I think anyone trying to become a U.S. citizens should speak English, understand and obey our laws as a ...?

Question

U.S. citizens, not with special priviliges, but being treated as an equal without special rights. Love us or leave us! What are your thought? Am I wrong to say I am proud to be an American or I live in America, or do I have to be afraid that I may offend someone from a different country who is living here profiting from our tax dollers?. I try my best to be a honest American and I seem to get slammed and slapped around by this government while illegal alien live better here then in there own country. Personal I think it started with the open trade market so some few rich Americans could get richer

Answer 1

Actually, one contributor to corruption and crime in Mexico and some South American countries are our American drug users. We import narcotics illegally, and the mafia and cartels in those countries grow rich and increase in power.
Those criminals do not stop at drugs, they steal from their own citizens as well, hurting their citizens. But, we all know how that works, the Mafia squeezes Americans here too. I once had something on my phone bill, a small charge, found out it was a big scam from the mafia, a few dolllars here and there add up real big in the end. I obviously did not call them to complain :)
Anyway, I agree, that those who become citizens here should want to be a part of our culture, and they do.
I think you may have the illegals who's intentions are to come across the border, make some money for a few years and send it back to their families, and move back a few years later.
I have a few friends who came here to stay for just a couple years, 10+ years ago, and have now bought homes, and have children here.
I think our approach is all wrong to this issue. Passing laws forcing them to change their language and learn ours, forcing what is out culture (a melting pot culture anyway) on them only builds resentment between cultures within our borders.
If someone from out of state moves next door to you, do you force them at gunpoint to come to your home and have dinner with you? No, you invite them, you offer them to come over for a cook out, to get to know you, to become part of your neighborhood, and to take what they know and learn, and offer them what we know.
I don't know the names of many of the families that live on my block, but I know the hispanic families that I'm friends with often have block parties, have neighbors over for dinner regularly, a close sense of community is part of who they are. If we offer our interest in them and our friendship, they are very happy to offer even more back. They are a much more open and friendly culture and society than we "Americans" are.
Now, the issue of illegal immigration, that is a serious problem. I agree with you that they sap dollars from our country in many ways. I don't think that is what you were asking, I think you were referring to permanent citizens who intend to call themselves Americans.

Answer 2

If we continue on the the immigration policies that we currently have the US will become a 3rd world country before too long.

That is what the problem with "Illegal" immigration is.

I have no problem with somebody coming to this country legally and learning our customs and language. If we were to go to any other country, we would be expected to learn their ways or we would go hungry.

Hopefully this country will wake up one day before its to late and realize that we can't continue on the path we are traveling on.

If people would learn personal responsibility instead of expecting a handout for everything from the government and thinking that everybody has a right to anything, that would be a step in the right direction.

Answer 3

I agree with the English part. However, it would be unfair of us to ask them to pay taxes if they don't EARN money here. I don't think any other country requires us to pay taxes if we don't earn money there. They have to obey our laws regardless - even if they are here for an hour during transit. Come to think of it, they obey our laws on our flights in international airspace! SSN - it is a concern, but let's take a look at a small group: international students provide an important service when they work in university setting at minimum wages. They pay tax when they work and for that they need a social security card.

Answer 4

Most applicants must also have a working knowledge of the English language (there are exceptions for long-resident older applicants and those with mental or physical disabilities), although this requirement is not intended to be an onerous one, since the test requires that they read and write simple sentences in English, such as "The United States is a democracy". However, some applicants fail the language and civics tests, and others are deterred from applying for naturalization by virtue of the test requirement.

Answer 5

That's the way it is now. But a person can't apply for citizenship until they have had a green card for 5 years (3 if they are married to a US citizen). It can take a year or two to get the green card, or longer. However while waiting that 5 years, they are 100% legal.

Answer 6

I'm sick of the Mexican (illegal aliens) demanding rights they don't deserve and demanding that we learn Spanish. Why should we have to pay for them when they refuse to learn English, refuse to obey the law and demand to be taken care of cradle to grave. I am not being racist!

To Shelly above - what's more important than defending our country from invaders!

Answer 7

I agree. We are receiving the dredges of Mexican and South American culture. The well educated, affluent are not coming here, only their trash.

Answer 8

Well, maybe this question would be a good one if it hadn't been asked 2 or 3 dozen times. If you're being slapped around by the government, maybe it has something to do with you? But I can see how illegal aliens might be a good scapegoat. Yeah, that's good, just blame all your life problems on that, that way you don't have to deal with your life.

Answer 9

Careful. If you make too much sense, liberals will hate you. They might even call you names.

Answer 10

I agree 100%.