o the Editor:Posted on 09/29/2003 12:51:00 AM PDT by sarcasm
o the Editor:
A two-part solution to the problem of illegal immigrants could be found to satisfy both anti- and pro-immigration folk (news article, Sept. 25).
First, change the law that guarantees American citizenship to people born in the United States to a requirement that American citizenship be granted only to people born to at least one American citizen parent (like the laws of most other countries in the world).
Then, allow immigrants the ability to purchase the right to work here for a year, for each person who wants to live on United States soil, and for each year that he or she wants to live here, renewable each year. Make the purchase price sufficient to cover the cost of basic catastrophic medical insurance. If children are involved, ensure that the price cover some kind of partial payment that goes directly toward financing education costs, especially English language proficiency.
It would then be possible to track immigrants, tax them and offer them the protections that legal workers have.
JANE SCHARANKOV
East Marion, N.Y., Sept. 25, 2003
•
To the Editor:
Advocates of amnesty for illegal immigrants (news article, Sept. 25) overlook the effects of the most recent mass amnesty in 1986: increased illegal immigration, as potential immigrants realized that the United States is not serious about enforcing its immigration laws. This has helped fuel large population growth and has put downward pressure on wages of United States citizens and legal immigrants who compete with illegal immigrants for jobs.
When will our country adopt an immigration policy that aims to promote sustainable population growth rates and improve the socioeconomic situation of poor United States citizens? Their needs are just as important as those of illegal immigrants.
CHRISTOPHER S. EDWARDS
New York, Sept. 25, 2003
Not a "law," but the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. At least two orders of magnitude more difficult to change than any piece of legislation.
Is it expecting too much for people to at least have read the thing, whether or not it's respected? Apparently so.
That's more important than cheap labor?! What is Mr. Edwards, at Bush-hating socialist? :>)
Oh, The New York Times. Yeah, it probably is expecting too much.
Dear Congressman Issa:
Thank you for including me in your 9/17 telephone poll on illegal immigration.
While the questions asked had relavence to our current situation, two actions by Congress may have created the problem. These must be addressed prior to the development of any effective counter legislation/enforcement policies (including reauthorization of the bracero program, etc).
As a native Californian (& lifelong Republican), if I recall correctly:
1. ANNUAL ALIEN REGISTRATION
where aliens completed a form at the post office once/year. Why was this practice stopped (late 70's-mid 80's) ?. With today's ID card and data base capabilities, reenactment of this policy could serve to: a. clearly identify & register alien residents b. deter illegal entry/residence c. provide a quick/legal means for expulsion of illegal residents. A National ID card for all citizens is clearly wrong, but a National Alien ID card is essential to protect our society, culture and borders.
2. CITIZENSHIP FOR MINORS
Prior to (the mid 60's ?), children born in the US to non-US citizens were not automatically awarded US citizenship/residency (nor were the parent(s) of said child granted residency for the purpose of caring for that"citizen"). The child could apply for US citizenship &/or residency - based on US birth- on/after the minor's 18th birthday. Please note: I am unaware of any industrialized country that follows US practice on automatic conferment of citizenship &/or residency rights to minor children of aliens.
I respectfully request that you and your Republican colleagues propose legislation addressing the above 2 points - prior to drafting more specific illegal immigration measures.
I await your comments on the foregoing.
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