Have you gone to any gay rights groups to get help, support and guidance?
surely there is a special circumstance issue - as in you or your family could be killed for being gay- that could help things along?

 I would be in favor of giving a person  such as yourself, who demonstrates their legal efforts, good character, etc, provisional legal status as a protected person until your issues could be resolved by the justice system.

"I would be in favor of giving a person  such as yourself, who demonstrates their legal efforts, good character, etc, provisional legal status as a protected person until your issues could be resolved by the justice system."

You might be surprised at how many stories fall into gray areas like this.  But Congress did not write flexibility into the laws on many of these issues, and DHS is not interested in nuance in executing those laws--they are interested in filling deportation quotas to ease the pressure on GWB from his base.  To them, Mo and his family are nothing more than a number. 

I've read this piece of legislation and honestly who in this country could oppose a meritocratic means of getting a chance? Whether through education or military service people who would meet the criteria are CLEARLY beneficial to this country.

Even if you are anti-immigration I urge you to familiarize yourself with the actual text of this act and notice how in line it is with everything this country stands for.

You have my vote and I hope many others. This is truly the most worthwhile cause.

Dear Mo
I'm also from another country, furtunaly I have my Green Card, but my heart goes for families like yours. You have my vote.
I hope things will change with Obama's administration.

Monnie -- the Dream Act is the only legislation that can currently help Mo and students like him who are caught in this legal limbo. Also UAFA, if he decides to marry a U.S. citizen in order to adjust under the LIFE Act ... Would you put politics aside and support those two avenues of legalization for both of us?

Oh, and something Mo forgot to add, he doesn't use a fake social security to work -- he uses his own. Just in case anyone calls him a felon ...

Hey Darlene,

Thanks for the note, unfortunately there is no alternative other than the DREAM Act.

Monnie,

I think you are trying to make a distinction where one does not exist.  You say you are for legalization for people who have tried to legally fix their status, however, how does a child try to fix his/her status when the option does not exist?

You cannot blame someone for not doing something and then hold that over their head when they never had the chance at doing it in the first place.

Otherwise, thanks for the support.

Mo-Did you not say you face persecution and possible death if you are returned to Iran? (Which I believe to be true)

To me there's a huge distinction between that and "I've never been there and don't know the language(which many of your parents didn't either when they came to the US)"

Dave --I'll be the first to say there are thousands of laws in the US that need revision, and that a great many aren't fair or efficient. But that's my point, this issue takes place in a far greater context. And you are almost correct..... we are ALL numbers to the federal government.

you got my support MO

Monnie,

So if I was NOT a person "who demonstrates their legal efforts, good character, etc," and their still was a chance I would be killed if I were to return to my parent's homeland would you then NOT suport me?

I am trying to understand you logic here.  If your conditions on supporting me are based on "[a person] who demonstrates their legal efforts, good character, etc," then it applies across the board to all other DREAMies, not just me.

Monnie,

I forgot to add, are you going to write to your members of congress asking that they ease asylum regulations?

Thanks.

Mo-

I already have asked (and continue to ask)for improved asylum regulations.
 Refugee/asylum from persecution status is not what the dream act is about, although it may touch on it.
Someone "facing death", in and of itself would not qualify. After all we have a death penalty for certain circumstances right here, and people are starving and dying from preventable disease all over the world as we write.

But what of those people who would not meet the criteria.  How do they get a chance?  Obvious, the DREAM Act would benefit those who meet the necessary qualification.  What about those who do not meet the qualification - what happens to them? 

I don't know if you are aware of it, but Americans facing the death penalty who have fled to Canada avoiding prosecution have been given asylum/non-extradition status.

"Getting killed" in and of itself doesn't qualify, you could get hit by a bus just as easily here as somewhere else.

Given what we know, (admittedly for most of us it's second hand information) about the Islamic faction currently in power in Iran, there is not just a fuzzy notion you might run into a single wacko or  hate group there with a hatred of homosexuals, the entire government supports their death.
I can and do also support GLBTQ rights.

