We are doing some reading in my eighth grade classroom that discusses illegal immigration. Since it is such a hot button topic as of late, many of them have difficult and confusing questions that they want answered. I also need to remember I can't be too harsh or candid since some of the kids in my class may be/are the sons and daughters of immigrants (illegal or not). How does one enter the country as a "legal" alien? What does it specifically mean to be an "illegal alien?" What happens if/when an illegal gets caught? Is it true that if an illegal alien gives birth to a child while in this country illegally that that child is automattically a US citizen? I have heard about so-called "anchor children," but having a child doesn't automatically make the parents legal...does it? I want to give correct info to my students, so anyone with specific and verifiable information...please respond! Thanks!
2006-11-02 04:25:44 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY PLEEEEEASE!
2006-11-02 04:31:37 · update #1
The specifics are spelled out in the United States Federal Laws they say, there is only the "legal immigrant" and the "illegal aliens".
There is no such thing as an undocumented worker or immigrant that is just in the distorted minds of illegal aliens supporters!
FEDERAL LAW:
The law: US Code Title 8, Chapter 12, subchapter I section 1101 &
subchapter II section 1325
Immigrant: an individual who has received permission to enter and
permanently reside in the US. The written permission document issued
by the US government to the immigrant after successfully completing
required health tests, financial checks, and criminal investigations
is called a visa.
Alien: an individual in the US who is not a US citizen. After
entering the US, the "immigrant" becomes an alien.
Illegal alien: Anyone in the US in violation of the law. The illegal
alien has intentionally chosen to violate the law and lacks the
evidence VISA that they have observed all US laws in entering and
remaining in the country.
Most illegal aliens enter via the US-Mexico border, either alone or
with a smuggler. Other illegal aliens entered the US legally under a
student, tourist or other temporary visa (promising to leave at the
end of their "visit") and chose to remain after their visa expired.
When the temporary visitor chose to "overstay" their visa, they
became an illegal alien. Their original "legal" entry doesn't give
them upgraded status from the more common illegal border-crosser.
Both are illegal aliens, both are violating US immigration laws, and
both are subject to deportation.
2006-11-02 04:31:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Entering the country as a "legal" alien involves acquiring a Visa, work permit, or other authorization. This is done through the INS... they can lead you to all the correct paperwork (check out their website!). Illegal aliens are those who are here without authorization or documentation. If/when an illegal is caught they are often given a slap on the wrist and told to report to court at a specific date and time. A majority simply do not show up since they are often deported.
Anchor children are a HUGE problem since the child is a citizen automatically. Thus, the child is eligible for ALL services from the state and the parents are allowed to stay since we cannot separate families (ridiculous... if you want to stay with your kid, do it in your own country).
There is a HUGE difference between immigrants and illegal aliens... immigrants are the ones who came here legally... filled out the paperwork, paid the fees, and most importantly, WAITED THEIR TURN to enter.
It is interesting to note that immigrant children (legal AND illegal) account for nearly 100% of the increase in US public school enrollments over the last twenty years. So yeah, you definitely have a couple of both in your class.
I vote to be as harsh as you choose... maybe the kids will go home and teach their parents the difference between right and wrong.
2006-11-02 05:18:28 · answer #2 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Illegal Alien - you come to this country w/out getting permission and filing the right paperwork with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. If you're caught, you're supposed to be deported. Doesn't always happen.
Legal Alien - you file the right paperwork, get permission to live in the US. There are different levels of this-- temporary or permanent. There are different Visas that say what you can and can't do. For example: there are tourists visas (vacation only), some are student only visas where you can go to school, but not work. there are temporary work visas (e.g. H1B), there are multi-year visas (e.g. 10 year visa). And there is also a permanant visa. So Permanent Legal Aliens can live here as long as they want-- they can't vote tho. But they can serve in the military and must register for the draft (if that still happens-haven't checked recently). I was one of these until about the age of 21. You may be deported in this condition as well.
If an illegal alien has a child in the US (or one of its territories), the child is automatically a citizen. No, the parents are still illegal. So its possible for the parents to be deported, but not the child.
