I have dealt with people who were part of Reagan's amnesty and for 25 years hadn't applied for citizenship even though they reaped the benefits. Free healthcare, welfare, etc.
Plus, originally they were encouraged to become citizens, but because they were too lazy and the fact they had to learn a modicum of U.S. history, which applied to the laziness, they neglected to become citizens.
For those people, I say, "T.S."
If one is here LEGALLY as a Green Card immigrant, then aside from voting (a majority vote Dem - is that desirable?) and potential deportation for misbehavior, how are they different in terms of contributions or benefits than US citizens? Are you telling me indigent Green Card immigrants get preferential care over indigent citizens? Do Green Card immigrants with good incomes (there are many) pay less taxes than citizens with the same income? I don’t think so...
I really don’t see what the benefit to the US is of pushing green card immigrants to become citizens, other than better knowledge (citizenship classes) might make them better residents. Fine. I think requiring green card holders to pass “resident” classes for every year or 2 they are in the US is a good idea — just so long as the classes are not taught by flaming libs! Online classes could be very useful, here (except for testing - too easy to cheat.) Plus the immigrants have to pay for the classes, unless they can proficiency out of them at the outset of that year’s class. If you flunk, gotta take it again, or get the boot. An “A” chops next year’s class time in half. Ditto (somewhat) for English language classes or proficiency: If one has not acquired basic English proficiency in 3 years, and better in 5, out they go.
The solution to legal immigrants eating up “social” benefits, by and large, is merit based immigration. Illegals - gradually get ‘em out of here.
Immigrants must pledge allegiance to become citizens, but how much does this really affect what they think, feel, and do? I suspect if they are reluctant to become citizens, they’ll do it if necessary to be able to stay, but it won’t affect them much otherwise. I’d rather that be “open”, than have a bunch of people “faking” it.
With luck, some retiring Green Card immigrants will go back to their birth countries when they retire, taking strain off our social care resources.
DHS makes good money off Green Card renewals.
The benefit to pushing Green Card immigrants to become citizens is...?