Posted on 09/18/2003 9:38:43 AM PDT by bedolido
IMMIGRANT RESEARCH
Poor language skills and pride in national origin are two reasons why nearly eight million foreign residents eligible for U.S. citizenship have not applied, according to a study released Wednesday.
Mexicans and Canadians are among the nationalities least likely to apply for citizenship, the report by the Washington-based Urban Institute found. Historically, there have been millions of immigrants with green cards who have not sought citizenship for various reasons, but this is the first time a study has focused on the issue.
''Despite rising naturalization rates, the pool of legal immigrants eligible to naturalize remains strikingly large,'' the study said.
OFFICE CREATED
To encourage more applications, the Bush administration this week announced the creation of the Office of Citizenship.
Eduardo Aguirre, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said in a recent interview with The Herald that his goal is to eventually naturalize one million new citizens per year. In 2002, about 573,000 foreigners became citizens.
''We share many of the same concerns in the Urban Institute brief,'' said Dan Kane, a spokesman for Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Typically, surges in naturalization applications follow changes in federal immigration law. A record 1.4 million applications were submitted in 1997, a year after Congress tightened immigration laws. Applications soared again after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks when more restrictions were introduced.
OTHER REASONS
Other reasons that dissuade foreigners from seeking citizenship are fear of rejection and for some Canadians and Mexicans proximity to their homeland.
Of the 7.9 million eligible foreign residents, 2.3 million are from Mexico, according to the report. The report did not include a breakdown for Canadians.
The rate of Mexicans seeking citizenship has climbed from 19 percent in 1995 to 34 percent in 2001, the report said.
The number of Canadians seeking citizenship has remained at about 50 percent in recent years.
''Canadians are more likely than Mexicans to naturalize, but less likely than others to naturalize,'' said Jeffrey S. Passel, demographer and principal research associate at the Urban Institute. By comparison, the percentage of Asian nationals seeking citizenship is about 67 percent.
Foreign nationals seeking asylum or fleeing from dictatorship were among the most likely to want to become American, Passel said. Seventy three percent of Cubans seek citizenship, he said.
No difference between cathlics and episcopaleans? I beg to differ. For one thing, EP's were not loyal to the tyrant in Rome. The Anglican church was protestant - it broke away from the Pope during the reign of Henry VIII. Keep squirming. Again, calvinists SETTLED this land and the tradition was calvinist.
Biblical literalism? You mean, people who take the bible seriously? If a Christian does not believe all of the bible, then he has no authority outside of mankind, and no divine guide for his life. Tell me, how does Christ exercise His Lordship over someone who doesn't believe the bible? By listening to the Pope perhaps?
The Anglican Church broke away at swordpoint because Henry wanted to get divorced. There was no greater principle in play in that situation.
For one thing, EP's were not loyal to the tyrant in Rome
That's what it comes down to, essentially: Anti-Catholic bigotry. So, assuming arguendo, that I agree with everything you've said so far about this being a Calvinist country- what's the point? No Protestant denomination is dominant in this nation now- if anything, Catholics are. What's your beef? Are you saying that only Calvinists/Protestants are true Christians? That only Calvinists/Protestants are allowed freedom of religion in this country? What's the point of all this? You do realize that your views constitute a fringe viewpoint in this country, right?
Biblical literalism= believing everything in the bible is literally true (i.e. God made the universe in seven days) which is, and will continue to be, a fringe view among even American Protestants.
Sorry- that's not how logic works. You're the one trying to say that God was guiding the FF. The onus is on you to prove it. I could just as easily say that space aliens were guiding them: But, wait, since you have no evidence that isn't a fact, you can't prove it isn't.
Not quite true to say "most." The puritans/pilgrims and quakers are responsible for settling most of everything above virginia and New England was far and away more populated than the southern colonies. Also, again, Anglicans/Episc. are protestants, so what if they aren't calvinists. I don't care. It's a quibble. They were protestant Christians nonetheless. The fact remains that calvinist principles were adopted into our government - depravity of mankind, self-governance (dual system). Argue with the facts.
I don't have to prove it. This is one assertion that cannot be proven or disproven using empirical humanistic methods. When I get to heaven, I'll ask for you. It now seems that you are just arguing for the sake of arguing - are you that desperate to win one single point of the debate?
The Dutch didn't have our system of government. Prussia and Sweden were ruled by kings, so there's no comparison. However, I will say that the King of Sweden, Gustavus Adolphus saved Protestantism in the 30 years war when he clobbered your catholic forces. And the Dutch gave safe haven to the pilgrims before they came to plymouth.
Fine, but don't pretend like it's a fact, which is what you were doing.
When I get to heaven, I'll ask for you.
What arrogance. Glad you have foreknowledge of who gets to go to heaven.
That's what Genesis says - 7 days. I just read what it says. I am aware that catholic schools now teach evolutionary theory which is completely opposed to Christian beliefs. Let me lay it out for you: If evolution is true, then Adam and Eve (Genesis account) MUST be mere allegory, which means original sin is also allegory (sin can't be real if people aren't), which means there is no need for a savior because there is nothing to be saved from, which means that there is no need for Jesus Christ, which means you shouldn't bother to go to confession anymore becuase it makes no sense.
Conclusion: Genesis must be true in order for Christianity to be true. Go tell that to your priest.
I BELIEVE it's a fact - I don't have to prove it to believe it is a fact. I don't care what you believe.
What arrogance. Glad you have foreknowledge of who gets to go to heaven.
Not foreknowledge, just promises from Jesus himself. Jesus said, "Whoever believes in me has eternal life." He also said, "God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life." I merely trust what my Savior tells me. You would benefit to do likewise. John writes, "we write these things so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life." (1jn 5:16).
I don't know - why don't you research it and find out.
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