Why is it so hard for undocumented immigrants to become legal U.S. citizens (I mean that in most naive way)?

Question

I'm having problems with the argument that we should pacify immigrants by allowing them to have the benefits of being citizens without being citizens. In other countries, including Mexico, this would not be allowed, would it? I'm not saying to be cruel, rude, or dehumanize undocumented immigrants -- I'm merely trying to get more clarity.

Answer 1

I don't agree with them having the benefits that a citzen would, the whole idea is to try and help those that are just looking for work and a better place to live. Many families are being torn apart because of deportation when all they are looking for is a better life. The U.S. shouldn't be compared to other countries because there is no country that is based on what the U.S. is based. Mexico as well as many countries have corrupt governments and it depends where people grow up and what families they grow up to. It is a great country with beautiful places, great people, culture, and many more things but it does have a corrupt government. Also, Mexico like other countries don't call themselves the land of immigrants, or base everything on justice, freedom, and liberty. The U.S. does. And if these countries don't treat their citizens fair, what would make somebody think it would to immigrants? People should support the reform. It takes many years to try and come here legally and is very hard, sometimes people don't have that time, that time which could make a huge difference on whether their family is passing hunger or not and have to come illegaly. It isn't right but work is work and the fastest way even though it might not be the best. By supporting the reform, the laws and requirements could be better, those people who are good people and want to make something of themselves should have the right to stay in this country. Not as illegals but they could get their citizenship or amnesty. All I'm saying is, this is the land of freedom and justice, does not the statue of liberty read 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore, send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door? Why do many people want to send back those who their most recognized icon is welcoming in? It's not about giving those people special rights, it's about trying to help them become legal. Hopefully I helped =)

Answer 2

Here is the reality. A lot of the people here illegally come to the United States for economic reasons. When your kids are starving , you will do anything. It is unfortunate that there is so much poverty in the world, even in the United States but there are programs in the US to alleviate poverty, so people flock here from all over.

The problem with coming to the United States is that it is a long, complicated and highly subjective process. Many of the people here illegally will NEVER qualify to be here legally, except by family relationships. They may not have the priviledge of having family who can file on their behalf.

The other ways are by getting a work visa for which you have to have certain levels of qualifications or be a healthcare professional ( Nurse or Medical Doctor). Another is by being an entreprneur and you must prove that you have established a business and have created employment, your minimum investment must be $1,000,000. It was less but this is the current minimum.

There are also special visas for Refugees of war, persons who have been trafficked and Asylum seekers. These are special cases and require very stringent documentation.

The short of it is that there is no neat little line these people can join in their country that gets them here.Like every other country, The United States basically wants people who will help build it's economy or bolster it's skilled labor force. Most people here illegally don't fall into that category.

Answer 3

I do not condone crossing the border illegally, however as a mother who raised my son by myself and with no government assistance, I can assure you there is nothing I would not have done to provide him with food and shelter. That being said it is nearly impossible to come to the US legally. Immigration fees alone have gone up 66%, and even if you could afford it, it can take years. I have a friend who's parents have applied for an tourist visa 8 months ago and are still waiting. I don't know what the answer is but there has to be one that is humane and reasonable.

Answer 4

It is not an easy thing to go through the process to be approved for the fixed number of immigrants that do it legally. Why should it be made easier for the ones that have already broken the law? In my opinion, once you've broken the law getting here, you should be moved to the back of the line, not given a free pass.
As far as the labor issues go, I would much rather see us debate the option of increasing the number of legal immigrants allowed each year instead of just giving up and giving amnesty to all. Then certain seasonal jobs, if they are that important and unable to be filled, could be done using a guest worker permit where the person is screened and then allowed for the season. If that won't work then, yes, I am willing to pay more for my tomatoes and fruits if that's what it takes.

Answer 5

Because we have limits on how many poor people we want to have competing for our jobs and want to educate and care for with our subsidized services. That means the answer for poor people is often 'no' or 'wait'.

We have a right to give that answer. There is no right of foreigners to come here and take our education funds from our children and our health care funds from our sick.
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To the post above me, we take about a million a year legally, and about a million more per year come illegally. The diversity lottery ALONE is 50,000 visas PLUS FAMILY.

The other visa categories are on top of that.

Answer 6

The main problems that the illegals have are that they do not have enough money to apply, and if they do, they don't want to learn to speak English. My daughter had to fire her nanny because, even though her American Hispanic husband had paid for her to take the final test, she had not learned English and refused to do so.

Answer 7

I agree with you. You cannot give citizenship (or a permanent residence) to someone who SAYS he's from country xx and that his name is yyy after he sneaks into into the US. My family came to US after the second world war legally under the quota system. Having lived in other countries, Taiwan for example, you have to have a visa for more than one month stay, and getting a working visa is difficult. Getting a Taiwanese citizenship is out of question. On Philippines, things are easier, but more expensive. For Philippine citizenship, you have to renounce your US one.

Answer 8

Well to begin with they are entering this country illegally. Therefor they have already committed a crime. And second they have no documents, usually no job or income waiting for them to live on. And there is also a backlog if individuals waiting to enter legally who cannot get Visa's. They should get preference. This is a very difficult subject with no clear answer. As a bleeding heart liberal I would love to see them all attain citizen status but there has to be a legal and fair system. As to why we allow people to do so and not other countries....well, that's what makes us as a country different. "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses yearning to be free.......

Answer 9

There is quite a bit of bureaucracy in becoming a legal. That is part of the problem, however, we must screen these people.

Mexico is very tough on illegals coming from Central America across their borders on their way to our border. Their border patrol are known to shoot them on the spot, as they preach to us about even having a border.

Answer 10

In the end, they will come here the illegal way, until we enforce our immigration laws. Or until things change in Mexico, witch I do not look for anytime soon. They call our laws, out dated, and unjust, even silly, but as far as I can tell, the real reason is, it cost to much, to much paperwork, and to long to wait. But if we change any of our immigration laws, its up to us, the people of the U. S. A., not the illegal aliens.