If given a choice while living in the US, what benefits, if any, does US citizenship offer?

Question

I already am a US citizen. I already know citizenship allows one to hold certain public offices, as well as government employment.

This may be little motivation, however, to many immigrants, especially illegal immigrants. Why then, would anyone be motivated in our current society to work to become a US citizen?
...so they can pay taxes?
...so they can be drafted, if necessary?
In my opinion, non-US citizens have access to our public schools, our Emergency Rooms, our stores, etc. For all I know, they can even procure a driver's license and get officially married here.

Meanwhile, the citizens pick up most of the bill...or suffer when public institutions close, like hospitals.

And we justify this, because our fruit and vegetables cost less to pick?

I think we have belittled the value of US citizenship, and made it irrelevant. And, now, I think we lack the resolve to restrict public services to non-citizens, or make them pay for it.

And your thoughts are?

What do I suggest? Well, I'm not a lawyer or politician. However, the solution should involve both penalties AND incentives. I think we ought to monitor companies for hiring illegal immigrants and levy stiff fines, much like the FEC monitors the financial industry. Business changes based on money...the fines need to be stiff enough as to create an incentive to hire higher paid citizens. Hospitals should not be required by law to see illegal anythings...if they do, they do so at their own financial cost. Things like that. We ought to make people want to become US citizens. Also, we should streamline that antiquated and expensive process. There is no reason it needs to be so complex, lengthy, and costly. I would rather have hard working, legal, tax-paying immigrants than folks streaming across our borders under the cover of darkness.

Answer 1

Hi Mark I'm Sandrine and I'm french.
U know what, US is a kind of magnet for people who want to start a new life. We are aware of what's happening in your country but the dream and the utopic view take an important place in people's mind that they don't think before acting, they are lured and that's all.
I wanna go the USA but I'm not very sure if I would have the nationality. I just wanna discover and analyse by myself the life in US.
It is an interseting country but a little beat narrow-minded about immigrants.
BYE AND MAYBE WE'LL MEET EACH OTHER IN THE STREET LOL!!!

Answer 2

This will not answer all of your question but I think that some of the ways that we could curb the inflow is to increase taxes on monies going into Mexico from the US. For example levy a 50% tax(roughly what US citizens pay on income) If they want to come here they should pay their fair share.
Secondly I think that in order to get public services you should have to prove that you are a citizen ie...welfare,foodstamps,state funded health ins. etc...
Thirdly I think that if somone cannot prove that they are a citizen they should be instantly sent back to where they came from. For example if someone gets stopped at a traffic stop and they are not a US citizen then they should be sent back no questions. If they go into a hospital and cannot prove citizenship then after being treated then back they go.
Fourthly I think that if you are caught here illegally then it should be a fellony. Or if it is found out that you were ever an illegal alien it should be a fellony with a light fine and no jail time(the person would go back if they were not currently a US citizen). I think that this would solve the whole "some day they will be a huge voting block" issue.
Lastly I think that if there is going to be a illegal alien rally then the police or national gaurd should be allowed to come in and arrest everybody at the rally and be able to send them back that day. They are not citizens and the constitution does not apply to them.
I think that immigrants are great but only if they come legally. If a person cannot obey the law to get here what is to say that they will keep the law while they are here?

Answer 3

So what do you suggest?

There is no draft. NONE.


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I know they already do fine for hiring illegals. Not sure how much - maybe it's not enough. But how do employers check if the person has fake identification?

Some hospitals by law have to help anyone that comes in...and many many get taken to the hosptial here (arizona and mexico border).

I think a huge problem is the hassle, paperwork, red tape, etc to become a citizen. Plus there are what? 12 million illegals already here and more coming daily...how to stop them and make them become legal? Border patrol is everywhere- but there is too much territory to cover.

Answer 4

No, you are incorrect. Legally resident aliens pay the same taxes as you do, including social security - although they have no chance of ever collecting social security, because they are ineligible.

Legally resident aliens can of course have a drivers license, and use the medical services, though typically, they have medical insurance, because in order to be legally resident they must have sufficient resources to support themselves.

ILLEGAL aliens are an entirely different matter; they can and do fly under the radar on taxes and may be a drain on our society.

Answer 5

supply up christianity cos it really is killing you and your self esteem. that is what's so fcuked up about it, they cover in the back of there books pretending to be a loving human beings yet they're evil and twisted. it really is worse I listen in poor usa's that are brought on through Christianity, a lady with a deformed face grew to change right into a objective and out casted through the team both little ones and adults from the orphanage and the community. they in straight forward words pretended to care about her at the same time as she appeared on television. She change into very disillusioned and scared, no ask your self. If it deliver you no convenience why harm your self looking for something that is useless in you heart. i change right into a R Catholic with a afflicted early existence and that i felt chilly and mandatory help. i got here across a pagan direction. you are able to bypass on and discover your inner peace in what you want, learn or commute and spot the way you experience. do not enable your incapacity end you. Your international is your oyster. ignore the evil round you, learn and strengthen from the adventure and experience gratification that you haven't been sucked into it. sturdy success

Answer 6

MY suggestion is, if people have no lawful right to be in the US, we ask em to leave...If your neighbor constantly came over to your house, always borrowing stuff, feet up on your sofa etc., wouldn't leave etc., eventually you'd get him out the door and slam and lock it and you wouldn't let him in anymore. Same goes for immigration...welcomed guests are welcome, unwelcomed guests are not. People don't have a 'right' to come to the USA without papers, just like we don't have the right to go to say, Japan without some kind of papers. We need our immigration policy fixed so that that gets changed and abided by.

Answer 7

I totally agree with you. I've used my other citizen "benefit", which is talking to my state representative to see what they're doing in the matter, and I get nowhere. Seems like not even the people we vote into office to represent us anywhere are lifting a finger. Oh well.