But Mo A, The USA accepts far more asylum-seekers and refugees than any other nation.  Shouldn't other nations step up the plate.  The US has the best record in the planet.  Why bash the US for doing a better job than any other nation?

For the record, I am and always have been pro-immigration. I'm just not pro-illegal immigration.
Maybe you don't realize that for every 1  potentially contribuing young person in your situation there are numerous others who aren't, who also arrived here and stayed  with their parents.

And at least in California, we simply can't afford any more, our state is literally on the verge of bankruptcy as it is,and  a ridiculously large percentage is due to the staggering illegal immigrant population we have who are receiving expensive health and other benefits.

My local emergency department/hospital has almost shut down 3 times in the past 6 years largely because of unreimbursed expenses from treating illegal immigrants. It just changed hands again. Where are my own kids  supposed to go when it shuts down for good?

 Many  people believe illegal aliens don't receive "health benefits", because they don't qualify for TANF or medi-cal. But I assure you they do.

For example, who do you think is paying for the illegal immigrant children with developmental disabilities who are in placement somewhere, or at minimum require intensive educational and community supports and services.What's the humanitarian thing to do with them when they turn 18? Who do you think pays for their very expensive care?
How about the mentally ill/SED?  Do we just plop a 12 year old who is severely emotionally disturbed on a bus/plane back to wherever? Do you know how very few inpatient facility slots there are for SED children?-they are all closing because they are bankrupt.
In my public agency we are mandated to serve the indigent,  can't ask for proof of legal status or SSN in a crisis. We saw three undocumented with MH issues just yesterday--all required emergency department hospitalization, two brought in by police.And these were the only people we saw. Two went to psychiatric hospitals,one stayed in intensive care, likely for a couple of weeks. Just these three are likely to cost in excess of $100,000. in medical services by the time they are restored to semi-functioning status at the end of the month. And this doesn't include after-care, medications, or possible placement in a less-restrictive therapeutic residential setting.
By the way, my agency is the only one in California that hasn't laid anyone off or skeletonized its services, and that's only because we were severely underfunded and staffed to begin with.
 Approving the additional benefits requested by the Dream Act may help you and "64,999" others to become taxpayers, but those taxes have already been spent. Remember the federal budget deficit? It hasn't gone away! The reality is America itself is close to bankruptcy.
Approving the Dream Act would send the wrong message to the parents of the world's children, and put countless more children at risk.  It is not our responsibility to take care of them all ,no matter how bright they may be,  when we didn't invite them to come here to begin with.

A point I was trying to make  is that your cognitive/intellectual/behavioral health and status could just as easily be attributed to an accident of birth, yet the ones above aren't included in the act.

Well, I'm glad to see the change in heart Monnie, not only are you advocating the DREAM Act now, but now you want more beneficiaries to be added also.

"The USA accepts far more asylum-seekers and refugees than any other nation.  Shouldn't other nations step up the plate.  The US has the best record in the planet."

That is disputable.  While historically, the U.S. has been a leading destination for refugees, resettlement levels dropped dramatically after 9/11.  Per capita admissions are far below other resettlement countries like Australia and Canada.  http://www.migrationinformation.org/USfocus/display.cfm?ID=229
"In FY 2002 ... the United States resettled 27,110 refugees, almost 43,000 persons short of its ceiling. In that same year, Australia accepted 11,566 persons for resettlement, Canada took 10,559"

The U.S. Iraq resettlement program is largely symbolic since the numbers are so low. 

Monnie,

"our state is literally on the verge of bankruptcy"

That often seems to be the case due to persistent mismanagement, disruptive ballot initiatives, and a ridiculous and inequitable cap on growth in property taxes.  On the federal level, the failings of our health care system are legend.  To lay all of California's problems at the feet of undocumented immigrants is an abdication of personal responsibility.  CA can't scapegoat its way out of the mess it finds itself in every 3 or 4 years.

"I am and always have been pro-immigration. I'm just not pro-illegal immigration."

Repeating restrictionist platitudes is a fast track to comment deletion.

"Do we just plop a 12 year old who is severely emotionally disturbed on a bus/plane back to wherever?"

