A good, US citizen friend of mine has a boyfriend. They've been together for quite a while. He also happens to be illegal. He has been here since he was 1.5 years old, brought over by his parents. He is now 21, and has spent all his life aside from those 1.5 years in California. He goes to a good college on a private scholarship, and hopes to join the Marines after college as an officer. Basically, he is the most patriotic guy I know.
Now, what do you consider him? A Guatemalan (that's where he was brought from)? Or an American? Would you have him deported to a country he has no memories of, and no connections to? Or would you give him the chance to stay here, graduate and serve the only country he knows?
I suppose the only assurance I can give you that this guy is real is my word. My point is I happen to know many more young people caught in this quagmire, with similar credentials, but he really stands out.
2007-12-14 18:19:48 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
We all know he can't join the military, but does that stop him from hoping?
2007-12-14 18:25:31 · update #1
It's a private scholarship with only an essay requirement. They don't check for anything. And he is registered with selective service.
2007-12-14 18:34:17 · update #2
I think the time has come to say that I did lie a bit: he is already on the path to legalization. So you can't "report him and deport him". And it also looks like his wishes will eventually come true. What callous, inhuman people. You would have deported him: (1) Even if it meant tearing him away from his longtime girlfriend. (2) Even though this is the only country he knows and he considers himself American. (3) Even though he wants to join the military (something not many people want to do nowadays).
You people never cease to nauseate me. You think illegal immigration is a black and white issue. You equate everyone who lacks a certain status with dirty, border crossing, illiterate leeches. They're not even human to you. You choose to use the strict legal term and call them "aliens" rather than immigrants.
Thank God he is on his way to being legal.
2007-12-14 18:48:30 · update #3
Why would I have guilt? I didn't do anything wrong. Look at your comments, that's why I am calling you out for what you are. And crying at the movies? Do you know what an ad hominem attack is? I'd tell you to grow a pair, but that would be an ad hominem attack.
2007-12-14 19:07:23 · update #4
i feel for him.spent his life here.knows no other life but here.and he is looked down upon.he feels he is a patriotic citizen,but others say he is not for one paper that says he is.i think those who have been here that long and have been model citizens,in a way,should be able to become citizens.
TLB you can be sooo mean at times.
2007-12-14 19:51:28 · answer #1 · answered by Alwaysright 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Where is this? All the colleges I am familiar with still require a person to be signed up for the draft for admission if over 18 All scholarship, college loan and grant programs require the same.
As for the military, they require proof of citizenship or legal residency for recruiting. I have known of plenty of UK and Canadian citizens trying to enlist and they had legel status as visaed tourists or students. Officers must be US citizens.
Nice story, but I just don't believe it holds up to real facts.
2007-12-15 02:32:43 · answer #2 · answered by genghis1947 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
An American!
2007-12-15 11:48:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
illegal immigration has created the mess your friend is in and the fact that his parents brought him here is why he is in limbo. in the process of becoming legal, is not legal and i don't think he'll become legal as you say nothing of him returning to guatamala which is a requirement to adjust his status to become a U.S. citizen. to not do so and to get caught will mean his being barred from reentry to the U.S. for ten years. age at the time of entry makes no difference he can still be deported and ICE does deport children. the thing you didn't say so i'll say it for you is his parents used him in an attempt to get citizenship for themselves. many adult illegal immigrants attempt this. those of us who oppose illegal immigration don't say what about their children. that excuse has been proffered by the illegal immigrant parents to bypass our laws. i also bet his parents got hot on having an anchor baby or two. another attempt to garner sympathy and guilt the U.S. into allowing amnesty. why, if all a person wanted was a better life someplace where they have no right to be would they continue to add children to that vicarious situation? i might understand just one child that the illegal immigrant parents brought with them or none if they didn't already have any, but it's not just about wanting a better life it's about trying to force, impose, supplant, arm-twist, guilt, interlope, their way to something (citizenship) that began with an illegal action by using their children to accomplish this. yes illegal immigrants use their children shamelessly in an attempt to get something (citizenship) they otherwise couldn't. i have NEVER seen anti immigration supporters parade their children in the streets with signs, in front of the news cameras to make comments, to capitol hill to make comments, to the print media to make comments. it's impossible to sell a BS story when all other circumstantial evidence says otherwise. the illegal immigrant children's quagmire is the quagmire their parents created for them.
2007-12-15 06:12:33 · answer #4 · answered by T 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would allow him to become a U.S. citizen. It wasn't even his decision to enter the U.S. illegally, I see no reason why he shouldn't be granted amnesty. But if he is real, I doubt he'll be able to join the Marine Corps, without getting caught. I thought you had to be a U.S. citizen (and certainly you would have to be in the country legally) to join the military.
2007-12-15 08:36:04 · answer #5 · answered by vh 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He is an illegal alien Guatemalan. He must return to his country immediately or be deported. If he is deported he will never gain legal status here in America. Walk out or get carried out, those are his choices.
We all have wishes but his aren't going to come true.
2007-12-15 02:26:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 4⤋
Apply for US citizenship by citing long residence in California and attended college in the US.
2007-12-15 04:44:54 · answer #7 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is very unfortunate...tragic and sad even. His family did him a disservice......not me. Please do not project your feelings of guilt on me. I am very glad that he is taking the legal steps that he needs to to full-fill his dreams.
If you can't afford the speeding ticket.......don't speed.
Go ahead...call me another name. I did not post until you went on your pathetic, blame everyone but yourself, rant. I love it went people call me a racist.....point your finger, make it simple when it suits you and complicated when it doesn't. At the end of the day you and I will still be at odds. The only difference is I am OK with that and you aren't.
2007-12-15 02:54:43 · answer #8 · answered by TLB 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think the guy should be able to stay and join the marines. Let's face it, America needs more cannon fodder for Iraq and Afghanistan. The more Americans there are being killed, the less other countries have to send troops.
2007-12-15 02:32:49 · answer #9 · answered by G M 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
1. He can't join the Marines. Only citizens and legal permanent residents can join the Armed Forces.
2. Only citizens can be officers.
He'll eventually be picked up and deported.
2007-12-15 02:24:11 · answer #10 · answered by Yak Rider 7 · 5⤊ 4⤋