Side note: I_hate_crackers-- I'm white and I was a permanent resident alien. Go read a dictionary-- Alien simply means you're a stranger to or not from this country. Get a life.
2006-11-02 04:34:52 · answer #3 · answered by dapixelator 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An illegal alien is someone that sneaks across whatever border they may be crossing. A legal alien has to fill out a lot of paperwork and be granted citizenship in a different country, meaning it will take time and money. The few that get caught get sent back, but there are hundreds if not thousands that cross illegally at the same time. Yes an illegal alien can give birth in the US and the child is automatically a US citizen even though their parents aren't which is ridiculous. If I were you I'd try to find a different topic.
2006-11-02 04:35:27 · answer #4 · answered by LMB 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok, an Alien is somone who is not from this country or any country, other then their country of origin. Legal, means they went through the legal process, followed all imigration laws, and entered this country legally. Illegal, means they came to this country and did not follow the imigration laws. Hence, they are undocumented since no paperwork exists and the government does not know they are here.
If an illegal gets caught, they are deported back to their country of origin, unless they can claim political assylum. Then then are free to cross back into this country illegally again, or go through due process and travel here under our laws.
Right now, if a baby is born on American soil, that baby is a naturalized american citizen. Since our Govt does not want to split the family from the child, there is a better shot of the family getting to stay, so they rush here and try to have their kids here so they will not be deported.
2006-11-02 04:37:35 · answer #5 · answered by Quack doc 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're correct about saying how hot it is of a topic now day to talk about illegaly immigration, especially to your students. I'm speaking of this for myself, because I was once a legal alien.
Legal Alien means the person enters the US border legally (by land or air) with documented paper works.
(In my case: my Aunt was my sponsor. As soon as i arrived to LAX, I was greeted by the INS who provided me with a I-94 ID (it's a temporary legal ID for me to stay in the US, then I applied for a Social Security Number. After 6 months I applied for a green card (Alien Resident ID), After 5 years, I applied for US citizenship and became a US citizen (after passed the test and sworn in to give up my orginal citizenship and becoming a US citizent).
Illegal Ailen is someone entered the US with no documentation, maybe through a smugler ring or only entered the US with a visitor visa or student visa then decided not to leave the US after the visa expired. Those people do not have to right to work like any of the legal ones. The only way they got passed the system is to buy a fake Social Security Number and fake ID to get a driver lisence. Then life goes on like any of us until they got caught and face deportation.
If any of those illegal alien have baby on US soil, the baby is automatic a US citizen but does not have any right to sponsor the parents until he or she 18 years of age. In this case, the parent or parents may be requested to stay to give care for the baby. (It varies by case).
I hope this would help you a little bit. Good luck
2006-11-02 04:59:19 · answer #6 · answered by TheOne 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very simple.:
"illegal" alien Someone from another country that came to the United States without using a visa or a passport. Passports are for short term visits and VISAs are for long term visits that include working or going to college.
"legal" alien? Someone who is not a US citizen who obtained a VISA or passport to enter our country.
Cant be harsh or candid.. THAT"S THE PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY we aren't allowed to call a shovel a shovel.. Teach these kids what their parent or friends are doing is illegal and they should go to jail.
2006-11-02 04:34:36 · answer #7 · answered by Marshall Lee 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Scientists are only confident about what they know about. Alien life is possible - but when found, etc --- knowledge about that life form, etc has to start from zero knowledge. As someone said here - they may not even recognise it as being a lifeform, because it is so alien to us. Water is essential to all life forms here, being dependent upon water in some way. Even insects require water or moisture - I guess (I'm not a biologist, etc etc) and even not directly, they still would indirectly - say need plants, which depend on water.
2016-05-23 17:25:29 · answer #8 · answered by Michelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
basically an illegal immigrant is someone who does not have permission to be in this country and a legal immigrant does
Any baby born on US soil is an American Citizen however that does not make the parents American Citizens
2006-11-02 05:08:58 · answer #9 · answered by katjha2005 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An illegal alien mowes your lawn and a legal alien works at McDonalds.
2006-11-02 04:29:25 · answer #10 · answered by pimp 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