The depressingly familiar “debate” we’re having over the aptly named Gang of Eight’s amnesty plan has covered a lot of territory, most of it found within well-maintained Potemkin villages created by a barely credible fourth estate. We, along with others of a similar disposition, have already explained the stupendous innumeracy-to say nothing of intellectual bankruptcy-of the Republican Party’s volte-face on illegal immigration. In the future, we’ll explore how the open borders left has succeeded in framing this debate, which-as Mark Steyn points out-consists to a large degree of ruling contrary opinions-or even established facts which contradict their dogma-illegitimate.
Today we’d like to bring you the story of a reader who went through the arduous process of naturalization-with its attendant bureaucratic nightmares-and has a decidedly different perspective on those illegal aliens who’ll be rewarded for their dubious life decisions and questionable character traits by our Congress. Read Paul’s story after the jump.
When I first arrived in America in 1998, I was not sure if I was going to like it here, but at the request of my future wife, we decided to give America a try before we made a firm decision on whether or not to stay in America or return to Ireland.
After getting over the initial culture shock (like driving on the wrong side of the road!), I grew to like it here more and more and to appreciate everything America had to offer. I then decided to begin the process of changing my status.
As I began this process, I was amazed at the costs involved. Each form had to be accompanied by a check. In addition, my wife and I were required to take many trips back and forth to the Charlotte INS office (now under the auspices of the Dept. of Homeland Security) because there is no office available to serve the Asheville area, despite there being many illegal Aliens in this area.
I went through so much paperwork; you cannot believe. It has taken me over 6 long years, and thousands of dollars, to get to where I am today. One form alone from the INS (ICE) in 1998 cost $470.00 to submit for consideration.
This was particularly hard on my wife and I as I was prohibited from working and earning a wage until all of these forms were approved and I was issued a permit to work, in spite of the fact that we were required to file our taxes jointly. I actually had to pay taxes before I was allowed to work and earn wages to pay taxes on!
When the time came for me to submit to my INS physical, the closest INS doctor was in Greenville, SC, which required two trips so that my TB test could be read a week later, in addition to the $300 costs of the physical and x-rays.
Also, were it not for the intervention of then-Senator Jesse Helms, I would have been required to repeat this process (and pay for it!) a second time, because your INS (ICE) physical is only good for two years.
During this entire process, I had to prove to the authorities by signing a sworn statement that I would not be accepting any sort of local, state or federal government assistance in any way. This would include food stamps, unemployment, health care, etc. Essentially, my wife had to become my “sponsor,” and had to submit her own affidavits showing her current wage, length of employment and anticipated length of future employment.
She basically had to prove that she could provide for the two of us so that at no point during the entire process would I ever become a burden to the United States government, regardless of whether I contributed to our household income or not. However, once I received my green card and my status was changed to a Resident Alien, I no longer needed her sponsorship, which was a relief to us both.
To dare think illegal Aliens should obey the law here!
During this entire process, I had to depend on my wife to be my official “sponsor” and had to prove to the authorities that I would not be a burden on the state, by accepting any form of welfare, food stamps, unemployment compensation or free health care.
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS GO THROUGH THAT.
I was required to have a work permit, which cost me in 1998 $195 for every year prior to my being issued my green card.
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS GO THROUGH THAT.
I had to prove that I had a Social Security number before I would be issued a N.C. driver’s license.
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS GO THROUGH THAT.
I had to pay in 1998/99 $135 for a travel permit in order to leave and re-enter the country in case of a family emergency.
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS GO THROUGH THAT.
I had to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the English language before being granted citizenship.
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS CAN GO THROUGH THAT.
I had to demonstrate a basic knowledge of U.S. history before being granted citizenship.
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS CAN GO THROUGH THAT.
I had to wait until I became a U.S. citizen, before I was allowed to vote in an election.
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT.
I had to undergo a complete Federal Background Check, several times over.
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS EVER GO THROUGH THAT.
I had to be fingerprinted on six separate occasions, despite the fact that fingerprints do not change over time.
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT.
I had to demonstrate my fitness to be a U.S. citizen by upholding every law.
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS CAN DO THAT, BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALREADY VIOLATED THE LAW BY BEING HERE ILLEGALLY IN THE FIRST PLACE!
Do you think it’s right to award illegal aliens the same rights as American citizens when they have already broken the law, by stealing American’s identities and doing jobs that LEGAL Americans would do?
Do you think it’s right for illegal aliens not to learn the English language, or not to assimilate? English is the language of America. English is the language of business, English is the common language that unites us all as a people.
Bi-lingualism or multi-linguilism is causing the destruction of the American way of life, because if people cannot communicate in a common language it leads to segregation.
Do you think that we as a people, should have no problem with the fact that illegal Aliens be deported, or that businesses that employ those illegal Aliens should be fined or put out of business. Impose similar penalties on those who provide them with housing?
Stop providing our schools with bi-lingual teachers whose only function is to assimilate the children of US citizens to the Spanish language.
Change the laws regarding “anchor babies,” and return them and their parents to their country of origin, only allowing their return upon their eighteenth birthday.
In North Carolina alone, there are 500,000-700,000 plus illegal aliens that are putting an untold burden on our legal and social welfare system.
For instance, why is it that as a U.S. citizen I am not entitled to free health care or education, yet the illegal Aliens that live in my county and State and New Country are?
I haven’t gotten anything handed to me, and to be honest with you I don’t want anything handed to me.
The whole idea of America is that the opportunities are there for us. That’s what’s great about America and the system we got here.
When are the representatives of the people going to uphold the law by detaining and deporting all illegal aliens?
And when are we going to hold their feet to the fire, or VOTE them out?
North Carolina is already a very expensive state to live in, due mainly to the illegal immigration problem. When is enough enough?
I resent so many of my tax dollars being spent to support illegal aliens that have not gone through the same effort as I have to earn their place in this great country.
America is not without its faults, but without a doubt, it is still the greatest country in the world. It is the last bastion of freedom and liberty, the shining City on the Hill.
While citizens of other countries are quick to criticize us, I would bet that given the opportunity, they would all trade places with me in a heartbeat.
Yes, it was a long and difficult process to become a citizen, but I am grateful for the opportunities and the bounty that is America. I am grateful to all of my American family and friends, for making me feel like a member of the American family. I will always be proud to be Irish, but I’m very, very proud to be an American.
Remember security on the border is not a Democrat or Republican issue. It’s an American issue and we, as citizens, need to speak up!
Punished for obeying the law and forced to send money to the government for the crime of existing: sadly, Paul has learned part of what has become the American way.
We need you and others to speak before Congress, will you do that? We also need unemployed/underemployed legal immigrants and citizens to speak about their struggles/problems of not being able to find proper employment. Call 757-887-6629