[catholicfreeper]

You know not every person here is an illegal that would take advantage of this program. Many people here legally will benefit. I keep hearing how people are tired of people not speaking English. This sounds like a great idea. Better yet since the Prez is talking about faith base and volunteer groups being involved, its sounds like a Good opportunity for folks to get involved.

[brytlea]

Do you get dizzy from spinning so hard? From the article:

The administration and key Democrats and Republicans in Congress say that requiring illegal aliens to learn English is an important step to make the case to voters that a pathway to citizenship is not amnesty. They also note that aliens seeking citizenship would have to pay back taxes and a small fine.

This is not targeted toward legal aliens.

susie

[Spiff]

You know not every person here is an illegal that would take advantage of this program. Many people here legally will benefit. I keep hearing how people are tired of people not speaking English. This sounds like a great idea. Better yet since the Prez is talking about faith base and volunteer groups being involved, its sounds like a Good opportunity for folks to get involved.

I agree that LEGAL immigrants need to learn english and assimilate as a prerequisite to citizenship. I disagree that I should pay for it. I disagree with any program that benefits ILLEGAL immigrants.

[Jeff Chandler]

I firmly believe that the primary element in dealing with this veritable invasion is to gain control of our borders. That will weed out the bad guys who come across. After that it is important to inculcate legal immigrants with the truth about the pinnacle of Western Civilization-the United States of America. Most people coming in from Latin America have been taught lies about us, and their children are being taught lies about us in the public schools.

[browardchad]

I keep hearing how people are tired of people not speaking English. This sounds like a great idea.

There have been ESOL programs in every adult ed program in this area (with a large percentage of Hispanics) for at least 20 years. You can make programs available, but there's not much incentive when virtually every business and government agency caters to Spanish-only speakers ("Press 2 for Spanish."), and when you choose to speak English, chances are you will get someone with a heavy Spanish accent who doesn't speak English well.

Why does the government need a new program when the one that's been offered for years apparently isn't being utilized? It's PR fluff.

If Bush is serious, let him prohibit the USCIS Offiice of Citizenship website  from offering "Quick Civics Lessons " and "Sample U.S. History and Government Questions" for the the naturalization test in Spanish.