Posted on 10/29/2006 8:39:00 AM PST by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES
Proposed federal measures, including fee hikes and online filing requirements, threaten to hinder the ability of some legal immigrants to become U.S. citizens, immigrant rights groups warn.
Last week, advocates sent a joint letter to the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, expressing concern about application fee increases that could double to $800, a "digital barrier" of a mandatory online filing system, extensive new paperwork and a revised history and civics test they fear could be more difficult.
The coalition of more than 230 religious, labor and immigrant rights groups said the rules would disproportionately hinder Mexican immigrants, who tend to be less educated and earn lower incomes than others.
"Together they appear to us a clear strategy pursued through administrative fiat to make the dream of American citizenship unattainable for many lower-income, less-educated immigrants," said the letter, which was spearheaded by the Chicago-based Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
Immigration officials say they are trying to make the system more efficient, financially self-sustaining and better able to ensure that new citizens understand foundational American values and historical events.
Some of the initiatives, including the move to automation and a revised test, were recommended in 1997 by the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform under the Clinton administration.
The final proposals were expected to be announced in the next few months and would take 12 to 18 months to implement.
And yet the same 'immigrants' wouldn't think anything of paying a 'coyote' $5000 or more to sneak them across the border.
$800 to become a citizen?
It's a bargain.
Every city and town in this country has computers at the public library that can be used.And *anyone* who is unwilling to scare up $800 to apply doesn't deserve to be a citizen anyway.
Rim shot.
Just how much is a US passport, a US dollar salary and all the rights of US citizenship really worth. At a bare minimum the darn process ought to pay for itself. $800 is an absolute bargain given the benefits. Anyone who doesn't think so needs to contact his coyote for a refund and get back on his burro and hotfoot it to Durango.
If the US would invest more in nuclear power plants and proper education, it could continue being a powerful nation made up by an eternal influx of immigrants.
I'm European, but I support the US to 100%.
Europeans have a lot to learn from the America.
God bless Western Civilization.
Just what we need in this country; more lazy, unmotivated, stupid people - open them floodgates, man!
...the rules would disproportionately hinder Mexican immigrants, who tend to be less educated and earn lower incomes than others. "Together they appear to us a clear strategy pursued through administrative fiat to make the dream of American citizenship unattainable for many lower-income, less-educated immigrants"....
Well, duh. We don't want people going from the citizenship line immediately to the welfare line you morons. If that's mostly Mexicans - TFB
"Anyone who doesn't think so needs to contact his coyote for a refund and get back on his burro and hotfoot it to Durango."
Yeah.
And take them danged burritos with you.
All those beans at once just CAN'T be healthy!
:0)
Hmm...I've studied almost every aspect of the U.S. Constitution. I'm a bit stumped as to where it gives immigrants any rights to gain citizenship easily. My grandfather was required to enlist in the U.S. Army and fight in WW I to gain citizenship. $800 and a civics test seems like a deal in comparison. (I do hope the civics test is in english only.) How do we allow these people to influence policy?
Yep, and my 6th Great Grandfather lost ALL of his sons in the Revolutionary War, was held prisoner for a year and had his home burned down three times, fighting to CREATE this country. These folks can take their BOO-HOOING down south of the border and cry to someone who gives a darn.
I see no reason why we should be cheaply giving citizenship away. The cheaper we make it, the more dreck we attract. Not only that, terrorists are all in favor of cheap citizenship, it cuts down on the alqaida fundraising burden. We should price our citizenship for what it is worth, such as estimated earnings of a would-be citizen given his opportunities and the amount he paid to a coyote to get into the country.
This statement is very telling.
"Together they appear to us a clear strategy pursued through administrative fiat to make the dream of American citizenship unattainable for many lower-income, less-educated immigrants," said the letter"
They don't want them to become 'edumacated' because an educated informed individul would vote Republican and they just can't have that.
Better to keep them uneducated and loyal to the democratic party.
Throughout our nation history naturalized immigrants made up only 5% of the population, while today out of 300 million, we have at more than 10% (*).
Therefore to complain that immigrants will be reduced by any new polices, is plain stupid, because we certainly cant keep the rate of influx the same or increase and expect our country to handle immigration as has been done historically and very successfully which has made this nation the most welcoming and accommodating nation on the planet for the assimilation of immigrants.
If they are arguing that changes to immigrants will end up be detrimental to our nation, then they essentially have made the argument that we need to curtail the numbers back to 5%, which means it should be harder for immigrants to enter, not easier. ....but like every other liberal cause, up is down and down is up,,, everything is backward and twisted!
* http://www.cis.org/articles/2002/back1302.html
Go home.
I was passing through our family room and my wife was between the zillion shows about redoing our homes, yards and selves.
She said, "Listen to this whiner!"
The whiner was some legal Mexican American who was whining about the new criteria. My wife said, "Look at all of his computers and other office equipment. Helping illegal aliens into America must be really good business, and he sounds like he is afraid that he is losing his franchise, now."
I never go his name, but his whine was music to our ears.
I spoke to a couple illegals just yesterday. It's not the money, it's the paperwork cacca de toro.
"Hmm...I've studied almost every aspect of the U.S. Constitution. I'm a bit stumped as to where it gives immigrants any rights to gain citizenship easily. My grandfather was required to enlist in the U.S. Army and fight in WW I to gain citizenship. $800 and a civics test seems like a deal in comparison. (I do hope the civics test is in english only.) How do we allow these people to influence policy?"
Talk to any former Brit who has become a citizen in the past 10 years and what they had to do become citizens legally here. The ones I have discussed this were here legally, worked legally and paid taxes and social security and still had a long road. They got no special help and added no extra costs for second language help.
Did your ancestor live in NY or Virginia?
Maybe that's the kind of citizen we don't need.
ping
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