Yes.  Maybe less frequently in CA, but it happens all the time elsewhere.  http://www.cppp.org/repatriation/

Dave that was for 2002, What are the numbers for all categories?this is 2009.

"Dave that was for 2002, What are the numbers for all categories?this is 2009."

Regardless of the actual numbers, should asylum cases be based on merit or capped at a certain amount?  Seems to be detrimental to the reasoning behind providing asylum.

"Approving the additional benefits requested by the Dream Act may help you and "64,999" others to become taxpayers, but those taxes have already been spent. Remember the federal budget deficit? It hasn't gone away! The reality is America itself is close to bankruptcy."

And so your point is even more silly, if those tax dollars have already been spent educating people then why should the government not reap the benefits of the money it has spent?

Deporting potential high-skilled labor at a time when the corporations are in need of high-skilled labor is just a policy the US should not be adopting.

Economically, if nothing else, your position makes zero sense.

Kurt,

I criticize the US because I live in the US, if I lived in some other country i'd be pushing for them to change their laws.

Growing up in America I was taught to stand up against injustices regardless if it is coming from the government or someone else.

Mo

Mo A,

1. Do you believe that immigrant should get first class service or should the US Citizen do?

If I were borned natural citizen of the country, I am looking for work. I tried looking into fast food and janitor job only to find it taken away by immigrant. In this economic trouble, the recesssion, the rising unemployment rate.... should you have that first class service or me who have US citizen should have it?

If I walk into a food stamp place because I am broke and the living cost is high to live on it on. Why should you feel that you are in the same boat as I am?

2. Don't you think there is too many immigrant thank to the "lack of security" of the National border?

If United States were given a qoutas, at the current rate of immigrant vs. citizen. Do you find that 30% (1/3) people are immigrant in US might be too much?

Take my first point for an example, at 30% immigrant that filling jobs that citizens are looking, is it too much? Again, recession and unemployment rate.

3.

How do YOU pay taxes without INS?

Does the employer pay it for you without taking INS or Social Security number?

In my town, federal government slapped the wrist of a business that employed illegal immmigrant. Maybe it was illegal?

4.

Getting INS number is obviously hard because every government are doing it deliberately. We may give a sympathy for your attempt to be legal inspite of the rejection. However, the motive of the government is very clear when rejecting people like you.

This is the same motive that has occur in the different states for people who applying for Medicaid. People rejected because government felt that would decrease the cost.

How can INS increase the cost in your words?

5.

Finally, I would like to know why college education should be paid while US Citizen have to pay out of their pocket? (trying to remember what you wrote in the Dream Act).

You know that being unemployed and finding lack of hope in the recession is discouraging for me being a US Citizen. Why should you get free education just for being a immigrant?




These are my comments and questions that I have.

I believe immigrants AND US citizens should get first class services.    If you are looking for fast food or/and janitor jobs and find out they were “taken away” by immigrant, then prove you are better than him/her.  Employers just look for good employees to get the work done.  Business is business.  If you believe you should get better service because you are a citizen than, are you able to offer a good customer service at a fast food restaurant where there might be some immigrants?  Or are you going to ask for a citizenship status before you serve a burger to see if you are going to offer “first class service”?   Why should we NOT feel in the same boat? Why should we feel LESS than you?  Why should we feel inferior?  We are living in the same country, in the same state, in the same town, living the same crisis, the same shortage and the same living cost.  It’s funny how the government and media work.  There’s a lot published and said about how immigrant do not pay taxes and use the citizens taxes to pay for public schools and hospitals.  But not a lot is said about the TIN number.  The INS found a way a long time ago for the undocumented immigrants to pay taxes.  Tax Identification Number (TIN), this number is used by a lot of people who is living in this country and report taxes as any other citizen would do.  Employers do not pay taxes for immigrants, they take it out of their pay check which came out of their labor.    Finally, I would like to let Pyle Bopkas and everybody else that a lot of students like Mo and me are not asking for free college education or in that sense, I’m not asking for anything free.  I am only asking for a chance to keep studying and contribute more to this country without hiding and feeling less human being.  

