2008 Woodie Awards
Should illegal immigrants receive amnesty? Yes
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Opinion
Legalizing the existing illegal Americans who are here is the next step to solving the issue of illegal immigration.
Though the process in place has positioned many obstacles for illegal immigrants, the guest worker program is a temporary remedy until a solution is found. In the long-run, granting amnesty and allowing citizenship will produce tax payers who will ultimately supplement the U.S. economy.
When people think of illegal immigration, their quick response is to make them go back home, but what they don't realize is that, for some illegal immigrants, America is a chance to a better lifestyle.
Our country was based on immigration from the early 1900s when Ellis Island was established and encouraged a diverse society, a "melting pot" of sorts that would be the epicenter for diversity.
How dare Americans restrict, put out and put obstacles in the way of people who want a better life, especially since this land was never ours to begin with. The only natives in this country are Native Americans, and the U.S. government chased them off to reservations and terrible conditions. The name Trail of Tears says it all.
So for those who are not of American Indian ancestry, you are in fact an immigrant. America gave you or your ancestors a fair chance to be here, to live, share goals, values and cultures. Technically we are all immigrants.
Granting amnesty to immigrants should not be a strenuous ordeal requiring "Z" visas that take 18 months to acquire, $5,000 in fees and fines and degrading tests and processing.
I'm not saying we should open the doors to any and everybody who wishes to live in the U.S., but we should at least offer a fair chance, a pathway to legalization and if nothing else, make them taxpaying citizens.
Though the process in place has positioned many obstacles for illegal immigrants, the guest worker program is a temporary remedy until a solution is found. In the long-run, granting amnesty and allowing citizenship will produce tax payers who will ultimately supplement the U.S. economy.
When people think of illegal immigration, their quick response is to make them go back home, but what they don't realize is that, for some illegal immigrants, America is a chance to a better lifestyle.
Our country was based on immigration from the early 1900s when Ellis Island was established and encouraged a diverse society, a "melting pot" of sorts that would be the epicenter for diversity.
How dare Americans restrict, put out and put obstacles in the way of people who want a better life, especially since this land was never ours to begin with. The only natives in this country are Native Americans, and the U.S. government chased them off to reservations and terrible conditions. The name Trail of Tears says it all.
So for those who are not of American Indian ancestry, you are in fact an immigrant. America gave you or your ancestors a fair chance to be here, to live, share goals, values and cultures. Technically we are all immigrants.
Granting amnesty to immigrants should not be a strenuous ordeal requiring "Z" visas that take 18 months to acquire, $5,000 in fees and fines and degrading tests and processing.
I'm not saying we should open the doors to any and everybody who wishes to live in the U.S., but we should at least offer a fair chance, a pathway to legalization and if nothing else, make them taxpaying citizens.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 46
Judy
posted 9/05/08 @ 9:12 AM CST
So Everyone that wants to come here should be allowed into the US? How about this recession? We are crowded, resources are in short suppiles, jobs are drying up, and school systems are in peril. (Continued…)
T. Lynn
posted 9/05/08 @ 9:22 AM CST
"So for those who are not of American Indian ancestry, you are in fact an immigrant. America gave you or your ancestors a fair chance to be here, to live, share goals, values and cultures. (Continued…)
Diane Dugan
posted 9/05/08 @ 9:48 AM CST
Amnesty-NO
I knock on the door and wait to be admitted to my neighbors house. It's called respect for the property of others.
How dare you attempt to give away the Country that our decendants have built and died for. (Continued…)
Buzzm1
posted 9/05/08 @ 9:49 AM CST
THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY!!!
OUR ACCEPTABLE IMMIGRATION REFORM
#1. Secure the Border!!!
#2. Mandate E-Verify for ALL Employees!!!
#3. Mandate E-Verify for ANY Benefit!!!
#4. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:00 AM CST
If you want to be well informed on the subject of legal immigration, visit Americans for Legal Immigration at alipac.us
Mary
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:15 AM CST
And just what would the writer of this sob story tell American families who have had their family members killed, murdered, robbed and raped by these illegal alien invaders? They just came for a better life? Ha!
They are closing down hospitals due to illegal aliens swarming them for non-emergency problems. (Continued…)
Callie
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:33 AM CST
AMNESTY????? ABSOLUTELY NOT! WHY?
Why does the writer of this article want this country to become a second Mexico? The MAJORITY of the ILLEGAL ALIENS are from Mexico, and so many of the areas where they live, now resemble barrios, its unreal. (Continued…)
tina
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:36 AM CST
Whether it be sneaking across the border, identity theft/fraud, driving w/o a license, being a financial burden on the taxpayers, illegal aliens have clearly demonstrated through their dishonest actions, that they have no claim whatsoever to the welcome mat extended to legal and honest immigrants. (Continued…)
legalatina
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:43 AM CST
As a daughter of naturalized citizens and LEGAL immigrants who immigrated to this country over 50 years ago from Latin America, I can say that Ms. Phelps obviously has not studied this issue beyond what some open-borders and pro-illegal alien organizations have put forth as their agenda. (Continued…)
lccat
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:44 AM CST
The author has bought into the Elitist Politicians, their Elitist Contributors, Big Labor, Big Religion, Chamber of Commerce, and other Special Interest Groups view that they consider United States citizens only as "units of labor" and the sooner we become a Third World Country the better for their "bottom line"! Our Elitist Politicians and their Elitist Political Contributors will not be happy until they transform the United States into a Third World Country for most of our citizens while furnishing the Chamber of Commerce and all their Elitist Special Interest Groups with their supply of "cheap labor". (Continued…)
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