Before anybody starts talking for or against immigration in the U.S., they should look over some facts.
About 700,000 people a year become naturalized citizens and another 1 million people become legal permanent residents or “green card” holders, who can then be eligible to become naturalized citizens if they live in the U.S. continuously for at least five years.
Many others hold temporary work visas, given to a range of professionals from scientists and students to farm laborers and fashion models.
Then there are the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. who want the same privileges naturalized citizens and legal permanent residents have, but they ignore the basic rules and regulations for entering this country. Those sympathetic to illegal immigrants have been pushing for “comprehensive” immigration reform policies, including amnesty for the illegal immigrants in the U.S. for years.
Back in 1986, then-President Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to more than 2 million illegal immigrants with the condition that the border be made more secure and that employers would face strict penalties for hiring undocumented workers.
Amnesty happened, but none of the other provisos did. Nearly three decades later, members of Congress and immigration advocates are making virtually the same promises Reagan and 1980s politicians did, proving once again that those who fail to learn the lessons of the past are condemned to repeat it.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama has embarked on a mission of deporting illegal immigrants who commit crimes on this side of the border. Hundreds of thousands have been sent back to their country of origin, and howls of displeasure are rising from the Hispanic and Asian communities over his strategy.
Derided by immigration advocates as the “deporter-inchief,” Obama is being accused of tearing mothers away from their babies, fathers from their children and families torn apart. Supporters of illegal immigrants claim that minor crimes like driving without a license, or driving while under the influence, and re-entering the country after being deported are being used instead of major crimes like murder, robbery or rape.
But in reality, President Obama is upholding the oath he took to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States” to the best of his ability. It’s refreshing that a president isn’t just talking the talk on immigration, but also walking the walk.
The doors to America are not shut; for the life of this nation, newcomers have-and will continue to be-welcomed to our shores. Those who follow the rules and put up with the bureaucracy to enter this country are deserving of citizenship and all of its accompanying privileges.
In the meantime, the federal government should continue to deport illegal immigrants who break the law-and spread the word far and wide to future immigrants that the only path to American citizenship is through abiding by the law of the land.