There should be a cap.As far a the reasoning behind asylum, I believe it is like sanctuary.  A safe place, but also temporary protective place.  A  place to stay until the danger has passed.

Here is also a place to look for current asylum statistics--these figures show the trends and numbers through 2008-look for yourself
http://www.unhcr.org/statistics/STATISTICS/48f742792.pdf
Looks like the USA is doing way more than it's part to me. Even if all these people aren't accepted, we still have to wade through all the applications.

 the 42,000 number is just the first half of 2008

Amparo Rivera, thank you for responding but may what about the undocumented workers that are taking people's jobs?How should I feel if there is a undocumented workers working in a job that I want? You think I should blew the whistle and report to the government?
If there is a membership in a private club, why should a non-member should have that same level? It would defeat the purpose of having membership.

What is the purpose of citizenship IF the immigrant have same service and rights as citizen?

Do you think that foriegn countries that would be open for that idea?


 

Dear Mo,
Thanks for sharing your story. It was brave of you.
As a US Citizen with immigrant parents who are now also citizens, I emphatize with your struggle to gain status.
Immigrant families, much like yours and mine, work hard, pay their taxes, send their kids to school and contribute civically to their communities. 
Contrary to myth and speculation, undocumented workers do NOT take other people's jobs. Silly people. Doesn't our current recession make it obvious that corporate greed and division of classes depletes jobs for working people.

Also, undocumented families DO NOT have the same rights as citizen families. Undocumented Students don't qualify for scholarships, financial aid or fellowship programs.
Because of a broken immigration system, undocumented students do not have a way to adjust their status. The Dream Act will create a venue for students to adjust their status through a fair and ardous process where students who work hard, have good moral character, and enroll in college can adjust their status.
The Dream Act does not hurt students like myself who were born in this country. Rather, I am proud to be in the same classroom with students from other cultures who can share their global perspectives of the world. I am happy to compete with other students in educational programs because I'm confident in my education and can learn from others.

http://www.statemaster.com/graph

"That often seems to be the case due to persistent mismanagement,
disruptive ballot initiatives, and a ridiculous and inequitable cap on
growth in property taxes.  On the federal level, the failings of our
health care system are legend.  To lay all of California's problems at
the feet of undocumented immigrants is an abdication of personal
responsibility.  CA can't scapegoat its way out of the mess it finds
itself in every 3 or 4 years."

Check your facts Dave
California's tax burden is #1 of the States and US territories
Almost double #2 (New York)
and this has nothing to do with immigration issues?

And you think Californians ought to pay more taxes because you think we're inequitable?

I am a legal permanent resident of the U.S. and will be applying for citizenship next month. I fully support the OP's right to live in the U.S., as long as everything he has posted is correct. However, for something as important as your status in this country, I'm wondering why his parents did not do their own research instead of taking other people (admittedly, lawyers) completely at their word. When I was going through the process-and currently, with the citizenship application-I consulted a number of different lawyers, social service groups (Catholic Social Services in my area was extremely helpful, and affordable, despite me not being Catholic), as well as doing research on the INS/USCIS website.

What I do not support is the millions of cases of people who entered either illegally, or purposefully overstayed on their visas. I have seen the above posts questioning the evidence of illegal immigrants hurting our economy; part of the reason for this is that they are illegal and it is difficult to get factual information about people that do not want to disclose anything (i.e. by using other people's or fake SSN's, etc.). Amparo Rivera says:

"If you are looking for fast food or/and janitor jobs and find out they were “taken away” by immigrant, then prove you are better than him/her.  Employers just look for good employees to get the work done.  Business is business."

This is the kind of patently disingenuous logic used by people who are for illegal immigration. The fact is businesses always try to minimize their costs to increase profits. They don't hire illegal immigrants because they are "better workers," they do so because they're cheaper. For example, many service industry jobs in my state at larger corporations, such as Best Buy, start at $8/hr; yet there are immigrant restaurant workers at some of the local businesses who will work for the federal minimum wage, or even lower! I admire their work ethic, but it undercuts legal residents/American citizens.

