Do immigrants make better citizens?

Question

My mother was a poor immigrant. She worked hard, and now we are a wealthy family. I think they do. What do you think?

Answer 1

Hi! I want to share my story with you since you asked this question. I had an arranged traditional marriage. (I am all American caucasion Texan by the way...) I left my apartment in Texas and moved to an Islamic country in Asia. Anyhow, after I settled there happily, some months later we wanted to try for our first baby and we knew that we would want to raise them in the USA and that immigration can take a long time. We planned ahead.
I applied for my husband's I-130 Immigration Visa in December of 2004. He had a very good job at the time and paid for all of the paperwork himself. He was actually doing very well in his country but we wanted a better future for our kids. He worked in a govt. job with the state owned media. He was a producer for news & current affairs. A very high profile job and I got to see him on TV almost every night.
I became pregnant in June of 2005. Our case was still pending. We travelled very far to the embassy to inquire about his status. I called every week. They told us nothing. We waited in lines with people begging without a hope to get in the building. It's very sad and I believe that the only reason they would see us when we came without an appointment was because I was a citizen defending him. When we were interviewed they treated me as if I was less of a citizen and interrogated us on many occasions.
The fact that he was a Master's in Political Science and working in media being a muslim as well didn't help -the embassy is politically biased in nature as it is. Anyhow we fought and fought and were hand to mouth because of it. But finally whenever I became pregnant they had to approve his case. It was approved in December 2005.
She was born on March 11th, 2006 in Asia. It took four months after her birth to get her passport and dual citizenship status complete. We came here in June. My husband looked and looked for work. No one would hire him because he was an immigrant -only minimum wage work. So he enlisted with the Army as an E-4 advanced level due to his education. I am very proud of him. He is a shining example of what a true American should be. He practically gave the shirt from his back and the courage of a soldier to care for his family. I adore him dearly. So my answer to your questions is yes, I believe most immigrants have a very inspiring impact on society. He knows enlgish and also knows six other languages. He is a good father and a true wonder. Because he has joined the Army next year he will be citizenship granted due to his loyalty to our country. I am proud of this and will always remind our children that their father is a true American.

Answer 2

I live in an area with a high immagrant population they are great people for the most part and work hard. My only concern is that most of our immigrants have been coming from countries much less free than ours and it is hard for them to understand the idea that our theory of government is that all power is with the people and we only lend it to the government to create stability. When i discuss rights with them they feel that we are much more free than the rest of the world so who cares if the government encroaches. I beleive some of this has led to the slow erosion of our rights and liberties. A for instance is that did you know a clause was added to the Social Security act saying the Social Security Number could only be used for by the social security administration. not bank not states not even the IRS it was illegal ask for it or even to give it to someone. Just 70 years ago we where fearful of it becoming a national id #. Social Security never would have passed because the American where stil suspicious of government. It did not take long before the government weasled it into the national id it is today. I am not blaming immigrants for all of it but my experience is that people from more represive countries are more willing to accept more government intervention and the more of these voters there are the less fearful government is. My solution is not to cut immigration but to educate your fellow citizens as much as possible because at this point few americans truly understand how far we have declined in even the last 50 years

Answer 3

Are we all not immigrants? Both my grandparents came over on the "boat" when they were young teens. They both became citizens. My grandfather signed into the Navy as soon as he was old enough and fought in WW2. My dad & his brothers all first generation American, all were either in the Navy or the Air Force. My brother was in the navy as well. It's more than strong family tradition...we were rasied on the belief that we are lucky to be Americans. That voting and partisapating in the local, state and federal elections is a responsibility that we have to take seriously.

My mothers family has been traced back through US history to the Revolutionalry war...members of her family fought and died in every action in this country. They died to give me the ability to be, and say, and think as I want. To be what ever I could dream of being and for my children to do the same. Is it so much to ask to be a good citizen and partisapate in the community around me? To honor the vetrens, living and dead? To respect the flag and the Pledge of Allegance? To vote, and live a respectful life? I don't think so. And believe it or not I am not a republician!

Answer 4

Immigrants that are legal are HARD workers. They do make great citizens because they respected the laws and their self enough to come here and do things right.

Illegals don't respect the laws and want handouts. They do not make better citizens because a lot of them don't plan on even living here. They just want to work a while and go back. They help to keep our wages low and then come here with attitude like the US owes them a living.

Answer 5

Legal immigrants often do. The ones that come legally and their children tend to love the country that is welcoming them, and that they had to work so hard to enter. Illegal immigrants, on the other hand, often pledge their loyalty to their previous country. They have no love and little- if not, no- respect for their new homeland.

Remember: When people don't have to work for what they are given, they have no respect for their handouts or the people that gave it to them....

Answer 6

I think most immigrants make fine citizens, but I would not say better, necessarily. Too generalized a statement I think. I'm very happy your mom did well though.

Answer 7

There are more illegals committing serious crimes than legal aliens. In fact, I have served with legal immigrants in the military, and they make better soldiers than us that are born here.

Answer 8

Well I'm a legal immigrant myself, and I'm trying to be a good, respectful and grateful citizen.

Answer 9

Legal immigrants can make great citizens.

Answer 10

Same with my husband. Even though he was uneducated and knew no English and came here illegally he/we are now living the American dream because of his drive and determination. He is fully bilingual now (self-taught) and owns his own successful business. All in 10 years. I don't know many...sorry....make that ANY born-here and raised-here Americans who can offer the same success story. We are happy to ride on the coattails of our forefathers.