contradict their dogma-illegitimate.

Today we’d like to bring you the story of a reader who went through the arduous process of naturalization-with its attendant bureaucratic nightmares-and has a decidedly different perspective on those illegal aliens who’ll be rewarded for their dubious life decisions and questionable character traits by our Congress.

When I first arrived in America in 1998, I was not sure if I was going to like it here, but at the request of my future wife, we decided to give America a try before we made a firm decision on whether or not to stay in America or return to Ireland.

After getting over the initial culture shock (like driving on the wrong side of the road!), I grew to like it here more and more and to appreciate everything America had to offer. I then decided to begin the process of changing my status.

[OddLane]

ping

[trubolotta]

When I read Paul's story, the similarities between his experience and that I went through to get my wife legal, and then later my stepson, flashed before me. The cost, the confusion, complexity, idiocy, inconvenience and hoop after hoop to jump through all came back. My wife and stepson are both citizens now and don't understand how this country could be so tolerant of people that just want to barge in and have what they had to work to obtain, handed to them.

By the way, my wife and stepson are from Brasil and resent being called “Hispanic” - they are Americans with Brasiliero ancestry.

[kabumpo]

I had a three year nightmare of idiocy adjusting my husband’s status - I was treated like a criminal. It’s really galling to see illegals getting an easy ride.

[trubolotta]

The most idiotic episode in my experience was my stepson was scheduled by INS to get his fingerprints (3rd time) and final interview for his green card. When we went for the interview, he was told his fingerprints had “expired”, by one day! We had to do it all over again.

[kabumpo]

What I want people to know is that there’s almost no one American working there - difficult to even understand the accents. It’s like a welfare project for .....immigrants.

[HiJinx]

Indexed and Bumped!

[OddLane]

Thanks.