Many people try to claim that the current climate vis-à-vis illegal immigration resembles that of previous eras, such as the position against Irish and Chinese immigration in the 1800's German immigration in the late 19th/early 20th century. However, there is a great difference: those immigrants were not breaking laws in coming here. You may question the need for these laws, but the fact is they exist; thus, the first thing a person does when they intent to immigrate here illegally is violate our laws.

This may get me a censorship warning from 'Dave Bennion' (I thought it was in poor state to warn someone who said they were "not pro-illegal immigration), however, having also lived in Canada, I have seen the pro's and con's of vast, unchecked immigration (in that case, legal). The face of the country has changed so quickly that many issues have been introduced. In some communities, there has been sectarian violence which has carried over from the perpetrators' former countries. However, the good side of immigration in Canada is that it has increased diversity (although at a perhaps harmful rate--immigration was up 5x over the 2001-2006 period vs. the previous 5 years), whereas in the United States, the immigration is mostly from one country. I think we all agree that the immigration system here needs to be reformed. I simply believe it needs to be reformed differently from some of you. I do think that the quotas should be increased, but that we should try to promote more immigration from Africa, the Arab peninsula, Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America, as well as increased legal immigration from Mexico. Meanwhile, we should peacefully encourage illegal immigrants to depart. There is no need to deport the millions of illegals. However, all that would need to be done is to create an easy way for businesses to verify immigration/residency/citizenship status (e.g. have photo ID's linked to SSN's) and create rewards for anyone who reports employers who do not abide by the rules, as well as heavy penalties for those employers found violating them (i.e. 6+ figures/incident). In addition, children born in the U.S. should have to have at least one U.S. Citizen parent in order to qualify for citizenship (don't flame me for this--Mexico itself has this requirement!), which would discourage people from having babies here to receive immigration and other government benefits.

When I came here, I chose to do so legally, despite the difficulty and the fact that it took 3+ years to even get a student visa. Because I could not qualify as an in-state resident despite all the money I was having to borrow (foreign loans, since I couldn't legally qualify for loans here either) to spend on products/services I paid for here, I had to pay exorbitant amounts for the first several years of my education. I did not complain about this, nor did I seek illegal methods to overcome these hardships. My father also came here legally from South America back in the 60's but renounced his status after being drafted for the Vietnam War and emigrated to Mexico, so I am not speaking out of any prejudice towards Mexicans or other Latin Americans. I just cannot support people who choose to come here illegally when there are legal means to do so (e.g. the Visa Lottery program, of which I know 2 recipients, one from Morocco and one from Kenya) and there are other countries (such as Canada and Australia) that have good opportunities and accept many immigrants.

If someone chooses to censor my post, remember that stifling discussion is what leads to racism and extremism. This is what Alexander Hamilton and others argued in the Federalist Papers, written during the founding of this country (promoting the adoption of the Constitution).

I just have one question for William C.

If entering the US by legal means is accessible, why would people choose to do so when they would have to go through persecution, racism and probably death?

oh! and I'm NOT cheaper than a legal resident and I'm not using a fake or other's people SSN.  I pay for my own personal medical expenses I have never asked for any kind of government assistance. 

"When I came here, I chose to do so legally, despite the difficulty and the fact that it took 3+ years to even get a student visa."

DING DING DING

Yes William, when YOU came to the US you CHOSE to do so legally because you were given the OPTION of doing so.

The DREAM Act is for kids (now young adults) who were never given that OPTION.

There is NO rational reason to be against the DREAM Act.

To respond to William:

"Many people try to claim that the current climate vis-à-vis illegal immigration resembles that of previous eras, such as the position against Irish and Chinese immigration in the 1800's German immigration in the late 19th/early 20th century. However, there is a great difference: those immigrants were not breaking laws in coming here."

I think that's a misreading of the history.  Our immigration laws arose *in response* to those waves of migration.  And Chinese were completely banned from immigrating for about 60 years.  I don't know how that constitutes "not breaking laws in coming here."  http://www.kaichang.net/2008/08/chinese-american-experience-part-4-paper-sons-and-daughters.html

"When I came here, I chose to do so legally"

That's the point--many DREAMers didn't make that choice.

