Should immigrants have a path to citizenship?

[MAGAnificent]

Wanna take a guess how long it takes to legally emigrate to the US? The kids would likely be adults by the time they got in.

Most who legally emigrate to the US, start with legal residency while going through the process to become a US citizen. I have known a few of them.

 

[Gaius46]

Good point, but it has nothing to do with calling everyone "immigrants".

Did I say anything about "criminals"?

No but there are plenty of people in this forum and the country at large who routinely make that point
and it is yet another impediment to rational discussion on the topic.

(edited to add)

Illegal immigrants have committed a crime.

I rest my case.

 

[Gaius46]

Most who legally emigrate to the US, start with legal residency while going through the process to become a US citizen. I have known a few of them.

As do I. But that can take several years which again people in dire circumstances don't have.

 

[justoneman]

Trump has recognized that undocumented immigrants are important for several industries and has backed off arresting and deporting them. I would argue that there are a lot more industries that need these workers to operate effectively.

Those immigrants who haven't committed crimes and are productively employed - should they be allowed to remain and given a path to citizenship?

Illegal immigrants have committed a crime.

 

[MAGAnificent]

As do I. But that can take several years which again people in dire circumstances don't have.

I don't buy it. No circumstances give them a pass when it comes to violating another nation's borders and laws. They have all sorts of options. There are many other places they can flee to, and can legally apply for residency status in the US. Some start with a work permit.

 

[Mycroft]

So I won't answer for you I'll ask you again. What would you do in the same situation ?

What part of "It's not about me. It's about the law." do you not understand?

 

[Gaius46]

What part of "It's not about me. It's about the law." do you not understand?

But it IS about you. It's about whether you'd hold yourself to the same standard as you hold others
even if it's at the risk of your life and that of your loved ones.

Because if you don't you haven't a leg to stand on in this argument. And if you do - well that says lots of other things about you and not all of them flattering.

 

[Gaius46]

I don't buy it. No circumstances give them a pass when it comes to violating another nation's borders and laws. They have all sorts of options. There are many other places they can flee to, and can legally apply for residency status in the US. Some start with a work permit.

I'll give someone who's facing starving or dying a
pass. But that's just me.

 

[Nickyjo]

I agree.


Wrong.

The solution is very simple: Remove the illegal aliens. Prosecute the employers who hire them.

Employers have had it too easy for far too long. It's time for them to hire legal workers and pay them the wages they want.

Why this wont happen: The same conservative forces that deplore and demonize migrants won’t support policies that might raise wages. As I have posted, we have been addicted to cheap labor since 1619.

 

[Fearandloathing]

It has been fascinating to see Trump slowly and grudgingly begin to understand how the world works.

It's as if he is engaged in a war of attrition with his own brain, with both sides sustaining heavy casualities and lost limbs.

His toadies must be so alarmed. I wonder which moron they will worship next.

He has had to back down on every measure he's tried only to have his numbers continue to tank. His ONLY positive numbers are in immigration so he's hitting it hard and harder to bring his approval rated up out of the toilet.

It works, but he's about to be undone at the G-7, where he has shit the bed and no one wants to be seen to be on his side. Even the weak kneed Prime Minister of Britain has been lectured and is now trying to distance himself.

Alberta's resort is very isolated. It ill interesting to see what kind of anti-American response this meeting gets. In the past Canadians have yawned.

Today, I think i will be more "interesting"

 

[MAGAnificent]

I'll give someone who's facing starving or dying a
pass. But that's just me.

It is quite asinine to assume that the vast majority of so-called migrants sneaking across the border are starving or dying. I watched the pictures of the caravans. I did not see any that looked malnourished. and many of them were wearing shirts that looked like they came straight out of Walmart.

 

[Fearandloathing]

It's impossible to discuss this issue honestly unless one is willing to recognize the distinction between immigrants who came here legally and those that did not.

Not when "legal" is an arbitrary line that changes with each era and each administration.

Not long ago America was recruiting entry level workers, offering easy paths to citizenship.

The truth is like everything else in America it has become so politicized there is no real "policy" but White House whims

 

[quip]

No. Should undocumented (unlicensed) drivers be able to operate motor vehicles on public roadways?

Should people that make false comparisons be taken seriously?

 

[ttwtt78640]

Should people that make false comparisons be taken seriously?

I chose to compare two (different) state issued privileges. Foreign nationals have no right to reside inside the US, just as nobody has a right to drive a motor vehicle on public roadways.

 

[quip]

I chose to compare two (different) state issued privileges. Foreign nationals have no right to reside inside the US, just as nobody has a right to drive a motor vehicle on public roadways.

Soooo....there shouldn't be a path to getting a driver's license?! Else, your comparison be like.....

 

[ttwtt78640]

Soooo....there shouldn't be a path to getting a driver's license?! Else, your comparison be like.....

There are paths to US citizenship, yet none of them are (or should be) available to illegal aliens.

Should law abiding immigrants be given citizenship?​

By definition, illegal aliens aren’t law abiding immigrants.

 

[quip]

There are paths to US citizenship, yet none of them are (or should be) available to illegal aliens.

Should law abiding immigrants be given citizenship?​

By definition, illegal aliens aren’t law abiding immigrants.

While individuals driving without a license aren't law abiding either. Are you advocating for a perpetual ban on licenses for these people?

 

[Checkerboard Strangler]

If you think I defend Trump, I don’t know what to tell you.

If you think lefties all thought decriminalizing fentanyl is the truth, I don't know what to tell YOU.
If you'd like to know this particular liberal's opinion, frankly, this is the first I heard that Portland tried to decrim fentanyl and I think it's ridiculous.
What were they thinking?
Obviously it is not decriminalized anymore, at least I hope not.

 

[ttwtt78640]

While individuals driving without a license aren't law abiding either. Are you advocating for a perpetual ban on licenses for these people?

Nope, but those caught committing criminal acts should be punished. All I’m after is the law (as written) being enforced.

 

[quip]

Nope, but those caught committing criminal acts should be punished. All I’m after is the law (as written) being enforced.

Enforcing the law is evident...though, to what equivalent degree? As such, you disagree with permanently banning licences from unlawful drivers yet, still preclude illegal immigrants the redeeming path to citizenship.
You seem to be drifting farther and farther away from your initial comparison.

 

[CharloTexan]

Other.
Legal immigrants Should have a path to citizenship.

So immigrants who came legally thru a designated point/port of entry including those millions seeking asylum from their home country, right. They were photographed, tagged, given instructions, and released into the population. If they follow their instructions, sign 'em up, right?

 

[stealthycat]

I ran a stop light today- it wasn't in my best interest to wait and do it legally
I bought a gun last week and lied on the background checks- it wasn't in my best interest to wait and do it legally
I need money so I stole from my company- it wasn't in my best interest do it legally
I wanted something - so I got it illegally - it wasn't in my best interest to wait and do it legally


a non-US citizen wants in to the USA - they do it illegally because its in their best interest. That's what Democrats support so they should support other things too. After all, I didn't want to wait, I wanted it, the laws/rule I didn't care for so it was justified

right ?

 

[aofie]

Of course they should.

This is a really stupid poll.

 

[Gaius46]

It is quite asinine to assume that the vast majority of so-called migrants sneaking across the border are starving or dying. I watched the pictures of the caravans. I did not see any that looked malnourished. and many of them were wearing shirts that looked like they came straight out of Walmart.

The vast majority certainly aren't criminals
either.

 

[MAGAnificent]

The vast majority certainly aren't criminals
either.

If they illegally cross the border. They are in fact criminals