Posted on 02/24/2013 8:22:30 PM PST by neverdem
In the controversy over illegal immigration that has roiled our politics for decades, the image of "living in the shadows" has been invoked by all sides. For immigrant advocates, "the shadows" are where the undocumented are harassed by overzealous law-enforcement officers and exploited by unscrupulous landlords and employers. For many other Americans, "living in the shadows" conjures vaguely sinister intruders using public services to which they are not entitled and preying on law-abiding Americans through illicit activities and crime.
Yet regardless of one's views on the issue, this imagery is profoundly misleading. It helps to perpetuate the myths and exaggerations that have made our immigration debate so fruitless. Undocumented immigrants are hardly mere victims of economic or political forces beyond their control. But neither are they dangerous criminals or public charges lurking on the fringes of our society. Rather, they are responsible agents who have made difficult choices in a complicated and risky environment — an environment for which all Americans bear some blame.
These choices produce both beneficial and negative consequences for the nation and for the immigrants themselves. And our policies must contend with both sets of effects. If we are to find our way to a solution, we must examine the genuine predicament of the millions of illegal immigrants in our midst without ignoring the legitimate concerns millions of Americans have about their presence.
If we succeeded in removing the hyperbole and stereotypes from the immigration debate, our politics might open itself to a balanced approach to the problem: legalization for as many undocumented immigrants as possible, but citizenship for none of them. Under this proposal, illegal immigrants who so desired could become "permanent non-citizen residents" with no option of ever naturalizing...
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalaffairs.com ...
Yes, thanks for point that out. If ‘established quotas’ weren’t increased, then again it might be worth considering. But in the fantasy where Democrats would go along with something like this, I envision the quotas for family-based immigration being greatly increased.
They’re already entitled via Obamacare. And the fines don’t apply to them, just us citizens.
Illegal aliens broke the law. They should be awarded citizenship for it? There are plenty of resident aliens in the U.S.
That's not how it works here in Washington state.
No proof of citizenship or legal residence is required to get Food Stamps.
I believe that's true everywhere since the USDA is running TV ads in Mexico and border states (multiple postings here at FR) that explain how to sign up.
Also, Permanent Residents are instantly covered 100% for pregnancy and child birth.
Also, Permanent Residents are instantly eligible for AFDC.
Also here in Washington state, Permanent Resident children are instantly eligible for Medicaid.
PR adults are instantly eligible to file for SSI Disability after arriving in the USA, and they are instantly eligible for Medicaid while their claim is being adjudicated.
PR children may instantly file for SSI Disability.
PR families are instantly eligible to file applications for federally subsidized housing, but the waiting period can sometimes be years.
Let's face reality - it's only a matter of months before some Federal judge confers automatic citizenship on this new “class” of special Americans.
Did I mention that 80% of new immigrant citizens vote for the Democrat Party?
Forgot to mention one thing....
In Washington state NO adult - citizen, PR, or illegal - is eligible for Medicaid unless he is completely disabled or has an active disability claim.
Anything other than deporting Illegal Aliens is Amnesty. Its like dealing w a 2yr old at nap time with all these different Amnesty ideas
Deport Deport Deport
You miss the last two elections? We have already arrived my friend.
We could just enforce the law as it is? - 12 years of repeating this.
I say I’ll support amnesty, if those that are given a pass this time and in future grants, that they are NOT allowed to vote for 25 years...
Then watch the feathers fly...
That’s no damn good, if they are allowed to work it’s just as bad as giving them citizenship.
They register and vote now, get welfare, food stamps. etc. so citizenship meams nothing to them.
I gather the writer is of the opinion that if a robber,a la illegal immigrant, comes into my house ,known or unknown, and helps himself to food in my kitchen along with other uses of the house I must first think of why he would do such acts. If my house is too narrow of a consideration just think of an apartment building. To close the matter I must think of a means to make the intruder feel good about/after his actions. NONSENSE
“How long will it take a liberal court to say that second class status is unconstitutional and give them blanket citizenship?”
About 10 seconds.
Use asset forfeiture on the foreign nationals who chose to squat here because they feel like it
The prospect of losing the wealth that they acquire while while being here illegally will inspire them to return to their own countries.
And those who don’t leave on their own get deported. It’s the law.
Why is it impossible to get the political hacks we elect to enforce our laws? Since when do they get to ignore the law because they think it will win them votes?
Actually it’s not.
No thanks, I don’t think they should be allowed to stay because they have broken so many laws, they don’t give a dam about the charge they are on every body else and they are an immoral people. I could go on.
When is the treatment of American citizens in Mexico and their rights vs US treatment of Mexicans going to be an issue when we discuss amnesty ?
THIS question; Should Mexican citizens when in the US be given the same rights American citizens are given while in Mexico has yet to appear on any US legislator’s questionaire from either chamber. Ask your congrressman/senator why it isn’t. What makes it necessary for US to subjugate our sovereignty because of available cheap labor ?
Ever hear of reciprocal aggrements ? These are arranged to protect the rights of American citizens working or living in other countries.
Why is it when it comes to citizens of other countries we are required to offer them the same privledges as we do to US citizens? But when it comes to US citizens who get in trouble or attempt to do business in other countries they do not get the same treatment their citizens get.
Americans can’t own coast land in Mexico. And get no title to it elsewhere. If they run out of cash they’ll get unceremoniously sent back or put in jail untill some relative comes up with the “fresh”. That’s just for starters as for granting them voting privledges yea let’s give Mexican citizens that right when American citizens vote in their elections .
You are NOT going to deport them. Too many are part of households where legal residents lives. Too many are protected by business interests. Too many are protected by Democratic politicians who will not enforce the law.
That is the worst of both worlds.
We end up a huge class of disaffected individuals lacking the status of citizens or even legal immigrants. Can you say “uprising” and “insurrection?” How ‘bout “vote fraud” and “identity theft?”
I knew you could!
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