"I do think that the quotas should be increased, but that we should try to promote more immigration from Africa, the Arab peninsula, Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America, as well as increased legal immigration from Mexico."

What are you doing to make that a reality?  Contacting Congress, writing letters, blogging?  Or is this simply an alternative thrown out to justify your other sentiments?

"children born in the U.S. should have to have at least one U.S. Citizen parent in order to qualify for citizenship (don't flame me for this--Mexico itself has this requirement!), which would discourage people from having babies here to receive immigration and other government benefits."

Mexico doesn't have the history of the Civil War and the 14th Amendment that we have.  Passing a constitutional revision of the 14th Amendment is a nonstarter.  More countries (like Germany) are moving to a jus soli conception of citizenship.  The trend is towards birthright citizenship, not away from it like restrictionists claim. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jus_soli

And are you aware that EWI parents of USCs can't obtain immigration benefits *ever* (except the restrictive cancellation of removal) ... and it would take a 21 year wait for a USC child to be able to file for their parents (with a waiver for EWI entrants)?

"having also lived in Canada, I have seen the pro's and con's of vast, unchecked immigration (in that case, legal). The face of the country has changed so quickly that many issues have been introduced."

This is the kind of euphemism Huntington liked to use to justify policies to keep America white.  Don't expect to get a free pass on it here. 

Amparo Rivera said:
"I just have one question for William C.

If entering the US by legal means is accessible, why would people choose to do so when they would have to go through persecution, racism and probably death?"

I find your comments a tad over-dramatic. While some Mexicans may face persecution and racism, it is nothing compared to that faced by African Americans only 40 years ago. There are many support groups for Latin Americans in our communities, and many businesses, as well as official government documentation, cater(s) toward(s) Spanish-speaking people. My father learned English after being in New York for one year; yet I've seen people at the USCIS office who barely speak a word of English and are applying for U.S. Passports (with a translator present). If they really face such persecution, why do they come to the U.S. when they can get a free education in Mexico. It bothers me that a whole generation of Mexicans has decided to leave their country instead of trying to improve its conditions; especially when Mexico is not as poor off a country as, say, Kenya, where my aforementioned friend is from. I have to ask myself, what does that say about what their commitment to this country will be (the law-breaking parents, not the innocent children who were dragged along or born here)?

MoA, there is no need for dramatics. While your post was titled under the DREAM Act, the article and the comments brought up a number of issues which I thought needed to be addressed. I never said I was opposed to the DREAM Act, although I may favor slightly different requirements (full 4-yr degree or 4-yrs of military service).  I don't think that children should be punished for their parents' mistakes. I would, however, be opposed to them being permitted to sponsor their parents (or whoever EWI'd) in the future.

Dave, I'll respond following the outline of your post:

You are right about how our laws arose. Unfortunately, they did not learn from their mistakes in creating the laws, and the deterrents to back up those laws. We promoted large numbers of Chinese immigrants to immigrate here to work on the railroads, etc., and there was a backlash, just as there seems to be right now towards Mexican immigrants. I hope that we don't revisit our mistakes and ban Mexicans from immigrating for years; at the same time, I hope we don't legalize 12 million (even more by some estimates) illegal immigrants overnight, as it would create havok with an already inefficient and overworked civil service system. Where you’re wrong is in comparing Chinese people breaking laws which were only created out of racism (to exclude Asians) with illegal immigrants today breaking laws which have no basis in racism and are not exclusionary to any particular race.   If you read my post on one of the other immigration debates (I can’t find it at the moment, since there does not appear to be a way to see all of one’s previous comments—perhaps it was censored, for that matter), I did not initially have a choice, having been brought to the U.S. as a minor with my then-undocumented father. I chose to return to my country rather than break the laws in the U.S. once I became an adult. As far as contacting Congress etc., I don’t have a vote, so I don’t have a voice at the moment. When I become a citizen, I’ll be glad to make donations to political candidates who support the creation of enforceable laws regarding illegal immigrants, as well as the promotion of diverse legal immigration. You can jump on me all you like, Dave, but this field is an interest, not my life. My field takes a whole lot more time to actually research things, and I can’t use Wikipedia as a source. Speaking of Wikipedia, you use it as a source to claim that “more countries (like Germany) are moving to a jus soli conception of citizenship.” However, if you click on the actual “German nationality law” link which is found on the page you linked, you can read and see that a child born in Germany still requires “at least one parent who has [had] a permanent residence permit (for at least 3 years) and has been residing in Germany for at least 8 years.” In addition, on the page you linked, two industrialized nations have actually instituted requirements to have at least one citizen/resident parent (Ireland in January, 2005; and New Zealand in January, 2006). You don’t seem to be reading your own sources. You say “a constitutional revision of the 14th Amendment is a nonstarter.” However, we both know that SCOTUS has never, since the advent of the immigration laws which you first said “arose ‘in response’ to those waves of migration” ruled on how or whether the status of one’s parents as illegal or not affects one’s citizenship by birth. While the Court has used birthright citizenship implicitly in other rulings, it has not been decided with specific regard to the Citizenship Clause. I’m not aware of the policies regarding “EWIs” receiving benefits, but they’re irrelevant.  Illegal immigrants cannot be pursued for doctors’/hospital bills the way that citizens can be, so they simply go to an emergency room and get “free health care” that way. Their U.S.-born children all qualify for Medicaid and food stamps/TANF. I know people on food stamps.  It’s easy to take the amount allotted for their babies and use it to feed the entire family (using reusable diapers instead of disposable, for instance; or simply buying less healthy food for the babies/children). Lastly, I already explained in my post that Canadian neighborhoods have seen sectarian violence that was carried over from people’s home country (i.e. that immigration was so rapid that people were holding onto their old “values,” rather than adopting those of their new country).  So, please don’t bring the tired “racist card” up. That is the last bastion of the ignorant, who seek to quiet those who disagree with them instead of engaging in discourse. Indeed, it’s funny how you, as a non-Hispanic (I’m guessing here, correct me if I’m wrong), can compare me--a Hispanic--to someone who saw Hispanics as inferior. Please stop threatening everyone with censorship simply because they post something that you disagree with.

Sorry about the "wall of text." I copied it in from my word processor and the page won't let me delete and re-edit, like it does on other pages.

To Dave: "More countries (like Germany) are moving to a jus soli conception of citizenship.  The trend is towards birthright citizenship, not away from it like restrictionists claim"
In respect to your statement above, what do you make of Ireland's vote to end birth citizenship?
How many nation do have birth citizenship? - certainly none of the modern developed nations.

Canada has pure jus soli citizenship.  Several other developed nations have variants of it, including France, Germany, Ireland, Australia.

This article argues that there has been a convergence between jus soli and jus sanguinis in many countries: http://science.jrank.org/pages/7559/Naturalization.html

"Since World War II, however, citizenship laws have converged across all democratic states, due to the large increase in the scale of migrations across the world. In many continental European states, large-scale postwar immigration led to legislative changes so as to permit increasingly large segments of the population born in their territories, namely second-and third-generation immigrants, to access citizenship more easily. Elements of jus soli have been included in their jus sanguinis tradition that extends citizenship automatically at birth to third-generation immigrants (France since 1889, the Netherlands since 1953, Spain since 1990, and Belgium since 1992). For the second generation, in many countries, children born to immigrants on national territory are entitled to citizenship if the child (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden) or one of the child's parents (Germany) has lawfully resided there for a period of years."

Canada has pure jus soli citizenship.  Several other developed nations have variants of it, including France, Germany, Ireland, Australia.

This article argues that there has been a convergence between jus soli and jus sanguinis in many countries: http://science.jrank.org/pages/7559/Naturalization.html

"Since World War II, however, citizenship laws have converged across all democratic states, due to the large increase in the scale of migrations across the world. In many continental European states, large-scale postwar immigration led to legislative changes so as to permit increasingly large segments of the population born in their territories, namely second-and third-generation immigrants, to access citizenship more easily. Elements of jus soli have been included in their jus sanguinis tradition that extends citizenship automatically at birth to third-generation immigrants (France since 1889, the Netherlands since 1953, Spain since 1990, and Belgium since 1992). For the second generation, in many countries, children born to immigrants on national territory are entitled to citizenship if the child (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden) or one of the child's parents (Germany) has lawfully resided there for a period of years."

WE HAVE TO MARCH !!!! IN WASHINGTON !!! THIS IS THE ONLY WAY!!! THE COUNTRY ONLY LISTENS TO ITS PEOPLE WHEN THEY GET TOGETHER, THEN THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD, IF ALL OF U WANT TO GET OUR POINT, WE HAVE TO DO THIS! WE HAVE TO GET ALL OF US FOR THEM TO LISTEN. 
JANUARY 27TH WE MARCH. MY NAME IS GREGORY VORONTSOV AND HERE IS MY E-MAIL :TPOJIB@GMAIL.COM
WE CAN DO THIS... WE HAVE TO...

WE HAVE TO MARCH !!!! IN WASHINGTON !!! THIS IS THE ONLY WAY!!! THE COUNTRY ONLY LISTENS TO ITS PEOPLE WHEN THEY GET TOGETHER, THEN THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD, IF ALL OF U WANT TO GET OUR POINT, WE HAVE TO DO THIS! WE HAVE TO GET ALL OF US FOR THEM TO LISTEN. 
JANUARY 27TH WE MARCH. MY NAME IS GREGORY VORONTSOV AND HERE IS MY E-MAIL :TPOJIB@GMAIL.COM
WE CAN DO THIS... WE HAVE TO...

WE HAVE TO MARCH !!!! IN WASHINGTON !!! THIS IS THE ONLY WAY!!! THE COUNTRY ONLY LISTENS TO ITS PEOPLE WHEN THEY GET TOGETHER, THEN THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD, IF ALL OF U WANT TO GET OUR POINT, WE HAVE TO DO THIS! WE HAVE TO GET ALL OF US FOR THEM TO LISTEN. 
JANUARY 27TH WE MARCH. MY NAME IS GREGORY VORONTSOV AND HERE IS MY E-MAIL :TPOJIB@GMAIL.COM
WE CAN DO THIS... WE HAVE TO...

Wow Mohammed. Thank you for sharing your story. Do not read all the side track and ignorant comments that just obscure the main reason you wrote your story. I appreciate reading what you have gone through. Although your story is very similar to the other thousands of undocumented students, it definitely has its differences. I, myself, am an undocumented American. I can relate to you in your struggle not only as an undocumented student, but also as part of the LGBT community. Sometimes I find myself compressed into a small fact because these are two things that I have to live with. Believe me when I am proud of being both, but the hardships and criticism that both bring are just excruciatingly painful. Continue fighting with that same will because it will take you very far in life. You are diversed, the way a true American should be. No one can take that away from you despite not being considered an American on paper. In fact I'd rather feel American in spirit than in paper because what is a paper anyway? It is nothing more than that...a paper. One day we will both be able to legally profess our love for America and for our partners as well. Keep up the good work.

That's what US Cherokees thought too.  Then somehow, we lost our land to the English.  I think it's the Jehova's witness religion that believes that the land will go back to the Indians.  Well, we all know who drew the border to Mexico.  On my reservation, we say that Mexicans are just Indians that speak spanish.  I'm happy to see people come.  Just tickles me pink to see all those "white is right" people get all flustered.  (not to say anyone here is, but yall know they're out there)  It's true though,  immigration should consist of a background check, but what if you're already here?  It's alot harder than you realize.  It's like a mountain of paperwork, and an endless sea of fines and fees.  But seems as if you never see the end of it.  MOST immigrants are not bad people. You just hear of all the one's acting stupid on the news.  That's what gives everyone a bad name.   Only problem is that the US looks at people as numbers rather than individuals